Liquid plasma promotes angiogenesis through upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase-induced extracellular matrix metabolism: potential applications of liquid plasma for vascular injuries.

BACKGROUND: Applications of nonthermal plasma have expanded beyond the biomedical field to include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Plasma enhances epithelial cell repair; however, the potential damage to deep tissues and vascular structures remains under investigation. RESULT: This study assessed whether liquid plasma (LP) increased nitric oxide (NO) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by modulating endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and potential signaling pathways. First, we developed a liquid plasma product and confirmed the angiogenic effect of LP using the Matrigel plug assay. We found that the NO content increased in plasma-treated water. NO in plasma-treated water promoted cell migration and angiogenesis in scratch and tube formation assays via vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression. In addition to endothelial cell proliferation and migration, LP influenced extracellular matrix metabolism and matrix metalloproteinase activity. These effects were abolished by treatment with NG-L-monomethyl arginine, a specific inhibitor of NO synthase. Furthermore, we investigated the signaling pathways mediating the phosphorylation and activation of eNOS in LP-treated cells and the role of LKB1-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in signaling. Downregulation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase by siRNA partially inhibited LP-induced eNOS phosphorylation, angiogenesis, and migration. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that LP treatment may be a novel strategy for promoting angiogenesis in vascular damage. Video Abstract.

Optimal design of high-voltage DC power supply of 1.2 MV/45 mA applied to boron neutron capture therapy system.

To build a proton beam accelerator that can be applied to a boron neutron capture therapy system based on an electrostatic accelerator, a high-voltage direct-current (DC) power supply system equivalent to the generation of neutrons should be provided. The symmetrical Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier method is suitable for stable acceleration of the proton beam in the tandem electrostatic accelerator in this system. Before the second step-up with the Cockcroft-Walton circuit, the design of the inverter is prioritized by preponderantly considering the first voltage and resonance frequency. Moreover, the optimized stacking number is determined with consideration of the ripple voltage, voltage drop, average output voltage, and fundamental harmonics, and a design is performed to set related parameter values to be stable in the flat-top region of the voltage. A high-voltage DC power supply system of 1.2 MV/45 mA is needed for a stable terminal energy of 2.4 MeV/20 mA. Such a design can be optimized by securing reliable data using a simulation tool on the basis of theoretical calculations. This will become a formidable touchstone in manufacturing technology based on acquiring practical know-how for setting up a tandem electrostatic accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system in the future.

Plasma-assisted advanced oxidation process by a multi-hole dielectric barrier discharge in water and its application to wastewater treatment.

Advanced oxidation process (AOP) is a promising technology to decolorize and reduce organic contaminants in water. It is carried out using hydroxyl radicals (•OH) with an oxidizing potential of 2.80 V. Non-thermal plasma can directly generate •OH while maintaining a low temperature, and O3, H2O2, and UV light are also generated; these are necessary for AOP. In this study, we developed a multi-hole dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system capable of generating radicals and active species in water for assisting AOP. We confirmed the optimized operating conditions based on critical parameters, including electrical and optical properties and O3 concentration. Furthermore, we described the plasma-based AOP through experimental results. We performed wastewater treatment using the multi-hole DBD: turbidity, BOD, and COD, were reduced by 60%, 40%, and 60%, respectively, after 20 min of treatment. Finally, 99.99% of Escherichia coli were eliminated after plasma treatment.