Flow cytometry evaluation of in vitro cellular necrosis and apoptosis induced by silver nanoparticles

Particles possess unique properties in the nanoscale, e.g., enhanced catalytic activity, high surface area, and light emission/absorption properties, that might result in interference with colorimetric in vitro cytotoxicity assays such as MTT, XTT or MTS. Alternatively, assays that do not use spectrophotometric detection, such as trypan blue exclusion or flow cytometry (FC) based assays, are less likely to be influenced by nanoparticle interference. The aim of this study was to evaluate FC assays to assess the cytotoxicity of three different sizes (10, 100, or 200 nm) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at different mass concentrations (1, 25, or 50 ug/ml) in L-929 fibroblast cells. After 4 h and 24 h exposure, cell necrosis and apoptosis were assessed using 7-AAD and Annexin V dyes, respectively, with FC. The data indicate that cell necrosis and apoptosis in AgNP-exposed fibroblasts depends on dose, exposure time, and AgNP size. The data indicate that AgNPs produced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability; however, 10 nm AgNPs were significantly more toxic than larger-sized particles. Thus, standard FC assays can be utilized to assess apoptosis and necrosis in response to nanomaterial exposure.     

Potential of biofluid components to modify silver nanoparticle toxicity

Establishing realistic exposure scenarios is critical for cytotoxic investigation of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the potential interaction with and effect of biofluid components, namely cholic acid, deoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid, on AgNP toxicity. Two cell lines corresponding to organs related to the biofluid components were employed. These were HepG‐2 a hepatocellular carcinoma derived from liver tissue and Hep2 an epithelial cell line. Physiochemical and cytotoxic screening was performed and the ability of biofluid components to modify AgNP cytotoxicity was explored. No alteration to the physiochemical characteristics of AgNP by biofluid components was demonstrated. However, biofluid component addition resulted in alteration of AgNP toxicity. Greater reactive oxygen species induction was noted in the presence of cholic acid and deoxycholic acid. Ursodeoxycholic acid demonstrated no modification of toxicity in HepG‐2 cells; however, significant modification was noted in Hep2 cells. It is concluded that biofluid components can modify AgNP toxicity but this is dependent on the biofluid component itself and the location where it acts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative toxicity of silicon dioxide,silver and iron oxide nanoparticles after repeated oral administration to rats

Although silicon dioxide (SiO₂), silver (Ag) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles are widely used in diverse applications from food to biomedicine, in vivo toxicities of these nanoparticles exposed via the oral route remain highly controversial. To examine the systemic toxicity of these nanoparticles, well‐dispersed nanoparticles were orally administered to Sprague–Dawley rats daily over a 13‐week period. Based on the results of an acute toxicity and a 14‐day repeated toxicity study, 975.9, 1030.5 and 1000 mg kg^–1 were selected as the highest dose of the SiO₂, Ag and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, respectively, for the 13‐week repeated oral toxicity study. The SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles did not induce dose‐related changes in a number of parameters associated with the systemic toxicity up to 975.9 and 1000 mg kg^–1, respectively, whereas the Ag nanoparticles resulted in increases in serum alkaline phosphatase and calcium as well as lymphocyte infiltration in liver and kidney, raising the possibility of liver and kidney toxicity induced by the Ag nanoparticles. Compared with the SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles showing no systemic distribution in all tissues tested, the Ag concentration in sampled blood and organs in the Ag nanoparticle‐treated group significantly increased with a positive and/or dose‐related trend, meaning that the systemic toxicity of the Ag nanoparticles, including liver and kidney toxicity, might be explained by extensive systemic distribution of Ag originating from the Ag nanoparticles. Our current results suggest that further study is required to identify that Ag detected outside the gastrointestinal tract were indeed a nanoparticle form or ionized form. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of cytotoxic effects of silver nanoclusters on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells ‘in vitro’

The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have made these particles one of the most used nanomaterials in consumer products. Therefore, an understanding of the interactions (unwanted toxicity) between nanoparticles and human cells is of significant interest. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity effects of silver nanoclusters (AgNC, < 2 nm diameter) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Using flow cytometry and comet assay methods, we demonstrate that exposure of PBMC to AgNC induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis at 3, 6 and 12 h, with a dose‐dependent response (0.1, 1, 3, 5 and 30 µg ml^–1). Advanced electron microscopy imaging of complete and ultrathin‐sections of PBMC confirmed the cytotoxic effects and cell damage caused by AgNC. The present study showed that AgNC produced without coating agents induced significant cytotoxic effects on PBMC owing to their high aspect ratio and active surface area, even at much lower concentrations (<1 µg ml^–1) than those applied in previous studies, resembling what would occur under real exposure conditions to nanosilver‐functionalized consumer products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

山东省泰安市2015—2019年输入性疟疾病例实验室诊断与复核结果分析

省、市、县三级实验室分别采用镜检法、胶体金法及巢式PCR法对泰安市2015-2019年输入性疟疾进行诊断与复核。共诊断与复核输入性疟疾病例122例,其中镜检法和胶体金法的符合率分别为94.3%(115/122)和95.9%(117/122),镜检阴性率为5.7%(7/122),均为恶性疟;胶体金法阴性率为4.1%(5/122),3例非恶性疟和2例恶性疟阴性,3种检验方法符合率差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。其中恶性疟和间日疟诊断符合率最高,均达100%,对卵形疟诊断符合率最低,仅为12/18,对4种疟原虫实验室诊断符合率差异有统计学意义(P <0.01)。医疗机构中初诊合格率为94.3%(115/122),市、县级疾病预防控制机构复核合格率分别为97.5%(119/122)和95.1%(116/122),差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05)。今后应继续加强市、县级疟疾实验室镜检人员技能培训,积极开展疟疾核酸检测,以进一步提升医疗及疾病预防控制机构的疟疾诊断水平。     

用PCR诊断不同虫荷量的大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎的价值

目的　评价在不同虫荷量条件下用 PCR诊断大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎 (PCP)的价值。　方法　将 PCP大鼠随机分为药物治疗组及未治疗组 ,测定其肺虫荷量 ,收集其支气管灌洗液 (BAL F)和血清标本 ,用 PCR和半套式 (Sn) PCR检测标本中的卡氏肺孢子虫基因 ,比较 PCR和环六亚甲基四胺银 (GMS)染色结果 ,及与病鼠肺虫荷量的关系。　结果　虫荷量高的未治疗组病鼠的 BAL F标本 PCR、Sn PCR及 GMS染色阳性率分别为 10 0 %、10 0 %和 92 .6 % ,差异无显著性 (P>0 .0 5 ) ;而虫荷量低的治疗组的 PCR(88.1% )、Sn PCR(94 .9% )阳性率均显著高于 GMS染色镜检阳性率 (30 .5 % ) (P<0 .0 5 )。肺虫荷量 >5 0 0个 /mg肺的 PCP大鼠 ,血清 PCR阳性率显著高于≤ 5 0 0者 (分别为 4 2 .9%和 1.7% )。　结论　PCR可用于虫株负荷量较低时的 PCP诊断 ,对判断 PCP病情及疗效考核亦有一定的帮助。     

Compatibility of Different Histochemical Techniques for the Demonstration of ATPase for Muscle Fiber Typing: A Review

Abstract

Several recent studies suggest a diagnostic and a possible prognostic role for silver stained nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) determination in the assessment of human neoplasia. Technical pitfalls, especially silver grain precipitate, may hamper accurate counting of AgNORs. We have identified pH as a main factor causing silver precipitation and overstaining. An improved silver staining method, which raises the pH to 3.0, optimizes visualization by eliminating silver precipitation and improving contrast between AgNORs and surrounding tissue components. (The J Histotechnol 14:187, 1991)     

Chitosan/gelatin porous scaffolds containing hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate for neural tissue engineering

The novel chitosan (Cs)/gelatin (Gel) porous scaffolds containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and heparan sulfate (HS) were fabricated via freeze-drying technique, and their physicochemical characteristics including pore size, porosity, water absorption, and in vitro degradation and biocompatibility were investigated. It was demonstrated that the Cs/Gel/HA/HS composite scaffolds had highly homogeneous and interconnected pores with porosity above 96% and average pore size ranging from 90 to 140?μm and a controllable degradation rate. The scanning electron microscopic images, cell viability assay, and fluorescence microscopy observation revealed that the presence of HA and HS in the scaffolds significantly promoted initial neural stem and progenitor cells (NS/PCs) adhesion and supported long-time growth in three-dimensional environment. Moreover, NS/PCs also maintained mutilineage differentiation potentials with enhanced neuronal differentiation upon induction in the Cs/Gel/HA/HS composite scaffolds in relation to Cs/Gel scaffolds. These results indicated that the Cs/Gel/HA/HS composite scaffolds were suitable for neural cells’ adhesion, survival, and growth and could offer new and important options for neural tissue engineering applications.     

In vitro evaluation of random and aligned polycaprolactone/gelatin fibers via electrospinning for bone tissue engineering

Scaffold, as an essential element of tissue engineering, should provide proper chemical and structural cues to direct tissue regeneration. In this study, aligned and random polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin fibrous scaffolds with different mass ratio were electrospun. Chemical, structural, and mechanical properties of PCL/gelatin fibrous scaffolds were characterized by FTIR and tensile measurements. The average diameters of different groups were between 334.96?±?41.43?nm and 363.78?±?50.49?nm. Blending PCL with gelatin increased the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The cell culture results demonstrated that the mass ratio of PCL and gelatin showed no obvious effects on cell behavior, whereas the cell growth behavior was affected by the fibers orientation. Higher elongation ratio, enhanced cell proliferation and elevated alkaline phosphatase activity were observed for cells cultured on aligned fibers. The findings in our research provide insightful information for the design and fabrication of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.     

Development of chitosan/gelatin hydrogels incorporation of biphasic calcium phosphate nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

The chitosan/gelatin hydrogel incorporated with biphasic calcium phosphate nanoparticles (BCP-NPs) as scaffold (CGB) for bone tissue engineering was reported in this article. Such nanocomposite hydrogels were fabricated by using cycled freeze-thawing method, of which physicochemical and biological properties were regulated by adjusting the weight ratio of chitosan/gelatin/BCP-NPs. The needle-like BCP-NPs were dispersed into composites uniformly, and physically cross-linked with chitosan and gelatin, which were identified via Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The porosity, equilibrium swelling ratio, and compressive strength of CGB scaffolds were mainly influenced by the BCP-NPs concentration. In vitro degradation analysis in simulated body fluids (SBF) displayed that CGB scaffolds were degraded up to at least 30?wt% in one month. Also, CCK-8 analysis confirmed that the prepared scaffolds had a good cytocompatibility through in culturing with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Finally, In vivo animal experiments revealed that new bone tissue was observed inside the scaffolds, and gradually increased with increasing months, when implanted CGB scaffolds into large necrotic lesions of rabbit femoral head. The above results suggested that prepared CGB nanocomposites had the potential to be applied in bone tissue engineering.