TiO Nanoparticles and Their Effects on Eukaryotic Cells: A Double-Edged Sword.

Nanoparticulate TiO (TiO NPs) is a widely used material, whose potential toxicity towards eukaryotic cells has been addressed by multiple studies. TiO NPs are considered toxic due to their production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can, among others, lead to cellular damage, inflammatory responses, and differences in gene expression. TiO NPs exhibited toxicity in multiple organs in animals, generating potential health risks also in humans, such as developing tumors or progress of preexisting cancer processes.

Cortical stiffness of keratinocytes measured by lateral indentation with optical tweezers.

Keratin intermediate filaments are the principal structural element of epithelial cells. Their importance in providing bulk cellular stiffness is well recognized, but their role in the mechanics of cell cortex is less understood. In this study, we therefore compared the cortical stiffness of three keratinocyte lines: primary wild type cells (NHEK2), immortalized wild type cells (NEB1) and immortalized mutant cells (KEB7).

A framework to assess the quality and impact of bioinformatics training across ELIXIR.

ELIXIR is a pan-European intergovernmental organisation for life science that aims to coordinate bioinformatics resources in a single infrastructure across Europe; bioinformatics training is central to its strategy, which aims to develop a training community that spans all ELIXIR member states. In an evidence-based approach for strengthening bioinformatics training programmes across Europe, the ELIXIR Training Platform, led by the ELIXIR EXCELERATE Quality and Impact Assessment Subtask in collaboration with the ELIXIR Training Coordinators Group, has implemented an assessment strategy to measure quality and impact of its entire training portfolio. Here, we present ELIXIR's framework for assessing training quality and impact, which includes the following: specifying assessment aims, determining what data to collect in order to address these aims, and our strategy for centralised data collection to allow for ELIXIR-wide analyses.

Keratin Dynamics and Spatial Distribution in Wild-Type and K14 R125P Mutant Cells-A Computational Model.

Keratins are one of the most abundant proteins in epithelial cells. They form a cytoskeletal filament network whose structural organization seriously conditions its function. Dynamic keratin particles and aggregates are often observed at the periphery of mutant keratinocytes related to the hereditary skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa simplex, which is due to mutations in keratins 5 and 14.

Meta-Analysis and Experimental Validation Identified FREM2 and SPRY1 as New Glioblastoma Marker Candidates.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive brain malignancy. Although some potential glioblastoma biomarkers have already been identified, there is a lack of cell membrane-bound biomarkers capable of distinguishing brain tissue from glioblastoma and/or glioblastoma stem cells (GSC), which are responsible for the rapid post-operative tumor reoccurrence. In order to find new GB/GSC marker candidates that would be cell surface proteins (CSP), we have performed meta-analysis of genome-scale mRNA expression data from three data repositories (GEO, ArrayExpress and GLIOMASdb).

Effects of Flavonoids from Food and Dietary Supplements on Glial and Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells.

Quercetin, catechins and proanthocyanidins are flavonoids that are prominently featured in foodstuffs and dietary supplements, and may possess anti-carcinogenic activity. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most dangerous form of glioma, a malignancy of the brain connective tissue. This review assesses molecular structures of these flavonoids, their importance as components of diet and dietary supplements, their bioavailability and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, their reported beneficial health effects, and their effects on non-malignant glial as well as glioblastoma tumor cells.