Internet share of advertising expenditure : growth drivers and inhibitors in the brazilian market

Os investimentos com publicidade na Internet como uma percentagem das despesas totais de publicidade variam significativamente de um país para outro. O número é tão baixo quanto 4,7% no mercado brasileiro e tão alto como 28,5% no mercado britânico (ZenithOptimedia, 2011b). Algumas razões explicam tal disparidade. No nível macro, a participação dos gastos com publicidade na Internet está fortemente ligada a variáveis como o produto interno bruto per capita e à penetração da Internet na população. No nível micro, uma pesquisa qualitativa foi feita para identificar os fatores que contribuem e inibem o crescimento da participação da publicidade online no mercado brasileiro. A vasta lista de inibidores parece ter profundo impacto sobre como os profissionais de mercado tomar decisões de alocação de investimento em publicidade por tipo de mídia. Devido à legislação, à auto-regulamentação e às dinâmicas da indústria, grande parte da tomada de decisão é realizada por agências de publicidade. Estas parecem ter fortes incentivos econômicos para selecionar outros tipos de mídia e não a Internet ao definir planos de mídia. Ao mesmo tempo, a legislação e a auto-regulamentação fornecem desincentivos para corretores de mídia a operar no mercado local. A falta de profissionais qualificados e a padronização limitada também desempenham papéis importante para inibir uma maior participação da Internet nos gastos com publicidade no Brasil. A convergência dos resultados quantitativos com os qualitativos indica possíveis motivos pelos quais a participação da publicidade online no Brasil é tão baixa. Em primeiro lugar, a participação é explicada pelo estágio de desenvolvimento dos países. Quanto mais rico e mais desenvolvido um país, maior a proporção de gastos com publicidade online tende a ser. Em segundo lugar, o estágio econômico emergente do Brasil potencialmente dá espaço para o aumento do ineficiências do mercado, tais como programas de descontos oferecidos de forma desproporcional para os principais decisores de alocação de investimentos de mídia. Este fato aparentemente produz um feedback negativo, contribuindo para manter a baixa participação da publicidade online no total dos investimentos publicitários.

Characterization of a new platelet aggregating factor from crotoxin Crotalus durissus cascavella venom

In this article we investigated the platelet aggregating activity of whole crotoxin and its subunits isolated from Crotalus durissus cascavella venom. During the purification protocols of the venom, using HPLC molecular exclusion, we detected the presence of two different serine protease activities in the gyroxin fraction, and another in the crotoxin fraction, which induced strong and irreversible platelet aggregation, in addition to blood coagulation. From crotoxin, we isolated PLA(2), crotapotin (both fractions corresponding approximately 85% of whole crotoxin) and another minor fraction (F20) that exhibited serine protease activity. After a new fractionation on reverse phase HPLC chromatography, we obtained three other fractions named as F201, F202 and F203. F202 was obtained with high degree of molecular homogeneity with molecular mass of approximately 28 kDa and a high content of acidic amino residues, such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Other important amino acids were histidine, cysteine and lysine. This protein exhibited a high specificity for BApNA, a Michaelis-Menten behavior with Vmax estimated in 5.64 mu M/min and a Km value of 0.58 mM for this substrate. In this work, we investigated the ability of F202 to degrade fibrinogen and observed alpha and beta chain cleavage. Enzymatic as well as the platelet aggregation activities were strongly inhibited when incubated with TLCK and PMSF, specific inhibitors of serine protease. Also, F202 induced platelet aggregation in washed and platelet-rich plasma, and in both cases, TLCK inhibited its activity. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of F202 presented a high amino acid sequence homology with other thrombin-like proteins, but it was significantly different from gyroxin. These results showed that crotoxin is a highly heterogeneous protein composed of PLA(2), thrombin-like and other fractions that might explain the diversity of physiological and pharmacological activities of this protein.

Diapocynin versus apocynin as pretranscriptional inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

High concentrations of the melatonin metabolite, N-1-acetyl-N (2)-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine, in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis: a possible immunomodulatory mechanism

We evaluated the presence of the melatonin metabolite N-1-acetyl-N-2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with viral meningitis (n = 20) and control samples (n = 8) and correlate AFMK levels with inflammatory markers such as cellularity, protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-1 beta levels. A portion of the CSF was extracted with dichloromethane (1:5) and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) under standardized conditions for AFMK. AFMK was detected in 16 of 20 CSF samples of patients with viral meningitis; the concentration of AFMK was found to be above the quantification limit (50 nmol/L) in six of these samples. AFMK was not detected in any of the eight control samples. The samples were classified into groups according to AFMK levels: undetectable (< 10 nmol/L, group I), detectable but below the quantification limit (< 50 nmol/L, group II), and quantified (> 50 nmol/L, group III). Group II presented the highest levels of proteins and IL-8, whereas group III showed the lowest levels of the inflammatory parameters. This study supports our hypothesis that inflammation favors the formation of AFMK and that this compound has immunomodulatory activity in vivo.

Both alpha(1)- and beta(1)-adrenoceptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are involved in the expression of conditioned contextual fear

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The semi-synthetic kaurane ent-16 alpha-methoxykauran-19-oic acid induces vascular relaxation and hypotension in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Kinetics of interface state-limited hole injection in alpha-naphthylphenylbiphenyl diamine (alpha-NPD) thin layers

Injection-limited operation is identified in thin-film, alpha-NPD-based diodes. A detailed model for the impedance of the injection process is provided which considers the kinetics of filling/releasing of interface states as the key factor behind the injection mechanism. The injection model is able to simultaneously account for the steady-state, current-voltage (J-V) characteristics and impedance response. and is based on the sequential injection of holes mediated by energetically distributed surface states at the metal-organic interface. The model takes into account the vacuum level offset caused by the interface dipole, along with the partial shift of the interface level distribution with bias voltage. This approach connects the low-frequency (similar to 1 Hz) capacitance spectra, which exhibits a transition between positive to negative values, to the change in the occupancy of interface states with voltage. Simulations based on the model allow to derive the density of interface states effectively intervening in the carrier injection (similar to 5 x 10(12) cm(-2)), which exhibit a Gaussian-like distribution. A kinetically determined hole barrier is calculated at levels located similar to 0.4 eV below the contact work function. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activity in methemoglobin reduction by methylene blue and cyst amine: study on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient individuals, on normal subjects and on riboflavin-treated subjects

Os autores padronizaram métodos para a avaliação da atividade da glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase e glutationa redutase. O princípio geral do primeiro método baseou-se na formação de metahemoglobina pelo nitrito de sódio, seguido da estimulação da via das pentoses pelo azul de metileno. Foram estudados 46 indivíduos adultos, sendo 23 do sexo masculino e 23 do feminino, não deficientes em glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PD), com idades variando entre 20 e 30 anos. Os resultados revelaram que a redução da metahemoglobina pelo azul de metileno para sangue total, foram de 154.50 e 139.90 mg/min (p<0.05) respectivamente para o sexo masculino e feminino. Para hemácias lavadas os valores foram de 221.10 e 207.85 mg/min (n.s.) respectivamente. Estas observações permitiram concluir que ao se empregar hemácias lavadas e 0.7 g% de concentração de nitrito de sódio, por um lado não houve diferença entre os sexos e por outro, abreviou o tempo de leitura da quantidade residual de metahemoglobina para 90 minutos. A avaliação da atividade da glutationa redutase foi feita baseado no fato de que a cistamina (agente tiol) liga-se aos grupos SH da hemoglobina formando complexos. Estes complexos são revertidos pela ação da glutationa redutase, ocorrendo conjuntamente nesta reação a redução da metahemoglobina. Foram estudados 32 indivíduos adultos, sendo 16 do sexo masculino e 16 do feminino, não deficientes em G6PD, com idades variando entre 20 e 30 anos. Os resultados revelaram valores de redução da metahemoglobina pela cistamina de 81.27 e 91.13 mg/min (p<0.01) respectivamente para o sexo masculino e feminino. Estas observações permitiram concluir que o emprego de hemácias lavadas e 0.1 molar de concentração de cistamina torna possível a leitura da quantidade residual de metahemoglobina aos 180 minutos de incubação. A atividade da glutationa redutase avaliada por meio da redução da metahemoglobina pela cistamina, foi estudada em 14 indivíduos do sexo feminino antes e após o tratamento com 10 mg por dia de riboflavina durante 8 dias. Os resultados foram de 73.69 e 94.26 mg/min (p<0.01) antes e após o tratamento. Estas observações permitiram concluir que a oferta de riboflavina, mesmo para indivíduos normais, aumenta a atividade da glutationa redutase. Foram ainda avaliados 3 indivíduos da raça negra e deficientes em G6PD, sendo 2 do sexo masculino e 1 do feminino. Houve ativação parcial da G6PD e glutationa redutase, sendo estas alterações mais intensas nos indivíduos do sexo masculino. Considerando-se a raça e as características laboratoriais observadas, foi possível sugerir que a deficiência em G6PD verificada é do tipo Africano, bem como, permitiu considerar os indivíduos do sexo feminino coin o sendo heterozigoto para esta deficiência. Por fim, a análise dos resultados em seu conjunto permitiu concluir que os métodos propostos se mostraram eficientes para avaliar a atividade da G6PD e glutationa redutase. Esta última é dependente da via das pentoses, geradora de NADPH e da riboflavina, vitamina precursora de FAD.

Infliximab-induced psoriasis during therapy for Crohn's disease

Although therapy with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (anti-TNF) provides beneficial effects in different immune inflammatory disorders, paradoxical cases of anti-THE-induced psoriasis have increasingly been reported, mostly in the setting of rheumatologic diseases. To date, less than 50 cases of infliximab-induced psoriasis in inflammatory bowel disease patients have been described. The present report was aimed at describing two new cases of infliximab-induced psoriasis during therapy for Crohn's disease and at carrying out a review on this intriguing phenomenon. (C) 2011 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tamoxifen inhibits transforming growth factor-alpha gene expression in human breast carcinoma samples treated with triiodothyronine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Plasma concentrations and placental immunostaining of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha as predictors of alterations in the embryo-fetal organism and the placental development of diabetic rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of Maternal Hyperglycemia on IL-10 and TNF-alpha Production: The Relationship with Perinatal Outcomes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Inhibitory effect of silibinin on tumour necrosis factor-alpha and hydrogen peroxide production by human monocytes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of estrogen receptor alpha and beta and progesterone receptor expression and correlation with clinicopathologic factors and proliferative marker Ki-67 in breast cancers

To elucidate the molecular profile of hormonal steroid receptor status, we analyzed ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PGR mRNA and protein expression in 80 breast carcinomas using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR, and immunohistochemical analysis. Qualitative analysis revealed positive expression of ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PGR mRNA in 48%, 59%, and 48% of the breast carcinomas, respectively. ER-alpha, ER-beta, and PGR transcript overexpression was observed in 51%, 0%, and 12% of the cases, respectively, whereas moderate or strong protein expression was detected in 68%, 78%, and 49% of the cases, respectively. Tumor grade was negatively correlated with transcript and protein levels of ER-alpha (P = .0169 and P = .0006, respectively) and PGR (P = .0034 and P = .0005, respectively). Similarly, proliferative index Ki-67 was negatively associated with transcript and protein levels of ER-alpha (P = .0006 and P < .0001, respectively) and PGR (P = .0258 and P =. 0005, respectively). These findings suggest that ER-alpha and PGR expression are associated with well-differentiated breast tumors and less directly related to cell proliferation. A significant statistical difference was observed between lymph node status and ER-beta protein expression (P = .0208). In ER-alpha-negative tumors, we detected a correlation between ER-beta protein expression and high levels of Ki-67. These data suggest that ER-beta could be a prognostic marker in human breast cancer. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chronic ethanol intake promotes double gluthatione S-transferase transforming growth factor-alpha-positive hepatocellular lesions in male Wistar rats

The chronic ethanol intake influence on the gluthatione S-transferase (GST-P) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) expression in remodeling/persistent preneoplastic lesions (PNLs) was evaluated in the resistant hepatocyte model. Male Wistar rats were allocated into five groups: G1, non-treated, fed water and chow ad libitum; G2, non-treated and pair-fed chow (restricted to match that of G3 group) and a maltodextrin (MD) solution in tap water (matched ethanol-derived calories); G3, fed 5% ethanol in drinking water and chow ad libitum; G4, diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg, body weight) plus 200 parts per million of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for 3 weeks and pair-fed chow (restricted to match that of G5 group) and an MD solution in tap water (matched ethanol-derived calories); G5, DEN/2-AAF treatment, fed ethanol 5% and chow ad libitum. All animals were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy at week 3 and sacrificed at weeks 12 or 22, respectively. Liver samples were collected for histological analysis or immunohistochemical expression of GST-P, TGF-alpha and proliferating cell nuclear antigen or zymography for matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9. At the end of ethanol treatment, there was a significant increase in the percentage of liver area occupied by persistent GST-P-positive PNLs, the number of TGF-alpha-positive PNLs and the development of liver tumors in ethanol-fed and DEN/2-AAF-treated groups (G5 versus G4, P < 0.001). In addition, ethanol feeding led to a significant increase in cell proliferation mainly in remodeling and persistent PNLs with immunoreactivity for TGF-alpha at week 22 (P < 0.001). Gelatinase activities were not altered by ethanol treatment. The results demonstrated that ethanol enhances the selective growth of PNL with double expression of TGF-alpha and GST-P markers.