The Intracellular and Secreted Sides of Osteopontin and Their Putative Physiopathological Roles.

Classically, osteopontin (OPN) has been described as a secreted glycophosprotein. Indeed, most data concerning its physiological and pathological roles are mainly related to the secreted OPN (sOPN). However, there are several instances in which intracellular OPN (iOPN) has been described, presenting some specific roles in distinct experimental models, such as in the immune system, cancer cells, and neurological disorders. We herein aimed to highlight and discuss some of these secreted and intracellular roles of OPN and their putative clinical and biological impacts. Moreover, by consolidating data from the OPN protein database, we also analyzed the occurrence of signal peptide (SP) sequences and putative subcellular localization, especially concerning currently known OPN splicing variants (OPN-SV). Comprehending the roles of OPN in its distinct cellular and tissue environments may provide data regarding the additional applications of this protein as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic purposes, besides further describing its pleiotropic roles.

Susceptibility of lung cancer patients to COVID-19: A review of the pandemic data from multiple nationalities.

Several studies have highlighted that cancer patients tend to be more susceptible to develop severe infection and to die from COVID-19. Certain medical conditions such as immunosuppression, presence of comorbidities, and underlying pulmonary damage are possible determinants of disease severity, especially in lung cancer patients. While recent studies have shown that lung cancer is one of the most prevalent tumor types among COVID-19 cancer patients, we still have an incomplete view of how data from several countries work as a whole. The aim of this review was to investigate COVID-19 prevalence in lung cancer patient cohorts and their probability to develop severe illness and death when compared to nonlung cancer patients from multiple nationalities, including countries that have been the epicenters of the pandemic. We also focus on some intrinsic lung cancer features that might influence COVID-19 outcomes. An integrative view of the susceptibility of lung cancer patients might be especially relevant to assist physicians in evaluating the risks of COVID-19 in these patients, and to foster better decisions on treatment delay.

Osteopontin-4 and Osteopontin-5 splice variants are expressed in several tumor cell lines.

Among osteopontin splice variants (OPN-SV), the expression profile of osteopontin-4 (OPN4) and osteopontin-5 (OPN5) has not been addressed in distinct cancer types. We herein aimed to investigate their expression in several cancer cell lines, besides comparing it in relation to the three previously described OPN-SV: OPNa, OPNb and OPNc. Total RNA from cancer cell lines, including prostate (PC3 and DU145), ovarian (A2780), breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), colorectal (Caco-2, HT-29 and HCT-116), thyroid (TT, TPC1 and 8505c) and lung (A549 and NCI-H460) was extracted, followed by cDNA synthesis. OPN-SV transcript analysis by RT-PCR or RT-qPCR were performed using OPN-SV specific oligonucleotides and gapdh and actin transcripts were used as housekeeping controls. OPN4 and OPN5 transcripts displayed co-expression in most tested cell lines. OPN4 was found expressed in similar or higher levels in relation to OPN5. Moreover, in most tested cell lines, OPN4 is also expressed in similar levels to OPNa or OPNb. The expression of OPN5 is also generally variable in relation to the other OPN-SV, but expressed in similar or higher levels in relation to OPNc, depending on each tested cell line. OPN4 and OPN5 seem to be co-expressed in several tumor types and OPN4 is one of the most overexpressed OPN-SV in distinct tumor cell lines. Once both OPN4 and OPN5 are differentially expressed and also evidence tumor-specific expression patterns, we hypothesize that similarly to the other OPN-SV, they also possibly contribute to key aspects of tumor progression, what should be further functionally investigated in distinct tumor models.

Biossegurança e aferição de equipamentos de eletrotermofototerapia. Quando devemos fazer? / Biosafety and electrothermal measurement equipment. When we must make it?

Introdução: A eletrotermofototerapia tem sido amplamente utilizada nas últimas décadas no tratamento de afecções músculo-esqueléticas. Objetivos: Investigar a importância da aferição periódica dos aparelhos de eletrotermofototerapia e discutir suas questões de biossegurança. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura por meio de artigos científicos nacionais e internacionais que relatassem questões de aferição dos equipamentos. Resultados: O uso de aparelhos descalibrados pode levar a uma terapia ineficiente, influenciando na duração do tratamento estipulado. Aparelhos usados sem devida aferição podem levar a conseqüências deletérias aos usuários. Conclusão: A falta de aferição causa malefícios à saúde tanto do paciente como do fisioterapeuta.