Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes: From Structure to Function.

Mitochondrial oxidative phospho rylation, the center of cellular metabolism, is pivotal for the energy production in eukaryotes. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation relies on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which consists of four main enzyme complexes and two mobile electron carriers. Mitochondrial enzyme complexes also assemble into respiratory chain supercomplexes (SCs) through specific interactions. The SCs not only have respiratory functions but also improve the efficiency of electron transfer and reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Impaired assembly of SCs is closely related to various diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, SCs play important roles in improving the efficiency of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, as well as maintaining the homeostasis of cellular metabolism. Here, we review the structure, assembly, and functions of SCs, as well as the relationship between mitochondrial SCs and diseases.

Lasing properties of cesium lead halide perovskite nanowires fabricated by one-drop self-assembly and ion-exchange methods.

Lead halide perovskites are attracting intense research interest due to their high energy conversion efficiency and tunable optoelectronic properties. In this study, we demonstrate an environment-friendly one-drop self-assembly and ion-exchange methods for preparation of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowires (NWs). High-quality NWs can be obtained with very small doses of required material. In order to expand the emission band of the NWs, an ion exchange process was utilized to substitute the bromide component in CsPbBr3 NWs with other halogens, and emission over a band of 420-710 nm was successfully achieved. The NWs realized lasing in the range of 420-560 nm, and the typical thresholds for CsPbBr3 and CsPbCl3 NWs were 63.86 µJ/cm2 and 68.2 µJ/cm2, respectively. In addition, the NWs also showed robust stability under the continuous irradiation with the high energy laser pulses in ambient atmosphere.

Mechanism of Microwave Radiation-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment Based on Hippocampal Metabolomics.

The brain is complex and metabolically active, and the detection of metabolites plays an important role in brain development and diseases. Currently, there is a lack of research on the metabolic spectrum changes in learning and memory impairment, and hippocampal damage induced by microwave radiation from the metabolic perspective. Aiming to provide sensitive indicators for microwave radiation-induced brain damage and establish a foundation for understanding its injury mechanisms, this study employed non-targeted metabolomics to investigate metabolic fluctuations and key metabolic pathway alterations in rats' hippocampal tissue after microwave radiation. The memory and spatial exploration abilities of rats decreased after radiation. The postsynaptic densities were thickened in the MW group. The cholesterol sulfate, SM(d16:1/24:1(15Z)), and linoelaidylcarnitine were significantly increased after radiation, whereas etrahydrocorticosterone, L-phenylalanine, and histamine were significantly decreased after radiation. These metabolites were enriched in signaling pathways related to the inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. These findings indicate that microwave radiation causes spatial learning and memory dysfunction in rats and structural damage to hippocampal tissue.

Microwave Radiation Caused Dynamic Metabolic Fluctuations in the Mammalian Hippocampus.

To investigate the dynamic changes in hippocampal metabolism after microwave radiation using liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and to identify potential biomarkers. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a sham group and a microwave radiation group. The rats in the microwave radiation group were exposed to 2.856 GHz for 15 min for three times, with 5 min intervals. The rats in the sham group were not exposed. Transmission electron microscope revealed blurring of the synaptic cleft and postsynaptic dense thickening in hippocampal neurons after microwave radiation. Metabolomic analysis revealed 38, 24, and 39 differentially abundant metabolites at 3, 7, and 14 days after radiation, respectively, and the abundance of 9 metabolites, such as argininosuccinic acid, was continuously decreased. After microwave radiation, the abundance of metabolites such as argininosuccinic acid was successively decreased, indicating that these metabolites could be potential biomarkers for hippocampal tissue injury.

[Flipping moxibustion of Hui medicine at acupoints in governor vessel combined with acupuncture for vascular dementia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference for vascular dementia among flipping moxibustion of Hui medicine at acupoints in governor vessel combined with acupuncture, simple Hui medicine and simple acupuncture. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with vascular dementia were randomly assigned into a combination group, a flipping moxibustion group and an acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one, with 2 patients dropping respectively. Flipping moxibustion was used at the acupoints of group A on Monday and at the acupoints of group B on Friday in the flipping moxibustion group. The acupoints of group A were Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12), Zhiyang (GV 9), Jizhong (GV 6), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), and the acupoints of group B were Fengfu (GV 16), Taodao (GV 13), Shendao (GV 11), Jinsuo (GV 8), Xuanshu (GV 5), Changqiang (GV 1). Acupuncture was used in the acupuncture group at the main acupoints of Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Taixi (KI 3) and Xuanzhong (GB 39), matched with the acupoints based on syndrome differentiation, 30 min a time, once a day, continuous 5 times a week. The above two methods were applied in the combination group. All the treaments were for 4 weeks. The indexes were observed before and after treatment, including syndrome differentiationof TCM scale for vascular dementia (SDSVD), simple mental state scale (MMSE), self-care ability of daily life scale (ADL). The clinical effects and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate in the combination group was 89.5% (34/38); the rate in the flipping moxibustion group was 65.8% (25/38); the rate in the acupuncture group was 63.2% (24/38). The difference among groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The effect in the combination group was better than those in the flipping moxibustion group and in the acupuncture group (both P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the flipping moxibustion group and the acupuncture group (P>0.05). The SDSVD scores after treatment were lower and the MMSE and ADL scores after treatment were higher than those before treatment in the three groups (all P<0.01), with better results on the above three scores in the combination group than those in the other two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the differences on the three scores between the flipping moxibustion group and the acupuncture group were not statiatically significant (all P>0.05). The treatment in the three groups was safe, without stastical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of flipping moxibustion combined with acupuncture for vascular dementia is better than those of simple flipping moxibustion and simple acupuncture. The combination treatment achieves better effect on TCM syndrome, cognitive function and daily activity ability than the other two simple treatment.

[Flipping moxibustion of Hui medicine combined with western medication for rheumatoid arthritis with cold dampness bi syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of flipping moxibustion of Hui medicine combined with western medication and simple western medication for rheumatoid arthritis with cold dampness bi syndrome. METHODS: Eighty patients were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Oral methotrexate (1 time a week) and sulfasalazine (twice a day except the day for methotrexate) were used in the two groups. Patients in the observation group were treated with flipping moxibustion of Hui medicine, twice a week. The main acupoints were Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), and the matching acupoints were in the meridians related to the disease location. All the treatment was given for continuous 4 weeks. The TCM symptom score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, blood sedimentation (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed before and after treatment. The effect was evaluated. RESULTS: The total effect rate in the observation group was 95.0% (38/40), which was better than 77.5% (31/40) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, RF, ESR, CRP levels decreased in the two groups (all P<0.05), with better effects in the observation group (all P<0.05). The adverse reactions in the observation group were lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Flipping moxibustion of Hui medicine combined with western medication for rheumatoid arthritis with cold dampness bi syndrome are better than simple western medication, which are safer and more effective.