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OBJECTIVE@#To comparatively study the toxicity of four metal-containing nanoparticles (MNPs) and their chemical counterparts to the air-blood barrier (ABB) permeability using an in vitro model.@*METHODS@#ABB model, which was developed via the co-culturing of A549 and pulmonary capillary endothelium, was exposed to spherical CuO-NPs (divided into CuO-40, CuO-80, and CuO-100 based on particle size), nano-Al2O3 (sheet and short-rod-shaped), nano-ZnO, nano-PbS, CuSO4, Al2(SO4)3, Zn(CH3COO)2, and Pb(NO3)2 for 60 min. Every 10 min following exposure, the cumulative cleared volume (ΔTCL) of Lucifer yellow by the model was calculated. A clearance curve was established using linear regression analysis of ΔTCL versus time. Permeability coefficient (P) was calculated based on the slope of the curve to represent the degree of change in the ABB permeability.@*RESULTS@#The results found the increased P values of CuO-40, CuO-80, sheet, and short-rod-shaped nano-Al2O3, Al2(SO4)3, and Pb(NO3)2. Among them, small CuO-40 and CuO-80 were stronger than CuO-100 and CuSO4; no difference was observed between Al2(SO4)3 and sheet and short-rod-shaped nano-Al2O3; and nano-PbS was slightly weaker than Pb(NO3)2. So clearly the MNPs possess diverse toxicity.@*CONCLUSION@#ABB permeability abnormality means pulmonary toxicity potential. More studies are warranted to understand MNPs toxicity and ultimately control the health hazards.

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This study was purposed to investigate the expression of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) and CD68 in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients with EB virus infection and to analyze the relation of LMP-1 expression and CD68(+) tumor-associated macrophage count with clinical features and prognosis of HL patients. The expression of LMP1 and count of CD68(+) TAM were detected by immunohistochemical staining in tissue specimens of 72 HL patients; their correlation with clinical features and prognosis of HL patients was analyzed by using statistical method. The results showed that among tissue specimens of 72 HL patients, the positive rate of LMP-1 expression was 18.1% (13/72), the CD68(+) TAM count was more higher in LMP-1 positive expression [250 of CD68(+) TAM/high power field (hpf) is used as demarcation point] (P = 0.003). The statistical analysis showed that the LMP-1 positive expression was more observed in mixed type HL patients (P = 0.000); the positive rate of LMP-1 expression was much high in HL patients with albumin <40 g/L and age ≥ 45 years (P < 0.05). There was no relation of LMP-1 expression and CD68(+) TAM count with the short term therapeutic efficacy of HL patients, but the overall survival time of LMP-1 positive patients among patients followed-up for ≥ 5 years was short (P < 0.05). Moveover, no correlation of CD68(+) TAM count with the overall survival time of HL patients was found. It is concluded that the high count of CD68(+) TAM is more observed in LMP-1 positive expression of HL tissue, the LMP-1 expression states relates both with the pathological types, age and albumin level of patient with HL. The HL patients with LMP-1 positive expression have poor prognosis, suggesting that LMP-1 may be a new prognostic marker for HL patients.

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Two different surface modification techniques were used to change the surface morphology and roughness of stents at the micrometer level, and eventually improve their surface adhesion properties with respect to endothelial cells. One was chemical erosion followed by sol-gel TiO(2) coating, and the other was low temperature gas plasma deposition. After surface modification, the biocompatibility including the anticoagulation properties, hydrophilicity, and corrosion resistance of these stents was evaluated. It was found that both techniques could change the surface morphology of the stents with microroughness. In comparison with the control, the treated NiTi alloy intravascular stents showed increased surface hydrophilicity and enhanced anticoagulation properties. However, the corrosion properties of the stents were not improved significantly.

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OBJECTIVE: To explore the feature of the ACh-sensitive potassium current in guinea pig cochlear outer hair cells. METHODS: Cochlear outer hair cells of guinea pigs (n=38) were isolated by collagenase type IV. Under the whole-cell patch mode, the ions nature and the pharmacological properties of the ACh-sensitive potassium current were investigated by applying the inhibitors of calcium-dependent potassium currents and the inhibitors of nicotinic ACh receptor. RESULTS: Following application of ACh, cochlear outer hair cells displayed a rapidly activating outward potassium current with a fast desensitized kinetic and a reversal (x +/- s) potential of (-67.3 +/- 8.2) mV (n=10). At the holding potential of -50 mV, the current amplitude of ACh-sensitive potassium current activated by 100 micronmol/L ACh was (506.6 +/- 186.3) pA (n=9). ACh-sensitive potassium current was sensitive to TEA (tetraethylammonium chloride, 10 mmol/L) and potently inhibited by the small conductance calcium-dependent potassium current (SK) blocker, apamin (1 micromol/L). Iberiotoxin (IBTX), the well-known blocker of big conductance calcium-dependent potassium current (BK), failed to inhibit the amplitude of the ACh-sensitive potassium current at the dose of 200 nmol/L. The dose for half-maximal response (EC50) of the ACh-sensitive potassium current was (33.5 +/- 5.7) micromol/L (n=7). The ACh-sensitive potassium current was sensitive to the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)-A receptor blocker, bicuculline, and strongly inhibited by the selective blocker of the alpha 9-nicotinic ACh receptor, strychnine. Strychnine and bicuculline showed the dose-dependent blocking effect with a half inhibition-maximal response (IC50) of (22.3 +/- 2.6) nmol/L (n=7) and (1.2 +/- 0.4) micromol/L (n=6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides direct evidences that the ACh-sensitive SK current was present on guinea pig cochlear outer hair cells. The activation of the ACh-sensitive SK current was most possibly mediated by a alpha 9-nicotinic ACh receptor.

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This paper introduces the surface modification of NiTi alloy intravascular stents for roughness by chemical erosion and plasma deposition technology. The stent which had been granulated with chemical erosion was treated with TiO2 film prepared with Gel-sol. The study on the biocompatibility of the modified stent by the above two ways shows that the modified stent is rougher, and its anticoagulation and hydrophilicity are improved. However, the capability of erosion resistance is not enhanced significantly.

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