Anti-tumour activity of tachykinin NK1receptor antagonists on human glioma U373 MG xenograft

Astrocytes harbour functional receptors to many neurotransmitters, including substance P (SP), an undecapeptide belonging to the tachykinin family of peptide transmitters. SP activates malignant glial cells to induce cytokine release and proliferation, both responses being relevant for tumour progression. In tumours developed in nude mice transplanted subcutaneously (s.c.) to U373 MG human glioma cells, the presence of SP was observed at immunohistochemistry. Although the administration of exogenous SP did not significantly affect the size or development of U373 MG xenograft, a role of SP in supporting glioma progression in vivo was highlighted by the tumour growth inhibition induced by highly specific and selective human tachykinin NK1receptor antagonists (MEN 11467 and MEN 11149). The anti-tumour activity of MEN 11467 was observed both with s.c. or intravenous treatments and was partially reverted by the concomitant administration of exogenous SP. Doxorubicin did not show any activity in controlling U373 MG growth in this in vivo model. A novel therapeutic approach to treat malignant gliomas with tachykinin NK1receptor antagonists is suggested by these findings. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

MEG3 long noncoding RNA regulates the TGF-β pathway genes through formation of RNA-DNA triplex structures

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression by association with chromatin, but how they target chromatin remains poorly understood. We have used chromatin RNA immunoprecipitation-coupled high-throughput sequencing to identify 276 lncRNAs enriched in repressive chromatin from breast cancer cells. Using one of the chromatin-interacting lncRNAs, MEG3, we explore the mechanisms by which lncRNAs target chromatin. Here we show that MEG3 and EZH2 share common target genes, including the TGF-β pathway genes. Genome-wide mapping of MEG3 binding sites reveals that MEG3 modulates the activity of TGF-β genes by binding to distal regulatory elements. MEG3 binding sites have GA-rich sequences, which guide MEG3 to the chromatin through RNA-DNA triplex formation. We have found that RNA-DNA triplex structures are widespread and are present over the MEG3 binding sites associated with the TGF-β pathway genes. Our findings suggest that RNA-DNA triplex formation could be a general characteristic of target gene recognition by the chromatin-interacting lncRNAs

Sustainable 3D Printing: Design Opportunities and Research Perspectives

As 3D Printing process, technologies and tools are rapidly becoming pervasive and used both in industrial and in non-industrial contexts, the risk to have new unsustainable printing processes and production’s behaviours is high and, potentially, can led to the increasing of environmental emergency (unsustainable growth). On the other hand, Design for Sustainability works, since late 80’s, on the mitigation of production’s environmental foot-print and, recently, on the development of socio-technical systems and distributed hybrid solutions empowering both environmental aspects and socio-economic ones. This paper investigates the new concept of Sustainable 3D Printing using recent Design for Sustainability’s research theories and design approaches, in order to evaluate, and later describes, promising design opportunities and research perspectives that can be used and taken into account, simultaneously, by designers, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to support the societal transition toward sustainable ways of design, production and consumption

Mãe e filho: os primeiros laços de aproximação Madre e hijo: los primeros lazos de aproximación Mother and child: the first ties of closeness

Estudo qualitativo exploratório-descritivo, realizado no Centro Obstétrico do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, de agosto a novembro de 2008, com o objetivo de identificar e analisar os sentimentos maternos expressados pelas mães durante o contato íntimo com os filhos, logo após o parto. Os dados foram coletados pela observação participante e entrevista semiestruturada com 11 mulheres e seus filhos. A análise foi realizada com o suporte da reflexão sobre a Teoria do Apego. Emergiram cinco categorias: a) Sentimentos na hora da expulsão: a espera ansiosa pelo choro do bebê; b) O recebimento do filho; c) Sentimentos quanto às respostas do filho à aproximação; d) A primeira separação; e e) Sentimentos sobre o acompanhante nas primeiras aproximações com o filho. Conclui-se que os primeiros contatos, na percepção das mulheres, são preponderantes para propiciar o reconhecimento entre mãe e filho, estimulando e incentivando o aprendizado das tarefas culturais da maternagem.<br>Estudio cualitativo exploratorio-descriptivo, realizado en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Universitario de la Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina, de agosto a noviembre de 2008, con el objetivo de identificar y analizar los sentimientos de las madres expresados durante el contacto intimo con sus hijos después del parto. Los datos fueron colectados por medio de observación participante y entrevistas semi-estructuradas, con once mujeres y sus hijos. El análisis fue realizado basándose en la Teoría del Apego. Surgieron cinco categorías: a) Sentimientos en el momento de la expulsión del bebé: la espera ansiosa por el llanto del bebé; b) El momento de acoger el recién nacido ; c) Sentimientos relacionadas con las respuestas del hijo con la aproximación materna; d) La primera separación; y e) Sentimientos sobre quien acompaña a la madre durante las primeras aproximaciones con el hijo. Se concluyó , que en la percepción de las mujeres, los primeros contactosson preponderantes para propiciar el reconocimiento entre madre e hijo, estimulando e incentivando el aprendizaje de las tareas culturales de la maternidad.<br>The objective of this qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study is to identify and analyze the maternal feelings mothers expressed during intimate contact with their children, immediately upon birth. It was carried out in the Obstetrics Center of the University Hospital at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, from August to November of 2008. Data was collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, involving eleven women and their children. Analysis was based upon reflective support from the Attachment Theory (Teoria do Apego). Five categories emerged: a) Feelings from the moment of expulsion: the anxious wait for the baby's cry; b) Receiving the child; c) Feelings as the child's responses to approximation; d) The first separation; and, e) Feelings towards the companion in initial approximations with their child. We conclude that initial contacts, according to women, are preponderant towards promoting recognition between mother and child, stimulating and giving incentive towards learning cultural tasks in maternity

Breastfeeding knowledge and practice of health professionals in public health care services Conocimientos y prácticas de profesionales de la salud sobre amamantamiento materno en servicios públicos de salud Conhecimentos e práticas de profissionais de saúde sobre aleitamento materno em serviços públicos de saúde

This study evaluated breastfeeding knowledge and practice of professionals who care for infants at health care services in a city in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. This epidemiological study was carried out with a population of 89 nurses and physicians. Their answers to a structured questionnaire were analyzed in total and by place of work through the test for difference between proportions (Chi-square) with the level of significance at p<0.05. Data analysis was performed according to the Ministry of Health recommendations. The significant differences found for knowledge and practice, according to place of work, were restricted to certain aspects. Results of average scores were slightly better for professionals from the basic care units. Regular and poor performance were found in different studied aspects regardless of place of work, which suggest that potential educational interventions in this subject should include professionals at all levels of health care.<br>Se tuvo por objetivo evaluar los conocimientos y las prácticas sobre amamantamiento materno que tienen los profesionales que atienden lactantes en unidades de atención básica, o maternidades públicas, de un municipio del interior del estado de Sao Paulo, en Brasil. Es estudio epidemiológico, siendo la población compuesta por 89 enfermeros y médicos. Sus respuestas a un cuestionario estructurado fueron analizadas en su totalidad y según el local de trabajo, aplicándose la prueba de diferencia de proporciones (chi-cuadrado), considerándose p<0,05 como nivel crítico. Como parámetros de aciertos fueron consideradas las recomendaciones del Ministerio de la Salud. Las diferencias significativas para conocimientos y prácticas, según el local de trabajo, fueron restrictas a algunos aspectos, con resultados discretamente mejores de los puntajes promedios de aciertos de los profesionales de las unidades de atención básica. Independientemente del local de trabajo, se verificó desempeño regular y malo en diferentes aspectos estudiados, indicando que posibles intervenciones para la capacitación en esa temática deberán incluir profesionales de todos los niveles de atención a la salud.<br>Objetivou-se avaliar conhecimentos e práticas sobre aleitamento materno de profissionais que atendem lactentes em unidades de atenção básica, ou maternidades públicas, de município do interior paulista, Brasil. É estudo epidemiológico, sendo a população composta por 89 enfermeiros e médicos. Suas respostas a um questionário estruturado foram analisadas no total e segundo o local de trabalho, aplicando-se o teste de diferença de proporções (qui-quadrado), considerando-se p<0,05 como nível crítico. Como parâmetros de acertos foram consideradas as recomendações do Ministério da Saúde. As diferenças significativas para conhecimentos e práticas, segundo o local de trabalho, foram restritas a alguns aspectos, com resultados discretamente melhores dos escores médios de acertos dos profissionais das unidades de atenção básica. Independente do local de trabalho, verificou-se desempenho regular e ruim em diferentes aspectos estudados, indicando que possíveis intervenções para a capacitação nessa temática deverão incluir profissionais de todos os níveis de atenção à saúde