Publications by authors named "Carreira A"

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is influenced by cytokines and microenvironment factors, resulting in remarkably diverse functions, by contributing to inflammatory responses or serving as rheostats of adaptive immunity. Using single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified a CD56NK cell population associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients protected from acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We further define a role for the combination of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in promoting a regulatory phenotype in NK cells.

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Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases characterized by highly intricate mechanisms of tumorigenesis and tumor progression, which complicates diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In recent years, targeted therapies have gained prominence by focusing on specific mutations and molecular features unique to each tumor type, offering more effective and personalized treatment options. However, it is equally critical to explore the genetic commonalities across different types of cancer, which has led to the rise of pan-cancer studies.

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Article Synopsis
  • The RNA binding protein HuR is crucial for regulating the innate immune response, and blocking it can have positive anti-inflammatory outcomes.
  • A new series of small molecules, Tanshinone Mimics (TMs), were developed to disrupt HuR-RNA binding, with furan-containing compound 5/TM11 proving to be the most effective in inhibiting this interaction.
  • Compound 5/TM11 not only enhances solubility but also selectively decreases cell proliferation in macrophages at certain doses, leading to a significant reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in response to LPS.
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Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted particles conceived as natural vehicles for intercellular communication. The capacity to entrap heterogeneous molecular cargoes and target specific cell populations through EV functionalization promises advancements in biomedical applications. However, the efficiency of the obtained EVs, the contribution of cell-exposed receptors to EV interactions, and the predictability of functional cargo release with potential sharing of high molecular weight recombinant mRNAs are crucial for advancing heterologous EVs in targeted therapy applications.

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Biomaterials derived from biological matrices have been widely investigated due to their great therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine, since they are able to induce cell proliferation, tissue remodeling, and angiogenesis . In this context, highly vascularized and proliferative tissues, such as the uterine wall, present an interesting source to produce acellular matrices that can be used as bioactive materials to induce tissue regeneration. Therefore, this study aimed to establish an optimized protocol to generate decellularized uterine scaffolds (dUT), characterizing their structural, compositional, and biomechanical properties.

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  • The study investigates the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in uterine tube physiology and aims to create region-specific decellularized scaffolds from porcine uterine tubes for tissue engineering applications.
  • To achieve this, porcine uterine tubes were treated with specific solutions to remove cellular components while preserving the ECM structure and composition.
  • Experimental results showed successful decellularization, maintaining the scaffold’s structural integrity, and high cell viability, indicating potential use in reproductive biotechnology.
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Cell therapy, specifically the revolutionary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, has transformed the landscape of oncology, making substantial strides in practical treatment approaches. Today, established guidelines for diseases such as lymphomas, myelomas, and leukemias actively advocate the utilization of these once-unconventional therapies. The practical impact of these therapies is underscored by their unparalleled efficacy, reshaping the way we approach and implement treatments in the realm of oncology.

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Skeletal muscle degeneration is responsible for major mobility complications, and this muscle type has little regenerative capacity. Several biomaterials have been proposed to induce muscle regeneration and function restoration. Decellularized scaffolds present biological properties that allow efficient cell culture, providing a suitable microenvironment for artificial construct development and being an alternative for in vitro muscle culture.

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We present a fatal complication of treatment in a patient with early-onset acromegaly, treated with two transsphenoidal operations, radiotherapy, radiosurgery and pegvisomant. He was diagnosed in his 30s, and controlled from his 40s, with stable residual tumour within the left cavernous sinus. In his 60s, 30 years after surgery/radiotherapy and 14 years after radiosurgery, he developed recurrent episodes of mild epistaxis.

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Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are known to regulate/stimulate osteogenesis, playing vital roles in bone homeostasis, rendering them strong candidates for osteoporosis treatment. We evaluated the effects of recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP7) and PDGF-BB (rhPDGF-BB) in an oophorectomy-induced osteoporosis rat model. Forty Sprague Dawley rats underwent oophorectomy surgery; treatments commenced on the 100th day post-surgery when all animals exhibited signs of osteoporosis.

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The economic advantages of HSO make it the acid of choice for the hydrometallurgical treatment of waste lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, to facilitate the full dissolution of the higher valency metal oxides present in the cathode black mass, a suitable reducing agent is required. Herein, the application of industrial black liquor (BL) obtained from the Kraft pulping for papermaking is investigated as a renewable reducing agent for the enhanced leaching of transition metals from LIB powder with HSO.

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An essential step in the success of germ cell transplantation is the preparation of the recipient's testicular environment to increase the availability of stem cell niches. However, most methods for this purpose in birds face serious limitations such as partial germ cell depletion, high toxicity and mortality, or the need to use expensive technologies. Here, we validated a simple and practical technique of transferring quail testicular cells into chicken testes depleted of endogenous spermatozoa by fractioned chemotherapy (20 mg/kg/week busulfan for 5 weeks).

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BRCA2 tumor suppressor protein ensures genome integrity by mediating DNA repair via homologous recombination (HR). This function is executed in part by its canonical DNA binding domain located at the C-terminus (BRCA2CTD), the only folded domain of the protein. Most germline pathogenic missense variants are located in this highly conserved region which binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and to the acidic protein DSS1.

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Introduction: Upper tarsal mechanical forces influence corneal epithelial thickness profile, which could modulate corneal astigmatism. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty reduces upper tarsal strength and may have an impact on ocular surface. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of upper eyelid blepharoplasty on corneal epithelial thickness profile, astigmatism and aberrations.

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Pathogenic variants in BRCA2 are known to significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Sequencing-based genetic testing has resulted in the identification of thousands of BRCA2 variants that are considered to be variants of uncertain significance (VUS) because the disease risk associated with them is unknown. One such variant is p.

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Article Synopsis
  • Printing customizable bone scaffolds is difficult due to the complex nature of bone tissue, but graphene oxide (GO) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) show promise in bone regeneration.
  • This study is the first to report the Fischer-Koch model for GO/PLLA in 3D printing, focusing on the reproducibility of scaffold features and their effects on cell viability.
  • Results showed that the printed scaffolds are not cytotoxic and have favorable physicochemical properties, making them suitable for applications in bone tissue engineering and medical implants.
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  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung disease that involves oxidative stress and excessive tissue build-up, with potential therapy using hydrogels made from decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) explored in recent studies.
  • The study involved creating these hydrogels from porcine lungs, identifying their protein compositions, and testing their ability to prevent fibrosis in rat models of IPF caused by bleomycin.
  • Results indicated that certain concentrations of the ECM-derived hydrogels reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis markers, leading to notable improvements in lung structure and function compared to untreated controls, while revealing significant changes in gene expression related to tissue remodeling and inflammation processes.
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Since their discovery in the late 20 century, significant progress has been made in elucidating the functions of the tumor suppressor proteins BRCA1 and BRCA2. These proteins play vital roles in maintaining genome integrity, including DNA repair, replication fork protection, and chromosome maintenance. It is well-established that germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer; however, the precise mechanism underlying tumor formation in this context is not fully understood.

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Cleft palates are oral deformities that mostly affect puppies. They are frequently extensive and characterized by bone and palatal mucosa malformation. This deformity is a serious condition that may result in the death of the dog, therefore surgical treatment is recommended.

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  • The hepatic microenvironment is crucial for liver regeneration, with the extracellular matrix (ECM) providing structural support for cell growth and survival.
  • The study explores the use of placental ECM as a scaffold for differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells in a dynamic culture system.
  • Preliminary results indicate successful cell adhesion and differentiation, with markers showing the presence of liver-like cells, suggesting that placental scaffolds could be a promising material for liver tissue reconstruction.
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The application of decellularized scaffolds for artificial tissue reconstruction has been an approach with great therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. Recently, biomimetic ovarian tissue reconstruction was proposed to reestablish ovarian endocrine functions. Despite many decellularization methods proposed, there is no established protocol for whole ovaries by detergent perfusion that is able to preserve tissue macro and microstructure with higher efficiency.

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Purpose: Bariatric surgery (BS) increases the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. Guidelines recommend postponing pregnancy for 12-24 months, but optimal surgery-to-conception interval (BSCI) remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the impact of BSCI on birth weight and SGA.

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Alpaca is a South American camelid, particularly present in Peruvian highlands, where oxygen concentration and atmospheric pressure are very low. Due to this fact, gestational physiology has adapted to preserve the conceptus' and mother's health. In this context, several cellular and molecular features play an essential role during and at the end of gestation.

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