Organotypic platform for studying cancer cell metastasis.

Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. To migrate to distant sites, cancer cells would need to adapt their behaviour in response to different tissue environments. Thus, it is essential to study this process in models that can closely replicate the tumour microenvironment.

Demonstrating the Use of Optical Fibres in Biomedical Sensing: A Collaborative Approach for Engagement and Education.

This paper demonstrates how research at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine can be presented in an interactive and educational way to a non-scientific audience. Interdisciplinary research with a focus on prevalent diseases provides a relatable context that can be used to engage with the public. Respiratory diseases are significant contributors to avoidable morbidity and mortality and have a growing social and economic impact.

Migration through physical constraints is enabled by MAPK-induced cell softening via actin cytoskeleton re-organization.

Cancer cells are softer than the normal cells, and metastatic cells are even softer. These changes in biomechanical properties contribute to cancer progression by facilitating cell movement through physically constraining environments. To identify properties that enabled passage through physical constraints, cells that were more efficient at moving through narrow membrane micropores were selected from established cell lines.

Development of a shear stress-free microfluidic gradient generator capable of quantitatively analyzing single-cell morphology.

Microfluidics, the science of engineering fluid streams at the micrometer scale, offers unique tools for creating and controlling gradients of soluble compounds. Gradient generation can be used to recreate complex physiological microenvironments, but is also useful for screening purposes. For example, in a single experiment, adherent cells can be exposed to a range of concentrations of the compound of interest, enabling high-content analysis of cell behaviour and enhancing throughput.

Trace element content in human milk during lactation of preterm newborns.

The present study has been finalized to perform the content of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, F, Mo, Ni, and B in the preterm human milk over 21 d of lactation. Trace element (TE) contents were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and median concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, and F observed in preterm milk did not demonstrate significant differences in comparison to levels shown in term milk. A statistical significant difference (p < 0.

In vitro and in vivo effects of erythrocyte phototherapy on newborns.

The photodynamic action of the bilirubin is associated with severe consequences observed during 'in vitro' irradiation of the erythrocytes. This paper is designed to evaluate the bilirubin photodynamic effects which occur 'in vitro' and 'in vivo' on erythrocytes in healthy and jaundiced infants. The in vitro bilirubin sensitized photoreaction damages the erythrocytes mainly at the membrane level.

A survey of serum protein and enzyme polymorphisms in the district of L'Aquila (Italy).

A random sample of more than 500 subjects collected in the district of l'Aquila (Italy) has been studied for the following genetic markers: ADA, EsD, G-6-PD, 6-PGD, SOD-A, Hp, C3. The gene frequencies of all the systems examined were similar to those observed in Rome. Rare variants have been found for 6-PGD, C3 and SOD-A.

C'3 polymorphism in Italy.

C'3 phenotype and gene frequencies observed in two Italian samples are reported. The allele frequencies resemble those reported for other Caucasian populations. Five different rare variants are described.