Ginga: história e cultura afro-brasileira na escola

Anais do 35º Seminário de Extensão Universitária da Região Sul - Área temática: CulturaConsiderando-se a lei federal n. 10.639/03 sobre a obrigatoriedade do ensino da História e da cultura africana e afro-brasileiras nas escolas, o Projeto de Extensão “Ginga: História e Cultura Afro-Brasileira na Escola” tem por finalidade promover vivências da cultura afro-brasileira a partir dos elementos lúdicos e socializantes desta cultura tais como a capoeira, a música, os jogos, as estórias, as lendas, o folclore e as danças, divulgando-os através de oficinas a serem realizadas nas escolas. Voltado para crianças e adolescentes da rede municipal e estadual de ensino, o projeto tem proporcionado conhecimentos e consciência crítica acerca das contribuições culturais, lutas e resistências dos negros no Brasil através do ato de brincar, jogar, dançar e imagina

Stability of circulating miRNA in saliva: The influence of sample associated pre-analytical variables

Background and aims: Increasing evidence supports the practicability of salivary cell-free (cf) miRNA as liquid biopsy markers in cancers. Its successful translation in the clinical setting requires reproducible approaches for saliva manipulation, in order to control for pre-analytical variables influencing miRNA stability. This study aims to define the optimal conditions to maintain the integrity of saliva during collection, transport and processing with respect to cf-miRNA quantification. Materials and methods: Saliva was collected from 20 healthy subjects and 8 oral cancer patients. Two sampling methods were tested and different storage temperatures and times were evaluated. Salivary expression level of target miRNAs was quantified by qPCR. Comparison between group mean values at specific conditions were performed using paired t-tests. Agreement between measurements was evaluated using a Bland-Altman plot. Results: Different collection methods revealed comparable levels of salivary miR-484 and miR-106b-5p in both subject cohorts. MiRNAs were stable for up to 48 h at 4 °C in saliva supernatant, showing significant alteration after 96 h. Mid-term storage of supernatant at -20 °C decreased miRNA stability significantly compared to standard -80 °C. Conclusions: Cf-miRNA in saliva were slightly altered by collection methods and storage conditions, both in healthy and in pathological contexts, and remained stable for a period of time compatible with main clinical routine needs

Evaluation of DNA methylation levels of SEPT9 and SHOX2 in plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using droplet digital PCR

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. HNSCC develops from the mucosa of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Methylation levels of septin 9 (SEPT9) and short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2) genes in circulating cell‐free DNA (ccfDNA) are considered epigenetic biomarkers and have shown predictive value in preliminary reports in HNSCC. Liquid biopsy is a non‐invasive procedure that collects tumor‐derived molecules, including ccfDNA. In the present study, a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)‐based assay was developed to detect DNA methylation levels of circulating SEPT9 and SHOX2 in the plasma of patients with HNSCC. The assay was first set up using commercial methylated and unmethylated DNA. The dynamic changes in the methylation levels of SEPT9 and SHOX2 were then quantified in 20 patients with HNSCC during follow‐up. The results highlighted: i) The ability of the ddPCR‐based assay to detect very low copies of methylated molecules; ii) the significant decrease in SEPT9 and SHOX2 methylation levels in the plasma of patients with HNSCC at the first time points of follow‐up with respect to T0; iii) a different trend of longitudinally DNA methylation variations in small groups of stratified patients. The absolute and precise quantification of SEPT9 and SHOX2 methylation levels in HNSCC may be useful for studies with translational potential