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As academic libraries shift services to meet the changing needs of patrons after the COVID-19 pandemic, educational technologies and services to support them require updating. Patrons using technology that was once associated with hands-on learning and in-person interactions are preferring flexible and hybrid iterations. In this case study, the authors describe and analyze the pivot of three technology services at the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library in the post-COVID-19 environment. Technologies discussed include a multimedia studio, virtual reality (VR), and a three-dimensional (3D) printing service. This case study utilizes available usage stats and survey data to demonstrate and provide rationale for the changing strategy in services for each technology "hub." The multimedia studio has been dismantled in favor of the equipment being available for checkout, VR is now available in a staff-supported classroom, and a 3D printing service has been fully automated through an online submission platform. These examples, and the rationale behind changing them, can help offer ideas for other libraries to help find solutions that meet the demands of a changing learning environment.
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COVID-19 , Bibliotecas Médicas , Humanos , Pandemias , Impressão Tridimensional , AprendizagemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) susceptibility changes in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and identify neuropathological correlates. METHODS: PML cases and matched controls with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) were retrospectively identified. MRI brain at 3 T and 7 T were reviewed. MRI-pathology correlations in fixed brain autopsy tissue were conducted in three subjects with confirmed PML. RESULTS: With PML (n = 26 total, n = 5 multiple sclerosis natalizumab-associated), juxtacortical changes on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) or gradient echo (GRE) sequences were noted in 3/3 cases on 7 T MRI and 14/22 cases (63.6%) on 1.5 T or 8/22 (36.4%) 3 T MRI. Similar findings were only noted in 3/25 (12.0%) of PCNSL patients (odds ratio (OR) 12.83, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.9-56.7, p < 0.001) on 1.5 or 3 T MRI. On susceptibility sequences available prior to diagnosis of PML, 7 (87.5%) had changes present on average 2.7 ± 1.8 months (mean ± SD) prior to diagnosis. Postmortem 7 T MRI showed SWI changes corresponded to areas of increased iron density along the gray-white matter (GM-WM) junction predominantly in macrophages. CONCLUSION: Susceptibility changes in PML along the GM-WM junction can precede noticeable fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) changes and correlates with iron accumulation in macrophages.
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Leucoencefalopatia Multifocal Progressiva , Substância Branca , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Humanos , Ferro , Leucoencefalopatia Multifocal Progressiva/diagnóstico por imagem , Macrófagos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Natalizumab , Estudos Retrospectivos , Substância Branca/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, models recapitulating the complex 3D structure, heterogeneous cell environment, and cell-cell interactions found in vivo are lacking. Herein, we report on a gravitational microfluidic platform (GMP) retrofitted with MEMS sensors, which is integrated with 3D nanofiber scaffold-aided tumoroid culture. The results showed that this GMP for tumoroid growth mimics the tumor microenvironment more precisely than static culture models of colon cancer, including higher drug resistance, enhanced cancer stem cell properties, and increased secretion of pro-tumor cytokines. In addition, the GMP includes an integrated surface acoustic wave-based biosensing to monitor cell growth and pH changes to assess drug efficacy. Thus, this simple-to-use perfused GMP tumoroid culture system for in vitro and ex vivo studies may accelerate the drug development process and be a tool in personalized cancer treatment.
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Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , Gravitação , Microfluídica/instrumentação , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Medicina de Precisão , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
We examined the effects of water-soluble polymers of various degrees of hydrophobicity on the folding and aggregation of proteins. The polymers we chose were polyethylene glycol (PEG) and UCON (1:1 copolymer of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). The presence of additional methyl groups in UCON makes it more hydrophobic than PEG. Our earlier analysis revealed that similarly sized PEG and UCON produced different changes in the solvent properties of water in their solutions and induced morphologically different α-synuclein aggregates [Ferreira, L. A., et al. (2015) Role of solvent properties of aqueous media in macromolecular crowding effects. J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn., in press]. To improve our understanding of molecular mechanisms defining behavior of proteins in a crowded environment, we tested the effects of these polymers on secondary and tertiary structure and aromatic residue solvent accessibility of 10 proteins [five folded proteins, two hybrid proteins; i.e., protein containing ordered and disordered domains, and three intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)] and on the aggregation kinetics of insulin and α-synuclein. We found that effects of both polymers on secondary and tertiary structures of folded and hybrid proteins were rather limited with slight unfolding observed in some cases. Solvent accessibility of aromatic residues was significantly increased for the majority of the studied proteins in the presence of UCON but not PEG. PEG also accelerated the aggregation of protein into amyloid fibrils, whereas UCON promoted aggregation to amyloid oligomers instead. These results indicate that even a relatively small change in polymer structure leads to a significant change in the effect of this polymer on protein folding and aggregation. This is an indication that protein folding and especially aggregation are highly sensitive to the presence of other macromolecules, and an excluded volume effect is insufficient to describe their effect.
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Polímeros/química , Interações Hidrofóbicas e Hidrofílicas , Cinética , Polietilenoglicóis/química , Dobramento de Proteína , Estrutura Secundária de ProteínaRESUMO
Detection and quantification of cell viability and growth in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures commonly involve harvesting of cells and therefore requires a parallel set-up of several replicates for time-lapse or dose-response studies. Thus, developing a non-invasive and touch-free detection of cell growth in longitudinal studies of 3D tumor spheroid cultures or of stem cell regeneration remains a major unmet need. Since surface acoustic waves (SAWs) permit mass loading-based biosensing and have been touted due to their many advantages including low cost, small size and ease of assembly, we examined the potential of SAW-biosensing to detect and quantify cell growth. Herein, we demonstrate that a shear horizontal-surface acoustic waves (SH-SAW) device comprising two pairs of resonators consisting of interdigital transducers and reflecting fingers can be used to quantify mass loading by the cells in suspension as well as within a 3D cell culture platform. A 3D COMSOL model was built to simulate the mass loading response of increasing concentrations of cells in suspension in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) well in order to predict the characteristics and optimize the design of the SH-SAW biosensor. The simulated relative frequency shift from the two oscillatory circuit systems (one of which functions as control) were found to be concordant to experimental data generated with RAW264.7 macrophage and A549 cancer cells. In addition, results showed that SAW measurements per se did not affect viability of cells. Further, SH-SAW biosensing was applied to A549 cells cultured on a 3D electrospun nanofiber scaffold that generate tumor spheroids (tumoroids) and the results showed the device's ability to detect changes in tumor spheroid growth over the course of eight days. Taken together, these results demonstrate the use of SH-SAW device for detection and quantification of cell growth changes over time in 2D suspension cultures and in 3D cell culture models, which may have potential applications in both longitudinal 3D cell cultures in cancer biology and in regenerative medicine.
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Técnicas Biossensoriais/métodos , Contagem de Células/métodos , Técnicas de Cultura de Células/métodos , Som , Animais , Proliferação de Células , Sobrevivência Celular , Camundongos , Células RAW 264.7 , Óxido de ZincoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Declining cognitive function is relatively common and increasingly prevalent. Studies have shown that different nutrients (e.g., Ginkgo biloba and vitamin E) appear to be effective at improving memory and concentration, while less is known about their effect on immunity. METHODS: This study investigated the effect of Ginkgo Synergy(®) plus Choline (n = 33) and OPC Synergy(®) plus Catalyn(®) (n = 31) versus placebo (n = 33) in a 6-month, randomized, double-blind trial on cognitive and immune functioning among English-speaking, non-smoking, healthy older adults. The Stroop Color and Word Test, Trail Making Test A and B, Controlled Oral Word Association, Hopkins Verbal Learning, Mini-Mental State Exam, and Digit Symbol were administered at baseline and 3 and 6 months follow-up to assess cognitive functioning. Cytokines and growth factors were measured at baseline and 6 months to assess inflammation and immune functioning. Data were analyzed with linear mixed modeling. RESULTS: No serious adverse events were noted in this study. According to time on the Trail Making Test-B, the Ginkgo Synergy(®) plus Choline arm showed improvement from baseline to 3 months follow-up (mean difference = 24.2; SE = 6.4; 95% CI: 8.6, 39.7; p = 0.01). On the Controlled Oral Word Association Trial-S, the scores significantly increased for the Ginkgo Synergy(®) plus Choline arm from baseline to 6 months follow-up (mean difference = 2.1; SE = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.2, 3.9; p < 0.05) and for the OPC Synergy(®) plus Catalyn(®) arm from baseline to 3 months follow-up (mean difference = 2.1; SE = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.2, 4.0; p < 0.05). Epidermal growth factor significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months follow-up for the Ginkgo Synergy(®) plus Choline arm (mean difference = 120.7; SE = 28.4; 95% CI: 62.6, 178.8; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed isolated and modest effects of a Ginkgo biloba plus choline-based formula on cognitive and immune functioning among healthy older adults with no history of significant cognitive deficits. Our trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT01672359). This study was supported by a grant from Standard Process, Inc.
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Cognição/efeitos dos fármacos , Suplementos Nutricionais , Ginkgo biloba , Imunidade/efeitos dos fármacos , Memória/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Colina/farmacologia , Colina/uso terapêutico , Método Duplo-Cego , Fator de Crescimento Epidérmico/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Valores de ReferênciaRESUMO
A near infrared (NIR) triggered drug delivery platform based on the chitosan-modified chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) incorporated into a thermosensitive nanogel (CGN) was developed. CGN exhibited an NIR-induced thermal effect similar to that of CRGO, reversible thermo-responsive characteristics at 37-42 °C and high doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) loading capacity (48 wt%). The DOX loaded CGN (DOX-CGN) released DOX faster at 42 °C than at 37 °C. The fluorescence images revealed DOX expression in the cytoplasm of cancer cells when incubated with DOX-CGN at 37 °C but in the nucleus at 42 °C. Upon irradiation with NIR light (808 nm), a rapid, repetitive DOX release from the DOX-CGN was observed. Furthermore, the cancer cells incubated with DOX-CGN and irradiated with NIR light displayed significantly greater cytotoxicity than without irradiation owing to NIR-triggered increase in temperature leading to nuclear DOX release. These results demonstrate CGN's promising application for on-demand drug release by NIR light. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: These investigators report the successful development of a novel near infrared triggered drug delivery platform based on chitosan-modified chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) incorporated into a thermosensitive nanogel (CGN).
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Quitosana/química , Doxorrubicina/farmacologia , Grafite/química , Polietilenoglicóis/química , Polietilenoimina/química , Animais , Morte Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Quitosana/toxicidade , Preparações de Ação Retardada , Doxorrubicina/química , Endocitose/efeitos dos fármacos , Grafite/toxicidade , Hidrodinâmica , Raios Infravermelhos , Camundongos , Nanogéis , Polietilenoglicóis/toxicidade , Polietilenoimina/toxicidade , Frações Subcelulares/efeitos dos fármacos , Frações Subcelulares/metabolismo , TemperaturaRESUMO
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling and EGFR mutations play key roles in cancer pathogenesis, particularly in the development of drug resistance. For the â¼20% of all non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients that harbor an activating mutation, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) provide initial clinical responses. However, long-term efficacy is not possible due to acquired drug resistance. Despite a gradually increasing knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning the development of resistance in tumors, there has been very little success in overcoming it and it is probable that many additional mechanisms are still unknown. Herein, publicly available RNASeq (RNA sequencing) datasets comparing lung cancer cell lines treated with EGFR TKIs until resistance developed with their corresponding parental cells and protein array data from our own EGFR TKI treated xenograft tumors, were analyzed for differential gene expression, with the intent to investigate the potential mechanisms of drug resistance to EGFR TKIs. Pathway analysis, as well as structural disorder analysis of proteins in these pathways, revealed several key proteins, including DUSP1, DUSP6, GAB2, and FOS, that could be targeted using novel combination therapies to overcome EGFR TKI resistance in lung cancer.
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Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patologia , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/genética , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/patologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/uso terapêutico , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Mutação , Receptores ErbB/genética , Análise de Sequência de RNA , Linhagem Celular TumoralRESUMO
Aims: Numerous beneficial effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation have been reported in the literature. However, data on its effects toward the gut microbiome are limited. We assessed the effect of vitamin C supplementation on the abundance of beneficial bacterial species in the gut microbiome. Materials and methods: Stool samples were analyzed for relative abundance of gut microbiome bacteria using next-generation sequencing-based profiling and metagenomic shotgun analysis. Results: Supplementation with vitamin C increased the abundance of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium (p = 0.0001) and affected various species. Conclusion: The beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation may be attributed to modulation of the gut microbiome and the consequent health benefits thereof.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is used as a supplement for fighting infectious disorders. Many disorders, including COVID-19 and cancer, harmfully disrupt the levels of bacteria that naturally reside in the gut, which may contribute to symptoms. The aim of the study was to understand whether high-dose vitamin C could improve the types of bacteria in the human gut. To do this we characterized the gut bacteria before and after 23 individuals took vitamin C, as prescribed by their respective physicians. We observed that vitamin C increased levels of a gut bacterium called Bifidobacterium which has positive health benefits, including fighting infection. This study suggests the possibility that vitamin C could be successful for improving infection outcomes, possibly even COVID-19, partially because it improves the gut bacteria present.
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Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-based methods used for viral inactivation have provided an important avenue targeting severe acute respiratory-syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. A major problem with state-of-the-art UV inactivation technology is that it is based on UV lamps, which have limited efficiency, require high power, large doses, and long irradiation times. These drawbacks limit the use of UV lamps in air filtering systems and other applications. To address these limitations, herein we report on the fabrication of a device comprising a pulsed nanosecond 266 nm UV laser coupled to an integrating cavity (LIC) composed of a UV reflective material, polytetrafluoroethylene. Previous UV lamp inactivation cavities were based on polished walls with specular reflections, but the diffuse reflective UV ICs were not thoroughly explored for virus inactivation. Our results show that LIC device can inactivate several respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2, at ~ 1 ms effective irradiation time, with > 2 orders of magnitude higher efficiency compared to UV lamps. The demonstrated 3 orders of magnitude cavity enhancement relative to direct exposure is crucial for the development of efficient real-time UV air and water purification systems. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of LIC application for broad viral inactivation with high efficiency.
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COVID-19 , Vírus , Desinfecção/métodos , Humanos , Lasers , SARS-CoV-2 , Raios Ultravioleta , Inativação de Vírus/efeitos da radiaçãoRESUMO
Natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA), the receptor for the cardiac hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), is expressed abundantly on cancer cells and disruption of ANP-NPRA signaling inhibits tumor burden and metastasis. Since antagonists of NPRA signaling have not provided reproducible results, we reasoned that a synthetic neutralizing antibody to ANP, which has high selectivity and affinity for ANP, could be used to regulate ANP levels and attenuate NPRA signaling. In this study, we prepared molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIPNPs) for ANP using a short peptide of ANP as the template and determined their binding affinity and selectivity. The MIPNPs were prepared by precipitation polymerization using NH2-SLRRSS-CONH2, which is a short peptide from ANP as template, methacrylic acid (MAA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) as functional monomers, bis-acrylamide (BIS) as crosslinker. The average diameter of MIPNPs and non-imprinted nanoparticles (NIPNPs) in water is 215.8 ±4.6 nm and 197.7±3.1 nm respectively. The binding isotherm analysis showed that MIPNPs have a much higher binding affinity for template peptide and ANP than NIPNPs. Scatchard analysis gave an equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd of 7.3 µM with a binding capacity 106.7 µmol/g for template peptide and Kd of 7.9 µM with a binding capacity of 36.0 µmol/g for ANP. Measurements of binding kinetics revealed that MIPNPs reach protein adsorption equilibrium in 30 min. MIPNPs found to have high specificity for ANP with little affinity for BSA or scrambled ANP peptide. MIPNPs also recognized and adsorbed ANP in cell culture media spiked with ANP and human plasma. Taken together, these results indicate that MIPNPs have high affinity and selectivity for ANP and can be used as a synthetic antibody for modulating ANP-NPRA signaling in cancers.
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The emergence of a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), in December 2019 led to a worldwide pandemic with over 170 million confirmed infections and over 3.5 million deaths (as of May 2021). Early studies have shown higher mortality rates from SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients than individuals without cancer. Herein, we review the evidence that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in health and has been linked to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Investigations have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes changes to the gut microbiota, including an overall decline in microbial diversity, enrichment of opportunistic pathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteremia, and depletion of beneficial commensals, such as the butyrate-producing bacteria. Further, these changes lead to increased colonic inflammation, which leads to gut barrier disruption, expression of genes governing CRC tumorigenesis, and tumor immunosuppression, thus further exacerbating CRC progression. Additionally, a long-lasting impact of SARS-CoV-2 on gut dysbiosis might result in a greater possibility of new CRC diagnosis or aggravating the condition in those already afflicted. Herein, we review the evidence relating to the current understanding of how infection with SARS-CoV-2 impacts the gut microbiota and the effects this will have on CRC carcinogenesis and progression.
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A novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), arose late in 2019, with disease pathology ranging from asymptomatic to severe respiratory distress with multi-organ failure requiring mechanical ventilator support. It has been found that SARS-CoV-2 infection drives intracellular complement activation in lung cells that tracks with disease severity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible remain unclear. To shed light on the potential mechanisms, we examined publicly available RNA-Sequencing data using CIBERSORTx and conducted a Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to address this knowledge gap. In complement to these findings, we used bioinformatics tools to analyze publicly available RNA sequencing data and found that upregulation of complement may be leading to a downregulation of T-cell activity in lungs of severe COVID-19 patients. Thus, targeting treatments aimed at the modulation of classical complement and T-cell activity may help alleviate the proinflammatory effects of COVID-19, reduce lung pathology, and increase the survival of COVID-19 patients.
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COVID-19/genética , Ativação do Complemento/genética , Proteínas do Sistema Complemento/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica/métodos , Pulmão/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/metabolismo , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/virologia , Redes Reguladoras de Genes/genética , Humanos , Espaço Intracelular/genética , Pulmão/imunologia , Pulmão/microbiologia , Contagem de Linfócitos , SARS-CoV-2/fisiologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
The axis of Programmed cell death-1 receptor (PD-1) with its ligand (PD-L1) plays a critical role in colorectal cancer (CRC) in escaping immune surveillance, and blocking this axis has been found to be effective in a subset of patients. Although blocking PD-L1 has been shown to be effective in 5-10% of patients, the majority of the cohorts show resistance to this checkpoint blockade (CB) therapy. Multiple factors assist in the growth of resistance to CB, among which T cell exhaustion and immunosuppressive effects of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a critical role along with other tumor intrinsic factors. We have previously shown the polyketide antibiotic, Mithramycin-A (Mit-A), an effective agent in killing cancer stem cells (CSCs) in vitro and in vivo in a subcutaneous murine model. Since TME plays a pivotal role in CB therapy, we tested the immunomodulatory efficacy of Mit-A with anti-PD-L1 mAb (αPD-L1) combination therapy in an immunocompetent MC38 syngeneic orthotopic CRC mouse model. Tumors and spleens were analyzed by flow cytometry for the distinct immune cell populations affected by the treatment, in addition to RT-PCR for tumor samples. We demonstrated the combination treatment decreases tumor growth, thus increasing the effectiveness of the CB. Mit-A in the presence of αPD-L1 significantly increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and decreased immunosuppressive granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and anti-inflammatory macrophages in the TME. Our results revealed Mit-A in combination with αPD-L1 has the potential for augmented CB therapy by turning an immunologically "cold" into "hot" TME in CRC.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/imunologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/farmacologia , Plicamicina/análogos & derivados , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Plicamicina/farmacologiaRESUMO
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that emerged from Wuhan, China in late 2019 causing coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infection begins by attaching to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) via the spike glycoprotein, followed by cleavage by TMPRSS2, revealing the viral fusion domain. Other presumptive receptors for SARS-CoV-2 attachment include CD147, neuropilin-1 (NRP1), and Myeloid C-lectin like receptor (CLR), each of which might play a role in the systemic viral spread. The pathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, often displaying a cytokine storm syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Despite progress made, the detailed mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 interaction with the host immune system remain unclear and are an area of very active research. The process's key players include viral non-structural proteins and open reading frame products, which have been implicated in immune antagonism. The dysregulation of the innate immune system results in reduced adaptive immune responses characterized by rapidly diminishing antibody titers. Several treatment options for COVID-19 are emerging, with immunotherapies, peptide therapies, and nucleic acid vaccines showing promise. This review discusses the advances in the immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2, vaccines and therapies under investigation to counter the effects of this virus, as well as viral variants.
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Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are new technologies with the power to revolutionize the study of morphology. Modern imaging approaches such as computed tomography, laser scanning, and photogrammetry have opened up a new digital world, enabling researchers to share and analyze morphological data electronically and in great detail. Because this digital data exists on a computer screen, however, it can remain difficult to understand and unintuitive to interact with. VR/AR technologies bridge the analog-to-digital divide by presenting 3D data to users in a very similar way to how they would interact with actual anatomy, while also providing a more immersive experience and greater possibilities for exploration. This manuscript describes VR/AR hardware, software, and techniques, and is designed to give practicing morphologists and educators a primer on using these technologies in their research, pedagogy, and communication to a wide variety of audiences. We also include a series of case studies from the presentations and workshop given at the 2019 International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, and suggest best practices for the use of VR/AR in comparative morphology.
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Realidade Aumentada , Realidade Virtual , Animais , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes death and disability in the United States and around the world. The traumatic insult causes the mechanical injury of the brain and primary cellular death. While a comprehensive pathological mechanism of TBI is still lacking, the focus of the TBI research is concentrated on understanding the pathophysiology and developing suitable therapeutic approaches. Given the complexities in pathophysiology involving interconnected immunologic, inflammatory, and neurological cascades occurring after TBI, the therapies directed to a single mechanism fail in the clinical trials. This has led to the development of the paradigm of a combination therapeutic approach against TBI. While there are no drugs available for the treatment of TBI, stem cell therapy has shown promising results in preclinical studies. But, the success of the therapy depends on the survival of the stem cells, which are limited by several factors including route of administration, health of the administered cells, and inflammatory microenvironment of the injured brain. Reducing the inflammation prior to cell administration may provide a better outcome of cell therapy following TBI. This review is focused on different therapeutic approaches of TBI and the present status of the clinical trials.
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Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/metabolismo , Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/terapia , Transplante de Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/métodos , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/metabolismo , Animais , Terapia Combinada/métodos , Terapia Combinada/tendências , Humanos , Transplante de Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/tendênciasRESUMO
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) provide clinical benefits over chemotherapy for lung cancer patients with EGFR activating mutations. Despite initial clinical responses, long-term efficacy is not possible because of acquired resistance to these therapies. We have developed EGFR TKI drug-tolerant (DT) human lung cancer cell lines as a model for de novo resistance. Mass spectroscopic analysis revealed that the cytochrome P450 protein, CYP51A1 (Lanosterol 14α-demethylase), which is directly involved with cholesterol synthesis, was significantly upregulated in the DT cells. Total cellular cholesterol, and more specifically, mitochondrial cholesterol, were found to be upregulated in DT cells. We then used the CYP51A1 inhibitor, ketoconazole, to downregulate cholesterol synthesis. In both parental and DT cells, ketoconazole and EGFR TKIs acted synergistically to induce apoptosis and overcome the development of EGFR tolerance. Lastly, this combination therapy was shown to shrink the growth of tumors in an in vivo mouse model of EGFR TKI resistance. Thus, our study demonstrates for the first time that ketoconazole treatment inhibits upregulation of mitochondrial cholesterol and thereby overcomes EGFR-TKI resistance in lung cancer cells.
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The burgeoning field of nanotechnology aims to create and deploy nanoscale structures, devices, and systems with novel, size-dependent properties and functions. The nanotechnology revolution has sparked radically new technologies and strategies across all scientific disciplines, with nanotechnology now applied to virtually every area of research and development in the US and globally. NanoFlorida was founded to create a forum for scientific exchange, promote networking among nanoscientists, encourage collaborative research efforts across institutions, forge strong industry-academia partnerships in nanoscience, and showcase the contributions of students and trainees in nanotechnology fields. The 2019 NanoFlorida International Conference expanded this vision to emphasize national and international participation, with a focus on advances made in translating nanotechnology. This review highlights notable research in the areas of engineering especially in optics, photonics and plasmonics and electronics; biomedical devices, nano-biotechnology, nanotherapeutics including both experimental nanotherapies and nanovaccines; nano-diagnostics and -theranostics; nano-enabled drug discovery platforms; tissue engineering, bioprinting, and environmental nanotechnology, as well as challenges and directions for future research.
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The failure of lung cancer treatments has been attributed mostly to the development of drug resistance, however the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Cancer initiating stem cells (CSCs), present in tumors in a small percentage, play critical roles in the development of drug resistance, metastasis, and cancer relapse. Hence, novel treatments targeting both bulk cancer cells and CSCs are under intense investigation. Herein, we report that lung cancer cells grown on a 3D fibrous scaffold form tumoroids that resemble in vivo tumors, expand CSCs, and provide a platform to identify anti-CSC drugs. The screening of an NCI library of FDA-approved drugs using tumoroid cultures led to identification of Actinomycin D (AD) as a top CSC inhibitor. Since CSCs are mostly resident in the tumor's inner core, AD was combined with an angiotensin receptor antagonist, Telmisartan (TS), which is known to increase drug permeability in tumors and was shown to have anti-CSC activity. Our results showed that AD + TS administered intra-tumorally was significantly more effective than either drug alone in both syngeneic and xenograft mouse models. The results of mechanistic studies revealed that CSC expansion in tumoroids was associated with activation of ß catenin signaling and that AD + TS treatment reduced active ß catenin levels in tumors. Together, these results establish the utility of the tumoroid culture system to expand CSCs ex vivo for targeted drug screening, to identify promising novel treatments with both anti-CSC and anti-cancer effects, and to individualize treatments for metastatic drug resistant lung cancer patients.