Untangling the extracellular matrix of idiopathic epiretinal membrane: a path winding among structure, interactomics and translational medicine

Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERMs) are fibrocellular sheets of tissue that develop at the vit-reoretinal interface. iERMs consist of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) formed by a complex array of structural proteins and a large number of proteins that regulate cell-matrix interaction, matrix deposition and remodelling. Many components of the ECM tend to produce a layered pat-tern that can influence the tractional properties of the membranes. We applied a bioinformatics approach on a list of proteins previously identified with an MS-based proteomic analysis on sam-ples of iERM to report the interactome of some key proteins. The performed pathway analysis highlights interactions occurring among ECM molecules, their cell receptors, and intra or extra-cellular proteins that may play a role in matrix biology, in this special context. In particular, integ-rin β1, cathepsin B, epidermal growth factor receptor, protein-glutamine gam-ma-glutamyltransferase 2, and prolow-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 are key hubs in the outlined protein-protein cross-talks. A section on the biomarkers that can be found in the vitreous humor of patients affected by iERM and that can modulate matrix deposition is also pre-sented. Finally, translational medicine in iERM treatment has been summed up taking stock of the techniques that have been proposed for pharmacologic vitreolysi

COVID-19: how to proceed with the practice of plastic surgery in Brazil. What do we know right now?

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease, described in 2019) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most confirmed cases are mild or asymptomatic, but the most severe cases can progress to severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and death. In Brazil, there is a scenario of an exponential increase in cases, making it challenging to identify the source of contagion. We cannot yet specify when the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak will occur in our country or when the numbers of new contaminants and deaths will begin to decrease. So, the most important thing is protection against a virus for which all the details about contagion, transmission, and treatment are not known. The pandemic impacted and modified medical care, especially for surgical specialties, where face-to-face care is essential and cannot be replaced entirely by telemedicine. Thus, this review aimed to compile theoretical and practical aspects regarding the pandemic COVID-19 and its impact on plastic surgery activity routine. Protocols are proposed for resuming our routines, analyzing countries' experience at an advanced stage of the pandemic

Knots in the outer shells of the planetary nebulae IC 2553 and NGC 5882

We present images and high-resolution spectra of the planetary nebulae IC 2553 and NGC 5882. Spatio-kinematic modeling of the nebulae shows that they are composed of a markedly elongated inner shell, and of a less aspherical outer shell expanding at a considerably higher velocity than the inner one. Embedded in the outer shells of both nebulae are found several low-ionization knots. In IC 2553, the knots show a point-symmetric distribution with respect to the central star: one possible explanation for their formation is that they are the survivors of pre-existing point-symmetric condensations in the AGB wind, a fact which would imply a quite peculiar mass-loss geometry from the giant progenitor. In the case of NGC 5882, the lack of symmetry in the distribution of the observed low-ionization structures makes it possible that they are the result of in situ instabilities.Comment: 20 pages including 1 table and 6 figures. ApJ accepted. Also available at http://andromeda.roque.ing.iac.es/~sanchez/ingpub/index2000.htm

Partial response to first generation SSA guides the choice and predict the outcome of second line therapy in acromegaly

Treatment of acromegaly resistant to first generation somatostatin analogues (first gen-SSA) is often difficult. We aimed to investigate the role of partial response and resistance to first gen-SSA in the choice of second line treatments and their outcomes

Co-Expression of Podoplanin and CD44 in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Epiretinal Membranes

Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are sheets of tissue that pathologically develop in the vitreoretinal interface leading to progressive vision loss. They are formed by different cell types and by an exuberant deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Recently, we reviewed ERMs’ extracellular matrix components to better understand molecular dysfunctions that trigger and fuel the onset and development of this disease. The bioinformatics approach we applied delineated a comprehensive overview on this fibrocellular tissue and on critical proteins that could really impact ERM physiopathology. Our interactomic analysis proposed the hyaluronic-acid-receptor cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) as a central regulator of ERM aberrant dynamics and progression. Interestingly, the interaction between CD44 and podoplanin (PDPN) was shown to promote directional migration in epithelial cells. PDPN is a glycoprotein overexpressed in various cancers and a growing body of evidence indicates its relevant function in several fibrotic and inflammatory pathologies. The binding of PDPN to partner proteins and/or its ligand results in the modulation of signaling pathways regulating proliferation, contractility, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix remodeling, all processes that are vital in ERM formation. In this context, the understanding of the PDPN role can help to modulate signaling during fibrosis, hence opening a new line of therap

Atendimento Educacional Especializado e processos de avaliação: o que dizem as narrativas dos professores

Este estudo constitui parte integrante da pesquisa ObservatórioNacional de Educação Especial: Estudo em Rede Nacional sobre as Salas de Recursos Multifuncionais nas Escolas Comuns (ONEESP)que objetiva a avaliação do Programa de Salas Multifuncionais, implantado pelo MEC, desde o ano de 2005. O Observatório foi realizado em vários estados brasileiros, dentre eles, o Espírito Santo. No contexto capixaba, teve como metodologia de trabalho a constituição de encontros formativos/investigativos envolvendo profissionais que atuam na modalidade de Educação Especial para a oferta do atendimento educacional especializado. Os encontros criaram oportunidades para os professores narrarem as possibilidades e os desafios existentes na formação docente, na avaliação dos estudantes e na oferta do atendimento educacional especializado no contexto da Educação Especial em uma perspectiva inclusiva. O presente artigo busca focalizar as articulações entre o atendimento educacional especializado e os processos de avaliação, no tocante à apropriação do conhecimento pelos estudantes com deficiência, com transtornos globais do desenvolvimento e com altas habilidades ou superdotação. Dialoga com os aportes teóricos sobre o direito à Educação, a partir do pensamento de Carlos Roberto Jamil Cury e a questão do conhecimento, considerando o pensamento de Boaventura de Sousa Santos, além de pesquisadores da modalidade Educação Especial. Os resultados apontam que a avaliação influencia a sistematização do planejamento dos trabalhos pedagógicos executados nas salas de aula comum e nas salas de recursos multifuncionais; a articulação do currículo escolar com os percursos de aprendizagem dos alunos; a maneira como os professores subjetivam os estudantes; e os acompanham. O estudo indica que por meio da avaliação, se delineiam diferentes estratégias e propostas de intervenção

Abnormal nociception and opiate sensitivity of STOP null mice exhibiting elevated levels of the endogenous alkaloid morphine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background-</p> <p>Mice deficient for the stable tubule only peptide (STOP) display altered dopaminergic neurotransmission associated with severe behavioural defects including disorganized locomotor activity. Endogenous morphine, which is present in nervous tissues and synthesized from dopamine, may contribute to these behavioral alterations since it is thought to play a role in normal and pathological neurotransmission.</p> <p>Results-</p> <p>In this study, we showed that STOP null brain structures, including cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord, contain high endogenous morphine amounts. The presence of elevated levels of morphine was associated with the presence of a higher density of mu opioid receptor with a higher affinity for morphine in STOP null brains. Interestingly, STOP null mice exhibited significantly lower nociceptive thresholds to thermal and mechanical stimulations. They also had abnormal behavioural responses to the administration of exogenous morphine and naloxone. Low dose of morphine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant mechanical antinociception in STOP null mice whereas it has no effect on wild-type mice. High concentration of naloxone (1 mg/kg) was pronociceptive for both mice strain, a lower concentration (0.1 mg/kg) was found to increase the mean mechanical nociceptive threshold only in the case of STOP null mice.</p> <p>Conclusions-</p> <p>Together, our data show that STOP null mice displayed elevated levels of endogenous morphine, as well as an increase of morphine receptor affinity and density in brain. This was correlated with hypernociception and impaired pharmacological sensitivity to mu opioid receptor ligands.</p

Profile of pterostilbene-induced redox homeostasis modulation in cardiac myoblasts and heart tissue

This study was designed to investigate the effect of pterostilbene (PTS) on cardiac oxidative stress in vitro, as this is a simple and promising methodology to study cardiac disease. Cardiac myoblasts (H9c2 cells) and homogenised cardiac tissue were incubated with the PTS and cyclodextrin (PTS ? HPbCD) complex for 1 and 24 h, respectively, at concentrations of 50 lM for the cells and 25 and 50 lM for cardiac tissue. The PTS ? HPbCD complex was used to increase the solubility of PTS in water. After the pretreatment period, cardiomyoblasts were challenged with hydrogen peroxide (6.67 lM) for 10 min, while cardiac tissue was submitted to a hydroxyl radical generator system (30 min). Cellular viability, oxidative stress biomarkers (e.g. total reactive oxygen species (ROS), carbonyl assay and lipoperoxidation) and the antioxidant response (e.g. sulfhydryl and the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) were evaluated. In cardiomyoblasts, the PTS ? HPbCD complex (50 lM) increased cellular viability. Moreover, the PTS ? HPbCD complex also significantly increased sulfhydryl levels in the cells submitted to an oxidative challenge. In cardiac tissue, lipid peroxidation, carbonyls and ROS levels were significantly increased in the groups submitted to oxidative damage, while the PTS ? HPbCD complex significantly reduced ROS levels in these groups. In addition, the PTS ? HPbCD complex also provoked increased catalase activity in both experimental protocols. These data suggest that the PTS ? HPbCD complex may play a cardioprotective role through a reduction of ROS levels associated with an improved antioxidant response

Atendimento Educacional Especializado e processos de avaliação: o que dizem as narrativas dos professores

Este estudo constitui parte integrante da pesquisa ObservatórioNacional de Educação Especial: Estudo em Rede Nacional sobre as Salas de Recursos Multifuncionais nas Escolas Comuns (ONEESP)que objetiva a avaliação do Programa de Salas Multifuncionais, implantado pelo MEC, desde o ano de 2005. O Observatório foi realizado em vários estados brasileiros, dentre eles, o Espírito Santo. No contexto capixaba, teve como metodologia de trabalho a constituição de encontros formativos/investigativos envolvendo profissionais que atuam na modalidade de Educação Especial para a oferta do atendimento educacional especializado. Os encontros criaram oportunidades para os professores narrarem as possibilidades e os desafios existentes na formação docente, na avaliação dos estudantes e na oferta do atendimento educacional especializado no contexto da Educação Especial em uma perspectiva inclusiva. O presente artigo busca focalizar as articulações entre o atendimento educacional especializado e os processos de avaliação, no tocante à apropriação do conhecimento pelos estudantes com deficiência, com transtornos globais do desenvolvimento e com altas habilidades ou superdotação. Dialoga com os aportes teóricos sobre o direito à Educação, a partir do pensamento de Carlos Roberto Jamil Cury e a questão do conhecimento, considerando o pensamento de Boaventura de Sousa Santos, além de pesquisadores da modalidade Educação Especial. Os resultados apontam que a avaliação influencia a sistematização do planejamento dos trabalhos pedagógicos executados nas salas de aula comum e nas salas de recursos multifuncionais; a articulação do currículo escolar com os percursos de aprendizagem dos alunos; a maneira como os professores subjetivam os estudantes; e os acompanham. O estudo indica que por meio da avaliação, se delineiam diferentes estratégias e propostas de intervenção