Molecular insights into the zinc homeostasis of breast and prostate cancer cells

Zinc ion (Zn2+) is essential to life as a structural or catalytic component of proteins. The cell has developed an elaborate molecular network over the extensive evolutionary timeline to maintain zinc homeostasis. Any disruption of such a network will lead to zinc dyshomeostasis, resulting in health problems such as cancers. Zinc dyshomeostasis is an intriguing phenomenon in breast and prostate cancers, with breast cancer cells exhibiting higher intracellular Zn2+ levels compared to their corresponding normal epithelial cells, in contrast to the low Zn2+ levels in prostate cancer cells compared to the normal prostate counterpart. Such contrasting zinc profiles of breast and prostate cancer cells provide an avenue for this PhD project to investigate the Zn2+ homeostasis of breast and prostate cancer cells by a systematic approach of gene profiling via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and proteomic analysis with a panel of cell lines including two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), two prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and DU145), along with normal breast epithelial and prostate epithelial cell lines (MCF10A, RWPE-1). A systematic approach of gene profiling, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and proteomic analysis was carried out, using a panel of cell lines which include two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), two prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and DU145), along with normal breast epithelial and prostate epithelial cell lines (MCF10A, RWPE-1). The systematic experimental approach of this project returned the meaningful findings, which enhances our knowledge and understanding of the zinc homeostasis in breast and prostate cancer cells. The molecular clues uncovered here should not only contribute to the elucidation of molecular network of zinc homeostasis but should also serve as potential molecular targets for anti-cancer drug development. As zinc dyshomeostasis is increasingly linked to the development and progression of cancers such as breast and prostate cancers, and zinc is emerging as an important signalling messenger in normal and cancerous cells, the findings of this project provide avenues for further studies on breast and prostate cancers

Optimal operating conditions and characteristics of acetone/CaF_2 detector for inverse photoemission spectroscopy

Performance and characteristics of a band-pass photon detector using acetone gas and CaF_2 window (acetone/CaF_2) have been studied and compared with an ethanol/MgF_2 detector. The optimal operating conditions are found to be 4 mbar acetone pressure and 745+/-20 V anode voltage. The count rate obtained by us is about a factor of 3 higher than what has been reported earlier for the acetone detector. Unlike other gas filled detectors, this detector works in the proportional region with very small dead time (4 micro sec). A detector band-pass of 0.48+/-0.01 eV FWHM is obtained.Comment: Review of Scientific Instruments 76, 066102 (2005

Revealing the nature of antiferro-quadrupolar ordering in Cerium Hexaboride: CeB6_6

Cerium-hexaboride (CeB$_6$) f-electron compound displays a rich array of low-temperature magnetic phenomena, including `magnetically hidden' order, identified as multipolar in origin via advanced x-ray scattering. From first-principles electronic-structure results, we find that the \emph{antiferro-quadrupolar} (AFQ) ordering in CeB$_{6}$ arises from crystal-field splitting and yields band structure in agreement with experiments. With interactions of $p$-electrons between Ce and B$_{6}$ being small, the electronic state of CeB$_{6}$ is suitably described as Ce(4$f^{1}$)$^{3+}$(e$^{-}$)(B$_{6}$)$^{2-}$. The AFQ state of orbital spins is caused by an exchange interaction induced through spin-orbit interaction, which also splits J=5/2 state into $\Gamma_{8}$ ground state and $\Gamma_{7}$ excited state. Within the smallest antiferromagnetic (111) configuration, an orbital-ordered AFQ state appears during charge self-consistency, and supports the appearance of `hidden' order. Hydrostatic pressure (either applied or chemically induced) stabilizes the AFM (AFQ) states over a ferromagnetic one, as observed at low temperatures.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Assessing Feeding Damage from Two Leaffooted Bugs, Leptoglossus clypealis Heidemann and Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Coreidae), on Four Almond Varieties.

Leaffooted bugs (Leptoglossus spp; Hemiptera: Coreidae) are phytophagous insects native to the Western Hemisphere. In California, Leptoglossus clypealis and Leptoglossus zonatus are occasional pests on almonds. Early season feeding by L. clypealis and L. zonatus leads to almond drop, while late season feeding results in strikes on kernels, kernel necrosis, and shriveled kernels. A field cage study was conducted to assess feeding damage associated with L. clypealis and L. zonatus on four almond varieties, Nonpareil, Fritz, Monterey, and Carmel. The objectives were to determine whether leaffooted bugs caused significant almond drop, to pinpoint when the almond was vulnerable, and to determine the final damage at harvest. Branches with ~20 almonds were caged and used to compare almond drop and final damage in four treatments: (1) control branches, (2) mechanically punctured almonds, (3) adult Leptoglossus clypealis, and (4) adult Leptoglossus zonatus. Replicates were set up for eight weeks during two seasons. Early season feeding resulted in higher almond drop than late season, and L. zonatus resulted in greater drop than L. clypealis. The almond hull width of the four varieties in the study did not influence susceptibility to feeding damage. The final damage assessment at harvest found significant levels of kernel strikes, kernel necrosis, and shriveled almonds in bug feeding cages, with higher levels attributed to L. zonatus than L. clypealis. Further research is warranted to develop an Integrated Pest Management program with reduced risk controls for L. zonatus

Coke Oven Emission Standards - A Comparative Assessment

In USA, Clean Air Act(CAA) came into existence from 1963 onwards. Consent decrees, state implementation plans and Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) regulations were put in vogue for coke oven emissions in 1970s. These were different for different batteries. Progressively charging practices were changed and many developments were also carried in door, lid, and off-take arrangements. Extensive research (both technical and financial) was carried out for the development of regul-atory alternatives in 1980s. Finally CAAA-1990 came into extistence after lot of negotiations. Whereas in India, there were almost no standards (except CO and particulate matter emissions) existed before 1997. The philosophy behind the new standards is new to coke oven designers, suppliers, builders and operators. The environmental aspects so far remained focused on the ear-lier standards only. Adapting new concept would take time for all the players in the industry. The paper elaborates the methodology adopted for evaluation of coke oven emi-ssion standards in USA with respect to the same followed in India and at the end comes out with a proposal for acceptance by the Regulatory Authorities

Sweet cherry cultivars influenced the growth and productivity under HDP

In a field experiment, to identify the best sweet cherry varieties for high density orcharding, maximum canopy volume (18.94 cm3) was recorded in variety ‘Steela’ and minimum in ‘Lambert’ while, ‘Bigarreau Napoleon’ had maximum TCSA (213 cm2). Trees grown under HDP have lower TCSA in comparison to normal density. Primary and secondary branch girth were maximum in ‘Bigarreau Napoleon’ whereas, annual extension growth and shoot thickness were high in ‘Steela’. Yield, yield efficiency and cumulative yield efficiency were registered maximum in ‘Bigarreau Napoleon’ and ‘Bigarreau Noir Grossa’ cultivars. Largest fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter were found maximum (10.16 g/fruit), (25.51 mm) (25.20 mm) respectively in ‘Bigarreau Napoleon’. Total soluble solids were found maximum in ‘Bigarreau Noir Grossa’ (17.30 0Brix) among the studied cultivars. Correlation matrix showed that TCSA had positive correlation with canopy volume, primary branch girth and secondary branch girth and fruit weight showed positive correlation with fruit length and fruit diameter