Feasibility study: investigation of car park-based V2G services in the UK central hub

The increasing uptake of electric vehicles, and the established practice of long-term parking at stations and airports, offers an opportunity to develop a flexible approach to help with the energy storage dilemma. This paper investigates the feasibility of using a number of EV batteries as an energy storage and grid balancing solution within the UK Central Hub area. Here, the capital cost of the vehicle is a sunk cost to the EV owner. The potential income generated, or discount on long-term parking, is an additional benefit of ownership. This paper considers the income available to a small and large size car park from the different market mechanisms to offer grid support in the UK and contrasts this with the complexity and costs of the EV charging infrastructure required within these types of scheme

Regular consumption of vitamin D-fortified yogurt drink (Doogh) improved endothelial biomarkers in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed as the underlying cause of diabetic angiopathy that eventually leads to cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death in diabetes. We recently demonstrated the ameliorating effect of regular vitamin D intake on the glycemic status of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, the effects of improvement of vitamin D status on glycemic status, lipid profile and endothelial biomarkers in T2D subjects were investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with T2D were randomly allocated to one of the two groups to receive either plain yogurt drink (PYD; containing 170 mg calcium and no vitamin D/250 mL, n₁= 50) or vitamin D3-fortified yogurt drink (FYD; containing 170 mg calcium and 500 IU/250 mL, n₂= 50) twice a day for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, lipid profile, body fat mass (FM) and endothelial biomarkers including serum endothelin-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were evaluated at the beginning and after the 12-week intervention period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intervention resulted in a significant improvement in fasting glucose, the Quantitative Insulin Check Index (QUICKI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triacylglycerols, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), endothelin-1, E-selectin and MMP-9 in FYD compared to PYD (<it>P </it>< 0.05, for all). Interestingly, difference in changes of endothelin-1, E-selectin and MMP-9 concentrations in FYD compared to PYD (-0.35 ± 0.63 versus -0.03 ± 0.55, <it>P </it>= 0.028; -3.8 ± 7.3 versus 0.95 ± 8.3, <it>P </it>= 0.003 and -2.3 ± 3.7 versus 0.44 ± 7.1 ng/mL, respectively, <it>P </it>< 0.05 for all), even after controlling for changes of QUICKI, FM and waist circumference, remained significant for endothelin-1 and MMP-9 (<it>P </it>= 0.009 and <it>P </it>= 0.005, respectively) but disappeared for E-selectin (<it>P </it>= 0.092). On the contrary, after controlling for serum 25(OH)D, the differences disappeared for endothelin-1(<it>P </it>= 0.066) and MMP-9 (<it>P </it>= 0.277) but still remained significant for E-selectin (<it>P </it>= 0.011).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Ameliorated vitamin D status was accompanied by improved glycemic status, lipid profile and endothelial biomarkers in T2D subjects. Our findings suggest both direct and indirect ameliorating effects of vitamin D on the endothelial biomarkers.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01236846">NCT01236846</a></p

Development of Effective Cancer Vaccine Using Targeting System of Antigen Protein to APCs.

PURPOSE: To develop a novel cancer vaccine using the targeting system of antigen protein to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for efficient and safe cancer therapy. METHODS: The novel delivery system was constructed with antigen protein, benzalkonium chloride (BK), and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen protein and evaluating its immune induction effects and utilities for cancer vaccine. RESULTS: BK and γ-PGA enabled encapsulation of OVA and formed stable anionic particles at nanoscale, OVA/BK/γ-PGA complex. Complex was taken up by dendritic cell line DC2.4 cells efficiently. We subcutaneously administered the complex to mice and examined induction of IgGs. The complex induced not only Th2-type immunoglobulins but also Th1-type immunoglobulins. OVA/BK/γ-PGA complex inhibited tumor growth of E.G7 cells expressing OVA regularly; administered OVA/BK/γ-PGA complex completely rejected tumor cells. CONCLUSION: The novel vaccine could be platform technology for a cancer vaccine

Study of Methionine, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid Status in Coronary Atherosclerotic Male Patients

Background: Increased level of serum homocysteine is one of the risk factor of atherosclerosis. Its production related in some sulfur amino acids such as methionine. Some important cofactors that are involved in metabolic pathways of this amino acid are folate and vitamin B12. We have assessed the status of methionine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 in some coronary atherosclerotic male patients.Methods: In this case-control study, 46 cases of coronary atherosclerosis were selected from male patients aged 37 to 66 years undergoing coronary angiography. Of these, 21 had history of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in previous 3 to 36 months and 25 had angina pectoris. The controls were selected from male healthy volunteers. Inclusion criteria for all study participants required that they had no history of diabetes, hypertension, renal, hepatic, or gastrointestinal dis&amp;shy;ease, endocrinal disorders, or psychiatric illness. Nutritional status was assessed using biochemistry methods and estima&amp;shy;tion of nutrient intake. Serum methionine was determined by HPLC methods.Results: Mean serum levels of vitamin B12, and folate, also erythrocyte folate concentration are significantly lower in these patients than in control subjects, but not for methionine. The ratios of serum methionine to vitamin B12 and folate were higher in patients than controls. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, both, were higher in patients than controls.Conclusion: In summary, it is concluded that, despite normal level of serum methionine, coenzymes deficiencies may be one of the factors accounting for atherosclerosis