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Olejárová S, Moravčík R, Herichová I. 2.4 GHz Electromagnetic Field Influences the Response of the Circadian Oscillator in the Colorectal Cancer Cell Line DLD1 to miR-34a-Mediated Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13210. [PMID: 36361993 PMCID: PMC9656412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exert pleiotropic effects on biological processes including circadian rhythms. miR-34a is a small non-coding RNA whose expression is modulated by RF-EMF and has the capacity to regulate clock gene expression. However, interference between RF-EMF and miR-34a-mediated regulation of the circadian oscillator has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the present study was designed to reveal if 24 h exposure to 2.4 GHz RF-EMF influences miR-34a-induced changes in clock gene expression, migration and proliferation in colorectal cancer cell line DLD1. The effect of up- or downregulation of miR-34a on DLD1 cells was evaluated using real-time PCR, the scratch assay test and the MTS test. Administration of miR-34a decreased the expression of per2, bmal1, sirtuin1 and survivin and inhibited proliferation and migration of DLD1 cells. When miR-34a-transfected DLD1 cells were exposed to 2.4 GHz RF-EMF, an increase in cry1 mRNA expression was observed. The inhibitory effect of miR-34a on per2 and survivin was weakened and abolished, respectively. The effect of miR-34a on proliferation and migration was eliminated by RF-EMF exposure. In conclusion, RF-EMF strongly influenced regulation mediated by the tumour suppressor miR-34a on the peripheral circadian oscillator in DLD1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Iveta Herichová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
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The Potential and Development of the Geothermal Energy Market in Poland and the Baltic States—Selected Aspects. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15114142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The problem of rising energy prices stems from the weakening of economies operating in the realities of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as from the rising cost of CO2 emission allowances in connection with the European Union’s environmental policy. The outbreak of war in Ukraine has deepened the energy crisis in European countries, which, to a significant extent, benefit from hydrocarbon resources imported from Russia. This problem is particularly acute in countries that are heavily dependent on conventional forms of energy production (e.g., Poland). In light of the problems observed, the need to develop a market for renewable energy has become more urgent than ever. Although this problem affects a number of countries, the authors of the study decided that it is particularly important in the region of the countries neighbouring the line of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, i.e., Poland and the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). The choice of the research area was determined by direct proximity to the examined countries, as well as the generally comparable social and economic conditions of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which creates the basis for factual comparisons and conclusions. The main objective of the study was to assess the directions of the development of the geothermal energy market in Poland against the background of the Baltic States in the current economic conditions, together with an attempt to determine the most justified direction of geothermal energy development in Poland—with the strongest impact on increasing the share of RES in the energy system and limiting the increase in electricity prices in this country. Identification of solutions practiced in the geothermal energy market in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia for comparative purposes (Poland region) was helpful in this respect. The subject of this study was oriented towards the diagnosis of the state of the geothermal energy market in the surveyed countries to determine the general directions of its development. Particular attention was paid to the study of needs and preferences in this field on the Polish market concerning individual users, which constitutes the basis of the research. The instruments required for carrying out the research work in the outlined scope were basically drawn from the area of economic analysis and evaluation of phenomena (multifaceted analysis including critical analysis of the literature, comparative analysis of research results, situational analysis of geothermal market), in comparison with the results of our own research (questionnaire survey) carried out on the Polish energy market (individual customers). The research revealed the strong position of Poland in the field of the development of deep and shallow geothermal energy in the area of the countries accepted for the study. The determinant of the above is the abundance in this country of easily accessible heat deposits of the Earth. In general, the actions taken by the surveyed countries in the field of geothermal development are of a similar nature (shallow geothermal heat pumps are the most developed), while, in the field of deep geothermal energy, an interesting observation is the orientation towards solutions based on the energy of crystalline rocks in Lithuania and Estonia, determined by the availability of such deposits in this region. Surveys indicate the growing awareness of the validity of efforts to extract energy from the earth. However, this problem still represents a major challenge (e.g., deep geothermal energy in Estonia), so indicating the role of geothermal energy in the energy market—especially in the area of the countries accepted for the survey—is an important and relevant topic.
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A State-of-the-Art Review of Radioactive Decontamination Technologies: Facing the Upcoming Wave of Decommissioning and Dismantling of Nuclear Facilities. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14074021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The average share of nuclear energy in electricity production is expected to increase under the background of the global pursuit towards carbon neutrality. Conjugating with its rapid development, the wave of decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) of nuclear facilities is coming. The surface decontamination is a prerequisite to D&D, which will make it easier and reduce the volume of radioactive wastes. However, there are no comprehensive studies on the decontamination methods, which is not helpful for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and environment protection. Therefore, in this work, the current status and future trends of global energy and nuclear energy are first analyzed. Then, various decontamination approaches are comparatively studied, including cleaning mechanisms, application subjects, and intrinsic advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the criteria and factors for selecting a decontamination process, the challenges, and future studies are directed. Among the mechanical methods, laser-based cleaning is high-speed, having automation ability, and thus is promising, although it creates a dust and airborne contaminant hazard. In further studies, factors such as selecting a proper laser facility, optimizing operating parameters, and designing a high-efficiency dust collection system could be studied. Regarding the chemical method, chemical gels are good for decontaminating complex shapes and vertical and overhead surfaces. In addition, they can enhance other decon agents’ efficiency by improving contact time. However, the formulation of colloidal gels is complex and no gel type is useful for all contaminants. Therefore, novel and versatile gels need be developed to enlarge their application field. Combining various decontamination methods will often have better results and thus a reasonable and effective combination of these decontamination methods has become the main direction.
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Abstract
Abstract
Light was thrown on the nuclear aspects of Herndon’s georeactor. His thesis is that a power producing droplet of liquid uranium, possessing a radius of about 5 km, operated during the last 4.5 billions of years in the center of the Earth and producing 3–6 TW of thermal power.
It could be shown that indeed initial criticality was possible due to the high U-235/U-238 enrichment of approximately 30% at that time. Furthermore, the U-238/Pu-239/U-235 conversion cycle guarantees also a stabilized U-235/U-238 enrichment of about 10% during the whole history of Earth. For this, a constant critical neutron flux in the realm of 108 n/(cm2s) has to be present to convert U-238 via the Pu-239 route and its eddecay into U-235 with a conversion ratio of exactly unity.
Herndon’s georeactor is compared with other exotic fission reactors in Nature, too, but the decisive answer whether such a georeactor really exists needs further – particularly chemical, thermodynamical and geological – research work.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Seifritz
- Mülacherstr. 44 , Hausen/Switzerland , Switzerland
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Kim JH, Lee JK, Kim HG, Kim KB, Kim HR. Possible Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Central Nerve System. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2019; 27:265-275. [PMID: 30481957 PMCID: PMC6513191 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2018.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological advances of mankind, through the development of electrical and communication technologies, have resulted in the exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). Technological growth is expected to continue; as such, the amount of EMF exposure will continue to increase steadily. In particular, the use-time of smart phones, that have become a necessity for modern people, is steadily increasing. Social concerns and interest in the impact on the cranial nervous system are increased when considering the area where the mobile phone is used. However, before discussing possible effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the human body, several factors must be investigated about the influence of EMFs at the level of research using in vitro or animal models. Scientific studies on the mechanism of biological effects are also required. It has been found that RF-EMF can induce changes in central nervous system nerve cells, including neuronal cell apoptosis, changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels; furthermore, RF-EMF act as a stress source in living creatures. The possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure have not yet been proven, and there are insufficient data on biological hazards to provide a clear answer to possible health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biological response to RF-EMF in consideration of the comprehensive exposure with regard to the use of various devices by individuals. In this review, we summarize the possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Hwan Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Koo Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Gun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Bong Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Rim Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
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Rusov V, Tarasov V, Eingorn M, Chernezhenko S, Kakaev A, Vashchenko V, Beglaryan M. Ultraslow wave nuclear burning of uranium–plutonium fissile medium on epithermal neutrons. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Baek S, Quan X, Kim S, Lengner C, Park JK, Kim J. Electromagnetic fields mediate efficient cell reprogramming into a pluripotent state. ACS NANO 2014; 8:10125-10138. [PMID: 25248035 DOI: 10.1021/nn502923s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Life on Earth is constantly exposed to natural electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and it is generally accepted that EMFs may exert a variety of effects on biological systems. Particularly, extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EL-EMFs) affect biological processes such as cell development and differentiation; however, the fundamental mechanisms by which EMFs influence these processes remain unclear. Here we show that EMF exposure induces epigenetic changes that promote efficient somatic cell reprogramming to pluripotency. These epigenetic changes resulted from EMF-induced activation of the histone lysine methyltransferase Mll2. Remarkably, an EMF-free system that eliminates Earth's naturally occurring magnetic field abrogates these epigenetic changes, resulting in a failure to undergo reprogramming. Therefore, our results reveal that EMF directly regulates dynamic epigenetic changes through Mll2, providing an efficient tool for epigenetic reprogramming including the acquisition of pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soonbong Baek
- Lab of Stem Cells and Cell Reprogramming, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University , Seoul 100-715, Korea
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Herndon JM. Nuclear georeactor origin of oceanic basalt 3He/4He, evidence, and implications. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:3047-50. [PMID: 12615991 PMCID: PMC152243 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0437778100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear georeactor numerical simulation results yield substantial (3)He and (4)He production and (3)He(4)He ratios relative to air (R(A)) that encompass the entire 2-SD (2sigma) confidence level range of tabulated measured (3)He(4)He ratios of basalts from along the global spreading ridge system. Georeactor-produced (3)He(4)He ratios are related to the extent of actinide fuel consumption at time of production and are high near the end of the georeactor lifetime. Georeactor numerical simulation results and the observed high (3)He(4)He ratios measured in Icelandic and Hawaiian oceanic basalts indicate that the demise of the georeactor is approaching. Within the present level of uncertainty, one cannot say precisely when georeactor demise will occur, whether in the next century, in a million years, or in a billion years from now.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Marvin Herndon
- Transdyne Corporation, 11044 Red Rock Drive, San Diego, CA 92131, USA.
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