Efeito do ácido alfa-lipóico sobre biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo, inflamação e fatores de risco cardiovascular em hipertensos

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant with favourable anti-inflammatory, metabolic and endothelial effects, and has been widely investigated due to its potential against cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral ALA supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension. This is a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, where the intervention was evaluated prospectively comparing results in both groups. The sample consisted of 64 hypertensive patients who were randomly distributed into ALA group (n = 32), receiving 600 mg / day ALA for twelve weeks and control group (n = 32), receiving placebo for the same period. The following parameters were evaluated before and after intervention: lipid peroxidation, content of reduced glutathione (GSH), enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismustase, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions, fasting glucose and anthropometric indicators. There was a statistically significant reduction (p <0.05) in serum concentrations of total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides and blood glucose. There was a reduction in body weight and waist, abdominal and hip circumferences in the group that received ALA. In addition, there was a statistically significant increase (p <0.05) in the contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the group receiving ALA. Oral administration of ALA appears to be a valuable adjuvant therapy, which may contribute to decrease the damage caused by oxidative stress and other risk factors associated with the atherosclerotic process

Emprego de redes neurais artificiais supervisionadas e não supervisionadas no estudo de parâmetros reológicos de excipientes farmacêuticos sólidos

In this paper artificial neural network (ANN) based on supervised and unsupervised algorithms were investigated for use in the study of rheological parameters of solid pharmaceutical excipients, in order to develop computational tools for manufacturing solid dosage forms. Among four supervised neural networks investigated, the best learning performance was achieved by a feedfoward multilayer perceptron whose architectures was composed by eight neurons in the input layer, sixteen neurons in the hidden layer and one neuron in the output layer. Learning and predictive performance relative to repose angle was poor while to Carr index and Hausner ratio (CI and HR, respectively) showed very good fitting capacity and learning, therefore HR and CI were considered suitable descriptors for the next stage of development of supervised ANNs. Clustering capacity was evaluated for five unsupervised strategies. Network based on purely unsupervised competitive strategies, classic "Winner-Take-All", "Frequency-Sensitive Competitive Learning" and "Rival-Penalize Competitive Learning" (WTA, FSCL and RPCL, respectively) were able to perform clustering from database, however this classification was very poor, showing severe classification errors by grouping data with conflicting properties into the same cluster or even the same neuron. On the other hand it could not be established what was the criteria adopted by the neural network for those clustering. Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) and Neural Gas (NG) networks showed better clustering capacity. Both have recognized the two major groupings of data corresponding to lactose (LAC) and cellulose (CEL). However, SOM showed some errors in classify data from minority excipients, magnesium stearate (EMG) , talc (TLC) and attapulgite (ATP). NG network in turn performed a very consistent classification of data and solve the misclassification of SOM, being the most appropriate network for classifying data of the study. The use of NG network in pharmaceutical technology was still unpublished. NG therefore has great potential for use in the development of software for use in automated classification systems of pharmaceutical powders and as a new tool for mining and clustering data in drug development

Obtenção de insumo farmacêutico a partir das folhas de Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl e seu efeito sobre mediadores inflamatórios relevantes para a asma

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Utilização intracoágulo de espuma fibrinolítica - preparação, caracterização e atividade in vitro de uma espuma de estreptoquinase e proposta de uma nova abordagem terapêutica

Foam was developed as a novel vehicle for streptokinase with the purpose of increasing the contact time and area between the fibrinolytic and the target thrombus, which would lead to a greater therapeutic efficacy at lower doses, decreasing the drug s potential to cause bleeding. Fibrinolytic foams were prepared using CO2 and human albumin (at different v:v ratios), as the gas and liquid phases, respectively, and streptokinase at a low total dose (100,000 IU) was used as fibrinolytic agent conveyed in 1 mL of foam and in isotonic saline solution. The foams were characterized as foam stability and apparent viscosity. The thrombolytic effect of the streptokinase foam was determined in vitro as thrombus lysis and the results were compared to those of a fibrinolytic solution (prepared using the same dose of streptokinase) and foam without the fibrinolytic. In vitro tests were conducted using fresh clots were weighed and placed in test tubes kept at 37 ° C. All the samples were injected intrathrombus using a multiperforated catheter. The results showed that both foam stability and apparent viscosity increased with the increase in the CO2:albumin solution ratio and therefore, the ratio of 3:1 was used for the incorporation of streptokinase. The results of thrombus lysis showed that the streptokinase foam presented the highest thrombolytic activity (44.78 ± 9.97%) when compared to those of the streptokinase solution (32.07 ± 3.41%) and the foam without the drug (19.2 ± 7.19%). We conclude that fibrinolytic foam showed statistically significant results regarding the enhancement of the lytic activity of streptokinase compared to the effect of the prepared saline solution, thus it can be a promising alternative in the treatment of thrombosis. However, in vivo studies are needed in order to corroborate the results obtained in vitro

Dispersões sólidas de sinvastatina: preparação, caracterização, no estado sólido utilizando técnicas emergentes e estudo de estabilidade

This thesis aimed to assess the increase in solubility of simvastatin (SINV) with solid dispersions using techniques such as kneading (MA), co-solvent evaporation (ES), melting carrier (FC) and spray dryer (SD). Soluplus (SOL), PEG 6000 (PEG), PVP K-30 (PVP) e sodium lauryl sulphate (LSS) were used as carriers. The solid dispersions containing PEG [PEG-2(SD)], Soluplus [SOL-2(MA)] and sodium lauryl sulphate [LSS-2(ES)] were presented with a greater increase in solubility (5.02, 5.60 and 5.43 times respectively); analyses by ANOVA between the three groups did not present significant difference (p<0.05). In the phase solubility study, the calculation of the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) revealed that the spontaneity of solubilisation of SINV occurred in the order SOL>PEG >PVP 75%>LSS, always 80%. The phase diagrams of PEG and LSS presented solubilization stoichiometry of type 1:1 (type AL). The diagrams with PVP and SOL tend to 1:2 stoichiometry (type AL + AP). The stability coefficients (Ks) of the phase diagrams revealed that the most stable reactions occurred with LSS and PVP. The solid dispersions were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size distribution (PSD), near-infrared spectroscopy imaging (NIR-CI) and X-ray diffraction of the powder using the Topas software (PDRX-TOPAS). The solid dispersion PEG-2(SD) presented the greatest homogeneity and the lowest degree of crystallinity (18.2%). The accelerated stability study revealed that the solid dispersions are less stable than SINV, with PEG-2(SD) being the least stable, confirmed by FTIR and DSC. The analyses by PDRX-TOPAS revealed the amorphous character of the dispersions and the mechanism of increasing solubility

Viabilidade do processo de enfermagem no contexto hospitalar

The Nursing Process (NP) is considered as the dynamics of the systemized and inter-related actions of human care. We believe that the nursing manager, as the representative of all the nursing care provided in the hospital setting, is an important agent for the implementation of institutional policies, such as the NP, in the service. However, there is little information in the literature about the NP in the perspective of the nurse manager. The objective of this study was to analyze the viability of the Nursing Process in the hospital context based on the attitudes of the nurse managers toward the Process. We conducted a descriptive-exploratory research study, of quantitative approach, with a population of 45 nurse managers that worked in the state hospitals located in Natal, RN and in the university hospitals of the UFRN. Two instruments were used for the collection of data: a nursing process questionnaire, constructed for use in this study, and the scale for the measurement of the attitudes titled Positions on the Nursing Process. The population is predominantly feminine (91,0%) and have relative nursing practice experience (Mean=17,6 years). However, they have little experience in management (Mean=8,6 years). They express little knowledge of the PE nursing terms and little experience with the Process. They have a positive atitude toward the NP (Mean = 110,9); are favorable to its developement in the service (86,7%); 48,9% indicated little possibility of institutionalization in the service and 37,8% indicated large possibility. The Spearman test for association between the variables of attitude about the NP and the possibility of its institutionalization demonstrated a weak negative association in the total individual scores of the attitudes (-,316) as in the 20 itens of the instrument, with coefficients varying from 0,014 to 0,464. Factorial analysis of the instrument identified three underlying factors to the attitudes of the managers in this study: relevance, operationalization and collaboration, with Cronbach Alpha coeficients of 0,955, 0,844 and 0,807, respectively, and 0,956 for the whole instrument, indicating that the scale and its factorial subscales have internal consistency. We conclude that there is a weak tendency for the managers with a favorable attitude to have a negative perception about the possibility of institutionalization of the NP in the service. The favorable position does not appear to be sufficient for the viability of this methodology in the hospital sector, results that is worrisome for nursing. This situation suggests that the difficulties with the institution of the NP in the hospitals may be related to other factors, including the organizational conditions. We believe that the institucionalization of the NP in a servisse where it is not known and not practiced, constitutes the introduction of an innovative work technology that involves many demands, among them the adherence of the persons to the proposed innovation. This demands time and the institutional adjustments and the human resources necessary. In this process, the involvement of the health professional of the institution is necessary. This situation brings to light the discussions of professional autonomy, the action limits and perspectives, the redefinition of roles, delimiation (or consensus) of the objects of study and of the work processes, among others.

Avaliação da eficiência dos investimentos do programa Inova-RN em micro e pequenas empresas Uma integração da análise envoltória de dados e índice Malmquist

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Avaliação da interação universidade - empresas - governo no desenvolvimento de projetos inovadores no RN por micro e pequenas empresas

Knowledge and innovation were seen as major forces, both for survival, as the acquisition of competitive advantages in the Brazilian economy, as well as adding value to the product as a market differentiator. The Triple Helix model is directed toward the knowledge-based economy. Over the past six years, the Federal Government through the Financier of Studies and Projects ( FINEP ) invested in technological innovation projects, economic subsidies, about U.S. $ 1 billion supporting more than 800 projects with these resources. According to the MCTI , the Northeast, over the years 2000 to 2010 increased spending on Science and Technology (considering the activities of research and development more scientific and related activities) of the State Government in relation to its total revenue In 2000, 0.51% of total revenues were invested in Science & Technology, while in 2010 this figure increased to 1.31%. Among the nine Northeast states, Paraíba is highlighted. In 2000, 0.33% of its total revenues were directed to innovation, reaching 2.04% in 2010, the largest increase in the region while the RN invested 0.24% in 2000 and in 2010 reached the level of 1.42 %. According to IBGE, in the period 2000-2011, the micro and small enterprises surpassed the barrier of 6 million establishments. In 2000, there were 4.2 million establishments while in 2011 were 6.3 million active establishments. Therefore, throughout the period, there was a creation of approximately 2.1 million new establishments. Between 2000 and 2011, micro and small businesses have created 7.0 million formal jobs, 8.6 million jobs in 2000 to 15.6 million in 2011. This scenario shows the importance of this study in relation to the investment of governments in RD & I in micro and small enterprises. This study aims to analyze the interaction Universities - Business - Government in the development of innovation in micro and small companies in Rio Grande do Norte participants of the edicts of Inova FAPERN. We chose to adopt as a research method case study concerning the procedure of the research, exploratory, descriptive, and on documents with engineers and researchers of innovation projects approved by PAPPE Subsidy (Inova -RN I, II and III). Data collection was done through the report made by FAPERN entitled: " Evaluation of companies financed and supported by the Grant Program for Technological Innovation for Micro and Small Enterprises RN - INOVA -RN " (2010) and a questionnaire with 40 closed questions and 1 opened to 30 affirmative composed based on a 5-point Likert scale. The analysis of data was qualitative and quantitative. The study provided to identify the importance and barriers arising from the relation between Government Enterprise (micro and small) and University as essential to the economic development of the region. It was also identified that, in the innovation projects, 70% of the goods or services originating from research were to market these, 50% resulted in a patent for the company and 80% publications of scientific articles

Filmes nanométricos de FeN e ALN crescidos por sputtering e aplicações do efeito peltier

This study will show the capability of the reactive/nonreactive sputtering (dc/rf) technique at low power for the growth of nanometric thin films from magnetic materials (FeN) and widegap semiconductors (AlN), as well as the technological application of the Peltier effect using commercial modules of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3). Of great technological interest to the high-density magnetic recording industry, the FeN system represents one of the most important magnetic achievements; however, diversity of the phases formed makes it difficult to control its magnetic properties during production of devices. We investigated the variation in these properties using ferromagnetic resonance, MOKE and atomic force microscopy (AFM), as a function of nitrogen concentration in the reactive gas mixture. Aluminum nitride, a component of widegap semiconductors and of considerable interest to the electronic and optoelectronic industry, was grown on nanometric thin film for the first time, with good structural quality by non-reactive rf sputtering of a pure AlN target at low power (≈ 50W). Another finding in this study is that a long deposition time for this material may lead to film contamination by materials adsorbed into deposition chamber walls. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis shows that the presence of magnetic contaminants from previous depositions results in grown AlN semiconductor films exhibiting magnetoresistance with high resistivity. The Peltier effect applied to commercially available compact refrigeration cells, which are efficient for cooling small volumes, was used to manufacture a technologically innovative refrigerated mini wine cooler, for which a patent was duly registered

Uma análise de aspectos relacionados ao desenvolvimento e adoção de Enterprise Resources Planning livre de código aberto

Sistemas Integrados de Gestão ou Enterprise Resources Planning - ERP possibilitam o processamento das informações necessárias em uma empresa usando um único banco de dados. Muito tem se escrito sobre este tipo de software, abordando questões como o alto custo da aquisição de licenças, e a dependência de consultoria para a sua adaptação e implantação nas empresas. Atualmente vem crescendo o desenvolvimento e uso de ERP Livre de Código Aberto (FOS-ERP). Porém verifica-se que este tipo de sistema ainda não é suficientemente explorado, mesmo no meio acadêmico. Este artigo relata alguns trabalhos publicados sobre o assunto e levanta questões que devem ser tratadas por pesquisadores e demais interessados para adequar e viabilizar o uso desses sistemas conforme a realidade nacional. Assim, após uma introdução ao tema, são apresentadas algumas diferenças entre o FOS-ERP e seus equivalentes proprietários (Proprietary ERP ou P-ERP) em termos de modelos de negócios, seleção, customização e evolução. em seguida são elencados alguns desafios e oportunidades que o FOS-ERP pode oferecer a usuários, fornecedores, pesquisadores e colaboradores individuais. Concluindo, este artigo busca ampliar a discussão sobre FOS-ERP, destacando fatores tais como seu potencial de inovação tecnológica e estratégias de negócios.

Avaliação dos impactos ambientais e sociais gerados pela utilização do kit Embrapa de ordenha manual na produção de leite de cabra

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

A política empresarial: a responsabilidade social como mecanismo de segurança

Neste ensaio, tomamos como problema as ações da política empresarial no Brasil, em específico a política de responsabilidade social das empresas, por entender que existe nessa iniciativa um status de inovação tecnológica que precisa ser interrogado, pois se inscreve no interior de uma racionalidade que objetiva o governo das populações e tem como instrumento técnico, para realizar esse fim, uma sociedade controlada por mecanismos de segurança. Para tanto, partimos da análise de três procedimentos efetivados por alguns projetos sociais desenvolvidos por empresas brasileiras - a pesquisa científica, o protagonismo juvenil e a metodologia participativa. A referência de análise são textos de diversas naturezas, veiculados por esses projetos e disponíveis ao acesso público.

Canal SPORTV: uma análise sobre o processo de gestão da produção dos programas esportivos na digitalização da televisão por assinatura

Pós-graduação em Televisão Digital: Informação e Conhecimento - FAAC

Televisão digital e Educação a distância: modelo de ambiente virtual de aprendizagem para mídia audiovisual

Pós-graduação em Televisão Digital: Informação e Conhecimento - FAAC

Indústria e mudanças tecnológicas: considerações sobre a décima região administrativa de Presidente Prudente/SP

Pós-graduação em Geografia - FCT