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Alonso E, Aparicio I, Santos JL, Villar P, Santos A. Sequential extraction of metals from mixed and digested sludge from aerobic WWTPs sited in the south of Spain. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2009; 29:418-424. [PMID: 18321697 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2008.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2007] [Revised: 12/22/2007] [Accepted: 01/17/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The content of heavy metals is the major limitation to the application of sewage sludge in soil. However, assessment of the pollution by total metal determination does not reveal the true environmental impact. It is necessary to apply sequential extraction techniques to obtain suitable information about their bioavailability or toxicity. In this paper, sequential extraction of metals from sludge before and after aerobic digestion was applied to sludge from five WWTPs in southern Spain to obtain information about the influence of the digestion treatment in the concentration of the metals. The percentage of each metal as residual, oxidizable, reducible and exchangeable form was calculated. For this purpose, sludge samples were collected from two different points of the plants, namely, sludge from the mixture (primary and secondary sludge) tank (mixed sludge, MS) and the digested-dewatered sludge (final sludge, FS). Heavy metals, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn, were extracted following the sequential extraction scheme proposed by the Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme of the European Commission and determined by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The total concentration of heavy metals in the measured sludge samples did not exceed the limits set out by European legislation and were mainly associated with the two less-available fractions (27-28% as oxidizable metal and 44-50% as residual metal). However, metals as Co (64% in MS and 52% in FS samples), Mn (82% in MS and 79% in FS), Ni (32% in MS and 26% in FS) and Zn (79% in MS and 62% in FS) were present at important percentages as available forms. In addition, results showed a clear increase of the concentration of metals after sludge treatment in the proportion of two less-available fractions (oxidizable and residual metal).
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302
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Santos A, Loureiro G, Faria E, Chieira C. Itraconazole, an effective adjunctive treatment for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2009; 19:404-408. [PMID: 19862941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the case of a 21-year old man with a long-standing history of severe asthma and allergic rhinosinusitis who developed progressive worsening of dyspnea, wheezing, productive cough, and nasal obstruction, with little response to antibiotics and repeated short courses of oral corticosteroids. A diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was made on the basis of a combination of clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings.Treatment with oral methylprednisolone and itraconazole resulted in an improvement in symptoms, lung function and computed tomography results, as well as in a decrease in total serum immunoglobulin E. This case report highlights the importance of a high degree of clinical suspicion in order to diagnose and treat allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with a long-standing history of severe asthma as early as possible as this has a major impact on prognosis. It also highlights the effectiveness of itraconazole as adjunctive therapy to systemic corticosteroids in this condition.
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303
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Silva M, Santos A, Furtado E, Villela N, Bouskela E. Microcirculatory, leukocyte/endothelium interaction and survival time effects of recombinant C-reactive protein in nonhypotensive endotoxemia in hamsters. Crit Care 2009. [PMCID: PMC4084129 DOI: 10.1186/cc7407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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304
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Almeida JT, Barahona-Correa B, Santos A, da Silva JA, Filipe P, Talina M, Xavier M. Autoantibodies in Bipolar and Cluster B Personality Disorders. Eur Psychiatry 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(09)70780-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevalence of depression and other common psychiatric disorders in autoimmune diseases has been extensively documented. The association between subclinical autoimmunity and behavioural or psychiatric syndromes remains less studied. The best known example is raised titres of autoantibodies with high affinity for the basal ganglia in some obsessive compulsive spectrum syndromes (e.g. Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections). The possible role of autoimmunity in impulse control disorders remains understudied.We proposed to study the relation between autoimmunity, affective bipolarity and impulsive psicopathology.Methods:14 bipolar, 10 cluster B personality disorder inpatients. Titres for rheumatoid factor (RA), antithyroglobulin (ATG), antiperoxidase (APO) antinuclear (ANA), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic (ANCA) and antistreptolysin (ASO) antibodies were measured in all subjects. Psychiatric assessment: non-structured psychiatric interview, MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II.Results:21,4% of bipolar patients had positive ATG titre vs 11,1% in the cluster B personality group. 28,6% of bipolar patients had positive APO titre vs 22,2% in the cluster B personality group. 16,7% of bipolar patients had positive ASO titre vs 30,0% in the cluster B personality group. None of this differences reached significance.ASO titre correlated significantly with antisocial (rho=0,435, p=0,043) and autodestructive (rho=0,461, p=0,031) ratings and almost significantly with borderline (rho=0,420, p=0,052) ratings.Conclusions:The results obtained partly agree with the existing studies. As far as we know a possible correlation between ASOs and impulsive behaviour has not been previously described. The results obtained call for further investigation in the subject.
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305
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Pastor D, Luengo-Oroz MA, Lombardot B, Gonzalvez I, Duloquin L, Savy T, Bourgine P, Peyrieras N, Santos A. Cell tracking in fluorescence images of embryogenesis processes with morphological reconstruction by 4D-tubular structuring elements. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2009; 2009:970-973. [PMID: 19964254 DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2009.5333756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We present a simple and parameter-free nuclei tracking method for reconstructing cell dynamics in fluorescence 3D+t images of embryogenesis. The strategy is based on the use of the mathematical morphology operators directly in the 4D image. The morphological reconstruction of a marker -manually or automatically selected- in an initial spatio-temporal position generates a connected path over the time representing the cell migration. Thus, the processing provides a coherent spatiotemporal estimation of cell movement. The algorithm has been validated on in vivo images of early zebrafish and sea urchin embryogenesis acquired with two-photon laser scanning microscopy providing mean tracking rates above 98% per time step.
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306
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Santos A, Furtado E, Villela N, Bouskela E. Microcirculatory, leucocyte/endothelium interaction and survival time effects of dobutamine in nonhypotensive endotoxemia. Crit Care 2009. [PMCID: PMC4084128 DOI: 10.1186/cc7406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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307
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Santos A, Duret M, Mancini J, Gire C, Deruelle C. Preterm birth affects dorsal-stream functioning even after age 6. Brain Cogn 2008; 69:490-4. [PMID: 19081169 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2008.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Revised: 10/17/2008] [Accepted: 10/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
With increasing numbers of preterm infants surviving, the impact of preterm birth on later cognitive development presents a major interest. This study investigates the impact of preterm birth on later dorsal- and ventral-stream functioning. An atypical pattern of performance was found for preterm children relative to full-term controls, but in the dorsal-drawing task only. These findings suggest that the number of gestational weeks does affect dorsal-stream functioning, even after more than 6 years of favorable environmental conditions in healthy preterm children.
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308
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Santos A, Sarmento-Ribeiro AB, de Lima MCP, Simões S, Moreira JN. Simultaneous evaluation of viability and Bcl-2 in small-cell lung cancer. Cytometry A 2008; 73A:1165-72. [DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.20634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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309
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Avila MP, Farah ME, Santos A, Duprat JP, Woodward BW, Nau J. Twelve-month short-term safety and visual-acuity results from a multicentre prospective study of epiretinal strontium-90 brachytherapy with bevacizumab for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol 2008; 93:305-9. [DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2008.145912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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310
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Santos A, Yustos P, Rodríguez S, Vicente F, Romero A. Detoxification Kinetic Modeling for Nonbiodegradable Wastewaters: An Ecotoxicity Lumping Approach. Ind Eng Chem Res 2008. [DOI: 10.1021/ie8010758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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311
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Alén F, Santos A, Moreno-Sanz G, González-Cuevas G, Giné E, Franco-Ruiz L, Navarro M, López-Moreno JA. Cannabinoid-induced increase in relapse-like drinking is prevented by the blockade of the glycine-binding site of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Neuroscience 2008; 158:465-73. [PMID: 18977415 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2008] [Revised: 09/30/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is a neuromodulatory system which controls the release of multiple neurotransmitters, including glutamate and both, the endocannabinoid and glutamatergic systems, have been implicated in alcohol relapse. Cannabinoid agonists induce an increase in relapse-like drinking whereas glutamate receptor antagonists could prevent it. Here we hypothesize that cannabinoid-induced increases in relapse-like alcohol drinking could be mediated by glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. To test this hypothesis, Wistar rats with a background of alcohol operant self-administration were treated with the cannabinoid receptor agonist (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl), pyrrolo [1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone mesylate (WIN 55.212-2, WIN) (2.0 mg/kg) during periods of alcohol deprivation. For five consecutive days, 30 min before the reintroduction of alcohol, rats were injected with the NMDA/glycine receptor antagonist 7-chloro-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenoxy)phenylquinolin-2-[1H]-one (L-701) (1.25-5.0 mg/kg) and alcohol reinforcement was evaluated. Our results clearly show that L-701 prevented the cannabinoid-induced increase in relapse-like drinking in a dose-dependent manner, whereas L-701 alone, in the absence of WIN treatment, did not significantly alter alcohol intake. The potentiation of relapse-like drinking induced by WIN is not caused by nonspecific anxiogenic effects, since no effect was observed in the elevated-plus maze test. These alcohol-related behaviors are linked to differential changes in CNR1 and NR1 subunit mRNA transcripts. In WIN-treated rats, an increase in CNR1 transcript levels was observed in the hypothalamus and striatum, whereas in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, brain regions involved in emotional processing, a decrease was observed. Interestingly, such changes were blocked after L-701 treatment. Finally, WIN treatment also caused a reduction in NR1 mRNA levels in the amygdala. In conclusion, pharmacological inactivation of the glycine-binding site of NMDA receptors may control cannabinoid-induced relapse-like drinking, which is associated with altered expression of CNR1 and NR1 gene expression as observed after WIN treatment.
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312
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Santos P, Glória A, Saez E, Santos A. 453. Epidural Analgesia for Labour in a Patient With Von Recklinghausen's Neurofibromatosis Involving the Spinal Cord. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2008. [DOI: 10.1136/rapm-00115550-200809001-00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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313
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Santos P, Saez E, Glória A, Santos A. 651. Epidural Analgesia and Anesthesia in Parturients With Multiple Sclerosis. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2008. [DOI: 10.1136/rapm-00115550-200809001-00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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314
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Gonçalves B, Moutinho-Pereira J, Bacelar E, Correia C, Silva A, Santos A. RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SWEET CHERRY LEAF GAS EXCHANGE, MORPHOLOGY AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2008.795.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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315
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Santos A, Pereira J, de Lima MP, Simões S, Moreira J. SiRNA mediated downregulation of Bcl-2 in small cell lung cancer cell lines – impact on protein level and cell viability. EJC Suppl 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(08)71460-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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316
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Santos A, Flores M. Effects of glyphosate on nitrogen fixation of free-living heterotrophic bacteria. Lett Appl Microbiol 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.1995.tb01318.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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317
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Calais da Silva FM, Calais da Silva FE, Gonçalves F, Santos A, Kliment J, Whelan P, Oliver RT, Antoniou N, Pastidis S, Robertson C, Queimadelos M. Five years survival and risk of death in a phase III study of intermmittent monotherapy versus continuous combined androgen deprivation. J Clin Oncol 2008. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.26.15_suppl.16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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318
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Calais da Silva FE, Calais da Silva FM, Gonçalves F, Santos A, Kliment J, Whelan P, Oliver RT, Antoniou N, Pastidis S, Robertson C, Queimadelos M. Evaluation of quality-of-life side effects and duration of therapy in a phase III study of intermittent monotherapy versus continuous combined androgen deprivation. J Clin Oncol 2008. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.26.15_suppl.5064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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319
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Rondan C, Santos A, Mancini J, Livet MO, Deruelle C. Global and Local processing in Williams Syndrome: Drawing versus Perceiving. Child Neuropsychol 2008; 14:237-48. [PMID: 17852122 DOI: 10.1080/09297040701346321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that a local processing bias underlies overall visuospatial impairments in Williams syndrome (WS). However, recent studies have challenged this hypothesis by providing evidence against a local processing bias at the perceptual level. The aim of the present study was to further examine drawing and perceptual skills in children with WS using closely matched-hierarchical stimuli. In the drawing task children with WS exhibited a local processing bias. However, no significant preferential bias was found in the perceptual task. This indicates that children with WS do not systematically present a preferential bias for local information. Taken together the findings of the present study suggest that perceptual processing deficits per se are unlikely to explain local processing biases in visuoconstructive tasks often described in people with WS.
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320
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Helfenstein T, Ihara S, Santos A, Relvas W, Fischer S, Fonseca M, Han S, Pinto L, Izar M, Fonseca F. CAN GENETIC MARKERS PREDICT CORONARY RISK IN TYPE 2 DIABETES OVER AND ABOVE CLASSIC RISK FACTORS? ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(08)70433-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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321
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Brandao S, Izar M, Helfenstein T, Fischer S, Santos A, Monteiro C, Manzoli M, Povoa R, Pereira V, Rodgerio T, Fonseca F. METABOLIC EFFECTS OF ANTYHYPERTENSIVE AGENTS IN NORMOGLYCEMIC, NORMOLIPIDEMIC HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(08)70764-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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322
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Moreira JN, Santos A, Moura V, Pedroso de Lima MC, Simões S. Non-viral lipid-based nanoparticles for targeted cancer systemic gene silencing. JOURNAL OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2008; 8:2187-2204. [PMID: 18572631 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2008.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
New molecular biology techniques have uncovered the hidden role of genes in cancer. Identification of activated oncogenes, as fundamental genetic differences relative to normal cells, has made it possible to consider such genes as targets for antitumor therapy, namely by applying gene silencing strategies. In this regard, antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNAs, constitute promising therapeutic tools. The widespread clinical application of such molecules as modulators of gene expression, is still dependent on several aspects that limit their bioavailability, including: enhanced biological stability, favourable pharmacokinetics, enhanced tumor cell uptake and, consequently, efficient targeted delivery. One of the most promising strategies to overcome the barriers faced by gene silencing molecules, upon systemic administration, involves the use of lipid-based nanoparticles. The first part of this review aims at providing the reader with the molecular mechanism of action of the most important gene silencing molecules used in anticancer therapy. The primary obstacle for translating gene silencing technology from an effective research tool into a feasible therapeutic strategy remains its efficient delivery to the targeted cell type in vivo. Therefore, an overview of different lipid-based strategies for nucleic acid delivery will be presented on the second part. As we learn more about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the carrier and/or of the gene silencing molecules, it will be possible to further improve the delivery strategy that likely in the future will lead to the ideal non-viral particle for targeted cancer systemic gene silencing.
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323
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Fischer S, Santos A, Oliveira L, Brandão S, Monteiro C, Monteiro A, Sanches E, Helfenstein T, Izar M, Gidlund M, Fonseca F. ACE-INHIBITORS AND DIURETICS REDUCE TITERS OF ANTIBODIES ANTI-OXLDL IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(08)70763-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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324
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Santos A, Fischer S, Monteiro A, Sanches E, Monteiro C, Helfenstein T, Gidlund M, Brandao S, Oliveira L, Fonseca F, Izar M. LOW TITERS OF HUMAN ANTI-OXLDL AUTOANTIBODIES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH UNSTABLE CORONARY DISEASE. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(08)70476-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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325
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Oliveira L, Monteiro C, Gonsales S, Helfenstein T, Cardoso A, Fischer S, Santos A, Izar M, Fonseca F. EFFECTS OF DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME AFTER AN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(08)70540-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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