Smart5Grid Solutions for enhanced TSO grid observability and manageability in massive RES penetration environment

This article presents the latency minimisation potential provided by the Smart5Grid Open Experimentation Platform (OEP) developed by the Horizon 2020 Smart5Grid Research and Innovation (R&I) project. It discusses the OEP performance and provides experimental data to substantiate its contribution to improving observability and manageability of distributed renewable generation in power grids. That experimental proof is delivered by two pilots running on the OEP: Demo 1 Millisecond Level Precise Distribution Generation Control, and Demo 2 Real-time Wide Area Monitoring (WAM) pilot of 5G virtual Phasor Data Concentrator v(PDC) capabilities for WAM of end-to-end electricity grids. This work reports  two Network Applications (NetApps) created to support both demos and provides experimental evidence that the OEP offers latency of comparable measure to well-established wire-bound communications in addition to availability and reliability on top of by-design flexibility, scalability and modularity, which are especially relevant to power systems with high shares of Distributed Renewable Energy Recourses (DRERs). The software and methods used for the OEP development and experimental testbeds applied to measure its latency performance in both tailored pilot demos are explained at length. The test results are presented and interpreted with a view to discussing potential contributions of the presented 5G-enabled solutions for power grid smartification in conditions of high rollout of distributed renewable generation. All pilot demos generate openly accessible data, except where specific security restrictions are applicable.

A taxonomic outline of the Poecilimon affinis complex (Orthoptera) using the geometric morphometric approach

The genus Poecilimon contains 145 species, widely distributed in the Palaearctic, among which the Poecilimon ornatus group has the greatest diversity in the Balkans. Despite several revisions of the genus, the systematics of the species group, and in particular, of the taxa associated with the species Poecilimon affinis, is still unsolved. Due to morphological similarity, P. affinis with its subspecies, P. nonveilleri and P. pseudornatus form the Poecilimon affinis complex. The aim of this study is to test the hypotheses of an outlined species complex, namely the P. affinis complex, within the P. ornatus group using morphological data. Geometric analysis was conducted to explore variation in the structure of the male tegmen, ovipositor, male cercus, and male pronotum. The number of teeth and stridulatory file measurements provided additional information on morphological variation within the complex. A phylogenetic tree based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was used for comparison with the morphological data. Canonical variate analysis showed that male tegmen and male cercus are good morphostructures to distinguish the taxa belonging to the P. affinis complex from other species in the P. ornatus group. This may confirm our assumption for the designation of the P. affinis complex. The results of the principal component analysis of stridulatory file measurements, molecular data, and CVA of the ovipositor suggest adding two additional species to the complex: P. ornatus and P. hoelzeli.

Identification of novel antigens contributing to autoimmunity in cardiovascular diseases

In myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients the immune system may play an important role in disease progression. In this study, we aimed to identify new antigens as a target for autoimmune response that might play a crucial role in these diseases. Therefore, a peptide-array was used to investigate antibody binding profiles in patients with autoimmune myocarditis or DCM compared to healthy controls and thus to identify disease relevant antigens. To analyze the pathogenicity of the identified antigens, an experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model was used. Hereby, 3 peptide sequences, derived from myosin-binding-protein-C (MYBPC) fast-type, RNA-binding-protein 20 (RBM20), and dystrophin, showed pathogenic effects on the myocardium of mice. In summary, 3 potentially cardiopathogenic peptides (MYBPC fast-type, RBM20, dystrophin) were identified. Thus, this study could serve as a basis for future investigations aimed at determining further antigens leading to pathogenic effects on the myocardium of DCM as well as myocarditis patients.

SHOX triggers the lysosomal pathway of apoptosis via oxidative stress

The SHOX gene encodes for a transcription factor important for normal bone development. Mutations in the gene are associated with idiopathic short stature and are responsible for the growth failure and skeletal defects found in the majority of patients with Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD) and Langer mesomelic dysplasia. SHOX is expressed in growth plate chondrocytes where it is supposed to modulate the proliferation, differentiation and cell death of these cells. Supporting this hypothesis, in vitro studies have shown that SHOX expression induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in both transformed and primary cells. In this study, we further characterized the cell death mechanisms triggered by SHOX and compared them with the effects induced by one clinically relevant mutant form of SHOX, detected in LWD patients (SHOX R153L) and a SHOX C-terminally truncated version (L185X). We show that SHOX expression in U2OS osteosarcoma cells leads to oxidative stress that, in turn, induces lysosomal membrane rupture with release of active cathepsin B to the cytosol and subsequent activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway characterized by mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and caspase activation. Importantly, cells expressing SHOX R153L or L185X did not display any of these features. Given the fact that many of the events observed in SHOX-expressing cells also characterize the complex cell death process occurring in the growth plate during endochondral ossification, our findings further support the hypothesis that SHOX may play a central role in the regulation of the cell death pathways activated during long bone development.

Synergistic combination of valproic acid and oncolytic parvovirus H-1PV as a potential therapy against cervical and pancreatic carcinomas

The rat parvovirus H-1PV has oncolytic and tumour-suppressive properties potentially exploitable in cancer therapy. This possibility is being explored and results are encouraging, but it is necessary to improve the oncotoxicity of the virus. Here we show that this can be achieved by co-treating cancer cells with H-1PV and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) such as valproic acid (VPA). We demonstrate that these agents act synergistically to kill a range of human cervical carcinoma and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis. Strikingly, in rat and mouse xenograft models, H-1PV/VPA co-treatment strongly inhibits tumour growth promoting complete tumour remission in all co-treated animals. At the molecular level, we found acetylation of the parvovirus nonstructural protein NS1 at residues K85 and K257 to modulate NS1-mediated transcription and cytotoxicity, both of which are enhanced by VPA treatment. These results warrant clinical evaluation of H-1PV/VPA co-treatment against cervical and pancreatic ductal carcinomas.

Successful use of mRNA-nucleofection for overexpression of interleukin-10 in murine monocytes/macrophages for anti-inflammatory therapy in a murine model of autoimmune myocarditis

Background

Overexpression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in murine CD11b⁺ monocytes/macrophages via GMP-adapted mRNA-nucleofection was expected to improve clinical outcome and reduce adverse side effects in autoimmune myocarditis. This study represents the proof of principle for a novel anti-inflammatory therapy using overexpression of IL-10 in murine monocytes/macrophages by mRNA-nucleofection for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis.

Methods and Results

Autoimmune myocarditis was induced in A/J mice by subcutaneous immunization with troponin I. CD11b⁺ monocytes/macrophages were isolated from the peritoneum and IL-10 was overexpressed by mRNA-nucleofection. These cells were injected intravenously. Myocardial inflammation was assessed via histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Myocardial fibrosis was analyzed with Masson's trichrome staining. Antitroponin I antibodies were determined within the serum. Physical performance was evaluated using a running wheel and echocardiography. In vitro overexpression of IL-10 in CD11b⁺ monocytes/macrophages resulted in a 7-fold increased production of IL-10 (n=3). In vivo higher levels of IL-10 and less inflammation were detected within the myocardium of treated compared with control mice (n=4). IL-10–treated mice showed lower antitroponin I antibodies (n=10) and a better physical performance (n=10).

Conclusions

Application of IL-10–overexpressing CD11b⁺ monocytes/macrophages reduced inflammation and improved physical performance in a murine model of autoimmune myocarditis. Thus, the use of genetically modified monocytes/macrophages facilitated a targeted therapy of local inflammation and may reduce systemic side effects. Because the nucleofection technique is GMP adapted, an in vivo use in humans seems basically feasible and the transfer to other inflammatory diseases seems likely.

Chemical stability of new acyclovir analogues with peptidomimetics

In the search for new and effective prodrugs against the herpes simplex virus, a series of acyclovir analogues with a thiazole ring containing amino acids (glycine, alanine, valine, leucine) has been investigated. The chemical stability of some of the compounds containing different residues was studied at pH 1 and pH 7.4 at a temperature of 37°C. An HPLC method was developed for quantification of the unchanged ester concentration.Some of the esters (Gly-thiazole, Ala-thiazole-acyclovir, Leu-thiazole-acyclovir) were rather unstable, especially under acidic conditions, and underwent rapid hydrolysis into the chemical precursor acyclovir. At pH 7.4, the stability of Valthiazole-acyclovir was remarkable. At this pH, Val-thiazole-acyclovir showed stability higher than that of valacyclovir (the first effective prodrug of acyclovir).

[The role of video-assisted thorascopy in determination of surgical behaviour in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and pleural effusion]

INTRODUCTION

Although of introduction of new methods for diagnosis in patients with lung cancer and pleural effusion, VATS remain "the gold standart".

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to present our experience in using VATS for diagnosis and surgical behaviour in patients with lung cancer and pleural effusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2007 - March 2009 in Department of thoracic and abdominal surgery UMBAL St. George Plovdiv we made 62 VATS in patients with lung cancer and pleural effusion.

RESULTS

In 30 patients we discover pleural carcinomatosis and we made pleurodesis. In other 32 patients, we didn't find pleural carcinomatosis and we made radical operations.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of small number of complications. directly related with this manipulation, we can conclude that this technique is safe and help us to decrease the number of unnecessary thoracotomy until 50%.