PM pollution exceeding Indian standard over a semi-urban region at eastern IGP: Chemistry, meteorological impact, and long-range transport.

A year-long study (January-December 2019) on the chemical characterization and meteorological impact on PM was conducted over a semi-urban station, Shyamnagar, in the easternmost part of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). PM concentrations (Mean = 81.69 ± 66.

Light absorption potential of water-soluble organic aerosols in the two polluted urban locations in the central Indo-Gangetic Plain.

PM (particulate matter having aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) samples were collected during wintertime from two polluted urban sites (Allahabad and Kanpur) in the central Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) to comprehend the sources and atmospheric transformations of light-absorbing water-soluble organic aerosol (WSOA). The aqueous extract of each filter was atomized and analyzed in a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS).

Variabilities of δC and carbonaceous components in ambient PM in Northeast India: Insights into sources and atmospheric processes.

A year-long sampling campaign of ambient PM (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 mm) at a regional station in the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India was performed to understand the sources and formation of carbonaceous aerosols. Mass concentration, carbon fractions (organic and elemental carbon), and stable carbon isotope ratio (δC) of PM were measured and studied along with cluster analysis and Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) modelling.

Understanding the origin of carbonaceous aerosols during periods of extensive biomass burning in northern India.

Post-harvest crop residue burning is extensively practiced in North India, which results in enhanced particulate matter (PM) concentrations. This study explores the PM (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) emissions during various time periods (pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon) over the biomass burning source region in Beas, Punjab.

Chemical characterization and stable nitrogen isotope composition of nitrogenous component of ambient aerosols from Kanpur in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Measurements of water-soluble total nitrogen (WSTN), water-soluble inorganic nitrogen (WSIN), water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) and ẟN (total N) was carried out on PM aerosol samples during wintertime to understand the major sources of ambient nitrogenous species at a heavily polluted location of Kanpur in north India. During the nighttime sampling campaign, WSON and NH_N contributed dominantly to the WSTN. Ammonium-rich condition persisted during sampling (NH/SO average equivalent mass ratio = 3.

Dopamine synergizes with caffeine to increase the heart rate of .

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter, and is widely used as a central nervous system (CNS) agent.  Dopamine plays an important role in humans, including a major role in reward and motivation behaviour. Several addictive drugs are well known to increase neuronal dopamine activity.

Drosophila's contribution to stem cell research.

The discovery of Drosophila stem cells with striking similarities to mammalian stem cells has brought new hope for stem cell research. Recent developments in Drosophila stem cell research is bringing wider opportunities for contemporary stem cell biologists. In this regard, Drosophila germ cells are becoming a popular model of stem cell research.

Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Diseases.

Various endogenous and environmental factors can cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.  One of the reasons for enhanced mtDNA damage could be its proximity to the source of oxidants, and lack of histone-like protective proteins. Moreover, mitochondria contain inadequate DNA repair pathways, and, diminished DNA repair capacity may be one of the factors responsible for high mutation frequency of the mtDNA.

Regulation of oxidative stress responses by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated is required for T cell proliferation.

Mutations in the gene encoding ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) mutated (Atm) cause the disease A-T, characterized by immunodeficiency, the molecular basis of which is not known. Following stimulation through the TCR, Atm-deficient T cells and normal T cells in which Atm is inhibited undergo apoptosis rather than proliferation. Apoptosis is prevented by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) during activation.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis 6 kDa early secreted antigenic target stimulates activation of J774 macrophages.

The influence of the 6 kDa early-secreted antigenic target (ESAT-6) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on macrophage activation was investigated using J774 macrophage cell line. While without effect if applied alone, ESAT-6 in a dose-dependent manner enhanced nitric oxide (NO) release by IFN-gamma-stimulated J774 cells. However, it completely failed to modulate NO production in J774 cells activated with E.

Effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific 10-kilodalton antigen on macrophage release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide.

Secreted proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are major targets of the specific immunity in tuberculosis and constitute promising candidates for the development of more efficient vaccines and diagnostic tests. We show here that M. tuberculosis-specific antigen 10 (MTSA-10, originally designated CFP-10) can bind to the surface of mouse J774 macrophage-like cells and stimulate the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).