Isolation of Protoplast and Ion Channel Recording in Plasma Membrane of Suspension Cells of Populus euphratica

The authors used suspension cells of Populus euphratica to isolate protoplast in the present study. Protoplasts were successfully obtained after 4 hours incubation in enzyme solution containing 1 0% cellulase “onozuka” R\|10, 0\^01% pectolyase Y\|23,0\^15% macerozyme R\|10 and 0\^1% hemicellulase at 25℃. Outward and inward single channels in plasma membrane were observed using cell\|attached recording of patch\|clamp technique. In this study, single channel records showed that more than one species of channel were obtained. These attempts in protoplast isolation and ion channel recording offers the opportunity to characterize cellular mechanisms of salt tolerance in tree species.

Effect of 80.55 MeV//u^(12)C^(6+) Ions on Radiosensitivity and Cell Cycle of Human Hepatoma Cell Lines

In this paper, the relationship between radiosensitivity, cell cycle alteration and the change of apoptosis in different human hepatoma cell lines irradiated by heavy ions were studied with the aim of building up the base data for clinical therapy. Exponentially growing hepatoma cell lines were irradiated by 80.55 MeV/u12C6＋ ions at a dose of 0 Gy, 0.5 Gy, 1 Gy, 2 Gy, 4 Gy and 8 Gy. The radiosensitivity was assessed by means of the colony-forming assay. The DNA content, the percentage of each cell-cycle phase and the apoptosis rate were obtained with flow cytometry methods. After the irradiation, the SF2 （survival fraction at 2 gray） of SMMC-7721 cells were evidently lower than that of HepG2 cells. The S phase arrest, G2/M phase arrest delay and the apoptosis in the two hepatoma cell lines varied with the increase of the dose and repair time. The heavy ions could obviously kill the human hepatoma cell lines. Compared to HepG2 cells, SMMC-7721 cells were more radiosensitive to 12C^6＋ ions.

Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coated 316L stainless steel by arc ion plating as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Arc ion plating (AIP) is applied to form Ti/(Ti,Cr)N/CrN multilayer coating on the surface of 316L stainless steel (SS316L) as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The characterizations of the coating are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Interfacial contact resistance (ICR) between the coated sample and carbon paper is 4.9 m Omega cm(2) under 150 N/cm(2), which is much lower than that of the SS316L substrate. Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic tests are performed in the simulated PEMFC working conditions to investigate the corrosion behaviors of the coated sample. Superior anticorrosion performance is observed for the coated sample, whose corrosion current density is 0.12 mu A/cm(2). Surface morphology results after corrosion tests indicate that the substrate is well protected by the multilayer coating. Performances of the single cell with the multilayer coated SS316L bipolar plate are improved significantly compared with that of the cell with the uncoated SS316L bipolar plate, presenting a great potential for PEMFC application. (C) 2016 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Realization of conformal doping on multicrystalline silicon solar cells and black silicon solar cells by plasma immersion ion implantation

Emitted multi-crystalline silicon and black silicon solar cells are conformal doped by ion implantation using the plasma immersion ion implantation （PⅢ） technique. The non-uniformity of emitter doping is lower than 5 %. The secondary ion mass spectrometer profile indicates that the PⅢ technique obtained 100-rim shallow emitter and the emitter depth could be impelled by furnace annealing to 220 nm and 330 nm at 850 ℃ with one and two hours, respectively. Furnace annealing at 850 ℃ could effectively electrically activate the dopants in the silicon. The efficiency of the black silicon solar cell is 14.84% higher than that of the mc-silicon solar cell due to more incident light being absorbed.

Simulated Microgravity Conditions and Carbon Ion Irradiation Induce Spermatogenic Cell Apoptosis and Sperm DNA Damage

Objective To investigate the effect of simulated microgravity and carbon ion irradiation （CIR） on spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage to the testis of male Swiss Webster mice, and assess the risk associated with space environment. Methods Sperm DNA damage indicated by DNA fragmentation index （DFI） and high DNA stainability （HDS） was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay （SCSA）. Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by annexin V-propidium iodide assay. Bax （the expression levels of p53） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNAI were measured by immunoblotting; p53 and PCNA were located by immunohistology. Results HDS, DFI, apoptosis index, and the expression levels of p53 and Bax were detected to be significantly higher in the experimental groups （P〈0.05） compared with those in the control group, however, the PCNA expression varied to a certain degree, p53- and PCNA- positive expression were detected in each group, mainly in relation to the spermatogonic cells and spermatocytes. Conclusion The findings of the present study demonstrated that simulated microgravity and CIR can induce spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage. Sperm DNA damage may be one of the underlying mechanisms behind male fertility decline under space environment. These findings may provide a scientific basis for protectint~ astronauts and space traveler＇s health and safety.

Copper Ions Stimulate the Proliferation of Hepatic Stellate Cells via Oxygen Stress in vitro

This study examined the effect of copper ions on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs） and the role of oxidative stress in this process in order to gain insight into the mechanism of he- patic fibrosis in Wilson＇s disease. LX-2 cells, a cell line of human HSCs, were cultured in vitro and treated with different agents including copper sulfate, N-acetyl cysteine （NAC） and buthionine sulfoxi- mine （BSO） for different time. The proliferation of LX-2 cells was measured by non-radioactive cell proliferation assay. Real-time PCR and Westem blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein ex- pression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor 13 subunit （PDGFI3R）, ELISA to determine the level of glutathione （GSH） and oxidized glutathione （GSSG）, dichlorofluorescein assay to measure the level of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, and lipid hydroperoxide assay to quantify the level of lipid peroxide （LPO）. The results showed that copper sulfate over a certain concentration range could promote the pro- liferation of LX-2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effect was most manifest when LX-2 cells were treated with copper sulfate at a concentration of 100 ~tmol/L for 24 h. Additionally, copper sulfate could dose-dependently increase the levels of ROS and LPO, and decrease the ratio of GSH/GSSG in LX-2 cells. The copper-induced increase in mRNA and protein expression of PDGF^R was significantly inhibited in LX-2 cells pre-treated with NAC, a precursor of GSH, and this phenome- non could be reversed by the intervention of BSO, an inhibitor of NAC. It was concluded that copper ions may directly stimulate the proliferation of HSCs via oxidative stress. Anti-oxidative stress therapies may help suppress the copper-induced activation and proliferation of HSCs.

Identification and Function of Acid-sensing Ion Channels in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

Activation of acid-sensing ion channels （ASICs） plays an important role in neuroinflammation. Macrophage recruitment to the sites of inflammation is an essential step in host defense. ASIC1 and ASIC3 have been reported to mediate the endocytosis and maturation of bone marrow derived macrophages. However, the expression and inflammation-related functions of ASICs in RAW 264.7 cells, another common macrophage, are still elusive. In the present study, we first demonstrated the presence of ASIC 1, ASIC2a and ASIC3 in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments. The non-specific ASICs inhibitor amiloride and specific homomeric ASICla blocker PcTxl reduced the production of iNOS and COX-2 by LPS-induced activating RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, not only amiloride but also PcTxl inhibited the migration and LPS-induced apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that ASICs promote the inflammatory response and apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells, and ASICs may serve as a potential novel target for immunological disease therapy.

REDUCTION OF FERRIC IRON IN THE TITANIUM SULFATE SOLUTION BY THE ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE PRIMARY CELL METHOD

In the production process of titanium dioxide with sulfuric acid, the contamination of the titanium sulfate solution (the ilmenite leaching solution) in the Fe 3+ reduction stage by iron scraps is a practical problem because it is difficult to guarantee the quality of the iron scraps. In this research, a new method, called the ion exchange membrane primary cell method, for reduction of Fe 3+ in the titanium sulfate solution has been advanced. The positive compartment of the primary cell consists of lead (copper) electrode and the titanium sulfate solution, and the negative compartment consists of iron electrode and acidic FeSO 4 solution. The anion ion exchange membrane is used as the diaphragm between two compartments. Fe 3+ in the titanium sulfate solution is reduced by the electric discharge of the primary cell. The effects of temperature, stirring strength of the solution and membrane area on the reduction rate have been investigated. The experimental result shows that the optimum current density can be higher than 100 A/m 2.

Neuroprotective effect of Eleutheroside B on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Apoptosis and viability of PC12 cells following 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion （MPP＋）-induced injury were monitored by flow cytometry, following Annexin V-propidium iodide double labeling, and 3-（4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, respectively. The release of lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase activity and levels of malondialdehyde were determined by UV spectrophotometry. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and the intracellular concentration of calcium were determined by flow cytometry, and the activity of caspase-3 was monitored by western blot. According to cell viability and apoptosis studies, MPP＋-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was inhibited in the presence of 10 tJg/mL of Eleutheroside B Our results indicate that the neuroprotective effect of Eleutheroside B, following MPP＋-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, involves increasing the anti-oxidative stress capacity of cells, maintaining the high-energy state of mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing intracellular calcium concentration and inhibiting caspase-3 activity.

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell plasma source ion implantation of a prolate spheroid target

A two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation is used to study the time-dependent evolution of the sheath surrounding a prolate spheroid target during a high voltage pulse in plasma source ion implantation. Our study shows that the potential contour lines pack more closely in the plasma sheath near the vertex of the major axis, i.e. where a thinner sheath is formed, and a non-uniform total ion dose distribution is incident along the surface of the prolate spheroid target due to the focusing of ions by the potential structure. Ion focusing takes place not only at the vertex of the major axis, where dense potential contour lines exist, but also at the vertex of the minor axis, where sparse contour lines exist. This results in two peaks of the received ion dose, locating at the vertices of the major and minor axes of the prolate spheroid target, and an ion dose valley, staying always between the vertices, rather than at the vertex of the minor axis.

Energy Transformation in Mammalian Cell for Low Energy Ion Beam Impinging

This study investigates the stopping power of a mammalian cell for low energy ions. The energy equation of the incident ion has been conducted based on the elastic collision between the pairs of nuclei in order to establish the stopping powers of the mammalian cell for low energy ion implantation. Based on the biological structure of the mammalian cell and the measured thickness of the V79 cell, a physical structural model is proposed that the attached cell is approximately of a model of a constringent multi-membrane structure （C-2M model） in order to analyse the stopping power of the mammalian cell for low energy ions. With this model we have determined the mean line energy transfer, and roughly estimated the depth of ion implantation on the selected Chinese hamster V79 cell for 30 keV N^＋ ions at a flux of 1 × 10^15 ion/cm^2, which is in agreement with those by using Monte Carlo methods.

Functional ion channels in stem cells

Bioelectrical signals generated by ion channels play crucial roles in excitation genesis and impulse conduction in excitable cells as well as in cell proliferation,migration and apoptosis in proliferative cells.Recent studies have demonstrated that multiple ion channels are heterogeneously present in different stem cells;however,patterns and phenotypes of ion channels are species-and/or origin-dependent.This editorial review focuses on the recent findings related to the expression of functional ion channels and the roles of these channels in regulation of cell proliferation in stem cells.Additional effort is required in the future to clarify the ion channel expression in different types of stem cells;special attention should be paid to the relationship between ion channels and stem cell proliferation,migration and differentiation.

Effect of Activation of the Ca2+-Permeable Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 1a on Acid-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Children

Acidosis in local environment plays a critical role in cell injury. One key mediator of acidosis-induced cell injury is the acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), particularly ASIC1a. Herein, we investigated the role of ASIC1a in acid-induced vascular endothelial cell injury of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) children. Acid-induced ASIC1a, Calpain and Calcineurin expression in vascular endothelial cells pretreated with IgA1 isolated from HSP were detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot methods, respectively. Cell cytotoxicity was measured by interleukin-8 and nitric oxide production with ELISA. The results showed acid-induced ASIC1a, Calpain and Calcineurin expression in cells increased, especially at PH6.5. The cytotoxicity of vascular endothelial cells was increased by extracellular acidosis. Moreover non-specific or specific blockers of ASIC1a, Amiloride and PcTX-1 could remarkably decrease these parameters. These findings show that increased [Ca2+]i, mediated via ASIC1a, might contribute to acid-induced vascular endothelial cell injury of HSP.

A Particle-in-Cell Simulation of Double Layers and Ion-Acoustic Waves

Double layers and ion-acoustic waves are investigated by using a one-dimensional electrostatic particle-in-cell simulation code. Our results show that double layers can be formed even when the drift velocity between electrons and ions is less than the electron thermal velocity. Electron and ion density depressions were clearly seen. Electrons gradually developed a distribu- tion comprising both background and beam components. In fact, as the initial electron-ion drift velocity was less than the electron thermal velocity, intense ion-acoustic waves could be found only at the places where the electron beam was located, suggesting that they are excited by the self-consistently developed electron beam. Besides the Langmuir waves and ion-acoustic waves, the beam mode excited by electron beams produced in our simulation has been clearly found.

Electric Conductivity of Fluorinated Oligomer Gel Electrolyte Including Ionic Liquid and Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

Fluorinated oligomer gel is suitable to the electrolyte of dye sensitized solar cell. This article studied mainly in the scope of electric conductivity, including ionic liquid in the electrolyte. It was found that the ratio of mixing with dimetyl sulfoxide and the concentration of LiI affect the conductivity. The behavior is different depending on the type of ionic liquid. Although the mixing ionic liquid enhances the conductivity, the short circuit current density of assembled solar cell with it was suppressed so much.

Killing effect of Chinese hamster V79 cells exposed to accelerated carbon ions and RBE determination

Survival curves of Chinese hamster V79 cells exposed to accclerated carbon ions with linear energy transfers of 125.5, 200 and 700 keV/μm were measured, respectively. Inactivation cross sections corresponding to the irradiation above were deduced from the V79 cell survival curves. They are 7.86±0.17, 10.44±1.11 and 32.32±3.58 μm2 in turn. With the surviving response of V79 cells to 60Co γ-rays as a reference value, relative biological effectiveness at 10%, 20%, 50% and 80% survival levels were given for the accelerated carbon ions. The results showed that carbon ions with LET of 125.5 keV/μm had a higher value of RBE at all the four survival levels than the carbon ions with other LETs. It was prompted that the maximum value of RBE for the V79 cell surviving as the biological endpoint emerged at the LET below 200 keV/μm for carbon ions.

Calculation of response of Chinese hamster cells to ions based on track structure theory

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The role of autophagy in cell survival from heavy ion irradiation in the plateau region

To study cytotoxic effect of heavy ion irradiation in the plateau region, and investigate whether autophagy induced by heavy ion irradiation is cytoprotective, HeLa cells were irradiated with 350 MeV/u carbon ions beams,and the clonogenic survival was analyzed. The results showed that cell survival decreased with increasing doses.It was also found that G2/M-phase cells increased, and the autophagy-related activity was significantly higher than the control. When autophagy was blocked by 3-methyladenine in carbon-ion irradiated cells, G2/M phase arrest and the percentage of apoptosis cells were further elevated, and cell survival decreased significantly, indicating the induction of cytoprotective autophagy by carbon-ion irradiation. Our results demonstrated that autophagy induced by carbon ion irradiation provided a self-protective mechanism in HeLa cells, short-time inhibition of autophagy before carbon-ion irradiation could enhance radiation cytotoxicity in HeLa cells.

Relationship between cellular radio-sensitivity and naked DNA damage in mammalian cells exposed to heavy ions

The relationship between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and the cell death induced by 12C ions irradiation was examined in four kinds of cells, Melanoma B16, cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa, Chinese hamster V79 and hepatoma SMMC-7721. Cell survival was determined by a colonogenic assay, and the sensitivity was described by D50 (the dose of radiation necessary to reduce the survival to 50%). For all cell lines, D50 ranged from 0.74 Gy to 3.85 Gy, among them B16 was the most radiosensitive to 12C ions, and V79 and HeLa cells had almost the same radio-sensitivity, SMMC-7721 was the last. The induction of deproteinized DNA double-strand breaks induced by 12C ions were measured by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and the initial yield of the deproteinized DNA dsbs per unit dose was expressed as the DNA double break level (L). A linear dose-response curve was seen for initial DNA dsbs for all cell lines (slopes range from 0.40-0.98 (DSBs/100Mbp/Gy)). V79 was the steepest, B16 was the last. There was an inverse relationship between the initial DNA dsb and D50 if the B16 cell line was not considered, but there was no relativity even excludes the B16 cell line. The present results indicate that there is no relationship between cellular sensitivity and initial DNA dsb, even exclude the effects of chromatin structure.

Radio-resistance induced by nitric oxide to heavy ion irradiation in A172 human glioma cells

To investigate effects of nitric oxide on cellular radio-sensitivity, three human glioma cell lines, i.e. A172, A172 transfected green fluorescence protein (EGFP) gene (EA172) and A172 transfected inducible nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS) gene (iA172), were irradiated by 12C6+ ions to 0, 1 or 2Gy. Productions of nitric oxide and glutathione (GSH) in A172, EA172 and iA172 were determined by chemical methods, cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry at the 24th hour after irradiation, and survival fraction of the cells was measured by colorimetric MTT assay at the 5th day after irradiation. The results showed that the concentrations of nitric oxide and GSH in iA172 were significantly higher than in A172 and EA172; the G2/M stage arrest induced by the 12C6+ ion irradiation was observed in A172 and EA172 but not in iA172 at the 24th hour after exposure; and the survival fraction of iA172 was higher than that of EA172 and iA172. Data suggest that the radio-sensitivity of the A172 was reduced after the iNOS gene transfection. The increase of GSH production and the change of cellular signals such as the cell cycle control induced by nitric oxide may be involved in this radio-resistance.