A chemical survey of exoplanets with ARIEL

Thousands of exoplanets have now been discovered with a huge range of masses, sizes and orbits: from rocky Earth-like planets to large gas giants grazing the surface of their host star. However, the essential nature of these exoplanets remains largely mysterious: there is no known, discernible pattern linking the presence, size, or orbital parameters of a planet to the nature of its parent star. We have little idea whether the chemistry of a planet is linked to its formation environment, or whether the type of host star drives the physics and chemistry of the planet’s birth, and evolution. ARIEL was conceived to observe a large number (~1000) of transiting planets for statistical understanding, including gas giants, Neptunes, super-Earths and Earth-size planets around a range of host star types using transit spectroscopy in the 1.25–7.8 μm spectral range and multiple narrow-band photometry in the optical. ARIEL will focus on warm and hot planets to take advantage of their well-mixed atmospheres which should show minimal condensation and sequestration of high-Z materials compared to their colder Solar System siblings. Said warm and hot atmospheres are expected to be more representative of the planetary bulk composition. Observations of these warm/hot exoplanets, and in particular of their elemental composition (especially C, O, N, S, Si), will allow the understanding of the early stages of planetary and atmospheric formation during the nebular phase and the following few million years. ARIEL will thus provide a representative picture of the chemical nature of the exoplanets and relate this directly to the type and chemical environment of the host star. ARIEL is designed as a dedicated survey mission for combined-light spectroscopy, capable of observing a large and well-defined planet sample within its 4-year mission lifetime. Transit, eclipse and phase-curve spectroscopy methods, whereby the signal from the star and planet are differentiated using knowledge of the planetary ephemerides, allow us to measure atmospheric signals from the planet at levels of 10–100 part per million (ppm) relative to the star and, given the bright nature of targets, also allows more sophisticated techniques, such as eclipse mapping, to give a deeper insight into the nature of the atmosphere. These types of observations require a stable payload and satellite platform with broad, instantaneous wavelength coverage to detect many molecular species, probe the thermal structure, identify clouds and monitor the stellar activity. The wavelength range proposed covers all the expected major atmospheric gases from e.g. H2O, CO2, CH4 NH3, HCN, H2S through to the more exotic metallic compounds, such as TiO, VO, and condensed species. Simulations of ARIEL performance in conducting exoplanet surveys have been performed – using conservative estimates of mission performance and a full model of all significant noise sources in the measurement – using a list of potential ARIEL targets that incorporates the latest available exoplanet statistics. The conclusion at the end of the Phase A study, is that ARIEL – in line with the stated mission objectives – will be able to observe about 1000 exoplanets depending on the details of the adopted survey strategy, thus confirming the feasibility of the main science objectives.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Evaluation of retal carcinogenesis induced by N-metil-N-nitrosoguanidine and effect of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygenotherapy on chemotherapy

INTRODUÇÃO: a hipóxia tumoral pode comprometer o resultado da quimioterapia no tratamento do câncer colorretal devido a estímulo de angiogênese e liberação de fatores de crescimento tumoral. A suplementação de oxigênio em regime hiperbárico pode potencializar o efeito da quimioterapia nesses casos. OBJETIVO: avaliar o efeito da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica combinada à quimioterapia no tratamento de câncer colorretal em camundongos. METODOLOGIA: Trata-se de um estudo experimental com 60 camundongos C57BL6 que foram divididos em 5 grupos: 1) grupo controle: 15 animais submetidos a instilação de solução salina intrarretal, 2) grupo MNNG:15 animais submetidos a instilação de MNNG intrarretal, 3) grupo 5FU: 10 animais submetidos a instilação de MNNG intrarretal e tratados com 5-fluororacil (5FU), 4) grupo OHB: 10 animais submetidos à instilação de MNNG intrarretal e tratados com oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (OHB), 5) grupo 5FU+OHB: 10 animais submetidos a instilação de MNNG intrarretal e tratamento com 5FU e OHB. Os grupos controle e carcinógeno foram avaliados com exame endoscópico nas semanas 4 e 8 e a eutanásia foi realizada após 12 semanas. Os demais grupos passaram por exame endoscópico na semana 12 e, após, foram tratados por 2 semanas antes da eutanásia. Os cólons dos animais foram removidos para análise histológica e imunohistoquimica com dosagem de BAX, HIF1&alpha;, CD44 e survivina. RESULTADOS: o grupo MNNG apresentou a maior taxa de criptas displásicas (8,6%, p<0,0001) e a menor taxa de criptas necróticas (0,13%, p<0,0001). O grupo 5FU+OHB apresentou a maior taxa de células apoptóticas por cripta displásica (10,4%, p<0,0001) e maior taxa de espaços criptais vazios (3,1%, p<0,0001). O grupo 5FU apresentou a maior expressão de HIF1&alpha; (11%, p<0,0001), CD44 (6,5%, p<0,0001) e survivina (14,1%, p<0,0001). A expressão de BAX foi maior no grupo 5FU+OHB (20,2%, p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica potencializou o efeito do 5-FU no tratamento de neoplasia colorretal experimental em camundongos.Introduction: Tumor hypoxia may compromise the efficacy of chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer due to the stimulation to angiogenesis and release of tumor growth factors. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) supplementation may increase the effect of chemotherapy in these cases. Objective: to evaluate the effect of combined hyperbaric oxygen therapy and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in the treatment of murine colorectal cancer induced by rectal instillation of N-methyl-N\'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Methods: 60 C57BL6 mice were divided into 5 groups: 1) CONTROL group- 15 animals submitted to rectal instillation of saline solution; 2) MNNG group - 15 animals submitted to rectal instillation of MNNG; 3) 5FU group - 10 animals submitted to rectal instillation of MNNG and treated with 5FU; 4) HBO group - 10 animals submitted to rectal instillation of MNNG and treated with HBO; and 5) HBO+5FU group - 10 animals submitted to rectal instillation of MNNG and treated with combined HBO and 5FU. Control and MNNG groups were endoscopic evaluated in weeks number 4 and 8 and euthanasia was carried out after 12 weeks. All other groups were endoscopic evaluated after 12 weeks and then treated for 2 weeks before the euthanasia and the removal of the colon. Histological features and immunohistochemical expression (BAX, HIF-1, CD44 and survivin) were performed in all specimens. Results: MNNG group had the highest rate of dysplastic crypts (8.6%, p< 0.0001) and the lowest necrotic crypt index (0.13%; p<0.0001). 5FU+HBO group had the highest index of apoptotic cells by dysplastic crypt (10.4%; p<0.0001) and rate of empty crypt spaces (3.1%; p<0.0001). 5FU group presented the highest expression of HIF1 (11%; p<0.0001), CD44 (6.5%; p<0.0001) and surviving (14.1%; p<0.0001). Expression of BAX was higher in 5FU+OHB group (20.2%; p<0.05). Conclusion: Hyperbaric Oxygen enhanced the effect of 5-FU in the treatment of experimental colorectal cancer

A review of experimental models in colorectal carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular changes that lead to the disease is necessary to develop early diagnosis and optimal treatment modalities. Rodent models are rapid, reproducible and exhibit an adenoma-carcinoma sequence similar to that found in humans. The objective of this manuscript is to review the most common chemical carcinogens used to induce experimental tumors and the usual methods of evaluation. Resumo: O câncer colorretal é a principal neoplasia maligna do trato gastrointestinal. Um melhor entendimento dos processos moleculares e celulares é necessário para o desenvolvimento de estratégias que permitam um diagnóstico precoce e um tratamento mais eficaz. Modelos que utilizam roedores são rápidos, reprodutíveis e permitem o estudo da sequencia adenoma-carcinoma de forma similar a encontrada em humanos. O objetivo desse manuscrito é revisar os principais modelos de carcinogênese química e os métodos mais usuais para avaliação dos resultados. Keywords: Animal models, Colorectal neoplasms, Diagnosis, Palavras-chave: Modelos animais, Neoplasias colorretais, Diagnóstic

Access to High-Cost Biological Agents: Perceptions of Brazilian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background and aims: Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) requiring therapy with biological agents usually have access to medicines through the National Unified Health Care System (SUS). This study aimed to analyze Brazilian IBD patient perception regarding access (availability and provision quality) to high-cost drugs in the public health care system. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out in an IBD referral center in Brazil. All adult patients with an established diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) that use biological therapy were invited to participate. Data were collected on the biological in use, lack of distribution (number of absences, average time to regularization, impairment in patient treatment), and difficulties reported by patients in obtaining the drugs. Results: Overall, 205 patients met the inclusion criteria and answered the questionnaire. Most of the patients had CD (n = 161, 78.5%), nearly half of them (n = 104, 50.7%) were female; 87 patients (42.4%) were unemployed, and of these, 40 patients (19.5%) had government assistance as the main source of income. Regarding the medications used, infliximab (n = 128, 62.5%) was the most used medication, followed by adalimumab (n = 39, 19.0%). Most patients (n = 172, 83.9%) reported at least one failed delivery of biological medicine in the last year, with a single shortage in forty-two patients (24.4%), at least two shortages in forty-seven patients (27.3%), and three or more shortages in seventy-eight patients (45.3%). The average time to regularize the distribution was up to 1 month in 44 cases (25.6%), up to 2 months in 64 cases (37.2%), and more than 3 months in 56 patients (32.6%). Among patients who reported delays, 101 patients (58.7%) felt that it may have impaired their treatment. Conclusion: Brazilian IBD patients reported high rates of failure to dispense biological drugs by the national healthcare system within one year. Our data highlight the need for improvement in this system for the correct supply of medication to avoid treatment failure and relapse

Ariel: Enabling planetary science across light-years

Ariel Definition Study ReportAriel Definition Study Report, 147 pages. Reviewed by ESA Science Advisory Structure in November 2020. Original document available at: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/documents/1783156/3267291/Ariel_RedBook_Nov2020.pdf/Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Ariel: Enabling planetary science across light-years

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution