Mesenchymal stromal cells in chronic respiratory diseases: What’s new?

Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are a major health issue worldwide due to their growing prevalence and high economic costs, which include prolonged medication use and frequent hospitalizations. Both asthma and COPD are incurable, and each is characterized by chronic inflammation, tissue remodeling, and ultrastructural alterations that might not be amenable to available therapies. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic, immunosuppressive cells found in bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta, and other tissues and have demonstrated anti-inflammatory actions in a number of preclinical models of asthma and COPD. Although the entire repertoire of action of MSCs has not been elucidated, there is growing interest in the potential clinical utility of MSC-based cell therapy in chronic respiratory diseases. The present review will focus on the most recent mechanisms that have been elucidated from preclinical studies in asthma and COPD. In addition, a comprehensive review of clinical trials conducted to date will be presented.Sociedad Argentina de Fisiologí

Semicrystalline Polythiophene-Based Nanoparticles Deposited from Water on Flexible PET/ITO Substrates as a Sustainable Approach toward Long-Lasting Solid-State Electrochromic Devices

info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/734834/EU FCT/MEC (UIDB/50006/2020). PhD grant SFRH/BD/139171/2018 from FCT/MCTES. We are very grateful to Dr. Carlos Pinheiro and Ynvisible company for discussions and assistance in the assembly of the electrochromic devices.We report the use of films of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) nanoparticles (P3HT-NPs) prepared with the reprecipitation method employing water as solvent in the absence of surfactants for solid-state electrochromic devices (ECDs) and prove that these displays present enhanced properties when compared to similar ECDs with thin films deposited from chloroform. Films of differently sized nanoparticles (100 to 400 nm) were prepared and spray-coated on flexible PET-ITO substrates and tested for electrochromic properties. ECDs with switching times (t(90)) of 4 s were obtained using P3HT-NPs with a diameter of 100 nm, while those built using P3HT thin film presented longer switching speeds over 13 s for reduction (bleached to colored state). Additionally, the devices were subjected to 1000 cycles using -1.5 V/1.5 V, and the displays using P3HT 100 nm NPs presented higher transmittances (Delta(T) = +/- 20%) when compared with devices with P3HT thin film due to a more efficient oxidation step. Our data show that the availability of colloidal nanoparticles made of conjugated polymers deposited from water is an environmentally sustainable strategy leading to electrochromic devices with improved properties.authorsversionpublishe

Transportation assessment in simulated curved canals after preparation with twisted file adaptive and bt-race instruments

This study compared the incidence of deviation along curved canals after preparation with two nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary systems, Twisted File Adaptive and BT-RaCe. Forty resin training blocks with curved canals were filled with ink and divided into two groups according to the instrumentation technique. Preinstrumentation images were acquired by using a stereomicroscope. The canals were up to an instrument #35/0.04. Postinstrumentation images were captured using the same conditions, and the images were superimposed. The amount of resin removed was measured at 8 different points, beginning at the apical terminus of the canal. Differences in the mesial and distal aspects were measured to evaluate the occurrence of deviation. The Student?s-t test was used for comparison of the intragroup deviation. Intergroup analysis was performed by using one-way ANOVA for each level. For multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni test was used and a cutoff for significance was set at 5%. Intragroup analysis showed that both instrumentation techniques promoted some deviation at all levels. BT-RaCe showed significantly lower deviation at 0 and 4-mm levels than Group Twisted File Adaptive (p<0.05). On the other hand BT-RaCe showed worse performance at level 6. The results of this study demonstrated that none of the NiTi tested systems was able to instrument curved canals simulated in resin blocks without some deviation during the preparation. There is still need for improvement in the instruments manufacturing aiming the better performance of endodontic files in curved root canals

Mechanomodulatory biomaterials prospects in scar prevention and treatment

Scarring is a major clinical issue that affects a considerable number of patients. The associated problems go beyond the loss of skin functionality, as scars bring aesthetic, psychological, and social difficulties. Therefore, new strategies are required to improve the process of healing and minimize scar formation. Research has highlighted the important role of mechanical forces in the process of skin tissue repair and scar formation, in addition to the chemical signalling. A more complete understanding of how engi- neered biomaterials can modulate these mechanical stimuli and modify the mechanotransduction signals in the wound microenvironment is expected to enable scar tissue reduction. The present review aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of skin biomechanics and mechanobiology underlying wound healing and scar formation, with an emphasis on the development of novel mechanomodulatory wound dressings with the capacity to offload mechanical tension in the wound environment. Further- more, a broad overview of current challenges and future perspectives of promising mechanomodulatory biomaterials for this application are provided.The authors would like to acknowledge Portuguese Foun dation for Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the research project Dressing4Scars M-ERA-NET2/0013/2016, and LP da Silva (2020.01541.CEECIND/CP1600/CT0024), and to Norte-01-0145-FEDER-02219015 (MT Cerqueira)

Randomized double-blind clinical trial of a new human epoetin versus a commercially available formula for anemia control in patients on hemodialysis

OBJECTIVES: Anemia is a common complication among chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis, occurring mostly due to erythropoietin deficiency. This randomized noninferiority trial sought to compare the efficacy and safety of a new epoetin formulation developed by Bio-Manguinhos, a biologics manufacturer affiliated with the Brazilian government, with those of a commercially available product currently used in Brazil (a biosimilar epoetin formulation). METHODS: The sample size needed to enable demonstration of noninferiority with a statistical power of 85% for a between-group difference in hemoglobin levels of no more than 1.5 g/dL was calculated. In total, 74 patients were randomly assigned to receive the epoetin formulation from Bio-Manguinhos (n = 36) or the biosimilar epoetin formulation (n = 38) in a double-blind fashion. The inclusion criteria were current epoetin therapy and stable hemoglobin levels for at least 3 months prior to the study. The primary and secondary outcomes were mean monthly hemoglobin levels and safety, respectively. The dose was calculated according to international criteria and adjusted monthly in both groups according to hemoglobin levels and at the assistant physicians' discretion. Iron storage was estimated at baseline and once monthly. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01184495. RESULTS: The study was conducted for 6 months after randomization. The mean baseline hemoglobin levels were 10.9±1.2 and 10.96±1.2 g/dL (p = 0.89) in the Bio-Manguinhos epoetin and biosimilar epoetin groups, respectively. During the study period, there was no significant change in hemoglobin levels in either group (p = 0.055, ANOVA). The epoetin from Bio-Manguinhos was slightly superior in the last 3 months of follow-up. The adverse event profiles of the two formulations were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: The epoetin formulations tested in this study are equivalent in efficacy and safety

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on interleukin and neurotrophin levels in an animal model of schizophrenia

New studies suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3, may reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia. The present study evaluated the preventive effect of omega-3 on interleukines (IL) and neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brains of young rats subjected to a model of schizophrenia. Treatment was performed over 21 days, starting on the 30th day of rat’s life. After 14 days of treatment with omega-3 or vehicle, a concomitant treatment with saline or ketamine (25 mg/kg) was started and maintained until the last day of the experiment. BDNF levels in the rat’s prefrontal cortex were decreased at 1 h and 24 h after the last administration of ketamine, whereas the group administered with ketamine and omega-3 showed a decrease in BDNF levels only after 24 h. In contrast, both interventions induced similar responses in levels of IL-1β and IL6. These findings suggest that the similarity of IL-1β and IL6 levels in our experimental groups is due to the mechanism of action of ketamine on the immune system. More studies have to be carried out to explain this pathology. In conclusion, according to previous studies and considering the current study, we could suggest a prophylactic role of omega-3 against the outcome of symptoms associated with schizophrenia

Recurrent Gastrointestinal Bleeding from Dieulafoy’s Lesions in a Patient with Type 1 von Willebrand Disease: A Rare Association

Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most prevalent hereditary bleeding disorder, affecting 0.6–1.3% of the population. While gastrointestinal bleeding from angiodysplasia is a well-known complication of vWD, the same is not true for Dieulafoy’s lesions (DLs). We report the case of a 21-year-old black male with type 1 vWD and 2 previous hospital admissions for severe anemia with no visible blood loss. In both episodes, DLs were identified and treated endoscopically, one in the stomach and another in the duodenum. The patient presented to the emergency department in September 2016 with dizziness, fatigue, and again no visible blood loss. He was hemodynamically stable, and laboratory workup showed a hemoglobin level of 3.4 g/dL. After transfusion of packed red blood cells, intravenous iron, and von Willebrand factor/factor VIII concentrate infusions, the patient underwent upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, which were normal. Small-bowel capsule endoscopy showed dark blood and a fresh clot in the proximal jejunum. At this site, push enteroscopy identified a pulsatile vessel with an overlying minimal mucosal defect, consistent with a DL, type 2b of the Yano-Yamamoto classification, which was successfully treated with adrenaline and 2 hemoclips. The patient remains stable after 18 months of follow-up, with a hemoglobin level of 13.2 g/dL. This is a case of recurrent severe occult gastrointestinal bleeding from multiple DL in a young patient with vWD who is otherwise healthy. Three other cases of DL bleeding in the setting of vWD have been reported in the literature, suggesting a possible association between these 2 entities

On the local corrosion behavior of coupled welded zones of the 2098-T351 Al-Cu-Li alloy produced by Friction Stir Welding (FSW): An amperometric and potentiometric microelectrochemical investigation

Electrochimica Acta 373 (2021) 137910, 12 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2021.137910.The galvanic coupling effects and the local electrochemical activity developed along the welded zones in FSWelded 2098-T351 Al-Cu-Li alloy have been investigated using localized electrochemical methods supported by surface analytical characterizations. The investigation was carried out in the coupled welding joint/heat affected zones (WJ/HAZ) for both the retreating (RS) and the advancing (AS) sides. The correlation between surface chemistry, microstructural features and electrochemical activity of these welded zones has been studied. The results showed the development of galvanic interactions within and between the WJ and the HAZ regions that were visualized using the Scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). SVET analyses showed that the HAZ was more susceptible to the development of anodic sites compared to WJ. SECM in amperometric operation mode showed that the WJ coupled to HAZ presented higher oxygen consumption and greater cathodic activity compared to HAZ. Furthermore, SECM in the potentiometric operation mode showed alkalization on the WJ and increased acidity on the HAZ, mainly at severe localized corrosion (SLC) sites. Based on SVET and SECM results in combination surface analysis, it is proposed that the micro-galvanic cells formed within these welded zones are due to the presence of secondary phases in the 2098-T351 alloy and their interactions with the adjacent matrix

Upscaling numérico baseado em uma metodologia multiescala para a simulação de escoamentos em reservatórios de petróleo heterogêneos e anisotrópicos / Numerical upscaling based on a multiscale methodology for simulating flows in heterogeneous and anisotropic oil reservoirs

This work aims to develop a scale transfer methodology in highly heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media, that makes it possible to solve elliptical problems with accuracy and low computational cost. A scale transfer method is developed that uses the Multiscale Finite Volume Method (MSFVM) to perform a flow based numerical upscaling of absolute permeability. The transmissibility matrix was built in the coarse mesh over the projection and restriction operators obtaining permeability in the coarse scale. This allows to solve only local problems in the coarse mesh volumes and to use pressure multiscale solution in the fine mesh. The permeability field can be obtained by different strategies, and enabling simulations directly on the coarse mesh, controlling the accuracy of the solutions and also with the possibility of updating the permeability field over the recalculated locally conservative multiscale solution.