Development and validation of a flow cytometric method to evaluate phagocytosis of pHrodo™ BioParticles® by granulocytes in multiple species.

Phagocytosis plays a pivotal and essential role in host immune defense, both as a focal constituent of the innate immune response and a bridging element linking innate and adaptive immunity. Phagocytosis has been demonstrated to be critical in development, tissue remodeling, wound healing and resolution of inflammation through clearance of foreign organisms, apoptotic cells and the production of anti-inflammatory mediators. During pre-clinical investigations, therapeutic drug candidates may alter host resistance to infectious agents by modulating the immune system.

Structure and function relations with a T-cell-activating polysaccharide antigen using circular dichroism.

Studies centered on understanding how molecular structure affects biological function have historically focused on proteins. Circular dichroism (CD) is commonly used to analyze protein secondary structure, yet its application to other molecules is far less explored. In fact, little is known about how glycan conformation might affect function, likely because of a lack of tools for measuring dynamic structural changes of carbohydrates.

Pediatric short bowel syndrome: redefining predictors of success.

Objective: To determine predictors of survival and of weaning off parenteral nutrition (PN) in pediatric short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients.

Summary Background Data: Pediatric SBS carries extensive morbidity and high mortality, but factors believed to predict survival or weaning from PN have been based on limited studies. This study reviews outcomes of a large number of SBS infants and identifies predictors of success.