scholarly journals Seebeck–Peltier Transition Approach to Oncogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7166
Author(s):  
Umberto Lucia ◽  
Giulia Grisolia
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Mitotic Activity ◽  
Electric Potential ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Thermo Electric ◽  
Cell Behaviour ◽  
Electric Effects ◽  
Transition Approach

In this paper, a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach to cancer is developed. The thermo-electric effects in the cell membrane are analysed, in relation to the Seebeck-like and the Peltier-like effects. The role of the cell membrane electric potential is studied from a thermodynamic viewpoint, pointing out the relation between the proliferation rate and the membrane potential, the existence of a thermodynamic threshold for the mitotic activity, the relation between metastases and membrane potential and the comprehension of the role of ions fluxes in the cell behaviour.

scholarly journals How Life Works—A Continuous Seebeck-Peltier Transition in Cell Membrane?

Entropy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Lucia ◽  
Giulia Grisolia
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchange ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Thermophysical Properties ◽  
Electric Potential ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Thermodynamic Approach ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Phenomenological Coefficients

This paper develops a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach to life, with particular regards to the membrane role. The Onsager phenomenological coefficients are introduced in order to point out the thermophysical properties of the cell systems. The fundamental role of the cell membrane electric potential is highlighted, in relation to ions and heat fluxes, pointing out the strictly relation between heat exchange and the membrane electric potential. A Seebeck-like and Peltier-like effects emerge in order to simplify the description of the heat and the ions fluxes. Life is described as a continuos transition between the Peltier-like effect to the Seebeck-like one, and viceversa.

scholarly journals Thermal Physics and Glaucoma II: Preliminary Evidences for a Thermophysical Design of a Possible Visible-Light-Photons Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6301
Author(s):  
Giulia Grisolia ◽  
Mariarosa Astori ◽  
Antonio Ponzetto ◽  
Antonio Vercesi ◽  
Umberto Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thermodynamic Approach ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Pharmacological Treatments ◽  
Light Stimulation ◽  
Cell Behaviour ◽  
Thermal Physics ◽  
Starting Point

Recently, a non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach has been developed in order to model the fundamental role of the membrane electric potential in the cell behaviour. A related new viewpoint is introduced, with a design of a photobiomodulation treatment in order to restore part of the visual field. Here, a first step in experimental evidence of the validity of the thermodynamic approach is developed. This result represents the starting point for future experimental improvements for light stimulation in order to improve the quality of life of the patients. The future possible therapy will be in addition to the pharmacological treatments.

Pancreatic beta-cell electrical activity: the role of anions and the control of pH

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (3) ◽  
pp. C188-C197 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. T. Eddlestone ◽  
P. M. Beigelman
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Beta Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Exchange System ◽  
Sodium Proton Exchange

The influence of chloride on the mouse pancreatic beta-cell membrane potential and the cell membrane mechanisms controlling intracellular pH (pHi) have been investigated using glass microelectrodes to monitor the membrane potential. It has been shown that chloride is distributed passively across the beta-cell membrane such that chloride potential is equal to the membrane potential. Withdrawal of perifusate chloride or bicarbonate and the application of the drugs 4-acetamido-4'-isethiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS) and probenecid, both blockers of transmembrane anion movement, have been used to establish that a chloride-bicarbonate exchange system is operative in the cell membrane and that it is one of the control mechanisms of pHi. Amiloride, a specific blocker of the transmembrane sodium proton exchange, has been used to demonstrate that this mechanism is also operative in the beta-cell membrane in the control of pHi. The hypothesis that the calcium-activated potassium permeability is proton sensitive at an intracellular site, a fall in pHi causing a fall in permeability and an increase in pHi causing an increase in permeability, has been used to explain many of the effects observed in this study.

Modulation of cell membrane potential in cultured vascular endothelium

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (3) ◽  
pp. C819-C824 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Vaca ◽  
A. Licea ◽  
L. D. Possani
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Cell Membrane Potential ◽  
Resting Potential ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Aortic Endothelial Cells ◽  
Ionic Conductances ◽  
Selective Channel ◽  
Inwardly Rectifying

The present study explores the role of different ionic conductances in the regulation of membrane potential under resting conditions and after bradykinin (BK) or thapsigargin (TG) stimulation of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. Under resting conditions, the cell membrane potential observed was -62+/- 5 mV. The main conductance under these conditions is an inwardly rectifying potassium (IRK) channel. Application of 50 nM BK induced a transient hyperpolarization to -87 +/- 4 mV followed by sustained depolarization to -35 +/- 5 mV. The transient hyperpolarization was eliminated by 1 microM noxiustoxin, a blocker of calcium-activated postassium channels (K(Ca)). the sustained depolarization induced by BK was prevented by incubating the cells with the calcium channel blocker lanthanum. TG evoked a similar response in membrane potential, with the exception that the onset of the hyperpolarization was slower compared with BK. The results presented here indicate that the cell resting potential is maintained at -62 +/- 2 mV by the IRK channel. BK or TG stimulation induces a transient hyperpolarization of approximately -20 mV produced by activation of a KCa. This hyperpolarization is followed by a sustained depolarization produced by activation of a calcium-selective channel sensitive to lanthanum.

Role of smooth muscle cell membrane potential in neointima formation in arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurandir J. Dalle Lucca ◽  
Antonio C.R. Borges ◽  
Renato Ponchirolli ◽  
Simone A.C.S. Melo ◽  
Silvia S.M. Ihara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cell ◽  
Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Neointima Formation ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Spontaneously Hypertensive ◽  
Muscle Cell Membrane

scholarly journals β CELL MEMBRANE POTENTIAL AND INSULIN RELEASE; ROLE OF CALCIUM AND CALCIUM: MAGNESIUM RATIO

1983 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Illani Atwater ◽  
Barbara J. Frankel ◽  
Eduardo Rojas ◽  
Gerold M. Grodsky
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Insulin Release ◽  
Cell Membrane Potential ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Calcium Magnesium

scholarly journals Thermal Physics and Glaucoma: From Thermodynamic to Biophysical Considerations to Designing Future Therapies

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Lucia ◽  
Giulia Grisolia
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Thermodynamic Model ◽  
Electric Potential ◽  
Ion Fluxes ◽  
Equilibrium Thermodynamic ◽  
Thermal Physics ◽  
Anti Inflammation ◽  
Non Equilibrium

This paper presents a theoretical approach to glaucoma, with the aim of improving the comprehension of the biophysical bases for new possible therapies. The approach is based on a non-equilibrium thermodynamic model. The results point to the fundamental role of the membrane’s electric potential and of its relation with inflammation and ion fluxes. A new viewpoint is suggested to consider anti-inflammation and photobiomodulation as possible therapies for glaucoma.

The role of (bio)surfactant sorption in promoting the bioavailability of nutrients localized at the solid-water interface

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan N. Jordan ◽  
Eric P. Nichols ◽  
Alfred B. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Substrate Concentration ◽  
Water Interface ◽  
Industrial Systems ◽  
Solid Liquid Interface ◽  
Solid Liquid ◽  
Surfactant Sorption

Bioavailability is herein defined as the accessibility of a substrate by a microorganism. Further, bioavailability is governed by (1) the substrate concentration that the cell membrane “sees,” (i.e., the “directly bioavailable” pool) as well as (2) the rate of mass transfer from potentially bioavailable (e.g., nonaqueous) phases to the directly bioavailable (e.g., aqueous) phase. Mechanisms by which sorbed (bio)surfactants influence these two processes are discussed. We propose the hypothesis that the sorption of (bio)surfactants at the solid-liquid interface is partially responsible for the increased bioavailability of surface-bound nutrients, and offer this as a basis for suggesting the development of engineered in-situ bioremediation technologies that take advantage of low (bio)surfactant concentrations. In addition, other industrial systems where bioavailability phenomena should be considered are addressed.

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