Following health agencies warning, the use of animal origin supplements should be avoided in biological products proposed as therapy in humans.Platelet lysate and several other growth factors sources are alternatives to replace fetal calf serum, the current gold standard in clinical-grade cell culture. However, the platelet supplement's content lacks data due to different production methods. The principle behind these products relays on the lysis of platelets that release several proteins, some of which are contained in heterogeneous granules and coordinate biological functions. This study aims to analyze the composition and reproducibility of a platelet lysate produced with a standardized method, by describing several batches' protein and particle content using proteomics and dynamic light scattering. Proteomics data revealed a diversified protein content, with some related to essential cellular processes such as proliferation, morphogenesis, differentiation, biosynthesis, adhesion, and metabolism. It also detected proteins responsible for activation and binding of transforming growth factor beta, hepatocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor. Total protein, biochemical, and growth factors quantitative data showed consistent and reproducible values across batches. Novel data on two major particle populations is presented, with high dispersion level at 231 ± 96 d.nm and at 30 ± 8 d.nm, possibly being an important way of protein trafficking through the cellular microenvironment. This experimental and descriptive analysis aims to support the content definition and quality criteria of a cell supplement for clinical applications.
Introduction:The social distancing generated by the COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on education. Although very challenging to implement and adapt in an emergency scenario, distance learning opened novel opportunities to educational initiatives. The project Scientist at School, developed in southern Brazil during this period, had the goal to adapt postgraduate and elementary students' encounters to a live stream format. Methods: This observational study analyzes the remote teaching process during the pandemic, with the project's experience from different points of view. In addition to consulting the recorded access data from transmissions, three questionnaires answered by viewers evaluated content quality. Results: All live streams were classified as "excellent or good" by the students; with 66.7% of them affirming that the distance modality was not a limiting factor and that it could ease access to knowledge. Many of the organizers said that interacting with elementary school students and researchers from different fields helped them to expand their views on science production in the university and to improve their science communication skills. More than 85% of teachers and guests rated the activity as "excellent," however, one in two indicated that inequalities in internet access were a limitation for this learning modality.
Conclusion:The project was able to provide a new experience of teaching and promoting science communication at a community level, exchanging knowledge in accessible language.
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