A review: Dielectrophoresis for characterizing and separating similar cell subpopulations based on bioelectric property changes due to disease progression and therapy assessment

This paper reviews the use of dielectrophoresis for high-fidelity separations and characterizations of subpopulations to highlight the recent advances in the electrokinetic field as well as provide insight into its progress toward commercialization. The role of cell subpopulations in heterogeneous clinical samples has been studied to deduce their role in disease progression and therapy resistance for instances such as cancer, tissue regeneration, and bacterial infection. Dielectrophoresis (DEP), a label-free electrokinetic technique, has been used to characterize and separate target subpopulations from mixed samples to determine disease severity, cell stemness, and drug efficacy. Despite its high sensitivity to characterize similar or related cells based on their differing bioelectric signatures, DEP has been slowly adopted both commercially and clinically. This review addresses the use of dielectrophoresis for the identification of target cell subtypes in stem cells, cancer cells, blood cells, and bacterial cells dependent on cell state and therapy exposure and addresses commercialization efforts in light of its sensitivity and future perspectives of the technology, both commercially and academically.     

双面进光太阳能电池透明对电极研究进展

近年来,太阳能电池（包括染料敏化、量子点敏化及钙钛矿太阳能电池）因其成本低、质量轻、效率高受到研究人员的广泛关注.双面进光太阳能电池是太阳光能通过光阳极以及透明对电极同时入射的器件,是近年来扩宽太阳能电池光利用率及能效以达到提高器件光电性能的主要手段,其中透明对电极的性能直接影响器件的背面进光效率,因此研究对电极对提高双面进光太阳能电池光电转化效率十分必要.本文针对传统对电极透光性低,成本高,光利用率低等问题,与双面进光的高光电转换效率以及低成本等特点对比,综合分析了透明对电极材料的选择及界面修饰改性等对双面进光染料敏化、量子点敏化及钙钛矿太阳能电池光电性能的影响及其应用前景.     

Passivated‐electrode insulator‐based dielectrophoretic separation of heterogeneous cell mixtures

Rapid and accurate purification of various heterogeneous mixtures is a critical step for a multitude of molecular, chemical, and biological applications. Dielectrophoresis has shown to be a promising technique for particle separation due to its exploitation of the intrinsic electrical properties, simple fabrication, and low cost. Here, we present a geometrically novel dielectrophoretic channel design which utilizes an array of localized electric fields to separate a variety of unique particle mixtures into distinct populations. This label‐free device incorporates multiple winding rows with several nonuniform structures on to sidewalls to produce high electric field gradients, enabling high locally generated dielectrophoretic forces. A balance between dielectrophoretic forces and Stokes’ drag is used to effectively isolate each particle population. Mixtures of polystyrene beads (500 nm and 2 μm), breast cancer cells spiked in whole blood, and for the first time, neuron and satellite glial cells were used to study the separation capabilities of the design. We found that our device was able to rapidly separate unique particle populations with over 90% separation yields for each investigated mixture. The unique architecture of the device uses passivated‐electrode insulator‐based dielectrophoresis in an innovative microfluidic device to separate a variety of heterogeneous mixture without particle saturation in the channel.     

微生物电解电池制氢*

在微生物燃料电池（MFC）的基础上发展而来的微生物电解电池（MEC）为生物制氢提供了一种全新的方法。本文综述了自2005年MEC发明以来取得的研究进展。简要介绍了MEC制氢的基本原理和系统的评价参数;比较了不同MEC系统结构和电极材料对体系产氢效能的影响;讨论了MEC制氢实际应用中存在问题和限制因素;提出了MEC制氢今后的研究思路和发展趋势;展望了MEC在利用生物质制氢和有机废水资源化利用中的应用前景。     

Bioethanol Production from Uncooked Raw Starch by Immobilized Surface-engineered Yeast Cells

Surface-engineered yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae codisplaying Rhizopus oryzae glucoamylase and Streptococcus bovis α-amylase on the cell surface was used for direct production of ethanol from uncooked raw starch. By using 50 g/L cells during batch fermentation, ethanol concentration could reach 53 g/L in 7 days. During repeated batch fermentation, the production of ethanol could be maintained for seven consecutive cycles. For cells immobilized in loofa sponge, the concentration of ethanol could reach 42 g/L in 3 days in a circulating packed-bed bioreactor. However, the production of ethanol stopped thereafter because of limited contact between cells and starch. The bioreactor could be operated for repeated batch production of ethanol, but ethanol concentration dropped to 55% of its initial value after five cycles because of a decrease in cell mass and cell viability in the bioreactor. Adding cells to the bioreactor could partially restore ethanol production to 75% of its initial value.     

Cardioprotective Activity of Selected Polyphenols Based on Epithelial and Aortic Cell Lines. A Review

Polyphenols have recently gained popularity among the general public as products and diets classified as healthy and containing naturally occurring phenols. Many polyphenolic extracts are available on the market as dietary supplements, functional foods, or cosmetics, taking advantage of clients’ desire to live a healthier and longer life. However, due to the difficulty of discovering the in vivo functions of polyphenols, most of the research focuses on in vitro studies. In this review, we focused on the cardioprotective activity of different polyphenols as possible candidates for use in cardiovascular disease therapy and for improving the quality of life of patients. Thus, the studies, which were mainly based on endothelial cells, aortic cells, and some in vivo studies, were analyzed. Based on the reviewed articles, polyphenols have a few points of action, including inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, decrease in reactive oxygen species production and endothelial tube formation, stimulation of acetylcholine-induced endothelium-derived mediator release, and others, which lead to their cardio- and/or vasoprotective effects on endothelial cells. The obtained results suggest positive effects of polyphenols, but more long-term in vivo studies demonstrating effects on mechanism of action, sensitivity, and specificity or efficacy are needed before legal health claims can be made.     

SYNAPTIC INPUTS FROM RODS AND CONES TO HORIZONTAL CELLS IN THE TIGER SALAMANDER RETINA

Synaptic inputs from rods and cones to horizontal cells (HCs) were studied in the flatmounted isolated retinas of the tiger salamander. Voltage-intensity relations, spectral sensitivities and response waveforms of the rod, the cone, and the HC under dark- and light-adapted conditions were examined. HCs receive mixed inputs from rods and cones in both dark- and light-adapted retinas. The relative rod/cone input in HC_s depends on the intensity of stimulus and background illumination, and it varies from HC to HC.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Thiophene Copolymer for Photovoltaic Application

A soluble thiophene copolymer having polar and non polar side groups was synthesized and its photovoltaics performance was investigated. The synthesized copolymer was characterized using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and optical spectroscopy. Dye sensitized solar cells were fabricated using this copolymer as sensitizer. An open-circuit voltage of 0.50V, a short-circuit current density of 1.195 mA/cm² and an overall power conversion efficiency of 0.3% were measured.     

Electro-osmotic studies of endothelial cell surface

The surface properties of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which form the inner walls of blood vessels, have been studied by electro-osmosis measurements. The data are analyzed on the basis of an electrophoresis theory of “soft” particles (that is, particles covered by polyelectrolyte layers). This theory utilizes two parameters, i.e. the density of fixed charges in the cell surface layer and a “softness” parameter (1/λ) which corresponds to the reciprocal of the coefficient of the frictional forces exerted by the surface layer on the liquid flow in the surface layer. It is found that the “softness” parameter for HUVEC is very large, i.e. the surface of HUVEC is very soft compared with those of other biological cells such as erythrocytes or human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines (HL-60RG cells) which we have studied before. The obtained value of 1/λ is comparable to that observed for a poly (NIPAAm) hydrogel layer in a swollen state. The charge density in the surface layer of HUVEC, however, is found to be similar to those for other biological cells.     

Moving Graphitic Carbon Nitride from Electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis to a Potential Electrode Material for Photoelectric Devices

Carbon nitride (g‐CN) has attracted significant interest in the last years as a robust, low‐cost alternative to metal‐based materials in different fields due to its low price, environmentally benign character, simple synthesis and tunable properties. In particular, g‐CN demonstrates promising activity in energy‐related applications such as photo and heterogeneous catalysis, batteries and electrolysis. However, while g‐CN is already well‐established as a photocatalyst, its utilization in (opto)electronic devices is still at an early stage. This Focus Review concentrates on the utilization of g‐CN in solar and photoelectrochemical cells, electrolyzers and light emitting diode alongside the recap of new synthetic approaches. This review is expected to provide useful insights into the design and fabrication of g‐CN based photoelectronic devices as well as g‐CN working principles, including the main challenges toward its integration in optoelectronic devices.     

Recent progress of thin-film photovoltaics for indoor application

Indoor photovoltaics have attracted increasing attentions owing to their great potential in supplying energy for low power devices under indoor light in our daily life.The third generation thin-film solar cells,including dye-sensitized solar cells,perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells,have made rapid progress from the aspect of materials design to photovoltaic performance.This review provides an overview on the recent advances in the development of indoor photovoltaic technologies based on the third generation solar cells.The design principles of advanced thin-film indoor photovoltaics were also summarized according to the characteristics of indoor light and the advantages of the third generation solar cells.Finally,after summarizing the current research progress,the perspective on this topic is provided.     

Biomimicking polysaccharide nanofibers promote vascular phenotypes: a potential application for vascular tissue engineering

The potential of electrospun pullulan/dextran (P/D) nanofibers (average diameter = 323 nm) for vascular tissue engineering applications is explored. The mechanical properties of the nanofibers are of the same order of magnitude as that of human arteries (Young's modulus ≈0.88 MPa; tensile strength ≈0.35 MPa). It is demonstrated that the nanofiber topography enables cell adhesion and that the endothelial phenotype is maintained on the nanofibers. Moreover, P/D nanofibers support a stable confluent monolayer of endothelial cells over 14 d. SMCs seeded on nanofibers display similar levels of alpha smooth muscle actin and a lower proliferation rate than cells on 2D cultures. The observations suggest that nanofibers promote a shift to a quiescent contractile phenotype in SMCs.

     

Biomodulative effects induced by 805 nm laser light irradiation of normal and tumor cells

The influence of light emitted from a diode laser centred at λ = 805 nm was investigated on murine skeletal myotubes (C2), normal urothelial cells (HCV29), human squamous carcinoma cells of the gingival muscosa (ZMK) and urothelial carcinoma cells (J82) in a computer-controlled irradiation chamber. Cells were treated with varying fluences between 0 and 20 J cm⁻². The response was tested by analysis of the mitotic index using single cell counting after Orcein staining and proliferation index based on BrdU incorporation during DNA synthesis. While the mitotic index of C2, HCV29 and J82 cells increased at a fluence of 4 J cm⁻², irradiation with fluences of 20 J cm⁻² resulted in a slight decrease. ZMK tumor cells showed a decrease of the mitotic index with both fluences. No significant differences could be determined when using irradiances between 10 mW cm⁻² and 150 mW cm⁻². The BrdU test after irradiation showed no significant effects compared to the controls in each cell line.     

聚合物太阳能电池研究进展

有机材料是近年来新型太阳能电池的研究热点,本文按太阳能电池材料的组成分类,对太阳能电池的原理及其材料的种类进行了详细地总结,重点介绍了导电聚合物基的太阳能电池的研究进展.     

uvrB-dependent, recF-independent post-replication (or replication) repair in Escherichia coli

In UV-damaged cells, a large fraction of pyrimidine dimers may remain unexcised and may be tolerated by a uvrB recA lexA-dependent non-excisional mode of repair (M. Sedliaková, J. Brozmanová, F. Ma ek and K. Kleibl, Biophys. J., 36 (1981) 429-441). We show here that a similar repair pathway operates in the Escherichia coli recF 143 single mutant but not in the recF uvrB double mutant. This indicates that the putative repair pathway is recF independent.     

A FACTOR(S) PRODUCED BY SERTOLI CELLS STIMULATES ANDROGEN BIOSYNTHESIS BY LEYDIG CELLS IN NEONATAL RATS

Using a coculture system, we have studied the local action of Sertoli cells on Leydig cell function. The results show that (ⅰ) both LH and FSH have equal potency to stimulate testosterone biosynthesis by fetal and neonatal testicular cells in an age-dependent manner, the maximum stimulation is observed between D_3 and D_5. (ⅱ) An FSH-dependent factor(s) secreted by Sertoli cells increases the basal and/or LH-stimulated Leydig cell androgen production. (ⅲ) The Sertoli cell-stimulating factor(s) is not a steroid or other small molecule, but a heat-labile peptide.     

Contraceptive studies of isolated fractions of Cuminum cyminum in male albino rats

The contraceptive efficacy of Cuminum cyminum isolated fractions (CcFr) in male albino rats was investigated. Oral dose of CcFr at 50 mg/rat/day for 60 days revealed no significant changes in body weight, while marked abnormalities in spermatogenesis were observed with decreased counts (P ≤ 0.001) in round spermatids, preleptotene spermatocytes and secondary spermatocytes. Cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells as well as number of mature Leydig cell were decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001). Testicular as well as accessory sex organ biochemical parameters were significantly changed (P ≤ 0.001). Sperm motility, density and morphology were resulted in 100% negative fertility. Testosterone levels were declined significantly. In conclusion, Cuminum cyminum inhibited spermatogenesis in rats, indicating the possibility of developing an herbal male contraceptive.