Optimization of the GSH-Mediated Formation of Mesoporous Silica-Coated Gold Nanoclusters for NIR Light-Triggered Photothermal Applications

Cancer light-triggered hyperthermia mediated by nanomaterials aims to eliminate cancer cells by inducing localized temperature increases to values superior to 42 C, upon irradiation with a laser. Among the different nanomaterials with photothermal capacity, the gold-based nanoparticles have been widely studied due to their structural plasticity and advantageous physicochemical properties. Herein, a novel and straightforward methodology was developed to produce gold nanoclusters coated with mesoporous silica (AuMSS), using glutathione (GSH) to mediate the formation of the gold clusters. The obtained results revealed that GSH is capable of triggering and control the aggregation of gold nanospheres, which enhanced the absorption of radiation in the NIR region of the spectra. Moreover, the produced AuMSS nanoclusters mediated a maximum temperature increase of 20 C and were able to encapsulate a drug model (acridine orange). In addition, these AuMSS nanoclusters were also biocompatible with both healthy (fibroblasts) and carcinogenic (cervical cancer) cells, at a maximum tested concentration of 200 g/mL. Nevertheless, the AuMSS nanoclusters’ NIR light-triggered heat generation successfully reduced the viability of cervical cancer cells by about 80%. This confirms the potential of the AuMSS nanoclusters to be applied in cancer therapy, namely as theragnostic agents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Incidence of acute aortic dissections in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Objectives: Acute Aortic dissection (AAD) may present as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the incidence of this presentation is not well known. Our aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all observational studies reporting on the incidence of AAD in patients with OHCA. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PsycInfo, Web of Science Core Collection and OpenGrey databases from inception to March-2021, for observational studies reporting on the incidence of AAD in patients with OHCA. Data was pooled using a random-effects model of proportions. The primary outcome was the incidence of AAD in OHCA patients. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of type A aortic dissections (TAAD) and type B aortic dissections (TBAD) in OHCA patients, overall mortality following AAD-OHCA and risk of death in AAD-OHCA patients compared to risk of death of non-AAD-OHCA patients. Results: Fourteen studies were included. The pooled calculated incidence of OHCA due to AAD was 4.39% (95 %CI: 2.55; 6.8). Incidence of OHCA due to TAAD was 7.18% (95 %CI: 5.61; 8.93) and incidence of OHCA due to TBAD was 0.47% (95 %CI: 0.18; 0.85). Overall mortality following OHCA due to AAD was 100% (95 %CI: 97.62; 100). The risk of death in AAD-OHCA patients compared with non-AAD-OHCA patients was 1.10 (95 %CI: 0.94; 1.30). Conclusion: AAD as a cause of OHCA is more frequent than previously thought. Prognosis is dire, as it is invariably lethal. These findings should lead to a higher awareness of AAD when approaching a patient with OHCA and to future studies on this matter.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cell‐Derived Vesicles for Nanoparticles' Coating: Biomimetic Approaches for Enhanced Blood Circulation and Cancer Therapy

Cancer nanomedicines are designed to encapsulate different therapeuticagents, prevent their premature release, and deliver them specifically tocancer cells, due to their ability to preferentially accumulate in tumor tissue.However, after intravenous administration, nanoparticles immediatelyinteract with biological components that facilitate their recognition by theimmune system, being rapidly removed from circulation. Reports show thatless than 1% of the administered nanoparticles effectively reach the tumorsite. This suboptimal pharmacokinetic profile is pointed out as one of themain factors for the nanoparticles’ suboptimal therapeutic effectiveness andpoor translation to the clinic. Therefore, an extended blood circulation timemay be crucial to increase the nanoparticles’ chances of being accumulated inthe tumor and promote a site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents. For thatpurpose, the understanding of the forces that govern the nanoparticles’interaction with biological components and the impact of the physicochemicalproperties on the in vivo fate will allow the development of novel and moreeffective nanomedicines. Therefore, in this review, the nano–bio interactionsare summarized. Moreover, the application of cell-derived vesicles forextending the blood circulation time and tumor accumulation is reviewed,focusing on the advantages and shortcomings of each cell source.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Metal-Polymer Nanoconjugates Application in Cancer Imaging and Therapy

Metallic-based nanoparticles present a unique set of physicochemical properties that support their application in different fields, such as electronics, medical diagnostics, and therapeutics. Particularly, in cancer therapy, the plasmonic resonance, magnetic behavior, X-ray attenuation, and radical oxygen species generation capacity displayed by metallic nanoparticles make them highly promising theragnostic solutions. Nevertheless, metallic-based nanoparticles are often associated with some toxicological issues, lack of colloidal stability, and establishment of off-target interactions. Therefore, researchers have been exploiting the combination of metallic nanoparticles with other materials, inorganic (e.g., silica) and/or organic (e.g., polymers). In terms of biological performance, metalpolymer conjugation can be advantageous for improving biocompatibility, colloidal stability, and tumor specificity. In this review, the application of metallic-polymer nanoconjugates/nanohybrids as a multifunctional all-in-one solution for cancer therapy will be summarized, focusing on the physicochemical properties that make metallic nanomaterials capable of acting as imaging and/or therapeutic agents. Then, an overview of the main advantages of metal-polymer conjugation as well as the most common structural arrangements will be provided. Moreover, the application of metallic-polymer nanoconjugates/nanohybrids made of gold, iron, copper, and other metals in cancer therapy will be discussed, in addition to an outlook of the current solution in clinical trials.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Combinatorial delivery of doxorubicin and acridine orange by gold core silica shell nanospheres functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) and 4- methoxybenzamide for cancer targeted therapy

Combinatorial therapies based on the simultaneous administration of multiple drugs can lead to synergistic effects, increasing the efficacy of the cancer therapy. However, it is crucial to develop new delivery systems that can increase the drugs' therapeutic selectivity and efficacy. Gold core silica shell (AuMSS) nanoparticles present physicochemical properties that allow their simultaneous application as drug delivery and imaging agents. Herein, poly(ethylene glycol) was modified with 4-methoxybenzamide and 3- (triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (TPANIS) to create a novel surface functionalization capable of improving the colloidal stability and specificity of AuMSS nanospheres towards cancer cells. Moreover, a dual drug combination based on Doxorubicin (DOX) and Acridine orange (AO) was characterized and administered using the AuMSS-TPANIS nanospheres. The obtained results show that the DOX:AO drug combination can mediate a synergistic therapeutic effect in both HeLa and MCF-7 cells, particularly at the 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 ratios. Otherwise, the TPANIS functionalization increased the AuMSS nanospheres colloidal stability and selectivity towards MCF-7 cancer cells (overexpressing sigma receptors). Such also resulted in an enhanced cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells when administering the DOX:AO drug combination with the AuMSSTPANIS nanospheres. Overall, the obtained results confirm the therapeutic potential of the DOX:AO drug combination as well as the targeting capacity of AuMSS-TPANIS, supporting its application in the cancer targeted combinatorial chemotherapy.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Marcas linguístico-discursivas de patriarcalismo em Helena, de Machado de Assis: um estudo dialógico

In a society influenced by economic conservatism, capitalization of goods and patriarchy, it is essential to resort to literature, more specifically from the 19th century, to verify which socio-historical aspects of that time remain visible in the chronotope of the works. Thus, in a critical way, it be- comes possible to identify the socially assigned roles in the novels and find out how those are expressed. The objective of this research is to analyze, dia- logically, which marks of patriarchy are present, in a reflected and refracted way, in the work Helena, by Machado de Assis. For this, we resorted to the theoretical-methodological assumptions of Bakhtin (2006 [1979]), Medve- dev (2016 [1928]) and Volóchinov (2017 [1929]), members of the Bakhtin Circle, as well as Chaves (1988), Fischer (2008) and Schwarz (2012). The results pointed to the fact that patriarchy is a constituent element of the nar- rative, which portrays arbitrarily imposed discourses, it was possible to ob- serve differences between the roles relegated to women and men.Em uma sociedade influenciada pelo conservadorismo econômico, pela capitalização dos bens e pelo patriarcalismo, torna-se imprescindível recorrer à literatura, mais especificamente do século XIX, para verificar que marcas constitutivas dessa época permanecem visíveis no cronotopo das obras. Assim, de forma crítica, torna-se possível identificar os papeis socialmente atribuídos nos romances e averiguar de que maneira aqueles se expressam. O objetivo desta pesquisa consiste em analisar, dialogicamente, que marcas de patriarcalismo se presentificam, de forma refletida e refratada, na obra Helena, de Machado de Assis. Para tanto, recorremos aos pressupostos teórico-metodológicos de Bakhtin (2006 [1979]), Medviédev (2016 [1928]) e Volóchinov (2017 [1929]), integrantes do Círculo de Bakhtin, bem como de Chaves (1988), Fischer (2008) e Schwarz (2012).  Os resultados apontaram para o fato de que o patriarcalismo é um elemento constituinte da narrativa, que retrata discursos arbitrariamente impostos, no constatar de diferenças entre as funções relegadas às mulheres e aos homens

A BIOECOLOGIA DO AUTISMO: UMA ANÁLISE DOS RELATOS SOBRE AS QUESTÕES SOCIAIS QUE ATRAVESSAM O DESENVOLVIMENTO

This article presents a literature review on reports about people with autism in research carried out in the Education, Psychology, Medicine and Nursing’s areas. Twenty two articles were collected in the SciELO database, between the years 2008 and 2021, using the keywords autism and interviews. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique (BARDIN, 2016), with the help of ATLAS.ti software. The categories raised, diagnosis and health; education; and family relationships, were discussed from the theoretical-methodological perspectives of Vygotsky (2003) and Bronfenbrenner (1996). Such analysis made it possible to relate personal and social issues, based on the socio-historical and bioecological relationships that involve the lives of subjects with autism. The results show the interference between the insufficient supply of services and social support policies and the development of these people; the importance of the school and the deficient teacher training; and the repercussions of this development in family routines, especially in the life of the mother figure.Este artículo presenta una revisión bibliográfica sobre los relatos acerca de las personas con autismo en las investigaciones realizadas en los campos de Educación, Psicología, Medicina y Enfermería. Se recogieron 22 artículos de la base de datos SciELO, entre 2008 y 2021, utilizando las palabras clave autismo y entrevistas. Los datos se analizaron mediante la técnica de Análisis de Contenido (BARDIN, 2016), con la ayuda del software ATLAS.ti. Las categorías planteadas, diagnóstico y salud; educación; y relaciones familiares, fueron discutidas desde las perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas de Vygotsky (2003) y Bronfenbrenner (1996). Este análisis permitió relacionar las cuestiones personales con las sociales, a partir de las relaciones socio-históricas y bio-ecológicas que envuelven la vida de los sujetos con autismo. Los resultados señalan la interferencia entre la insuficiente oferta de servicios y políticas de apoyo social y el desarrollo de estas personas; la importancia de la escuela y la deficiente formación del profesorado; y las repercusiones de este desarrollo en las rutinas familiares, especialmente en la vida de la figura materna.Este artigo apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre relatos acerca de pessoas com autismo em pesquisas realizadas nos campos da Educação, Psicologia, Medicina e Enfermagem. Foram coletados 22 artigos na base de dados SciELO, entre os anos de 2008 e 2021, a partir das palavras-chave autismo e entrevistas. Os dados foram analisados pela técnica da Análise de Conteúdo (BARDIN, 2016), com o auxílio do software ATLAS.ti. As categorias levantadas, diagnóstico e saúde; educação; e relações familiares, foram discutidas a partir das perspectivas teórico-metodológicas de Vygotsky (2003) e Bronfenbrenner (1996). Tal análise permitiu relacionar as questões pessoais com as sociais, tomando por base as relações sóciohistóricas e bioecológicas que envolvem a vida dos sujeitos com autismo. Os resultados apontam para a interferência entre a insuficiência de oferta de serviços e políticas de suporte social e o desenvolvimento destas pessoas; a importância da escola e a deficitária formação docente; e as repercussões deste desenvolvimento nas rotinas familiares, sobretudo na vida da figura materna

A BIOECOLOGIA DO AUTISMO: UMA ANÁLISE DOS RELATOS SOBRE AS QUESTÕES SOCIAIS QUE ATRAVESSAM O DESENVOLVIMENTO

RESUMO: Este artigo apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre relatos acerca de pessoas com autismo em pesquisas realizadas nos campos da Educação, Psicologia, Medicina e Enfermagem. Foram coletados 22 artigos na base de dados SciELO, entre os anos de 2008 e 2021, a partir das palavras-chave autismo e entrevistas. Os dados foram analisados pela técnica da Análise de Conteúdo (BARDIN, 2016), com o auxílio do software ATLAS.ti. As categorias levantadas - diagnóstico e saúde; educação; e relações familiares - foram discutidas a partir das perspectivas teórico-metodológicas de Vygotsky (2003) e Bronfenbrenner (1996). Tal análise permitiu relacionar as questões pessoais com as sociais, tomando por base as relações socio-históricas e bioecológicas que envolvem a vida dos sujeitos com autismo. Os resultados apontam para a interferência entre a insuficiência de oferta de serviços e políticas de suporte social e o desenvolvimento dessas pessoas; a importância da escola e a deficitária formação docente; e as repercussões desse desenvolvimento nas rotinas familiares, sobretudo na vida da figura materna

Physico-chemical characterization of inclusion complex between hydroxymethylnitrofurazone and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin

Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH) is a prodrug that is active against Trypanosoma cruzi. It however presents low solubility and high toxicity. Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) can be used as a drug-delivery system for NFOH modifying its physico-chemical properties. The aim of this work is to characterize the inclusion complex between NFOH and HP-beta-CD. The rate of NFOH release decreases after complexation and thermodynamic parameters from the solubility isotherm studies revealed that a stable complex is formed (deltaGº= 1.7 kJ/mol). This study focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of a drug-delivery formulation that comes out as a potentially new therapeutic option for Chagas disease treatment.FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Evaluation of Effective Transmission of Light Through Alveolar Bone: A Preliminary Study

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the effective transmission of 660 and 780 nm lasers through mandibular and maxillary alveolar bones in the buccal-lingual/ palatal direction.Methods: The laser probe was positioned in direct contact with the surface of the anterior, middle and posterior regions of each bone (5 dried maxillae and 5 mandibles) and the power meter was positioned on the bone wall opposite to the radiated wall for the measure of the remaining energy passing through the bone tissue. Ten measurements were performed with each laser at each irradiated point.Results: Transmitted power was significantly higher in bones irradiated with 780 nm laser. Tendencies toward greater average power transmitted in the anterior region of both bones at both wavelengths were also observed.Conclusion: Dosimetry and the choice of light source may be adjusted according to the anatomic region of the alveolar bone to be treated