Browsing by Author "Costa, Raquel"
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- Addressing the complex links between psychopathy and childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression-a network analysis in adultsPublication . Moreira, Diana; Silva, Candy; Moreira, Patrícia; Pinto, Tiago Miguel; Costa, Raquel; Lamela, Diogo; Jongenelen, Inês; Pasion, RitaChildhood maltreatment is the strongest predictor of psychopathology and personality disorders across the lifespan and is strongly associated with a variety of psychological problems, namely, mood and anxiety disorders, behavioral and personality disorders, substance abuse, aggression, and self-harm. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the interplay between different traits of psychopathy and distinct dimensions of childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression. Using a cross-sectional design, we employed correlational network analysis to explore the nomological network of psychopathy and provide a sample-based estimate of the population parameters reflecting the direction, strength, and patterns of relationships between variables. The sample consisted of 846 adults (71% females) who completed questionnaires measuring psychopathy, childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression. The results highlight that disinhibition traits of psychopathy are the closest attributes of early experiences of abuse (but not neglect) in childhood and correlate with all dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties, being specifically associated with reactive aggression. Neglect was a unique attribute in the nomological network of meanness, with widespread correlations with emotion regulation difficulties but also an increased ability to engage in goal-directed behavior. Physical abuse was the only dimension of childhood adversity that was found to be intercorrelated with boldness and increased emotional regulation was found in this psychopathic trait. No significant associations were found between boldness, meanness, and aggression once shared variance with disinhibition was controlled. These results are discussed in terms of their implication for research and clinical practice.
- Adenosine-loaded silk fibroin aerogel particles for wound healingPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Rossa, Valentina; Silva, Sara Baptista da; Magalhães, Rui; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana LeiteThe healing process of an injury comprises a series of steps (haemostasis, inflammation and proliferation/maturation). Exudate from wounds is a natural response to heal. However, an excess production can compromise and delay the inflammatory phase, resulting in chronicity. Novel biocompatible, biodegradable and adaptable dressings are sought to promote tissue regeneration, prevent infection and control inflammation. Aerogels are nanostructured dry materials with high porosity, large surface and low bulk density. Bio-based aerogels, from natural polymer sources, can provide advanced performance for wound healing; also, they can act as carriers for bioactive compounds.[1] Adenosine (ADO) is a nucleoside that is expected to trigger the healing process of chronic wounds, promoting angiogenesis and regeneration.[2] Silk fibroin (SF) aerogels can act as promising carriers of bioactive molecules while supporting cell proliferation. Hereupon, SF aerogels loaded with Adenosine were developed in the form of particles for wound healing applications, using supercritical CO2 technology.
- Adenosine-loaded silk fibroin aerogel particles for wound healingPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Rossa, Valentina; Baptista-Silva, Sara; Magalhães, Rui; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana LeiteChronic wounds are one of the major therapeutic and healthcare challenges. A natural healing response is the production of exudate from a wound. However, its overproduction can compromise and delay the inflammatory phase, resulting in chronicity. Bio-based aerogels, from natural polymer sources, can provide advanced performance for wound healing due to their high porosity and large surface area, which can be tailored for a fast and directional fluid transfer of the exudate; also, they can act as carriers for bioactive compounds. Silk fibroin (SF) protein is an excellent carrier of bioactive compounds while supporting cell proliferation, being presently used in wound healing and regeneration. In this work, we propose the use supercritical CO2 technology to develop SF aerogel particles as a controlled release system of adenosine, a protein that is herein proposed for the first time being expected to trigger the healing process of chronic wounds, promoting angiogenesis and regeneration. For the aerogel particles’ production, SF aqueous solutions at different concentrations (3, 5 and 7 %(w/v)) loaded with adenosine at different ratios were dispersed in a solution of ethanol/Span 80 (3 wt.% with respect to SF), followed by supercritical CO2 drying (120 bar, 39ºC, 3.5 h). Physico-chemical characteristics, drug release and cytotoxicity activity of bioactive SF particles will be explored.
- Adenosine-loaded silk fibroin: a promising approach for chronic wound healing and regenerationPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana L.Introduction: Chronic wounds are one of the major therapeutic and healthcare challenges affecting the population globally. During the healing stage of a wound the production of exudate is considered as a normal process. However, its overproduction can compromise and delay the inflammatory phase, contributing to wound chronicity. Aerogels are highly porous materials which can provide advanced performance for wound healing, as they can be tailored for a fast and directional fluid transfer of the exudate; also, they can have a therapeutic function, as carriers for bioactive compounds. Silk fibroin (SF) protein is well known to stabilize bioactive molecules and therapeutic drugs while supporting cell proliferation, being presently used in wound healing and regeneration. In this work, we propose the use supercritical CO2 technology to develop SF aerogel particles as a controlled release system of adenosine (ADO). This nucleoside is herein proposed for the first time, being expected to trigger the healing and regeneration of chronic wounds. Methods: Development of aerogel particles SF aqueous solutions at different concentrations (3, 5 and 7% (w/v)) loaded with ADO at different weight ratios (10:1, 5:1, 2:1), were introduced into absolute ethanol and Span 80 followed by supercritical CO2 drying (Figure 1). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology of the particles and to visualize their interaction with; laser diffraction was performed to determine particles diameter. The biocompatibility was assessed using three types of cells that play an important role during wound healing, human dermal fibroblasts (HDF), human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC). The interaction between ADO-loaded SF aerogel particles was assessed by viability and proliferation assays. Quantitative data were subjected to an analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test; α=0.05). Conclusions: The microparticles showed favorable morphological properties and supported cell proliferation and biocompatibility, with drug release tests indicating rapid adenosine release. Ongoing assays with HDMEC indicate favorable cell behavior, providing insights into their angiogenic properties. Future work involves optimizing formulations for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and exploring clinical applications in chronic wound management and tissue regeneration.
- Advancing diabetes treatment: from human beta cell technology to bioartificial pancreas developmentPublication . Sá, Joana; Sá, Simone; Leménager, Hélène; Costa, Raquel; Onteniente, Brigitte; Soares, Raquel; Ribeiro, Viviana P.; Oliveira, Ana L.In 2021, approximately 537 million people worldwide, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, were affected by diabetes, leading to approximately 6.7 million deaths annually or severe secondary complications including life-threatening hyperglycemia. For nearly 50 years, current therapeutic approaches include full pancreas transplantation and isolated pancreatic islets, more recently, cell therapy such as in vitro generated islets and stem cell derived. The transplantation of pancreatic islet cells can be less invasive than full organ transplantation, however, does not achieve the same rate of functional success due to the low survival of the engrafted cells. Tissue-engineered bioartificial pancreas has been designed to address such issues, improving cell engraftment, survival, and immune rejection problems, with the added advantage that the tissue produced in vitro has an unlimited source of material.
- Bioaerogels: promising nanostructured materials in fluid management, healing and regeneration of woundsPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Gaudio, Pasquale del; Alves, Paulo; Costa, Raquel; García-Gonzaléz, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana LeiteWounds affect one’s quality of life and should be managed on a patient-specific approach, based on the particular healing phase and wound condition. During wound healing, exudate is produced as a natural response towards healing. However, excessive production can be detrimental, representing a challenge for wound management. The design and development of new healing devices and therapeutics with improved performance is a constant demand from the healthcare services. Aerogels can combine high porosity and low density with the adequate fluid interaction and drug loading capacity, to establish hemostasis and promote the healing and regeneration of exudative and chronic wounds. Bio-based aerogels, i.e., those produced from natural polymers, are particularly attractive since they encompass their intrinsic chemical properties and the physical features of their nanostructure. In this work, the emerging research on aerogels for wound treatment is reviewed for the first time. The current scenario and the opportunities provided by aerogels in the form of films, membranes and particles are identified to face current unmet demands in fluid managing and wound healing and regeneration.
- Development of self-assembled aerogel silk particles for wound healingPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Baptista-Silva, Sara; Illanes-Bordomás, Carlos; Magalhães, Rui; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana Leite
- Development of self-assembled silk fibroin particles for wound healingPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana Leite
- Endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases: mechanisms and in vitro modelsPublication . Grego, Ana; Fernandes, Cristiana; Fonseca, Ivo; Dias-Neto, Marina; Costa, Raquel; Leite-Moreira, Adelino; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Trindade, Fábio; Nogueira-Ferreira, RitaEndothelial cells (ECs) are arranged side-by-side to create a semi-permeable monolayer, forming the inner lining of every blood vessel (micro and macrocirculation). Serving as the first barrier for circulating molecules and cells, ECs represent the main regulators of vascular homeostasis being able to respond to environmental changes, either physical or chemical signals, by producing several factors that regulate vascular tone and cellular adhesion. Healthy endothelium has anticoagulant properties that prevent the adhesion of leukocytes and platelets to the vessel walls, contributing to resistance to thrombus formation, and regulating inflammation, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Many risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) promote the endothelial expression of chemokines, cytokines, and adhesion molecules. The resultant endothelial activation can lead to endothelial cell dysfunction (ECD). In vitro models of ECD allow the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease and provide a research platform for screening potential therapeutic agents. Even though alternative models are available, such as animal models or ex vivo models, in vitro models offer higher experimental flexibility and reproducibility, making them a valuable tool for the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of several diseases, such as CVDs. Therefore, this review aims to synthesize the currently available in vitro models regarding ECD, emphasizing CVDs. This work will focus on 2D cell culture models (endothelial cell lines and primary ECs), 3D cell culture systems (scaffold-free and scaffold-based), and 3D cell culture models (such as organ-on-a-chip). We will dissect the role of external stimuli—chemical and mechanical—in triggering ECD.
- Expanding the potential of self-assembled silk fibroin as aerogel particles for tissue regenerationPublication . Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Baptista-Silva, Sara; Illanes-Bordomás, Carlos; Magalhães, Rui; Dias, Juliana Rosa; Alves, Nuno M. F.; Costa, Raquel; García-González, Carlos A.; Oliveira, Ana LeiteA newly produced silk fibroin (SF) aerogel particulate system using a supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2)-assisted drying technology is herein proposed for biomedical applications. Different concentrations of silk fibroin (3%, 5%, and 7% (w/v)) were explored to investigate the potential of this technology to produce size- and porosity-controlled particles. Laser diffraction, helium pycnometry, nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy were performed to characterize the physicochemical properties of the material. The enzymatic degradation profile of the SF aerogel particles was evaluated by immersion in protease XIV solution, and the biological properties by cell viability and cell proliferation assays. The obtained aerogel particles were mesoporous with high and concentration dependent specific surface area (203–326 m2/g). They displayed significant antioxidant activity and sustained degradation in the presence of protease XIV enzyme. The in vitro assessment using human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) confirm the particles’ biocompatibility, as well as the enhancement in cell viability and proliferation.
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