This study addressed the effects of Yb3+ on voltage-gated sodium currents in rat hippocampal neurons using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Voltage-clamp recordings in single neurons were filtered and stored in a computer. Yb3+ increased the amplitude of sodium currents in a concentration-dependent and voltage-dependent manner. The 50 % enhancement concentration of Yb3+ on sodium currents was about 8.97 lmol/L, which was different from the inhibitory effects of Yb3+ on potassium current. The analysis on the activation and inactivation kinetics of Na+ current showed that 100 lmol/L Yb3+ did not change the process of activation and inactivation. In addition, the times reaching the peak of current(t) and inactivated time constant(s) were voltage dependent. 100 lmol/L Yb3+ significantly prolonged the time to peak at-70 and-80 mV. The effect disappeared at the positive direction of-70 mV. Furthermore, Yb3+ decreased s values to more positive values than-80 mV. In total, Yb3+ did not change the process of activation, but impelled inactivated process. Yb3+ mainly increased the Na+ current through changing its conductance. It might be one of the mechanisms that Yb3+ affected the hippocampal neurons.
Size–fractioned atmospheric aerosol particles were collected during a typical heavy air pollution event in Beijing. The organic and inorganic components on the surfaces of the samples were analyzed using time–of–flight secondary ion mass spectrometry（TOF–SIMS）.The variation characteristics of the surface chemical composition and influencing factors were studied, and the possible sources of these chemical compositions were identified through principal component analysis. The results showed that inorganic components such as crustal elements and sulfate, and organic components such as aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygen–containing organic groups were present. Some surface components, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and fluorides may exert adverse effects on human health. The species and relative percentages of the chemical components varied with particle size, diurnal and pollution progress. During a heavy pollution event, the species and relative percentages of secondary components such as oxygen–containing organic groups and sulfurous compounds increased, indicating that particles aged during this event. The surface chemical composition of the aerosol particles was affected mainly by emissions from coal combustion and motor vehicles. In addition, air pollution, meteorological factors, and air mass transport also exerted a significant effect on the surface chemical composition of aerosol particles.
Atmospheric aerosol particle samples were collected using an Ambient Eight Stage（Non-Viable） Cascade Impactor Sampler in a typical urban area of Beijing from 27 th Sep.to 5th Oct.,2009.The surface chemistry of these aerosol particles was analyzed using Static Time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry（Static TOF-SIMS）.The factors influencing surface compositions were evaluated in conjunction with the air pollution levels,meteorological factors,and air mass transport for the sampling period.The results show that a variety of organic ion groups and inorganic ions/ion groups were accumulated on the surfaces of aerosol particles in urban areas of Beijing;and hydrophobic organic compounds with short-or middle-chain alkyl as well as hydrophilic secondary inorganic compounds were observed.All these compounds have the potential to affect the atmospheric behavior of urban aerosol particles.PM1.1–2.1and PM3.3–4.7had similar elements on their surfaces,but some molecules and ionic groups demonstrated differences in Time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry spectra.This suggests that the quantities of elements varied between PM1.1–2.1and PM3.3–4.7.In particular,more intense research efforts into fluoride pollution are required,because the fluorides on aerosol surfaces have the potential to harm human health.The levels of air pollution had the most significant influence on the surface compositions of aerosol particles in our study.Hence,heavier air pollution was associated with more complex surface compositions on aerosol particles.In addition,wind,rainfall,and air masses from the south also greatly influenced the surface compositions of these urban aerosol particles.
