Cancer relevance of signal recognition particle RNA and other non-coding RNAs in extracellular vesicles

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Extracellular Vesicles from Thyroid Carcinoma: The New Frontier of Liquid Biopsy

The diagnostic approach to thyroid cancer is one of the most challenging issues in oncology of the endocrine system because of its high incidence (3.8% of all new cancer cases in the US) and the difficulty to distinguish benign from malignant non-functional thyroid nodules and establish the cervical lymph node involvement during staging. Routine diagnosis of thyroid nodules usually relies on a fine-needle aspirate biopsy, which is invasive and often inaccurate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel, accurate, and non-invasive diagnostic procedures. Liquid biopsy, as a non-invasive approach for the detection of diagnostic biomarkers for early tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring, may be of particular benefit in this context. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a consistent source of tumor-derived RNA due to their prevalence in circulating bodily fluids, the well-established isolation protocols, and the fact that RNA in phospholipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles is protected from blood-borne RNases. Recent results in other types of cancer, including our recent study on plasma EVs from glioblastoma patients suggest that information derived from analysis of EVs from peripheral blood plasma can be integrated in the routine diagnostic tumor approach. In this review, we will examine the diagnostic and prognostic potential of liquid biopsy to detect tumor-derived nucleic acids in circulating EVs from patients with thyroid carcinoma

Anti-Human CD9 Antibody Fab Fragment Impairs the Internalization of Extracellular Vesicles and the Nuclear Transfer of their Cargo Proteins.

The intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs) has gained international interest during the last decade. Interfering with the mechanisms regulating this cellular process might find application particularly in oncology where cancer cell-derived EVs play a role in tumour microenvironment transformation. Although several mechanisms were ascribed to explain the internalization of EVs, little is our knowledge about the fate of their cargos, which are crucial to mediate their function. We recently demonstrated a new intracellular pathway in which a fraction of endocytosed EV-associated proteins is transported into the nucleoplasm of the host cell via a subpopulation of late endosomes penetrating into the nucleoplasmic reticulum. Silencing tetraspanin CD9 both in EVs and recipient cells strongly decreased the endocytosis of EVs and abolished the nuclear transfer of their cargos. Here, we investigated whether monovalent Fab fragments derived from 5H9 anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody (referred hereafter as CD9 Fab) interfered with these cellular processes. To monitor the intracellular transport of proteins, we used fluorescent EVs containing CD9-green fluorescent protein fusion protein and various melanoma cell lines and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells as recipient cells. Interestingly, CD9 Fab considerably reduced EV uptake and the nuclear transfer of their proteins in all examined cells. In contrast, the divalent CD9 antibody stimulated both events. By impeding intercellular communication in the tumour microenvironment, CD9 Fab-mediated inhibition of EV uptake, combined with direct targeting of cancerous cells could lead to the development of novel anti-melanoma therapeutic strategies

Nano-scale hydrogen-bond network improves the durability of greener cements

More than ever before, the world's increasing need for new infrastructure demands the construction of efficient, sustainable and durable buildings, requiring minimal climate-changing gas-generation in their production. Maintenance-free “greener” building materials made from blended cements have advantages over ordinary Portland cements, as they are cheaper, generate less carbon dioxide and are more durable. The key for the improved performance of blends (which substitute fine amorphous silicates for cement) is related to their resistance to water penetration. The mechanism of this water resistance is of great environmental and economical impact but is not yet understood due to the complexity of the cement's hydration reactions. Using neutron spectroscopy, we studied a blend where cement was replaced by ash from sugar cane residuals originating from agricultural waste. Our findings demonstrate that the development of a distinctive hydrogen bond network at the nano-scale is the key to the performance of these greener materials

Spatial and temporal distribution of cetaceans in the mid-Atlantic waters around the Azores

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2013. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Taylor & Francis for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Marine Biology Research 10 (2014): 123-137, doi:10.1080/17451000.2013.793814.Cetaceans living in offshore waters are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic activities. Yet, due to the lack of survey effort, relatively little is known about the demography or ecology of these populations. Spatial and temporal distribution of cetaceans in mid-Atlantic waters were investigated using a long term dataset collected from boat surveys and land-based observations around the Azores. From 1999 to 2009, 7307 cetacean schools were sighted during 271717 km of survey effort. In 4944 h of land-based observations, 2968 cetacean groups were detected. Twenty-four species were recorded: seven baleen whales, six beaked whales, eight dolphin species, Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps and K. sima. Overall, Delphinus delphis was the most frequently sighted species but its encounter rate decreased in June- November, coinciding with presence of Stenella frontalis in the region. Tursiops truncatus, P. macrocephalus and Grampus griseus were frequently encountered yearround, whereas large baleen whales showed a distinct peak in encounter rates in March-May. Mesoplodonts were fairly common and appear to be present throughout the year. These findings fill-in a significant gap in the knowledge of cetaceans occurring in a poorly studied region of the North Atlantic, providing much needed data to inform management initiatives.This work was supported by FEDER funds, through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme – COMPETE, by national funds, through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, under projects CETAMARH (POCTI/BSE/38991/01) and TRACE (PTDC/MAR/74071/2006), and by regional funds, through DRCT/SRCTE, under project MAPCET (M2.1.2/F/012/2011). We thank the Azorean Regional Government for funding POPA, the Shipowners Proprietors and the Association of the Tuna Canning Industries for their support to the programme. MAS was supported by an FCT postdoctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/29841/2006), and IC and RP were supported by doctoral grants SFRH/BD/41192/2007 and SFRH/BD/32520/2006. IMAR-DOP/UAç is the R&D Unit #531 and part of the Associated Laboratory #9 (ISR) funded through the pluri-annual and programmatic funding schemes of FCT-MCTES and DRCTAzores

Quality characteristics of virgin coconut oil:Comparisons with refined coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a vegetable oil that is extracted from fresh coconut meat and is processed using only physical and other natural means. VCO was compared to refined, bleached, and deodorized coconut oil (RCO) using standard quality parameters, 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and headspace solid-phase micro - extraction/gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME/GCMS). VCO tends to have higher free fatty acids (FFAs), moisture, and volatile matter and lower peroxide value than RCO. However, the range of values overlap and no single standard parameter alone can be 31 used to differentiate VCO from RCO. Using 31P NMR, VCO and RCO can be distinguished in terms of the total amount of diglycerides: VCO showed an average content (w/w %) of 1.55, whereas RCO gave an average of 4.10. There was no overlap in the values found for individual VCO and RCO samples. There are four common methods of producing VCO: expeller (EXP), centrifuge (CEN), and fermentation with and without heat. VCO products prepared using these four methods could not be differentiated using standard quality parameters. Sensory analysis showed that VCO produced by fermentation (with and without heat) could be distinguished from those produced using the EXP and CEN methods; this sensory differentiation correlated with the higher levels of acetic acid and octanoic acid in the VCO produced by fermentation. Studies on physicochemical deterioration of VCO showed that VCO is stable to chemical and photochemical oxidation and hydrolysis. VCO is most susceptible to microbial attack, which leads to the formation of various organic acids, in particular, lactic acid. However, at moisture levels below 0.06 %, microbial action is significantly lessened

Extracellular lipidosomes containing lipid droplets and mitochondria are released during melanoma cell division

Background: The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide. Since metastatic melanoma is highly aggressive, it is important to decipher all the biological aspects of melanoma cells. In this context, we have previously shown that metastatic FEMX-I melanoma cells release small (< 150 nm) extracellular vesicles (EVs) known as exosomes and ectosomes containing the stem (and cancer stem) cell antigenic marker CD133. EVs play an important role in intercellular communication, which could have a micro-environmental impact on surrounding tissues. Results: We report here a new type of large CD133+ EVs released by FEMX-I cells. Their sizes range from 2 to 6 µm and they contain lipid droplets and mitochondria. Real-time video microscopy revealed that these EVs originate from the lipid droplet-enriched cell extremities that did not completely retract during the cell division process. Once released, they can be taken up by other cells. Silencing CD133 significantly affected the cellular distribution of lipid droplets, with a re-localization around the nuclear compartment. As a result, the formation of large EVs containing lipid droplets was severely compromised. Conclusion: Given the biochemical effect of lipid droplets and mitochondria and/or their complexes on cell metabolism, the release and uptake of these new large CD133+ EVs from dividing aggressive melanoma cells can influence both donor and recipient cells, and therefore impact melanoma growth and dissemination.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Care of elderly in Portugal: Official data and scientific and professional challenges

First published online: 10 August 2019The world has never been so active in approaching human needs and human rights. As the population has become older, new kind of pressures has been made over health and protective services, as well as on research targeted to older adults. This chapter presents the scientific and practical developments in the field of elder mistreatment in Portugal. An overview of the scientific trends in Portuguese research is presented. National research on elder mistreatment has been increasing slowly. The current national scenery is focused on prevalence data and identifying risk and vulnerabilities. This chapter will also discuss the support structures available for mistreated older adults in Portugal, namely the current legal framework and the institutions/entities that offer aid to the victims. Legally, elder mistreatment in Portugal is no different from domestic violence, though some legislative advances have been seen in abandonment. Some structures have been developed over the years to offer aid to older adults, from special programs in the police to private institutions, passing by government supported initiatives.This study was conducted at Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653). The first author was funded by a scholarship from the Portuguese Foundations for Science and Technology - FCT - (PD/BD/105965/2014