Preeclampsia is associated with over-activation of the innate immune system in the placenta,in which toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） plays an essential part.With their potent anti-inflammatory effects,statins have been s...Preeclampsia is associated with over-activation of the innate immune system in the placenta,in which toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） plays an essential part.With their potent anti-inflammatory effects,statins have been suggested as potential prevention or treatment of preeclampsia,although evidence remains inadequate.Herewith,we investigated whether pravastatin could ameliorate preeclampsia-like phenotypes in a previously established lipopolysaccharide（LPS）-induced rat preeclampsia model,through targeting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.The results showed that pravastatin reduced the blood pressure [maximum decline on gestational day（GD） 12,（101.33±2.49） mmHg vs.（118.3±1.37） mmHg,P〈0.05] and urine protein level [maximum decline on GD9,（3,726.23± 1,572.86） μg vs.（1,991.03 ±609.37）μg,P〈 0.05],which were elevated following LPS administration.Pravastatin also significantly reduced the rate of fetal growth restriction in LPS-treated rats（34.10% vs.8.99%,P〈0.05）.Further pathological analyses suggested a restoration of normal spiral artery remodeling in preeclampsia rats by pravastatin treatment.These effects of pravastatin were associated with decreased TLR4/NF-κB protein levels in the placenta and IL-6/MCP-1 levels in serum.Additionally,no obvious abnormalities in fetal liver,brain,and kidney were found after administration of pravastatin.These results provide supportive evidence for use of pravastatin in preventing preeclampsia.展开更多
For the Asynchronous Transfer Mode （ATM） networks with time-varying multiple time-delays, a more realistic model for the available bit rate （ABR） traffic class with explicit rate feedback is introduced. A fuzzy-im...For the Asynchronous Transfer Mode （ATM） networks with time-varying multiple time-delays, a more realistic model for the available bit rate （ABR） traffic class with explicit rate feedback is introduced. A fuzzy-immune controller is designed, which can adjust the rates of ABR on-line, overcome the bad effect caused by the saturation nonlinearity and satisfy the weighted fairness. Also, the sufficient condition that guarantees the stability of the closed-loop system with a fuzzy-immune controller is presented in theory for the first time. The algorithm exhibits good performance, and most importantly, has a solid theoretical foundation and can be implemented in practice easily. Simulation results show that the control system is rapid, adaptive, robust, and meanwhile, the quality of service （QoS） is guaranteed.展开更多
This paper assesses the evolution of generation technology-mix in Australia,with specific emphasis on understanding how such evolution has been shaped by wider political and socioeconomic influences.This assessment is...This paper assesses the evolution of generation technology-mix in Australia,with specific emphasis on understanding how such evolution has been shaped by wider political and socioeconomic influences.This assessment is predicated on the argument that the contemporary,quintessentially techno-economic,policy discourse on renewable energy is deficient,as it ignores climacteric political and socio-economic influences on generation technology-mix.The methodological framework employed in this paper is informed by the core tenets of technological change theory.The assessment suggests that generation technology-mix in Australia has historically been overwhelmingly influenced by the underlying technological paradigm of the electricity industry;and that this technological paradigm essentially draws its imprimatur from the wider political and socio-economic contexts.By implication,it suggests that a rapid uptake of renewables will have widespread ramifications,extending into political,socio-economic and cultural realms of a society.Clearly,existing policy discourse-that tends to focus on technical potentials,cost competitiveness,externalities and risks of various renewable technologies-is deficient.A much broader discourse is needed.This paper also made an attempt to develop a basis for such a discourse by reviewing broader aspects of the Australian society that would be affected by a rapid uptake of renewables.展开更多
Approaches for controlling inflammatory responses and reducing the mortality rate of septic patients remain clinically ineffective; new drugs need to be identified that can induce anti-inflammatory responses. Ephedrin...Approaches for controlling inflammatory responses and reducing the mortality rate of septic patients remain clinically ineffective; new drugs need to be identified that can induce anti-inflammatory responses. Ephedrine hydrochloride （EH） is a compound that is widely used in cardiovascular diseases, especially to treat hypotension caused by either anesthesia or overdose of antihypertensive drugs. In this study, we reported that EH also plays an important role in the control of the inflammatory response. EH increased IL-IO and decreased proinflammatory cytokine （IL-6, tumor-necrosis factor （TNF）-a, IL-12 and IL-11~） expression in primary peritoneal macrophages and Raw264.7 cells treated with peptidoglycan （PGN）, a Gram-positive cell wall component. The anti-inflammatory role of EH was also demonstrated in an experimental mouse model of peritonitis induced by intraperitoneal PGN injection. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt pathway was found to be responsible for the EH-mediated increase in IL-IO production and decrease in IL-6 expression. Therefore, our results illustrated that EH can help maintain immune equilibrium and diminish host damage by balancing the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines after PGN challenge. EH may be a new potential anti-inflammatory drug that can be useful for treating severe invasive Gram-positive bacterial infection.展开更多
This study extends the ambit of the debate on electricity transitionby specifically identifying possible policy entry points through which transformative and enduring changes can be made in the electricity and socio-e...This study extends the ambit of the debate on electricity transitionby specifically identifying possible policy entry points through which transformative and enduring changes can be made in the electricity and socio-economic systems to facilitate the transition process.Guided by the"essence"of the multi-level perspective-a prominent framework for the study of energy transition,four such entry points have been identified:1)destabilising the dominant,fossil fuel-based electricity regime to create room for renewable technologies tobreak through;2)reconfiguring the electricity regime,which encompasses technology,short-term operational practices and long-term planning processes,to improve flexibility for accommodating large outputs from variable renewable sources whilst maintaining supply security;3)addressing the impactofcoal power phase-outon coal mining regions in terms of economic development and jobs;and 4)facilitating a shift in transition governance towards a learning-based,reflexive process.Specific areas for policy interventions within each of these entry points have also been discussed in the paper.展开更多
基金funded by the following Grants:National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:81370724,81571463 and 81401225Innovative Research Program for Postgraduate in Higher Education Institutions of Jiangsu Province for the year 2016,Grant/Award Number:KYLX16_1111
文摘Preeclampsia is associated with over-activation of the innate immune system in the placenta,in which toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） plays an essential part.With their potent anti-inflammatory effects,statins have been suggested as potential prevention or treatment of preeclampsia,although evidence remains inadequate.Herewith,we investigated whether pravastatin could ameliorate preeclampsia-like phenotypes in a previously established lipopolysaccharide（LPS）-induced rat preeclampsia model,through targeting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.The results showed that pravastatin reduced the blood pressure [maximum decline on gestational day（GD） 12,（101.33±2.49） mmHg vs.（118.3±1.37） mmHg,P〈0.05] and urine protein level [maximum decline on GD9,（3,726.23± 1,572.86） μg vs.（1,991.03 ±609.37）μg,P〈 0.05],which were elevated following LPS administration.Pravastatin also significantly reduced the rate of fetal growth restriction in LPS-treated rats（34.10% vs.8.99%,P〈0.05）.Further pathological analyses suggested a restoration of normal spiral artery remodeling in preeclampsia rats by pravastatin treatment.These effects of pravastatin were associated with decreased TLR4/NF-κB protein levels in the placenta and IL-6/MCP-1 levels in serum.Additionally,no obvious abnormalities in fetal liver,brain,and kidney were found after administration of pravastatin.These results provide supportive evidence for use of pravastatin in preventing preeclampsia.
基金the open subject for Key Laboratory of Process Industry Automation of Ministry of Education.
文摘For the Asynchronous Transfer Mode （ATM） networks with time-varying multiple time-delays, a more realistic model for the available bit rate （ABR） traffic class with explicit rate feedback is introduced. A fuzzy-immune controller is designed, which can adjust the rates of ABR on-line, overcome the bad effect caused by the saturation nonlinearity and satisfy the weighted fairness. Also, the sufficient condition that guarantees the stability of the closed-loop system with a fuzzy-immune controller is presented in theory for the first time. The algorithm exhibits good performance, and most importantly, has a solid theoretical foundation and can be implemented in practice easily. Simulation results show that the control system is rapid, adaptive, robust, and meanwhile, the quality of service （QoS） is guaranteed.
文摘This paper assesses the evolution of generation technology-mix in Australia,with specific emphasis on understanding how such evolution has been shaped by wider political and socioeconomic influences.This assessment is predicated on the argument that the contemporary,quintessentially techno-economic,policy discourse on renewable energy is deficient,as it ignores climacteric political and socio-economic influences on generation technology-mix.The methodological framework employed in this paper is informed by the core tenets of technological change theory.The assessment suggests that generation technology-mix in Australia has historically been overwhelmingly influenced by the underlying technological paradigm of the electricity industry;and that this technological paradigm essentially draws its imprimatur from the wider political and socio-economic contexts.By implication,it suggests that a rapid uptake of renewables will have widespread ramifications,extending into political,socio-economic and cultural realms of a society.Clearly,existing policy discourse-that tends to focus on technical potentials,cost competitiveness,externalities and risks of various renewable technologies-is deficient.A much broader discourse is needed.This paper also made an attempt to develop a basis for such a discourse by reviewing broader aspects of the Australian society that would be affected by a rapid uptake of renewables.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Key Basic Research Program of China （2010CB529901 and 2010CB530600）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （31100619 and 30972705）, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation （20110490186）, the Chen-guang Plan Project of Shanghai Educational Municipal Education Commission （11CG48 and szyl0004）, the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education （20113107120014） and the Leading Academic Discipline Project of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission （J50301） （Yuejuan Zheng, Shanghai University of T.C.M）.
文摘Approaches for controlling inflammatory responses and reducing the mortality rate of septic patients remain clinically ineffective; new drugs need to be identified that can induce anti-inflammatory responses. Ephedrine hydrochloride （EH） is a compound that is widely used in cardiovascular diseases, especially to treat hypotension caused by either anesthesia or overdose of antihypertensive drugs. In this study, we reported that EH also plays an important role in the control of the inflammatory response. EH increased IL-IO and decreased proinflammatory cytokine （IL-6, tumor-necrosis factor （TNF）-a, IL-12 and IL-11~） expression in primary peritoneal macrophages and Raw264.7 cells treated with peptidoglycan （PGN）, a Gram-positive cell wall component. The anti-inflammatory role of EH was also demonstrated in an experimental mouse model of peritonitis induced by intraperitoneal PGN injection. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/Akt pathway was found to be responsible for the EH-mediated increase in IL-IO production and decrease in IL-6 expression. Therefore, our results illustrated that EH can help maintain immune equilibrium and diminish host damage by balancing the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines after PGN challenge. EH may be a new potential anti-inflammatory drug that can be useful for treating severe invasive Gram-positive bacterial infection.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.72174056).
文摘This study extends the ambit of the debate on electricity transitionby specifically identifying possible policy entry points through which transformative and enduring changes can be made in the electricity and socio-economic systems to facilitate the transition process.Guided by the"essence"of the multi-level perspective-a prominent framework for the study of energy transition,four such entry points have been identified:1)destabilising the dominant,fossil fuel-based electricity regime to create room for renewable technologies tobreak through;2)reconfiguring the electricity regime,which encompasses technology,short-term operational practices and long-term planning processes,to improve flexibility for accommodating large outputs from variable renewable sources whilst maintaining supply security;3)addressing the impactofcoal power phase-outon coal mining regions in terms of economic development and jobs;and 4)facilitating a shift in transition governance towards a learning-based,reflexive process.Specific areas for policy interventions within each of these entry points have also been discussed in the paper.
