The interaction between XBP1 and eNOS contributes to endothelial cell migration

Trabalho final de mestrado integrado em Medicina área científica de Urologia, apresentado á Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de CoimbraINTRODUÇÃO: Nas últimas décadas a nefrectomia parcial tem assumido um papel de destaque no tratamento do carcinoma de células renais. Esta técnica, também denominada cirurgia poupadora de nefrónios, permite remover o tumor na totalidade, preservando o parênquima renal adjacente. As suas indicações tornaram-se mais abrangentes à medida que os resultados se mostraram cada vez mais promissores. Assim, actualmente a nefrectomia parcial é o tratamento padrão do carcinoma de células renais, em detrimento da tradicional nefrectomia radical. Discute-se agora qual das duas, nefrectomia parcial aberta ou laparoscópica, é a melhor opção. OBJECTIVOS: Rever as evidências científicas relativas ao tratamento do carcinoma de células renais pela nefrectomia parcial, aberta e laparoscópica, definindo o papel actual de cada uma delas nesta área. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa na PubMed e Medline de artigos relativos a nefrectomia radical e nefrectomia parcial aberta e laparoscópica, publicados entre 1997 e 2009. Consulta das “Guidelines” da Associação Europeia de Urologia. DESENVOLVIMENTO: A nefrectomia parcial mostra resultados oncológicos semelhantes aos da nefrectomia radical, permitindo uma menor morbilidade renal a longo prazo. A nefrectomia parcial aberta é agora o tratamento recomendado pelas “Guidelines” da Associação Europeia de Urologia para o tratamento de tumores com diâmetro inferior a 4 cm, limitados ao rim, mesmo quando o rim contralateral é normal. As indicações poderão ainda ser alargadas para tumores até 7 cm de diâmetro, dependendo das características do tumor. A nefrectomia parcial laparoscópica, embora tecnicamente mais exigente, é uma boa opção de tratamento em centros com experiência na realização da técnica, revelando bons resultados a curto prazo. CONCLUSÕES: A nefrectomia parcial aberta é actualmente o tratamento padrão do carcinoma de células renais. A nefrectomia parcial laparoscópica revela resultados a curto prazo semelhantes aos da nefrectomia parcial aberta, contudo são necessários estudos confirmando esses resultados a longo prazoINTRODUCTION: In the last decades partial nephrectomy have had an important role in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. This surgery, also known as nephron-sparing surgery, allows to remove the tumor and to preserve the surrounding healthy renal parenchyma. Moreover, with the evolution of the technique its indications got more comprehensive. So, nowadays, partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma, instead of the traditional radical nephrectomy. There is now a discussion between which of the two, open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, is the best option. OBJECTIVES: Review the scientific evidences related to the treatment of renal cell carcinoma through open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, defining the actual role of both in this area. METHODS: Research articles related to radical nephrectomy, open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomies at PubMed and Medline publications between 1997 and 2009. Consult of the Guidelines of European Urology Association. DEVELOPMENT: Partial nephrectomy shows oncological outcomes similar to those of radical nephrectomy with less renal morbidity at long-term follow-up. Open partial nephrectomy is now the recommended treatment by the Guidelines of European Urology Association for the treatment of tumors less than 4 cm, limited to the kidney, even when the other kidney is normal. Indications can also include tumors less than 7 cm, depending on the characteristics of the tumor. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, although technically more demanding, is a good option in specialized centers and reveals similar results in a short-term. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays open partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Laparoscopic partial shows similar results as open surgery in a short-term, however, more studies are needed to confirm this results at long-term. Key-words: Open partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, renal cell carcinoma, indications, results

Chemical ordering suppresses large-scale electronic phase separation in doped manganites

For strongly correlated oxides, it has been a long-standing issue regarding the role of the chemical ordering of the dopants on the physical properties. Here, using unit cell by unit cell superlattice growth technique, we determine the role of chemical ordering of the Pr dopant in a colossal magnetoresistant (La1-yPry)1-xCaxMnO3 (LPCMO) system, which has been well known for its large length-scale electronic phase separation phenomena. Our experimental results show that the chemical ordering of Pr leads to marked reduction of the length scale of electronic phase separations. Moreover, compared with the conventional Pr-disordered LPCMO system, the Pr-ordered LPCMO system has a metal–insulator transition that is ~100 K higher because the ferromagnetic metallic phase is more dominant at all temperatures below the Curie temperature

An exploration of light and tension

Media files notes: Media rights: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.

Effects of lysate/tissue storage at −80°C on subsequently extracted EVs of epithelial ovarian cancer tissue origins

Summary: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and large extracellular vesicles (lEVs), play vital roles in intercellular communication. We optimized a method that extracts EVs from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues for the purpose of investigating whether cryopreservation of EOC tissues affects the phenotypes, contents, and biological functions of extracted EVs. EV morphology, the number and size distribution of EVs, and EV-related markers were analyzed. Storage of lysates at −80°C decreased lEV yield and increased sEV yield, whereas storage of tissues at −80°C increased both sEV and lEV yields; neither changed the morphology or particle mass ratio of EVs. The two cryopreservation groups retained over 90% of proteins and 80% of miRNAs detected in the “fresh” group. EVs extracted following lysate/tissue storage at −80°C could also promote angiogenesis and invasive migration ability in human endothelial cells. Cryopreserved EOC tissue may benefit clinical applications for studies of tissue-derived EVs, especially EV proteins-related ones

Synthesis of Benzimidazo[1,2‑<i>c</i>]quinazolines via Metal-Free Intramolecular C–H Amination Reaction

A series of benzimidazo­[1,2-<i>c</i>]­quinazolines have been synthesized via phenyliodine­(III) diacetate (PIDA)-mediated intramolecular C–H bond cycloamination reaction. This method results in a direct oxidative C–N bond formation in a complex molecule by using a metal-free protocol. A plausible reaction mechanism was described on the basis of the experiments. Some new compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activity against HUH 7 and SK-HEP-1 hepatocarcinoma cell line. Among the compounds screened, <b>4m</b> was found to be the most active compound against HUH 7

RovM and CsrA Negatively Regulate Urease Expression in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Urease acts as an important acid resistance system and virulence factor that is widespread among microorganisms. RovM is a global regulator that regulates a series of genes and pathways including acid survival systems in the enteric bacterium Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Yptb). However, whether RovM regulates the urease activity in Yptb was still unknown. In this study, by using qualitative and quantitative urease assays, we show that the urease expression responds to nutrient conditions and the RovM protein represses urease expression by binding to its promoter. A previously reported positive regulator OmpR activates urease activity but RovM plays a dominant role in different nutrient conditions. In addition, carbon storage regulator system A (CsrA), the upstream regulator of RovM, dramatically down-regulates urease activity possibly by its binding to the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence of the mRNA encoding the urease. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that urease activity is strictly controlled by nutrient conditions and is down-regulated by the CsrA-RovM pathway

Pure Chloride 2D/3D Heterostructure Passivation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

To date, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have reached a certified efficiency of 25.7%, showing their great potential in industrial commercialization. However, defects at the surface and grain boundaries hinder their device performance and long‐term stability. Herein, long‐chain dodecylammonium halides (DACl, DABr, and DAI) to treat the perovskite surface and improve the device performance are introduced. It is found that the three passivators can all form 2D perovskites but with different halide compositions. The DACl‐treated perovskite forms a pure chloride DA2PbCl4 2D perovskite, while the DABr and DAI‐treated surfaces form a pure iodide DA2PbI4 2D perovskite. Compared with the DA2PbI4 layer, it is found that the DA2PbCl4 passivation layer can more effectively passivate defects, improve carrier separation at the perovskite surface, and optimize the energy alignment between the perovskite film and hole transport layer. As a result, a champion power conversion efficiency of 23.91% is achieved for the DACl‐treated PSCs. Moreover, the device maintains around 95% of its initial efficiency after 1000 h storage under relative humidity of 10% at 25 °C

Stem cell-based therapeutic strategies for rotator cuff tendinopathy

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder that imposes significant health and economic burden. Stem cell therapy has brought hope for tendon healing in patients with final stage rotator cuff tendinopathy. Some clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy, but its application has not been promoted and approved. There are still many issues that should be solved prior to using stem cell therapy in clinical applications. The optimal source and dose of stem cells for rotator cuff tendinopathy should be determined. We also proposed novel prospective approaches that can overcome cell population heterogeneity and standardize patient types for stem cell applications. The translational potential of this article: This review explores the optimal sources of stem cells for rotator cuff tendinopathy and the principles for selecting stem cell dosages. Key strategies are provided for stem cell population standardization and recipient selection

The Type VI Secretion System Engages a Redox-Regulated Dual-Functional Heme Transporter for Zinc Acquisition

The type VI secretion system was recently reported to be involved in zinc acquisition, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report that Burkholderia thailandensis T6SS4 is involved in zinc acquisition via secretion of a zinc-scavenging protein, TseZ, that interacts with the outer membrane heme transporter HmuR. We find that HmuR is a redox-regulated dual-functional transporter that transports heme iron under normal conditions but zinc upon sensing extracellular oxidative stress, triggered by formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond. Acting as the first line of defense against oxidative stress, HmuR not only guarantees an immediate response to the changing environment but also provides a fine-tuned mechanism that allows a gradual response to perceived stress. The T6SS/HmuR-mediated active zinc transport system is also involved in bacterial virulence and contact-independent bacterial competition. We describe a sophisticated bacterial zinc acquisition mechanism affording insights into the role of metal ion transport systems