Cationic antioxidants as a powerful tool against mitochondrial oxidative stress

This review describes evidence that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are of great importance under many physiological and pathological conditions. The most demonstrative indications favoring this conclusion originate from recent discoveries of the in vivo effects of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MitoQ and SkQs). The latter compounds look promising in treating several incurable pathologies as well as aging.     

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields induce poly(ADP-ribose) formation and non-apoptotic cell death in HeLa S3 cells

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) have recently gained attention as effective cancer therapy owing to their potency for cell death induction. Previous studies have shown that apoptosis is a predominant mode of nsPEF-induced cell death in several cell lines, such as Jurkat cells. In this study, we analyzed molecular mechanisms for cell death induced by nsPEFs. When nsPEFs were applied to Jurkat cells, apoptosis was readily induced. Next, we used HeLa S3 cells and analyzed apoptotic events. Contrary to our expectation, nsPEF-exposed HeLa S3 cells exhibited no molecular signs of apoptosis execution. Instead, nsPEFs induced the formation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), a hallmark of necrosis. PAR formation occurred concurrently with a decrease in cell viability, supporting implications of nsPEF-induced PAR formation for cell death. Necrotic PAR formation is known to be catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), and PARP-1 in apoptotic cells is inactivated by caspase-mediated proteolysis. Consistently, we observed intact and cleaved forms of PARP-1 in nsPEF-exposed and UV-irradiated cells, respectively. Taken together, nsPEFs induce two distinct modes of cell death in a cell type-specific manner, and HeLa S3 cells show PAR-associated non-apoptotic cell death in response to nsPEFs.     

Reception and learning of electric fields in bees

Honeybees, like other insects, accumulate electric charge in flight, and when their body parts are moved or rubbed together. We report that bees emit constant and modulated electric fields when flying, landing, walking and during the waggle dance. The electric fields emitted by dancing bees consist of low- and high-frequency components. Both components induce passive antennal movements in stationary bees according to Coulomb''s law. Bees learn both the constant and the modulated electric field components in the context of appetitive proboscis extension response conditioning. Using this paradigm, we identify mechanoreceptors in both joints of the antennae as sensors. Other mechanoreceptors on the bee body are potentially involved but are less sensitive. Using laser vibrometry, we show that the electrically charged flagellum is moved by constant and modulated electric fields and more strongly so if sound and electric fields interact. Recordings from axons of the Johnston organ document its sensitivity to electric field stimuli. Our analyses identify electric fields emanating from the surface charge of bees as stimuli for mechanoreceptors, and as biologically relevant stimuli, which may play a role in social communication.     

超声刀与普通电刀手术治疗乳腺癌的临床效果比较

目的:研究超声刀与普通电刀手术治疗乳腺癌的临床效果,为乳腺癌的临床诊治提供参考。方法:选取2012年1月至2014年10月我院收治的112例乳腺癌患者为研究对象,将其分为研究组和对照组,分别给予超声刀与普通电刀手术治疗。对两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、伤口愈合时间、住院时间、住院费用、相关不良反应发生率进行观察和比较。结果:研究组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、伤口愈合时间等三项指标均明显优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);相较于对照组,研究组患者的住院时间更短,住院费用更少,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组患者的皮下积液、游离皮瓣坏死、术后出血和术中损伤等不良反应发生率均低于对照组,但组间数据比较,术后出血发生率差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:超声刀手术治疗乳腺癌的临床效果较好,是临床治疗乳腺癌的理想方式之一。     

不同电针方法对慢性应激抑郁模型大鼠下丘脑TRH表达的影响

目的:研究分析两种不同电针方法对慢性应激抑郁模型大鼠(CUMS)下丘脑中促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH)表达的影响。方法:选取60只健康雄性SPF级SD大鼠编号后采用随机数字表法分为对照组(正常喂养)、模型组(仅建立CUMS模型,不予治疗)、观察组A(建立CUMS模型后,脉冲电针治疗)、观察组B(建立CUMS模型后,音乐电针治疗)、氟西汀组(建立CUMS模型后,氟西汀治疗)各12只,对除对照组之外的其他各组大鼠进行1只/笼的孤养结合方式建造CUMS模型,利用开野实验观察各组大鼠行为学改变,采用实时荧光定量(PCR)法测定各组大鼠下丘脑组织中TRH m RNA的表达,采用免疫组化法测定TRH蛋白的表达。结果:在刺激21 d后,模型组大鼠的水平运动次数、垂直运动次数显著的低于对照组、实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05),实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的水平运动次数、垂直运动次数显著低于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05),实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的水平运动次数、垂直运动次数差异无统计学意义(P0.05);模型组大鼠的下丘脑TRH m RNA、TRH蛋白水平低于对照组、实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05),实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的大鼠的下丘脑TRH m RNA、TRH蛋白水平显著低于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);实验组A、实验组B、氟西汀组大鼠的大鼠的下丘脑TRH m RNA、TRH蛋白水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:CUMS大鼠下丘脑中促甲状腺激素释放激素表达水平降低,脉冲电针与音乐电针能有效逆转这一现象,效果相当。     

A Desolvated Solid–Solid Interface for a High‐Capacitance Electric Double Layer

Understanding the electric double layer is essential for achieving efficient electrochemical energy storage technologies. A conventional solid–liquid electrode interface suffers from serious self‐discharge and a narrow voltage window, which makes the development of a solid–solid interface imperative. However, an in‐depth understanding of the electric double layer with a solid–solid interface is lacking. Here, a solid–solid interfacial electric double layer is proposed with excellent electrochemical performance. The solid layer is constructed by the electrochemical decomposition of lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate, which provides a desolvated environment for the establishment of a electric double layer. This makes a stronger interaction between the electrode surface and the ions. Based on this unique property, it is found that the solid–solid interfacial electric double layer has an increased capacitance, which suggests a way to develop high‐energy electrochemical capacitors.     

Effects of nutrient limitation on sperm and seminal fluid: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Theory predicts that costly sexual traits should be reduced when individuals are in poor condition (i.e. traits should exhibit condition‐dependent expression). It is therefore widely expected that male ejaculate traits, such as sperm and seminal fluid, will exhibit reduced quantity and quality when dietary nutrients are limited. However, reported patterns of ejaculate condition dependence are highly variable, and there has been no comprehensive synthesis of underlying sources of such variation in condition‐dependent responses. In particular, it remains unclear whether all ejaculate traits are equally sensitive to nutrient intake, and whether such traits are particularly sensitive to certain dietary nutrients, respond more strongly to nutrients during specific life stages, or respond more strongly in some taxonomic groups. We systematically reviewed these potential sources of variation through a meta‐analysis across 50 species of arthropods and vertebrates (from 71 papers and 348 effect sizes). We found that overall, ejaculate traits are moderately reduced when dietary nutrients are limited, but we also detected substantial variation in responses. Seminal fluid quantity was strongly and consistently condition dependent, while sperm quantity was moderately condition dependent. By contrast, aspects of sperm quality (particularly sperm viability and morphology) were less consistently reduced under nutrient limitation. Ejaculate traits tended to respond in a condition‐dependent manner to a wide range of dietary manipulations, especially to caloric and protein restriction. Finally, while all major taxa for which sufficient data exist (i.e. arthropods, mammals, fish) showed condition dependence of ejaculate traits, we detected some taxonomic differences in the life stage that is most sensitive to nutrient limitation, and in the degree of condition dependence of specific ejaculate traits. Together, these biologically relevant factors accounted for nearly 20% of the total variance in ejaculate responses to nutrient limitation. Interestingly, body size showed considerably stronger condition‐dependent responses compared to ejaculate traits, suggesting that ejaculate trait expression may be strongly canalised to protect important reproductive functions, or that the cost of producing an ejaculate is relatively low. Taken together, our findings show that condition‐dependence of ejaculate traits is taxonomically widespread, but there are also many interesting, biologically relevant sources of variation that require further investigation. In particular, further research is needed to understand the differences in selective pressures that result in differential patterns of ejaculate condition dependence across taxa and ejaculate traits.     

Lithium Dendrites Inhibition via Diffusion Enhancement

The dendritic structure is a disastrous problem of lithium metal batteries as well as other metal rechargeable batteries. The dendritic structures are usually caused by diffusion limitation. Here, a novel strategy is reported to inhibit lithium dendrites based on the understanding of their formation mechanism. An alternating current field perpendicular to the anode is set up, which promotes Li⁺ movement along the anode surface and prevents ions' deposition on the tips from forming dendrites. Furthermore, an external direct current field parallel to the current is employed, which accelerates the transport of Li⁺ in electrolytes to mitigate the concentration gradient nearby the anode and thus inhibits the formation of dendritic structures. A simultaneous employment of these two fields gains five times increase of the lifespan of batteries at the high charging current density of 2 mA cm^?2, confirming the effectiveness of this strategy in protecting the metal anode and inhibiting lithium dendrites. This strategy may have a wide feasibility since it does not change the materials and structures of batteries.