Effect of terahertz pulse on gene expression in human eye cells

In recent years, the advances in terahertz applications have stimulated interest in the biological effects associated with this frequency range. We study the gene expression profile in three types of cells exposed to terahertz radiation,i.e., human ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells, simian virus 40-transformed human corneal epithelial cells, and human MIO-M1 Müller cells. We find that the gene expression in response to heat shock is unaffected, indicating that the minimum temperature increases under controlled environment. The transcriptome sequencing survey demonstrates that 6-hour irradiation with a broadband terahertz source results in specific change in gene expression and also the biological functions that are closely related to these genes. Our results imply that the effect of terahertz radiation on gene expression can last over 15 hours and depends on the type of cell.

Non-thermal effects of 0.1 THz radiation on intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity and conformation

Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) plays an integral role in the metabolism of liver and development of the skeleton in humans. To date, the interactions between different-duration terahertz(THz) radiation and ALP activities, as well as the influence mechanism are still unclear. In this study, using the para-nitro-phenyl-phosphate(p NPP) method, we detect changes in ALP activities during 40-minute THz radiation(0.1 THz, 13 m W/cm^2). It is found that the activity of ALP decreases in the first 25 min, and subsequently increases in the later 15 min. Compared with the activity of ALP being heated, the results suggest that short-term terahertz radiation induces a decrease in enzyme activity through the non-thermal mechanism. In order to explore the non-thermal effects of THz radiation on ALP, we focus on the impacts of 0.1 THz radiation for 20 min on the activity of ALP in different concentrations. The results reveal that the activity of ALP decreases significantly after exposure to THz radiation. In addition, it could be deduced from fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis), and THz spectra results that THz radiation has induced changes in ALP structures. Our study unlocks non-thermal interactions between THz radiation and ALP, as well as suggests that THz spectroscopy is a promising technique to distinguish ALP structures.

Green synthesis of 1,2,4-thiadizoles from thioamides in water using molecular oxygen as an oxidant

We present here an efficient green process for the synthesis of 1,2,4-thiadiazoles via iodine-catalyzed,oxidative dimerization of thioamides in water using molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant. Under the optimized reaction conditions, aryl thioamides produced 3,5-diaryl-1,2,4-thiadiazoles in good to excellent yields. Alkyl thioamides and substituted thioureas could also provide corresponding 1,2,4-thiadiazole products.