In this paper, a circulating-current-excited switched reluctance generator system with the diode rectifier is comparatively studied with a field-current-separated switched reluctance generator. By ...using a DC power source connected in series with the winding to provide the circulating current, a controllable excitation field is established in the proposed generator. To highlight the influence of this DC voltage source, the injected field current of the field-current-separated generator is kept the same as the circulating current of the circulating-current-excited generator. Then, both advantages and disadvantages of the generators are summarized. The circulating-current-excited switched reluctance generator system inherits both the advantages of good reliability of the separated-winding generator by using the diode rectifier and low copper loss of the integrated-winding machine by combining the AC and DC current in one set of windings. Furthermore, two more practically conventional field-current-separated generators are also compared with the proposed generator in terms of the external characteristics. These two conventional generators have different winding configurations. At last, the analysis is verified by experiments.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key signaling modulators in the tumor microenvironment. Among MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are receiving renewed interest as validated druggable targets for halting ...different tumor progression events. Over the last decades, a diverse range of MMP-2/9 inhibitors has been identified starting from the early hydroxamic acid-based peptidomimetics to the next generation non-hydroxamates. Herein, focused 1,2,4-triazole-1,2,3-triazole molecular hybrids with varying lengths and decorations, mimicking the thematic features of non-hydroxamate inhibitors, were designed and synthesized using efficient protocols and were alkylated with pharmacophoric amines to develop new Mannich bases. After full spectroscopic characterization the newly synthesized triazoles tethering Mannich bases were subjected to safety assessment via MTT assay against normal human fibroblasts, then evaluated for their potential anticancer activities against colon (Caco-2) and breast (MDA-MB 231) cancers. The relatively lengthy bis-Mannich bases 15 and 16 were safer and more potent than 5-fluorouracil with sub-micromolar IC50 and promising selectivity to the screened cancer cell lines rather than normal cells. Both compounds upregulated p53 (2–5.6-fold) and suppressed cyclin D expression (0.8–0.2-fold) in the studied cancers, and thus, induced apoptosis. 15 was superior to 16 in terms of cytotoxic activities, p53 induction, and cyclin D suppression. Mechanistically, both were efficient MMP-2/9 inhibitors with comparable potencies to the reference prototype hydroxamate-based MMP inhibitor NNGH at their anticancer IC50 concentrations. 15 (IC50 = 0.143 µM) was 4-fold more potent than NNGH against MMP-9 with promising selectivity (3.27-fold) over MMP-2, whereas 16 was comparable to NNGH. Concerning MMP-2, 16 (IC50 = 0.376 µM) was 1.2-fold more active than 15. Docking simulations predicted their possible binding modes and highlighted the possible structural determinants of MMP-2/9 inhibitory activities. Computational prediction of their physicochemical properties, ADMET, and drug-likeness metrics revealed acceptable drug-like criteria.
The variation in pore size in mesoporous films produced by electrochemically assisted self-assembly (EASA) with the surfactant chain length is described. EASA produces a hexagonal array of pores ...perpendicular to the substrate surface by using an applied potential to organize cationic surfactants and the resultant current to drive condensation in a silica sol. Here, we show that a range of pore sizes between 2 and 5 nm in diameter is available with surfactants of the form Me3NC n H2n+1Br, with alkyl chain lengths between C14 and C24. The film quality, pore order, pore size, and pore accessibility are probed with a range of techniques.
Background This study aims to illustrate the impact of applying the tranexamic acid impregnated in a gelatin sponge between the anterior rectus sheath and the Rectus Abdominis muscle during Cesarean ...section (CS) in minimizing rectus sheath hematoma (RHS) in women treated with Warfarin. Methods A clinical trial was carried out on 63 pregnant women attended for elective CS, who on antenatal warfarin anticoagulation started from 13 weeks gestation to 36 weeks then shifted to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH), and with an indication for postnatal warfarin anticoagulation. They were randomly assigned on the day of the scheduled CS into three equal groups (21 women for each). Group 1 had two pieces of gelatin sponges soaked with one ampoule of tranexamic acid. Group 2 had two pieces of gelatin sponges not soaked with tranexamic acid. Group 3 (control group) had no gelatin sponge applied. All patients underwent postoperative assessment done for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), estimated blood loss (EBL), amount and nature of discharge collected from the sub-rectus drain, complications (RHS, wound infection, thromboembolism), need for re-operation, and need for blood transfusion. Results Statistically significant differences were found between Group 1 and Group 2 regarding the postoperative Hb (10.66 + or - 1.13 vs. 9.77 + or - 0.69, P = 0.009), between Group 1 and Group 2 regarding the postoperative HCT (31.87 + or - 3.59 vs. 28.54 + or - 1.85, P = 0.001), between Group 1 and Group 2 regarding EBL (442.19 + or - 244.46 vs. 744.38 + or - 267.05, P = 0.003), between Group 1 and Group 3 regarding EBL (442.19 + or - 244.46 vs. 664.29 + or - 343.97, P = 0.040), and between Group 1 and Group 3 regarding the discharge amount from the sub rectus drain (190.48 + or - 100.77 vs. 307.14 + or - 127.76, P = 0.004). Conclusion Tranexamic acid-soaked gelatin sponges are safe and effective in reducing postoperative drainage and EBL. Clinical Trial Registration: At ClinicalTrials.gov in June 2022 (NCT05439694). Keywords: Tranexamic acid, Gelatin sponge, Rectus sheath hematoma, Anticoagulants
Background
Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular occlusive disease that can results in a variety of neurological deficits. We describe a very rare presentation of MMD in the form of ...bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss after a second attack of subcortical cerebral haemorrhage.
Case presentation
A 44-year-old female presented with bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) secondary to an acute intracerebral haemorrhage in the left temporoparietal region. She had a previous haemorrhagic event in the right temporoparietal region two years ago. The two haemorrhagic events have apparently led to interruption of the auditory pathways bilaterally, resulting in sudden complete deafness. Digital subtraction angiography was done, and it showed bilateral occlusion of the internal carotid arteries, with the abnormal anastomotic vascular network at the base of the brain characteristic for MMD.
Conclusions
Subcortical hemorrhage due to MMD is a potential cause of bilateral SSNHL that can be diagnosed with early proper imaging. Bilateral damage of the auditory pathways is the likely cause of cortical deafness in this clinical scenario.
This paper analyzes and compares the synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) performance for a conventional star winding and for a combined star-delta connected winding under healthy and faulty ...conditions. The finite element method is used to simulate the SynRM characteristics in case of normal star and in case of combined star-delta connected windings. For the healthy case, it was found that for the same current, the SynRM output power increased by about 5% for the star-delta connected windings compared with the conventional star connection. Moreover, the efficiency increased slightly by 0.20%. Probably the strongest advantage of the combined star-delta winding is observed when a phase fault occurs. When one phase is missing, for the same current, the star-delta connected motor keeps 80% of the rated torque in the healthy case, while the star connected motor only keeps 40%. Furthermore, the torque ripple of the star wound machine is extremely high in case of a missing phase, compared to the star-delta wound machine. Simulation results were validated by experimental results to show the effectiveness of the star-delta connected windings on the SynRM.
Ozonated olive oil (OL) combines the therapeutic effects of both ozone and olive oil. However, it suffers from limited water solubility and poor transdermal permeation, which hinder its application ...in melanoma treatment. Nanocarrier host molecules, such as niosomes, were used to improve the water solubility, transdermal permeation, and anticancer effect of hydrophobic compounds. This study aims to design and optimize a niosomal vesicular nanoplatform loaded with OL (OL/NSs) to improve OL’s skin permeation and anti-melanoma effect. In this regard, OL was prepared and characterized by evaluating its chemical properties (acid, peroxide, and iodine values) and fatty acid composition using gas chromatography. Then, OL/NSs were developed using the thin film hydration method employing cholesterol, Span 60, and Tween 60 at five different molar ratios. The optimized niosomes had an average diameter of 125.34 ± 13.29 nm, a surface charge of −11.34 ± 4.71 mV, and a spherical shape. They could entrap 87.30 ± 4.95% of the OL. OL/NSs showed a 75% sustained oil release over 24 h. The skin permeation percentage of OL/NSs was 36.78 ± 3.31 and 53.44 ± 6.41% at 12 and 24 h, respectively, three times higher than that of the free OL (11.50 ± 1.3 and 17.24 ± 2.06%, at 12 and 24 h, respectively). Additionally, the anticancer activity of the developed niosmal formulation, when tested on human melanoma cells (A375), was double that of the free OL; the IC50 of the OL/NSs was 8.63 ± 2.8 μg/mL, and that of the free OL was 17.4 ± 3.7 μg/mL. In conclusion, the encapsulation of ozonated olive oil in niosomes enhanced its water solubility, skin permeation, and anticancer activity and thus may represent potent natural chemotherapy in treating melanoma.
The 6th International Conference on Agricultural and Biological Sciences (ABS 2020), was planned to be held in the People's Republic of China. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, ABS 2020, “Agricultural ...and Biological Sciences: Plant, Soil, Animal, and Environment”, was the first online conference in Agricultural and Biological Sciences history. Each paper addressed a slightly different topic and provided identifiable challenges and research key questions in agriculture, agronomy, food production and security, and environmental hazards. The role of Agricultural and Biological Sciences of China is the generation of research knowledge that influence everyday activities. There were 41 manuscripts submitted, of which 25 were accepted for publication. The research domains varied and included the role of specific plant on soil C‐cycling, haploid induction, and natural doubling of Zea mays L.; plant species and soil rhizosphere microflora; forest tree biomass succession and dynamics relevant to C‐sequestration; making sandy land agriculture friendly; plantation age on C, N, and P stoichiometry; codon uses pattern of Gnetum luofuoense C.Y. Cheng using transcriptome data; suitability of plant landscape unit and natural parks; regeneration protocol of Jatropha curcas L., etc. The purpose of this special section is to generate an improved communication among international scientists that we hope will lead to enhanced food security.
Conflicting studies were proposed either suggested or denied the relationship between early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic ...hepatitis C management.
To evaluate HCC recurrence rate post-DAAs and potential predictive factors.Study This prospective cohort study included all HCC patients achieved complete response attending our multidisciplinary HCC clinic, Cairo University, from November 2013 to February 2018. Group I (60 patients) who received DAAs after HCC ablation and group II (273 patients) who were DAAs-untreated. We studied factors that could play a role in HCC recurrence.
The sustained virological response rate was 88.3% among DAA-treated patients. HCC recurrence rate was 45% in the post-DAA group vs. 19% in the non-DAAs group; P < 0.001. Mean survival was significantly higher in the post-DAA group (34.23 ± 16.16 vs. 23.92 ± 13.99 months respectively; P value <0.001). There was a significant correlation between HCC recurrence rate and age, male gender, mean size of tumors and time interval between complete HCC ablation and occurrence of HCC recurrence.
Our study reports high rate of HCC recurrence post-DAA therapy in patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization but not in those treated with curative measures. DAA therapy after curative treatment for HCC led to significantly earlier HCC recurrence, which correlated with specific clinic-pathologic features in our prospective single-institution study. However, future independent prospective randomized studies are warranted to evaluate this correlation which may lead to a change in the current standard-of-care approach to patients with hepatitis C virus-related HCC.
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