Highly fluorescent CdTe quantum dots (QDs) stabilized by 3-mercaptopropionic acid were prepared by an aqueous solution approach and used as a fluorescent label to link substance P (SP) in studying the interaction of SP with NK-1 receptor, which was expressed on the AR4-2J cell line. Nonspecific adsorptions of CdTe QDs on the AR4-2J cell membrane were observed, whereas the QD-SP conjugates successfully crossed the cell membrane and entered the cytosol. SP is a neurotransmitter, and neurotransmitter-induced calcium concentration oscillation is a common phenomenon in diverse cells especially of secretory type. Cytosolic calcium concentration responses were studied in the AR4-2J cell line during stimulation with SP and QD-SP conjugates. The oscillations triggered by SP and QD-SP conjugates were dose-dependent and very similar. Such QD-SP conjugates readily internalized into the cytosol as would be expected of an active NK-1 ligand. Therefore QD-SP conjugates could be used successfully to study ligand and NK-1 receptor interactions in live cells. Our research may provide a meaningful reference for congener research.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is characterized by ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities that cause abnormal mucociliary function leading to refractory or persistent pneumonia. Herein, we analyzed ciliary ultrastructural defects in 22 children with MPP and determined the association of these defects with prognosis. Ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities occurred in all patients. Ciliated cells with loss of cilia occurred in 15. Cytoplasmic blebbing occurred in eight. Ambiguity of the "9 + 2" microtubule array occurred in six. Transposition or disarray of the peripheral microtubules occurred in five. Compound cilia occurred in three. Central complex defects occurred in three. Squamous metaplasia occurred in two. Compound cilia with multiple axonemes within a single outer sheath occurred in one. Multiple abnormalities occurred in 14. The recovery time in patients with multiple abnormalities was longer than that in patients with single abnormality. Patients with central complex defects required more than 1 month to recover. In conclusion, ciliated cells with loss of cilia, cytoplasmic blebbing, and ambiguity of the "9 + 2" microtubule array were the most commonly encountered abnormal findings in MPP. Multiple abnormalities, especially those associated with central complex defects, may indicate an unfavorable prognosis.
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