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。     

河北张家口康巴诺尔湖国家湿地公园遗鸥繁殖群新发现

2014年4月14日在张家口市康保县康巴诺尔湖国家湿地公园(东经114°35′06″~114°36′32″,北纬41°49′05″~41°50′33″)发现遗鸥(Larus relictus)3 000余只。同年7月在湖边发现新繁殖的遗鸥幼鸟觅食。2015年4月底发现遗鸥在湖心岛筑巢产卵,同年6月采用国产大疆精灵3四轴航拍飞行器航拍法及样方法统计湖心岛遗鸥种群数量,共记录遗鸥成鸟2 100余只,806巢,出壳雏鸟2 080只。此次发现属于我国遗鸥繁殖地的新发现。     

Robust human body model injury prediction in simulated side impact crashes

This study developed a parametric methodology to robustly predict occupant injuries sustained in real-world crashes using a finite element (FE) human body model (HBM). One hundred and twenty near-side impact motor vehicle crashes were simulated over a range of parameters using a Toyota RAV4 (bullet vehicle), Ford Taurus (struck vehicle) FE models and a validated human body model (HBM) Total HUman Model for Safety (THUMS). Three bullet vehicle crash parameters (speed, location and angle) and two occupant parameters (seat position and age) were varied using a Latin hypercube design of Experiments. Four injury metrics (head injury criterion, half deflection, thoracic trauma index and pelvic force) were used to calculate injury risk. Rib fracture prediction and lung strain metrics were also analysed. As hypothesized, bullet speed had the greatest effect on each injury measure. Injury risk was reduced when bullet location was further from the B-pillar or when the bullet angle was more oblique. Age had strong correlation to rib fractures frequency and lung strain severity. The injuries from a real-world crash were predicted using two different methods by (1) subsampling the injury predictors from the 12 best crush profile matching simulations and (2) using regression models. Both injury prediction methods successfully predicted the case occupant's low risk for pelvic injury, high risk for thoracic injury, rib fractures and high lung strains with tight confidence intervals. This parametric methodology was successfully used to explore crash parameter interactions and to robustly predict real-world injuries.     

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.     

Effective aerial monitoring of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms is dependent on understanding cellular migration

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) degrade water quality and may produce toxins. The distribution of CHABs can change rapidly due to variations in population dynamics and environmental conditions. Biological and ecological aspects of CHABs were studied in order to better understand CHABs dynamics. Field experiments were conducted near Hartington, Ontario, Canada in ponds dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and CHABs floating experiments were conducted at Lake Taihu during the summers of 2015 and 2016. Single colonies composed of hundreds to thousands of cells with an average median of 0.2–0.5 mm in diameter were the basic form assumed by the Microcystis, and this remained the same throughout the growing season. Thorough mixing of the water column followed by calm conditions resulted in over 90% of the cyanobacteria floating after 1 h. Multiple colonies floated on the water surface in four types of assemblages: aggregates, ribbons, patches, and mats. It is the mats that are conventionally considered the blooming stage of cyanobacteria.Presence of CHABs on open water surfaces also depends on environmental influences such as direct and indirect wind effects. For example, field tests revealed that the surface coverage of CHABs can be reduced to half within an hour at wind speeds of 0.5 m/s.Because our findings indicated that blooming involves surface display of cyanobacteria essentially presenting as a two-dimensional plane under defined conditions, the use of surface imagery to quantify CHABs was justified. This is particularly important in light of the fact that traditional detection methods do not provide accurate distribution information. Nor do they portray CHABs events in a real-time manner due to limitations in on-demand surveillance and delays between sample time and analyzed results. Therefore, a new CHAB detection method using small unmanned aerial systems with consumer-grade cameras was developed at a maximum detection altitude of 80 m. When cyanobacteria were floating on the surface, CHABs detection through RGB band cameras and spectral enhancement techniques was efficient and accurate. Small unmanned aerial systems were capable of providing coverage up to 1 km² per mission and the short intervals between sampling and results (approx. 2 h) allowed for the rapid analysis of data and for implementing follow-up monitoring or treatments. This method is very cost-effective at an estimate of as low as $100 CAD per mission with an average cyanobacterial detection accuracy of 86%. Thus, it is a good candidate method to fill the urgent need for CHABs detection, providing cost effective, rapid, and accurate information to improve risk management at a local level as well as to help quickly allocate resources for purposes of mitigation.