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Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of microRNA (miR)-93, miR-320 and miR-16 and to assess their diagnostic value in diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 120 individuals were divided into three groups, which included the diabetics with ED group (ED group), the diabetics without ED group (NED group) and the healthy volunteers group (control group). Each group included 40 individuals. Serum samples were collected and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of the three types of miRNA was performed and the sensitivity of ED was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves. A negative correlation was identified between the incidence of ED in patients with diabetes and serum total testosterone levels (r=0.302, P<0.05); however, a positive correlation was observed between the incidence of ED in diabetics and the HbA1c level (r=0.231, P<0.05). Additionally, the relative expression levels of the three types of miRNA were higher in the ED group when compared with the NED and control groups (P<0.05). When compared with the control group, the area under the curve (AUC) values for miR-93, miR-320 and miR-16 were 0.793, 0.818 and 0.810, respectively, in the ED group and 0.576, 0.532 and 0.542 in the NED group, respectively. Furthermore, when compared with the NED group, the AUC value for miR-93, miR-320 and miR-16 was 0.707, 0.810 and 0.833, respectively, in the ED group. Therefore, the expression levels of miR-93, miR-320 and miR-16 may be useful for the early diagnosis of ED in patients with diabetes.

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The authors propose a novel sliding-mode variable structure controller for cascade STATic var COMpensator (STATCOM), which integrates the direct feedback linearisation control for the balanced system and the individual phase instantaneous current tracking control for the unbalanced system, to achieve a versatile STATCOM controller. It can adapt automatically to various distribution system conditions. Based on the degree of system unbalance, the authors design a switching function to make the STATCOM work reliably with satisfactory performance, when the serious voltage sag occurs or the distribution system enters serious asymmetrical condition. The authors also propose a hierarchical DC-link voltages balance control strategy. The authors build a detailed ± 10 MVar STATCOM model with power system CAD and electro magnetic transient in DC system (PSCAD/ EMTDC) and validate the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed control strategy with the simulation study.

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