Publications by authors named "Maria-Filomena Botelho"

Article Synopsis
  • - Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are significant types of liver cancer that impact the immune response due to the role of T regulatory (Treg) cells in suppressing antitumor immunity.
  • - A study was conducted on healthy individuals, CCA patients, and HCC patients to assess changes in natural killer (NK) cells and T cell subsets before and after surgical tumor removal, using various blood assays.
  • - Findings revealed that both types of cancer patients exhibited alterations in Treg cell populations before surgery, with an increase in certain Treg cells after tumor resection, indicating potential mechanisms of immune modulation following surgery.
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Objective: Obesity is linked to perturbations in energy balance mechanisms, including ghrelin and leptin actions at the hypothalamic circuitry of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and melanocortin. However, information about the regulation of this system in the periphery is still scarce. Our objective was to study the regulation of the NPY/melanocortin system in the adipose tissue (AT) and evaluate its therapeutic potential for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

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Proteomics can be a robust tool in protein identification and regulation, allowing the discovery of potential biomarkers. In clinical practice, the management of endometrial cancer can be challenging. Thus, identifying promising markers could be beneficial, helping both in diagnosis and prognostic stratification, even predicting the response to therapy.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Endometrial cancer is a common gynecological cancer that can be difficult to treat, especially in cases where the disease recurs or spreads; cancer stem cells (CSCs) are linked to these challenges, particularly through their high activity of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).
  • - The study investigated the effects of inhibiting ALDH in endometrial CSCs using a specific compound (DEAB), which was shown to significantly reduce ALDH activity, inhibit cell growth capabilities, and alter protein expression profiles related to cancer progression.
  • - Findings suggest that targeting ALDH and related proteins (like ALDH18A1, SdhA, and UBAP2L) could provide new therapeutic strategies
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Background: This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: Clinical studies on recurrent OSCC treated with PDT alone were included. Combined treatment strategies were excluded.

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Breast cancer is a growing disease, with a high worldwide incidence and mortality rate among women. Among the various types, the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a challenge. Considering the recent advances in cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) cancer research, our goal was to evaluate efficacy data from studies based on chemotherapy and CAP in TNBC cell lines and animal models.

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Reversine is a purine derivative that has been investigated with regard to its biological effects, such as its anticancer properties and, mostly, its ability to induce the dedifferentiation of adult cells, increasing their plasticity. The obtained dedifferentiated cells have a high potential for use in regenerative procedures, such as regenerative dentistry (RD). Instead of replacing the lost or damaged oral tissues with synthetic materials, RD uses stem cells combined with matrices and an appropriate microenvironment to achieve tissue regeneration.

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The main goal of this work was to elucidate the potential relevance of (radio)metal chelates of Tc and Re targeting G-quadruplex structures for the design of new tools for cancer theranostics. Tc provides the complexes with the ability to perform single-photon-emission computed tomography imaging studies, while the Re complexes should act as anticancer agents upon interaction with specific G4 DNA or RNA structures present in tumor tissues. Towards this goal, we have developed isostructural Tc(I) and Re(I) tricarbonyl complexes anchored by a pyrazolyl-diamine (Pz) chelator carrying a pendant pyridostatin (PDS) fragment as the G4-binding motif.

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The effect of anti-algics on tumor progression and the overall survival of patients is controversial and remains unclear. Herein, we disclose the in vitro effects of the local anesthetics lidocaine, ropivacaine, and levobupivacaine on breast (MCF7), prostate (PC3, LNCaP), and bladder (TCCSUP, HT1376) cancer cell lines, both as monotherapy and in combination with standard-of-care therapeutics. Assays for cell proliferation, viability, death profile, and migration were performed.

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BODIPYs are bicyclic aromatic compounds with unique spectroscopic, photophysical, and chemical properties. This study aimed to find BODIPYs with characteristics biocompatible with human cell lines for possible use as imaging agents. Six BODIPY derivatives were synthesised with groups linked to boron, fluorine, phenol, or catechol, resulting in compounds with different physicochemical characteristics.

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Article Synopsis
  • Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common eye cancer in children and is caused by mutations in the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene, classified as hereditary or nonhereditary based on the type of mutations involved.
  • Patients with RB have a high survival rate, but the risk of developing second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) remains a significant concern, particularly since SMNs are the leading cause of death among these patients.
  • Research indicates that hereditary RB survivors face a greater risk of SMNs compared to nonhereditary survivors, and the use of ionizing radiation in treatment may further increase this risk, making it crucial to study its impact on RB patients, especially those with hereditary forms.
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The non-homologous end joining pathway is vital for repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), with DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) playing a critical role. Altered DNA damage response (DDR) in chronic (CML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) offers potential therapeutic opportunities. We studied the therapeutic potential of AZD-7648 (DNA-PK inhibitor) in CML and AML cell lines.

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The aim was to evaluate the effects of adding different functional monomers to experimental self-adhesive composites (SACs) on polymerization kinetics, cell metabolic activity, and sealing ability. SACs were formulated using urethane dimethacrylate as the base monomer and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Additionally, 10 wt.

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Doxorubicin (Dox) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in the clinic, whose side effects include cardiotoxicity, associated with decreased antioxidant defenses and increased oxidative stress. The association of Dox with natural antioxidants can extend its use if not interfering with its pharmacological potential. In this study, we aimed to understand the effects and mechanisms of the aqueous extract of leaves (EA-Aa) in cancer cells and the co-treatment with Dox, in and models.

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Background: Microorganisms and their by-products are responsible for establishing pulpal and periapical diseases. Healing is compromised in patients under bisphosphonate therapy, and the presence of periapical infections can potentially lead to the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This work aimed to evaluate if bisphosphonate therapy is a risk factor for MRONJ development in the presence of periapical lesions.

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(1) Background: Coronal microleakage can lead to endodontic treatment failure. This study aimed to compare the sealing ability of different temporary restorative materials used during endodontic treatment. (2) Methods: Eighty sheep incisors were collected, uniformized in length, and access cavities were performed, except for in the negative control group, where the teeth were left intact.

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The last 18 years have brought an increasing interest in the therapeutic use of perinatal derivatives (PnD). Preclinical studies used to assess the potential of PnD therapy include a broad range of study designs. The COST SPRINT Action (CA17116) aims to provide systematic and comprehensive reviews of preclinical studies for the understanding of the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of PnD in diseases and injuries that benefit from PnD therapy.

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Perinatal derivatives (PnD) are gaining interest as a source for cell-based therapies. Since the eye is easily accessible to local administration, eye diseases may be excellent candidates to evaluate novel therapeutic approaches. With this work, we performed a systematic review of published preclinical and clinical studies addressing PnD in the treatment of ocular diseases.

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Background: Obturation represents a critical step in endodontic treatment, which relies on a core material and a sealer. This study aims to evaluate the sealing ability and bond strength to the root canal walls of an epoxy resin-based sealer (AH-Plus, Dentsply Sirona, Johnson City, TN, USA) and a bioceramic sealer (GuttaFlow Bioseal, Coltène/Whaledent, GmbH + Co. KG, Langenau, Germany).

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Cell-based assays, conducted on monolayer (2D) cultured cells, are an unquestionably valuable tool for biomedical research. However, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have gained relevance over the last few years due to the advantages of better mimicking the microenvironment and tissue microarchitecture in vivo. Recent magnetic-based 3D (m3D) cell culture systems can be used for this purpose.

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Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is a female fertility preservation technique that presents major challenges for the maintenance of follicular viability after transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the application of L-Mesitran Soft, a product containing 40% medical grade honey (MGH), with other strategies to improve ovarian grafts' viability. For this purpose, bovine ovarian tissue was vitrified, warmed and randomly assigned to culture groups: (1) control, (2) MGH 0.

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Article Synopsis
  • The rising rates of cancer make oncological management a major challenge, highlighting the need for new anticancer strategies despite previous advancements.
  • Recent studies indicate that human perinatal derivatives (PnD) from sources like the placenta and umbilical cord show promise in preventing tumor growth and supporting traditional therapies, although some results suggest they may also aid cancer cells.
  • To effectively implement PnD treatments in clinical settings, collaboration among researchers and precise guidelines on methodology are essential, alongside thorough investigation of the factors influencing their dual effects.
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Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is a condition in which individuals have an increased risk of developing different types of cancer when compared to the general population. repair associated () and repair associated () genes are tumor suppressor genes that play a crucial role in cell, by repairing DNA damage. Mutations in these genes are responsible for 25% of HBOC cases.

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