Multisensor-integrated organs-on-chips platform for automated and continual in situ monitoring of organoid behaviors.

Organ-on-a-chip systems are miniaturized microfluidic 3D human tissue and organ models designed to recapitulate the important biological and physiological parameters of their in vivo counterparts. They have recently emerged as a viable platform for personalized medicine and drug screening. These in vitro models, featuring biomimetic compositions, architectures, and functions, are expected to replace the conventional planar, static cell cultures and bridge the gap between the currently used preclinical animal models and the human body. Multiple organoid models may be further connected together through the microfluidics in a similar manner in which they are arranged in vivo, providing the capability to analyze multiorgan interactions. Although a wide variety of human organ-on-a-chip models have been created, there are limited efforts on the integration of multisensor systems. However, in situ continual measuring is critical in precise assessment of the microenvironment parameters and the dynamic responses of the organs to pharmaceutical compounds over extended periods of time. In addition, automated and noninvasive capability is strongly desired for long-term monitoring. Here, we report a fully integrated modular physical, biochemical, and optical sensing platform through a fluidics-routing breadboard, which operates organ-on-a-chip units in a continual, dynamic, and automated manner. We believe that this platform technology has paved a potential avenue to promote the performance of current organ-on-a-chip models in drug screening by integrating a multitude of real-time sensors to achieve automated in situ monitoring of biophysical and biochemical parameters.

Biomechanical Strain Exacerbates Inflammation on a Progeria-on-a-Chip Model.

Organ-on-a-chip platforms seek to recapitulate the complex microenvironment of human organs using miniaturized microfluidic devices. Besides modeling healthy organs, these devices have been used to model diseases, yielding new insights into pathophysiology. Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disease showing accelerated vascular aging, leading to the death of patients due to cardiovascular diseases. HGPS targets primarily vascular cells, which reside in mechanically active tissues. Here, a progeria-on-a-chip model is developed and the effects of biomechanical strain are examined in the context of vascular aging and disease. Physiological strain induces a contractile phenotype in primary smooth muscle cells (SMCs), while a pathological strain induces a hypertensive phenotype similar to that of angiotensin II treatment. Interestingly, SMCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells of HGPS donors (HGPS iPS-SMCs), but not from healthy donors, show an exacerbated inflammatory response to strain. In particular, increased levels of inflammation markers as well as DNA damage are observed. Pharmacological intervention reverses the strain-induced damage by shifting gene expression profile away from inflammation. The progeria-on-a-chip is a relevant platform to study biomechanics in vascular biology, particularly in the setting of vascular disease and aging, while simultaneously facilitating the discovery of new drugs and/or therapeutic targets.

Long-term follow-up of HTLV-1 proviral load in asymptomatic carriers and in incident cases of HAM/TSP: what is its relevance as a prognostic marker for neurologic disease?

HTLV-1 proviral load (pvl) is an important risk marker for HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), but its value as prognostic marker is not well defined. Long-term prospective cohort studies are necessary to clarify this question. Here, we analyzed HTLV-1 pvl in the peripheral blood of 82 asymptomatic carriers (AC; 351 samples), 12 HAM/TSP patients (HAM; 46 samples), and six incident cases of HAM/TSP (iHAM), with serial samples collected before (n = 10) and after (n = 20) the disease onset. The mean interval of follow-up was 10 years in the AC group and 8 years in HAM and iHAM groups. pvl was not significantly different between the first and last measurements in the three groups, but there was a trend to decrease over time. Coefficient of variation of pvl was significantly lower in the AC group than in HAM (p = 0.015) and iHAM (p = 0.022) patients. AC and HAM individuals showed a significant and strong positive correlation between the first and last measurements of pvl, but not iHAM subjects. All individuals who developed HAM/TSP during the follow-up had high pvl level (>1 %) before the onset of disease, but a typical increase in pvl was not observed in that period. The data suggest that there is a trend to reach an equilibrium plateau of pvl over time, characteristic of each individual. A significant rate of AC keeps high pvl levels for a long time without developing clinical symptoms associated to HTLV-1 infection. Thus, serial quantification of pvl in the peripheral blood does not seem to be a good prognostic marker for HAM/TSP.

Plasmatic proinflammatory chemokines levels are tricky markers to monitoring HTLV-1 carriers.

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is present throughout the world and is associated with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and other inflammatory conditions. The pathogenesis of HAM/TSP involves a chronic inflammatory response in central nervous system (CNS), with the presence of HTLV-1 infected cells and HTLV-1-specific CD8+ lymphocytes. Chemokines may have a role in the infiltration of these cells into the CNS. In this context, the present study analyzed the level of plasmatic chemokines CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL5 (RANTES), IL8 (CXCL8), CXCL9 (MIG), and CXCL10 (IP-10) and HTLV-1 proviral load from peripheral blood in 162 asymptomatic carriers and 136 HAM/TSP patients to determine the differences that be associated with the clinical status of the HTLV-1 infection. The results showed that patients with HAM/TSP have significantly higher levels of IL8 and CXCL9, and that the level of IL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10 was significantly greater in HTLV-1 infected individuals with high (>1%) than those with low proviral load (<1%). However, the levels of the chemokines tested have not showed high sensitivity to discriminate HAM/TSP patients from asymptomatic carriers. In addition, chemokine profiles in asymptomatic carriers and HAM/TSP groups were similar, with no significant increased frequency of higher producers of chemokines in HAM/TSP individuals. Results indicate that the heterogeneity of the individuals in the groups regarding time of infection, duration of disease, proviral load level and other possible confound factors may impair the use of chemokines levels to monitor HTLV-1 carriers in clinical practice. J. Med. Virol. 88:1438-1447, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evaluation of Biochemical, Genetic and Hematological Biomarkers in a Commercial Catfish Rhamdia quelen Exposed to Diclofenac.

Juveniles Rhamdia quelen fish species were exposed to diclofenac for 96 h at concentrations of 0.2, 2, and 20 µg/L. Biochemical, genetic, and hematological biomarkers were assessed in the liver, kidney, and blood in order to evaluate the toxic effects. No oxidative stress was observed in liver. In kidney the superoxide dismutase activity increased in all concentrations, suggesting an alteration in the hydrogen peroxide production, but DNA damage and lipid peroxidation were not detected. Diclofenac exposure increased the red blood cells number at concentrations of 0.2 and 2 µg/L, and monocytes and neutrophils at 2 and 20 µg/L, respectively. These results suggest that acute exposure to diclofenac, even at low concentrations, caused hematologic and renal enzymatic alterations in R. quelen.

Immunological signature of the different clinical stages of the HTLV-1 infection: establishing serum biomarkers for HTLV-1-associated disease morbidity.

This study aimed at establishing the immunological signature and an algorithm for clinical management of the different clinical stages of the HTLV-1-infection based on serum biomarkers. A panel of serum biomarkers was evaluated by four sets of innovative/non-conventional data analysis approaches in samples from 87 HTLV-1 patients: asymptomatic carriers (AC), putative HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (pHAM/TSP) and HAM/TSP. The analysis of cumulative curves and molecular signatures pointed out that HAM/TSP presented a pro-inflammatory profile mediated by CXCL10/LTB-4/IL-6/TNF-α/IFN-γ, counterbalanced by IL-4/IL-10. The analysis of biomarker networks showed that AC presented a strongly intertwined pro-inflammatory/regulatory net with IL-4/IL-10 playing a central role, while HAM/TSP exhibited overall immune response toward a predominant pro-inflammatory profile. At last, the classification and regression trees proposed for clinical practice allowed for the construction of an algorithm to discriminate AC, pHAM and HAM/TSP patients with the elected biomarkers: IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and CysLT. These findings reveal a complex interaction among chemokine/leukotriene/cytokine in HTLV-1 infection and suggest the use of the selected but combined biomarkers for the follow-up/diagnosis of disease morbidity of HTLV-1-infected individuals.

Effects of trophic exposure to dexamethasone and diclofenac in freshwater fish.

Steroidal and non-steroidalanti-inflammatories are pharmaceutical prescribed in human medicine and have the potential to contaminate water and sediments via inputs from sewage treatment plants. Their impacts on humans and ecosystems are emerging issues in environmental health. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of diclofenac and dexamethasone in male fish Hoplias malabaricus after trophic exposure. Fish were fed twice every week with Astyanax sp. submitted to intraperitoneal inoculation with diclofenac (0; 0.2; 2.0 or 20.0 µg/kg) or dexamethasone (0; 0.03; 0.3 or 3.0 µg/kg). After 12 doses, blood was collected for testosterone dosage. The gonad and liver were collected to calculate gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI). Antioxidants enzymes activity and biotransformation were also evaluated in liver and gonads. In liver, diclofenac caused oxidative stress with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and lipoperoxidation (LPO). The GST activity was reduced by diclofenac in liver. Trophic exposure of H. malabaricus to dexamethasone caused an increase in antioxidant system (GPx, CAT, GST, and GSH) and LPO in liver. However, it reduced antioxidant system (GPX and GST activities and GSH) in gonads. Both diclofenac and dexamethasone reduced the levels of testosterone, causing impairment to reproduction. Diclofenac reduced HSI at the 0.2 µg/kg, but not GSI. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac and dexamethasone caused oxidative stress and reduced testosterone levels that can have a negative impact in aquatic organisms.

Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs in primary kidney cell culture of a freshwater fish.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate toxic effects of some representative drugs of this pharmaceutical group on primary culture of monocytic lineage of Hoplias malabaricus anterior kidney. The effects of diclofenac, acetaminophen and ibuprofen in cell viability, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production and genotoxicity were evaluated. Cytometry analysis CD11b(+) cells showed 71.5% of stem cells, 19.5% of macrophages and 9% of monocytes. Cell viability was lower in the ficoll compared to percoll separation. LPS-induced NO production by these cells was blocked after treatment with dexamethasone and NG-Methyl-L-Arginine (L-NMMA). Exposure of the cells to diclofenac (0.2-200 ng/mL), acetaminophen (0.025-250 ng/mL) ibuprofen (10-1000 ng/mL) reduced basal NO production and inhibited LPS-induced NO production at all concentrations after 24 h of exposure. Genotoxicity occurred at the highest concentration of diclofenac and at the intermediary concentration of acetaminophen. Genotoxicity was also observed by ibuprofen. In summary, the pharmaceuticals influenced NO production and caused DNA damage in monocytic cells suggesting that these drugs can induce immunosuppression and genotoxicity in fish.

Thrombotic Events in a Patient With Acute Toxoplasmosis.

The etiology of venous thromboembolism is multifactorial, with causes being classified as either provoked or unprovoked, making it difficult to attribute a single factor as the cause of the thromboembolic event in most cases. The relationship between inflammation and thrombotic phenomena is well established. Here, we describe the uncommon occurrence of thromboses in a previously healthy patient with acute toxoplasmosis. The patient initially presented with fatigue, abdominal pain, fever and dyspnea. The diagnosis was confirmed through toxoplasmosis serology in a set of admission laboratory tests, and further imaging studies revealed the presence of pulmonary embolism and portal vein thrombosis. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, showing improvement in the following days. This case highlights the importance of considering infectious diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, in the differential diagnosis of thrombosis, even in previously healthy individuals. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of this association in Brazil.

Identification and description of the sociomotor sub-roles and the Ludogram of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Introduction: Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) was conceived to be an oppositional sociomotor practice with an emphasis on self-defense, but throughout the 20th century, BJJ gained sporting features, modifying its internal logic (IL). In BJJ, the richness of the motor itineraries can be revealed in the different sociomotor sub-roles. Considering the absence of research that identifies and describes the sub-roles and the Ludogram of BJJ, the following question was asked: how can the Ludogram of sociomotor sub-roles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu be systematized in accordance with its internal logic? Methods: This work is characterized as theoretical research that is dedicated to rebuilding theories and concepts with a view, in immediate terms, to improving theoretical foundations. In this study, a theoretical reconstruction of BJJ's operating dynamics was carried out, identifying roles and sub-roles, culminating in the construction of a Ludogram. The praxeological analysis was divided in two stages: (1) Description of the BJJ sub-roles based on sports rules and video analysis; (2) Systematization of the BJJ Ludogram. Eight public videos with unrestricted access were selected of fights from the 2018 BJJ World Championship. The sample was considered based on the following criteria: convenience, typicality, and saturation. Results and Discussion: The 26 identified and described sub-roles of BJJ indicate the richness of choices and possible paths to be followed by fighters within this itinerary of motor interaction. These different BJJ sub-roles described in this research highlight the importance of the concept of praxis communication, specifically, motor counter-communication, since many of the dynamics between a fighter's subroles refer to the choices that the opponent indicates for the motor dialogue. BJJ requires from fighters incessant activations on aspects related to sociomotor intelligence, such as the need for sociomotor empathy, motor strategy, to anticipate anticipations, pre-acting, developing the capacity to make motor decisions, to recognize the affective, cognitive, relational, and organic loads activated during the fight, and to develop their motor conduct. In this sense, the Ludogram was elaborated, which enables future praxeological analyses of the sub-roles and motor conducts of any subject who wants to assume the sociomotor role of a BJJ fighter according to the rules of this Brazilian combat sport.

Co-exposure effects of lead and TiO2 nanoparticles in primary kidney cell culture from the freshwater fish Hoplias malabaricus.

This study evaluated the effects of Lead (Pb) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) alone or in combination in anterior kidney macrophages of the freshwater fish Hoplias malabaricus, naïve or stimulated with 1 ng.mL-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pb (1 ×10-5 to 1 ×10-1 mg.mL-1) or TiO2 NPs (1.5 ×10-6 to 1.5 ×10-2 mg.mL-1) reduced cell viability despite LPS stimulation, especially Pb 10-1 mg.mL-1. In combination, lower concentrations of NPs intensified Pb-induced cell viability reduction while higher concentrations restored the cell viability independently of LPS stimulation. Basal and LPS- induced NO production was reduced by both TiO2 NPs and Pb isolated. The combination of both xenobiotics avoided this reduction of NO production by the isolated compounds at lower concentrations but the protective effect was lost as the concentrations increased. None xenobiotic increase DNA fragmentation. Therefore, at specific conditions, TiO2 NPs may have a protective effect over Pb toxicity, may also provide additional toxicity at higher concentrations.

Monitoring the HTLV-1 proviral load in the peripheral blood of asymptomatic carriers and patients with HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis from a Brazilian cohort: ROC curve analysis to establish the threshold for risk disease.

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection is associated with HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which affects approximately 5% of carriers. High proviral load is a risk marker for HAM/TSP, although there is an overlap of proviral load levels in peripheral blood between asymptomatic carriers and HAM/TSP patients. In this study, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to define a set point of HTLV-1 proviral load that better indicates an increased risk for HAM/TSP. Proviral load was quantified in 75 asymptomatic carriers and 78 HAM/TSP patients in a Brazilian cohort. The cut-off of proviral load was defined as 114 copies/10(4) cells, with 78.2% sensitivity to identify true HAM/TSP patients. The mean proviral load levels were not significantly different between males and females with the same clinical status, and there was no significant correlation between proviral load and age at blood sampling, age at the onset of illness, or duration of disease. In HAM/TSP patients, proviral load was significantly higher in wheelchair-bound patients than in individuals able to walk without support and in those with the worst spinal cord injuries. Follow-up of HTLV-1-infected individuals showed that proviral load was more stable in asymptomatic carriers than in HAM/TSP patients. In a cohort study, periodically quantifying proviral load in asymptomatic carriers is necessary to identify those at risk for developing neurological disease, and it is necessary for HAM/TSP patients to monitor spinal injury and progression to walking disability. The measure of proviral load in clinical practice implicates the definition of the cut-off of proviral load and its validation during follow-up.

Epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-associated diseases.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the first human retrovirus to be discovered, is present in diverse regions of the world, where its infection is usually neglected in health care settings and by public health authorities. Since it is usually asymptomatic in the beginning of the infection and disease typically manifests later in life, silent transmission occurs, which is associated with sexual relations, breastfeeding, and blood transfusions. There are no prospects of vaccines, and screening of blood banks and in prenatal care settings is not universal. Therefore, its transmission is active in many areas such as parts of Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean region, Asia, and Melanesia. It causes serious diseases in humans, including adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and an incapacitating neurological disease (HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis [HAM/TSP]) besides other afflictions such as uveitis, rheumatic syndromes, and predisposition to helminthic and bacterial infections, among others. These diseases are not curable as yet, and current treatments as well as new perspectives are discussed in the present review.

The wound healing effect of aqueous extract from Piper amalago L. in diabetic patient.

Diabetes patients present a complex healing process due to several factors directly linked to their pathology. The use of medicinal plants that aid in tissue repair can bring great benefits to such individuals. This case report describes how the topical application of the aqueous extract produced from the leaves of Piper amalago L. was used to aid the healing of a lacerated wound in the left thumb of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aqueous extract of the leaves of Piper amalago L. was prepared in boiling water. During the boiling process the dried leaves were submerged in the boiling water and left for five min. The injured thumb was submerged in the solution and the leaves were placed on the injury. The action of the aqueous extract obtained from the leaves of P. amalago was shown to be promising in the healing of a wound in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The topical application of the aqueous extract produced from the leaves of P. amalago assisted in the healing of a lacerated wound in the left thumb of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus over a period of 15 days.

High prevalence of rheumatoid factor associated with clinical manifestations of rheumatic disease in Kaingang and Guarani Indians from Southern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to perform a screening for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-nuclear antibody in Kaingang, Guarani and Mestizos individuals from Mangueirinha Reservation, State of Paraná, Brazil, and associate it with demographic and clinical data. Serum samples from 321 aborigines (125 male and 196 female; 4-86 years old) and 180 non-Indians healthy individuals were analysed (62 male and 118 female; 2-81 years old). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was tested by indirect immunofluorescence, and RF by agglutination in latex and turbidimetry. RF was higher in Kaingang when compared to Guarani (P = 0.009), Mestizos (P = 0.061) and non-Indians (P = 0.010). A significant increase of RF was observed in Kaingang women versus Kaingang men (P = 0.002) and, among the women, in Kaingang when compared to Mestizos and Guarani (P

Microphysiological systems: analysis of the current status, challenges and commercial future.

The field of microphysiological systems (or organs-on-a-chip) experienced, in the past decade, a surge in publications and efforts towards commercialization. Such systems hold the promise to advance drug discovery, diagnostics, and many other areas. In this review we summarize and analyze the current status of the field, describe the commercial advances and discuss standing challenges and the commercial outlook of the field.

Effects of low concentrations of ibuprofen on freshwater fish Rhamdia quelen.

Ibuprofen is a pharmaceutical drug widely used by the global population and it has been found in aquatic ecosystems in several countries. This study evaluated the effects of ibuprofen in environmental concentrations (0, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/L) on the freshwaterspecies Rhamdia quelen exposed for 14 days. In the posterior kidney, ibuprofen increased glutathione-S-transferase activity in all groups exposed. Furthermore, increased glutathione peroxidase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione in the group exposed to 10 µg/L. Ibuprofen decreased the carbonic anhydrase activity in the posterior kidney in all exposed groups, and increased the activity in the gills in group exposed to 0.1 µg/L. The levels of plasma magnesium increased in groups exposed to 0.1 and 1 µg/L. In the blood, ibuprofen decreased the white blood cell count in groups exposed to 0.1 e 1.0 µg/L. Therefore, these results indicated that ibuprofen caused nephrotoxicity and demonstrated immunosuppressive effect in Rhamdia quelen.

[Evaluation of the performance of immunological parameters as indicators for clinical progression of chronic HTLV-1 infection]. / Avaliação do desempenho de parâmetros imunológicos como indicadores de progressão clínica da infecção crônica pelo HTLV-1.

This study evaluated the performance of single and combined laboratory parameters, B-lymphocyte percentages (%LB), T/B cell ratio and %CD8+HLA-DR+/CD8+, to differentiate asymptomatic cases (AS) from HAM/TSP patients (HT) within a population of HTLV-1 seropositive cases. Percentage indices demonstrated that each parameter alone presented moderate performance, with co-negativity of 83 and 91% for %LB and T/B cell ratio, respectively, and co-positivity of 78% for %CD8+HLA-DR+/CD8+. Combined analysis (%CD8+HLA-DR+/CD8+ and T/B cell ratio) did not show any substantial performance enhancement (co-positivity = 75% and co-negativity = 74%). Likelihood ratio analysis using different value ranges for the separate parameters revealed that HTLV-1 seropositive cases with %LB<7%, T/B cell ratio>11 and %CD8+HLA-DR+/CD8+>70% would have, respectively, 11, 19 and 10 times greater chance of belonging to the HT group. Therefore, use of these phenotypic indicators as complementary laboratory methods for monitoring the clinical progression of chronic HTLV-1 infection is recommended.

Oxygen-Generating Photo-Cross-Linkable Hydrogels Support Cardiac Progenitor Cell Survival by Reducing Hypoxia-Induced Necrosis.

Oxygen is essential to cell survival and tissue function. Not surprisingly, ischemia resulting from myocardial infarction induces cell death and tissue necrosis. Attempts to regenerate myocardial tissue with cell based therapies exacerbate the hypoxic stress by further increasing the metabolic burden. In consequence, implanted tissue engineered cardiac tissues suffer from hypoxia-induced cell death. Here, we report on the generation of oxygen-generating hydrogels composed of calcium peroxide (CPO) laden gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). CPO-GelMA hydrogels released significant amounts of oxygen for over a period of 5 days under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). The released oxygen proved sufficient to relieve the metabolic stress of cardiac side population cells that were encapsulated within CPO-GelMA hydrogels. In particular, incorporation of CPO in GelMA hydrogels strongly enhanced cell viability as compared to GelMA-only hydrogels. Importantly, CPO-based oxygen generation reduced cell death by limiting hypoxia-induced necrosis. The current study demonstrates that CPO based oxygen-generating hydrogels could be used to transiently provide oxygen to cardiac cells under ischemic conditions. Therefore, oxygen generating materials such as CPO-GelMA can improve cell-based therapies aimed at treatment or regeneration of infarcted myocardial tissue.