Bioactive Self-Regulated Liquified Microcompartments to Bioengineer Bone-Like Microtissues.

Designing a microenvironment that drives autonomous stromal cell differentiation toward osteogenesis while recapitulating the complexity of bone tissue remains challenging. In the current study, bone-like microtissues are created using electrohydrodynamic atomization to form two distinct liquefied microcapsules (mCAPs): i) hydroxypyridinone (HOPO)-modified gelatin (GH mCAPs, 7.5% w/v), and ii) HOPO-modified gelatin and dopamine-modified gelatin (GH+GD mCAPs, 7.5%+1.5% w/v). The ability of HOPO to coordinate with iron ions at physiological pH allows the formation of a semipermeable micro-hydrogel shell. In turn, the dopamine affinity for calcium ions sets a bioactive milieu for bone-like microtissues. After 21 days post encapsulation, GH and GH+GD mCAPs potentiate autonomous osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells accompanied by collagen type-I gene upregulation, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression, and formation of mineralized extracellular matrix. However, the GH+GD mCAPs show higher levels of osteogenic markers starting on day 14, translating into a more advanced and organized mineralized matrix. The GH+GD system also shows upregulation of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANK-L) gene, enabling the autonomous osteoclastic differentiation of monocytes. These catechol-based mCAPs offer a promising approach to designing multifunctional and autonomous bone-like microtissues to study in vitro bone-related processes at the cell-tissue interface, angiogenesis, and osteoclastogenesis.

Trans(gender) journeys: rights and the (non-)recognition of "human".

A human right paradigm has been challenging the biomedical perspectives that tend to be normalized in the Western context concerning the lives of trans people. The aim of this study is to understand how trans people in Portugal and Brazil perceive the (non-)recognition of their socio-cultural, economic and political rights. Specifically, the study intends to know in what extent these perceptions influence the processes of identity (de)construction. For this purpose, 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted with people self-identified as trans, transsexuals and transvestites in Brazil and Portugal. The narratives of the participants were analyzed according to the thematic analysis method and the following six main themes emerged: (i) Who are the rights for; (ii) Types of rights; (iii) Paradigm of distribution of rights; (iv) Local or global rights; (v) Non-recognition of the "human"; and, (vi) Transphobias (and cissexism). The results allowed the knowledge of rights and the non-recognition of the "human" which is the central organizer of the analysis. Among the main conclusions of this study, we emphasize the circumscription of rights to certain international, regional and/or national contexts; the existence of local instead of global rights, since they are influenced by regional and international law, but they depend on the legislation in force in each country; and the way human rights can also be understood as a platform of invisibility and exclusion of other people. Based on a commitment to social transformation, this article also contributes to rethinking the violence that is exercised on trans people as a continuum, whether through 'normalizing devices' by medical contexts, family contexts, public space, or even through internalized transphobia. Social structures produce and sustain transphobias and, simultaneously, are responsible for fighting them by changing the paradigm about the conception of transsexualities.

Emerging modulators for osteogenic differentiation: a combination of chemical and topographical cues for bone microenvironment engineering.

Bone presents an intrinsic ability for self-regeneration and repair, however critical defects and large fractures require invasive and time-consuming clinical interventions. As an alternative to current therapy, bone tissue engineering (BTE) has primarily aimed to recreate the bone microenvironment by delivering key biomolecules and/or by modification of scaffolds to guide cell fate towards the osteogenic lineage or other phenotypes that may benefit the bone regeneration mechanism. Considering that bone cells communicate, in their native microenvironment, through biochemical and physical signals, most strategies fail when considering only chemical, geometrical or mechanical cues. This is not representative of the physiological conditions, where the cells are simultaneously in contact and stimulated by several cues. Therefore, this review explores the synergistic effect of biochemical/physical cues in regulating cellular events, namely cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization, highlighting the importance of the combined modifications for the development of innovative bone regenerative therapies.

Sex workers' narratives about clients with disabilities: can training improve sexual health in Portugal? / Narrativas de trabalhadores(as) do sexo sobre clientes com diversidade funcional: poderá a formação melhorar a saúde sexual em Portugal?

Abstract People with disabilities face barriers that limit their sexual lives. In Portugal, some individuals with physical impairments have shown interest in resorting to sexual assistance provided by trained professionals, according to the client's preferences and needs. However, in Portugal, sex workers lacking any formal training represent the only way to access commercial sex services. Thus, this study analyzes the experiences of sex workers that provide services for disabled clients. The interviews of thirteen sex workers were analyzed using the thematic analysis method proposed by Braun and Clarke. The key findings show that men seek out sexual and emotional satisfaction from sex work. Additionally, specificities inherent to the lack of training and the relationships established tend to embarrass professionals. Finally, we conclude that training coupled with sexual education and popular awareness about gender differences in the pursuit of sex is fundamental to improve the sexual health of those who choose sex services as a way of sexual expression.

Resumo As pessoas com diversidade funcional enfrentam barreiras que limitam suas vidas sexuais. Em Portugal, alguns indivíduos com incapacidades físicas demonstraram interesse em recorrer à assistência sexual, prestada por profissionais com formação, para responder às suas preferências e necessidades sexuais. Contudo, trabalhadores(as) do sexo, sem formação específica, representam a única forma de aceder a serviços sexuais comerciais. Assim, este estudo foca as experiências de trabalhadores(as) do sexo que prestam serviços a clientes com diversidade funcional. Treze entrevistas a trabalhadores(as) do sexo foram analisadas pelo método proposto por Braun e Clarke. Os principais resultados demonstraram que os clientes do trabalho sexual são majoritariamente homens e que as especificidades inerentes tanto à falta de formação como às relações estabelecidas tendem a gerar sentimentos de constrangimento nos(as) profissionais. Finalmente, concluiu-se que a formação aliada à educação sexual e uma reflexão crítica sobre as diferenças de gênero existentes no recurso ao sexo comercial são fundamentais para melhorar a saúde sexual daqueles(as) que escolhem os serviços sexuais como forma de expressão sexual.