Effects of Non-Thermal Plasma on Mammalian Cells

Thermal plasmas and lasers have been widely used in medicine to cut, ablate and cauterize tissues through heating; in contrast, non-thermal plasma produces no heat, so its effects can be selective. In order to exploit the potential for clinical applications, including wound healing, sterilization, blood coagulation, and cancer treatment, a mechanistic understanding of the interaction of non-thermal plasma with living tissues is required. Using mammalian cells in culture, it is shown here that non-thermal plasma created by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has dose-dependent effects that range from increasing cell proliferation to inducing apoptosis. It is also shown that these effects are primarily due to formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have utilized γ-H2AX to detect DNA damage induced by non-thermal plasma and found that it is initiated by production of active neutral species that most likely induce formation of organic peroxides in cell medium. Phosphorylation of H2AX following non-thermal plasma treatment is ATR dependent and ATM independent, suggesting that plasma treatment may lead to replication arrest or formation of single-stranded DNA breaks; however, plasma does not lead to formation of bulky adducts/thymine dimers

Self-Motivational Systems in Second Language and English Language Performance: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation and Second Language Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivational self-system in English language learning and the mediating role of self-regulation and second language anxiety in schools. The research method was applied according to the purpose and data collection was done by correlation. The current research population was second year female high school students in Yazd. A sample size of 300 was selected by multistage cluster sampling method and students answered Second Language Motivational Self-System Questionnaire (SLMSQ), Bufard Self-Regulation Questionnaire (BSRQ). Foreign Language Anxiety Survey (FLCAS). The obtained data were analyzed by correlation and path analysis using SPSS24 and Lisrel 8.7 software. The results of path analysis with appropriate adjustment showed a direct relationship between ideal l2 self in learning English and an indirect relationship between experience in learning a second language through self-regulation. Moreover, the direct relationship between anxiety in English was negative and significant, and the indirect relationship between ideal l2 self due to anxiety in English learning became positive and significant. In this study, the direct relationship between l2 self and second language experience in English learning and the indirect relationship between l2 self and second language anxiety in English learning were not significant. Therefore, it is recommended that parents do not force adolescents to learn English and try to internalize their motivation to learn English

A conserved DNA structural control element modulates transcription of a mammalian gene

The mammalian dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene promoters contain several conserved sequence elements which bind protein, and yet there are other conserved DNA sequences that do not footprint. We report here that mutation of one of these conserved non-footprinting regions increases transcription from this promoter bot

E2F mediates dihydrofolate reductase promoter activation and multiprotein complex formation in human cytomegalovirus infection.

The adenovirus immediate-early protein E1A activates the adenovirus E2 promoter and several cellular gene promoters through transcription factor E2F. The immediate-early proteins of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can complement an E1A-deficient adenovirus mutant and activate the adenovirus E2 promoter. HCMV also has been shown to activate the adenovirus E2 promoter. On the basis of these findings, we have investigated whether HCMV can activate the promoter of the cellular dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene, which requires E2F binding for maximal promoter activity. We show that HCMV activates the DHFR promoter and that products of the HCMV major immediate-early gene region mediate the activation of the promoter specifically through the E2F site. We used gel mobility shift assays to search for potential molecular mechanisms for this activation and found an "infection-specific" multimeric complex that bound to the E2F sites in the DHFR and E2 promoters in extracts from HCMV-infected cells but not in extracts from uninfected cells. Several antibodies against HCMV immediate-early gene products had no effect on this infection-specific complex. Subsequently, the complex was found to contain E2F, cyclin A, p33cdk2, and p107 and to be similar to S-phase-specific complexes that recently have been identified in several cell types. A functional role for the binding of the cyclin A-p33cdk2 complex to cellular gene promoters has yet to be demonstrated; however, HCMV infection causes the induction of both cellular DNA replication and transcription of growth-related genes containing E2F sites in their promoters. The findings described above therefore may relate to both of these effects of HCMV infection. We also provide evidence that some of the molecular events associated with adenovirus infection are different from those associated with HCMV infection

Heat transfer modes in supersonic hydrogen combustion

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.A miniature wind tunnel has been built which harnesses the power to hold supersonic flows and supersonic combustion. Experiments have been performed to test the sustainability of hydrogen combustion in supersonic Mach flows. Supersonic combustion allows hypersonic flight viability. Compressed air at different pressure inlets was combined with hydrogen at a constant flow rate for the combustion reaction. Pressure ratios across the flow chamber corresponded to supersonic Mach numbers of about 2.5. The ensuing fuel-air mixture ignited with miniature spark plugs to initiate and sustain combustion at the high Mach flow. Special attention was paid to the pre-mixture of the hydrogen fuel and incoming air because of the relationship between pre-mixture and flame stability. The stability of combustion is especially important in high-speed flight, as seen in ramjet and scramjet design. The combustion reaction within the scramjet engine transmitted heat by means of conduction, convection and radiation, but not much change in temperature was seen, as predicted theoretically, within the engine because of the small scale. However, large temperature gradients were seen throughout the shrouds of the combustion chamber because of conduction. Different materials were used for shrouds to see the various effects of the materials variation as heat sinks for the combustion reaction. Experimental results are verified using laser diagnostics in cold flow, and theoretical analysis is also used in parallel to anchor and check data collected by sensorsdc201

Induction of NF-kappa B DNA-binding activity during the G0-to-G1 transition in mouse fibroblasts.

A DNA-binding factor with properties of NF-kappa B and another similar activity are rapidly induced when growth-arrested BALB/c 3T3 cells are stimulated with serum growth factors. Induction of these DNA-binding activities is not inhibited by pretreatment of quiescent cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Interestingly, the major NF-kappa B-like activity is not detected in nuclear extracts of proliferating cells, and thus its expression appears to be limited to the G0-to-G1 transition in 3T3 cells. These DNA-binding activities bind many of the expected NF-kappa B target sequences, including elements in the class I major histocompatibility complex and human immunodeficiency virus enhancers, as well as a recently identified NF-kappa B binding site upstream of the c-myc gene. Furthermore, both the class I major histocompatibility complex and c-myc NF-kappa B binding sites confer inducibility on a minimal promoter in 3T3 cells stimulated with serum growth factors. The results demonstrate that NF-kappa B-like activities are immediate-early response proteins in 3T3 cells and suggest a role for these factors in the G0-to-G1 transition

Characterization of the rat transforming growth factor alpha gene and identification of promoter sequences.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of rat transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) mRNA and characterized the six exons that encode this transcript. These six exons span approximately 85 kilobases of genomic DNA, with exons 1 to 3 separated by particularly large introns. What had previously been thought to represent a species-specific difference in the size of the TGF alpha precursor (proTGF alpha) is now shown to be due to microheterogeneity in the splicing of exons 2 and 3. This results from a tandem duplication of the acceptor CAG and gives rise to two alternate forms (159 and 160 amino acids) of the integral membrane precursor. Exon 6, which encodes the 3' untranslated region of TGF alpha mRNA, also encodes, on the opposite strand, a small (approximately 200-nucleotide) transcript whose sequence predicts an open reading frame of 51 amino acids. Expression of this latter transcript does not appear to be coregulated with that of TGF alpha mRNA. Primer extension and S1 nuclease analyses of authentic TGF alpha transcripts revealed two major and multiple minor 5' ends which span more than 200 base pairs of DNA in a G + C-rich region that lacks canonical CCAAT or TATA sequences. The 5' ends of six independently derived cDNAs localized to five different sites in this same region. Restriction fragments that overlap these transcription start sites and extend approximately 300 base pairs in the 5' direction faithfully promote transcription in vitro with HeLa cell nuclear extracts. In addition, they direct the expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene in transient-transfection assays

A comprehensive survey exploring the application of machine learning algorithms in the detection of land degradation

Early and reliable detection of land degradation helps policymakers to take strict action in more vulnerable areas by making strong rules and regulations in order to achieve sustainable land management and conservation. The detection of land degradation is carried out to identify desertification processes using machine learning techniques in different geographical locations, which are always a challenging issue in the global field. Due to the significance of the detection of land degradation, this article provides an exhaustive review of the detection of land degradation using machine learning algorithms. Initially, the current status of land degradation in India is presented, along with a brief discussion on the overview of widely used factors, evaluation parameters, and algorithms used. Consequently, merits and demerits related to machine learning-based land degradation identification are presented. Additionally, solutions are prescribed in order to reduce existing problems in the detection of land degradation. Since one of the major objectives is to explore the future perspectives of machine learning-based land degradation detection, areas including the application of remote sensing, mapping, optimum features, and algorithms have been broadly discussed. Finally, based on a critical evaluation of existing related studies, the architecture of the machine learning-based desertification process has been proposed. This technology can fulfill the research challenges in the detection of land degradation and computation difficulties in the development of models for the detection of land degradation

A three-year-old boy with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformation: a case report

Abstract Introduction X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy leads to demyelination of the nervous system, adrenal insufficiency, and accumulation of long-chain fatty acids. Most young patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy develop seizures and progressive neurologic deficits, and die within the first two decades of life. Congenital or acquired disorders of the respiratory system have not been previously described in patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. Case presentation A 3-year-old Arabic boy from Yemen presented with discoloration of the mucous membranes and nail beds, which were considered cyanoses due to methemoglobinemia. He also had shortness of breath, fatigue, emesis and dehydration episodes for which he was admitted to our hospital. Chest radiograph and chest computed tomography scans showed congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformation. A few weeks before the removal of the malformation, he had a significant episode of hypotension and hypoglycemia. This development required further in-hospital evaluation that led to the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and the initiation of treatment with corticosteroids. One year later, he developed seizures and loss of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging of his head showed diffuse demyelination secondary to X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. He was treated with anti-seizure and anti-oxidants, and was referred for bone marrow transplant evaluation. Conclusion The presence of adrenal insufficiency, neurologic deficits and seizures are common manifestations of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. The association of congenital lung disease with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy or Addison\u27s disease has not been described previously

Sickle cell disease and systematic lupus erythematous association in a 14-year-old adolescent female

SCD develops when haemoglobin (HbS) is produced in the body as a result of a mutation occurring in haemoglobin beta chain. SLE is defined as a rare, chronic autoimmune multi-organ manifestation. SCD and SLE rarely coincide in literature due to the limited number of cases and the overlapping of symptoms of both diseases. Majority affecting child bearing age, with a mean of 23-year-old. Articular manifestations like joint pain are common in both diseases. We report a case of female adolescent with sickle cell disease associated with systemic lupus erythematous