41 results on '"Catita J"'
Search Results
2. Metal selective pressure in the modulation of the microbial community in sediments from transitional ecosystems
- Author
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Almeida, E., Torre, R., Godinho, O., Noyer, M., Cravo-Laureau, C., Duran, R., Antunes, S. C., Catita, J., and Lage, O. M.
- Abstract
Background: Microorganisms in sediments of estuarine ecosystems play key roles in the biogeochemical cycles [1]. These communities, essential for maintaining the ecosystems quality, are affected by natural and anthropogenic factors, such as metals, affecting the ecosystems health [2]. Objectives: This work aims to understand the effect/impact of metals on brackish sediment microbial community in a mesocosm experiment. Methods: Corers with sediment samples were collected from the Reserva Natural Local do Estuário do Douro. These sediments, already characterized with low levels of metals, were incubated in tanks with water collected from the same site (sediments control), and another set of sediments were incubated in higher levels of copper, lead, zinc and arsenic. The sediments in the tanks were incubated under natural conditions (light and temperature), with aeration and monitored for 30 days. Results: At time 0 of the experiment, the sediment bacterial and the archaeal communities were similar in both control and metal sediments samples. After 30 days, a significant decrease of alpha-diversity of the bacterial community (F = 9.24; p < 0.01) was observed for the sediments exposed to higher levels of metals which was not observed for the archaeal community. However, an increase the relative abundance of Amplicon Sequence Variant (ASV) was observed for the Archaea phyla Asgardarchaeota, Micrarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, Thermoplasmatota, and the Bacteria phyla Bacillota, Desulfobacterota, Calditrichota, Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota in the sediments exposed to higher levels of metals. Conclusions: This mesocosm experiment evidences the pressure exerted by metals in the microbial prokaryotic community of estuarine sediments, changing the dynamics of these organisms in the ecological quality of these ecosystems., Scientific Letters, Vol. 1 No. Sup 1 (2023)
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- 2023
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3. Imaging of cellular aging in human retinal blood vessels
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Catita, J., López-Luppo, M., Ramos, D., Nacher, V., Navarro, M., Carretero, A., Sánchez-Chardi, A., Mendes-Jorge, L., Rodriguez-Baeza, A., and Ruberte, J.
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- 2015
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4. Development of lipid-based colloidal nanocarriers for topical application of acyclovir
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Silva, Juliana, Lopes, C. Martins, Catita, J. A. M., Real Oliveira, M. Elisabete C.D., Lúcio, M., and Universidade do Minho
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Liposomes ,Drug delivery ,Ciências Naturais::Ciências Químicas ,Nanocarriers - Abstract
Herpes infections are very frequent infectious diseases, especially in individuals whose immune system is weakened, causing manifestations in the central nervous system that leave severe squeals in about 80% of cases. There are several types of etiologic agents of herpes infections, the most famous being the Herpes Simplex Virus HSV 1 and 2. HSV 1 usually affects the face, lips, gums, palate, tongue and nasal mucosa and can spread to other parts of the body and HSV 2 reaches the genital area, affecting both men and women [1]. The most common current therapies to treat herpes infections are based on topical application of creams containing an antiviral agent, but whose effectiveness is limited due to low skin penetration of the active agent , thus requiring the application of about four or up to five times per day for improving the therapeutic effectiveness of the formulation [1]. For this reason , there is great interest in developing formulations based on the use of nanocarriers of active ingredients to promote more effective penetration through the skin and thus to reduce the frequency of application. Biophysical characterization of the most common drug used to treat herpes, acyclovir, also revealed some pharmacokinetic problems related with drug biodistribution accessed by determination of: (i) distribution coefficients in membrane/water systems by derivative spectrophotometry; (ii) binding constants of the drug to serum human albumin by fluorescence quenching, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering and (iii) drug effect on membrane microviscosity accessed by dynamic light scattering. To overcome the biodistribution problems found for acyclovir, this work further proposes the development of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and monoolein based colloidal carriers containing the anti-viral drug. Formulations were evaluated regarding their stability characteristics (size, polydispersity, surface potential and lipid phase transition properties), as well as, the drug encapsulation efficiency and their release profiles when in contact with the skin pH. Finally, after selecting the formulation with the best biophysical characteristics, it was included in a vehicle (hydrogel) for topical application and the effects of the formulation on the rheological characteristics of the vehicle were evaluated to optimize the formulation with improved galenic properties. After the incorporation of the nanocarriers in the hydrogel it has demonstrated a pseudoplastic behavior with thixotropy favoring its administration., We are very thankful to Labesfal Genericos, S.A. for kindly providing acyclovir. This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013. Marlene Lúcio acknowledges the exploratory project funded by FCT with the reference IF/00498/2012, info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2017
5. Structuring of di-alkyl-urethanesils
- Author
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Gonçalves, M. C., primary, Pereira, R. F. P., additional, Ferreira, P., additional, Carbó-Argibay, E., additional, Catita, J., additional, Toquer, G., additional, Nunes, S. C., additional, and Bermudez, V. de Zea, additional
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- 2018
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6. Scara5 involvement in retinal iron metabolism
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MENDES‐JORGE, L, primary, VALENÇA, A, additional, RAMOS, D, additional, LOPEZ‐LUPPO, M, additional, CATITA, J, additional, PIRES, VMR, additional, NACHER, V, additional, NAVARRO, M, additional, CARRETERO, A, additional, RODRIGUEZ‐BAEZA, A, additional, and RUBERTE, J, additional
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- 2013
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7. Müller cell response during degenerative retinopathy in mice
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MENDES-JORGE, L, primary, VALENÇA, A, additional, PIRES, VMR, additional, CATITA, J, additional, RAMOS, D, additional, LOPEZ-LUPPO, M, additional, NACHER, V, additional, NAVARRO, M, additional, CARRETERO, A, additional, RODRIGUEZ-BAEZA, A, additional, and RUBERTE, J, additional
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- 2013
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8. Blood-retinal barrier serum ferritin transport in mouse retina
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MENDES-JORGE, L, primary, RAMOS, D, additional, LUPPO, M, additional, VALENçA, A, additional, CATITA, J, additional, DUARTE, CM, additional, SIMõES, M, additional, CARRAPIçO, B, additional, PIRES, VMR, additional, NACHER, V, additional, NAVARRO, M, additional, CARRETERO, A, additional, RODRIGUEZ-BAEZA, A, additional, and RUBERTE, J, additional
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- 2012
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9. Dor no cancro avançado. Papel da radioterapia
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Patrício, M B, de Jesus, E B, and Catita, J
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- 1993
10. Palliative telecobalt-60 with concentrated dose in TNM classification T.
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Patricio, M. B., Brites, C. F., Guimaraes, M. F., De Jesus, E. B., Catita, J. I., and Vilhena, M.
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- 1986
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11. Kinetic Determination of Uric Acid in Urine Based on Single-Line Flow-System with Multi-Site Detection
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Araújo, A. N., Catita, J. A. M., and José Lima
12. Linking microbial community on grapes from two Portuguese wine regions to the biogenic amines production in musts
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Calisto Rita, Graça Ana Patrícia, Lopes Ana Rita, Araújo Paula, Pinto Eugénia, Oliveira Joana, Catita José A.M., Fontes Natacha, Graça António, and Lage Olga Maria
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Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Physiology ,QP1-981 ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Grapevine-associated microbiota influences wine organoleptic properties. Spoilage due to undesired microorganisms and biogenic amines (BAs) presence are two main constrains that must be seriously considered. In wine, BAs can originate from the grape berries or can be produced during fermentation, ageing or storage. This work aimed to understand if the high BAs levels observed in musts can have its origin in the microbial community present on grapes. The following methodologies were done: bacterial and fungal grapes communities' isolation, BAs quantification in grapes and musts and molecular amplification of the genes related to BAs production. For comparative purposes, microbial communities from grapes and musts from Douro (low BAs levels in musts) and Alentejo (high BAs levels in musts) were used. Higher number and diversity of bacteria were observed in Alentejo grapes comparatively to Douro ones. Filamentous fungi were predominant when compared with yeasts and the diversity was higher in Alentejo. BAs levels mainly due to putrescin were about ten times higher in grapes and musts from Alentejo. As bacteria isolated from Alentejo grapes showed a great BAs-production potential, namely putrescin, our results suggest a bacterial grape origin for the high putrescine levels found in fresh musts of this region.
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- 2017
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13. Vascular Interstitial Cells in Retinal Arteriolar Annuli Are Altered During Hypertension
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Institut Català de la Salut, [Ramos D] CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Catita J] Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal. [López-Luppo M] Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Valenca A] CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Bonet A] Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Carretero A] CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Meseguer A] Grup de fisiopatologia renal, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Unitat de Bioquímica de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Instituto Carlos III-FEDER, Madrid, Spain., and Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
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Artèries - Citologia ,Enfermedades Cardiovasculares::Enfermedades Vasculares::Hipertensión [ENFERMEDADES] ,Otros calificadores::Otros calificadores::/citología [Otros calificadores] ,Other subheadings::Other subheadings::/cytology [Other subheadings] ,Órganos de los Sentidos::Ojo::Retina [ANATOMÍA] ,Hipertensió ,Cardiovascular System::Blood Vessels::Arteries [ANATOMY] ,Cardiovascular Diseases::Vascular Diseases::Hypertension [DISEASES] ,Sense Organs::Eye::Retina [ANATOMY] ,Retina - Citologia ,sistema cardiovascular::vasos sanguíneos::arterias [ANATOMÍA] - Published
- 2021
14. Vascular Interstitial Cells in Retinal Arteriolar Annuli Are Altered During Hypertension
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L Mendes-Jorge, M Lopez-Luppo, Jesús Ruberte, Víctor Nacher, Anna Meseguer, Ana Carretero, Alba Casellas, Aina Bonet, Andreia Valença, Marc Navarro, David Ramos, Joana Catita, Simón Méndez-Ferrer, Mendez-Ferrer, Simon [0000-0002-9805-9988], Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository, Institut Català de la Salut, [Ramos D] CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Catita J] Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal. [López-Luppo M] Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Valenca A] CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Bonet A] Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Carretero A] CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. [Meseguer A] Grup de fisiopatologia renal, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Unitat de Bioquímica de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Instituto Carlos III-FEDER, Madrid, Spain., Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, and Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
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0301 basic medicine ,CD31 ,Pathology ,hypertensive retinopathy ,Órganos de los Sentidos::Ojo::Retina [ANATOMÍA] ,Nestin ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Mice ,0302 clinical medicine ,Myocyte ,education.field_of_study ,Mice, Inbred ICR ,biology ,Histocytochemistry ,Hypertensive retinopath ,General Medicine ,arteriolar annuli ,Artèries - Citologia ,Arterioles ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Hyaluronan Receptors ,Hypertension ,symbols ,Hipertensió ,Sense Organs::Eye::Retina [ANATOMY] ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Enfermedades Cardiovasculares::Enfermedades Vasculares::Hipertensión [ENFERMEDADES] ,Retinal Artery ,Population ,Green Fluorescent Proteins ,Sistema Cardiovascular::Vasos Sanguíneos::Arterias [ANATOMÍA] ,Mice, Transgenic ,Cardiovascular Diseases::Vascular Diseases::Hypertension [DISEASES] ,Hypertensive Retinopathy ,Retina ,ANO1 ,03 medical and health sciences ,symbols.namesake ,Hypertensive retinopathy ,Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ,Other subheadings::Other subheadings::/cytology [Other subheadings] ,medicine ,Animals ,Arterial Pressure ,education ,Anoctamin-1 ,NADPH Dehydrogenase ,Endothelial Cells ,Retinal ,medicine.disease ,Retina - Citologia ,Interstitial Cells of Cajal ,Actins ,Interstitial cell of Cajal ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,Microscopy, Fluorescence ,Otros calificadores::Otros calificadores::/citología [Otros calificadores] ,biology.protein ,Cardiovascular System::Blood Vessels::Arteries [ANATOMY] ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
The authors thank Veronica Melgarejo, Lorena Noya, and Angel Vazquez for technical assistance. Supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI12/00605, PI16/00719, SAF2014-59945-R, and Red de Investigación Renal REDinREN 12/0021/0013), Spain; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/102573/2014, SFRH/BD/95330/2013), Ministerio da Educação e Ciência, Portugal; and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). Supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI12/00605, PI16/00719, SAF2014-59945-R, and Red de Investigacion Renal REDinREN 12/0021/0013), Spain; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/102573/2014, SFRH/BD/95330/2013), Ministerio da Educacao e Ciencia, Portugal; and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). Altres ajuts: REDinREN/12/0021/0013 Altres ajuts: FEDER/SFRH/BD/95330/2013 PURPOSE. It has been suggested that arteriolar annuli localized in retinal arterioles regulate retinal blood flow acting as sphincters. Here, the morphology and protein expression profile of arteriolar annuli have been analyzed under physiologic conditions in the retina of wildtype, β-actin-Egfp, and Nestin-gfp transgenic mice. Additionally, to study the effect of hypertension, the KAP transgenic mouse has been used. METHODS. Cellular architecture has been studied using digested whole mount retinas and transmission electron microscopy. The profile of protein expression has been analyzed on paraffin sections and whole mount retinas by immunofluorescence and histochemistry. RESULTS. The ultrastructural analysis of arteriolar annuli showed a different cell population found between endothelial and muscle cells that matched most of the morphologic criteria established to define interstitial Cajal cells. The profile of protein expression of these vascular interstitial cells (VICs) was similar to that of interstitial Cajal cells and different from the endothelial and smooth muscle cells, because they expressed b-actin, nestin, and CD44, but they did not express CD31 and a-SMA or scarcely express F-actin. Furthermore, VICs share with pericytes the expression of NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-β). The high expression of Ano1 and high activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase observed in VICs was diminished during hypertensive retinopathy suggesting that these cells might play a role on the motility of arteriolar annuli and that this function is altered during hypertension. CONCLUSIONS. A novel type of VICs has been described in the arteriolar annuli of mouse retina. Remarkably, these cells undergo important molecular modifications during hypertensive retinopathy and might thus be a therapeutic target against this disease.
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15. Microbacterium memoriense sp. nov., a member of the Actinomycetota from marine beach sediment of the north coast of Portugal.
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Santos JDND, Klimek D, Calusinska M, Lobo-da-Cunha A, Catita J, Gonçalves H, González I, and Lage OM
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- Portugal, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Base Composition, Fatty Acids chemistry, Phylogeny, Sequence Analysis, DNA, DNA, Bacterial genetics, Bacterial Typing Techniques, Bacteria, Microbacterium, Actinomycetales
- Abstract
The oceans harbour a myriad of unknown micro-organisms that remain unstudied because of a failure to establish the right growth conditions under laboratory conditions. To overcome this limitation, an isolation effort inspired by the iChip was performed using marine sediments from Memória beach, Portugal. A novel strain, PMIC_1C1B
T , was obtained and subjected to a polyphasic study. Cells of strain PMIC_1C1BT were Gram-positive, rod-shaped, divided by binary fission and formed colonies that were shiny light-yellow. Based on its full 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain PMIC_1C1BT was phylogenetically associated to the genus Microbacterium and its closest relatives were Microbacterium aurum KACC 15219T (98.55 %), Microbacterium diaminobutyricum RZ63T (98.48 %) and Microbacterium hatanonis JCM 14558T (98.13 %). Strain PMIC_1C1BT had a genome size of 2 761 607 bp with 67.71 mol% of G+C content and 2582 coding sequences, which is lower than the genus average. Strain PMIC_1C1BT grew from 15 to 30 °C, optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.0 to 11.0, optimally between pH 6.0 and 8.0, and from 0 to 5 % (w/v) NaCl, optimally between 2.0 and 3.0 %. It grew with casamino acids, glutamine, methionine, N -acetylglucosamine, sodium nitrate, tryptophan, urea and valine as sole nitrogen sources, and arabinose and cellobiose as sole carbon sources. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 , iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 . Genome mining revealed the presence of four biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with low similarities to other known BCGs. Based on the polyphasic data, strain PMIC_1C1BT is proposed to represent a novel species, for which the name Microbacterium memoriense sp. nov. (=CECT 30366T =LMG 32350T ) is proposed.- Published
- 2024
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16. Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Enriched Hydrogels for Skin Topical Administration of Quercetin and Omega-3 Fatty Acid.
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Lúcio M, Giannino N, Barreira S, Catita J, Gonçalves H, Ribeiro A, Fernandes E, Carvalho I, Pinho H, Cerqueira F, Biondi M, and Lopes CM
- Abstract
Chronic skin exposure to external hostile agents (e.g., UV radiation, microorganisms, and oxidizing chemicals) may increase oxidative stress, causing skin damage and aging. Because of their well-known skincare and protective benefits, quercetin (Q) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω
3 ) have attracted the attention of the dermocosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. However, both bioactives have inherent properties that limit their efficient skin delivery. Therefore, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and enriched PFC® hydrogels (HGs) have been developed as a dual-approach vehicle for Q and/or ω3 skin topical administration to improve bioactives' stability and skin permeation. Two NLC formulations were prepared with the same lipid composition but differing in surfactant composition (NLC1-soy lecithin and poloxamer 407; NLC2-Tween® 80 and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS)), which have an impact on physicochemical properties and pharmaceutical and therapeutic performance. Despite both NLCs presenting high Q loading capacity, NLC2's physicochemical properties make them more suitable for topical skin administration and ensure longer colloidal stability. Additionally, NLC2 demonstrated a more sustained Q release, indicating higher bioactive storage while improving permeability. The occlusive effect of NLCs-enriched HGs also has a positive impact on skin permeability. Q-loaded NLC2, with or without ω3 , -enriched HGs demonstrated efficacy as antioxidant and photoprotective formulations as well as effective reduction in S. aureus growth, indicating that they constitute a promising approach for topical skin administration to prevent skin aging and other damaging cutaneous processes.- Published
- 2023
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17. Editorial on Special Issue "Lipid Nanosystems for Local Drug Delivery".
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Catita J and Lopes CM
- Abstract
Nanosystems provide an attractive approach to pharmacological therapy, with the possibility of enhancing the performance and overcoming the constraints of conventional therapies, thus adding substantial value to some of the already available formulations [...].
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- 2023
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18. Streptomyces meridianus sp. nov. isolated from brackish water of the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal.
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Santos JDND, Klimek D, Calusinska M, Lobo-da-Cunha A, Catita J, Gonçalves H, González I, Reyes F, and Lage OM
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- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Portugal, Estuaries, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Phylogeny, Base Composition, DNA, Bacterial genetics, Bacterial Typing Techniques, Diaminopimelic Acid chemistry, Saline Waters, Phospholipids chemistry, Fatty Acids chemistry, Streptomyces
- Abstract
An isolation effort focused on sporogenous Actinomycetota from the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal, yielded a novel actinomycetal strain, designated MTZ3.1
T , which was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. MTZ3.1T is characterised by morphology typical of members of the genus Streptomyces , with light beige coloured substrate mycelium, which does not release pigments to the culture medium and with helicoidal aerial hyphae that differentiate into spores with a light-grey colour. The phylogeny of MTZ3.1T , based on the full 16S rRNA gene sequence, indicated that its closest relatives were Streptomyces alkaliterrae OF1T (98.48 %), Streptomyces chumphonensis KK1-2T (98.41 %), Streptomyces albofaciens JCM 4342T (98.34 %), Streoptomyces paromomycinus NBRC 15454T (98.34 %) and Streptomyces chrestomyceticus NRBC 13444T (98.34 %). Moreover, average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) are below the species cutoff values (ANI 67.70 and 68.35 %, AAI 77.06 and 76.71 % and dDDH 22.10 and 21.50 % for S. alkaliterrae OF1T and S. chumphonensis KK1-2T , respectively). Whole genome sequencing revealed that MTZ3.1T has a genome of 5 644 485 bp with a DNA G+C content of 71.29 mol% and 5044 coding sequences. Physiologically, MTZ3.1T is strictly aerobic, able to grow at 15-37 °C, optimally at 25 °C and between pH5 and 8 and showed high salinity tolerance, growing with 0-10 %(w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are C15 : 0 , iso-C15 : 0 , anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 . Furthermore, it was able to utilise a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. Antimicrobial screening indicated that MTZ3.1T has potent anti- Staphylococcus aureus activity. On the basis of the polyphasic data, MTZ3.1T is proposed to represent a novel species, Streptomyces meridianus sp. nov. (= CECT 30416T = DSM 114037T =LMG 32463T ).- Published
- 2023
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19. Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov., isolated from marine beach sediment.
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Santos JDND, Vitorino IR, Kallscheuer N, Srivastava A, Krautwurst S, Marz M, Jogler C, Lobo-da-Cunha A, Catita J, Gonçalves H, González I, Reyes F, and Lage OM
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- Base Composition, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics, Sequence Analysis, DNA, DNA, Bacterial genetics, Bacterial Typing Techniques, Geologic Sediments, Fatty Acids chemistry, Sodium Chloride
- Abstract
A novel actinomycetal strain, designated M600PL45_2
T , was isolated from marine sediments obtained from Ingleses beach, Porto, on the Northern Coast of Portugal and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterisation study. The here described Gram-reaction-positive strain is characterised by the production of a brown pigment in both solid and liquid medium and forms typical helical hyphae that differentiate into smooth spores. The results of a phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that M600PL45_2T has a high similarity to two members of the genus Streptomyces , Streptomyces bathyalis ASO4wetT (98.51 %) and Streptomyces daqingensis NEAU ZJC8T (98.44 %). The genome of M600PL45_2T has a size of 6 695 159 bp, a DNA G+C content of 70.71 mol% and 5538 coding sequences. M600PL45_2T grows at 15-37 °C and with a maximal growth rate between 25 °C and 30 °C. Growth at pH 6.0 to 9.0 with the optimal range between 6.0 and 7.5 was observed. M600PL45_2T showed a high salinity tolerance, growing with 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl, with best growth with 1-3% (w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:0 (25.03 %), anteiso-C15:0 (17.70) and iso-C16:0 (26.90 %). The novel isolate was able to grow in media containing a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. An antimicrobial activity screening indicated that an extract of M600PL45_2T has inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus . On the basis of the polyphasic data, M600PL45_2T (= CECT 30365T = DSM 114036T ) is introduced as the type strain of a novel species, that we named Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov.- Published
- 2023
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20. Does a Diet Rich in the Bacterium Rhodopirellula rubra Improve Daphnia magna Performance?
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Marinho M, Jesus G, Spencer L, Catita J, Lage OM, and Antunes SC
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- Animals, Biomarkers, Carotenoids pharmacology, Catalase pharmacology, Diet, Glycogen pharmacology, Planctomycetales, Transferases pharmacology, Daphnia physiology, Water Pollutants, Chemical pharmacology
- Abstract
Background: In the wild various organisms contribute to daphnids diet. This study, intendeds to evaluate the potential of the concentration of Rhodopirellula rubra as a single or supplementary food source for Daphnia magna ., Methods: Feeding assays were performed according to standard guidelines for chronic assays (21 days), and life-history parameters and several biomarkers (protein content, oxidative stress, energetic reserves and pigments) were measured. Five food regimens were conducted with 20 individual replicates (A - R. subcapitata ; 0.2 - suspension of R. rubra at 0.2 arbitrary units (AU); 0.4 - suspension of R. rubra at 0.4 AU; 0.2+A - suspension of R. rubra at 0.2+alga; 0.2+A-suspension of R. rubra at 0.4 AU + alga). Additionally, the effects of three diets (A, 0.2, and 0.2+A) on the longevity of D. magna were assessed., Results: The five diets showed a different C, N, and carotenoids composition, with an increase in the mixed diets. The results confirmed that the mixed diets improved D. magna life-history parameters. A decrease in glycogen, and the increase of haemoglobin, protein, and gluthione-S-transferase (GST) were observed. Furthermore, D. magna fed with bacterial single diets, presented worsen life history parameters and a decrease in the protein content. An induction of oxidative stress response (increased catalase and GST), and a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation and an accumulation of glycogen and carotenoids were observed. Overall, an increase in the amount of R. rubra provided to D. magna , from 0.2 AU to 0.4 AU, negatively impacted daphnid performance. No significant effects on Daphnia longevity (a 110-day assay) were observed among the three diets tested. However, a significant survival percentage and fertility (cumulative offspring is more than twice) was observed when D. magna was fed with the mixed diet., Conclusions: Results demonstrated that different diets provided a nutritional diversified food to the daphnids that induced differences in D. magna performance. The mixed diets proved to be beneficial (with increase in offspring) on D. magna performance, independently of the bacterial concentration tested. When in single diet, bacterial concentration is not nutritionally sufficient to raise D. magna even when in increased concentration., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)
- Published
- 2022
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21. Novel Exosome Biomarker Candidates for Alzheimer's Disease Unravelled Through Mass Spectrometry Analysis.
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Soares Martins T, Marçalo R, da Cruz E Silva CB, Trindade D, Catita J, Amado F, Melo T, Rosa IM, Vogelgsang J, Wiltfang J, da Cruz E Silva OAB, and Henriques AG
- Subjects
- Biomarkers metabolism, Humans, Mass Spectrometry, Proteome metabolism, Alzheimer Disease metabolism, Exosomes metabolism
- Abstract
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in human biofluids that can transport specific disease-associated molecules. Consequently blood-derived exosomes have emerged as important peripheral biomarker sources for a wide range of diseases, among them Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although there is no effective cure for AD, an accurate diagnosis, relying on easily accessible peripheral biofluids, is still necessary to discriminate this disease from other dementias, test potential therapies and even monitor rate of disease progression. The ultimate goal is to produce a cost-effective and widely available alternative, which can also be employed as a first clinical screen. In this study, EVs with exosome-like characteristics were isolated from serum of Controls and AD cases through precipitation- and column-based methods, followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The resulting proteomes were characterized by Gene Ontology (GO) and multivariate analyses. Although GO terms were similar for exosomes' proteomes of Controls and ADs, using both methodologies, a clear segregation of disease cases was obtained when using the precipitation-based method. Nine significantly different abundant proteins were identified between Controls and AD cases, representing putative biomarker candidate targets. Among them are AACT and C4BPα, two Aβ-binding proteins, whose exosome levels were further validated in individuals from independent cohorts using antibody-based approaches. The findings discussed represent an important contribution to the identification of novel exosomal biomarker candidates useful as potential blood-based tools for AD diagnosis., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
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- 2022
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22. Formulation, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Lactoferrin Functionalized Lipid Nanoparticles for Riluzole Delivery to the Brain.
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Teixeira MI, Lopes CM, Gonçalves H, Catita J, Silva AM, Rodrigues F, Amaral MH, and Costa PC
- Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with a very poor prognosis. Its treatment is hindered by a lack of new therapeutic alternatives and the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts the access of drugs commonly used in ALS, such as riluzole, to the brain. To overcome these limitations and increase brain targeting, riluzole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were prepared and functionalized with lactoferrin (Lf), facilitating transport across the BBB by interacting with Lf receptors expressed in the brain endothelium. NLC were characterized with respect to their physicochemical properties (size, zeta potential, polydispersity index) as well as their stability, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, in vitro release profile, and biocompatibility. Moreover, crystallinity and melting behavior were assessed by DSC and PXRD. Nanoparticles exhibited initial mean diameters between 180 and 220 nm and a polydispersity index below 0.3, indicating a narrow size distribution. NLC remained stable over at least 3 months. Riluzole encapsulation efficiency was very high, around 94-98%. FTIR and protein quantification studies confirmed the conjugation of Lf on the surface of the nanocarriers, with TEM images showing that the functionalized NLC presented a smooth surface and uniform spherical shape. An MTT assay revealed that the nanocarriers developed in this study did not cause a substantial reduction in the viability of NSC-34 and hCMEC/D3 cells at a riluzole concentration up to 10 μM, being therefore biocompatible. The results suggest that Lf-functionalized NLC are a suitable and promising delivery system to target riluzole to the brain.
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- 2022
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23. Omega-3- and Resveratrol-Loaded Lipid Nanosystems for Potential Use as Topical Formulations in Autoimmune, Inflammatory, and Cancerous Skin Diseases.
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Caldas AR, Catita J, Machado R, Ribeiro A, Cerqueira F, Horta B, Medeiros R, Lúcio M, and Lopes CM
- Abstract
Resveratrol (RSV) and omega 3 (ω
3 ), because of their biological favorable properties, have become subjects of interest for researchers in dermocosmetic and pharmaceutical industries; however, these bioactives present technological limitations that hinder their effective delivery to the target skin layer. To overcome the stability and skin permeation limitations of free bioactives, this work proposes a combined strategy involving two different lipid nanosystems (liposomes and lipid nanoparticles) that include ω3 in their lipid matrix. Additionaly, RSV is only encapsulated in liposomes that provid an adequate amphiphilic environment. Each formulation is thoroughly characterized regarding their physical-chemical properties. Subsequently, the therapeutic performance of the lipid nanosystems is evaluated based on their protective roles against lipid peroxidation, as well as inhibition of cicloxygenase (COX) and nitric oxid (NO) production in the RWA264.7 cell line. Finally, the lipid nanosystems are incorporated in hydrogel to allow their topical administration, then rheology, occlusion, and RSV release-diffusion assays are performed. Lipid nanoparticles provide occlusive effects at the skin surface. Liposomes provide sustained RSV release and their flexibility conferred by edge activator components enhances RSV diffusion, which is required to reach NO production cells and COX cell membrane enzymes. Overall, the inclusion of both lipid nanosystems in the same semisolid base constitutes a promising strategy for autoimmune, inflammatory, and cancerous skin diseases.- Published
- 2021
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24. Comparison of neutral lipid fatty acid composition in organisms from different trophic levels.
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Lage OM, Antunes SC, Marinho C, and Catita J
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- Animals, Chromatography, Gas, Chlorophyceae chemistry, Daphnia chemistry, Fatty Acids chemistry, Food Chain, Planctomycetales chemistry
- Abstract
The profiles of total fatty acids (TFAs) and the neutral lipid fatty acids (NLFAs) were compared for the bacterium Rhodopirellula rubra and the alga Raphidocelis subcapitata (conventional food source for Daphnia magna). D. magna NLFAs were assessed when this crustacean was fed with bacterium and alga, individually or in combination. After NLFA extraction, the profiles of the various organisms were characterized by gas chromatography. Results evidenced the relevance of the different composition of the fatty acid (FAs) fractions in the different organisms, R. rubra and R. subcapitata. In these species, the NFLA analyses revealed high amounts of long chain FAs (C
19 ). The FA profile of D. magna was influenced by the different diets provided although the preferred diet was the alga. D. magna showed the capacity to adapt to the available food resources as it defines its FA profile according to its needs, namely for the long chain FAs (C19 )., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)- Published
- 2021
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25. TIM2 modulates retinal iron levels and is involved in blood-retinal barrier breakdown.
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Valença A, Mendes-Jorge L, Bonet A, Catita J, Ramos D, Jose-Cunilleras E, Garcia M, Carretero A, Nacher V, Navarro M, and Ruberte J
- Subjects
- Animals, Biological Transport, Blotting, Western, Homeostasis physiology, Immunohistochemistry, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Ophthalmoscopy, Oxidative Stress, Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Scavenger Receptors, Class A metabolism, Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A metabolism, Blood-Retinal Barrier physiology, Ependymoglial Cells metabolism, Ferritins metabolism, Membrane Proteins physiology
- Abstract
Careful control of iron availability in the retina is central to maintenance of iron homeostasis, as its imbalance is associated with oxidative stress and the progression of several retinopathies. Ferritin, known for its role in iron storage and detoxification, has also been proposed as an iron-transporter protein, through its binding to Scara5 and TIM2 membrane receptors. In this study, the presence and iron-related functions of TIM2 in the mouse retina were investigated. Our results revealed for the first time the presence of TIM2 receptors in the mouse retina, mainly in Müller cells. Experimental TIM2 downregulation in the mouse retina promoted, probably due to a compensatory mechanism, Scara5 overexpression that increased retinal ferritin uptake and induced iron overload. Consecutive reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression led to impaired paracellular and transcellular endothelial transport characterized by tight junction degradation and increased caveolae number. In consequence, blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown and retinal edema were observed. Altogether, these results point to TIM2 as a new modulator of retinal iron homeostasis and as a potential target to counteract retinopathy., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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26. Potential of FTIR Spectroscopy Applied to Exosomes for Alzheimer's Disease Discrimination: A Pilot Study.
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Soares Martins T, Magalhães S, Rosa IM, Vogelgsang J, Wiltfang J, Delgadillo I, Catita J, da Cruz E Silva OAB, Nunes A, and Henriques AG
- Subjects
- Aged, Alzheimer Disease metabolism, Alzheimer Disease psychology, Biomarkers cerebrospinal fluid, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Least-Squares Analysis, Male, Mental Status and Dementia Tests, Metabolomics, Molecular Imaging, Pilot Projects, Principal Component Analysis, Reproducibility of Results, Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, Alzheimer Disease classification, Exosomes chemistry
- Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis is based on psychological and imaging tests but can also include monitoring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. However, CSF based-neurochemical approaches are expensive and invasive, limiting their use to well-equipped settings. In contrast, blood-based biomarkers are minimally invasive, cost-effective, and a widely accessible alternative. Blood-derived exosomes have recently emerged as a reliable AD biomarker source, carrying disease-specific cargo. Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy meets the criteria for an ideal diagnostic methodology since it is rapid, easy to implement, and has high reproducibility. This metabolome-based technique is useful for diagnosing a broad range of diseases, although to our knowledge, no reports for FTIR spectroscopy applied to exosomes in AD exist. In this ground-breaking pilot study, FTIR spectra of serum and serum-derived exosomes from two independent cohorts were acquired and analyzed using multivariate analysis. The regional UA-cohort includes 9 individuals, clinically diagnosed with AD, mean age of 78.7 years old; and the UMG-cohort comprises 12 individuals, clinically diagnosed with AD (based on molecular and/or imaging data), mean age of 73.2 years old. Unsupervised principal component analysis of FTIR spectra of serum-derived exosomes revealed higher discriminatory value for AD cases when compared to serum as a whole. Consistently, the partial least-squares analysis revealed that serum-derived exosomes present higher correlations than serum. In addition, the second derivative peak area calculation also revealed significant differences among Controls and AD cases. The results obtained suggest that this methodology can discriminate cases from Controls and thus be potential useful to assist in AD clinical diagnosis.
- Published
- 2020
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27. Assessment of Rhodopirellula rubra as a supplementary and nutritional food source to the microcrustacean Daphnia magna.
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da Conceição Marinho M, Lage OM, Sousa CD, Catita J, and Antunes SC
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- Animals, Arthropod Proteins analysis, Daphnia chemistry, Fatty Acids analysis, Glycogen analysis, Animal Feed, Daphnia growth & development, Planctomycetales growth & development
- Abstract
The daily use of the planctomycete Rhodopirellula rubra as an alternative or supplementary food source for Daphnia magna and its feasibility in the nutrition of transgenerational populations were studied. The life history parameters, fatty acids (saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated; SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs), glycogen and protein contents of organisms during feeding assays and of the first generation were analysed. An increase in the yields of D. magna with the increase of the cell concentration of R. rubra was evident, but overall, bacteria supplied as the only food source was nutritionally insufficient as observed for all the parameters analysed. However, when R. rubra was added as supplement to the microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata a significant improvement in the life history parameters was observed namely in the reproductive output and the somatic growth rate. The identified SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs were the fatty acids more abundant in daphniids, and the feed regimens influenced daphniids fatty acid profiles. Additionally, the mixed diet resulted in a larger number and size of offspring in the different F1 broods as also observed with the results of F0 generation. The pink colouration present in D. magna body and eggs confirmed that bacteria were absorbed, the pigment(s) retained and passed on to the next generation. Our results showed that R. rubra can play an essential role in D. magna diet as a nutritional supplement showing potential biotechnological applications.
- Published
- 2019
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28. Vascular Interstitial Cells in Retinal Arteriolar Annuli Are Altered During Hypertension.
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Ramos D, Catita J, López-Luppo M, Valença A, Bonet A, Carretero A, Navarro M, Nacher V, Mendez-Ferrer S, Meseguer A, Casellas A, Mendes-Jorge L, and Ruberte J
- Subjects
- Actins metabolism, Animals, Anoctamin-1 metabolism, Arterial Pressure, Arterioles pathology, Endothelial Cells metabolism, Green Fluorescent Proteins metabolism, Histocytochemistry, Hyaluronan Receptors metabolism, Hypertensive Retinopathy metabolism, Interstitial Cells of Cajal metabolism, Mice, Mice, Inbred ICR, Mice, Transgenic, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Microscopy, Fluorescence, NADPH Dehydrogenase metabolism, Nestin metabolism, Endothelial Cells pathology, Hypertension pathology, Hypertensive Retinopathy pathology, Interstitial Cells of Cajal pathology, Retinal Artery pathology
- Abstract
Purpose: It has been suggested that arteriolar annuli localized in retinal arterioles regulate retinal blood flow acting as sphincters. Here, the morphology and protein expression profile of arteriolar annuli have been analyzed under physiologic conditions in the retina of wild-type, β-actin-Egfp, and Nestin-gfp transgenic mice. Additionally, to study the effect of hypertension, the KAP transgenic mouse has been used., Methods: Cellular architecture has been studied using digested whole mount retinas and transmission electron microscopy. The profile of protein expression has been analyzed on paraffin sections and whole mount retinas by immunofluorescence and histochemistry., Results: The ultrastructural analysis of arteriolar annuli showed a different cell population found between endothelial and muscle cells that matched most of the morphologic criteria established to define interstitial Cajal cells. The profile of protein expression of these vascular interstitial cells (VICs) was similar to that of interstitial Cajal cells and different from the endothelial and smooth muscle cells, because they expressed β-actin, nestin, and CD44, but they did not express CD31 and α-SMA or scarcely express F-actin. Furthermore, VICs share with pericytes the expression of NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-β). The high expression of Ano1 and high activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase observed in VICs was diminished during hypertensive retinopathy suggesting that these cells might play a role on the motility of arteriolar annuli and that this function is altered during hypertension., Conclusions: A novel type of VICs has been described in the arteriolar annuli of mouse retina. Remarkably, these cells undergo important molecular modifications during hypertensive retinopathy and might thus be a therapeutic target against this disease.
- Published
- 2019
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29. More than just exosomes: distinct Leishmania infantum extracellular products potentiate the establishment of infection.
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Pérez-Cabezas B, Santarém N, Cecílio P, Silva C, Silvestre R, A M Catita J, and Cordeiro da Silva A
- Abstract
The use of secretion pathways for effector molecule delivery by microorganisms is a trademark of pathogenesis. Leishmania extracellular vesicles (EVs) were shown to have significant immunomodulatory potential. Still, they will act in conjunction with other released parasite-derived products that might modify the EVs effects. Notwithstanding, the immunomodulatory properties of these non-vesicular components and their influence in the infectious process remains unknown. To address this, we explored both in vitro and in vivo the immunomodulatory potential of promastigotes extracellular material (EXO), obtained as a whole or separated in two different fractions: EVs or vesicle depleted EXO (VDE). Using an air pouch model, we observed that EVs and VDE induced a dose-dependent cell recruitment profile different from the one obtained with parasites, attracting significantly fewer neutrophils and more dendritic cells (DCs). Additionally, when we co-inoculated parasites with extracellular products a drop in cell recruitment was observed. Moreover, in vitro, while VDE (but not EVs) downregulated the expression of DCs and macrophages activation markers, both products were able to diminish the responsiveness of these cells to LPS. Finally, the presence of Leishmania infantum extracellular products in the inoculum promoted a dose-dependent infection potentiation in vivo, highlighting their relevance for the infectious process. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that EVs are not the only relevant players among the parasite exogenous products. This, together with the dose-dependency observed, opens new avenues to the comprehension of Leishmania infectious process. The approach presented here should be exploited to revisit existing data and considered for future studies in other infection models.
- Published
- 2018
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30. Exosome isolation from distinct biofluids using precipitation and column-based approaches.
- Author
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Soares Martins T, Catita J, Martins Rosa I, A B da Cruz E Silva O, and Henriques AG
- Subjects
- Biomarkers metabolism, Colorimetry, Exosomes chemistry, Humans, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Nanoparticles chemistry, Nanoparticles metabolism, Proteins analysis, Proteomics, Ultracentrifugation, Body Fluids metabolism, Exosomes metabolism
- Abstract
The potential of exosomes as biomarker resources for diagnostics, prognostics and even for therapeutics is an area of intense research. Despite the various approaches available, there is no consensus with respect to the best methodology for isolating exosomes and to provide substantial yields with reliable quality. Differential centrifugation is the most commonly used method but it is time-consuming and requires large sample volumes, thus alternative methods are urgently needed. In this study two precipitation-based methods and one column-based approach were compared for exosome isolation from distinct biofluids (serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid). Exosome characterization included morphological analyses, determination of particle concentration, stability and exosome preparations' purity, using different complementary approaches such as Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, Electrophoretic Light Scattering, Transmission Electron Microscopy, EXOCET colorimetric assay, protein quantification methods and western blotting. The three commercial kits tested successfully isolated exosomes from the biofluids under study, although ExoS showed the best performance in terms of exosome yield and purity. Data shows that methods other than differential centrifugation can be applied to quickly and efficiently isolate exosomes from reduced biofluid volumes. The possibility to use small volumes is fundamental in the context of translational and clinical research, thus the results here presented contribute significantly in this respect., Competing Interests: The commercial affiliation Paralab SA, does not alter author’s adherence to all PLOS ONE policies, on sharing data and materials.
- Published
- 2018
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31. Adequacy of planctomycetes as supplementary food source for Daphnia magna.
- Author
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Marinho MC, Lage OM, Catita J, and Antunes SC
- Subjects
- Animals, Arthrobacter, Chlorophyta, Planctomycetales, Daphnia, Food
- Abstract
The nutritional quality of daphnids diet can influence their growth, reproduction and survival. In aquatic ecosystems, bacteria can contribute significantly to Daphnia diet by supporting, for instances, their high needs for phosphorus. The laboratory feeding of the model organisms Daphnia spp. is algal based, but should be improved to allow their better performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of two planctomycetes, Gemmata obscuriglobus and Rhodopirellula rubra, from exponential and stationary growth phases as alternative or supplementary food source for Daphnia magna. The actinobacterium Arthrobacter sp. was used for comparison. The feeding with only bacteria showed the inefficacy of both planctomycetes and actinobacteria as the only food source. However, when used in supplement to Raphidocelis subcapitata, a decrease in the age of first reproduction, a significant increase in reproductive output, in somatic growth and in rate of population increase was found for the highest cell densities of bacteria tested. The typical pink coloration of these bacteria present in daphnids body and eggs confirmed bacterial absorption and metabolization of their pigment. Planctomycetes yielded better results than the actinobacteria Arthrobacter but G. obscuriglobus that possesses sterols did not induce a better performance comparatively to R. rubra. No relation could be established between the feeding treatments that allowed improvement of Daphnia performance and the different kind of Daphnia' Fatty Acid Methyl Esters. The use of sonication to separate planctomycetal cells before feeding the daphnids proved to be efficient. We confirmed that R. subcapitata supplemented by bacteria allows a better growth performance of D. magna.
- Published
- 2018
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32. Correction: L-Ferritin Binding to Scara5: A New Iron Traffic Pathway Potentially Implicated in Retinopathy.
- Author
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Mendes-Jorge L, Ramos D, Valença A, López-Luppo M, Pires VMR, Catita J, Nacher V, Navarro M, Carretero A, Rodriguez-Baeza A, and Ruberte J
- Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106974.].
- Published
- 2017
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33. Cellular Senescence Is Associated With Human Retinal Microaneurysm Formation During Aging.
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López-Luppo M, Catita J, Ramos D, Navarro M, Carretero A, Mendes-Jorge L, Muñoz-Cánoves P, Rodriguez-Baeza A, Nacher V, and Ruberte J
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Apoptosis, Female, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Mice, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Aging, Cellular Senescence physiology, Microaneurysm pathology, Retinal Vessels ultrastructure
- Abstract
Purpose: Microaneurysms are present in healthy old-age human retinas. However, to date, no age-related pathogenic mechanism has been implicated in their formation. Here, cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging and several age-related diseases, has been analyzed in the old-age human retina and in the retina of a progeric mouse., Methods: Retinas were obtained from 17 nondiabetic donors and from mice deficient in Bmi1. Cellular senescence was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, senescent-associated β-galactosidase activity assay, Sudan black B staining, conventional transmission electron microscopy, and immunoelectronmicroscopy., Results: Neurons, but not neuroglia, and blood vessels undergo cellular senescence in the old-age human retina. The canonical senescence markers p16, p53, and p21 were up-regulated and coexisted with apoptosis in old-age human microaneurysms. Senescent endothelial cells were discontinuously covered by fibronectin, and p16 colocalized with the β1 subunit of fibronectin receptor α5β1 integrin under the endothelial cellular membrane, suggesting anoikis as a mechanism involved in endothelial cell apoptosis. In a progeric mouse model deficient in Bmi1, where p21 was overexpressed, the retinal blood vessels displayed an aging phenotype characterized by enlarged caveolae and lipofuscin accumulation. Although mouse retina is not prone to develop microaneurysms, Bmi1-deficient mice presented abundant retinal microaneurysms., Conclusions: Together, these results uncover cellular senescence as a player during the formation of microaneurysms in old-age human retinas.
- Published
- 2017
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34. Blood Vessel Basement Membrane Alterations in Human Retinal Microaneurysms During Aging.
- Author
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López-Luppo M, Nacher V, Ramos D, Catita J, Navarro M, Carretero A, Rodriguez-Baeza A, Mendes-Jorge L, and Ruberte J
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Basement Membrane metabolism, Female, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 biosynthesis, Microaneurysm metabolism, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Middle Aged, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 biosynthesis, Retinal Diseases metabolism, Tissue Donors, Young Adult, Aging, Basement Membrane ultrastructure, Microaneurysm diagnosis, Retinal Diseases diagnosis, Retinal Vessels
- Abstract
Purpose: Microaneurysms, considered a hallmark of retinal vascular disease, are present in aged retinas. Here, the basement membrane of human retinal microaneurysms has been analyzed during aging., Methods: Retinas were obtained from 17 nondiabetic donors. Whole mount retinas and paraffin sections were marked immunohistochemically with antibodies against the main components of the blood basement membrane. Trypsin digestion and transmission electron microscopy also were performed., Results: Small microaneurysms presented increased expression of collagen IV, laminin, fibronectin, nidogen, and perlecan, along with basement membrane thickening. Unexpectedly, crosslinked fibrils of collagen III, a type of collagen absent in retinal capillaries, were found specifically in small microaneurysms. This was parallel to enhanced lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) 2 and 4 expression. Large microaneurysms showed diminution of protein content, as well as disorganization, in their basement membrane. This was concomitant with an increased expression of matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1. Pericyte coverage declined between small and large microaneurysms., Conclusions: Thickening of the basement membrane in small microaneurysms by accumulation of matrix proteins probably produced by recruited pericytes, together with the appearance of crosslinked collagen III fibrils probably due to the action of LOXL2 and LOXL4, could be considered as compensatory mechanisms to strengthen the vascular wall in the early phase of microaneurysm formation. Later, increased activity of MMP-9 and PAI-I, which produce disruption of the blood basement membrane and expansion of microthrombi respectively, and loss of pericytes, which produces weakening of the vascular wall, could explain the wall dilation observed in the late phase of microaneurysm formation.
- Published
- 2017
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35. Angiography reveals novel features of the retinal vasculature in healthy and diabetic mice.
- Author
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McLenachan S, Magno AL, Ramos D, Catita J, McMenamin PG, Chen FK, Rakoczy EP, and Ruberte J
- Subjects
- Aging pathology, Animals, Arterioles pathology, Biomarkers metabolism, Capillary Permeability, Fluorescein Angiography, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microscopy, Confocal, Ophthalmoscopy, Retinal Neovascularization pathology, Retinal Vessels anatomy & histology, Tomography, Optical Coherence, Venules pathology, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental pathology, Diabetic Retinopathy pathology, Retinal Vessels pathology
- Abstract
The mouse retina is a commonly used animal model for the study of pathogenesis and treatment of blinding retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. In this study, we aimed to characterize normal and pathological variations in vascular anatomy in the mouse retina using fluorescein angiography visualized with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography (SLO-OCT). We examined eyes from C57BL/6J wild type mice as well as the Ins2(Akita) and Akimba mouse models of diabetic retinopathy using the Heidelberg Retinal Angiography (HRA) and OCT system. Angiography was performed on three focal planes to examine distinct vascular layers. For comparison with angiographic data, ex vivo analyses, including Indian ink angiography, histology and 3D confocal scanning laser microscopy were performed in parallel. All layers of the mouse retinal vasculature could be readily visualized during fluorescein angiography by SLO-OCT. Blood vessel density was increased in the deep vascular plexus (DVP) compared with the superficial vascular plexus (SVP). Arteriolar and venular typologies were established and structural differences were observed between venular types. Unexpectedly, the hyaloid artery was found to persist in 15% of C57BL/6 mice, forming anastomoses with peripheral retinal capillaries. Fluorescein leakage was easily detected in Akimba retinae by angiography, but was not observed in Ins2(Akita) mice. Blood vessel density was increased in the DVP of 6 month old Ins2(Akita) mice, while the SVP displayed reduced branching in precapillary arterioles. In summary, we present the first comprehensive characterization of the mouse retinal vasculature by SLO-OCT fluorescein angiography. Using this clinical imaging technique, we report previously unrecognized variations in C57BL/6J vascular anatomy and novel features of vascular retinopathy in the Ins2(Akita) mouse model of diabetes., (Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2015
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36. L-ferritin binding to scara5: a new iron traffic pathway potentially implicated in retinopathy.
- Author
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Mendes-Jorge L, Ramos D, Valença A, López-Luppo M, Pires VM, Catita J, Nacher V, Navarro M, Carretero A, Rodriguez-Baeza A, and Ruberte J
- Subjects
- Animals, Biological Transport, Disease Models, Animal, Endothelial Cells metabolism, Female, Ferritins blood, Ferritins genetics, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Iron metabolism, Male, Mice, Photoreceptor Cells metabolism, Photoreceptor Cells pathology, Protein Binding, Protein Transport, Retina cytology, Retina metabolism, Retina pathology, Retinal Degeneration genetics, Retinal Degeneration metabolism, Retinal Degeneration pathology, Retinal Diseases metabolism, Retinal Diseases pathology, Retinal Neurons metabolism, Scavenger Receptors, Class A genetics, Ferritins metabolism, Scavenger Receptors, Class A metabolism
- Abstract
Iron is essential in the retina because the heme-containing enzyme guanylate cyclase modulates phototransduction in rods and cones. Transferrin endocytosis is the classical pathway for obtaining iron from the blood circulation in the retina. However, the iron storage protein ferritin has been also recently proposed as an iron carrier. In this study, the presence of Scara5 and its binding to L-ferritin was investigated in the retina. Our results showed that Scara5, the specific receptor for L-ferritin, was expressed in mouse and human retinas in many cell types, including endothelial cells. Furthermore, we showed that intravenously injected ferritin crossed the blood retinal barrier through L-ferritin binding to Scara5 in endothelial cells. Thus, suggesting the existence of a new pathway for iron delivery and trafficking in the retina. In a murine model of photoreceptor degeneration, Scara5 was downregulated, pointing out this receptor as a potential player implicated in retinopathy and also as a possible therapeutic target.
- Published
- 2014
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37. Miconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for local delivery to the oral mucosa: improving antifungal activity.
- Author
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Mendes AI, Silva AC, Catita JA, Cerqueira F, Gabriel C, and Lopes CM
- Subjects
- Calorimetry, Differential Scanning, Candida albicans drug effects, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical, Crystallization, Hydrogels pharmacology, Kinetics, Particle Size, Placebos, Rheology drug effects, Static Electricity, Antifungal Agents pharmacology, Drug Carriers chemistry, Drug Delivery Systems, Lipids chemistry, Miconazole pharmacology, Mouth Mucosa drug effects, Nanostructures chemistry
- Abstract
Miconazole is a widely used antifungal agent with poor aqueous solubility, which requires the development of drug delivery systems able to improve its therapeutic activity. For this purpose, a miconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) dispersion was prepared and characterized. Further, the dispersion was used to prepare a NLC-based hydrogel formulation proposed as an alternative system to improve the local delivery of miconazole to the oral mucosa. NLC dispersion showed particles in the nanometer range (≈ 200 nm) with low polidispersity index (<0.3), good physical stability and high encapsulation efficiency (>87%). A controlled miconazole release was observed from NLC and NLC-based hydrogel formulations, in contrast to a commercial oral gel formulation, which demonstrated a faster release. Additionally, it was observed that the encapsulation of miconazole in the NLC improved its antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the encapsulation of miconazole in NLC allows for obtaining the same therapeutic effect of a commercial oral gel formulation, using a 17-fold lower dose of miconazole., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2013
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- View/download PDF
38. Monosegmented flow-analysis of serum cholesterol.
- Author
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Araújo AN, Catita JA, and Lima JL
- Subjects
- Buffers, Flow Injection Analysis, Humans, Hydrolysis, Indicators and Reagents, Solutions, Cholesterol blood
- Abstract
A monosegmented flow system is designed for enzymatic spectrophotometric determination of cholesterol in blood serum. The sample (4.5 microliters), enzymatic reagent (150 microliters) and an air plug (100 microliters) are simultaneously inserted into a carrier stream buffered to pH 7.4 (potassium dihydrogenphosphate). In order to avoid the step of air removal, a relocating detector was used. This system handles about 42 samples per hour, yielding precise results (R.S.D. usually < 3.0%). Sensitivity is 46 mAU 1/mmol (mAU stands for milliabsorbance units), being the method linear up to 10.3 mmol/l cholesterol. Accuracy was assessed by running 30 samples already analysed by a conventional procedure: no statistical difference between methods was found at the 95% confidence level.
- Published
- 1999
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39. Molecular cloning of metaphase chromosome protein 1 (MCP1), a novel human autoantigen that associates with condensed chromosomes during mitosis.
- Author
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Bronze-da-Rocha E, Catita JA, and Sunkel CE
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Autoantigens analysis, Autoantigens chemistry, Base Sequence, Cell Extracts, Cell Line, Cloning, Molecular, DNA, Complementary genetics, Gene Dosage, HeLa Cells, Humans, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic immunology, Metaphase, Mice, Molecular Sequence Data, Molecular Weight, RNA, Messenger analysis, Recombinant Fusion Proteins, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Autoantigens genetics, Chromosomes, Human chemistry, Mitosis
- Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus autoantibodies were used to identify and to characterize new human chromosome-associated proteins. Previous immunolocalization studies in human and murine tissue culture cells showed that some of these monoclonal antibodies recognize nuclear antigens that associate with condensed chromosomes during mitosis. One antibody was selected for screening a human HeLa S3 cDNA expression library, and cDNAs that code for an antigen of 31-33 kDa were isolated. Immunological, biochemical and cell fractionation data indicate that the 31- to 33-kDa antigen corresponds to the chromosome-associated protein recognized by the original monoclonal antibody. Sequence analysis shows that we isolated a novel human gene. Immunolocalization to human tissue culture cells shows that during interphase the antigen is dispersed in the nucleus and that during mitosis it associates exclusively with condensed chromosomes. A similar pattern of localization was also observed in mouse fibroblasts, suggesting that the antigen is conserved among different species. Finally, we show that part of the antigen remains bound to the scaffold/matrix component, even after high salt extraction.
- Published
- 1998
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40. [Pain in advanced cancer. The role of radiotherapy].
- Author
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Patrício MB, de Jesus EB, and Catita J
- Subjects
- Cobalt Radioisotopes therapeutic use, Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasm Metastasis, Palliative Care methods, Patient Care Planning, Radiotherapy Dosage, Radiotherapy, High-Energy, Time Factors, Neoplasms radiotherapy, Pain, Intractable radiotherapy
- Published
- 1993
41. Ewing's sarcoma in children: twenty-five years of experience at the Instituto Portugês de Oncologia de Francisco Gentil (I.P.O.F.G.).
- Author
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Patricio MB, Vilhena M, Neves M, Raposo S, Catita J, De Sousa V, and Martins AG
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Bone Neoplasms mortality, Child, Child, Preschool, Combined Modality Therapy, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Neoplasm Metastasis, Prognosis, Radiotherapy, High-Energy, Retrospective Studies, Sarcoma, Ewing mortality, Bone Neoplasms therapy, Sarcoma, Ewing therapy
- Abstract
Fifty children with Ewing's sarcoma were consecutively treated from 1962 to 1987 and retrospectively analyzed at the I.P.O.F.G. of Lisbon. At first diagnosis, 10 cases had distant metastases. The remaining 40 patients had clinically localized disease, and different protocols were followed over the years. The best results were obtained with chemotherapy and radiotherapy with or without surgery; and for these children the two-year survival rate was 42.8% vs. 8.3% for the group of patients submitted to local treatment alone. Besides the treatment modality, other factors influenced the prognosis, such as inflammatory signs, sex, tumor volume, and tumor site as well as evidence of distant metastases.
- Published
- 1991
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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