Publications by authors named "Helder Cruz"

Cultured meat production requires the robust differentiation of satellite cells into mature muscle fibres without the use of animal-derived components. Current protocols induce myogenic differentiation in vitro through serum starvation, that is, an abrupt reduction in serum concentration. Here we used RNA sequencing to investigate the transcriptomic remodelling of bovine satellite cells during myogenic differentiation induced by serum starvation.

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Human mesenchymal stem cells gather special interest as a universal and feasible add-on therapy for myocardial infarction (MI). In particular, human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UCM-MSC) are advantageous since can be easily obtained and display high expansion potential. Using isolation protocols compliant with cell therapy, we previously showed UCM-MSC preserved cardiac function and attenuated remodeling 2 weeks after MI.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder whose treatment is mostly restricted to pain and symptom management and to the delay of joint destruction. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from the umbilical cord tissue (UC-MSCs) have previously been proven to be immunomodulatory and more efficient than bone marrow-derived MSCs in causing remission of local and systemic arthritic manifestations . Given the paracrine nature of UC-MSC activity, their application as active substances can be replaced by their secretome, thus avoiding allogeneic rejection and safety issues related to unwanted grafting.

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Background Aims: The effect of cryopreservation on mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapeutic properties has become highly controversial. However, data thus far have indiscriminately involved the assessment of different types of MSCs with distinct production processes. This study assumed that MSC-based products are affected differently depending on the tissue source and manufacturing process and analyzed the effect of cryopreservation on a specific population of umbilical cord tissue-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs), UCX.

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Background: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord tissue, termed UCX®, have the potential to promote a full range of events leading to tissue regeneration and homeostasis. The main goal of this work was to investigate UCX® action in experimentally induced hindlimb ischemia (HLI).

Methods: UCX®, obtained by using a proprietary technology developed by ECBio (Amadora, Portugal), were delivered via intramuscular injection to C57BL/6 females after unilateral HLI induction.

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3D cultures of human stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) have emerged as promising models for short- and long-term maintenance of hepatocyte phenotype in vitro cultures by better resembling the in vivo environment of the liver and consequently increase the translational value of the resulting data. In this study, the first stage of hepatic differentiation of human neonatal mesenchymal stem cells (hnMSCs) was performed in 2D monolayer cultures for 17 days. The second stage was performed by either maintaining cells in 2D cultures for an extra 10 days, as control, or alternatively cultured in 3D as self-assembled spheroids or in multicompartment membrane bioreactor system.

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Introduction: The secretion of trophic factors by mesenchymal stromal cells has gained increased interest given the benefits it may bring to the treatment of a variety of traumatic injuries such as skin wounds. Herein, we report on a three-dimensional culture-based method to improve the paracrine activity of a specific population of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UCX®) towards the application of conditioned medium for the treatment of cutaneous wounds.

Methods: A UCX® three-dimensional culture model was developed and characterized with respect to spheroid formation, cell phenotype and cell viability.

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Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play an important role in tissue regeneration mainly through the secretion of trophic factors that enhance the repair of damaged tissues. The main goal of this work was to study the paracrine mechanisms by which an umbilical cord tissue-derived MSC population (UCX(®)) promotes the migration capacity of human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which is highly relevant for skin regeneration. Furthermore, the differences between paracrine activities of MSCs from the umbilical cord tissue and the bone marrow (BM-MSCs) were also evaluated.

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Introduction: Standardization of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) manufacturing is urgently needed to enable translational activities and ultimately facilitate comparison of clinical trial results. In this work we describe the adaptation of a proprietary method for isolation of a specific umbilical cord tissue-derived population of MSCs, herein designated by its registered trademark as UCX®, towards the production of an advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP).

Methods: The adaptation focused on different stages of production, from cell isolation steps to cell culturing and cryopreservation.

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Introduction: Among the plethora of cells under investigation to restore a functional myocardium, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been granted considerable interest. However, whereas the beneficial effects of bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) in the context of the diseased heart are widely reported, data are still scarce on MSCs from the umbilical cord matrix (UCM-MSCs). Herein we report on the effect of UCM-MSC transplantation to the infarcted murine heart, seconded by the dissection of the molecular mechanisms at play.

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Background: ECBio has developed proprietary technology to consistently isolate, expand and cryopreserve a well-characterized population of stromal cells from human umbilical cord tissue (UCX® cells). The technology has recently been optimized in order to become compliant with Advanced Medicine Therapeutic Products. In this work we report the immunosuppressive capacity of UCX® cells for treating induced autoimmune inflammatory arthritis.

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The cytotoxicity-guided study of the dichloromethane and ethanol extracts of Thymus mastichina L. using the HCT colon cancer cell line allowed the identification of nine compounds, sakuranetin (1), sterubin (2), oleanolic acid (3), ursolic acid (4), lutein (5), beta-sitosterol (6), rosmarinic acid (7), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (8), and 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (9). All compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against the HCT colon cancer cell line.

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A new pathogenic Theileria species transmitted by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis was identified in the Northwestern part of China and was shown to be highly pathogenic for small ruminants. The present article aimed at identifying merozoite antigens that might be suitable for developing diagnostic methods and designing a potential vaccine. Absence of other theilerial or babesial infections was confirmed by reverse line blot in all antigen samples used.

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Objective: To establish optimal conditions for long-term culture of the erythrocytic stage of Theileria uilenbergi.

Sample Population: Red blood cells from 3 splenectomized sheep experimentally infected with a blood stabilate of T uilenbergi.

Procedures: Cultures of T uilenbergi were initiated by use of blood from experimentally infected sheep collected when parasites were detected in Giemsa-stained thin blood smears.

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The antigenic proteins of the piroplasm stage of Theileria species (China), the causative agent of theilerosis of small ruminants in China, were analyzed by Western blot, revealing several specific immunoreactive proteins of different predicted molecular weights. Furthermore, sera from Theileria species (China)-infected animals were probed for reactivity with the TaSP protein of T. annulata, for which a homologue has been described in Theileria species (China).

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A model optical immunosensor was developed to quantify an antibody present in a sample by measuring the fluorescence of Cyanine-5 conjugated with the antibody, using a competitive and a sandwich immunoreaction configuration, with the antigen immobilised in controlled pore glass beads. At pH 2, 94% of the antigen-antibody complex was dissociated, allowing reutilisation. Photobleaching had no effect on the fluorescence.

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Immunosensors can play an important role in the improvement of veterinary diagnostics in areas such as the diagnosis of diseases, drug detection and food quality control, by providing applications with rapid detection, high sensitivity and specificity. Associated with advances in biochemistry, biotechnology, electronics and microfabrication, new transduction devices that translate a biological interaction into an electrical signal have been developed. An overview of the current immunoassay techniques used in standard diagnosis is presented.

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Article Synopsis
  • The rise of nitrite concentration in water sources poses significant health and environmental risks.
  • The study developed an optical biosensor using cytochrome cd(1) nitrite reductase immobilized in controlled pore glass (CPG) beads, utilizing changes in optical reflectance to measure nitrite levels.
  • The biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity to nitrite, with a detection limit of 0.93 µM, which is below the European Community's maximum allowable concentration of 2.2 µM.
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