Fun Home (September 30-October 2, 2021)

Program for Fun Home (September 30-October 2, 2021). To view the photos from this production of Fun Home., please click here

O ensino de botânica no ensino médio : promovendo o interesse discente

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Gedir de Oliveira SantosDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Biologia da Rede Nacional - PROFBIO. Defesa : Curitiba, 31/10/2020Inclui referências: p. 48-54Área de concentração: Ensino de BiologiaResumo: A disciplina de Botânica atrai pouco interesse discente devido ao excesso de conteúdos, termos de difícil compreensão e uma abordagem docente tradicional. Por esses motivos, atividades práticas aliadas ao uso de tecnologias em ambiente não formal contribuem para o aprendizado efetivo da botânica. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo avaliar se metodologias diversificadas promovem o interesse discente. Para tanto, foram realizadas aulas práticas de saída de campo, laboratoriais e uso do aplicativo PlantNet. Por meio destas metodologias foi trabalhada a classificação biológica dos quatro grandes grupos de plantas e a fisiologia vegetal (fotossíntese, transpiração foliar e transporte no xilema). Ao introduzimos essas metodologias alternativas com o uso de tecnologia e fora do ambiente formal instigamos o aprendizado, o que foi confirmado pela análise dos questionários antes e após as atividades. Deste modo, o uso de metodologias diferenciadas aumenta o interesse discente pela botânica e favorece o aprendizado. Palavras-chave: Aprendizado, ensino, metodologias, apropriação do conhecimento.Abstract: The botanic subject attracts little learner interest because of the contents' excess, difficult terms of teaching approach. For this reason, practical activities allied with the use of technologies in a non-formal environment adds to the effective apprenticeships of the botany. The present work had as a head objective to assess whether varied methodologies promote learners' interest. For this, practical classes of field departure, laboratory, and use of the Plantnet app were carried out. Methodologies had been working the biological classification of four large groups and plant physiology (photosynthesis, leaf transpiration, in xylem transport). Thus introduced these alternative methods with the use of the technology and outside, the formal environment we incite learning, what's been confirmed to analyses the questionnaires before and following the activities. As a result, the use of active methodologies arouses learners' interest in botanical and favors significant learning. Keywords: learning, teaching, methodologies, appropriation of knowledg

Therapeutic Implications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Liver Injury

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), represent an attractive tool for the establishment of a successful stem-cell-based therapy of liver diseases. A number of different mechanisms contribute to the therapeutic effects exerted by MSCs, since these cells can differentiate into functional hepatic cells and can also produce a series of growth factors and cytokines able to suppress inflammatory responses, reduce hepatocyte apoptosis, regress liver fibrosis, and enhance hepatocyte functionality. To date, the infusion of MSCs or MSC-conditioned medium has shown encouraging results in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure and in end-stage liver disease in experimental settings. However, some issues under debate hamper the use of MSCs in clinical trials. This paper summarizes the biological relevance of MSCs and the potential benefits and risks that can result from translating the MSC research to the treatment of liver diseases

Wounds difficult to heal. An effective treatment strategy

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of wounds difficult to heal concerns 50% of the elderly population in Italy and is therefore a relevant social burden. The present study shows how the treatment with autologous leuco-platelets reduces the healing time of wounds improving the functional recovery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n=100) with ulcers of the legs were divided in two groups: 1) 50 patients treated with conventional therapies; 2) 50 patients treated with autologous leuco-platelet concentrate (LPC) and hyaluronic acid (HIAFF, Hyalofill-F ® as a scaffold. RESULTS: After 2 months, a 49% reduction in wound area was observed in the second group and in about 65% wound reduction was achieved in 15 days (4 LPC dressings). In contrast, patients treated by conventional therapies, showed a longer healing time and a greater percentage of failures. Morphometric analysis of biopsy samples obtained from the edge as well as from the bottom of the lesions obtained from the LPC group, detected an abundant presence of neoformed capillaries, characterized by a cubic, "reactive endothelium", close to the site of LPC infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that healing was promoted not only by limiting bacterial infections but also by the release of chemotactic and proangiogenic factors from leukocytes and platelets, improving the neoformation of capillaries.Abstract: Objective: Treatment of wounds difficult to heal concerns 50% of the elderly population in Italy and is therefore a relevant social burden. The present study shows how the treatment with autologous leuco-platelets reduces the healing time of wounds improving the functional recovery. Patients and Methods: Patients (n=100) with ulcers of the legs were divided in two groups: 1) 50 patients treated with conventional therapies; 2) 50 patients treated with autologous leuco-platelet concentrate (LPC) and hyaluronic acid (HIAFF, Hyalofill-F®) as a scaffold. Results: After 2 months, a 49% reduction in wound area was observed in the second group and in about 65% wound reduction was achieved in 15 days (4 LPC dressings). In contrast, patients treated by conventional therapies, showed a longer healing time and a greater percentage of failures. Morphometric analysis of biopsy samples obtained from the edge as well as from the bottom of the lesions obtained from the LPC group, detected an abundant presence of neoformed capillaries, characterized by a cubic, "reactive endothelium", close to the site of LPC infiltration. Conclusions: These results suggest that healing was promoted not only by limiting bacterial infections but also by the release of chemotactic and proangiogenic factors from leukocytes and platelets, improving the neoformation of capillaries

Nutrient withdrawal rescues growth factor-deprived cells from mTOR-dependent damage

Deregulated nutrient signaling plays pivotal roles in body ageing and in diabetic complications; biochemical cascades linking energy dysmetabolism to cell damage and loss are still incompletely clarified, and novel molecular paradigms and pharmacological targets critically needed. We provide evidence that in the retrovirus-packaging cell line HEK293-T Phoenix, massive cell death in serum-free medium is remarkably prevented or attenuated by either glucose or aminoacid withdrawal, and by the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-glucose. A similar protection was also elicited by interference with mitochondrial function, clearly suggesting involvement of energy metabolism in increased cell survival. Oxidative stress did not account for nutrient toxicity on serum-starved cells. Instead, nutrient restriction was associated with reduced activity of the mTOR/S6 Kinase cascade. Moreover, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of the mTOR pathway modulated in an opposite fashion signaling to S6K/S6 and cell viability in nutrient-repleted medium. Additionally, stimulation of the AMP-activated Protein Kinase concomitantly inhibited mTOR signaling and cell death, while neither event was affected by overexpression of the NAD+ dependent deacetylase Sirt-1, another cellular sensor of nutrient scarcity. Finally, blockade of the mTOR cascade reduced hyperglycemic damage also in a more pathophysiologically relevant model, i.e. in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to hyperglycemia. Taken together these findings point to a key role of the mTOR/S6K cascade in cell damage by excess nutrients and scarcity of growth-factors, a condition shared by diabetes and other ageing-related pathologies

The multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib enhances glycolysis and synergizes with glycolysis blockade for cancer cell killing

Although the only effective drug against primary hepatocarcinoma, the multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib (SFB) usually fails to eradicate liver cancer. Since SFB targets mitochondria, cell metabolic reprogramming may underlie intrinsic tumor resistance. To characterize cancer cell metabolic response to SFB, we measured oxygen consumption, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP content in rat LCSC (Liver Cancer Stem Cells) -2 cells exposed to the drug. Genome wide analysis of gene expression was performed by Affymetrix technology. SFB cytotoxicity was evaluated by multiple assays in the presence or absence of metabolic inhibitors, or in cells genetically depleted of mitochondria. We found that low concentrations (2.5-5\u2005\u3bcM) of SFB had a relatively modest effect on LCSC-2 or 293\u2005T cell growth, but damaged mitochondria and increased intracellular ROS. Gene expression profiling of SFB-treated cells was consistent with a shift toward aerobic glycolysis and, accordingly, SFB cytotoxicity was dramatically increased by glucose withdrawal or the glycolytic inhibitor 2-DG. Under metabolic stress, activation of the AMP dependent Protein Kinase (AMPK), but not ROS blockade, protected cells from death. We conclude that mitochondrial damage and ROS drive cell killing by SFB, while glycolytic cell reprogramming may represent a resistance strategy potentially targetable by combination therapies

O ensino de botânica no ensino médio : promovendo o interesse discente

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Gedir de Oliveira SantosDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Biologia da Rede Nacional - PROFBIO. Defesa : Curitiba, 31/10/2020Inclui referências: p. 48-54Área de concentração: Ensino de BiologiaResumo: A disciplina de Botânica atrai pouco interesse discente devido ao excesso de conteúdos, termos de difícil compreensão e uma abordagem docente tradicional. Por esses motivos, atividades práticas aliadas ao uso de tecnologias em ambiente não formal contribuem para o aprendizado efetivo da botânica. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo avaliar se metodologias diversificadas promovem o interesse discente. Para tanto, foram realizadas aulas práticas de saída de campo, laboratoriais e uso do aplicativo PlantNet. Por meio destas metodologias foi trabalhada a classificação biológica dos quatro grandes grupos de plantas e a fisiologia vegetal (fotossíntese, transpiração foliar e transporte no xilema). Ao introduzimos essas metodologias alternativas com o uso de tecnologia e fora do ambiente formal instigamos o aprendizado, o que foi confirmado pela análise dos questionários antes e após as atividades. Deste modo, o uso de metodologias diferenciadas aumenta o interesse discente pela botânica e favorece o aprendizado. Palavras-chave: Aprendizado, ensino, metodologias, apropriação do conhecimento.Abstract: The botanic subject attracts little learner interest because of the contents' excess, difficult terms of teaching approach. For this reason, practical activities allied with the use of technologies in a non-formal environment adds to the effective apprenticeships of the botany. The present work had as a head objective to assess whether varied methodologies promote learners' interest. For this, practical classes of field departure, laboratory, and use of the Plantnet app were carried out. Methodologies had been working the biological classification of four large groups and plant physiology (photosynthesis, leaf transpiration, in xylem transport). Thus introduced these alternative methods with the use of the technology and outside, the formal environment we incite learning, what's been confirmed to analyses the questionnaires before and following the activities. As a result, the use of active methodologies arouses learners' interest in botanical and favors significant learning. Keywords: learning, teaching, methodologies, appropriation of knowledg