Hypoxia is linked to acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer.

Despite the established use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only a subset of patients benefit from treatment and ∼50% of patients whose tumors respond eventually develop acquired resistance (AR). To identify novel drivers of AR, we generated murine Msh2 knock-out (KO) lung tumors that initially responded but eventually developed AR to anti-PD-1, alone or in combination with anti-CTLA-4. Resistant tumors harbored decreased infiltrating T cells and reduced cancer cell-intrinsic MHC-I and MHC-II levels, yet remained responsive to IFNγ.

Experimental protocol for evaluation of biomaterials in an in-vivo silicone implant coverage.

Purpose: To describe an experimental surgical model in rats using a dual-plane technique for evaluation of biomaterials in an in-vivo silicone implant coverage.

Methods: This study was developed following the ISO 10993-6 standard. In this study, 40 male Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 350 g were used, distributed into two groups: experimental, biomaterial superimposed on the minimammary prosthesis (MP); and control, MP without implantation of the biomaterial, with eight animals at each biological point: 1, 2, 4, 12, and 26 weeks.

Histomorphometric Study of Non-critical Bone Defect Repair after Implantation of Magnesium-substituted Hydroxyapatite Microspheres.

 The present study aims to analyze histomorphometrically the repair of a non-critical bone defect after implantation of hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres substituted by magnesium (Mg).  Thirty rats were distributed into 3 experimental groups, evaluated at 15 and 45 days postoperatively: HAG (bone defect filled with HA microspheres); HAMgG (bone defect filled with HA microspheres replaced with 1 mol% Mg), and CG (bone defect without implantation of biomaterials).  After 15 days, the biomaterials filled the entire defect extent, forming a new osteoid matrix between the microspheres.

Fabrication and Characterization of Porous PEGDA Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Regeneration.

Functional articular cartilage regeneration remains an unmet medical challenge, increasing the interest for innovative biomaterial-based tissue engineering (TE) strategies. Hydrogels, 3D macromolecular networks with hydrophilic groups, present articular cartilage-like features such as high water content and load-bearing capacity. In this study, 3D porous polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels were fabricated combining the gas foaming technique and a UV-based crosslinking strategy.

Strategies for Increasing the Throughput of Genetic Screening: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic within a University Community.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Polytechnic University of Setúbal (IPS) used its expertise in molecular genetics to establish a COVID-19 laboratory, addressing the demand for community-wide testing. Following standard protocols, the IPS COVID Lab received national accreditation in October 2020 and was registered in February 2021. With the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and safety concerns for students and staff, the lab was further challenged to develop rapid and sensitive diagnostic technologies.