Effect of amino acid composition of cereal-based diets on growth of preschool children

The efficacy of two diets, one based on wheat and the other on rice, on the growth (height) of preschool children has been tested in trials lasting 6 months. Both diets provided 2 g vegetable protein and 100 kcal/kg body wt. The increase in height of the children fed the rice-based diet was 0.67 cm/month and that of the children on the wheat-based diet, 0.43 cm/month. The children maintained positive nitrogen balance on both diets. Amino acid analyses of the cooked foods showed the wheat-based diet to be limiting in lysine, methionine, threonine, and isoleucine and the rice-based diet in methionine. However, the rate of growth of the children fed the rice-based diet suggests that methionine was not a limiting factor; the recommended intake of methionine (FAO/WHO) is likely to be higher than the requirements of preschool children

Drug-loaded PCL electrospun nanofibers as anti-pancreatic cancer drug delivery systems

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide, being pancreatic cancer the second deadliest cancer in Western countries. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy form the basis of pancreatic cancer's current treatment. However, these techniques have several disadvantages, such as surgery complications, chemotherapy systemic side effects and cancer recurrence. Drug delivery systems can reduce side effects, increasing the effectivity of the treatment by a controlled release at the targeted tumor cells. In this context, coaxial electrospun fibers can increase the control on the release profile of the drug. The aim of this study was to encapsulate and release different anticancer drugs (5-Fluorouracil and Methotrexate) from a polymeric fiber mat. Different flows and ratios were used to test their effect on fiber morphology, FTIR spectrum, drug encapsulation and release. Good integration of the anticancer drugs was observed and the use of a desiccator for 24 h showed to be a key step to remove solvent remanence. Moreover, the results of this study demonstrated that the polymeric solution could be used to encapsulate and release different drugs to treat cancers. This makes coaxial electrospinning a promising alternative to deliver complex chemotherapies that involve more than one drug, such as FOLFIRINOX, used in pancreatic cancer treatment

TARTESSUS: A customized electrospun drug delivery system loaded with Irinotecan for Local and sustained chemotherapy release in pancreatic cancer

Post-surgical chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer has notorious side effects due to the high dose required. Multiple devices have been designed to tackle this aspect and achieve a delayed drug release. This study aimed to explore the controlled and sustained local delivery of a reduced drug dose from an irinotecan-loaded electrospun nanofiber membrane (named TARTESSUS) that can be placed on the patients' tissue after tumor resection surgery. The drug delivery system formulation was made of polycaprolactone (PCL). The mechanical properties and the release kinetics of the drug were adjusted by the electrospinning parameters and by the polymer ratio between 10 w.t.% and 14 w.t.% of PCL in formic acid:acetic acid:chloroform (47.5:47.5:5). The irinotecan release analysis was performed and three different release periods were obtained, depending on the concentration of the polymer in the dissolution. The TARTESSUS device was tested in 2D and 3D cell cultures and it demonstrated a decrease in cell viability in 2D culture between 72 h and day 7 from the start of treatment. In 3D culture, a decrease in viability was seen between 72 h, day 7 (p < 0.001), day 10 (p < 0.001), 14 (p < 0.001), and day 17 (p = 0.003) as well as a decrease in proliferation between 72 h and day 10 (p = 0.030) and a reduction in spheroid size during days 10 (p = 0.001), 14 (p < 0.001), and 17 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, TARTESSUS showed a successful encapsulation of a chemotherapeutic drug and a sustained and delayed release with an adjustable releasing period to optimize the therapeutic effect in pancreatic cancer treatment

Isogeometric analysis for fluid shear stress in cancer cells

Este trabalho foi financiado pelo Concurso Anual para Projetos de Investigação, Desenvolvimento, Inovação e Criação Artística (IDI&CA) 2018 do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Código de referência IPL/2018/IGACFC_ISELThe microenvironment of the tumor is a key factor regulating tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The effects of physical factors in tumorigenesis is unclear. Shear stress, induced by liquid flow, plays a key role in proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. The mathematical models have the potential to elucidate the metastatic behavior of the cells’ membrane exposed to these microenvironment forces. Due to the shape configuration of the cancer cells, Non-uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS) lines are very adequate to define its geometric model. The Isogeometric Analysis allows a simplified transition of exact CAD models into the analysis avoiding the geometrical discontinuities of the traditional Galerkin traditional techniques. In this work, we use an isogeometric analysis to model the fluid-generated forces that tumor cells are exposed to in the vascular and tumor microenvironments, in the metastatic process. Using information provided by experimental tests in vitro, we present a suite of numerical experiments which indicate, for standard configurations, the metastatic behavior of cells exposed to such forces. The focus of this paper is strictly on geometrical sensitivities to the shear stress’ exhibition for the cell membrane, this being its innovation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Circulating Tumor Cells Enumeration from the Portal Vein for Risk Stratification in Early Pancreatic Cancer Patients

[Simple Summary] Effective biomarkers are needed to enable personalized medicine for pancreatic cancer patients. This study analyzes the prognostic value, in early pancreatic cancer, of circulating tumor cells and clusters from the central venous catheter and portal blood. Circulating tumor cells were isolated using an immunomagnetic selection and were detected by microscopy using immunocytochemistry staining. In conclusion, the circulating tumor cell number in portal blood identifies a death risk in patients with early pancreatic cancer.[Abstract] Background. Effective biomarkers are needed to enable personalized medicine for pancreatic cancer patients. This study analyzes the prognostic value, in early pancreatic cancer, of single circulating tumor cell (CTC) and CTC clusters from the central venous catheter (CVC) and portal blood (PV). Methods. In total, 7 mL of PV and CVC blood from 35 patients with early pancreatic cancer were analyzed. CTC were isolated using a positive immunomagnetic selection. The detection and identification of CTC were performed by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and were analyzed by Epi-fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Results. CTC and the clusters were detected both in PV and CVC. In both samples, the CTC number per cluster was higher in patients with grade three or poorly differentiated tumors (G3) than in patients with well (G1) or moderately (G2) differentiated. Patients with fewer than 185 CTC in PV exhibited a longer OS than patients with more than 185 CTC (24.5 vs. 10.0 months; p = 0.018). Similarly, patients with fewer than 15 clusters in PV showed a longer OS than patients with more than 15 clusters (19 vs. 10 months; p = 0.004). These significant correlations were not observed in CVC analyses. Conclusions. CTC presence in PV could be an important prognostic factor to predict poor prognosis in early pancreatic cancer. In addition, the number of clustered-CTC correlate to a tumor negative differentiation degree and, therefore, could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.This research was funded by Carlos III Health Institute (Health Research Fund) grant number PI16/01465 and PI19/01821 (Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund “A way to make Europe”)

Sustainability in a changing world: integrating human health and wellbeing, urbanisation, and ecosystem services

There is an urgent need to address interlinked sustainability issues in a world challenged by inequality, finite resources and unprecedented changes across Earth’s systems. As Future Earth Fellows, based on our collective expertise in a diverse range of sustainability issues, here we identify a specific need to recognise and respond appropriately to the nexus between human health and wellbeing, urbanisation, and ecosystem services (the ‘WUE nexus’). This nexus is a priority area for research, policy and practice. In particular, it provides a useful pathway to meet the challenges of successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this brief, we present the following policy recommendations:1. By emphasising urban-rural linkages, foster an integrated approach to ensure food security, food safety, and health promotion;2. Secure resilient livelihoods for all, in particular for vulnerable groups; and3. Integrate co-production of knowledge in science for decision-making, including the co-design of implementation frameworks, and the adoption of a nexus approach.<br/

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Brazil : baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dyslipidemia is a pivotal risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to identify the profile of dyslipidemia in a Brazilian population, according to high low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels. We used the classification of the 2004 update of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III). METHODS: Of the 15,105 men and women aged 35 to 74 years enrolled in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), we included 14,648 subjects (97%). They had data to categorize them according to the NCEP-ATP-III criteria. We compared 4 categories: ‘‘0–1’’ risk factors, ‘‘2 or more risk factors’’, ‘‘CHD or CHD risk equivalent’’, and ‘‘CHD at very high risk’’. The sociodemographic determinants used were sex, age, ethnicity, income, education, and health insurance. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence ratios for cholesterol (LDL-C), frequency, awareness, treatment, and control of high LDL-C

Indicadores de la línea de atención a personas con diabetes en Brasil : Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2013 y 2019

Objetivo: Comparar indicadores de cuidado assistencial em adultos com diagnóstico médico de diabetes mellitus (DM) no Brasil em 2013 e 2019, e analisar esses indicadores, em 2019, segundo características sociodemográficas. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013 e 2019. Foram avaliados os indicadores de cuidado em pessoas com diagnóstico médico de DM. Resultados: A prevalência de DM aumentou de 6,2% (2013) para 7,7% (2019). Entre 2013 e 2019, ocorreu aumento no uso de medicamentos (de 80,2% para 88,8%) e de assistência médica (de 73,2% para 79,1%), houve redução no uso de medicamentos da Farmácia Popular (de 57,4% para 51,5%) e no acompanhamento com mesmo médico (de 65,2% para 59,4%). Em 2019, pessoas do sexo masculino, mais jovens, de raça/cor da pele preta e parda, menores escolaridade e renda apresentaram pior desempenho nos indicadores. Conclusão: A maioria dos indicadores permaneceu semelhante durante os últimos cinco anos, com diferenças segundo características sociodemográficas em 2019Objective: To compare health care indicators for adults with medical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Brazil, in 2013 and 2019, and analyze the indicators for 2019 according to sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: Cross-sectional study using data from the 2013 and 2019 National Health Survey. Care indicators were evaluated in people with medical diagnosis of DM. Results: DM prevalence increased from 6.2% (2013) to 7.7% (2019). Between 2013 and 2019 there was an increase in the use of medications (80.2% to 88.8%) and of medical care (73.2% to 79.1%), a reduction in the use of Popular Pharmacy Program medications (57.4% to 51.5%) and in follow-up with the same physician (65.2% to 59.4%). In 2019, poorer indicators were observed for individuals who were male, younger, Black and Brown, and with lower education and income. Conclusion: Most indicators remained similar in the last five years, with differences according to sociodemographic characteristics in 2019.Objetivo: Comparar indicadores de atención de salud para adultos con diagnóstico médico de diabetes mellitus (DM) en Brasil, en 2013 y 2019, y analizar estos indicadores, en 2019, según características sociodemográficas. Métodos: Estudio transversal con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de 2013 y 2019. Se evaluaron indicadores de atención en personas con diagnóstico médico de DM. Resultados: La prevalencia de DM aumentó del 6,2% (2013) al 7,7% (2019). Entre 2013 y 2019 hubo aumento en uso de medicamentos (80,2% a 88,8%) y de atención médica (73,2% a 79,1%), reducción en uso de medicamentos de Farmacia Popular (57, 4% a 51,5%) y seguimiento con mismo médico (65,2% a 59,4%). En 2019, personas de sexo masculino, más jóvenes, de la raza/color de piel negra y mestiza, menor nivel educativo e ingresos mostraron un peor desempeño en los indicadores. Conclusión: La mayoría de los indicadores se mantuvieron similares durante los últimos cinco años, con diferencias según las características sociodemográficas en 2019