Stromal vascular fraction cell sheets angiogenic potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications

One of the biggest concerns in the Tissue Engineering field is the correct vascularization of engineered constructs. Strategies involving the use of endothelial cells are promising but adequate cell sourcing and neo-vessels stability are enduring challenges. In this work, we propose the hypoxic pre-conditioning of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of human adipose tissue to obtain highly angiogenic cell sheets (CS). For that, SVF was isolated after enzymatic dissociation of adipose tissue and cultured until CS formation in normoxic (pO2=21%) and hypoxic (pO2=5%) conditions for 5 and 8 days, in basal medium. Immunocytochemistry against CD31 and CD146 revealed the presence of highly branched capillary-like structures, which were far more complex for hypoxia. ELISA quantification showed increased VEGF and TIMP-1 secretion in hypoxia for 8 days of culture. In a Matrigel assay, the formation of capillary-like structures by endothelial cells was more prominent when cultured in conditioned medium recovered from the cultures in hypoxia. The same conditioned medium increased the migration of adipose stromal cells in a scratch assay, when compared with the medium from normoxia. Histological analysis after implantation of 8 days normoxic- and hypoxic-conditioned SVF CS in a hindlimb ischemia murine model showed improved formation of neo-blood vessels. Furthermore, Laser Doppler results demonstrated that the blood perfusion of the injured limb after 30 days was enhanced for the hypoxic CS group. Overall, these results suggest that SVF CS created under hypoxia can be used as functional vascularization units for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Portuguese publication in the aim of regional science: a study of articles published in RPER from 2003 to 2015

This paper is a study of the full content of articles published by RPER, the Portuguese Review of Regional Studies, from the time it was launched in 2003 until the first quarter of 2015. RPER is a journal edited by the Portuguese section of the European Regional Science Association, which was established in the first half of the 1980s. The Association (APDR) and the journal are the result of contributions by researchers and technicians from different scientific fields, including mainly Economics, Geography, Sociology, Engineering and Architecture. The main focus of these contributions is the socio-economic life of concrete sites, and the way this life is conditioned by resources and capabilities, the historical and cultural heritage and institutions. Content analysis was undertaken to identify the main subjects chosen during the total period under analysis, the nature of the articles published (theoretical or empirical) and the main analytical framework used. The analysis also covers sub-periods to investigate major trends found in terms of subjects chosen and analytical methods, questioning the rationale behind them. The paper concludes with a few notes regarding the social echo the research received and an identification of the main limitations of the research. In the first part of the article, we conduct a summary review of the genesis and evolution of Regional Science at international level to serve as a basis for the empirical approach developed.

A novel small-caliber bacterial cellulose vascular prosthesis: production, characterization, and preliminary in vivo testing

Vascular grafts are used to bypass damaged or diseased blood vessels. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been studied for use as an off-the-shelf graft. Herein, we present a novel, cost-effective, method for the production of small caliber BC grafts with minimal processing or requirements. The morphology of the graft wall produced a tensile strength above that of native vessels, performing similarly to the current commercial alternatives. As a result of the production method, the luminal surface of the graft presents similar topography to that of native vessels. We have also studied the in vivo behavior of these BC graft in order to further demonstrate their viability. In these preliminary studies, 1 month patency was achieved, with the presence of neo-vessels and endothelial cells on the luminal surface of the graft.

As imigrantes brasileiras no jornalismo impresso regional

O estudo sobre a representação das brasileiras nos media é revisto sob vários aspectos e nos diversos meios de comunicação. Alguns estudos aprofundam a imagem das imigrantes, enquanto outros se concentram nos meios (rádio, televisão e imprensa). Existe ainda uma linha de investigação que se centra nos estudos da recepção. Todavia, verificámos a escassez de um estudo específico sobre a representação deste grupo no jornalismo de proximidade. Esta comunicação tem por objectivo apresentar parte dos resultados sobre a representação dos imigrantes brasileiros nas notícias publicadas durante o ano de 2007 em dois jornais regionais (um português – Diário do Minho – e um italiano – L'Adige). A escolha de um jornal externo ao contexto português foi extremamente enriquecedora para identificar possíveis convergências no tratamento dos imigrantes brasileiros (homens e mulheres) em diferentes contextos sócioculturais. Além disso, tanto Portugal como Itália foram países de forte emigração, influenciando os processos migratórios de ambos. A investigação inicial mostrou uma acentuada assimetria de género, o que nos levou a aprofundar a análise sob este aspecto. Observámos que os jornais analisados, em relação ao tratamento informativo da imigrante brasileira, trabalham na mesma linha dos jornais de âmbito nacional e, mesmo que em escala inferior, continuam a representar estas mulheres com um baixo estatuto, associadas a temas e comportamentos socialmente conotados com a marginalidade. De salientar que as imigrantes brasileiras que têm visibilidade nas peças noticiosas dos dois jornais são geralmente conotadas com a prostituição, clandestinidade, crime e exploração.

Neurocognitive profile and cognitive intervention in Alzheimer's disease

Tese de Doutoramento em Psicologia (Especialidade de Psicologia Clínica)

Study to determine the cardiovascular risk ofthe population of Guimarães/Vizela, includingthe prevalence of arterial stiffness and early vascular aging syndrome

Tese de Doutoramento em Medicina.

Pulse wave velocity distribution in a cohort study: from arterial stiffness to early vascular aging

BACKGROUND: By contrast with other southern European people, north Portuguese population registers an especially high prevalence of hypertension and stroke incidence. We designed a cohort study to identify individuals presenting accelerated and premature arterial aging in the Portuguese population. METHOD: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in randomly sampled population dwellers aged 18-96 years from northern Portugal, and used as a marker of early vascular aging (EVA). Of the 3038 individuals enrolled, 2542 completed the evaluation. RESULTS: Mean PWV value for the entire population was 8.4?m/s (men: 8.6?m/s; women: 8.2?m/s; P??10?m/s). Logistic regression models indicated gender differences concerning the risk of developing large artery damage, with women having the same odds of PWV above 10?m/s 10 years later than men. CONCLUSION: The population PWV values were higher than expected in a low cardiovascular risk area (Portugal). High prevalence rates of EVA and noteworthy large artery damage in young ages were found.

Índice Digital Regional 2014

O objetivo subjacente a toda a investigação que deu origem ao Índice Digital Regional (IDR), inserida num projeto de doutoramento, ia no sentido da “compreensão da realidade da Sociedade da Informação nas sete regiões NUTs II portuguesas, comparando-as e contrastando-as”. À semelhança do que acontece em grande parte dos indicadores de desenvolvimento, em que as assimetrias regionais são uma evidência verificada há várias décadas, importava perceber até que ponto o desenvolvimento da Sociedade da Informação em Portugal está a ser desencadeado sem ter ou não em atenção os valores da equidade, da coesão nacional e da solidariedade regional. Este artigo analisa os resultados do IDR recalculado com os dados estatísticos mais recentes.

Vascular disease modeling using induced pluripotent stem cells: Focus in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Transparency document related to this article can be found online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.10.014