Effects of alpha fetoprotein on escape of Bel 7402 cells from attack of lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: Involvement of AFP against apoptosis of tumor cell has been implicated in its evasion of immune surveillance. However, the molecular events of immune escape mechanisms are still unknown. The major observations reported here relate to a possible mechanism by which heptoloma Bel 7402 cells escape immune surveillance in vitro. METHODS: Western blotting and a well-characterized cofocal scanning image were performed to analyze the expression of Fas/FasL and caspase-3 in co-cultured Bel 7402 and Jurkat cells. RESULTS: After co-culture with Jurkat cells, up-regulated Fas and reduced FasL expression could be observed. Treatment with AFP could remarkably inhibit the elevated Fas and, whereas, induce the FasL expression in co-cultured Bel 7402 cells. Cells co-culture could induce the expression of caspase-3 in both cells line. The elevated caspase-3 in Bel 7402 cells was abolished following the treatment of AFP. The expression of caspase-3 was elevated in co-cultured Jurkat cells treated with AFP. No detectable change on the expression of survivin was examined in both cells line. Monoclonal antibody against AFP treatment alone did not obviously influence the growth of cells, as well as the expression of Fas/FasL and caspase-3. However, the effect of AFP could be blocked by antibody. CONCLUSIONS: our results provide evidence that AFP could promote the escape of liver cancer cells from immune surveillance through blocking the caspase signal pathway of tumor cells and triggering the Fas/FasL interaction between tumor cells and lymphocytes

Deep Learning in Processing Medical Images and Calculating the Orbit Volume

A software tool for calculating the volume of a soft-tissue eye orbit using the deep learning of neural network Mask R-CNN has been developed and tested. The result of the development will be in demand when evaluating the results of surgical intervention for the reconstruction of the thin bones of the orbit. It was established that the inaccuracy in constructing the contour of a soft-tissue orbit is 4–8%

Влияние поверхностного потенциала анодных алюмооксидных пленок на их зарядовые свойства

The surface potential of anodic alumina films and their charge properties have been studied. The surface potential of anodic alumina films after anodic process has positive values, but then this potential is decreased to zero level with subsequent transition to negative values. The negative displacement of the surface potential is associated with a negative built-in electric charge of aluminum anodic oxide. The mechanism of transition from the positive built-in electric charge to the negative one inside the anodic oxides is proposed. The highest density of the negative charge is observed in the films formed in electrolytes based on the aqueous solutions of the citric and phosphoric acids.Представлены результаты исследования поверхностного потенциала анодных алюмооксидных пленок и их зарядовых свойств. Показано, что поверхностный потенциал анодных алюмооксидных пленок сразу после окончания анодного процесса имеет положительное значение, но с течением времени этот потенциал уменьшается до нулевого уровня с последующим переходом в область отрицательных значений. Установлено, что отрицательное смещение поверхностного потенциала связано с отрицательным встроенным электрическим зарядом анодного оксида алюминия. Предложен механизм перехода от положительного встроенного электрического заряда к отрицательному внутри анодных оксидов. Установлено, что наибольшая плотность отрицательного заряда наблюдается в пленках, сформированных в электролитах на основе водных растворов лимонной и ортофосфорной кислот

Formation of alumina nanotubes and jet effect during high voltage local anodization of aluminum

Using an improved heat sink from the barrier layer, the voltage of anodic electrochemical oxidation of aluminum in sulfuric electrolytes is successfully increased from the conventional limit of about 40 to 200 V. This is done by localization of the anodized regions within the windows in the niobium thin film masks with the diameters of 0.3 μm to 2.5 mm. High-voltage anodization in water solutions of sulfuric acid is observed to be accompanied by a reproducible formation of densely packed alumina nanotubes and intense gas propulsion from the pores of the forming alumina. The latter is proposed and experimentally confirmed for use as an efficient driving agent in micro- and nanoengines. Test samples are accelerated to the velocities up to 1 cm s−1, demonstrating a thrust-to-weight ratio of about 1000

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ДЖОУЛЕВА РАЗОГРЕВА ОКСИДА АЛЮМИНИЯ В ПРОЦЕССЕ ЭЛЕКТРОХИМИЧЕСКОГО АНОДИРОВАНИЯ

The temperature distribution within the anodic alumina during the anodic process has been studied. The temperature increase can reach 300 °C at high lever of Joule heat. The parameters of the heat process such as the heat temperature coefficient, the specific temperature change and the number of thermal process similarity criteria have been determined. The simulation of the temperature distribution within the test system for the given parameters of anodizing has been performed.Проведено исследование распределения температуры внутри оксида алюминия вследствие выделения джоулева тепла во время электрохимического анодирования. Обнаружено, что температура растущего оксида может достигать 300 °С в зависимости от мощности выделяемого джоулева тепла. Определен ряд параметров (коэффициент теплопередачи, удельное изменение температуры) и значения критериев подобия процесса теплопередачи. Проведено численное моделирование распределения температуры внутри исследуемых систем при заданной потребляемой мощности электрохимического анодирования

The Apoptosome: Emerging Insights and New Potential Targets for Drug Design

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in tissue homeostasis, development and many diseases. The relevance of Apaf1, the molecular core of apoptosome, has been underlined in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, which according to a growing body of evidence, is involved in various pathologies where the equilibrium of life-and-death is dysregulated, such as heart attack, stroke, liver failure, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Consequently, great interest has emerged in devising therapeutic strategies for regulating the key molecules involved in the life-and-death decision. Here we review recent progress in apoptosis-based pharmacological therapies and, in particular, we point out a possible role of the apoptosome as an emerging and promising pharmacological target

Формирование трубчатых оксидов алюминия локальным электрохимическим анодированием в органических электролитах и их антиотражающие свойства

Research has been carried out on the formation of tubular aluminum oxides by local electrochemical anodization in aqueous solutions of organic acids such as formic, citric, tartaric, malic and others. Self-ordered nanostructures formed this way can be used in the manufacture of various optical devices. Tubular aluminum oxides formed by local electrochemical anodization in organic acids have a high concentration of anionic complexes containing carbon atoms over 10 at.%. Studies of reflection spectra showed effective anti-reflection properties of films with a specular reflection coefficient of 0.7–1.4 %.Выполнены исследования по формированию трубчатых оксидов алюминия локальным электрохимическим анодированием в водных растворах органических кислот, таких как муравьиная, лимонная, винная, яблочная и др. Формируемые подобным образом самоупорядоченные наноструктуры могут быть использованы при изготовлении различных оптических устройств. Трубчатые оксиды алюминия, сформированные локальным электрохимическим анодированием в органических кислотах, имеют высокую концентрацию анионных комплексов, содержащих более 10 ат.% атомов углерода. Исследования спектров отражения показали эффективные антиотражающие свойства пленок с коэффициентом зеркального отражения 0,7–1,4 %

Factors associated with diversity, quantity and zoonotic potential of ectoparasites on urban mice and voles

Wild rodents are important hosts for tick larvae but co-infestations with other mites and insects are largely neglected. Small rodents were trapped at four study sites in Berlin, Germany, to quantify their ectoparasite diversity. Host-specific, spatial and temporal occurrence of ectoparasites was determined to assess their influence on direct and indirect zoonotic risk due to mice and voles in an urban agglomeration. Rodent-associated arthropods were diverse, including 63 species observed on six host species with an overall prevalence of 99%. The tick Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species, found on 56% of the rodents. The trapping location clearly affected the presence of different rodent species and, therefore, the occurrence of particular host-specific parasites. In Berlin, fewer temporary and periodic parasite species as well as non-parasitic species (fleas, chiggers and nidicolous Gamasina) were detected than reported from rural areas. In addition, abundance of parasites with low host-specificity (ticks, fleas and chiggers) apparently decreased with increasing landscape fragmentation associated with a gradient of urbanisation. In contrast, stationary ectoparasites, closely adapted to the rodent host, such as the fur mites Myobiidae and Listrophoridae, were most abundant at the two urban sites. A direct zoonotic risk of infection for people may only be posed by Nosopsyllus fasciatus fleas, which were prevalent even in the city centre. More importantly, peridomestic rodents clearly supported the life cycle of ticks in the city as hosts for their subadult stages. In addition to trapping location, season, host species, body condition and host sex, infestation with fleas, gamasid Laelapidae mites and prostigmatic Myobiidae mites were associated with significantly altered abundance of I. ricinus larvae on mice and voles. Whether this is caused by predation, grooming behaviour or interaction with the host immune system is unclear. The present study constitutes a basis to identify interactions and vector function of rodent-associated arthropods and their potential impact on zoonotic diseases

Effect of surface potential of anodic alumina film on their charge properties

The surface potential of anodic alumina films and their charge properties have been studied. The surface potential of anodic alumina films after anodic process has positive values, but then this potential is decreased to zero level with subsequent transition to negative values. The negative displacement of the surface potential is associated with a negative built-in electric charge of aluminum anodic oxide. The mechanism of transition from the positive built-in electric charge to the negative one inside the anodic oxides is proposed. The highest density of the negative charge is observed in the films formed in electrolytes based on the aqueous solutions of the citric and phosphoric acids