Magnetic liposomes based on nickel ferrite nanoparticles as nanocarriers for new potential antitumor compounds

Guided transport of biologically active molecules (most of them toxic and with systemic side effects) to target specific sites in human body has been a focus of research in therapeutics in the past years. Magnetoliposomes (liposomes entrapping magnetic nanoparticles) are of large importance, as they can overcome many pharmacokinetics problems and can be guided and localized to the therapeutic site of interest by external magnetic field gradients [1,2]. In this work, nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) with size distribution of 11±5 nm were obtained. Synthesized NPs show superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature (magnetic squareness of 7.2×10-5 and coercivity field of 12 Oe), being suitable for biological applications. These NPs were either entrapped in liposomes, originating aqueous magnetoliposomes (AMLs), or covered with a lipid bilayer, forming dry magnetoliposomes (DMLs), the last ones prepared by a new promising route. Recently, AMLs and DMLs containing nickel-based nanoparticles were successfully prepared and characterized [3]. A potential antitumor compound [4] was successfully incorporated into the lipid bilayer of magnetoliposomes. DMLs structure was evaluated by FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) measurements between the fluorescent-labeled lipids NBD-C12-HPC (donor) included in the second lipid layer and rhodamine B DOPE (acceptor) in the first lipid layer. A FRET efficiency of 23% was calculated, with a corresponding donor-acceptor distance (r) of 3.11 nm, confirming DMLs structure. Preliminary assays of the non-specific interactions of both types of magnetoliposomes with biological membranes (modeled by giant unilamellar vesicles, GUVs) were performed, keeping in mind future applications of drug delivery using this type of magnetic systems. Membrane fusion between magnetoliposomes and GUVs was confirmed by FRET.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2013 (F-COMP-01-0124-FEDER-022711

Magnetoliposomes based on manganese ferrite nanoparticles as nanocarriers for antitumor drugs

Publicado em "NanoPT2016 book of abstracts"In this work, manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles with superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature and size distribution of 26 ± 5 nm, were obtained by coprecipitation method. Structural and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated by XRD, HR-TEM and SQUID. The synthesized NPs were either entrapped in liposomes, originating aqueous magnetoliposomes (AMLs), or covered with a lipid bilayer, forming solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs).This work was supported by FEDER through the COMPETE/QREN/EU Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Projects of CFUM [PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2013 (F-COMP-01-0124-FEDER-022711)] and CQ/UM [PEst-C/QUI/UI0686/2013 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER -022716)]. FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE are acknowledged for the PhD grant of A.R.O. Rodrigues (SFRH/BD/90949/2012) and for financial support to MAP-Fis PhD Programme

Magnetoliposomes based on manganese ferrite nanoparticles for guided transport of antitumor drugs

Publicado em "RICI6 abstract book"In this work, manganese ferrite nanoparticles with size distribution of 46 ± 17 nm and superparamagnetic behavior were synthesized by coprecipitation method. These magnetic nanoparticles were either entrapped in liposomes, originating aqueous magnetoliposomes (AMLs), or covered with a lipid bilayer, forming solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs).MAP-Fis PhD Programme, FEDER, COMPETE/QREN/EU for financial support to CFUM (PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2013) and FCT and POPH/QREN for PhD grant (SFRH/BD/90949/2012)

Conservation Biogeography of the Sahara‐Sahel: additional protected areas are needed to secure unique biodiversity

Aim Identification of priority conservation areas and evaluation of coverage of the current protected areas are urgently needed to halt the biodiversity loss. Identifying regions combining similar environmental traits (climate regions) and species assemblages (biogroups) is needed for conserving the biodiversity patterns and processes. We identify climate regions and biogroups and map species diversity across the Sahara-Sahel, a large geographical area that exhibits wide environmental heterogeneity and multiple species groups with distinct biogeographical affinities, and evaluate the coverage level of current network of protected areas for biodiversity conservation. Location Sahara-Sahel, Africa. Methods We use spatially explicit climate data with the principal component analysis and model-based clustering techniques to identify climate regions. We use distributions of 1147 terrestrial vertebrates (and of 125 Sahara-Sahel endemics) and apply distance clustering methods to identify biogroups for both species groups. We apply reserve selection algorithms targeting 17% of species distribution, climate regions and biogroups to identify priority areas and gap analysis to assess their representation within the current protected areas. Results Seven climate regions were identified, mostly arranged as latitudinal belts. Concentrations of high species richness were found in the Sahel, but the central Sahara gathers most endemic and threatened species. Ten biogroups (five for endemics) were identified. A wide range of biogroups tend to overlap in specific climate regions. Identified priority areas are inadequately represented in protected areas, and six new top conservation areas are needed to achieve conservation targets. Main conclusions Biodiversity distribution in Sahara-Sahel is spatially structured and apparently related to environmental variation. Although the majority of priority conservation areas are located outside the areas of intense human activities, many cross multiple political borders and require internationally coordinated efforts for implementation and management. Optimized biodiversity conservation solutions at regional scale are needed. Our work contradicts the general idea that deserts are uniform areas and provide options for the conservation of endangered species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Os efeitos da risperidona nos níveis de prolactina numa amostra de crianças e adolescentes com autismo

Introdução: O autismo é uma patologia complexa do neurodesenvolvimento, sem terapia curativa disponível, consistindo o tratamento de base na planificação educativa e comportamental. O recurso à farmacoterapia justifica-se quando existem comportamentos disruptivos, que interferem negativamente no sucesso educativo e na qualidade de vida das crianças e suas famílias. Neste contexto, a risperidona tornou-se o antipsicótico mais vezes prescrito. Embora aparentemente segura e eficaz, preocupações relacionadas com o seu efeito nos níveis de prolactina têm emergido, sobretudo durante o crescimento e o processo evolutivo do neurodesenvolvimento. Objectivos: Teve-se como objectivo, para além da confirmação da efectividade da risperidona, evidenciar a sua repercussão nos níveis de prolactina. Pretendeu-se ainda, averiguar os efeitos da hiperprolactinémia a curto e a longo prazo, na tentativa de abordar uma conduta terapêutica. População e Métodos: Procedeu-se ao estudo prospectivo de um grupo de 34 crianças e adolescentes (idade média 8,75 anos ± 3,7; 26 do sexo masculino) com o diagnóstico de autismo e problemas de comportamento de significado clínico, com indicação para tratamento com risperidona. Aavaliação da resposta comportamental e dos níveis de prolactina foi realizada no tempo 0 (sem terapêutica) e nos tempos 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses após a introdução do fármaco. Resultados: A risperidona foi efectiva no tratamento dos comportamentos disruptivos, mas associou-se a uma elevação significativa e mantida dos níveis de prolactina. No entanto, relatou-se apenas um caso de galactorreia, não se tendo verificado outros sintomas ou sinais relacionados com a hiperprolactinémia. Conclusão: Na amostra estudada, a risperidona revelou grande efectividade no controlo dos comportamentos disruptivos. Contudo, a hiperprolactinémia secundária ao tratamento não deve ser negligenciada. As implicações clínicas de índices permanentemente aumentados de prolactina, designadamente durante o crescimento e o neurodesenvolvimento, continuam pouco claras. Dada a lacuna de evidência nesta área, recomenda-se uma prescrição criteriosa e monitorizada deste fármaco

Post-anaesthesia pulmonary complications after use of muscle relaxants (POPULAR): a multicentre, prospective observational study

Background Results from retrospective studies suggest that use of neuromuscular blocking agents during general anaesthesia might be linked to postoperative pulmonary complications. We therefore aimed to assess whether the use of neuromuscular blocking agents is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods We did a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study. Patients were recruited from 211 hospitals in 28 European countries. We included patients (aged ≥18 years) who received general anaesthesia for any in-hospital procedure except cardiac surgery. Patient characteristics, surgical and anaesthetic details, and chart review at discharge were prospectively collected over 2 weeks. Additionally, each patient underwent postoperative physical examination within 3 days of surgery to check for adverse pulmonary events. The study outcome was the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications from the end of surgery up to postoperative day 28. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for surgical factors and patients’ preoperative physical status, providing adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) and adjusted absolute risk reduction (ARRadj). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01865513. Findings Between June 16, 2014, and April 29, 2015, data from 22803 patients were collected. The use of neuromuscular blocking agents was associated with an increased incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients who had undergone general anaesthesia (1658 [7·6%] of 21694); ORadj 1·86, 95% CI 1·53–2·26; ARRadj –4·4%, 95% CI –5·5 to –3·2). Only 2·3% of high-risk surgical patients and those with adverse respiratory profiles were anaesthetised without neuromuscular blocking agents. The use of neuromuscular monitoring (ORadj 1·31, 95% CI 1·15–1·49; ARRadj –2·6%, 95% CI –3·9 to –1·4) and the administration of reversal agents (1·23, 1·07–1·41; –1·9%, –3·2 to –0·7) were not associated with a decreased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Neither the choice of sugammadex instead of neostigmine for reversal (ORadj 1·03, 95% CI 0·85–1·25; ARRadj –0·3%, 95% CI –2·4 to 1·5) nor extubation at a train-of-four ratio of 0·9 or more (1·03, 0·82–1·31; –0·4%, –3·5 to 2·2) was associated with better pulmonary outcomes. Interpretation We showed that the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs in general anaesthesia is associated with an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Anaesthetists must balance the potential benefits of neuromuscular blockade against the increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications