1
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Simões S, Lino M, Barrera A, Rebelo C, Tomatis F, Vilaça A, Breunig C, Neuner A, Peça J, González R, Carvalho A, Stricker S, Ferreira L. Near-Infrared Light Activated Formulation for the Spatially Controlled Release of CRISPR-Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein for Brain Gene Editing. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202401004. [PMID: 38497898 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202401004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system has emerged as a promising platform for gene editing; however, the lack of an efficient and safe delivery system to introduce it into cells continues to hinder clinical translation. Here, we report a rationally designed gene-editing nanoparticle (NP) formulation for brain applications: an sgRNA:Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex is immobilized on the NP surface by oligonucleotides that are complementary to the sgRNA. Irradiation of the formulation with a near-infrared (NIR) laser generates heat in the NP, leading to the release of the ribonucleoprotein complex. The gene-editing potential of the formulation was demonstrated in vitro at the single-cell level. The safety and gene editing of the formulation were also demonstrated in the brains of reporter mice, specifically in the subventricular zone after intracerebral administration and in the olfactory bulb after intranasal administration. The formulation presented here offers a new strategy for the spatially controlled delivery of the CRISPR system to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Simões
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Lino
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Angela Barrera
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Rebelo
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francesca Tomatis
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andreia Vilaça
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Christopher Breunig
- Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, Germany
| | - Andrea Neuner
- Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, Germany
| | - João Peça
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Science, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo González
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Carvalho
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Stefan Stricker
- Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, Germany
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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2
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Sousa AR, Cunha AF, Santos-Coquillat A, Estrada BH, Spiller KL, Barão M, Rodrigues AF, Simões S, Vilaça A, Ferreira L, Oliveira MB, Mano JF. Shape-Versatile Fixed Cellular Materials for Multiple Target Immunomodulation. Adv Mater 2024:e2405367. [PMID: 38739450 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutic cells are usually administered as living agents, despite the risks of undesired cell migration and acquisition of unpredictable phenotypes. Additionally, most cell-based therapies rely on the administration of single cells, often associated with rapid in vivo clearance. 3D cellular materials may be useful to prolong the effect of cellular therapies and offer the possibility of creating structural volumetric constructs. Here, the manufacturing of shape-versatile fixed cell-based materials with immunomodulatory properties is reported. Living cell aggregates with different shapes (spheres and centimeter-long fibers) are fixed using a method compatible with maintenance of structural integrity, robustness, and flexibility of 3D constructs. The biological properties of living cells can be modulated before fixation, rendering an in vitro anti-inflammatory effect toward human macrophages, in line with a decreased activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway that preponderantly correlated with the surface area of the materials. These findings are further corroborated in vivo in mouse skin wounds. Contact with fixed materials also reduces the proliferation of activated primary T lymphocytes, while promoting regulatory populations. The fixation of cellular constructs is proposed as a versatile phenotypic stabilization method that can be easily implemented to prepare immunomodulatory materials with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Sousa
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Ana F Cunha
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Ana Santos-Coquillat
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Hernaez Estrada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kara L Spiller
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Marta Barão
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Artur Filipe Rodrigues
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Andreia Vilaça
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
- FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Mariana B Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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González RD, Simões S, Ferreira L, Carvalho ATP. Designing Cell Delivery Peptides and SARS-CoV-2-Targeting Small Interfering RNAs: A Comprehensive Bioinformatics Study with Generative Adversarial Network-Based Peptide Design and In Vitro Assays. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:6079-6089. [PMID: 37941379 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid technologies with designed intracellular delivery systems are some of the most promising therapies of the future. Small interfering (si)RNAs inhibit gene expression and protein synthesis and may complement current vaccines with faster design and production. Although successful delivery remains an issue, delivery peptides may help to fill this gap. Here, we address this issue by applying bioinformatic approaches to design new putative cell delivery peptides and siRNAs for COVID-19 variants and other related viral diseases. Of the 29,880 RNA sequences analyzed, 62 were identified in silico as able to target the virus mRNA sequence, and from the 9,984 peptide sequences analyzed, 10 were selected as delivery peptides. From the latter, we further performed in vitro studies of the two best-ranked peptides and compared them with the broadly used TAT delivery peptide. One of them, seq5, displayed better internalization results with about double intensity signal compared to TAT after a 1 h incubation time in GFP-HeLa cells. This peptide has, thus, the features of a delivery peptide and could be used for cargo intracellular delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo D González
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandra T P Carvalho
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Almac Sciences, Department of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry, Almac House, 20 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon, Northern Ireland BT63 5QD, United Kingdom
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Rebelo C, Reis T, Guedes J, Saraiva C, Rodrigues AF, Simões S, Bernardino L, Peça J, Pinho SLC, Ferreira L. Author Correction: Efficient spatially targeted gene editing using a near-infrared activatable protein-conjugated nanoparticle for brain applications. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4252. [PMID: 37460468 PMCID: PMC10352242 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39976-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rebelo
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tiago Reis
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Guedes
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Saraiva
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | | | - Susana Simões
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana Bernardino
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - João Peça
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia L C Pinho
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Santos AJM, Khemiri S, Simões S, Prista C, Sousa I, Raymundo A. The importance, prevalence and determination of vitamins B6 and B12 in food matrices: A review. Food Chem 2023; 426:136606. [PMID: 37356238 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Vitamins are a vast group of fundamental organic compounds, which are not produced by the human body but are essential for the living organisms' good health. Vitamins B6 and B12 belong to the same group of hydrophilic vitamins. Structurally unrelated, they share the same purpose as essential components for normal cellular operation, growth and development. Vitamin B6 is an enzymatic co-factor that is vital for countless biochemical reactions, and is also important in sugar and fatty acid metabolization. It encompasses three natural and inter-convertible pyridine-derivatives: pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B12 is a cobalt organometallic complex also indispensable in numerous human physiological functions. It has four bioactive forms: cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin and 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, and only a few prokaryotes have the ability to biosynthesize cobalamin. This work reviews the significant aspects of vitamins B6 and B12: their vital roles, consequences of deficit; food sources; and methods of determination and respective matrices, with heavy emphasis on chromatographic techniques developed within the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J M Santos
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Centre, Higher Institute of Agronomy of the University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - S Khemiri
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Centre, Higher Institute of Agronomy of the University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - S Simões
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Centre, Higher Institute of Agronomy of the University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Prista
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Centre, Higher Institute of Agronomy of the University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I Sousa
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Centre, Higher Institute of Agronomy of the University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Raymundo
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Centre, Higher Institute of Agronomy of the University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
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6
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Rodrigues AF, Rebelo C, Reis T, Simões S, Bernardino L, Peça J, Ferreira L. Engineering optical tools for remotely controlled brain stimulation and regeneration. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:3034-3050. [PMID: 36947145 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm02059a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are one of the world's leading medical and societal challenges due to the lack of efficacy of the first line treatment. Although pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been employed with the aim of regulating neuronal activity and survival, they have failed to avoid symptom relapse and disease progression in the vast majority of patients. In the last 5 years, advanced drug delivery systems delivering bioactive molecules and neuromodulation strategies have been developed to promote tissue regeneration and remodel neuronal circuitry. However, both approaches still have limited spatial and temporal precision over the desired target regions. While external stimuli such as electromagnetic fields and ultrasound have been employed in the clinic for non-invasive neuromodulation, they do not have the capability of offering single-cell spatial resolution as light stimulation. Herein, we review the latest progress in this area of study and discuss the prospects of using light-responsive nanomaterials to achieve on-demand delivery of drugs and neuromodulation, with the aim of achieving brain stimulation and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Filipe Rodrigues
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Rebelo
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Central, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Tiago Reis
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Central, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Susana Simões
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Central, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Liliana Bernardino
- Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - João Peça
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Central, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Central, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Rodrigues AF, Rebelo C, Simões S, Paulo C, Pinho S, Francisco V, Ferreira L. A Polymeric Nanoparticle Formulation for Targeted mRNA Delivery to Fibroblasts. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2205475. [PMID: 36529964 PMCID: PMC9929262 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapies offer enhanced control over the production of therapeutic proteins for many diseases. Their clinical implementation warrants formulations capable of delivering them safely and effectively to target sites. Owing to their chemical versatility, polymeric nanoparticles can be designed by combinatorial synthesis of different ionizable, cationic, and aromatic moieties to modulate cell targeting, using inexpensive formulation steps. Herein, 152 formulations are evaluated by high-throughput screening using a reporter fibroblast model sensitive to functional delivery of mRNA encoding Cre recombinase. Using in vitro and in vivo models, a polymeric nanoformulation based on the combination of 3 specific monomers is identified to transfect fibroblasts much more effectively than other cell types populating the skin, with superior performance than lipid-based transfection agents in the delivery of Cas9 mRNA and guide RNA. This tropism can be explained by receptor-mediated endocytosis, involving CD26 and FAP, which are overexpressed in profibrotic fibroblasts. Structure-activity analysis reveals that efficient mRNA delivery required the combination of high buffering capacity and low mRNA binding affinity for rapid release upon endosomal escape. These results highlight the use of high-throughput screening to rapidly identify chemical features towards the design of highly efficient mRNA delivery systems targeting fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Filipe Rodrigues
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
| | - Catarina Rebelo
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
- Faculty of MedicinePólo das Ciências da SaúdeUnidade CentralUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐354Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
| | - Cristiana Paulo
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
| | - Sónia Pinho
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
| | - Vítor Francisco
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC–Center for Neurosciences and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐517Portugal
- Faculty of MedicinePólo das Ciências da SaúdeUnidade CentralUniversity of CoimbraCoimbra3000‐354Portugal
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Rodrigues AF, Tavares APM, Simões S, Silva RPFF, Sobrino T, Figueiredo BR, Sales G, Ferreira L. Engineering graphene-based electrodes for optical neural stimulation. Nanoscale 2023; 15:687-706. [PMID: 36515425 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05256c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have been investigated in recent years with the aim of developing flexible interfaces to address a range of neurological disorders, where electrical stimulation may improve brain function and tissue regeneration. The recent discovery that GBM electrodes can generate an electrical response upon light exposure has inspired the development of non-genetic approaches capable of selectively modulating brain cells without genetic manipulation (i.e., optogenetics). Here, we propose the conjugation of graphene with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), which enable wireless transcranial activation using tissue-penetrating near-infrared (NIR) radiation. Following a design of experiments approach, we first investigated the influence of different host matrices and dopants commonly used to synthesize UCNPs in the electrical response of graphene. Two UCNP formulations achieving optimal enhancement of electrical conductivity upon NIR activation at λ = 780 or 980 nm were identified. These formulations were then covalently attached to graphene nanoplatelets following selective hydroxyl derivatization. The resulting nanocomposites were evaluated in vitro using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. NIR activation at λ = 980 nm promoted cell proliferation and downregulated neuronal and glial differentiation markers, suggesting the potential application of GBMs in minimally invasive stimulation of cells for tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Filipe Rodrigues
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Ana P M Tavares
- BioMark@UC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Rui P F F Silva
- Graphenest S.A., Edifício Vouga Park, 3740-070 Paradela do Vouga, Portugal
| | - Tomás Sobrino
- NeuroAging Laboratory, Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Bruno R Figueiredo
- Graphenest S.A., Edifício Vouga Park, 3740-070 Paradela do Vouga, Portugal
| | - Goreti Sales
- BioMark@UC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Central, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
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Steenbeek R, Emke E, Vughs D, Matias J, Boogaerts T, Castiglioni S, Campos-Mañas M, Covaci A, de Voogt P, Ter Laak T, Hernández F, Salgueiro-González N, Meijer WG, Dias MJ, Simões S, van Nuijs ALN, Bijlsma L, Béen F. Spatial and temporal assessment of crack cocaine use in 13 European cities through wastewater-based epidemiology. Sci Total Environ 2022; 847:157222. [PMID: 35901880 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Already in early 2000s, concerns have been growing in the EU about increasing use of cocaine and it is estimated that below 1 % of the population administer the drug by smoking crack cocaine. New available data suggests an increase in the use of crack cocaine and an increase in the number of crack cocaine users entering treatment has been reported in several European countries. Robust estimations of crack cocaine use are however not available yet. The use of crack cocaine has long been associated with severe adverse socio-economic conditions as well as mental health problems, such as suicide ideation and depression. The aim of this study was to assess spatial trends in population-normalized mass loads of crack cocaine biomarkers (i.e., anhydroecgonine and anhydroecgonine methyl ester) in 13 European cities in six countries (the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy). Furthermore, temporal trends over a five-year period were evaluated through the analysis of historic samples collected in the Netherlands. Finally, the stability of the crack cocaine biomarkers in wastewater was investigated through batch experiments. The samples were analyzed with a new developed and validated hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method. Targeted crack cocaine biomarkers were found in all cities. Also, crack cocaine biomarker was detected in wastewater from 2017 to 2021 in the Netherlands, but no significance between the years were found. With respect to biomarker in-sample stability, AEME was found to be stable in wastewater. This study assessed crack cocaine use for the first time on a broad scale, both temporal and in cities across Europe, with wastewater-based epidemiology and it shows the importance of wastewater analysis to monitor community loads of crack cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud Steenbeek
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
| | - Erik Emke
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis Vughs
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - João Matias
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tim Boogaerts
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Campos-Mañas
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pim de Voogt
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Ter Laak
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Félix Hernández
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Noelia Salgueiro-González
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Wim G Meijer
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mario J Dias
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Lubertus Bijlsma
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Frederic Béen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
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Barbosa A, Fardilha C, Faustino I, Marques A, Gagean J, Calçada C, Simões S, Ramos S, Carvalhosa O, Costa P. P-233 Real-world outcomes of anal cancer patients treated with radical chemoradiation. Ann Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.04.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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11
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Silva C, Amorim M, Costa M, Fonseca G, Fardilha C, Gagean J, Simões S, Ponte F, Campos G, Seixas C, Rodrigues F, Costa P. PO-1138 Stereotactic radiosurgery in the management of vestibular schwannoma:a single-institution experience. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)03102-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Lino MM, Simões S, Tomatis F, Albino I, Barrera A, Vivien D, Sobrino T, Ferreira L. Engineered extracellular vesicles as brain therapeutics. J Control Release 2021; 338:472-485. [PMID: 34428481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are communication channels between different cell types in the brain, between the brain and the periphery and vice-versa, playing a fundamental role in physiology and pathology. The evidence that EVs might be able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) make them very promising candidates as nanocarriers to treat brain pathologies. EVs contain a cocktail of bioactive factors, yet their content and surface can be further engineered to enhance their biological activity, stability and targeting ability. Native and engineered EVs have been reported for the treatment of different brain pathologies, although issues related to their modest accumulation and limited local therapeutic effect in the brain still need to be addressed. In this review, we cover the therapeutic applications of native and bioengineered EVs for brain diseases. We also review recent data about the interaction between EVs and the BBB and discuss the challenges and opportunities in clinical translation of EVs as brain therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel M Lino
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, 3060-197 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, 3060-197 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francesca Tomatis
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, 3060-197 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Albino
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, 3060-197 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Angela Barrera
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, 3060-197 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Denis Vivien
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM U1237, Etablissement Français du Sang (EFS), Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders (PhIND), Cyceron, Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie (BB@C), 14000 Caen, France; Department of clinical research, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, CHU, Avenue de la côte de Nacre, Caen, France
| | - Tomas Sobrino
- Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lino Ferreira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC, Biotech Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, 3060-197 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Simões S, Canhoto C, Bärlocher F, Gonçalves AL. Hydrological contraction patterns and duration of drying period shape microbial-mediated litter decomposition. Sci Total Environ 2021; 785:147312. [PMID: 33957592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The length and number of streams experiencing intermittency is expected to increase in response to human population growth, associated water use, and climate change. In these streams, habitat contraction may occur at distinct rates giving rise to drying periods of distinct duration. To date, the impact of drought installation rate and duration have been mostly overlooked. In this microcosm study, stream conditioned oak leaf litter was subjected to either a short (5 weeks) or a long (8 weeks) drying period, originating from a very slow, slow, or abrupt contraction. The effects of these treatments were compared at the end of the drying period in terms of microbial-mediated litter mass loss, fungal biomass, respiration, and sporulation rates. A very slow contraction pattern led to 1.3 times higher mass loss than both slow or abrupt contraction. Fungal biomass, respiration and sporulation rates were up to 2.3 times lower under slow than abrupt contraction. Both drying period durations inhibited leaf decomposition, suggesting an early, critical effect of drying on microbial-mediated processing, regardless of contraction pattern. This seems to be related to an impoverishment of leaf associated fungal communities and resultant lower functional efficacy - species richness decreased by up to 75% in response to a long (vs. short) drying period, despite the maintenance of mycelial biomass. Our results show the relevance of aquatic hyphomycetes to litter decomposition in dry streambeds, particularly following slower habitat contraction patterns. Faster wet-to-dry transitions and longer drying periods strongly impaired microbial functioning, with potential impacts on global processing rates and cascading effects through changes of detritus quality. If confirmed in field tests, such impacts on stream functioning may be mitigated by preserving riparian forests, which may protect against extreme drying events by buffering temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Simões
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - C Canhoto
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - F Bärlocher
- Department of Biology, Mt. Allison University, Sackville E4L1G7, New Brunswick, Canada.
| | - A L Gonçalves
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Abstract
Correction for 'Revisiting gene delivery to the brain: silencing and editing' by João Conniot et al., Biomater. Sci., 2021, DOI: .
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Affiliation(s)
- João Conniot
- NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, ischemic brain diseases, and brain tumors are debilitating diseases that severely impact a person's life and could possibly lead to their demise if left untreated. Many of these diseases do not respond to small molecule therapeutics and have no effective long-term therapy. Gene therapy offers the promise of treatment or even a cure for both genetic and acquired brain diseases, mediated by either silencing or editing disease-specific genes. Indeed, in the last 5 years, significant progress has been made in the delivery of non-coding RNAs as well as gene-editing formulations to the brain. Unfortunately, the delivery is a major limiting factor for the success of gene therapies. Both viral and non-viral vectors have been used to deliver genetic information into a target cell, but they have limitations. Viral vectors provide excellent transduction efficiency but are associated with toxic effects and have limited packaging capacity; however, non-viral vectors are less toxic and show a high packaging capacity at the price of low transfection efficiency. Herein, we review the progress made in the field of brain gene therapy, particularly in the design of non-toxic and trackable non-viral vectors, capable of controlled release of genes in response to internal/external triggers, and in the delivery of formulations for gene editing. The application of these systems in the context of various brain diseases in pre-clinical and clinical tests will be discussed. Such promising approaches could potentially pave the way for clinical realization of brain gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Conniot
- NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Blersch J, Francisco V, Rebelo C, Jiménez-Balsa A, Antunes H, Pinto S, Simões S, Rai A, Ferreira L. A light-triggerable formulation to control the stability of pro-angiogenic transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Nanoscale 2020; 12:9935-9942. [PMID: 32352454 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr10503d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The control of vascular remodeling mediated by transcription factor HIF-1α is critical in the treatment of several diseases including cancer, retinopathies, chronic wounds, and ischemic heart disease, among others. Gene silencing using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising therapeutic strategy to regulate HIF-1α; however, the delivery systems developed so far have limited endothelial targeting and efficiency. Herein, we have synthesized a light-triggerable polymeric nanoparticle (NP) library composed of 110 formulations which showed variable morphology, charge and disassembly rates after UV exposure. More than 35% of the formulations of the library were more efficient in gene knockdown than the siRNA delivered by a commercial transfection agent (lipofectamine RNAiMAX). The most efficient siRNA delivery formulations were tested against different cell types to identify one with preferential targeting to endothelial cells. Using a two-step methodology, we have identified a formulation that shows exquisite targeting to endothelial cells and is able to deliver more efficiently the siRNA that modulates HIF-1α than commercial transfection agents. Overall, the strategy reported here increases the specificity for tissue regulation and the efficiency for the intracellular delivery of siRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Blersch
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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17
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Teixeira I, Simões S, Marques M, Espírito-Santo H, Lemos L. Self-criticism and self-compassion role in the occurrence of insomnia on college students. Eur Psychiatry 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionTo our knowledge there are no research about the influence of self-criticism and self-compassion in the occurrence of insomnia.ObjectivesTo study the association between self-criticism, self-compassion and insomnia on university students; to explore differences in these associations on two moments of student's lives–examination and no examination period.AimsWe anticipate that the stress and pressure of the examination period have an impact on student's sleep and there are, also, differences by age and gender.MethodSelf-Criticism and Self-Reassurance Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Pre-Activation Sleep Scale, Insomnia Assessment Scale and Anxiety and Depression and Stress Scales were answered by 160 college students (M = 26.45, SD = 7.98; range = 19–54 years) during an examination period and by 108 college students during a no examination period (M = 26.34; SD = 0.43; range = 19–54 years).ResultsIn both periods (examination and no examination period) older students (30–54 years) tended to be more self-compassionate and tolerant, such as less self-critical and punitive. During the examination period, younger students (19–29 years) showed higher levels of self-criticism, cognitive, and somatic activation before falling asleep. There was also a higher proportion of younger students in the insomniac and insomnia symptomatic groups. Moreover, significant correlations were found between cognitive and somatic activation and depression, anxiety, and stress in both moments.ConclusionsIn the examination period, the youngest students are more critical and less compassionate, what might lead to greater cognitive and somatic activation before sleep and, consequently, to insomnia symptoms and insomnia itself.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Blersch J, Francisco V, Rebelo C, Jiménez‐Balsa A, Antunes H, Gonzato C, Pinto S, Simões S, Liedl K, Haupt K, Ferreira L. A Light‐Triggerable Nanoparticle Library for the Controlled Release of Non‐Coding RNAs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:1985-1991. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201911398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Blersch
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Vitor Francisco
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Catarina Rebelo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | | | - Helena Antunes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Carlo Gonzato
- Sorbonne UniversitésUniversité de Technologie de CompiègneLaboratory for Enzyme and Cell Engineering UMR CNRS 7025 60200 Compiègne France
| | - Sandra Pinto
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Klaus Liedl
- Faculty of Chemistry and PharmacyLeopold-Franzens University Innsbruck Austria
| | - Karsten Haupt
- Sorbonne UniversitésUniversité de Technologie de CompiègneLaboratory for Enzyme and Cell Engineering UMR CNRS 7025 60200 Compiègne France
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
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19
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Figueiredo A, Almeida M, Almodovar M, Alves P, Araújo A, Araújo D, Barata F, Barradas L, Barroso A, Brito U, Camacho E, Canário D, Cardoso T, Chaves A, Costa L, Cunha J, Duarte J, Estevinho F, Felizardo M, Fernandes J, Ferreira L, Ferreira L, Fidalgo P, Freitas C, Garrido P, Gil N, Hasmucrai D, Jesus E, Lopes J, de Macedo J, Meleiro A, Neveda R, Nogueira F, Pantorotto M, Parente B, Pego A, Rocha M, Roque J, Santos C, Saraiva J, Silva E, Silva S, Simões S, Soares M, Teixeira E, Timóteo T, Hespanhol V. Real-world data from the Portuguese Nivolumab Expanded Access Program (EAP) in previously treated Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Pulmonology 2020; 26:10-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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20
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Blersch J, Francisco V, Rebelo C, Jiménez‐Balsa A, Antunes H, Gonzato C, Pinto S, Simões S, Liedl K, Haupt K, Ferreira L. A Light‐Triggerable Nanoparticle Library for the Controlled Release of Non‐Coding RNAs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201911398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Blersch
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Vitor Francisco
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Catarina Rebelo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | | | - Helena Antunes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Carlo Gonzato
- Sorbonne UniversitésUniversité de Technologie de CompiègneLaboratory for Enzyme and Cell Engineering UMR CNRS 7025 60200 Compiègne France
| | - Sandra Pinto
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Klaus Liedl
- Faculty of Chemistry and PharmacyLeopold-Franzens University Innsbruck Austria
| | - Karsten Haupt
- Sorbonne UniversitésUniversité de Technologie de CompiègneLaboratory for Enzyme and Cell Engineering UMR CNRS 7025 60200 Compiègne France
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Coimbra 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
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21
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Lino MM, Simões S, Vilaça A, Antunes H, Zonari A, Ferreira L. Modulation of Angiogenic Activity by Light-Activatable miRNA-Loaded Nanocarriers. ACS Nano 2018; 12:5207-5220. [PMID: 29870221 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b07538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The combinatorial delivery of miRNAs holds great promise to modulate cell activity in the context of angiogenesis. Yet, the delivery of multiple miRNAs with spatiotemporal control remains elusive. Here, we report a plasmonic nanocarrier to control the release of two microRNAs. The nanocarrier consists of gold nanorods modified with single-stranded DNA for hybridization with complementary DNA-conjugated microRNAs. DNA strands with distinct melting temperatures enable the independent release of each microRNA with a near-infrared laser using the same wavelength but different powers. Tests in human outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) indicate that this system can be used to silence different targets sequentially and, by doing so, to modulate cell activity with spatiotemporal resolution. Finally, using an in vivo acute wound healing animal model, it is demonstrated that the order by which each miRNA was released in transplanted OECs significantly impacted the wound healing kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel M Lino
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Andreia Vilaça
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Helena Antunes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
- Crioestaminal , 3060-197 Cantanhede , Portugal
| | - Alessandra Zonari
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
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22
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Marto J, Ruivo E, Lucas SD, Gonçalves LM, Simões S, Gouveia LF, Felix R, Moreira R, Ribeiro HM, Almeida AJ. Starch nanocapsules containing a novel neutrophil elastase inhibitor with improved pharmaceutical performance. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2018; 127:1-11. [PMID: 29409864 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients show an excessive amount of elastase in peripheral blood neutrophils due to an imbalance between this proteolytic enzyme and its endogenous inhibitors, the search for new human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors are required. The HNE is an attractive therapeutic target and inhibitors with new molecular architectures have been extensively investigated. In this context a promising novel synthetic human neutrophil elastase inhibitor (ER143) was associated to a starch-based nanoparticulate system (StNC) with improved pharmaceutical performance, using a quality by design approach to support product development and optimization. The resulting formulation was characterized in terms of and in vitro release, permeation and retention studies in newborn pig skin, using Franz diffusion cells revealing the StNC have the ability to control the drug release rate and contribute to a high skin retention and/or permeation profiles. The anti-inflammatory activity accessed in vivo using the croton oil-induced ear inflammation model in mice showed that erythema and edema were attenuated in 98% following local application. These observations suggest the association of ER143 to the StNC promotes a deeper skin penetration and retention, also confirming StNC as a potential topical delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Marto
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - E Ruivo
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S D Lucas
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L M Gonçalves
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Simões
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L F Gouveia
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R Felix
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R Moreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - H M Ribeiro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A J Almeida
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
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Simões S, Loução Martins AP. Alunos em risco na fluência da leitura. R Est Inv Psico y Educ 2017. [DOI: 10.17979/reipe.2017.0.11.2398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Este estudo teve por finalidade conhecer o impacto da variável risco nas trajetórias do nível da identificação de fonemas, grafemas e fluência leitora desde o final do pré-escolar ao final do 1.º ano do Ensino Básico. Recolhemos dados com provas de monitorização com base no currículo junto de - 22 crianças de um agrupamento Português. Concluímos que para a fluência do som e o nome das letras a diferença entre os alunos em risco e os que não estão em risco diminui ao longo do tempo; enquanto a diferença para os resultados da fluência da leitura aumenta.
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Abstract
Transient, non-integrative modulation of cell function by intracellular delivery of proteins has high potential in cellular reprogramming, gene editing and therapeutic medicine applications. Unfortunately, the capacity to deliver multiple proteins intracellularly with temporal and spatial control has not been demonstrated. Here, we report a near infrared (NIR) laser-activatable nanomaterial that allows for precise control over the release of two proteins from a single nanomaterial. The nanomaterial is formed by gold nanorods (AuNRs) modified with single stranded DNA (ssDNA) to which complementary DNA-conjugated proteins are hybridized. Using DNA strands with distinct melting temperatures we are able to control independently the release of each protein with a laser using the same wavelength but with different powers. Studies in mammalian cells show that AuNRs conjugated with proteins are internalized by endocytosis and NIR laser irradiation promotes endosomal escape and the release of the proteins from the AuNRs simultaneously. Our results further demonstrate the feasibility of protein release from a carrier that has been accumulated within the cell up to 1 day while maintaining its activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel M Lino
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
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25
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Lopes M, Aniceto D, Abrantes M, Simões S, Branco F, Vitória I, Botelho MF, Seiça R, Veiga F, Ribeiro A. In vivo biodistribution of antihyperglycemic biopolymer-based nanoparticles for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2017. [PMID: 28007370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the biodistribution of antihyperglycemic insulin-loaded alginate/dextran sulfate-based nanoparticles dual coated with chitosan and technetium-99m-albumin (99mTc-BSA) after oral administration. The oral administration of 50IU/kg insulin-loaded nanoparticles to type 1 diabetic rats showed prolonged antihyperglycemic effects up to 12h and relative pharmacological availability of 5.04% comparing to the subcutaneous administration. The oral antihyperglycemic effect was further compared between type 1 and type 2 diabetic models by the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, revealing that the effect lasted longer in the type 1 diabetic model. 99mTc-BSA revealed to be a good nanoparticles' tracer since there was no systemic absorption and 99mTc-BSA-nanoparticles were capable of increasing their residence time in the intestinal epithelium of balb-c mice when compared with 99mTc-BSA biodistribution. Thus, this biopolymeric-based delivery nanoparticulate system is a promising tool for the therapy of type 1 and type 2 diabetic individuals and prevention of T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lopes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Denise Aniceto
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CIMAGO, FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margarida Abrantes
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CIMAGO, FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fábio Branco
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Vitória
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; IBILI-Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Filomena Botelho
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CIMAGO, FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seiça
- CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Veiga
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Ribeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; I3S-Instituto de Investigacão e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.
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Espírito-Santo H, Guadalupe S, Lemos L, Simões S, Daniel F. The temporal evolution of life satisfaction in institutionalized elderly: A longitudinal study. Eur Psychiatry 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionResearch shows that variables, such as depression, less functionality and health, less contact with family and others, may have a negative impact on life satisfaction.ObjectivesTo verify which variables correlate with satisfaction with life (SWL) and analyse which of them predict the evolution of SWL.AimsTo examine correlates and predictors of SWL in institutionalized elderly.MethodsThis study involved a subsidiary longitudinal analysis of cross-sectional data gathered at Phase I (2010–2012; n = 493 elderly) and after 36 months at Phase II (2013–2014; n = 85) of Aging Trajectories Project from Miguel Torga University College.ResultsAt Phase I, higher scores in SWL scale correlated with having visits (r = 0.17; P < 0.01), specially from family (r = 0.20; P < 0.01), less depressive (r = –0.42; P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (r = –0.25; P < 0.001), less loneliness feelings (r = –0.37; P < 0.001), less functionality (r = 0.15; P < 0.01), and better general physical health (r = 0.25; P < 0.001). Age, sex, civil status, cognitive, and executive status did not correlate with SWL. SWL, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and loneliness feelings were stable through time, between assessment stages (P < 0.01). The worsening of depression and loneliness through time predicted the negative evolution of SWL (respectively, β = 1.16; P < 0.01; β = –0.69; P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings highlight the relevance of early detecting depressed mood and loneliness feelings in institutionalized elderly, and the importance of the treatment and the development of preventive interventions for this vulnerable population.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Cunha M, Almeida R, Cherpe S, Simões S, Marques M. A longitudinal approach to the contribution of trauma and external shame on depressive symptoms in adolescence. Eur Psychiatry 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionTrauma experiences during childhood and adolescence (Gibb, 2002; Ansel et al., 2011; Musliner et Singer, 2014; Hopwood et al., 2015), the experience of shame (Rubeis et al., 2008; Cunha et al., 2012; Rosso et al., 2014; Stuewig et al., 2015) and gender (English et al., 2004; Rosso et al., 2014) had been considered as predictors of depressive symptoms.ObjectivesTo observe intra-indidual variability of trauma, external shame, gender (as predictors) and depressive symptoms (as dependent variable).AimsTo test the predictive value of trauma, external shame and gender on depressive symptoms at 6 months, in adolescents.MethodA sample of 325 adolescents (ages ranging from 12–18) completed the Child Depression Inventory, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Other as Shamer, adolescents version. The results were analysed by the hierarchical multiple regression method (SPSS Inc., 22).ResultsThe model – shame (b = 0.63; P < 0.001); affective abuse (b = 0.15, P = 0.001), gender (b = 0.12; P = 0.001), sexual abuse (b = 0.12, P = 0.002), and emotional neglect (b = 0.10; P = 0.013) – explained 63% of depressive symptoms variance.ConclusionsThe data indicate that the higher the level of shame and trauma, the higher the level of depressive symptoms at 6 months. The present study can add important information that sheds light to the role of mechanisms underlying the vulnerability to depressive symptoms and that might have impact in the existing therapeutic interventions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Abstract
IntroductionDepression is one of the main causes of incapacity worldwide. Research has shown that mindfulness practice, self-compassion promotion, and spiritual well-being are beneficial for depressed individuals.ObjectiveAnalyze the associations between compassion, mindfulness, and spiritual well-being, during and after a therapeutic intervention (concluded less than a year ago).AimsTo determine if mindfulness, self-compassion, and spiritual well-being are predictors of depression.MethodPatients diagnosed with chronic depression were treated in a residential therapeutic community for a period of six to eight months. The 63 participants (M = 32.84, SD = 10.24, range = 15–50 years old; 32 during treatment; 31 after treatment) were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Questionnaire of the Five Facets of Mindfulness, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire.ResultsThere were differences in mindfulness, self-compassion, spiritual well-being and depression by sex, existence of previous psychiatric treatment, moment of the study (during versus after intervention), and depression levels. After intervention the group had higher levels of mindfulness and self-compassion (common humanity) and lower levels of over-identification, compared with group during treatment. The predictors of depression were the self-judgment dimension of the self-compassion scale and, negatively, the mindfulness dimensions of non-reactivity and non-judging, and the spiritual well-being dimension of personal well-being.ConclusionResults confirm the relationship between the study variables and depression. This reinforces the importance of intervention based on positive psychology enhancing positive areas of human experience, rather than focusing on psychological pain, weaknesses, and disabilities.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Simões D, Simões S, Espírito-Santo H, Simões D, Marques M, Lemos L. Mental Health, Self-Compassion, Organizational Virtuosity and Commitment in Workers From Local Administration. Eur Psychiatry 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPositive and organizational psychology can offer an important contribution to strengthen human virtues that protects intra- and interpersonal functioning, which, in turn, might enhance worker's well-being and the success of organizations.ObjectiveTo study the associations between a psychological construct, self-compassion, and some organizational constructs, organizational commitment and organizational virtuosity and to explore differences in each construct by gender, age, working time (in the organization), type of employment bond and professional group.AimsPositive actions inside organizations promote positive emotional states.MethodOne hundred and thirty workers from local administration (men, n = 78; 60%; age, M = 44,22; SD = 8,67; range = 19-63 years old) filled in the Self-Compassion Scale, the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, the Organizational Virtuosity Questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales.ResultsThere was a positive association between organizational commitment and organizational virtuosity. Optimism and integrity (organizational virtuosity dimensions) positively correlated with the self-criticism dimension and with self-compassion total score. Some dimensions of mental health (depression and stress) were negatively associated with organizational virtuosity. Employees with less education, belonging to a professional group less qualified or with an unfavourable employment bond perceived the organization as less virtuous, and were less committed.ConclusionPromoting positive actions inside organizations seem to encourage positive emotional states in individuals. The development of a compassionate capacity, by self-compassion and mindfulness, humanize both individuals and organizations. These workers, with their leaders, can promote affective and normatively committed workforces, presenting positive perceptions about organizational virtues.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Simões S, Cruz S, Rey P, Viana F, Vieira MF. Microstructural Characterization of CNT/Al Nanocomposites Produced by Hot Extrusion. Microsc Microanal 2015; 21 Suppl 5:53-54. [PMID: 26227707 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927615014075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Simões
- 1CEMUC,Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,University of Porto,R. Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal
| | - S Cruz
- 2AIMEN Technology Center,C/ Relva,27A,Torneiros,36410 Porriño,Pontevedra,Spain
| | - P Rey
- 2AIMEN Technology Center,C/ Relva,27A,Torneiros,36410 Porriño,Pontevedra,Spain
| | - F Viana
- 1CEMUC,Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,University of Porto,R. Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal
| | - M F Vieira
- 1CEMUC,Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,University of Porto,R. Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal
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Simões S, Reis J. From Paranoia to Delusional Disorder – Review Based in a Clinical Case. Eur Psychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(15)31428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Gregório A, Fonseca N, Moura V, Domingues G, Lacerda M, Figueireido P, Simões S, Dias S, Moreira J. 749: Targeting cell-surface nucleolin in metastatic breast cancer. Eur J Cancer 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(14)50657-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Simões S, Espirito-Santo H, Jesus M, Marques M. EPA-1621 – Traumatic and dissociative experiences in a sample of portuguese patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Eur Psychiatry 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(14)78772-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Silva M, Marques M, Carvalho C, Santos J, Conceição L, Cunha M, Simões S, Espírito Santo H. 1225 – Sex differences in eating habits/behaviours and eating disorders symptoms, in a sample of adolescents. Eur Psychiatry 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(13)76303-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Paiva A, Cunha M, Xavier A, Marques M, Simões S, Espírito Santo H. 1513 – Exploratory study of risk-taking and self-harm behaviours in adolescents: prevalence, characteristics and its relationship to attachment styles. Eur Psychiatry 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(13)76530-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Almeida R, Marques M, Espírito Santo H, Moitinho S, Vigário V, Pena I, Matreno J, Rodrigues F, Antunes E, Simões D, Costa A, Correia A, Pimentel A, Alves V, Nascimento T, Costa M, Tomaz M, Caldas L, Ferreira L, Simões S, Guadalupe S, Lemos L, Daniel F. 1230 – Selective attention and cognitive decline in institutionalized elderly. Eur Psychiatry 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(13)76308-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Trabulo S, Cardoso AM, Santos-Ferreira T, Cardoso AL, Simões S, Pedroso de Lima MC. Survivin Silencing as a Promising Strategy To Enhance the Sensitivity of Cancer Cells to Chemotherapeutic Agents. Mol Pharm 2011; 8:1120-31. [DOI: 10.1021/mp100426e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Trabulo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, ‡Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, and §Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A. M. Cardoso
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, ‡Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, and §Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - T. Santos-Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, ‡Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, and §Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A. L. Cardoso
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, ‡Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, and §Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - S. Simões
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, ‡Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, and §Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M. C. Pedroso de Lima
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, ‡Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, and §Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
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Simões S, Mesquita J, Santos B. A case of musical hallucinations. Eur Psychiatry 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionMusical hallucinations are a rare subtype of complex auditive hallucinations where we can find a disorder of the processing of complex sounds and the perception is formed by music, instrumental sounds or songs.Clinical CaseA 75-year-old women, accompanied in otorhinolaryngology consultation in the last two years, was oriented to psychiatry consultation for suspected anxious symptomatology. In the second psychiatric observation, she complained of hearing portuguese popular music since the previous month. She could identify the lyrics and sing the songs heard and allocated the sounds out of her head, although having doubts about their reality. There were no other auditory or visual hallucinations. She refused to take psychopharmacs. She had a previous history that included complains of hyperacusis and tinitus, mainly in the left ear. An electrococleography made in the past showed endolymphatic hidropsis at the left and an audiogram identified presbiacusis. Her cerebral MRI showed a dilatation of the ventricular system. She had mild hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and had been medicated with sinvastatine, carvedilol, omeprazole, triflusal and betahistine dihydrochloride.DiscussionMusical hallucinations occur mainly in females and in patients over 60 years, although patients whose hallucinations are caused by focal brain lesions are significantly younger. Because most of the patients have a hearing impairment, a similar mechanism to that of Charles-Bonnet syndrome has been proposed.There is no accepted classification of musical hallucinations - many authors prefer to call them halllucinosis when patients have insight; others think it can represent a mental image. Treatment is not consensual.
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Simões S, Viana F, Ramos AS, Vieira MT, Vieira MF. TEM characterization of As-deposited and annealed Ni/Al multilayer thin film. Microsc Microanal 2010; 16:662-669. [PMID: 20883600 DOI: 10.1017/s143192761009392x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Reactive multilayer thin films that undergo highly exothermic reactions are attractive choices for applications in ignition, propulsion, and joining systems. Ni/Al reactive multilayer thin films were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering with a period of 14 nm. The microstructure of the as-deposited and heat-treated Ni/Al multilayers was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) in plan view and in cross section. The cross-section samples for TEM and STEM were prepared by focused ion beam lift-out technique. TEM analysis indicates that the as-deposited samples were composed of Ni and Al. High-resolution TEM images reveal the presence of NiAl in small localized regions. Microstructural characterization shows that heat treating at 450 and 700°C transforms the Ni/Al multilayered structure into equiaxed NiAl fine grains.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Simões
- CEMUC, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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Santos AO, Pereira JP, Pedroso de Lima MC, Simões S, Moreira JN. In vitro modulation of Bcl-2 levels in small cell lung cancer cells: effects on cell viability. Braz J Med Biol Res 2010; 43:1001-9. [PMID: 20922271 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2010007500099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 09/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease, representing 15% of all cases of lung cancer, has high metastatic potential and low prognosis that urgently demands the development of novel therapeutic approaches. One of the proposed approaches has been the down-regulation of BCL2, with poorly clarified and controversial therapeutic value regarding SCLC. The use of anti-BCL2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) in SCLC has never been reported. The aim of the present study was to select and test the in vitro efficacy of anti-BCL2 siRNA sequences against the protein and mRNA levels of SCLC cells, and their effects on cytotoxicity and chemosensitization. Two anti-BCL2 siRNAs and the anti-BCL2 G3139 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) were evaluated in SCLC cells by the simultaneous determination of Bcl-2 and viability using a flow cytometry method recently developed by us in addition to Western blot, real-time reverse-transcription PCR, and cell growth after single and combined treatment with cisplatin. In contrast to previous reports about the use of ODN, a heterogeneous and up to 80% sequence-specific Bcl-2 protein knockdown was observed in the SW2, H2171 and H69 SCLC cell lines, although without significant sequence-specific reduction of cell viability, cell growth, or sensitization to cisplatin. Our results question previous data generated with antisense ODN and supporting the present concept of the therapeutic interest in BCL2 silencing per se in SCLC, and support the growing notion of the necessity of a multitargeting molecular approach for the treatment of cancer.
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Trabulo S, Cardoso A, Santos-Ferreira T, Cardoso A, Simões S, Pedroso de Lima M. 223 Silencing of survivin enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. EJC Suppl 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(10)71030-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Simões S, Calinas R, Vieira MT, Vieira MF, Ferreira PJ. In situ TEM study of grain growth in nanocrystalline copper thin films. Nanotechnology 2010; 21:145701. [PMID: 20215662 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/14/145701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nanocrystalline metals demonstrate a range of fascinating properties, including high levels of mechanical strength. However, as these materials are exposed to high temperatures, it is critical to determine the grain size evolution, as this process can drastically change the mechanical properties. In this work, nanocrystalline sputtered Cu thin films with 43 +/- 2 nm grain size were produced by dc-magnetron sputtering. Specimens were subsequently annealed in situ in a transmission electron microscope at 100, 300 and 500 degrees C. Not only was grain growth more evident at 500 degrees C but also the fraction of twins found. An analysis of grain growth kinetics revealed a time exponent of 3 and activation energy of 35 kJ mol(-1). This value is explained by the high energy stored in the form of dislocation, grain boundaries and twin boundaries existing in nanocrystalline copper, as well as the high probability for atoms to move across grains in nanocrystalline materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Simões
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Fonseca L, Duarte J, Simões S. P01-352 - Schizophrenia-like alcoholic dementia or dementia praecox? Case report. Eur Psychiatry 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(10)70560-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Simões S, Mesquita J, Santos B, Silva L. P01-404 - Is there still a place for involutional melancholia nowadays? Eur Psychiatry 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(10)70612-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Cardoso ALC, Costa P, de Almeida LP, Simões S, Plesnila N, Culmsee C, Wagner E, de Lima MCP. Tf-lipoplex-mediated c-Jun silencing improves neuronal survival following excitotoxic damage in vivo. J Control Release 2009; 142:392-403. [PMID: 19913061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2009.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Revised: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Excitotoxicity is one of the main features responsible for neuronal cell death after acute brain injury and in several neurodegenerative disorders, for which only few therapeutic options are currently available. In this work, RNA interference was employed to identify and validate a potential target for successful treatment of excitotoxic brain injury, the transcription factor c-Jun. The nuclear translocation of c-Jun and its upregulation are early events following glutamate-induced excitotoxic damage in primary neuronal cultures. We present evidence for the efficient knockdown of this transcription factor using a non-viral vector consisting of cationic liposomes associated to transferrin (Tf-lipoplexes). Tf-lipoplexes were able to deliver anti-c-Jun siRNAs to neuronal cells in culture, resulting in efficient silencing of c-Jun mRNA and protein and in a significant decrease of cell death following glutamate-induced damage or oxygen-glucose deprivation. This formulation also leads to a significant c-Jun knockdown in the mouse hippocampus in vivo, resulting in the attenuation of both neuronal death and inflammation following kainic acid-mediated lesion of this region. Furthermore, a strong reduction of seizure activity and cytokine production was observed in animals treated with anti-c-Jun siRNAs. These findings demonstrate the efficient delivery of therapeutic siRNAs to the brain by Tf-lipoplexes and validate c-Jun as a promising therapeutic target in neurodegenerative disorders involving excitotoxic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L C Cardoso
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
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Moreira C, Oliveira H, Pires LR, Simões S, Barbosa MA, Pêgo AP. Improving chitosan-mediated gene transfer by the introduction of intracellular buffering moieties into the chitosan backbone. Acta Biomater 2009; 5:2995-3006. [PMID: 19427930 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2009.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2008] [Revised: 04/01/2009] [Accepted: 04/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chitosan was functionalized with imidazole moieties (CHimi) with the aim of improving its buffering capacity and promoting the endosomal escape ability of chitosan-DNA complexes, ultimately increasing their transfection efficiency. 5.6%, 12.9% and 22.1% of the glucosamine residues of chitosan were substituted. Complexes with different molar ratios of primary amines to DNA phosphate anion (N/P) were prepared by a coacervation method. For an N/P>3, CHimi polymers are able to complex electrostatically with DNA and condense it into positively charged nanostructures (average size 260 nm and zeta potential +16 mV at pH 5.5). In the concentration range 2.5-100 microg ml(-1), the modified polymers had no cytotoxic effect on 293T cells. CHimi polymers with the highest degree of substitution were found to enhance beta-gal expression in 293T and HepG2 cells. Bafilomycin A1 inhibited transfection, indicating that the protonation of the imidazole groups in the endolysosome pathway favors the escape of the complexes from the endosomes, increasing the amount of transgene that can reach the cell nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Moreira
- INEB--Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Divisão de Biomateriais, Universidade do Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
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Oliveira A, Ferraz M, Monteiro F, Simões S. Cationic liposome-DNA complexes as gene delivery vectors: Development and behaviour towards bone-like cells. Acta Biomater 2009; 5:2142-51. [PMID: 19332382 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2009.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2008] [Revised: 01/27/2009] [Accepted: 02/10/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Modulation of the biological pathways responsible for fracture repair and osteogenisis may accelerate regeneration. Gene therapy is an alternative method for the release of osteogenisis-stimulating proteins into tissues. The development of vectors for gene release is still a problem in terms of ethics and techniques. In this work we evaluated whether cationic liposomes constitute a valuable strategy for the release of genetic material into bone tissue cells as non-viral vectors. Liposomes were prepared with 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP)-2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine and DOTAP-cholesterol, and characterized according to their size, zeta potential, DNA protection capacity and cytotoxicity. Transfection studies were also carried out using pCMVbeta-gal plasmid in two osteoblastic cell lines (MG63 and MC3T3-E1) and in the 294T line, varying the charge ratio and the applied DNA dose. Inclusion of transferrin to increase the expression was also tested. The results suggest that there is great dependency between the transfection activity and the lipid formulation, the charge ratios of the complexes, the applied DNA dose and the cell type. There were even some differences concerning both osteoblastic lines under study. The cells of the MC3T3-E1 line present greater expression levels than the cells of the MG-63 line. The conjugation of the transferrin with the complexes contributes to the increase in transfection levels, possibly due to an increase in internalization of complexes. It is thus a good strategy for inducing the expression of specific genes in osteoblast-like cells.
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