Anti-microsporidial effect of thymoquinone on Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection in vitro

Objective:To evaluate the anti-microsporidial effects of the active component of Nigella sativa seeds,thymoquinone,against Encephalitozoon intestinalis using an in vitro model.Methods:Anti-microsporidial effect of thymoquinone against Encephalitozoon intestinalis was evaluated by using various concentrations of thymoquinone(0,1,5,10,15,20,30,35,and 40μM)and sterile dimethyl sulfoxide.Real time PCR was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of thymoquinone on the life cycle of Encephalitozoon intestinalis.Results:The cytotoxic effect of thymoquinone on HEK293 cell line was observed with 30,35,and 40μM concentrations of thymoquinone after 24,48,and 72 hours of incubation.It was observed that 10,15,20,and 30μM concentrations of thymoquinone decreased the spore density compared with the control;however,it was significant only at 30μM.Conclusions:Thymoquinone shows potent anti-microsporidial effects against Encephalitozoon intestinalis in the in vitro model;however,the toxic concentrations of thymoquinone are also toxic to the host cells.

Investigation of passivation effects in AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor high electron-mobility transistor by gate-drain conductance dispersion study

This paper studies the drain current collapse of A1GaN/GaN metal insulator-semiconductor high electron-mobility transistors （MIS-HEMTs） with NbA10 dielectric by applying dual-pulsed stress to the gate and drain of the device. For NbA10 MIS-HEMT, smaller current collapse is found thorough study of the gate-drain conductance dispersion especially when the gate static voltage is -8 V. Through a it is found that the growth of NbA10 can reduce the trap density of the AlGaN surface. Therefore, fewer traps can be filled by gate electrons, and hence the depletion effect in the channel is suppressed effectively. It is proved that the NbAIO gate dielectric can not only decrease gate leakage current but also passivate the A1GaN surface effectively, and weaken the current collapse effect accordingly.

Hydro-environmental Characteristics of Seawater around Boubyan Island,Kuwait Using Annual Variations of Seawater Temperature,Salinity and Tide Fluctuations

The temporal and spatial variations of seawater temperature,salinity,and tidal fluctuations are important parameters for understanding the hydrodynamic,water quality,and marine biological activity in the seawater.It is also important to study and understand the probability and statistical aspects of these parameters for the planning and implementation of different types of marine projects.These parameters were measured at five different locations around Boubyan Island,Kuwait,for a span of almost one year during 2015-16.Based on the analysis of the measured data,it is found that the seawater salinity has varied from 34.14 to 48.31 ppt.The seawater temperature is also found to vary from 10.83 oC to 35.67 oC.The seawater level has varied from-2.694 m to 2.378 m with respect to the mean sea level.It is found that the peak of the probability density of seawater level is flat valued,whereas the probability density of salinity and seawater temperature is multimodal.A comparison of present and past measured seawater temperatures revealed that in Khor Al-Sabiya,the seawater temperature is increasing at the rate of 0.034 oC/year,which clearly indicates the effect of global warming.A similar study reveals that the annual average increase in salinity at Khor Al-Sabiya is 0.38 ppt,which clearly indicates a significant reduction of freshwater flow from Shatt Al-Arab into the Arabian Gulf.Since Kuwait is investing in many projects around the Boubyan Island,the results of this study will be useful for the integrated and sustainable development of Boubyan and Failaka Islands in Kuwait.

皮肤Fibulin-5沉积量随年龄及紫外线B暴露增加而减少,在日光性弹力组织变性中增加

Background: Fibulin- 5 was recently found as a secreted extracellular matrix protein that functions as a scaffold for elastic fibres. However, the distribution of fibulin- 5 in human skin and its changes during the ageing process are not known. Objectives: To explore the involvement of fibulin- 5 in skin ageing, the age- dependent changes in fibulin- 5 localization in human skin were examined compared with those of other elastic fibre components including elastin, fibrillin- 1 and fibulin- 2. Methods: The distribution of elastin, fibrillin- 1, fibrillin- 2, fibulin- 2 and fibulin- 5 was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry using their specific antibodies. Skin samples were recovered from 12 healthy subjects undergoing plastic surgery. Ultraviolet (UV) B- irradiated or control nonirradiated buttock skin samples were obtained from two healthy volunteers at 2 days after the irradiation at 2 minimal erythemal doses. Results: In the reticular dermis of young sun- protected skin from the upper arm, fibulin- 5 colocalized with the other elastic fibre components, while in the papillary dermis fibulin- 5 showed candelabra- like structures perpendicular to the epidermiswith an unstained area just beneath the epidermis, which was similar to that of elastin but not fibrillin- 1. Fibulin- 5 in the reticular dermis decreased and disappeared with age even in sun- protected skin from the thigh, abdomen and upper arm. In sun- exposed skin, fibulin- 5 was extremely reduced in the dermis of cheek skin even from a 20- year- old man. UVB irradiation reduced fibulin- 5, fibulin- 2 and elastin markedly, moderately and weakly, respectively, compared with levels in control nontreated skin. Interestingly, the deposition of fibulin- 5 was increased in solar elastosis, like that of other elastic fibre components. Conclusions: These results suggest that fibulin- 5 is a good marker of skin ageing and that the earlier loss of fibulin- 5 may involve age- dependent changes in other elastic fibre components.