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Based on Floquet theory, a simple and fast time‐domain stability analysis method for an N‐parallel inverters system is proposed. Furthermore, a general time‐domain model of the N‐parallel inverters system in grid‐connected mode and in island mode are derived, and the corresponding stability criteria are derived based on the Floquet theory. Subsequently, simulations and experiments of a two‐parallel inverters system in island and grid‐connected modes are conducted to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed time‐domain stability analysis method. To the end, the complexity comparison between the proposed time‐domain method and the traditional frequency‐domain method is presented to prove the advantages of the proposed method over the tedious manual derivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that have systemic effects that are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. Environmental chemicals that disrupt glucocorticoid receptor signaling and/or glucocorticoid homeostasis could adversely affect the health of human and nonhuman vertebrates. A major challenge in identifying environmental chemicals that alter glucocorticoid receptor signaling and/or glucocorticoid homeostasis is a lack of adequate screening methods. We developed a cell‐based bioassay to measure total glucocorticogenic activity (TGA) of environmental chemicals and human serum. Human MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells were stably transfected with a luciferase reporter gene driven by 3 tandem glucocorticoid‐response elements. Dose–response curves for 6 glucocorticoids and 4 non‐glucocorticoid steroid hormones were generated to evaluate the specificity of the bioassay. Cells were also optimized to measure TGA of 176 structurally diverse environmental chemicals and human serum samples in a high‐throughput format. Reporter activity was glucocorticoid‐specific and induced 400‐fold by 1 μM dexamethasone. Furthermore, 3 of the screened chemicals (3,4,4′‐trichlorocarbanilide, isopropyl‐N‐phenylcarbamate, and benzothiazole derivative 2‐[4‐chlorophenyl]‐benzothiazole) potentiated cortisol‐induced glucocorticoid receptor activity. Serum TGA estimates from the bioassay were highly correlated with a cortisol enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The present study establishes an in vitro method to rapidly screen environmental chemicals and human serum for altered glucocorticogenic activity. Future studies can utilize this tool to quantify the joint effect of endogenous glucocorticoids and environmental chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:177–186. © 2020 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background : A phase II multicentric trial of paclitaxel and cisplatin was conducted in previously untreated patients, with locally advanced transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, to assess its toxicity and efficiency in preserving the bladder. Methods : Forty-four patients with locally advanced TCC of the bladder (seven with T3a, 27 with T3b, and eight with T4a) were treated with paclitaxel 175 mg/m 2 over 3 h, and cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 over 30 min, on the first day of each 21-day treatment cycle. Therapy was continued for three cycles. Patients were re-evaluated and scheduled for radiotheraphy or radical surgery depending on tumoral response. Tumoral response was measured by citology, computed tomographical scans, and deep randomized biopsies of the bladder. Results : Thirty-two out of 42 patients (76%; 95% confidence interval 45–93%) showed a major response (22 complete, and 10 partial). Response times ranged from 18 to 54 months. Three patients with T4 bladder primary tumors experienced a pathological CR. At a median follow-up of three years, 20 patients remain free of disease (47.6%), six patients are alive with disease (14.3%), 12 patients died of disease (28.5%), and four others died of unrelated causes (9.5%). Hematological toxicity included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. No grade four febrile neutropenia was observed. Non-hematological toxicity included alopecia (93.2%), diarrhea (11.4%), vomiting (18.5%) mucosytis (4.6%), and neuropathy (4.6%). Drug omissions or dose delay for adverse events were only necessary in one patient (2.2%), and three patients (6.8%), respectively. Conclusions : Paclitaxel and cisplatin is an active and well-tolerated neo-adjuvant regimen for previously untreated patients with pure TCC of the bladder, achieving a vesical preservation rate of 52%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]