Gold nanoparticles for nanotheranostics in leukemia – Addressing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that initiates in the bone marrow and results in the unregulated production of immature white blood cells (leukemic cells). The most homogenous subgroup of the disease is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounting for nearly 1.5 million patients worldwide. Virtually all cases harbor the genetic translocation t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2) resulting in the BCR-ABL1 gene fusion, that encodes for BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase. CML treatment success relies on an early diagnosis and the intense research towards developing effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Nanotechnology offers unprecedent advantages to tackle the shortcomings of conventional procedures for the management of CML. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have unique optical properties suitable for ex vivo biosensing applications, but can also function in vivo as nanocarriers in a theranostic approach that links treatment with diagnosis according to patient’s molecular profile. A gold nanoprobe (Au-nanoprobe) colorimetric assay was optimized for the detection of the most frequent BCR-ABL1 isoform (e14a2) and was validated on fully characterized clinical samples. This simple and cheap method enabled the direct detection of e14a2-expressing RNA samples, with accuracy and high specificity. The Au-nanoprobe assay was translated onto a microfluidics chip, resulting in a faster outcome with smaller sample volumes, due to the scale and design of the device. Additionally, a new therapeutic strategy was designed to overcome CML resistance to first line therapy, such as imatinib (IM). BCR-ABL1 gene silencing was effectively achieved in vitro, using AuNPs functionalized with polyethylene glycol and a hairpin-shaped antisense single stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligonucleotide. Furthermore, the nanoconstruct allowed to reduce the dose of IM, when tested in a combined approach, and potentiated a viability decrease of K562 cells resistant to IM. The results of this thesis strongly suggest that AuNPs are a suitable and flexible tool for CML nanotheranostics, improving detection and a personalized treatment strategy

Antagonismos discursivos nas hashtags #marqueteirosdojair e #bolsolão no Twitter nas eleições de 2018 no Brasil: contribuições da análise de redes sociais à sociologia digital

This article aims to analyze the configuration of discursive antagonisms in the hashtags #bolsolão and #marqueteirosdojair during the context of the 2018 presidential elections in Brazil. In contribution to the theoretical and methodological challenges of the Digital Sociology, we started from an interdisciplinary perspective, approaching Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe’s Theory of Discourse to the Social Network Analysis on the internet. We collected a total of 26,548 tweets from the Twitter API through the software NodeXL Pro. Thus, the two hashtags selected were investigated using a contingency analysis, according to the metrics of modularity and degree of intermediation. By doing so, we verified the elements linked to the formation of the two hashtags, describing how they are articulated according to the logics of equivalence and difference. In conclusion, our theoretical-methodological proposal enables the observation of the political polarization as a dynamic, contingent and socially contradictory phenomenon, associated with the emergence of discursive antagonisms.Este artículo pretende analizar la formación de antagonismos discursivos en los hashtags #bolsolão y #marqueteirosdojair, en el contexto polarizado de las elecciones de 2018 en Brasil. En la contribución a los desafíos teórico-metodológicos de la Sociología Digital, partimos de un enfoque interdisciplinario, llevando la Teoría del Discurso de Ernesto Laclau y Chantal Mouffe al Análisis de las Redes Sociales en Internet. A partir de esto, recogimos un total de 26.548 tweets del API de Twitter a través del software NodeXL Pro. Por lo tanto, investigamos los dos hashtags seleccionados a través de un análisis de contingencia, de acuerdo con la métrica de la modularidad y el grado de intermediación. De esta manera, verificamos qué sentidos están encadenados en la formación de los dos hashtags, describiendo cómo se articulan según las lógicas de equivalencia y diferencia. Llegamos a la conclusión de que nuestra propuesta teórico-metodológica permite observar la polarización política como un fenómeno dinámico, contingente y contradictorio en la sociedad, asociado a la aparición de antagonismos discursivos.Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a formação de antagonismos discursivos nas hashtags #bolsolão e #marqueteirosdojair, no contexto polarizado das Eleições de 2018 no Brasil. Em contribuição aos desafios teóricometodológicos da Sociologia Digital, partimos de uma abordagem interdisciplinar, articulando a Teoria do Discurso de Ernesto Laclau e Chantal Mouffe à Análise de Redes Sociais na internet. A partir disso, coletamos um total de 26.548 tweets da API do Twitter através do software NodeXL Pro. Assim, investigamos as duas hashtags selecionadas através de uma análise de contingência, conforme as métricas da modularidade e do grau de intermediação. Desse modo, verificamos quais os sentidos encadeados na formação das duas hashtags, descrevendo como estão articulados segundo as lógicas de equivalência e de diferença. Concluímos que a nossa proposta teórico-metodológica permite observar a polarização política como um fenômeno dinâmico, contingente e contraditório no social, associado à emergência de antagonismos discursivos

Discursive strategies for disinformation on WhatsApp and Twitter during the 2018 Brazilian presidential election

This paper aims to analyze and compare the discursive strategies used to spread and legitimate disinformation on Twitter and WhatsApp during the 2018 Brazilian presidential election. Our case study is the disinformation campaign used to discredit the electronic ballot that was used for the election. In this paper, we use a mixed methods approach that combined critical discourse analysis and a quantitative aggregate approach to discuss a dataset of 53 original tweets and 54 original WhatsApp messages. We focused on identifying the most used strategies in each platform. Our results show that: (1) messages on both platforms used structural strategies to portray urgency and create a negative emotional framing; (2) tweets often framed disinformation as a “rational” explanation; and, (3) while WhatsApp messages frequently relied on authorities and shared conspiracy theories, spreading less truthful stories than tweets

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Funding Information: This research was funded through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), I.P., under Project UIDB04045/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Background: Physical activity is essential in acquiring healthy lifestyle behaviors in the early years of maturational development and preventing various diseases. Resistance training (RT) is fundamental for improving body composition and is increasingly recommended for obese adolescents. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to synthesize and analyze data on the effects of RT programs in this population, seeking to develop useful recommendations for health and sports professionals. Methods: A search was performed using four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect). According to specific inclusion criteria, twenty-one studies were selected to evaluate the impact of RT on body mass index (BMI), body fat, waist circumference, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, lean mass and cardiorespiratory fitness. Results: After the RT programs, the adolescents improved their muscle strength (SMD, 1.44; 95% CI: 0.76–2.12), cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD, 1.09; 95% CI: 0.15–2.04), BMI (SMD, 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07–0.35), waist circumference (SMD, 0.27; 95% CI: 0.06–0.47) and body fat (SMD, 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.34). However, insulin sensitivity (SMD, 0.32; 95% CI: − 0.47 to 1.10) and lean mass (SMD, 0.12; 95% CI: − 0.06 to 0.31) did not reveal any changes. Different RT programs were used but it seems that 2–3 times/week ∼60 min/session of RT for 12 weeks should be recommended for positive changes. Conclusions: RT seems to be effective when the objective is to improve muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness and can be an efficient strategy to reduce obesity in adolescents by reducing body fat, waist circumference and body mass index. PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42022333411.publishersversionpublishe

Framing Covid-19: how fact-checking circulate on the Facebook far-right

This research focus on how fact-checking links circulate on Facebook groups/pages that also shared disinformation, particularly, the ones affiliated with the far-right. Through a three-step method that included content analysis, discursive analysis and social network analysis, we analyzed public 860 posts and found out that: while fact-checking does circulate on these groups, they tend to be framed as disinformation through posts on far-right ones, which we call “explicit framing”; the far-right groups tend to cluster around specific fact-checking links that are mostly shared without a framing text, but whose theme support their own ideological narrative (which we call “silent framing”) and; both explicit and silent framing tend to happen through populist discourse connections

Calcium signaling and the novel anti-proliferative effect of the UTP-sensitive P2Y11 receptor in rat cardiac myofibroblasts

During myocardial ischemia and reperfusion both purines and pyrimidines are released into the extracellular milieu, thus creating a signaling wave that propagates to neighboring cells via membrane-bound P2 purinoceptors activation. Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are important players in heart remodeling, electrophysiological changes and hemodynamic alterations following myocardial infarction. Here, we investigated the role UTP on calcium signaling and proliferation of CF cultured from ventricles of adult rats. Co-expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 and -smooth muscle actin indicate that cultured CF are activated myofibroblasts. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) signals were monitored in cells loaded with Fluo-4 NW. CF proliferation was evaluated by the MTT assay. UTP and the selective P2Y4 agonist, MRS4062, caused a fast desensitizing [Ca2+]i rise originated from thapsigargin-sensitive internal stores, which partially declined to a plateau providing the existence of Ca2+ in the extracellular fluid. The biphasic [Ca2+]i response to UTP was attenuated respectively by P2Y4 blockers, like reactive blue-2 and suramin, and by the P2Y11 antagonist, NF340. UTP and the P2Y2 receptor agonist MRS2768 increased, whereas the selective P2Y11 agonist NF546 decreased, CF growth; MRS4062 was ineffective. Blockage of the P2Y11receptor or its coupling to adenylate cyclase boosted UTP-induced CF proliferation. Confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of P2Y2, P2Y4 and P2Y11 receptors. Data indicate that besides P2Y4 and P2Y2 receptors which are responsible for UTP-induced [Ca2+]i transients and growth of CF, respectively, synchronous activation of the previously unrecognized P2Y11 receptor may represent an important target for anti-fibrotic intervention in cardiac remodeling

Reply to: comment on: The benefits of resistance training in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We thank Dr. Zhang [1] for his interest in our literature review about the effects of resistance training (RT) programs in obese adolescents [2]. In the review, we analyzed 21 studies to evaluate the impact of RT on body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, lean mass, insulin sensitivity, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Our main findings showed that RT programs seem to be positive for obese adolescents, improving muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing body fat, waist circumference, and body mass index. Yet, we were clear to advise the reader that the results should be carefully analyzed, and some limitations were addressed, for example, (i) the small number of participants in each study; (ii) the use/comparison of different training programs (i.e., varying durations, intensities, and exercises); (iii) methodological issues (i.e., with an unclear or high risk of bias); (iv) unclear dietary control of participants; and (v) maturational-related issues. We understand that these limitations should not refrain professionals from critically appreciating our results and then designing RT programs for obese adolescents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bolsonaro and the Far Right: How Disinformation About COVID-19 Circulates on Facebook in Brazil

This article tackles the circulation of disinformation and compares it to fact-checking links about COVID-19 on Facebook in Brazil. Through a mixed-methods approach, we use disinformation and fact-checking links provided by the International Fact-Checking Network/Poynter, which we looked for in CrowdTangle. Using this data set, we explore (1) which types of public groups/pages spread disinformation and fact-checking content on Facebook; (2) the role of political ideology in this process; and (3) the network dynamics of how disinformation and fact-checking circulate on Facebook. Our results show that disinformation tend to circulate more on political pages/groups aligned with the far right and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, on religious and conspiracy theory pages/groups and alternative (hyperpartisan) media. On the other hand, fact-checking circulates more on leftists’ pages/groups. This implicates that the discussion about COVID-19 in Brazil is influenced by a structure of asymmetric polarization, as disinformation spread is fueled by radicalized far-right groups

Análise da prevalência da hanseníase no município de São Luís – Maranhão nos anos de 2017 a 2021

Leprosy control is still a major challenge in Maranhão. Thus, the prevalence of the disease implies a greater risk of transmission and development of physical disabilities in the population. It is observed that it is an infectious and contagious disease of slow progression, with a high disabling power, which predominantly affects the economically active age group. In addition to this factor, race, education and gender are also variables that impact the incidence and prevalence rates of leprosy in the state, especially in the municipality of São Luís, which confers high percentages of notifications of this public health problem. This is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of data contained in the notification form of the National Information System for Notifications of Aggravation (SINAN) and the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). It is hoped, with this work, to make patients diagnosed with leprosy aware of the importance of assiduity in treatment, as well as to promote multidisciplinary actions that alleviate this problem.O controle da hanseníase ainda é um grande desafio no Maranhão. Desse modo, a prevalência da doença implica em maior risco de transmissão e desenvolvimento de incapacidades físicas na população. Observa-se que é uma doença infectocontagiosa de progressão lenta, com alto poder incapacitante, que acomete predominantemente a faixa etária economicamente ativa. Além desse fator, a raça, escolaridade e o sexo também são variáveis que impactam nas taxas de incidência e prevalência da hanseníase no estado, em especial, no município de São Luís, na qual confere altos percentuais de notificações desse problema de saúde pública. Trata – se de um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e analítico de dados contido na ficha de notificação do Sistema Nacional de Informações de Agravo de Notificações (SINAN) e no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). Espera-se, com esse trabalho, conscientizar os pacientes diagnosticados com hanseníase sobre a importância da assiduidade do tratamento, bem como promover ações multiprofissionais que amenizem essa problemática