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Aim of the study: Activating Transforming factor 3 (ATF3) is a stress induced gene and closely associated with neuro-inflammation while Transforming growth Factor Beta (TGFβ) signalling is also reported to be involved in neuro-inflammation and hyper-excitability associated with drug resistant epilepsy. Animal model studies indicate the involvement of ATF3 and TGFβ receptors to promote epileptogenesis. Human studies also show that TGFβ signalling is activated in MTLE-HS. However, lack of studies on ATF3 and TGFβRI expression in MTLE-HS patients exists. We hypothesize that ATF3 and TGFβRI might be expressed in hippocampi of patients with MTLE-HS and playing role in epileptogenesis. Materials & methods: Protein expression of ATF3 and TGFβRI was performed by western blotting. Localisation of ATF3 was performed by immunohistochemistry and immunoflorescence. Results: Protein expression of ATF3 and TGFβRI was significantly up-regulated in hippocampi of patients as compared to controls. Also ATF3 IR was significantly expressed in hippocampi of patients and ATF3 was expressed predominantly in cytoplasm as compared to nucleus. No correlation was found between ATF3 expression and epilepsy duration and seizure frequency. Conclusions: ATF3 and TGFβRI are both important players in neuro-inflammation and might potentiate epileptogenesis in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Aparna. Dixit, Arpna. Srivastava, Devina. Sharma, Manjari. Tripathi, Debasmita. Paul, Sanjeev. Lalwani, Ramesh. Doddamani, M. Sharma, Jyotirmoy. Banerjee, P. Chandra Background and Aims: DNA methylation and demethylation play a [...]

In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) is the key component that makes electrical connection between the bipolar plates and the electrodes and helps in distribution of reactants to the electrocatalyst layers. Moreover, GDL allows the removal of produced water from the surface of the electrode and allow the motion of water in between the flow channels and two electrodes. It is well observed that the computational modelling plays an important role regarding the advancement in efficiency of PEM Fuel Cell. From the modelling perspective this is minutely examined that the GDL layer provides many objectives. Many approaches are being undertaken for the modelling of the GDL. Accurate prediction of the effective distribution of fuel, optimization of temperature and water management of GDL is important in understanding its effects on PEMFC performance. As the complex geometry is involved in GDL so the prediction of GDL behaviour is quite challenging. Hence, computational modelling of GDL is highly beneficial in this condition. This study aims to understand the influence of different parameters like temperature, Water vapor concentration, oxygen concentration, water vapour saturation on GDL performance. So, this work focuses on the study of the GDL computationally using MATLAB as the convenient programming language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]