Tuneable hydrogel patterns in pillarless microfluidic devices.

Organ-on-chip (OOC) technology has recently emerged as a powerful tool to mimic physiological or pathophysiological conditions through cell culture in microfluidic devices. One of its main goals is bypassing animal testing and encouraging more personalized medicine. The recent incorporation of hydrogels as 3D scaffolds into microfluidic devices has changed biomedical research since they provide a biomimetic extracellular matrix to recreate tissue architectures.

Tetralol derivative NNC-55-0396 targets hypoxic cells in the glioblastoma microenvironment: an organ-on-chip approach.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumour characterised by limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The tumour microenvironment, particularly the central hypoxic region of the tumour, is known to play a pivotal role in GBM progression. Cells within this region adapt to hypoxia by stabilising transcription factor HIF1-α, which promotes cell proliferation, dedifferentiation and chemoresistance.

In Vitro Growth of Human Follicles: Current and Future Perspectives.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is gaining importance as a successful method to restore fertility to girls and young women at high risk of sterility. However, there are concerns regarding the safety of transplantation after ovarian tissue cryopreservation due to the high risk of reintroducing cancer cells and causing disease recurrence. In these cases, the development of culture systems that support oocyte development from the primordial follicle stage is required.

Microphysiological systems for solid tumor immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges.

Immunotherapy remains more effective for hematologic tumors than for solid tumors. One of the main challenges to immunotherapy of solid tumors is the immunosuppressive microenvironment these tumors generate, which limits the cytotoxic capabilities of immune effector cells (e.g.

Cold-shock proteins accumulate in centrosomes and their expression and primary cilium morphology are regulated by hypothermia and shear stress.

Primary cilia act as cellular sensors for multiple extracellular stimuli and regulate many intracellular signaling pathways in response. Here we investigate whether the cold-shock proteins (CSPs), CIRP and RBM3, are present in the primary cilia and the physiological consequences of such a relationship. R28, an immortalized retinal precursor cell line, was stained with antibodies against CIRP, RBM3, and ciliary markers.

Performance in Kahoot! activities as predictive of exam performance.

Background: Game-based learning (GBL) is effective for increasing participation, creativity, and student motivation. However, the discriminative value of GBL for knowledge acquisition has not yet been proven. The aim of this study is to assess the value of Kahoot! as a discriminative tool for formative assessment in medical education in two different subjects.

Towards Novel Biomimetic Models of the Blood-Brain Barrier for Drug Permeability Evaluation.

Current available animal and cell-based models for studying brain-related pathologies and drug evaluation face several limitations since they are unable to reproduce the unique architecture and physiology of the human blood-brain barrier. Because of that, promising preclinical drug candidates often fail in clinical trials due to their inability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, novel models that allow us to successfully predict drug permeability through the BBB would accelerate the implementation of much-needed therapies for glioblastoma, Alzheimer's disease, and further disorders.

Mathematical formulation and parametric analysis of in vitro cell models in microfluidic devices: application to different stages of glioblastoma evolution.

In silico models and computer simulation are invaluable tools to better understand complex biological processes such as cancer evolution. However, the complexity of the biological environment, with many cell mechanisms in response to changing physical and chemical external stimuli, makes the associated mathematical models highly non-linear and multiparametric. One of the main problems of these models is the determination of the parameters' values, which are usually fitted for specific conditions, making the conclusions drawn difficult to generalise.

Author Correction: Enabling cell recovery from 3D cell culture microfluidic devices for tumour microenvironment biomarker profiling.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Preventive effect of remineralizing materials on dental erosion lesions by speckle technique: An in vitro analysis.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the preventive effect of different materials on dental erosion lesions by speckle coherent light scattering analysis. Forty bovine teeth were divided in the following groups (n = 10): 1) DURA- Preventive Treatment with Fluoride Varnish (Duraphat, Colgate-Palmolive); 2) ELX- Preventive treatment with Elmex® Erosion Protection Toothpaste (GABA International AG, Therwil, Switzerland); 3) MP- Preventive treatment with MI Paste® (GC America); and 4) REG- Preventive Treatment with Regenerate Enamel Science™ (Unilever). For all groups, each sample was divided into 3 areas: non-treatment (control); preventive treatment + erosive challenge; non-treatment + erosive challenge.

Evaluation of the use of photobiomodulation following the placement of elastomeric separators: Protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Pain stemming from the placement of elastomeric separators and the exchanging of wires and accessories is the greatest reason for abandoning orthodontic treatment. Indeed, discomfort related to treatment exerts a negative impact on quality of life due to the difficulty chewing and biting. This paper proposes a study to evaluate the analgesic effects of photomiobodulation (PBM) on individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Enabling cell recovery from 3D cell culture microfluidic devices for tumour microenvironment biomarker profiling.

The tumour microenvironment (TME) has recently drawn much attention due to its profound impact on tumour development, drug resistance and patient outcome. There is an increasing interest in new therapies that target the TME. Nonetheless, most established in vitro models fail to include essential cues of the TME.

Activated human primary NK cells efficiently kill colorectal cancer cells in 3D spheroid cultures irrespectively of the level of PD-L1 expression.

Haploidentical Natural Killer (NK) cells have been shown as an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of haematological malignancies with poor prognosis for which traditional therapies are ineffective. In contrast to haematological cancer cells, that mainly grow as single suspension cells, solid carcinomas are characterised by a tridimensional (3D) architecture that provide specific surviving advantages and resistance against chemo- and radiotherapy. However, little is known about the impact of 3D growth on solid cancer immunotherapy especially adoptive NK cell transfer.

Controlled clinical trial addressing teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide in adolescents: a 12-month follow-up.

Objectives:: To evaluate the colorimetric change in incisors and canines of adolescents aged 12 to 20 years submitted to at-home whitening and to evaluate satisfaction, sensitivity and discomfort during the procedures through a questionnaire.

Method:: Thirty adolescents were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) 6.0% hydrogen peroxide (White Class with calcium - FGM); 2) 7.

Diagnosis of occlusal caries lesions in deciduous molars by coherent light scattering pattern speckle.

Background: This study presents the correlation between laser speckle images and detection of incipient caries lesions from changs in the microstructure of the surface of tooth enamel.

Methods: We used 30 healthy deciduous molar teeth collected from the Biobank Human Teeth, Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo who had carious lesions induced by the pH cycling method. The samples were evaluated for the diagnosis of caries by two methods ICDAS and speckle pattern of coherent light scattering after 5, 10 and 15days and the results were statistically analyzed using α=0.

Neuroprotective Effect of Non-viral Gene Therapy Treatment Based on Tetanus Toxin C-fragment in a Severe Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary childhood disease that causes paralysis and progressive degeneration of skeletal muscles and spinal motor neurons. SMA is associated with reduced levels of full-length Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, due to mutations in the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 gene. Nowadays there are no effective therapies available to treat patients with SMA, so our aim was to test whether the non-toxic carboxy-terminal fragment of tetanus toxin heavy chain (TTC), which exhibits neurotrophic properties, might have a therapeutic role or benefit in SMA.

Case Report of Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Dental Caries on Primary Teeth.

Introduction: The partial removal of dental caries aiming to maintain the integrity of the pulp has been considered the therapy of choice in the treatment of deep carious lesions, as long as certain principles of diagnosis are respected. Dentists are always looking for techniques to remove the decayed tissue with biosafety, what provides more comfort to the patient especially when it comes to children. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an antimicrobial treatment.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for the endodontic treatment of primary teeth: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: The elimination of pathogenic microorganisms from the root canal system is one of the major steps required for successful endodontic treatment. The aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized, controlled, clinical trial for the clinical and radiographic evaluation of the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy during the endodontic treatment of primary teeth.

Methods: Thirty primary anterior teeth in children aged 3 to 6 years old will be randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group, which will receive conventional treatment, and an experimental group, which will be subjected to photodynamic therapy.

Time-Point Dependent Activation of Autophagy and the UPS in SOD1G93A Mice Skeletal Muscle.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by a selective loss of motor neurons together with a progressive muscle weakness. Albeit the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease remain unknown, growing evidence suggests that skeletal muscle can be a target of ALS toxicity. In particular, the two main intracellular degradation mechanisms, autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome degradative system (UPS) have been poorly studied in this tissue.

Comparative study of behavioural tests in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

In preclinical trials, a sensitive functional test is required to detect changes in the motor behaviour of the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We evaluated changes in body weight and motor impairment in behavioural tests, such as the rotarod, the hanging-wire test and the treadmill, of transgenic and wild type mice. We found differences in detection of the onset of symptoms and progression of the disease between the different tests assessed.

Tooth whitening with hydrogen peroxide in adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Technological innovations in dental materials have been fueled by the desire of patients to improve the esthetics of their teeth. This emphasis on esthetics has led dentists to seek resources that respect the standards established by society, but without compromising the integrity of the teeth.

Methods/design: The aim of the proposed controlled clinical trial will be to assess colorimetric changes and increased dental sensitivity in adolescent patients submitted to tooth whitening with 6% and 7.

Aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of child using mock-up combined with stratified technique.

Background: The loss of the vertical dimension of occlusion in children with quickly progressing early childhood caries hinders the aesthetic rehabilitation of primary incisors. Minimally invasive restorations using chemical-mechanical caries removal methods preserve sound dental tissue and maintains the health of the pulp. This is the treatment of choice for children and allows crown reconstruction of the primary incisors without the need for endodontic treatment.