Recent Research in Science and Technology

Insights into ancient ceramic technology: a comprehensive analysis of mineralogy, chemistry and firing conditions

2023-12-23T14:39:44+0530

The intensive integration of Azerbaijan into the global economy, mainly through international gas and oil pipeline construction, has led to significant archaeological research in the past two decades. The construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline (BTC) and the Southern Caucasus Pipeline gas pipeline (SCP) prompted a four-year archaeological fieldwork program, followed by a six-year post-excavation program. The current work applied an interdisciplinary approach using various instrumental methods for studying ancient artifacts found during those projects. The thermogravimetric method and differential thermal analysis were employed to obtain insights into the production technology of the ancient pottery and information about the mineralogy of the ceramic sherds. The complex processes involved in firing the ceramic paste have been studied extensively, and patterns in mass loss ratios during different temperature ranges have been established. In total, 15 samples were investigated, and the thermogravimetric analysis of ceramic shards revealed that the firing temperature of the samples was in the range of 700 °C. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals in the ceramic samples. The presence of calcite and other specific minerals is subject to the origin of the ceramic materials. The results obtained from this multidisciplinary approach provide insights into the firing technology and the origin of the ceramic samples.

Regulation of cell proliferation and tumor suppressor roles of microRNA 329-3p of the MAP kinase pathway in cervical squamous carcinoma

2024-04-19T15:44:53+0530

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is observed as the second major cause of mortality worldwide. A highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway occurs in a wide range of cellular processes which includes differentiation, proliferation, migration, senescence, and apoptosis. MAPK pathway can be activated by various extracellular signals, capable of generating responses as per the cell type. Thus, alteration of the EGFR receptor in this particular pathway leads to the condition of cancer due to abnormal activation of receptor tyrosine kinases. The characteristic features of microRNA (miRNA) which are endogenous, single-stranded, small non-coding RNA for their role in RNA silencing and post-transitional regulation of gene expression have been studied over the years. The miRNA functions by base pairing with the complementary sequences within the mRNA molecule. One such miRNA, miR-329-3p has a critical tumor suppressor role in the MAPK pathway, however, is least understood. Therefore, miRNA could be considered as a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic purposes and brought out to its fullest use to mankind.

Exploring diverse aspects of celiac disease - A review

2024-03-29T09:48:09+0530

Celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing foods in genetically susceptible individuals. This multifactorial disease has both genetic and environmental components, with gluten serving as the environmental trigger and specific genetic variations in the major histocompatibility complex region contributing to the genetic predisposition. Contrary to previous assumptions, celiac disease is not a rare disorder, with a global prevalence estimated at approximately 1%. However, it often remains under-recognized because many affected individuals do not exhibit the classic gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the condition. Instead, they may present with nonspecific manifestations of nutritional deficiencies or may be entirely asymptomatic. Celiac disease is associated with an increased incidence of autoimmune disorders, and its identification in asymptomatic or silent cases is crucial for managing associated conditions and preventing long-term complications such as lymphoma. The relationship between celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders, particularly type 1 diabetes, suggests a potential trigger role for gluten. In this article we review the development of celiac disease, including its types, pathogenesis, clinical features, and associated diseases or complications. We will also discuss available tests, treatments, and preventive approaches related to this subject.