Evaluation of rhBMP-2 and Natural Latex as Potential Osteogenic Proteins in Critical Size Defects by Histomorphometric Methods

This in vivo study evaluated the osteogenic potential of two proteins, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and a protein extracted from natural latex (Hevea brasiliensis, P-1), and compared their effects on bone defects when combined with a carrier or a collagen gelatin. Eighty-four (84) Wistar rats were divided into two groups, with and without the use of collagen gelatin, and each of these were divided into six treatment groups of seven animals each. The treatment groups were: (1) 5 mu g of pure rhBMP-2; (2) 5 mu g of rhBMP-2/monoolein gel; (3) pure monoolein gel; (4) 5 mu g of pure P-1; (5) 5 mu g of P-1/monoolein gel; (6) critical bone defect control. The animals were anesthetized and a 6 mm diameter critical bone defect was made in the left posterior region of the parietal bone. Animals were submitted to intracardiac perfusion after 4 weeks and the calvaria tissue was removed for histomorphometric analysis. In this experimental study, it was concluded that rhBMP-2 allowed greater new bone formation than P-1 protein and this process was more effective when the bone defect was covered with collagen gelatin (P < 0.05). Anat Rec, 293:794-801, 2010. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Evaluation of Adult Chronic Chagas` Heart Disease Diagnosis by Molecular and Serological Methods

Chagas` disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic in Latin America. T. cruzi presents heterogeneous populations and comprises two main genetic lineages, named T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II. Diagnosis in the chronic phase is based on conventional serological tests, including indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and diagnosis in the acute phase based on parasitological methods, including hemoculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic procedures of Chagas` disease in adult patients in the chronic phase by using a PCR assay and conventional serological tests, including TESA-blot as the gold standard. Samples were obtained from 240 clinical chronic chagasic patients. The sensitivities, compared to that of TESA-blot, were 70% for PCR using the kinetoplast region, 75% for PCR using the nuclear repetitive region, 99% for IIF, and 95% for ELISA. According to the serological tests results, we recommend that researchers assess the reliability and sensitivity of the commercial kit Chagatest ELISA recombinant, version 3.0 (Chagatest Rec v3.0; Wiener Lab, Rosario, Argentina), due to the lack of sensitivity. Based on our analysis, we concluded that PCR cannot be validated as a conventional diagnostic technique for Chagas` disease. These data have been corroborated by low levels of concordance with serology test results. It is recommended that PCR be used only for alternative diagnostic support. Using the nuclear repetitive region of T. cruzi, PCR could also be applicable for monitoring patients receiving etiologic treatment.

Postembryonic Development of Rectal Pads in Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The morphology and development of the digestive tract of insects has been extensively studied, but little attention has been given to the development of the rectal pads. These organs are responsible for absorption of water and salts. In insects where they occur, there are usually six ovoid rectal pads located in the medial-anterior portion of the rectum. The rectal pad has three types of cells: principal, basal, and junctional. The arrangement of these three cell types delimits an intrapapillary lumen. The aim of the current study is to describe the development of the rectal pads during postembryonic development of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides and Melipona scutellaris. Specimens were analyzed at the following developmental stages: white-, pink-, brown-, and black-eyed pupae, and adult workers. The development of the rectal pad begins as a thickening of the epithelium in white-eyed pupae at 54 hr. At this stage, there is neither a basal cell layer nor intrapapillary lumen. The basal layers begin to form in the pink-eyed pupa and are completely formed at the end of the development of the brown-eyed pupa. In the brown-eyed pupal stage, the intrapapillary lumen is formed and the junctional cells are positioned and completely differentiated. Necrotic and apoptotic cell death were detected along with cell proliferation in the whole rectum during pupal development, suggesting that the development of the rectal pads involves cell proliferation, death, and differentiation. The rectal pads originate only from the ectoderm. Anat Rec, 292:1602-1611, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Ultrastructural Morphology and Morphometry of Phrenic Nerve in Rats

Despite numerous literature reports on the morphometry of the myelinated fibers of phrenic nerves in rats, a systematic study of the longitudinal and lateral symmetry of the unmyelinated fibers morphometry is not available. In this study, we have undertaken ultrastructural and morphometric studies of the phrenic nerve in adult rats, assessing two different levels (proximal and distal) from both right and left sides. Phrenic nerves of adult male Wistar rats were prepared for epoxy resin embedding and transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed with the aid of computer software, which took into consideration the unmyelinated fiber number, density, area, and diameter, as well as ratio between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, and the percentage of the fascicular area occupied by the myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Comparison of data from proximal and distal segments on the same side and from the same levels between sides was performed. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. The most important finding is that morphometric parameters of the phrenic nerve unmyelinated fibers in adult rats are both longitudinally and laterally symmetric. This study adds important morphometric information about the unmyelinated fibers of the phrenic nerves in adult rats for proximal and distal levels on both sides of the animal. Anat Rec, 292:513-517, 2009. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The Developing Left Superior Cervical Ganglion of Pacas (Agouti Paca)

In this study the main question investigated was the number and size of both binucleate and mononucleate superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and, whether post-natal development would affect these parameters. Twenty left SCGs from 20 male pacas were used. Four different ages were investigated, that is newborn (4 days), young (45 days), adult (2 years), and aged animals (7 years). By using design-based stereo-logical methods, that is the Cavalieri principle and a physical disector combined with serial sectioning, the total volume of ganglion and total number of mononucleate and binucleate neurons were estimated. Furthermore, the mean perikaryal (somal) volume of mononucleate and binucleate neurons was estimated using the vertical nucleator. The main findings of this study were a 154% increase in the SCG volume, a 95% increase in the total number of mononucleate SCG neurons and a 50% increase in the total volume of SCG neurons. In conclusion, apart from neuron number, different adaptive mechanisms may coexist in the autonomic nervous system to guarantee a functional homeostasis during ageing, which is not always associated with neuron losses. Anat Rec, 292:966-975, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effects of gall damage by the introduced biocontrol agent Epiblema strenuana (Lep., Tortricidae) on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae)

Effects of gall damage by the introduced moth Epiblema stremiana on different growth stages of the weed Parathenium hysterophorus was evaluated in a field cage using potted plants with no competition and in naturally regenerated populations with intraspecific competition. Gall damage at early stages of plant growth reduced the plant height, main stem height, flower production, lear production, and shoot and root biomass. All galled, potted plants with no competition produced flowers irrespective of the growth stage at which the plants were affected by galling, but lesser than in ungalled plants. Gall induction during early growth stages in field plants experiencing competition prevented 30% of the plants reaching flowering. However, 6% of the field plants escaped from gall damage, as their main stems were less vigorous to sustain the development of galls. Flower production per unit total plant biomass was lower in galled plants than in ungalled plants, and the reduction was more intense when gall damage was initiated at early stages of plant growth. In potted plants with no competition, the number of galls increased with the plant vigour, as the gall insects preferred more vigorous plants. But in field plants there were no relationship between gall abundance and plant vigour, as intraspecific competition enhanced the negative effects of galling by reducing the vigour of the weed.

Simula????o de reuni??o com dirigente: prepara????o de informa????es e an??lise sobre programa governamental

A simula????o visa preparar gerentes e assessores para organizarem informa????es e diagn??sticos para tomada de decis??o. Apresenta diversos pontos de vista sobre um programa em andamento e estimula debates entre gestores e atores das ??reas envolvidas. A partir da aprecia????o dos pontos de vista desses atores, os participantes dever??o se preparar, em curto espa??o de tempo, para uma reuni??o com o dirigente rec??m-empossado respons??vel pelo programa em quest??o

Falta de compromisso ou despreparo organizacional? Conflitos de jornada de trabalho no servi??o p??blico

Abdias era um agente p??blico rec??m-ingresso em uma institui????o. Sua vis??o do que seja trabalhar no servi??o p??blico trouxe problemas ao seu desempenho. Este estudo de caso visa analisar e refletir de forma cr??tica sobre a quest??o da falta de forma????o adequada para servidores nas institui????es p??blicas, e o que isso pode desencadear no ambiente de trabalho e nos resultados do servi??o p??blico. Pode ser utilizado para debater aloca????o de servidores, ??tica e gest??o de equipes

Desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional

O caso retrata a situa????o de um especialista em pol??ticas p??blicas e gest??o governamental (EPPGG), rec??m-empossado, sem experi??ncia no setor p??blico e que ?? nomeado em cargo de coordena????o em um minist??rio. Ele dever?? gerenciar uma equipe respons??vel pelo acompanhamento de projetos em ??mbito nacional que apresenta baixos resultados. A equipe ?? heterog??nea quanto ?? capacita????o, situa????o funcional e sal??rios, al??m de apresentar pontos de conflito. Ap??s avaliar a situa????o, o gestor apresenta aos superiores sugest??es de a????es visando melhorar o desempenho da equipe

SIGECONV: sistema de gerenciamento do cadastro de conv??nios

Num Estado democr??tico em amadurecimento ?? de primordial import??ncia que se estabele??a a transpar??ncia das a????es p??blicas. Este aspecto dos atos administrativos que permeia o princ??pio constitucional de publicidade, tem sido questionado em rela????o ??s transfer??ncias volunt??rias do Governo Federal materializadas mediante a celebra????o de conv??nios. Em fun????o disso acentuou-se o emprego de descentraliza????o volunt??ria de recursos, onde a Uni??o vem atuando no desenvolvimento estadual e municipal, buscando complementar as disponibilidades necess??rias ?? implementa????o de projetos de interesse rec??proco. Decorre da?? a busca de ferramentas administrativas capazes de auxiliar a gest??o p??blica no ??mbito do Governo Federal. Desta forma, surgiu o Sistema de Gerenciamento do Cadastro de Conv??nios - SIGECONV, alimentado por dados obtidos junto ao Sistema Integrado de Administra????o Financeira do Governo Federal - SIAFI, que possibilitou entre outras facilidades, conhecer a distribui????o dos conv??nios por ??rg??o, munic??pio beneficiado, classifica????o funcional program??tica, bem como aqueles decorrentes de emendas parlamentares ao Or??amento da Uni??o

Consulados itinerantes

Os Consulados itinerantes constituem uma inova????o no atendimento consular, com foco no cidad??o usu??rio. Consistem na ida de servidores de Consulados a localidades, dentro de suas ??reas de jurisdi????o, onde exista um n??mero expressivo de brasileiros residentes, para prestar servi??os consulares, tais como emiss??o de passaportes, legaliza????o de documentos e outros. Dessa forma, o atendimento consular passou a ser feito nas proximidades da resid??ncia dos usu??rios e, em geral, nos fins de semana. Evita-se, assim, que o cidad??o brasileiro precise deslocar-se ao Consulado, o que implicava, freq??entemente, a perda de um dia de trabalho. Essa iniciativa conta com o ativo engajamento das comunidades brasileiras residentes no exterior, que prestam, em bases volunt??rias, inestim??vel apoio ?? realiza????o dos Consulados itinerantes. A parceria com a comunidade, al??m de aumentar a efici??ncia do servi??o consular a um custo adicional m??nimo, contribui para um melhor conhecimento rec??proco entre o servidor e o usu??rio final dos servi??os, para a valoriza????o do servidor, o qual tem seu trabalho reconhecido, e para o aprimoramento da assist??ncia aos cidad??os brasileiros residentes no exterior

Avalia????o de desempenho em est??gio probat??rio

O est??gio probat??rio de dois anos dos servidores p??blicos federais representa, ao mesmo tempo, uma fase complementar ao processo de sele????o e um per??odo de adapta????o do servidor rec??m-admitido ?? institui????o. Uma das dificuldades existentes ?? operacionalizar um processo de acompanhamento compat??vel com a finalidade do est??gio probat??rio e que promova o ajustamento do servidor de modo a aumentar a sua produtividade e o seu desenvolvimento profissional e pessoal. O processo de avalia????o ?? conduzido pela Pr??-Reitoria de Recursos Humanos e Assuntos Estudantis (PRHAE) e realizado por comiss??o espec??fica, obedecendo a duas etapas. A primeira, que assume o car??ter de ???Avalia????o de Acompanhamento???, ocorre no sexto m??s de admiss??o do servidor, visa identificar os fatores que estejam interferindo no seu desempenho ??? mediante aprecia????o da comiss??o e do pr??prio servidor ??? e colher propostas de treinamento, acompanhamentos, assist??ncia psicol??gica ou social, remanejamentos, etc., conforme o caso, a serem adotadas, diante da necessidade de reabilita????o do servidor, at?? a ??ltima etapa da avalia????o. A segunda e ??ltima etapa ocorrem no d??cimo oitavo m??s de exerc??cio, e tem como finalidade determinar, atrav??s da pontua????o m??nima exigida, a aprova????o ou n??o do servidor, assumindo o car??ter de ???Avalia????o Final???. A iniciativa alcan??ou a conscientiza????o da chefia imediata da import??ncia de proporcionar ao avaliando condi????es de adapta????o ao grupo e ao ambiente de trabalho, mediante a????es de recursos humanos, a participa????o mais efetiva do avaliando no processo de avalia????o, discernindo seus direitos e deveres e imparcialidade e justi??a das avalia????es, realizadas em etapas distintas, conforme instrumentos adequados e por comiss??o avaliativa composta de servidores treinados e comprometidos com o processo de avalia????o

Path-dependence, expectativas e regulação econômica : elementos de análise a partir de uma perspectiva pós-keynesiana

O artigo busca fazer uma relação entre a ocorrência de path-dependence, a natureza expectacional do investimento e as flutuações econômicas, a partir de um referencial pós-keynesiano de análise. Em um ambiente não-ergódico, a fim de que o sistema tenha uma relativa estabilidade no tempo, a regulação econômica requer muito mais do que simples ajustamentos incrementais. Tornam-se necessárias, e possíveis, modificações qualitativas do sistema econômico. Tais modificações são analisadas a partir do conceito de bifurcação.

Dos clássicos aos hereges : Keynes e a economia de seu tempo

O artigo trata da posição teórica de Keynes relativamente à economia clássica e à abordagem denominada herética. A primeira seção resgata os traços distintivos das escolas clássica e neoclássica segundo a demarcação proposta por Keynes, bem como as críticas por ele dirigidas às principais teses defendidas por essas linhagens teóricas. A seguir, retoma-se a sua avaliação dos argumentos subconsumistas, indicando-se os seus pontos de convergência e distanciamento dessa visão econômica. Na continuação, apresentam-se as interpretações neoclássicas ao problema da demanda, comentando-se a relação da obra de Keynes com a tradição marshalliana. A última seção avalia a teoria neoclássica do produto real sob condições cíclicas e introduz a versão de Keynes para o equilíbrio agregado definido pelas propensões a gastar e a investir, além de indicar o componente de fragilidade da leitura marshalliana de sua estrutura teórica. Por fim, comenta-se a contribuição de Keynes ao conhecimento econômico da época perante a escola clássica e os hereges.

Factores determinantes para os comportamentos de reciclagem

Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia do Ambiente, especialidade em Sistemas Sociais