There is a large number of two‐dimensional static in vitro studies about the uptake of colloidal nano‐ and microparticles, which has been published in the last decade. In this Minireview, different methods used for such studies are summarized and critically discussed. Supplementary experimental data allow for a direct comparison of the different techniques. Emphasis is given on how quantitative parameters can be extracted from studies in which different experimental techniques have been used, with the goal of allowing better comparison.

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We have studied the effect of the zwitterionic surface coating of quantum dots (QDs) on their interaction with a serum supplemented cell medium and their internalization by human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. Zwitterionic QDs showed negligible adsorption of human serum albumin (HSA) selected as a model serum protein, in contrast to similar but negatively charged QDs. The incorporation of zwitterionic QDs by HeLa cells was found to be lower than for negatively charged QDs and for positively charged QDs, for which the uptake yield was largest. Our results suggest that the suppression of protein adsorption, here accomplished by zwitterionic QD surfaces, offers a strategy that allows for reducing the cellular uptake of nanoparticles.

BackgroundThe adhesion of cells to an oscillating cantilever sensitively influences the oscillation amplitude at a given frequency. Even early stages of cytotoxicity cause a change in the viscosity of the cell membrane and morphology, both affecting their adhesion to the cantilever. We present a generally applicable method for real-time, label free monitoring and fast-screening technique to assess early stages of cytotoxicity recorded in terms of loss of cell adhesion.ResultsWe present data taken from gold nanoparticles of different sizes and surface coatings as well as some reference substances like ethanol, cadmium chloride, and staurosporine. Measurements were recorded with two different cell lines, HeLa and MCF7 cells. The results obtained from gold nanoparticles confirm earlier findings and attest the easiness and effectiveness of the method.ConclusionsThe reported method allows to easily adapt virtually every AFM to screen and assess toxicity of compounds in terms of cell adhesion with little modifications as long as a flow cell is available. The sensitivity of the method is good enough indicating that even single cell analysis seems possible.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12951-017-0256-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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The effect of iron substitution on the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite (HAp) under the physiological conditions was investigated. Five samples of iron doped hydroxyapatite (FeHAp) with different iron concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mol%) were synthesized by wet chemical method. The formation of bone-like apatite layer on the surface of the samples was detected using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope techniques. The changes of the pH of SBF medium were measured at pre-determined time intervals using a pH meter. The dissolution of calcium, phosphorus and iron ions in SBF medium was determined by single beam scanning spectrophotometer. XRD and FTIR results exhibit the formation of carbonate apatite layer on the surface of the immersed samples, which increase with the increase of iron content. SEM results showed agglomeration of small crystals on the surface of the immersed samples. The solubility and dissolution tests revealed that iron doped HAp samples had a higher solubility and dissolution rate than pure sample, which indicated that iron increased the bioactivity of HAp in vitro.

In this article, some Fe (III) doped hydroxyapatite samples (FeHAp) were prepared using the wet chemical method. The prepared samples were characterized via the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Detailed structural analysis were done by  Scherrer and Williamson–Hall plot methods to detect the effect of iron on the structure of hydroxyapatite (HAp). XRD patterns showed that all samples were single phased HAp. Relations between the Fe content and the deformation of the lattice parameters, dislocation density, grain size, microstrain, crystallinity were investigated. The presence of iron in the HAp lattice is found to decrease both the crystal size and the dislocation density. Further results are presented and discussed.