Voltage-Dependent Reversal of Anodic Galvanotaxis in Nyctotherus ovalis

Aerobic and anaerobic ciliates swim towards the cathode when they are exposed to a constant DC field. Nyctotherus ovalis from the intestinal tract of cockroaches exhibits a different galvanotactic response: at low strength of the DC field the ciliates orient towards the anode whereas DC fields above 2-4 V/cm cause cathodic swimming. This reversal of the galvanotactic response is not due to backward swimming. Rather the ciliates turn around and orient to the cathode with their anterior pole. Exposure to various cations, chelators, and Ca(2+)-channel inhibitors suggests that Ca(2+)-channels similar to the "long lasting" Ca(2+)-channels of vertebrates are involved in the voltage-dependent anodic galvanotaxis. Evidence is presented that host-dependent epigenetic factors can influence the voltage-threshold for the switch from anodic to cathodic swimming.     

Electric field effects on human spinal injury: Is there a basis in the in vitro studies?

An important basis for the clinical application of small DC electric current to mammalian spinal injury is the responses of neurons in culture to applied electric fields. Our recent finding that zebrafish neurons were unresponsive to applied fields prompted us to critically examine previous results. We conclude that compelling evidence for neuronal guidance and directional stimulation of growth toward either the cathode or anode in an electric field exists only for cultured Xenopus neurons, and not for any mammalian neurons. No basis for the reported success in treating spinal injury exists in the in vitro studies, and considerable research will be required if the conditions of field application in mammalian spinal injury are to be optimized.     

Input-output relationship in galvanotactic response of Dictyostelium cells

Under a direct current electric field, Dictyostelium cells exhibit migration towards the cathode. To determine the input-output relationship of the cell's galvanotactic response, we developed an experimental instrument in which electric signals applied to the cells are highly reproducible and the motile response are analyzed quantitatively. With no electric field, the cells moved randomly in all directions. Upon applying an electric field, cell migration speeds became about 1.3 times faster than those in the absence of an electric field. Such kinetic effects of electric fields on the migration were observed for cells stimulated between 0.25 and 10 V/cm of the field strength. The directions of cell migrations were biased toward the cathode in a positive manner with field strength, showing galvanotactic response in a dose-dependent manner. Quantitative analysis of the relationship between field strengths and directional movements revealed that the biased movements of the cells depend on the square of electric field strength, which can be described by one simple phenomenological equation. The threshold strength for the galvanotaxis was between 0.25 and 1 V/cm. Galvanotactic efficiency reached to half-maximum at 2.6 V/cm, which corresponds to an approximate 8 mV voltage difference between the cathode and anode direction of 10 microm wide, round cells. Based on these results, possible mechanisms of galvanotaxis in Dictyostelium cells were discussed. This development of experimental system, together with its good microscopic accessibility for intracellular signaling molecules, makes Dictyostelium cells attractive as a model organism for elucidating stochastic processes in the signaling systems responsible for cell motility and its regulations.     

Influence of a weak DC electric field on root meristem architecture

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Electric fields are an important environmental factor that can influence the development of plants organs. Such a field can either inhibit or stimulate root growth, and may also affect the direction of growth. Many developmental processes directly or indirectly depend upon the activity of the root apical meristem (RAM). The aim of this work was to examine the effects of a weak electric field on the organization of the RAM. METHODS: Roots of Zea mays seedlings, grown in liquid medium, were exposed to DC electric fields of different strengths from 0.5 to 1.5 V cm(-1), with a frequency of 50 Hz, for 3 h. The roots were sampled for anatomical observation immediately after the treatment, and after 24 and 48 h of further undisturbed growth. KEY RESULTS: DC fields of 1 and 1.5 V cm(-1) resulted in noticeable changes in the cellular pattern of the RAM. The electric field activated the quiescent centre (QC): the cells of the QC penetrated the root cap junction, disturbing the organization of the closed meristem and changing it temporarily into the open type. CONCLUSIONS: Even a weak electric field disturbs the pattern of cell divisions in plant root meristem. This in turn changes the global organization of the RAM. A field of slightly higher strength also damages root cap initials, terminating their division.     

Glycogen utilization in tissues of toad, Bufo melanostictus under electropolarity treatment

Electropolarity treatment (0.8V/DC/Cm) was given to the gastrocnemius muscle of B. melanostictus every day for 5 min for 5 days. The glycogen content and aldolase activity levels increased and phosphorylase 'a' activity levels decreased on cathode treatment in muscle, liver and brain while an opposed trend was observed on anode treatment. The heart showed contrasting pattern under both cathode and anode electropolarity treatments.     

Granular activated carbon based microbial fuel cell for simultaneous decolorization of real dye wastewater and electricity generation

Decolorization of dye wastewater before discharge is pivotal because of its immense color and toxicities. In this study, a granular activated carbon based microbial fuel cell (GACB-MFC) was used without using any expensive materials like Nafion membrane and platinum catalyst for simultaneous decolorization of real dye wastewater and bioelectricity generation. After 48 hours of GACB-MFC operation, 73% color was removed at anode and 77% color was removed at cathode. COD removal was 71% at the anode and 76% at the cathode after 48 hours. Toxicity measurements showed that cathode effluent was almost nontoxic after 24 hours. The anode effluent was threefold less toxic compared to original dye wastewater after 48 hours. The GACB-MFC produced a power density of 1.7 W/m(3) with an open circuit voltage 0.45 V. One of the advantages of the GACB-MFC system is that pH was automatically adjusted from 12.4 to 7.2 and 8.0 at the anode and cathode during 48 hours operation.     

The growth of PC-12 neurites is biased towards the anode of an applied electrical field

We have exposed cultures of PC12 cells to uniform DC electric fields following the addition of NGF. The success of these experiments relied upon the design of new chambers enabling fields to be applied to mammalian cell cultures. After 48 h of field application, the distribution of neurite outgrowths was biased towards the anode. More neurites faced the anode than would be expected if growth was uniform. The magnitude of this bias was strongly correlated with field strenght, with a threshold value of about 1 mV/mm. At field strengths above 30 mV/mm, the neurites growing towards the cathode were shorter than those growing towards the anode or perpendicular to the field. This response was not correlated with field strenght. This report confirms that mammalian neurons respond to electrical fields and supports the notion that neurites are influenced by endogenous electrical fields during development. As far as we are aware, this is the only report the documents a response towards the anode. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of direct current on dog liver: Possible mechanisms for tumor electrochemical treatment

Mechanisms of tumor electrochemical treatment (ECT) were studied using normal dog liver. Five physical and chemical methods were used. Two platinum electrodes were inserted into an anesthetized dog's liver at 3 cm separation. A voltage of 8.5 V direct current (DC) at an average current of 30 mA was applied for 69 min; total charge was 124 coulombs. Concentrations of selected ions near the anode and cathode were measured. The concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions were higher around the cathode, whereas the concentration of Cl⁻ ions was higher around the anode. Water contents and pH were determined near the anode and the cathode at the midpoint between the two electrodes and in an untreated area away from the electrodes. Hydration occurred around the cathode, and dehydration occurred around the anode. The pH values were 2.1 near the anode and 12.9 near the cathode. Spectrophotometric scans of the liver sample extract were obtained, and the released gases were identified by gas chromatography as chlorine at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode. These results indicate that a series of electrochemical reactions take place during ECT. The cell metabolism and its environment are severely disturbed. Both normal and tumor cells are rapidly and completely destroyed in this altered environment. We believe that the above reactions are the ECT mechanisms for treating tumors. Bioelectromagnetics 18:2–7, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Determination of the cathode and anode voltage drops in high power low-pressure amalgam lamps

For the first time, cathode and anode drops of powerful low-pressure amalgam lamps were measured. The lamp discharge current is 3.2 A, discharge current frequency is 43 kHz, linear electric power is 2.4 W/cm. The method of determination of a cathode drop is based on the change of a lamp operating voltage at variation of the electrode filament current at constant discharge current. The total (cathode plus anode) drop of voltage was measured by other, independent ways. The maximum cathode fall is 10.8 V; the anode fall corresponding to the maximal cathode fall is 2.4 V. It is shown that in powerful low pressure amalgam lamps the anode fall makes a considerable contribution (in certain cases, the basic one) to heating of electrodes. Therefore, the anode fall cannot be neglected, at design an electrode and ballast of amalgam lamps with operating discharge current frequency of tens of kHz.     

Factors influencing the electrokinetic dispersion of PAH-degrading bacteria in a laboratory model aquifer

Despite growing interest in the electro-bioremediation of contaminated soil it is still largely unknown to which degree weak electric fields influence the fate of contaminant-degrading microorganisms in the sub-surface. Here we evaluate the factors influencing the electrokinetic transport and deposition of fluorene-degrading Sphingomonas sp. LB126 in a laboratory model aquifer exposed to a direct current (DC) electric field (1 V cm(-1)) typically used in electro-bioremediation measures. The influence of cell size, cell membrane integrity, cell chromosome contents (all assessed by flow cytometry), cell surface charge and cell hydrophobicity on the spatial distribution of the suspended and matrix-bound cells after 15 h of DC-treatment was evaluated. In presence of DC the cells were predominantly mobilised by electroosmosis to the cathode with an apparent velocity of 0.6 cm h(-1), whereas a minor fraction only of the cells augmented was mobilised to the anode by electrophoresis. Different electrokinetic behaviour of individual cells could be solely attributed to intra-population heterogeneity of the cell surface charge. In the absence of DC by contrast, a Gaussian-type distribution of bacteria around the point of injection was found. DC had no influence on the deposition efficiency, as the glass beads in presence and absence of an electric field retained quasi-equal fractions of the cells. Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis of the cells indicated the absence of negative influences of DC on the cell wall integrity of electrokinetically mobilised cells and thus point at unchanged physiological fitness of electrokinetically mobilised bacteria.     

Anaerobic digestion and in situ electrohydrolysis of dairy bio-sludge

A novel treatment method based on anaerobic digestion and in-situ electrohydrolysis of dairy bio-sludge was investigated in this article. The electrohydrolysis was carried out inside the anaerobic reactor using graphite anode and stainless steel cathode. The electrons released by the graphite anode combines with the proton released due to electrohydrolysis of fatty acids which resulted in the formation of hydrogen gas. The experiments were conducted using a DC power source under continuous and intermittent mode of input voltage ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 V for varying influent volatile solids concentration at a pH 5.3 ± 0.2. The results favored intermittent mode of input voltage rather than continuous supply. For an influent total solid concentration of 7% (64,120 mg/L VS), intermittent input voltage of 2 V, and a hydraulic retention time of 15 days resulted in a volatile solids and soluble COD removal efficiency of 83 and 74%, while the cumulative gas generation was 1,051 L with a hydrogen content of 72%.     

Chondrocyte translocation response to direct current electric fields

Using a custom galvanotaxis chamber and time-lapse digital video microscopy, we report the novel observation that cultured chondrocytes exhibit cathodal migration when subjected to applied direct current (DC) electric fields as low as 0.8 V/cm. The response was dose-dependent for field strengths greater than 4 V/cm. Cell migration appeared to be an active process with extension of cytoplasmic processes in the direction of movement. In some cells, field application for greater than an hour induced elongation of initially round cells accompanied by perpendicular alignment of the long axis with respect to the applied field. Antagonists of the inositol phospholipid pathway, U-73122 and neomycin, were able to inhibit cathodal migration. Cell migration toward the cathode did not require the presence of serum during field application. However, the directed velocity was nearly threefold greater in studies performed with serum. Studies performed at physiologic temperatures (approximately 37 degrees C) revealed a twofold enhancement in migration speed compared to similar studies at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees C). Findings from the present study may help to elucidate basic mechanisms that mediate chondrocyte migration and substrate attachment. Since chondrocyte migration has been implicated in cartilage healing, the ability to direct chondrocyte movement has the potential to impact strategies for addressing cartilage healing/repair and for development of cartilage substitutes.     

Induction of Curvature in Maize Roots by Calcium or by Thigmostimulation : Role of the Postmitotic Isodiametric Growth Zone

We examined the response of primary roots of maize (Zea mays L. cv Merit) to unilateral application of calcium with particular attention to the site of application, the dependence on growth rate, and possible contributions of thigmotropic stimulation during application. Unilateral application of agar to the root cap induced negative curvature whether or not the agar contained calcium. This apparent thigmotropic response was enhanced by including calcium in the agar. Curvature away from objects applied unilaterally to the extreme root tip occurred both in intact and detipped roots. When agar containing calcium chloride was applied to one side of the postmitotic isodiametric growth zone (a region between the apical meristem and the elongation zone), the root curved toward the side of application. This response could not be induced by plain agar. We conclude that curvature away from calcium applied to the root tip results from a thigmotropic response to stimulation during application. In contrast, curvature toward calcium applied to the postmitotic isodiametric growth zone results from direct calcium-induced inhibition of growth.     

Keratinocyte galvanotaxis in combined DC and AC electric fields supports an electromechanical transduction sensing mechanism

Sedentary keratinocytes at the edge of a skin wound migrate into the wound, guided by the generation of an endogenous electric field (EF) generated by the collapse of the transepithelial potential. The center of the wound quickly becomes more negative than the surrounding tissue and remains the cathode of the endogenous EF until the wound is completely re‐epithelialized. This endogenous guidance cue can be studied in vitro. When placed in a direct current (DC) EF of physiological strength, 100 V/m, keratinocytes migrate directionally toward the cathode in a process known as galvanotaxis. Although a number of membrane‐bound (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), integrins) and cytosolic proteins (cAMP, ERK, PI3K) are known to play a role in the downstream signaling mechanisms underpinning galvanotaxis, the initial sensing mechanism for this response is not understood. To investigate the EF sensor, we studied the migration of keratinocytes in a DC EF of 100 V/m, alternating current (AC) EFs of 40 V/m at either 1.6 or 160 Hz, and combinations of DC and AC EFs. In the AC EFs alone, keratinocytes migrated randomly. The 1.6 Hz AC EF combined with the DC EF suppressed the direction of migration but had no effect on speed. In contrast, the 160 Hz AC EF combined with the DC EF did not affect the direction of migration but increased the migration speed compared to the DC EF alone. These results can be understood in terms of an electromechanical transduction model, but not an electrodiffusion/osmosis or a voltage‐gated channel model. Bioelectromagnetics 34:85–94, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Concentration of Virus from Water by Electro-Osmosis and Forced-Flow Electrophoresis

A Canalco Model CF-3 Electrophoretic Filter/Concentrator (modified ter Bier) was used to concentrate Type 1 polio virus from water using ectro-osmotic and forced-flow electrophoretic principles. Using2 ectro-osmosis water can be removed at a rate of up to 0.8 ral/hr/cm membrane area. Under conditions of 12–14 V/cm (5–6 amps) and adjusted mping rates, 20 fold concentration, without virus loss, can be achieved. ring forced-flow electrophoresis, the virus, which is negatively charged an alkaline buffer, moves toward the positive pole. At 20 V/cm and th adjusted pumping rates, the best that could be achieved was a 3 fold ncentration of virus and a 10 fold dehydration. Virus spill-over at e cathode and/or virus adsorption at the anode accounted for the poor suits, but theoretically this can be overcome by adjustment of the V/cm upled with adjustment of the pumping rates. Voltage (30 V/cm) and rrent (6 amps) have no detrimental effects on viral stability. These chniques appear to be more rapid and gentle than other methods for ncentration of virus and could be scaled up for practical use.     

有机污染土壤电动修复过程中微生物的分布特征及模型构建

外加电场下土壤微生物会发生快速繁殖和定向迁移.本研究在十四烷污染土壤中不同位置投加十四烷高效降解菌,并施加1 V·cm^-1的单向直流电场,考察目标菌群的迁移分布及降解特征.结果表明:微生物受电渗析和电泳作用分别向阴极和阳极迁移,电渗析迁移量是电泳的3.5倍.同时,施加电场还会使土壤环境在空间上存在差异进而影响微生物生长,施加电场的土壤中微生物数量平均值为1.16×10⁸ CFU·g^-1 (6 d),是不施加电场处理组的2.3倍;S₂～S₄区是微生物的高效生长区域,电动30 d后,区域平均数量是阴阳极的2.8～3.5倍,是对照处理组的2.1倍.十四烷降解率与微生物数量呈显著正相关关系(r=0.895, P<0.05),最佳降解区域在近阴极区(S₄),可达94.6%.基于试验结果模拟,建立了环境因子修正的电动区域微生物分布模型.该模型结合电动激活和电动运移作用对土壤微生物的叠加影响,实现了定点投加微生物在电动过程中数量的分布模拟.研究结果可为外源功能菌在电动-微生物修复有机污染土壤中的高效引入提供理论依据.     

Two distinct regions of response drive differential growth in Vigna root electrotropism

Although exogenous electric fields have been reported to influence the orientation of plant root growth, reports of the ultimate direction of differential growth have been contradictory. Using a high‐resolution image analysis approach, the kinetics of electrotropic curvature in Vigna mungo L. roots were investigated. It was found that curvature occurred in the same root toward both the anode and cathode. However, these two responses occurred in two different regions of the root, the central elongation zone (CEZ) and distal elongation zone (DEZ), respectively. These oppositely directed responses could be reproduced individually by a localized electric field application to the region of response. This indicates that both are true responses to the electric field, rather than one being a secondary response to an induced gravitropic stimulation. The individual responses differed in the type of differential growth giving rise to curvature. In the CEZ, curvature was driven by inhibition of elongation, whereas curvature in the DEZ was primarily due to stimulation of elongation. This stimulation of elongation is consistent with the growth response of the DEZ to other environmental stimuli.     

Migration of cell surface concanavalin A receptors in pulsed electric fields.

Concanavalin A (con A) receptors on the surface of cultured Xenopus myoblasts redistributed in response to monopolar, pulsed electric fields. The prefield uniform distribution of the receptors became asymmetrical, and was polarized toward the cathodal pole, in the same way as in DC fields. The extent of asymmetry depended on the duration of field exposure, pulse width (or alternatively, interpulse interval), frequency, and intensity. This relationship was most conveniently expressed by using duty cycle, a quantity determined by both pulse width and frequency. Pulses of average intensity 1.5 V/cm induced detectable asymmetry within 5 min. At the lowest average field intensity used, 0.8 V/cm, significant asymmetry was detected at 150 min. For pulses of high duty cycle (greater than 25%), steady state was reached after 30 min exposure and the steady state asymmetry was dependent on average field intensity. For low duty cycle fields, the time required to reach steady state was prolonged (greater than 50 min). Before reaching a steady state, effectiveness of the pulses, as compared with DC fields of equivalent intensity, was a function of duty cycle. A low duty cycle field (fixed number of pulses at low frequency or long interpulse interval) was less effective than high duty cycle fields or DC.     

Lymphocyte electrotaxis in vitro and in vivo

Electric fields are generated in vivo in a variety of physiologic and pathologic settings, including penetrating injury to epithelial barriers. An applied electric field with strength within the physiologic range can induce directional cell migration (i.e., electrotaxis) of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and neutrophils suggesting a potential role in cell positioning during wound healing. In the present study, we investigated the ability of lymphocytes to respond to applied direct current (DC) electric fields. Using a modified Transwell assay and a simple microfluidic device, we show that human PBLs migrate toward the cathode in physiologically relevant DC electric fields. Additionally, electrical stimulation activates intracellular kinase signaling pathways shared with chemotactic stimuli. Finally, video microscopic tracing of GFP-tagged immunocytes in the skin of mouse ears reveals that motile cutaneous T cells actively migrate toward the cathode of an applied DC electric field. Lymphocyte positioning within tissues can thus be manipulated by externally applied electric fields, and may be influenced by endogenous electrical potential gradients as well.