Shape Tailored Magnetic Nanorings for Intracellular Hyperthermia Cancer Therapy

This work explores a new class of vortex/magnetite/iron oxide nanoparticles designed for magnetic hyperthermia applications. These nanoparticles, named Vortex Iron oxide Particles (VIPs), are an alternative to the traditional Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), since VIPs present superior heating power while fulfilling the main requirements for biomedical applications (low cytotoxicity and nonremanent state). In addition, the present work demonstrates that the synthesized VIPs also promote an internalization and aggregation of the particles inside the cell, resulting in a highly localized hyperthermia in the presence of an alternating magnetic field. Thereby, we demonstrate a new and efficient magnetic hyperthermia strategy in which a small, but well localized, concentration of VIPs can promote an intracellular hyperthermia process

Beneficial effects of whole-body vibration exercise for brain disorders in experimental studies with animal models:A systematic review

Brain disorders have been a health challenge and is increasing over the years. Early diagnosis and interventions are considered essential strategies to treat patients at risk of brain disease. Physical exercise has shown to be beneficial for patients with brain diseases. A type of exercise intervention known as whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise gained increasing interest. During WBV, mechanical vibrations, produced by a vibrating platform are transmitted, to the body. The purpose of the current review was to summarize the effects of WBV exercise on brain function and behavior in experimental studies with animal models. Searches were performed in EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science including publications from 1960 to July 2021, using the keywords "whole body vibration" AND (animal or mice or mouse or rat or rodent). From 1284 hits, 20 papers were selected. Rats were the main animal model used (75%) followed by mice (20%) and porcine model (5%), 16 studies used males species and 4 females. The risk of bias, accessed with the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool, indicated that none of the studies fulfilled all methodological criteria, resulting in possible bias. Despite heterogeneity, the results suggest beneficial effects of WBV exercise on brain functioning, mainly related to motor performance, coordination, behavioral control, neuronal plasticity and synapse function. In conclusion, the findings observed in animal studies justifies continued clinical research regarding the effectiveness and potential of WBV for the treatment of various types of brain disorders such as trauma, developmental disorders, neurogenetic diseases and other neurological diseases

(Im)possibilities of Autonomy:? Social Movements In and Beyond Capital, the State and Development

In this paper we interrogate the demand and practice of autonomy in social movements. We begin by identifying three main conceptions of autonomy: (1) autonomous practices vis-à-vis capital; (2) self-determination and independence from the state; and (3) alternatives to hegemonic discourses of development. We then point to limits associated with autonomy and discuss how demands for autonomy are tied up with contemporary re-organizations of: (1) the capitalist workplace, characterized by discourses of autonomy, creativity and self-management; (2) the state, which increasingly outsources public services to independent, autonomous providers, which often have a more radical, social movement history; and (3) regimes of development, which today often emphasize local practices, participation and self-determination. This capturing of autonomy reminds us that autonomy can never be fixed. Instead, social movements' demands for autonomy are embedded in specific social, economic, political and cultural contexts, giving rise to possibilities as well as impossibilities of autonomous practices

Molecular detection of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa in cervids and wild boars from Portugal

Background: Wildlife can act as reservoir of different tick-borne pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites and viruses. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa with veterinary and zoonotic importance in cervids and wild boars from the Centre and South of Portugal.Methods: One hundred and forty one blood samples from free-ranging ungulates including 73 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 65 wild boars (Sus scrofa) and three fallow deer (Dama dama) were tested for the presence of Anaplasma marginale/A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (s.l.), and Rickettsia spp. DNA by PCR.Results: Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 33 (43.4 %) cervids (31 red deer and two fallow deer) and in two (3.1 %) wild boars while Theileria spp. were found in 34 (44.7 %) cervids (32 red deer and two fallow deer) and in three (4.6 %) wild boar blood samples. Sequence analysis of msp4 sequences identified A. marginale, A. ovis, while the analysis of rDNA sequence data disclosed the presence of A. platys and A. phagocytophilum and T. capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3. Anaplasma spp./Theileria spp. mixed infections were found in 17 cervids (22.4 %) and in two wild boars (3.1 %). All samples were negative for Babesia sp., B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Ehrlichia sp. or Rickettsia sp.Conclusions: This is the first detection of Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, Theileria capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3 in cervids and wild boars from Portugal. Further studies concerning the potential pathogenicity of the different species of Anaplasma and Theileria infecting wild ungulates, the identification of their vector range, and their putative infectivity to domestic livestock and humans should be undertaken

Does the Establishment of Sustainable Use Reserves Affect Fire Management in the Humid Tropics?

Tropical forests are experiencing a growing fire problem driven by climatic change, agricultural expansion and forest degradation. Protected areas are an important feature of forest protection strategies, and sustainable use reserves (SURs) may be reducing fire prevalence since they promote sustainable livelihoods and resource management. However, the use of fire in swidden agriculture, and other forms of land management, may be undermining the effectiveness of SURs in meeting their conservation and sustainable development goals. We analyse MODIS derived hot pixels, TRMM rainfall data, Terra-Class land cover data, socio-ecological data from the Brazilian agro-census and the spatial extent of rivers and roads to evaluate whether the designation of SURs reduces fire occurrence in the Brazilian Amazon. Specifically, we ask (1) a. Is SUR location (i.e., de facto) or (1) b. designation (i.e. de jure) the driving factor affecting performance in terms of the spatial density of fires?, and (2), Does SUR creation affect fire management (i.e., the timing of fires in relation to previous rainfall)? We demonstrate that pre-protection baselines are crucial for understanding reserve performance. We show that reserve creation had no discernible impact on fire density, and that fires were less prevalent in SURs due to their characteristics of sparser human settlement and remoteness, rather than their status de jure. In addition, the timing of fires in relation to rainfall, indicative of local fire management and adherence to environmental law, did not improve following SUR creation. These results challenge the notion that SURs promote environmentally sensitive fire-management, and suggest that SURs in Amazonia will require special attention if they are to curtail future accidental wildfires, particularly as plans to expand the road infrastructure throughout the region are realised. Greater investment to support improved fire management by farmers living in reserves, in addition to other fire users, will be necessary to help ameliorate these threats

Genomics and epidemiology for gastric adenocarcinomas (GE4GAC): a Brazilian initiative to study gastric cancer

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide with high incidences in Asia, Central, and South American countries. This patchy distribution means that GC studies are neglected by large research centers from developed countries. The need for further understanding of this complex disease, including the local importance of epidemiological factors and the rich ancestral admixture found in Brazil, stimulated the implementation of the GE4GAC project. GE4GAC aims to embrace epidemiological, clinical, molecular and microbiological data from Brazilian controls and patients with malignant and pre-malignant gastric disease. In this letter, we summarize the main goals of the project, including subject and sample accrual and current findings