Targeting of sterically stabilised pH-sensitive liposomes to human T-leukaemia cells

The main aim of this work was to develop novel targeted sterically stabilised pH-sensitive liposomes tailored to promote efficient intracellular delivery of therapeutic molecules into human T-leukaemia cells. Our results indicate that the targeting moiety (thiolated transferrin) was successfully coupled to the distal reactive maleimide terminus of poly(ethylene glycol)-phospholipid conjugates incorporated in the liposomal bilayer. Results from atomic force microscopy studies, performed to characterise vesicle surface topology, indicated that, to a certain extent, thiolated transferrin has the ability to associate in a non-specific manner with the lipid membrane of pegylated liposomes. This is an issue not commonly reported in the literature but which is crucial to demonstrate the targeting proof of principle. Nevertheless, fluorimetric studies together with confocal microscopy clearly demonstrate that liposomes bearing covalently coupled transferrin associate more extensively to human T-leukaemia cells in vitro than non-targeted liposomes. Cell mechanistic studies indicate that targeted liposomes bind specifically to transferrin receptors and are internalised via receptor-dependent endocytotic pathway. In addition, the biophysical features exhibited by the developed liposomes, namely their ability to promote pH-triggered cytoplasmic delivery of loaded material, make them promising delivery systems for in vivo targeting of therapeutic molecules to tumours.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6C-4DVT9WH-1/1/5592c4a7248e7be29f239e55046f842

Role of fibrinogen–erythrocyte and erythrocyte–erythrocyte adhesion on cardiovascular pathologies

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Strategic Location Model of Stationary Production Units: A Case study in the Albacora Leste field

The imminent interest in issues related to the oil and gas sector has always proved to be a profitable source of investment and research, with incremental gains and innovations in the various sectors of the offshore industry. Particularly in the context of resource localization, the adoption of mathematical models presents itself as a challenging theme. In this context, the research has the purpose of proposing a localization model of Stationary Production Units (SPU) of an oilfield located in the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The computational tests were conducted using the Lingo software, based on data from the Albacora Leste field. The results of the proposed model demonstrated a reduction of approximately 12% in the configuration costs, compared to the current location

Revisiting the term neuroprotection in chronic and degenerative diseases

Thanks to the development of several new researches, the lifetime presented a significant increase, even so, we still have many obstacles to overcome - among them, manage and get responses regarding neurodegenerative diseases. Where we are in the understanding of neuroprotection? Do we really have protective therapies for diseases considered degeneratives such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and its variants, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and many others? Neuroprotection is defined by many researches as interactions and interventions that can slow down or even inhibit the progression of neuronal degeneration process. We make some considerations on this neuroprotective effect.Department of Neurology, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Fluminense Federal University , NiteróiNeurology Service, Nova Iguaçu Hospital , PosseBrain Mapping Laboratory and Electroencephalogram, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroBrain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory, Federal University of PiauíSeverino Sombra University Center, School of Medicine , VassourasDepartment of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo , BrazilDepartment of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo , BrazilWeb of Scienc

Prey availability and temporal partitioning modulate felid coexistence in Neotropical forests

Carnivores have long been used as model organisms to examine mechanisms that allow coexistence among ecologically similar species. Interactions between carnivores, including competition and predation, comprise important processes regulating local community structure and diversity. We use data from an intensive camera-trapping monitoring program across eight Neotropical forest sites to describe the patterns of spatiotemporal organization of a guild of five sympatric cat species: jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) and margay (Leopardus wiedii). For the three largest cat species, we developed multi-stage occupancy models accounting for habitat characteristics (landscape complexity and prey availability) and models accounting for species interactions (occupancy estimates of potential competitor cat species). Patterns of habitat-use were best explained by prey availability, rather than habitat structure or species interactions, with no evidence of negative associations of jaguar on puma and ocelot occupancy or puma on ocelot occupancy. We further explore temporal activity patterns and overlap of all five felid species. We observed a moderate temporal overlap between jaguar, puma and ocelot, with differences in their activity peaks, whereas higher temporal partitioning was observed between jaguarundi and both ocelot and margay. Lastly, we conducted temporal overlap analysis and calculated species activity levels across study sites to explore if shifts in daily activity within species can be explained by varying levels of local competition pressure. Activity patterns of ocelots, jaguarundis and margays were similarly bimodal across sites, but pumas exhibited irregular activity patterns, most likely as a response to jaguar activity. Activity levels were similar among sites and observed differences were unrelated to competition or intraguild killing risk. Our study reveals apparent spatial and temporal partitioning for most of the species pairs analyzed, with prey abundance being more important than species interactions in governing the local occurrence and spatial distribution of Neotropical forest felids

Taller virtual de extensión sobre prácticas de manejo sustentable del pastoreo en cría

Agricultural extension implies a complex process of interaction between agricultural education and research, and farmers. MAS-PASTO (FAUBA) is an extension project based on the participative discussion as regards knowledge between professor-researchers, producers and professionals. The virtual workshop in 2020 aimed to help producers, who had previously participated in in-presence workshops with the group, consolidate their knowledge through practice on their own farm. For this, each farmer worked on one of the following topics: 1) sowing of pastures and annual forage; 2) management and improvement of grasslands and 3) design of forage circuits. All farmers calculated their farm meat production, regardless of the topic chosen. For 6 months, cooperative work was performed between producers, professors and a young professional agronomist. The work as regards the chosen topic was performed individually.  Finally, a meeting in which each farmer shared its work, difficulties and  findings with  their peers was carried out through a virtual platform. The workshop was assessed through surveys to participants and a SWOT analysis. The results showed that the workshop allowed them to put prior knowledge into practice and to incorporate them into their farms management. It also consolidated an effective as well as replicable method, for the generation and transference of process technologies from FAUBA to the productive sector.La extensión agropecuaria implica un proceso complejo de interacción entre la educación e investigación agropecuaria y los productores. El proyecto de extensión MAS-PASTO de la Facultad de Agronomía de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FAUBA), es un proyecto basado en la discusión participativa de conocimientos entre docentes-investigadores, productores y profesionales. El taller 2020 (virtual) tuvo como objetivo que productores, que habían participado en talleres anteriores del grupo (presenciales), afiancen los conocimientos a través de la práctica en establecimientos propios. Para esto cada productor trabajó en alguno de los siguientes ejes temáticos: 1) siembra de pasturas y verdeos; 2) manejo y mejoramiento de pastizales naturales y 3) diseño de circuitos forrajeros. Todos los productores abordaron el cálculo de la producción de carne para sus establecimientos, independientemente del eje temático elegido. Durante 6 meses, se realizó un trabajo conjunto entre productores, docentes y un joven profesional agrónomo. Se trabajó individualmente sobre la aplicación del tema elegido y, al finalizar el trabajo individual, se llevó adelante una jornada conjunta de intercambio donde cada productor presentó a sus pares en forma virtual el trabajo realizado, sus dificultades y resultados obtenidos. El taller se evaluó mediante encuestas a los participantes y la elaboración de un análisis FODA. Los resultados mostraron que el taller permitió a los productores practicar los conceptos presentados previamente e incorporarlos al manejo de sus establecimientos. A su vez, permitió consolidar un método efectivo y replicable para la generación y transferencia de tecnologías de procesos desde la FAUBA hacia el sector productivo

Gaining insight into the Clinical Practice Guideline development processes: qualitative study in a workshop to implement the GRADE proposal in Spain

BACKGROUND: The GRADE method represents a new approach to grading the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations in the preparation of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). In the context of a pilot study to assess the implementability of the system in Spain, we considered it relevant to gain an insight into the significance of the perceptions and attitudes expressed by the actual experts participating in the system try-out. METHODS: Qualitative research with an ethnographic approach, through non-participant observation and focus groups within the context of a consensus workshop in which 19 CPG experts participated to evaluate the GRADE proposal using 12 evidence tables taken from hypertension, asthma and arthritis CPGs. The interventions were recorded, under a guarantee of confidentiality. The transcriptions and field notes were analyzed, based on a sociological discourse analysis model, and the provisional findings were re-sent to participants in order to improve their validity. RESULTS: 1) Certain problems over procedure and terminology hindered the acceptance of this new method as a common reference system for the preparation of CPGs. 2). A greater closeness to clinical practice was accompanied by concerns over value judgments and subjectivity, with a demand for greater explicitness in the consensus process. 3). The type of "evidence" on which the guidelines are based, how and by whom the evidence is prepared, and what the role of the different actors should be, all constitute unresolved concerns in the CPG preparation and implementation processes. 4). The grading process is not neutral: professional background, prior experience and the degree of leadership all condition the participants' input and interactions. CONCLUSION: The findings obtained allow the quantitative evaluation to be better interpreted and, in turn, go beyond the particularities of the GRADE method. Adaptation to the complexities of clinical practice, the need for carefully designed multi-disciplinary work and the reflexivity present in the CPG preparation process, all represent lines of debate that are necessary to improve the CPG quality in the Spanish health care sector