Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donatella Conconi, Serena Redaelli, Andrea Alberto Lissoni, Chiara Cilibrasi, Patrizia Perego, Eugenio Gautiero, Elena Sala, Mariachiara Paderno, Leda Dalpra, Fabio Landoni, Marialuisa Lavitrano, Gaia Roversi, Angela Bentivegna
Summary: The study analyzed the genomic and epigenomic profiles of uterine smooth muscle tumors, finding similarities between STUMPs and LMSs. Some genes with potential prognostic value, previously not associated with STUMP, were identified. Methylation data showed promise, especially in samples with divergent profiles, and Gene Ontology analysis highlighted cancer genes that may serve as prognostic markers in the future.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kara Weisman, Cristine H. Legare, Rachel E. Smith, Vivian A. Dzokoto, Felicity Aulino, Emily Ng, John C. Dulin, Nicole Ross-Zehnder, Joshua D. Brahinsky, Tanya Marie Luhrmann
Summary: Concepts of mental life vary across cultures, with distinctions between cognition and bodily sensation present in different societies. However, there are significant cultural and developmental differences in the perception of social-emotional abilities, which may have far-reaching social consequences. The similarities in mind-body distinctions across diverse cultures suggest aspects of human understanding that may be universal.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Solveig Jurkat, Moritz Koester, Ledys Hernandez Chacon, Shoji Itakura, Joscha Kaertner
Summary: This study investigated the emergence of cross-cultural differences in attention styles in children from Germany, Japan, and Ecuador. The results showed cultural differences in attention styles in different tasks, as well as differences in mothers' attention guidance towards their children.
DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Communication
Nathalie Desrayaud, Carolyn M. Hurley
Summary: This study aims to understand how cultural variables - collectivism and face concerns - influence perceived and ideal organizational conflict cultures in two multicultural societies. The findings show that individuals, regardless of cultural background, prefer agreeable conflict cultures and highly collective and mutual face concerned individuals are more likely to idealize active conflict cultures. Collectivism overall is associated with perceiving and idealizing active and agreeable conflict cultures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hanh T. H. Nguyen, Mariza Gomes Reis, Yunchao Wa, Renna Alfante, Ryan M. M. Chanyi, Eric Altermann, Li Day
Summary: Texture and flavour, which are crucial attributes for sensory quality, are greatly influenced by starter cultures. Different phenotypic strains are required to create diverse texture and flavour in fermented milk to meet consumer preferences. This study investigated the use of five lactic acid bacteria strains in fermented milk production, looking at metabolite profiles, microstructure, and rheological properties. LH and ST showed stronger acidification but resulted in coarser protein networks compared to BL1 and CL3. LH had the highest viscosity and exopolysaccharide concentration, while ST had the highest concentration of diacetyl. CL3ST had minimal acidification capability but produced high levels of ethyl-derived compounds associated with sweet, fruity, and floral fragrances. LH and ST can be used as starter cultures for fermented milks with different viscosities, while BL1, CL3, and CL3ST are suitable as adjunct cultures for different acidic sharpness and flavour notes.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Luisa Vera Muscatello, Stella Frabetti, Giancarlo Avallone, Francesca Gobbo, Arianna Pasquini, Giulia D'Annunzio, Luciano Pisoni, Laura Marconato, Rossella Terragni, Dario De Biase, Olivia Candini, Giuseppe Sarli
Summary: This study successfully established primary 3D cell cultures from canine spontaneous neoplasms and demonstrated similarities in morphology, phenotype, and genetic profile between the primary tumors and corresponding 3D cultures. The 3D cultures replicated the tumor microenvironment and showed overlapping immunophenotype with the primary tumors. Additionally, no genetic variants were detected in TP53 or MDM2 genes, indicating a good cell morphology, phenotype, and genetic profile overlap between primary tumors and 3D cultures.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Shoko Murakami, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Takahisa Nakayama, Naoko Taniura, Toru Miyake, Masaji Tani, Ryoji Kushima, Gaku Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Sugihara, Ken-ichi Mukaisho
Summary: The metabolic programming of cancer cells plays a crucial role in transformation and tumor growth. The study found that in 2D culture, tongue cancer cells lost their unique characteristics and were taken over by a metabolism specific to monolayer culture. In contrast, in 3D culture and xenograft groups, cells showed metabolic activities closer to each other, including ATP production and cell growth. The 3D culture did not exhibit impairment of mitochondrial function in cancer cells, suggesting that energy production occurred simultaneously through mitochondria and aerobic glycolysis.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Eva T. Kramer, Paula M. Godoy, Charles K. Kaufman
Summary: Transcriptional and epigenetic characterization of melanocytes and melanoma cells isolated from their in vivo context reveals key differences between these normal and cancer cell populations, providing insights for studying candidate regulators in genetically controlled in vivo environments.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Lyn Kathlene, Debashish Munshi, Priya Kurian, Sandra L. Morrison
Summary: This article examines cultural perspectives on gene editing technologies, focusing on the similarities and differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous viewpoints. Findings from a national survey in New Zealand reveal complex public responses to genetic modification. The study highlights the importance of recognizing diverse values to shape robust policy designs.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Social
Angela T. Maitner, Jamie DeCoster, Per A. Andersson, Kimmo Eriksson, Sara Sherbaji, Roger Giner-Sorolla, Diane M. Mackie, Mark Aveyard, Heather M. Claypool, Richard J. Crisp, Vladimir Gritskov, Kristina Habjan, Andree Hartanto, Toko Kiyonari, Anna O. Kuzminska, Zoi Manesi, Catherine Molho, Anudhi Munasinghe, Leonard S. Peperkoorn, Victor Shiramizu, Rachel Smallman, Natalia Soboleva, Adam W. Stivers, Amy Summerville, Baopei Wu, Junhui Wu
Summary: This study found that anger was associated with behavioral intentions in dignity, face, and honor cultures, while shame was only associated with aggressive retaliation in face and honor cultures. However, when victims pursued motivationally-relevant behavior, the expected levels of anger and shame decreased and satisfaction increased in a similar way across different cultures.
JOURNAL OF CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huizi Ouyang, Yuqi Fan, Shujie Wei, Yanxu Chang, Jun He
Summary: This study identified the chemical components in chrysanthemum using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography methods, and investigated the similarities and differences between different varieties. The results showed significant variations in ingredient content among different cultivars, and certain components played a crucial role in distinguishing chrysanthemum varieties.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Skov, Oshin Vartanian, Gorka Navarrete, Cristian Modrono, Anjan Chatterjee, Helmut Leder, Jose L. Gonzalez-Mora, Marcos Nadal
Summary: The study found that the openness of interior spaces influences the beauty and pleasantness ratings, which are correlated with regional gray matter volume in the anterior prefrontal cortex and temporal pole. However, there were no significant correlations involving contour or ceiling height.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Anna Woloszyk, Zewen K. Tuong, Louis Perez, Leonardo Aguilar, Abraham Bankole, Christopher H. Evans, Vaida Glatt
Summary: The microarchitectural and mechanical properties of the initially formed hematoma have a significant effect on the regulation of bone healing, determining the outcome of the healing process. Differences in fibrin clot microarchitecture and mechanical properties affect biological processes and gene expression. The healing outcome has already been determined during the hematoma phase of bone healing.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
A. Freedman, H. Hu, I. T. H. C. Liu, A. L. Stewart, S. Adler, W. E. Mehling
Summary: This study investigated the differences in interoceptive bodily awareness between Japanese and European Americans, revealing distinct experiences and interpretations in the two cultures.
CULTURE MEDICINE AND PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Miyoko Massago, Gerson Zanusso Junior, Elaine Schultz Dworak, Elisama Loubak da Silva, Alexandre Tadachi Morey, Monica Lucia Gomes, Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo
Summary: This study indicates that the infective form of Trypanosoma cruzi influences the outcome of infection in mice, but does not affect the response to etiological treatment in mice intragastrically infected with the T. cruzi IV strain studied.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nuno Lopes, Viviana G. Correia, Angelina S. Palma, Catarina Brito
Summary: The immune microenvironment of breast cancer is influenced by tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), which play a critical role in immune suppression and cancer progression. Recent studies have identified altered glycan structures on breast cancer cells as potential targets for novel immunotherapies, highlighting the potential of targeting glycan-lectin interactions to reshape the immunosuppressive landscape of breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Kedar S. Vaidya, Michael J. Mitten, Adelyn L. Zelaya-Lazo, Anatol Oleksijew, Cory Alvey, Hugh D. Falls, Sasmita Mishra, Joann Palma, Peter Ansell, Andrew C. Phillips, Edward B. Reilly, Mark Anderson, Erwin R. Boghaert
Summary: The combination of Depatux-m and TMZ tends to increase overall survival in patients with relapsed/refractory glioblastoma, and their interaction is synergistic.
JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Giacomo Domenici, Rodrigo Eduardo, Helena Castillo-Ecija, Gorka Orive, Angel Montero Carcaboso, Catarina Brito
Summary: Ewing's Sarcoma (ES) is the second most common malignant bone tumor in children and young adults, with limited treatment options. To study the disease and develop new therapies, experimental models are crucial. The authors developed a 3D cell culture method using PDX-derived ES cells, which maintained cell characteristics and could be used for drug sensitivity assays.
Review
Virology
Francisca Arez, Ana F. Rodrigues, Catarina Brito, Paula M. Alves
Summary: Hepatitis viruses and liver-stage malaria are major liver infections causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The development of disease models for studying infection is hindered by the limited tropism of major human hepatotropic pathogens. Bioengineered cell models exhibit better performance in simulating the human liver microenvironment compared to conventional two-dimensional cell models, and are crucial for drug development and understanding the molecular mechanisms of infection.
Review
Oncology
Sofia Batalha, Sofia Ferreira, Catarina Brito
Summary: Breast cancer is the deadliest female malignancy worldwide, and defining and analyzing circulating immune profiles of patients is crucial for faster, cheaper, and more precise monitoring of their status. This review compiles knowledge on the peripheral immune profile of breast cancer patients and proposes using this data as a starting point for validating clinically relevant biomarkers of disease progression and therapy response. Further scientific advancement in peripheral biomarker discovery and cancer-immune crosstalk in breast cancer will be instrumental in uncovering molecular mechanisms and potential biomarkers and drug targets.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Megan C. Cox, Rita Mendes, Fernanda Silva, Teresa F. Mendes, Adelyn Zelaya-Lazo, Kathleen Halwachs, Julie J. Purkal, Ines A. Isidro, Ana Felix, Erwin R. Boghaert, Catarina Brito
Summary: The current standard preclinical oncology models are limited in recapitulating therapeutic targets and clinically relevant disease biology, leading to a high attrition rate of 90% for new therapies in clinical trials. By considering growth rates and background release levels of LDH, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay can accurately evaluate therapeutic efficacy in 3D spheroid cultures, with the added value of being non-destructive. This method enhances the utility of these tumor models for preclinical and co-clinical drug development studies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Gabriela Silva, Joana Sales-Dias, Diogo Casal, Sara Alves, Giacomo Domenici, Clara Barreto, Carolina Matos, Ana R. Lemos, Ana T. Matias, Khrystyna Kucheryava, Andreia Ferreira, Maria Raquel Moita, Sofia Braga, Catarina Brito, M. Guadalupe Cabral, Cristina Casalou, Duarte C. Barral, Pedro M. F. Sousa, Paula A. Videira, Tiago M. Bandeiras, Ana Barbas
Summary: The study found that the anti-DLL1 antibody can inhibit BC cell proliferation, mammosphere formation, angiogenesis, as well as have anti-tumor and anti-metastatic efficacy in an ER+ BC mouse model without side effects, indicating its potential as a promising candidate for ER+ BC treatment.
Review
Oncology
Teresa Franchi-Mendes, Rodrigo Eduardo, Giacomo Domenici, Catarina Brito
Summary: The tumour microenvironment consists of multiple non-cancerous cells that interact with tumour cells, influencing disease progression and therapeutic responses. In vitro 3D models have been developed to mimic the complexity of the tumour microenvironment, providing insights for cancer research and drug discovery. Understanding the role of each cell type in the microenvironment is crucial for uncovering potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Oncology
Sara da Mata, Teresa Franchi-Mendes, Sofia Abreu, Bruno Filipe, Sonia Morgado, Marta Mesquita, Cristina Albuquerque, Ricardo Fonseca, Vitor E. Santo, Erwin R. Boghaert, Isadora Rosa, Catarina Brito
Summary: The study outlines the development of a colorectal cancer ex vivo model using fresh tumor samples, highlighting the preservation of original tumor genetic features and partial retention of architecture and non-malignant cells in culture. The model shows promise for use in pre- and co-clinical settings.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Teresa Franchi-Mendes, Nuno Lopes, Catarina Brito
Summary: Endothelial cells (ECs) play crucial roles in the tumor microenvironment, and through the use of long-term cultures of triple heterotypic spheroids, we identified the importance of in vitro culture conditions for maintaining ECs.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mario Bordalo, Ines J. Seabra, Andreia Bento Silva, Ana Paula Terrasso, Catarina Brito, Margarida Serra, Maria R. Bronze, Catarina M. M. Duarte, Mara E. M. Braga, Herminio C. de Sousa, Ana Teresa Serra
Summary: Bravo de Esmolfe (BE) is a traditional Portuguese apple highly appreciated for its unique flavor and aroma, rich in antioxidants. High-pressure extraction methods were used to generate antioxidant-rich fractions from BE residues, with the 40% ethanol fraction showing the highest antioxidant activity.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rafael Carecho, Ines Figueira, Ana Paula Terrasso, Joana Godinho-Pereira, Catarina de Oliveira Sequeira, Sofia Azeredo Pereira, Dragan Milenkovic, Marcel Leist, Catarina Brito, Claudia Nunes dos Santos
Summary: This study suggests that certain low-molecular weight phenol metabolites may play a crucial role in preventing and attenuating neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. These metabolites trigger multiple molecular mechanisms in neurons, assisting in coping with oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cell death mechanisms.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daniel Simao, Catarina M. Gomes, Paula M. Alves, Catarina Brito
Summary: Advanced three-dimensional cell models provide more realistic data for understanding human development and pathology, as well as drug discovery. However, characterizing and studying these models present challenges, requiring the development of spatially-resolved technologies. This review discusses recent advances in imaging technologies and omics tools for interrogating multicellular 3D models, and the opportunities for integrating data from different tools.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Erwin R. Boghaert, Megan C. Cox, Kedar S. Vaidya
Summary: ADCs are an important tool in clinical disease management in oncology, but their widespread development and application are hindered by a narrow therapeutic index. This review focuses on the interplay between structural characteristics of ADCs, pathophysiology of cancerous tissues, and their reciprocal consequences on ADC properties and functions. It argues for the expansion of payload mechanisms and the consideration of disease-specific vulnerabilities to increase the probability of clinical success.
Article
Oncology
Rita Mendes, Goncalo Graca, Fernanda Silva, Ana C. L. Guerreiro, Patricia Gomes-Alves, Jacinta Serpa, Erwin R. Boghaert, Paula M. Alves, Ana Felix, Catarina Brito, Ines A. Isidro
Summary: This study explores metabolic signatures of chemosensitivity and resistance in ovarian cancer by exposing patient-derived tumor tissue to chemotherapy drugs. The study identifies potential metabolic biomarkers of drug response and establishes a platform to explore metabolic features of the tumor microenvironment. Predicting patient response to treatment and chemoresistance remains a major challenge in oncology.