Research on advance of health effects of nanoparticles on air pollution in China / 中华预防医学杂志

The adverse health effects of fine particles in the air pollution has been confirmed, and health consequences induced by ultrafine particles (mass media aerodynamic diameter < 0.1 micrometer), which was also known as nanoparticles, was drawing an increasing attention by researchers. Firstly, this review discussed the sources and physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles in the atmosphere in China. And then we focused on the biological effects and potential toxicity mechanisms of some common nanoparticles in the atmosphere on the major tissues and organs. Finally, the research focus of the nano particles in air pollutants was also presented.

Research advance in neurotoxicity of quantum dots / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

As quantum dots( QDs),an advanced porduct of nanotechnology,have been widely used in bio-medicine due to their unique photoelectric properties. QD safety evaluation has become a hot area of research. So far,some researchers have expressed concern about the neurotoxic potential of QDs because the central nervous system was confirmed to be one of the target organs. Several studies found that QDs could enter the central nervous system by crossing the blood brain barrier and following neural pathways and produce some neurotoxic effects,such as damaging the structure and function of neural cells and impairing synaptic plasticity. The potential toxicity mechanisms could include oxidative stress,inflammation and change of ion channels.