In recent years, the functions of glial cells, namely, astrocytes and microglia, have gained prominence in several diseases of the central nervous system, especially in glioblastoma (GB), the most malignant primary brain tumor that leads to poor clinical outcomes. Studies showed that microglial cells or astrocytes play a critical role in promoting GB growth. Based on the recent findings, the complex network of the interaction between microglial/astrocytes cells and GB may constitute a potential therapeutic target to overcome tumor malignancy. In the present review, we summarize the most important mechanisms and functions of the molecular factors involved in the microglia or astrocytes–GB interactions, which is particularly the alterations that occur in the cell’s extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton. We overview the cytokines, chemokines, neurotrophic, morphogenic, metabolic factors, and non-coding RNAs actions crucial to these interactions. We have also discussed the most recent studies regarding the mechanisms of transportation and communication between microglial/astrocytes – GB cells, namely through the ABC transporters or by extracellular vesicles. Lastly, we highlight the therapeutic challenges and improvements regarding the crosstalk between these glial cells and GB.

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BackgroundBlood samples are usually collected daily from different collection points, such hospitals and health centers, and transported to a core laboratory for testing. This paper presents a project to improve the collection routes of two of the largest clinical laboratories in Spain. These routes must be designed in a cost-efficient manner while satisfying two important constraints: (i) two-hour time windows between collection and delivery, and (ii) vehicle capacity.MethodsA heuristic method based on a genetic algorithm has been designed to solve the problem of blood sample collection. The user enters the following information for each collection point: postal address, average collecting time, and average demand (in thermal containers). After implementing the algorithm using C programming, this is run and, in few seconds, it obtains optimal (or near-optimal) collection routes that specify the collection sequence for each vehicle. Different scenarios using various types of vehicles have been considered. Unless new collection points are added or problem parameters are changed substantially, routes need to be designed only once.ResultsThe two laboratories in this study previously planned routes manually for 43 and 74 collection points, respectively. These routes were covered by an external carrier company. With the implementation of this algorithm, the number of routes could be reduced from ten to seven in one laboratory and from twelve to nine in the other, which represents significant annual savings in transportation costs.ConclusionsThe algorithm presented can be easily implemented in other laboratories that face this type of problem, and it is particularly interesting and useful as the number of collection points increases. The method designs blood collection routes with reduced costs that meet the time and capacity constraints of the problem.

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Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in fluids has gained attention because ctDNA seems to identify tumor-specific abnormalities, which could be used for diagnosis, follow-up of treatment, and prognosis: the so-called liquid biopsy. Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive approach and presents the sum of ctDNA from primary and secondary tumor sites. It has been possible not only to quantify the amount of ctDNA but also to identify (epi)genetic changes. Specific mutations in genes have been identified in the plasma of patients with several types of cancer, which highlights ctDNA as a possible cancer biomarker. However, achieving detectable concentrations of ctDNA in body fluids is not an easy task. ctDNA fragments present a short half-life, and there are no cut-off values to discriminate high and low ctDNA concentrations. Here, we discuss the use of ctDNA as a cancer biomarker, the main methodologies, the inherent difficulties, and the clinical predictive value of ctDNA.

ResumoInterações iniciais parecem ser adaptativas, e conhecê-las é fundamental para compreender a ontogênese humana. Este estudo compara dados de observações de díades mãe-bebê, analisando os comportamentos dos parceiros, a complexidade das trocas e seu componente afetivo. Participaram 56 díades (28 com bebês de um mês e 28 com bebês de cinco meses), filmadas em suas casas em situações livres. Foram identificados e analisados episódios de interação. Os resultados indicaram efeito do fator tipo de díade (de bebês de um ou de cinco meses) em quatro variáveis dependentes que indicam complexidade das interações. Diferenças foram observadas nos dois grupos quanto à manifestação de afetividade recíproca dos parceiros. As interações mostram-se predominantemente de tipo face-a face quando os bebês têm um mês e de estimulação por objeto aos cinco meses, indicando assim uma tendência observada em grupos urbanos ocidentais. As manifestações afetivas e a presença de interações que envolvem o sistema de contato corporal levam a que se hipotetize um padrão de autonomia relacional. Os resultados confirmam a literatura quanto à possibilidade de trocas em etapas iniciais do desenvolvimento, e o estudo contribui para o conhecimento de suas características. É destacada a afetividade, e enfatizado seu papel constitutivo nas interações, de fundamental importância no desenvolvimento infantil. Palavras-chave: Interação mãe-bebê; sistemas parentais; complexidade; aspectos afetivos. AbstractEarly interactions seem to be adaptive, it is fundamental to know them in order to understand human ontogenesis. This study compares data of observations of mother-baby dyads, analyzing the behavior of the partners, the complexity of the interchanges and their affective components. The participants were 56 dyads (28 with one-month old babies and 28 with five-month old babies), filmed in their homes in free situations. Interaction episodes were identified and analyzed. The results showed the effect of the factor type of dyad (one or five months-old babies) in four dependent variables that indicate complexity of the interactions. Differences in the manifestation of reciprocal affectivity of the partners were observed in the two groups. The interactions were predominantly face-to-face when the babies are one-month old, and the system of object stimulation is predominant when the babies are five-months old. This indicates a tendency observed in Western urban groups. The affective manifestations and the presence of interactions which are characterized by the system of body contact favor the formulation of a hypothesis of the presence of an autonomous relational pattern. The results confirm the literature about the possibility of interchanges in initial stages of the development, and the study contributes for the knowledge of its characteristics. The affective aspect is stressed, and its constitutive role in interactions is emphasized, assuming its importance in child development. Keywords: Mother-infant interaction; parental systems; complexity; affective...

Resumo Este estudo visou a analisar características das interações iniciais mãe-bebê em um contexto urbano brasileiro; as relações entre características de interações, atividades maternas e a concepção acerca das competências dos bebês; e as relações entre características destas atividades e o estado de vigília dos bebês. A amostra foi constituída por 30 díades. Os bebês tinham idade média de 29 dias. Registrou-se em vídeo as atividades da díade durante 20 minutos. Foi aplicado um questionário às mães. Os dados foram analisados em termos da percentagem de ocorrências das atividades da díade e de interação. Os episódios de interação identificados foram de curta duração, predominantemente face-a-face, têm contextos específicos de troca e se caracterizam principalmente por atividades sociais. Os bebês foram avaliados como ativos, participantes das trocas sociais. Os resultados contribuem com elementos importantes para discussão da natureza dos primeiros processos interacionais. Palavras-chave: Interação mãe-bebê; interação precoce; desenvolvimento inicial.