Collective radioresistance of T47D breast carcinoma cells is mediated by a Syncytin-1 homologous protein.

It is generally accepted that radiotherapy must target clonogenic cells, i.e., those cells in a tumour that have self-renewing potential.

Uncertainty evaluation for the quantification of low masses of benzo[a]pyrene: Comparison between the Law of Propagation of Uncertainty and the Monte Carlo method.

A proper evaluation of the uncertainty associated to the quantification of micropollutants in the environment, like Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), is crucial for the reliability of the measurement results. The present work describes a comparison between the uncertainty evaluation carried out according to the GUM uncertainty framework and the Monte Carlo (MC) method. This comparison was carried out starting from real data sets obtained from the quantification of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), spiked on filters commonly used for airborne particulate matter sampling.

Sos1 Regulates Macrophage Podosome Assembly and Macrophage Invasive Capacity.

Podosomes are protrusive structures implicated in macrophage extracellular matrix degradation and three-dimensional migration through cell barriers and the interstitium. Podosome formation and assembly are regulated by cytoskeleton remodeling requiring cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the Src and the Abl families. Considering that Abl has been reported to phosphorylate the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos1, eliciting its Rac-guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity, and Rac regulates podosome formation in myeloid cells and invadopodia formation in cancer cells, we addressed whether Sos1 is implicated in podosome formation and function in macrophages.

Rapid and sensitive detection of melamine in milk with gold nanoparticles by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering.

A rapid and sensitive method to detect melamine in liquid milk based on Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is presented, exploiting the selective binding of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with this analyte. This interaction promotes the aggregation of the AuNPs inducing a huge enhancement of the melamine signals in the Raman spectrum due to the formation of SERS "hot spots". An external standard calibration method was employed for quantitative analysis and the method was validated for linearity, sensitivity, repeatability and recovery.

Computer-aided biophysical modeling: a quantitative approach to complex biological systems.

When dealing with the biophysics of tumors, analytical and numerical modeling tools have long been regarded as potentially useful but practically immature tools. Further developments could not just overturn this predicament, but lead to completely new perspectives in biology. Here, we give an account of our own computational tool and how we have put it to good use, and we discuss a paradigmatic example to outline a path to making cell biology more quantitative and predictive.

Interplay between distribution of live cells and growth dynamics of solid tumours.

Experiments show that simple diffusion of nutrients and waste molecules is not sufficient to explain the typical multilayered structure of solid tumours, where an outer rim of proliferating cells surrounds a layer of quiescent but viable cells and a central necrotic region. These experiments challenge models of tumour growth based exclusively on diffusion. Here we propose a model of tumour growth that incorporates the volume dynamics and the distribution of cells within the viable cell rim.

Expression of α-amylase inhibitors in diploid Triticum species.

The aim of the work was to characterize the expression of various α-amylase inhibitors (αAIs), well known anti-nutritional compounds, for the development of healthier diploid wheat-based functional foods. The salt-soluble protein fractions from the seeds of 53 accessions among Triticum monococcum subsp. monococcum (T.

Uncertainty estimation in chemical measurements: carbon dioxide determination at atmospheric concentration.

The present work deals with the evaluation of measurement uncertainty in the determination of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in atmosphere, given the high relevance of this greenhouse gas that influences earth climate. In order to carry out CO2 measurements, non dispersive infrared (NDIR) analysers are usually employed as they are stable and scarcely affected by interferences from other air components or pollutants. Typical uncertainty sources are the resolution of the analyser, its time drift and the contributions due to instrument calibration, which is required in order to produce traceable measurement results.

Stability of a NDIR analyser for CO2 at atmospheric concentration.

Carbon dioxide monitoring is significant in the environmental field since this gas plays an important role in the greenhouse effect. In order to determine CO2 concentration and to develop simulation models, it is necessary to carry out measurements which are accurate and comparable in time and space, i.e.