Anaplastic thyroid cancer: How far can we go?

This research was funded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) through the Project Reference UID/DTP/04138/2019.Globally, thyroid cancer accounts for 2 % of all cancer diagnoses, and can be classified as well-differentiated or undifferentiated. Currently, differentiated thyroid carcinomas have good prognoses, and can be treated with a combination of therapies, including surgical thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine therapy and hormone-based ther-apy. On the other hand, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, a subtype of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma character-ized by the loss of thyroid-like phenotype and function, does not respond to either radioactive iodine or hormone therapies. In most cases, anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are diagnosed in later stages of the disease, deeming them inoperable, and showing poor response rates to systemic chemotherapy. Recently, treatment courses using multi-ple-target agents are being explored and clinical trials have shown very promising results, such as overall survival rates, progression-free survival and tumor shrinkage. This review is focused on thyroid carcinomas, with particular focus on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, exploring its undifferentiated nature. Special interest will be given to the treatment approaches currently available and respective obstacles or drawbacks. Our purpose is to contribute to understand why this malignancy presents low responsiveness to current treatments, while overviewing novel therapies and clinical trials.publishersversionpublishe

The Effects of Urease Source and Moisture Content on the Nutritive Value of \u3ci\u3eBrachiaria brizant\u3c/i\u3eha Hay Treated with Urea

Ammoniation has a high potential to increase the nutritive value (NV) of mature tropical grasses hays. Urea utilisation, like ammonia, seems to be a promising alternative for on-farm treatment of low quality forage in Brazil. Urea has the advantages over anhydrous ammonia of being widely available, easier to handle and, in some countries, less expensive. The aim of this work was to study the effects on the efficiency of urea treatment of palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) hay of the moisture level, and the urease source

Optimal cruciform specimen design using the direct multi-search method and design variable influence study

Nowadays the development of new testing machines and the optimization of new specimen geometries are two very demanding activities. In order to study complex material stress and strain distributions, as in-plane biaxial loading, one must develop new technical solutions. A new type of testing machine has been developed by the present authors, for the fatigue testing of cruciform specimens, but the low capacity of the testing machine requires the optimization of the specimen in order to achieve higher but uniform stress and strain distributions on the specimen center. In this paper, the authors describe the procedure to optimize one possible geometry for cruciform specimens, able to determine the fatigue initiation life of material subjected to out of phase in-plane biaxial fatigue loadings. The high number of design variables were optimized using the direct multi-search method, considering two objective functions, the stress level on the specimen center and the uniformity of the strain distribution on a 1.0 mm radius of the specimen center. Several Pareto Fronts were obtained for different material thickness, considering the commercially available sheet metal thickness. With the optimal solution, the influence of every design variable was studied in order to provide others with a powerful tool that allows selecting the optimal geometry for the desired application. The results are presented in the form of design equations considering that the main design variable, the material thickness, was chosen from a Renard series of preferred numbers. The end user is then able to configure the optimal specimen for the required fatigue test.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Plasma-induced polymerization as a tool for surface functionalization of polymer scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: an in vitro study

A commonly applied strategy in the field of tissue engineering (TE) is the use of temporary three-dimensional scaffolds for supporting and guiding tissue formation in various in vitro strategies and in vivo regeneration approaches. The interactions of these scaffolds with highly sensitive bioentities such as living cells and tissues primarily occur through the material surface. Hence, surface chemistry and topological features have principal roles in coordinating biological events at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels on timescales ranging from seconds to weeks. However, tailoring the surface properties of scaffolds with a complex shape and architecture remains a challenge in materials science. Commonly applied wet chemical treatments often involve the use of toxic solvents whose oddments in the construct could be fatal in the subsequent application. Aiming to shorten the culture time in vitro (i.e. prior the implantation of the construct), in this work we propose a modification of previously described bone TE scaffolds made from a blend of starch with polycaprolactone (SPCL). The modification method involves surface grafting of sulfonic or phosphonic groups via plasma-induced polymerization of vinyl sulfonic and vinyl phosphonic acid, respectively. We demonstrate herein that the presence of these anionic functional groups can modulate cell adhesion mediated through the adsorbed proteins (from the culture medium). Under the conditions studied, both vitronectin adsorption and osteoblast proliferation and viability increased in the order SPCL!sulfonic-grafted SPCL < phosphonic-grafted SPCL. The results revealed that plasmainduced polymerization is an excellent alternative route, when compared to the commonly used wet chemical treatments, for the surface functionalization of biodevices with complex shape and porosity.The authors acknowledge funding from EU Marie Curie Actions, Alea Jacta Est (MEST-CT-2004-008104) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (SFRH/BPD/34545/2007). This work was carried out under the scope of the European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283). The authors also acknowledge Dr. M.I. Santos and C. Serra for their assistance on the CLSM and XPS experiments

The impact of pH on the anaerobic and aerobic metabolism of Tetrasphaera-enriched polyphosphate accumulating organisms

Funding Information: The authors thank the Portuguese Fundaçao para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, which supports the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit - UCIBIO, the European Commission (Water JPI project 196 (Water-Works2014 ERA-NET Co-funded Call): “Smart decentralized water management through a dynamic integration of technologies (Watintech)” and the Australian Research Council ( ARC LP190100329 ). Publisher Copyright: © 2023Members of the genus Tetrasphaera are putative polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) that have been found in greater abundance than Accumulibacter in many full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) wastewater treatment plants worldwide. Nevertheless, previous studies on the effect of environmental conditions, such as pH, on the performance of EBPR have focused mainly on the response of Accumulibacter to pH changes. This study examines the impact of pH on a Tetrasphaera PAO enriched culture, over a pH range from 6.0 to 8.0 under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, to assess its impact on the stoichiometry and kinetics of Tetrasphaera metabolism. It was discovered that the rates of phosphorus (P) uptake and P release increased with an increase of pH within the tested range, while PHA production, glycogen consumption and substrate uptake rate were less sensitive to pH changes. The results suggest that Tetrasphaera PAOs display kinetic advantages at high pH levels, which is consistent with what has been observed previously for Accumulibacter PAOs. The results of this study show that pH has a substantial impact on the P release and uptake kinetics of PAOs, where the P release rate was >3 times higher and the P uptake rate was >2 times higher at pH 8.0 vs pH 6.0, respectively. Process operational strategies promoting both Tetrasphaera and Accumulibacter activity at high pH do not conflict with each other, but lead to a potentially synergistic impact that can benefit EBPR performance.publishersversionpublishe

Effect of chitosan membrane surface modification via plasma induced polymerization on the adhesion of osteoblast-like cells

The surface of solvent cast chitosan membranes was modified using a two-step procedure. Oxygen plasma treatment was used at the first activation step followed by vinyl monomer graft polymerization. Two monomers were used in order to compare the influence of different functional groups on cell adhesion and proliferation; acrylic acid (AA) was used to introduce carboxyl groups and vinyl sulfonic acid (VSA) was used as a source of sulfonic groups. The surface chemistry/energy changes were characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and contact angle measurements. Additionally, alterations in the surface morphology were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XPS analyses confirmed the polymer grafting on the surface; an S2s peak appears in the VSA survey spectrum and an O–CLO peak emerges in the C1s high resolution spectrum after AA grafting. Moreover, contact angle measurements showed an increment in the values of the surface energy polar and Lewis base components for all treated samples, confirming the introduction of additional polar groups by the modification processes. FTIR-ATR spectra showed no significant difference between treated and original materials. These results confirmed that only the very top (a few angstroms) surface layer, but not the bulk of the material, was modified. The effect of modification on the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells was studied on a preliminary basis. Direct contact tests were performed using a human osteosarcoma cell line (SaOs-2). Cell morphology (optical microscopy and SEM) and cell viability (MTS test) were evaluated for untreated and surface modified membranes. The results revealed that both plasma treatment, and the presence of sulfonic groups on the surface of chitosan membranes, improve SaOs-2 adhesion and proliferation when compared to untreated or AA-grafted membranes. This effect was strongly related to the polar and Lewis basic components of the total surface energy

Erratum: Moreira, J., et al., Spin-Coated Polysaccharide-Based Multilayered Freestanding Films with Adhesive and Bioactive Moieties. Molecules 2020, 25, 840

Erratum: Moreira, J., et al., Spin-Coated Polysaccharide-Based Multilayered Freestanding Films with Adhesive and Bioactive Moieties. Molecules 2020, 25, 840. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040840The authors wish to make changes to the published paper 11 j. 1. UV-Vis Analysis of Catechol-Modified Polymers In the original manuscript theie is a mistake concerning the word "Wavenumber" in the X-Coordinate in Figure 1. Tile corrected word is "Wavelength". Tlx- A uthors also wish to change mg«mL-l to mg ml-1 in the legend of Figure l;see corrected Figure 1 below. (Figure Presented).(undefined

Chronic consumption of fructose rich soft drinks alters tissue lipids of rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fructose-based diets are apparently related to the occurrence of several metabolic dysfunctions, but the effects of the consumption of high amounts of fructose on body tissues have not been well described. The aim of this study was to analyze the general characteristics and the lipid content of different tissues of rats after chronic ingestion of a fructose rich soft drink.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty-five Wistar rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups (n = 15) and allowed to consume water (C), light Coca Cola ^®(L) or regular Coca Cola^®(R) as the sole source of liquids for eight weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The R group presented significantly higher daily liquid intake and significantly lower food intake than the C and L groups. Moreover, relative to the C and L groups, the R group showed higher triglyceride concentrations in the serum and liver. However, the L group animals presented lower values of serum triglycerides and cholesterol than controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the results, it can be concluded that daily ingestion of a large amount of fructose- rich soft drink resulted in unfavorable alterations to the lipid profile of the rats.</p

Preparation of Porous Scaffold Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) and FucoPol

project LA/P/0140/202019 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy-i4HB. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.This work focused on the development of porous scaffolds based on biocomposites comprising two biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymers: a terpolyester, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHVHHx), and the bacterial polysaccharide FucoPol. The PHBHVHHx terpolymer was composed of 3-hydroxybutyrate (55 wt%), 3-hydroxyvalerate (21 wt%), and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (24 wt%). This hydrophobic polyester has low crystallinity and can form elastic and flexible films. Fucopol is a fucose-containing water-soluble polysaccharide that forms viscous solutions with shear thinning behavior and has demonstrated emulsion-forming and stabilizing capacity and wound healing ability. Emulsion-templating was used to fabricate PHA-based porous structures in which FucoPol acted as a bioemulsifier. Compared with the scaffolds obtained from emulsions with only water, the use of FucoPol aqueous solutions resulted in structures with improved mechanical properties, namely higher tensile strength (4.4 MPa) and a higher Young’s Modulus (85 MPa), together with an elongation at break of 52%. These features, together with the scaffolds’ high porosity and pore interconnectivity, suggest their potential to sustain cell adhesion and proliferation, which is further supported by FucoPol’s demonstrated wound healing ability. Therefore, the developed PHBHVHHx:FucoPol scaffolds arise as innovative porous bioactive structures with great potential for use in tissue engineering applications.publishersversionpublishe

Design and Properties of Novel Substituted Borosilicate Bioactive Glasses and Their Glass-Ceramic Derivatives

Three novel borosilicate bioactive glasses (BBGs) of general formula of 0.05Na2O·0.35x·0.20B2O3·0.40SiO2 (molar ratio, where x = MgO or CaO or SrO) were prepared and used to investigate the effect of crystallization on their properties including cytotoxicity. The three postmelt compositions were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and crystallization events were studied using differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. This information was used to determine heat treatments to prepare glass-ceramics by controlled crystallization. X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that, after higher heat treatment temperatures (800–900 °C), borosilicate bioactive glass-ceramics (BBGCs) contained mainly borate and silicate crystalline phases. Specifically, BBG-Mg, BBG-Ca, and BBG-Sr glass-ceramics detected the presence of magnesium silicate-Mg2(SiO3)2 and magnesium borate-Mg2B2O5; wollastonite-2M-CaSiO3 and calcium borate-Ca(BO2)2; and strontium silicate-SrSiO3 and strontium borate-Sr2B2O5, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity tests were performed using the mouse fibroblast cell line (L929). Glass and glass ceramic at concentrations lower than 50 mg/mL did not exhibit any level of cytotoxicity when compared with the control. However, quantitative evaluation indicated that greater cell growth occurred in the presence of materials with crystalline phases. Control of BBGs crystallization may therefore be used to influence the biocompatibility of these glass-ceramic systems