Why not "do simple things in a simple way": Use of the Pap test as the first step in screening genetic stability for human cultured stem cell therapy?

The aim of this study was to analyze adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) using the Pap test as a first screening step to evaluate genetic stability. Human adipose tissue from six healthy female donors was obtained from elective liposuction procedures. The cells were isolated, cultivated at P2/P3, characterized by flow cytometric analysis, and differentiation induced. The AT-MSCs were stained by Papanicolaou staining and analyzed according to the Bethesda classification, and viability-apoptosis relationships were evaluated. The results of the Pap test for Sample I indicated high-grade alterations consistent with genetic instability; for Samples II-V, atypical cells of undetermined significance; and for Sample VI, normal cells. These results demonstrate the potential of using the Pap test as an initial screening step to evaluate the genetic stability of cultured AT-MSCs and also suggest its use for other adherent cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a state funded programme for control of severe asthma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and a major economical burden to families and health systems. Whereas efficacy of current therapeutical options has been clearly established, cost-effectiveness analysis of public health interventions for asthma control are scarce.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>81 patients with severe asthma (12–75 years) joining a programme in a reference clinic providing free asthma medication were asked retrospectively about costs and events in the previous 12 months. During 12 months after joining the programme, information on direct and indirect costs, asthma control by lung function, symptoms and quality of life were collected. The information obtained was used to estimate cost-effectiveness of the intervention as compared to usual public health asthma management. Sensitivity analysis was conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>64 patients concluded the study. During the 12-months follow-up within the programme, patients had 5 fewer days of hospitalization and 68 fewer visits to emergency/non scheduled medical visits per year, on average. Asthma control scores improved by 50% and quality of life by 74%. The annual saving in public resources was US$387 per patient. Family annual income increased US$512, and family costs were reduced by US$733.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A programme for control of severe asthma in a developing country can reduce morbidity, improve quality of life and save resources from the health system and patients families.</p

Biologia e estoque pesqueiro de duas espécies de characiformes na pesca comercial do rio madeira (Rondônia): curimatâ ((Prochilodus nigricans-agassiz, 1829) e Pacu- Comum((Mylossoma duriventre - CUVIER, 1818)

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada junto ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento Regional e Meio Ambiente, Área de Concentração em Ambiente, Saúde e Sustentabilidade para obtenção de título de Mestre em Desenvolvimento Regional e Meio Ambiente. Orientadora: Prof.ª Dr.ª Carolina R. C. DoriaA despeito da importância da atividade pesqueira da região como geradora de proteína animal e renda as populações ribeirinhas e dos avanços no conhecimento da estrutura de comunidades de peixes de água doce, pouco se sabe sobre a ecologia da maioria das espécies comerciais. O presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar e avaliar a biologia pesqueira, o estoque e a dinâmica da pesca das duas espécies de caraciformes mais exploradas no rio Madeira: curimatã (Prochilodus nigricans) e pacu-comum (Mylossoma duriventre). Considerando a hipótese: “o estoque pesqueiro do pacu-comum e da curimatã estão diminuindo ao longos dos anos devido a sobrepesca de exploração”. Os registros de desembarques como a produção total e específica foram resgatados junto as Colônias de pescadores Z-1de Porto Velho - RO (1990 a 2014) e a Z-31 de Humaitá-AM (2001 a 2013). Foram utilizados dados do Programa de Monitoramento da Atividade Pesqueira, coletados entre abril de 2009 a março de 2013 organizados anualmente em períodos I, II, III e IV. Analisou-se a produção total e específica em kg; esforço de pesca; aparelhos utilizados; locais, períodos e habitats de pesca; custos operacionais da expedição, e dados biométricos de comprimento padrão (Ls, cm) e peso total (Wt, g). Observou-se que a curimatã e o pacu-comum representaram respectivamente 16% e 13,7% da produção total desembarcada para Porto Velho entre 1990 e 2014, e para Humaitá representaram 13,1% e 17,2% respectivamente. Na análise histórica da produção das espécies nos dois municípios observou-se oscilação interanual na produção pesqueira, . Cuniã, São Carlos e Humaitá foram as localidades como maior número de desembarques para as duas espécies, o ambiente de maior captura foram os rios, com o auxílio do apetrecho malhadeira. Nos 4 anos de monitoramento observou-se diminuição tanto na produção pesqueira como na CPUE da curimatã 64,8% e 51,2% e do pacu-comum 24% e 11,46%, respectivamente. Para as duas espécies os custos com a pesca oscilaram nos anos analisados. As duas espécies são consideradas peixe de segunda categoria, o valor de venda variou de R$2,3 a R$ 3,6 por quiilo. Para manter a receita líquida por pescaria os pescadores aumentaram seus esforços. Para a curimatã o esforço variou de 6,91 a 8,23 e para o pacu-comum o esforço variou de 6,47 a 9,48 número de pescador* número de dias de pesca. Os valores dos parâmetros de crescimento e taxas de mortalidade da curimatã comparados aos PRBs demonstram que essa espécie esta sofrendo sobrepesca de recrutamento na bacia do Madeira, enquanto o pacu-comum se encontra em melhor estado de conservação. Diante do exposto sugere-se: reavaliação da legislação de pesca para a curimatã; elaboração participativa (entre governo e pescadores) de estratégias para conservação destas espécies; manutenção e consolidação de bases de informações científicas que permitam o monitoramento dos estoques dessas espécies e de outras, bem como a identificação de impactos decorrente da implantação de grandes empreendimentos na bacia

Reduction of Tubulin Expression in Angomonas deanei by RNAi Modifies the Ultrastructure of the Trypanosomatid Protozoan and Impairs Division of Its Endosymbiotic Bacterium

In the last two decades, RNA interference pathways have been employed as a useful tool for reverse genetics in trypanosomatids. Angomonas deanei is a non-pathogenic trypanosomatid that maintains an obligatory endosymbiosis with a bacterium related to the Alcaligenaceae family. Studies of this symbiosis can help us to understand the origin of eukaryotic organelles. The recent elucidation of both the A. deanei and the bacterium symbiont genomes revealed that the host protozoan codes for the enzymes necessary for RNAi activity in trypanosomatids. Here we tested the functionality of the RNAi machinery by transfecting cells with dsRNA to a reporter gene (green fluorescent protein), which had been previously expressed in the parasite and to α-tubulin, an endogenous gene. In both cases, protein expression was reduced by the presence of specific dsRNA, inducing, respectively, a decreased GFP fluorescence and the formation of enlarged cells with modified arrangement of subpellicular microtubules. Furthermore, symbiont division was impaired. These results indicate that the RNAi system is active in A. deanei and can be used to further explore gene function in symbiont-containing trypanosoma tids and to clarify important aspects of symbiosis and cell evolution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

A new and concise strategy to the enantioselective synthesis of (S)-2-amino-4-oxo-4-(pyridine-2-yl) butanoic acid from aspartic acid

The a-amino acid (S)-5 was synthesized using in the key step a chemoselective nucleophilic substitution between a diester derived from L-aspartic acid and 2-lithium pyridine. The overall yield (13%, 5 steps) was similar to those previously described by our group for the R isomer (the first exogen full agonist of the NMDA receptors) from D-mannitol (12%, 10 steps) and by Lovey and Copper for the racemic synthesis (17%, 5 steps)

Biodegradable chitosan films with ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using food industry by-products—production and characterization

UIDB/04077/2020 PTDC/BTM‐SAL/29335/2017 UIDB/04138/2020 UIDP/04138/2020 grant (2020.04441.BD) of C.R.This work aimed to produce bionanocomposites of chitosan incorporated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using food industry by-products and to characterize them. Such nanoparticles are highlighted due to their low cost, antimicrobial activity, accessibility, and sustainability synthesis. Four different levels of ZnO NPs (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% w/w of chitosan) were tested, and the bionanocomposites were characterized in terms of their hydrophobicity, mechanical, optical, and barrier properties. Overall, the incorporation of ZnO NPs changed the composites from brittle to ductile, with enhanced elongation at break and reduced Young Modulus and tensile strength. Thus, ZnO NPs acted as plasticizer, turning the films more flexible, due to the presence of organic compounds on the NPs. This also favored permeability of oxygen and of water vapor, but the good barrier properties were maintained. Optical properties did not change statistically with the ZnO NPs incorporation. Thus, the characterization presented in this paper may contribute to support a decision on the choice of the material’s final application.publishersversionpublishe