We recently demonstrated that circulating microparticles (MPs) from patients with valvular heart diseases (VHD) subjected to cardiac surgery impaired endothelial function and vasodilation. However, it is unknown whether or not the protein composition of these circulating MPs actually changes in response to the disease and the surgery. Circulating MPs were isolated from age-matched control subjects (n = 50) and patients (n = 50) with VHD before and 72 h after cardiac surgery. Proteomics study was performed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry combined with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification technique. The differential proteins were identified by ProteinPilot, some of which were validated by Western blotting. Bio-informatic analysis of differential proteins was carried out. A total of 849 proteins were identified and 453 proteins were found in all three groups. Meanwhile, 165, 39, and 80 proteins were unique in the control, pre-operation, and postoperation groups respectively. The unique proteins were different in localization, molecular function, and biological process. The pro-inflammatory proteins were increased in VHD patients and more so postoperatively. Proteins related to coagulation were dramatically changed before and after surgery. The protein composition of circulating MPs was changed in patients with VHD undergoing cardiac surgery, which may lead to activation of the systemic inflammatory response and disorders of coagulation.

The short-circuit electromagnetic force in radial direction induces critical mechanical stress on a power transformer. In this paper, the radial short-circuit forces which are exerted on transformer low voltage (LV) windings are investigated. Firstly, the mechanisms of leakage flux and short-circuit electromechanical forces in transformer coils are analyzed. Afterwards, based on IEC standards followed by short-circuit tests, calculations of radial short-circuit forces and evaluations of the ability to withstand short currents in LV windings are developed. The case studies and comparisons with improved measures show that the evaluation and calculation method is feasible and effective, and this method also offers three useful ways to strengthen the ability to withstand short-circuit currents for transformer windings.

Context: The diethyl ether extract of the stems of Schisandra pubescens Hemsl. et Wils. (Schisandraceae) was found to exhibit cytotoxic activity in vitro. However, investigations of the bioactive constituents of this plant have been very limited. Objective: Elucidation of the cytotoxic constituents of S. pubescens was performed. Methods: Repeated silica gel column chromatography and preparative TLC were used for the chemical investigation of the diethyl ether extract of S. pubescens stems. All isolates were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against A549, PC-3, KB and KBvin human cancer cell lines. Results: Nine known compounds were obtained, including four lignans, epischisandrone (1), tigloylgomisin P (2), cagayanone (3) and (À)-gomisin L 2 (4), together with five triterpenoids, micranoic acid B (5), lancifodilactone H (6), coccinic acid (7), schisanlactone B (8) and anwuweizonic acid (9). Compounds 2-6 and 8 showed moderate to marginal cytotoxicity, with GI 50 values of 11.83-35.65 mM. Conclusion: The isolation of 1-9 from S. pubescens and the cytotoxicities of 3-6 are first reported. Compounds 2-6 and 8 could be the active principles responsible for the anticancer effects of S. pubescens.

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