A flow cytometric analysis of macrophage- nanoparticle interactions in vitro: induction of altered Toll-like receptor expression.

Background: Nanoparticles exhibit unique physiochemical characteristics that provide the basis for their utilization. The diversity of potential and actual applications compels a thorough understanding regarding the consequences of their containment within the cellular environment.

Purpose: This paper presents a flow cytometric examination of the biologic effects associated with the internalization of citrate-buffered silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NP) by the murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.

Staphylococcal enterotoxins in the etiopathogenesis of mucosal autoimmunity within the gastrointestinal tract.

The staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are the products of Staphylococcus aureus and are recognized as the causative agents of classical food poisoning in humans following the consumption of contaminated food. While illness evoked by ingestion of the SE or its producer organism in tainted food are often self-limited, our current understanding regarding the evolution of S. aureus provokes the utmost concern.

Detection of target staphylococcal enterotoxin B antigen in orange juice and popular carbonated beverages using antibody-dependent antigen-capture assays.

There is a critical need for qualitative and quantitative methodologies that provide the rapid and accurate detection of food contaminants in complex food matrices. However, the sensitivity of the assay can be affected when antigen-capture is applied to certain foods or beverages that are extremely acidic. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of orange juice and popular carbonated soft drink upon the fidelity of antibody-based antigen-capture assays and to develop simple approaches that could rescue assay performance without the introduction of additional or extensive extraction procedures.

Simulated microgravity induced damage in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine the potential damage to the human retina that may occur from weightlessness during space flight using simulated microgravity.

Methods: Human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells were cultured for 24 h in a National Aeronautics and Space Administration-designed rotating wall bioreactor vessel to mimic the microgravity environment of space. Single-stranded breaks in hRPE DNA induced by simulated gravity were measured using the comet assay.