Meta-heuristics algorithms for optimization of gains for dynamic voltage restorers to improve power quality and dynamics

This article discusses metaheuristic algorithms for optimizing controller gains for dynamic voltage restorers (DVRs) that use an impedance control strategy to compensate for unbalance in source voltages, voltage harmonics, and sag/swell in source voltages. The gains of the proportional-integral (PI) controllers become critical for proper DVR load voltage extraction. Various techniques for optimization, such as whale optimization technique, gray wolf optimization technique, particle swarm optimization technique, and ant lion optimization technique, are used to obtain DC and AC PI controller gains for DVR. The impedance control strategy employs simple calculations to determine the resistance and reactance of a polluted source voltage, without the use of frame conversions as in synchronous reference theory, instantaneous reference power theory, and so on. The quick calculations of the impedance control scheme improve the power quality and dynamics. The Metaheuristic algorithms are used to calculate the number of iterations required to achieve the best possible controller gains, which further helps to improve power quality and dynamics. Among these optimization techniques, the antlion optimization technique provides fast convergence and the best possible controller gain values to improve the dynamics of the dc-link voltage of voltage source converter and terminal voltage, thereby improving power quality. The proposed antlion optimization technique-based DVR model is simulated in MATLAB R2019, and the results are validated with RT-LAB.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene polymorphism and the association with dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic Palestinian patients

BackgroundDyslipidemia in diabetes is common and characterized by hypertriglyceridemia with decreased levels of high‐density lipoprotein. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in Palestinian T2DM patients and to investigate the association between this polymorphism and lipid profile in diabetic patients with and without dyslipidemia.MethodsA total of 208 T2DM patients including 98 with dyslipidemia and 110 without dyslipidemia were enrolled in this study. The MTHFR C677T genotyping was conducted by PCR‐RFLP followed by agarose gel electrophoresis.ResultsThere were no significant differences in either the genotype distribution or allele frequency in T2DM patients with or without dyslipidemia (37.8% CC, 54% CT, 8.2% TT vs. 48.2% CC, 41.8% CT, 11% TT; p = 0.209). However, among the dyslipidemic group, the TT carriers have a higher HDL level (46.8 ± 17.8) compared to (CC+CT) carriers (34.68 + 11.9) (p = 0.01). In the group without dyslipidemia, there was a significant elevation in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among the CC carriers (83.6 ± 10.6) compared to those who carried at least one mutant allele (CT+TT) (78.1 ± 11.1) (p = 0.009).ConclusionsThe study shows that in our Palestinian population the MTHFR 677TT genotype lowers DBP significantly in patients without dyslipidemia and is related to increased level of HDL in diabetic dyslipidemia patients.     

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: From a metabolic disorder to an inflammatory condition

Diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate and has become a global challenge.Insulin resistance intarget tissues and a relative deficiency of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells are the major features of type 2 diabetes(T2D).Chronic low-grade inflammation in T2 D has given an impetus to the field of immuno-metabolism linking inflammation to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction.Many factors advocate a causal link between metabolic stress and inflammation.Numerous cellular factors trigger inflammatory signalling cascades,and as a result T2 D is at the moment considered an inflammatory disorder triggered by disordered metabolism.Cellular mechanisms like activation of Tolllike receptors,Endoplasmic Reticulum stress,and inflammasome activation are related to the nutrient excess linking pathogenesis and progression of T2 D with inflammation.This paper aims to systematically review the metabolic profile and role of various inflammatory pathways in T2 D by capturing relevant evidence from various sources.The perspectives include suggestions for the development of therapies involving the shift from metabolic stress to homeostasis that would favour insulin sensitivity and survival of pancreatic β-cells in T2 D.     

Hexokinase 2 is a key mediator of aerobic glycolysis and promotes tumor growth in human glioblastoma multiforme

Proliferating embryonic and cancer cells preferentially use aerobic glycolysis to support growth, a metabolic alteration commonly referred to as the "Warburg effect." Here, we show that the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase 2 (HK2) is crucial for the Warburg effect in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant brain tumor. In contrast to normal brain and low-grade gliomas, which express predominantly HK1, GBMs show increased HK2 expression. HK2 expression correlates with worse overall survival of GBM patients. Depletion of HK2, but neither HK1 nor pyruvate kinase M2, in GBM cells restored oxidative glucose metabolism and increased sensitivity to cell death inducers such as radiation and temozolomide. Intracranial xenografts of HK2-depleted GBM cells showed decreased proliferation and angiogenesis, but increased invasion, as well as diminished expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor. In contrast, exogenous HK2 expression in GBM cells led to increased proliferation, therapeutic resistance, and intracranial growth. Growth was dependent on both glucose phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation mediated by AKT signaling, which is often aberrantly activated in GBMs. Collectively, these findings suggest that therapeutic strategies to modulate the Warburg effect, such as targeting of HK2, may interfere with growth and therapeutic sensitivity of some GBMs.     

Mechanotransduction of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in smooth muscle is dependent on the extracellular matrix and regulated by matrix metalloproteinases

Excessive wall stretch of distensible hollow organs in cardiovascular and urinary systems can activate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), thereby releasing matrix neoepitopes and growth factor ligands, leading to ERK1/2 activation. However, the role of MMPs in mechanotransduction of ERK1/2 signaling in the bladder is unknown. We examined bladders undergoing sustained distension over time, which provides a novel platform for smooth muscle mechanotransduction studies. Bladder distension ex vivo caused increased proliferation and MMP activity. Conditioned medium from distended compared with undistended bladders induced proliferation in bladder smooth muscle cells (BSMCs). When conditioned medium from distended bladders was used to proteolyze collagen type I matrices, matrices augmented BSMC proliferation, which was inhibited if bladders were distended in presence of broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors. Distension of ex vivo bladders also induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in situ, which was dependent on MMP activity in the intact bladder. Similarly, stretching BSMCs in vitro induced increases in ERK1/2 activation and ERK1/2-dependent proliferation under discrete mechanical conditions, and distension conditioned medium itself induced MMP-dependent ERK1/2 activation in BSMCs. Overall, stretch-induced proliferation and ERK1/2 signaling in bladder tissue and BSMCs likely depend on secreted MMP activity. Identification of intermediaries between MMPs and ERK1/2 may elaborate novel mechanisms underlying mechanotransduction in bladder smooth muscle.