Stat3 Induces IL-10 and SR-A/CD204 Expression in Silica Nanoparticle-Triggered Pulmonary Fibrosis through Transactivation.

Inhalation of silica dust in the workplace has been addressed as a serious occupational pulmonary disease subsequently leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Enhanced expression of IL-10 significantly contributes to the disease etiology, along with an elevated Th2-type paradigm. Previously, we showed that the exaggerated Th2-type response was also associated with consistent upregulation of Stat3 in mouse airways stimulated with silica microparticles.

Fundamentals of wildlife dosimetry and lessons learned from a decade of measuring external dose rates in the field.

Methods for determining the radiation dose received by exposed biota require major improvements to reduce uncertainties and increase precision. We share our experiences in attempting to quantify external dose rates to free-ranging wildlife using GPS-coupled dosimetry methods. The manuscript is a primer on fundamental concepts in wildlife dosimetry in which the complexities of quantifying dose rates are highlighted, and lessons learned are presented based on research with wild boar and snakes at Fukushima, wolves at Chornobyl, and reindeer in Norway.

NMR-Based Metabolomic Imprinting Elucidates Macrophage Polarization of THP-1 Cell Lines Stimulated by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used in industry, cosmetics, drugs, bioimaging, and drug delivery. ZnO NPs have been found to interact and interfere with cellular physiology via macrophages, thereby resulting in macrophage polarization. The functional reprogramming of the cells is synchronized through cellular metabolic adaptations.

Author Correction: Immunotoxicological impact and biodistribution assessment of bismuth selenide (BiSe) nanoparticles following intratracheal instillation in mice.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Airborne radiometric survey of a Chernobyl-contaminated mountain area in Norway - using ground-level measurements for validation.

An airborne radiometric survey can be an efficient way to investigate contamination of large areas after nuclear accidents. In the current study, a helicopter borne gamma ray spectrometry survey was carried out in a vast mountainous area in Norway, where the contamination from the 1986 Chernobyl accident still affects animal husbandry more than 30 years after the fallout occurred. The Cs activity densities provided by the aerial survey was validated using various independent ground-based measurements - including soil samples and in situ measurements (at 1 m above ground).

Immunotoxicological impact and biodistribution assessment of bismuth selenide (BiSe) nanoparticles following intratracheal instillation in mice.

Variously synthesized and fabricated BiSe nanoparticles (NPs) have recently been explored for their theranostic properties. Herein, we investigated the long term in-vivo biodistribution of BiSe NPs and systematically screened its immune-toxic potential over lungs and other secondary organs post intratracheal instillation. X-Ray CT scan and ICP MS results revealed significant particle localization and retention in lungs monitored for 1 h and 6 months time period respectively.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles augment allergic airway inflammation and Socs3 expression via NF-κB pathway in murine model of asthma.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) previously considered to possess relatively low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo, although classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Also, their adjuvant potential has been reported to promote allergic sensitization and modulate immune responses. Previously, in OVA induced mouse model of asthma we found high expression of Socs3 and low expression of Stat3 and IL-6.

Purification/annealing of graphene with 100-MeV Ag ion irradiation.

Unlabelled: Studies on interaction of graphene with radiation are important because of nanolithographic processes in graphene-based electronic devices and for space applications. Since the electronic properties of graphene are highly sensitive to the defects and number of layers in graphene sample, it is desirable to develop tools to engineer these two parameters. We report swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation-induced annealing and purification effects in graphene films, similar to that observed in our studies on fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs).