A NARRATIVE ON THE ‘MODEL EXHIBITION DAY’

It was 23rd October, 2019. The morning seemed so glorious but the sun awakened us with little worry of
attending the exhibition as presenter. The model was the result of our efforts and well-built ideas. One
of the laborious tasks was to take to the site of exhibition all the materials and components on which the
model was based. Everything was delicate and easily breakable particularly, cups made of plaster of
paris. However, we managed to reach the class room along with our requisites. When we entered the
room, we came to know that the exhibition would kick off at 11 am. The time was very short and we had
to make setup of our model. There was hustle and bustle in the room. Every student was occupied in
setting her model in a way that would become gripping to the visitors. We ourselves were little anxious
about what is the correct way to set the model. All were presenting their thoughts showing the best
possible abilities of their own minds. We were astonished to see the amazing models beautifully and
elegantly designed by each group. Their models were also based on enticing topics. The elbow grease
they used was visible by all their compelling work. Some students were writing on charts brief and
beautiful descriptions related to their topic. Some were polishing their already made things that had lost
their shine and seemed to be in poor condition. The sticking of charts on the wall also required ideas to
have each part whether large or small, arranged in a correct and appealing order. There was a group who
made butterfly embellished with different colors. That butterfly was the master piece of their work. Each
group strained every nerve to make their model more attractive by the addition of decorative details and
features. The fomic sheets of different colors were used to design the alphabets specified for the main
topic and other text on the colored charts. The designs of their models were highly appreciable and
inspiring. Meanwhile, we were alarmed to wrap up our setting of model and get organized to attentively
respond to visitors and judges to have good and indelible prints on their minds. Some students turned
deaf ear to this alarm and continued their journey of adorning their models. However, we were trembled
by this announcement. We started preparation of presentation and kept our nose to grindstone to train
our minds with small nuggets of knowledge. In the interim, several students studying in different years
came and asked different types of queries related to our models. They also provided feedback on a piece
of paper given to them. We were over the moon to receive good comments from students. Our handmade
cups were highly appreciated by each and every individual who came to visit that exhibition.
We were on our toes, when judges got into the room holding papers to give each student marks on the
basis of specific characteristics and overall performance of the group. Everyone got into the spirit of the
event by responding to the judges flawlessly and consummately. The questions and observing power of
the judges cleared that a book cannot be judged by its cover that they not only jotted down the scores
looking at the beauty and elegancy of the model but also pierced through their spiritual cover to seek the
inner abilities hidden inside each student. Then after sometime, red carpet was rolled out to welcome
new guest from different department who also acted as a judge. One by one, each judge came to our site.
We greeted them and started explaining them our model. All judges asked different questions and
observed in a distinct manner. The room was noisy and everyone participated in the event promptly.
Each group had their pictures with judges and teachers as commemorative to mark that event. The whole
day was spent in celebrating that event. At the end, we were worn out standing at one place and
explaining repeatedly. The level of energy of each student became low. Then the judges were bidden
farewell formally. We all students started removing posters and charts on the wall and gathered all the
things to one place. This event proved to be beneficial for the students. It increased the confidence among
students. It provided a platform for every student to show their talents fearlessly and wittily.
PYRUVATE PLAYS A MAIN ROLE IN THE ANTITUMORAL
SELECTIVITY OF COLD ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA IN
OSTEOSARCOMA

Osteosarcoma is the development of tumor in bone. It accounts for 19% of death among adolescent and
children. Chemotherapy and radical surgery have become traditional treatments. Cold atmospheric
plasma contains ionized gases. It is said to be cold because it can work under room temperature. It also
contains electromagnetic radiations. It contains electrons, ions, and reactive species such as hydrogen
peroxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. This mixture can attenuate the microorganisms such as
bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi and other living cells. The composition of cold atmospheric plasma can
be varied. When liquid media is treated with cold atmospheric plasma, it is known as activated media.
This activated media contains reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. These reactive species include
hydrogen peroxide, nitrites and nitrates. These species are responsible for the cytotoxic effect on the
cells. Appropriate concentration of these reactive species is required to initiate apoptosis in the cells.
Naturally, the antioxidant capacity of healthy cells is high than cancer cells. Therefore, the concept of
threshold level is very important. Threshold level of healthy cells is different from that of cancer cells
on the basis of their capacity to fight free radicals. The threshold level is low in cancer cells as compared
to healthy cells. When the concentration of reactive species reach the threshold level of cancer cells,
there are greater chances of cell death due to irreversible damage by free radicals. The healthy cells will
not be affected by that concentration of reactive species as they have high antioxidant capacity or in
other words, threshold level is high from that of reactive species. Therefore, this biochemical difference
between healthy and cancer cells can be exploited to revolutionize the bone cancer therapy. It can become
one of the types of targeted therapy as it selectively kills the cancer cells without affecting the healthy
cells. Now, the question arises how the concentration of these reactive species can be maintained in the
plasma activated media. Research was conducted in which pyruvate was added in the media. This
pyruvate acted as a scavenger of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanism of reaction between pyruvate and
hydrogen peroxide has been proposed in several studies. Firstly, this reaction forms an intermediate
compound, 2-hydroperoxy hydroxypropanoate or 2-deuteroperoxy-deuteroxypropanoate. Then this
compound is further broken down into carbon dioxide, acetate and water. Along with the pyruvate, other
factors are also involved that affected the concentration of reactive species in the plasma activated media.
In this research, distance was altered between the nozzle of the jet in which cold atmospheric plasma
was present, and surface of the liquid media which was placed under the jet to pass the plasma into the
media. The distances set were 10mm or 20mm. Rate of gas flow also affected the results by the altering
the concentration of reactive species. 1, 3, and 5L/min were the variable gas flow rates that were used
by the researchers. High concentration of hydrogen peroxide was observed in the media at high gas flow
rate. The third parameter that was varied during experiment was time taken to transfer gas from the jet
to the liquid media. It was from 1 to 15 minutes. According to the results of this article, the healthy cells
experienced no apoptosis and cell damage whereas, the reactive species exhibited cytotoxic effect on the
cancer cells. When the reaction was carried out in the absence of pyruvate, the concentration of reactive
species present in the plasma activated media increased. Hence, it now became equal to the threshold
level of the healthy cells. This high concentration of reactive species also generated apoptosis in healthy
cells diminishing the antitumor selectivity of the media. This research paper demonstrated that pyruvate
can act as scavenger of hydrogen peroxide and it can also save the cells from lethal effects of free
radicals. It can also activate some pathways that are involved in the defense mechanism such as
glutathione peroxidase activity. In short, this research disentangled the mystery of antitumor selectivity.
 CLASS: BS 2ND YEAR

DEPARTMENT: BIOTECHNOLOGY

COURSE TITLE: BIOPHYSICS

COURSE CODE: BTH-2012

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: MISS AFSHAN

ASSIGNMENT TOPIC

PYRUVATE PLAYS A MAIN ROLE IN THE ANTITUMORAL

SELECTIVITY OF COLD ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA IN
OSTEOSARCOMA

GROUP MEMBERS:
• MOMINA ABDUL QADIR
• MARINA ABDUL QADIR
• INSHA NOOR
• MARIA
• AREEBA
• WAJIHA KHAN
• WAJIHA IBRAHIM