Ação do ácido abscísico na cor das bagas, na qualidade e no armazenamento pós-colheita da uva Rubi

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Encefalopatia hepática: relatório da 1º reunião monotemática da Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a functional disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with liver failure, either end-stage chronic liver disease or fulminant hepatic failure. Its pathogenesis remains complex and poorly understood. In view of recent advances in the management of HE, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology endorsed a monothematic meeting regarding HE in order to gather experts in the field to discuss related data and to draw evidence-based recommendations concerning: management of HE and intracranial hypertension in FHF, treatment of episodic HE in cirrhosis, controversies in the management of EH including difficult to treat cases and diagnostic and treatment challenges for minimal HE. The purpose of this review is to summarize the lectures and recommendations made by the panel of experts of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology.

A responsabilidade social no processo de adoção de inovação em empresas sucroenergéticas do centro-oeste do Estado de São Paulo.

The main objective of this paper was to verify the influence of the organization and management in social responsibility the decision of adoption, choice, justification and implementation of innovation in elaborates of sugar, ethanol and energy companies of the midwestern state of São Paulo. Using multivariable analysis of principal components and clusters, the variables were analyzed and companies classified. Adapted to contemporary situations, the Freeman (1975) model of taxonomies was the parameter with research information in personal interviews by semi-structured questionnaires. The activities investigated were the existence of programs and organization to improve the welfare and quality of life to employees and family (leisure, culture, health, self-knowledge, values, beliefs etc.), program and social volunteering organization for the community, programs and organization to encourage the training of educators and extension education and incentive programs and organization to research and scientific production. It was concluded that the best companies which included, in their organization structures, management practices embodied in social responsibility.

Análise multivariada das atividades científicas e técnicas no processo de adoção de inovação em empresas sucroenergéticas do centro-oeste do estado de São Paulo

The primary objective of this study was to verify the existence of internal organization and processes influencing the decisions on adoption, choice, justification and implementation of innovative practices of scientific and technical activities undertaken in the elaborates of sugar, ethanol and energy companies of the midwest of the state of Sao Paulo. Using multivariate analysis of principal components and clusters, the variables were analyzed and the companies, classified. The taxonomy model adapted to contemporary situations described by Freeman (1975), was the 'parameter used with research information in personal interviews by semi-structured questionnaires. The investigated activities constituted of: basic research; applied research; experimental development; scientific and technical information; long-term planning. The variables analyzed were: production processes, operating systems, development of new products, projects and implementation of pilot plant for new products, development, knowledge, studies of other business segments, number of innovations, and the number of existing employees in the organizational structure for these purposes. It was concluded that the best companies with innovative attitudes are those that have incorporated into their organizational the structures, practices and techniques of scientific activities.

Estudo para implantação de uma Farmácia Viva a partir do Horto de Plantas Medicinais e Tóxicas da FCFAr

A Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas da UNESP (Campus de Araraquara) possui, desde 1989, o Horto de Plantas Medicinais e Tóxicas Prof. Dra. Célia Cebrian Araújo Reis. O Horto é formado por uma coleção de plantas, principalmente medicinais, mas também tóxicas, alimentares e ornamentais. Conta com estrutura física, equipamentos e funcionário para o plantio e manejo das espécies. Nele são realizadas atividades de ensino, extensão e pesquisa, envolvendo estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação. O projeto Farmácias Vivas foi idealizado para a população nordestina e construído no Ceará pelo Prof. Dr. Francisco José de Abreu Matos da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Iniciado em 1983, teve como base o Horto de Plantas Medicinais desta universidade. Atualmente, o modelo das Farmácias Vivas foi adotado pelo governo brasileiro, sendo regulamentadas pela RDC nº 18, de 3 de abril de 2013 que dispõe sobre boas práticas de processamento e armazenamento de plantas medicinais, preparação e dispensação de produtos magistrais e oficinais de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos em farmácias vivas no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde. Este trabalho teve como objetivo discutir a questão das Farmácias Vivas no Brasil e sugerir algumas diretrizes e práticas para se aproveitar o espaço disponível no Horto da FCFAr para servir de apoio para um projeto de Farmácias Vivas no município de Araraquara, com o manejo e processamento adequados de espécies selecionadas com base em evidências científicas e na tradição popular.

Estudo para implantação de uma Farmácia Viva a partir do Horto de Plantas Medicinais e Tóxicas da FCFAr

A Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas da UNESP (Campus de Araraquara) possui, desde 1989, o Horto de Plantas Medicinais e Tóxicas Prof. Dra. Célia Cebrian Araújo Reis. O Horto é formado por uma coleção de plantas, principalmente medicinais, mas também tóxicas, alimentares e ornamentais. Conta com estrutura física, equipamentos e funcionário para o plantio e manejo das espécies. Nele são realizadas atividades de ensino, extensão e pesquisa, envolvendo estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação. O projeto Farmácias Vivas foi idealizado para a população nordestina e construído no Ceará pelo Prof. Dr. Francisco José de Abreu Matos da Universidade Federal do Ceará. Iniciado em 1983, teve como base o Horto de Plantas Medicinais desta universidade. Atualmente, o modelo das Farmácias Vivas foi adotado pelo governo brasileiro, sendo regulamentadas pela RDC nº 18, de 3 de abril de 2013 que dispõe sobre boas práticas de processamento e armazenamento de plantas medicinais, preparação e dispensação de produtos magistrais e oficinais de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos em farmácias vivas no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde. Este trabalho teve como objetivo discutir a questão das Farmácias Vivas no Brasil e sugerir algumas diretrizes e práticas para se aproveitar o espaço disponível no Horto da FCFAr para servir de apoio para um projeto de Farmácias Vivas no município de Araraquara, com o manejo e processamento adequados de espécies selecionadas com base em evidências científicas e na tradição popular.

Co-Stimulation of PAFR and CD36 Is Required for oxLDL-Induced Human Macrophages Activation

The oxidative process of LDL particles generates molecules which are structurally similar to platelet-activating factor (PAF), and some effects of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) have been shown to be dependent on PAF receptor (PAFR) activation. In a previous study, we showed that PAFR is required for upregulation of CD36 and oxLDL uptake. In the present study we analyzed the molecular mechanisms activated by oxLDL in human macrophages and the contribution of PAFR to this response. Human adherent monocytes/macrophages were stimulated with oxLDL. Uptake of oxLDL and CD36 expression were determined by flow cytometry; MAP kinases and Akt phosphorylation by Western blot; IL-8 and MCP-1 concentration by ELISA and mRNA expression by real-time PCR. To investigate the participation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, G alpha i-coupled protein or PAFR, macrophages were treated with LY294002, pertussis toxin or with the PAFR antagonists WEB2170 and CV3988, respectively before addition of oxLDL. It was found that the addition of oxLDL to human monocytes/macrophages activates the PI3K/Akt pathway which in turn activates the MAPK (p38 and JNK). Phosphorylation of Akt requires the engagement of PAFR and a G alpha i-coupled protein. The upregulation of CD36 protein and the uptake of oxLDL as well as the IL-8 production are dependent on PI3K/Akt pathway activation. The increased CD36 protein expression is dependent on PAFR and G alpha i-coupled protein. Transfection studies using HEK 293t cells showed that oxLDL uptake occurs with either PAFR or CD36, but IL-8 production requires the co-transfection of both PAFR and CD36. These findings show that PAFR has a pivotal role in macrophages response to oxLDL and suggest that pharmacological intervention at the level of PAFR activation might be beneficial in atherosclerosis.

Expression of PAFR as Part of a Prosurvival Response to Chemotherapy: A Novel Target for Combination Therapy in Melanoma

Melanoma cells express the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) and, thus, respond to PAF, a bioactive lipid produced by both tumour cells and those in the tumour microenvironment such as macrophages. Here, we show that treatment of a human melanoma SKmel37 cell line with cisplatin led to increased expression of PAFR and its accumulation. In the presence of exogenous PAF, melanoma cells were significantly more resistant to cisplatin-induced cell death. Inhibition of PAFR-dependent signalling pathways by a PAFR antagonist (WEB2086) showed chemosensitisation of melanoma cells in vitro. Nude mice were inoculated with SKmel37 cells and treated with cisplatin and WEB2086. Animals treated with both agents showed significantly decreased tumour growth compared to the control group and groups treated with only one agent. PAFR accumulation and signalling are part of a prosurvival program of melanoma cells, therefore constituting a promising target for combination therapy for melanomas.

Pain pressure threshold algometry of the abdominal wall in healthy women

The objective of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of pain pressure threshold algometry at various points of the abdominal wall of healthy women. Twenty-one healthy women in menacme with a mean age of 28 +/- 5.4 years (range: 19-39 years) were included. All volunteers had regular menstrual cycles (27-33 days) and were right-handed and, to the best of our knowledge, none were taking medications at the time of testing. Women with a diagnosis of depression, anxiety or other mood disturbances were excluded. Women with previous abdominal surgery, any pain condition or any evidence of inflammation, hypertension, smoking, alcoholism, or inflammatory disease were also excluded. Pain perception thresholds were assessed with a pressure algometer with digital traction and compression and a measuring capacity for 5 kg. All points were localized by palpation and marked with a felt-tipped pen and each individual was evaluated over a period of 2 days in two consecutive sessions, each session consisting of a set of 14 point measurements repeated twice by two examiners in random sequence. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean pain threshold obtained by the two examiners on 2 diferent days (examiner A: P = 1.00; examiner B: P = 0.75; Wilcoxon matched pairs test). There was excellent/good agreement between examiners for all days and all points. Our results have established baseline values to which future researchers will be able to refer. They show that pressure algometry is a reliable measure for pain perception in the abdominal wall of healthy women.

Management of diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular risk factors in Brazil – the Brazilian study on the practice of diabetes care

Abstract Background The Brazilian Study on the Practice of Diabetes Care main objective was to provide an epidemiological profile of individuals with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in Brazil, concerning therapy and adherence to international guidelines in the medical practice. Methods This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study collected and analyzed data from individuals with type 1 and 2 DM attending public or private clinics in Brazil. Each investigator included the first 10 patients with type 2 DM who visited his/her office, and the first 5 patients with type 1 DM. Results A total of 1,358 patients were analyzed; 375 (27.6%) had type 1 and 983 (72.4%) had type 2 DM. Most individuals were women, Caucasian, and private health care users. High prevalence rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia and central obesity were observed, particularly in type 2 DM. Only 7.3% and 5.1% of the individuals with types 1 and 2 DM, respectively, had optimal control of blood pressure, plasma glucose and lipids. The absence of hypertension and female sex were associated with better control of type 1 DM and other cardiovascular risk factors. In type 2 DM, older age was also associated with better control. Conclusions Female sex, older age, and absence of hypertension were associated with better metabolic control. An optimal control of plasma glucose and other cardiovascular risk factors are obtained only in a minority of individuals with diabetes. Local numbers, compared to those from other countries are worse.

O canteiro do poeta-arquiteto: a conduta criativa de João Cabral de Melo Neto à luz de seus manuscritos

Neste artigo repensamos a metáfora do "poeta-engenheiro", ou "poeta-arquiteto", que geralmente caracteriza o processo criativo de João Cabral de Melo Neto, à luz de uma leitura genética de manuscritos de A educação pela pedra. Veremos que o "arquiteto" da metáfora provém da teoria de Le Corbusier, na qual o desenho (a concepção) determina o canteiro (a execução). No entanto, a análise de transformações de estruturas por meio de reformulações textuais nos manuscritos do poeta mostra que, por vezes, o projeto, ou intenção, se transforma nos trabalhos da página-canteiro.

Prática da utilização de lancetas ou agulhas na automonitorização da glicemia capilar no domicílio

Estudo descritivo transversal que teve como objetivo conhecer o comportamento de pessoas com diabetes mellitus em relação à prática de utilização das lancetas e/ou agulhas na automonitorização da glicemia capilar no domicílio. O estudo foi realizado em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde no município de Ribeirão Preto-SP, de agosto de 2008 até julho de 2009. Os dados foram obtidos através de entrevista dirigida, com 57 sujeitos. Os resultados mostraram que 41 (71,9%) pessoas reutilizavam as lancetas e/ou agulhas, na frequência de 1 a 5 vezes (52,6%). Todos os sujeitos referiram que não compartilham a mesma lanceta e/ou agulha com outras pessoas. Torna-se necessário incrementar estudos futuros para investigar os riscos e benefícios dessa prática, como também cursos de capacitação em educação em diabetes para os profissionais de saúde, visando atender à complexidade do cuidado dos usuários.

Tumor misto de células musculares lisas e do estroma endometrial uterino: relato de caso

Os tumores mistos de células musculares lisas e do estroma endometrial uterino, caracterizados pela presença de componentes de ambas as linhagens, coexistindo em proporções quase equivalentes, são neoplasmas raros. Possuem potencial biológico incerto e se comportam de acordo com o componente estromal. A imuno-histoquímica é uma grande aliada no diagnóstico microscópico, pois a clínica e os exames de imagem não ajudam a diferenciá-los de outras doenças uterinas. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente cuja hipótese diagnóstica era de leiomioma uterino e que, após cirurgia, foi diagnosticada pelo estudo anatomopatológico como tumor misto de células musculares lisas e do estroma endometrial uterino.

Activation of PAF-receptor induces regulatory dendritic cells through PGE2 and IL-10

Activation of the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) in macrophages is associated with suppressor phenotype. Here, we investigated the PAFR in murine dendritic cells (DC). Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BALB/c) were cultured with GM-CSF and maturation was induced by LPS. The PAFR antagonists (WEB2086, WEB2170, PCA4248) and the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitors (indomethacin, nimesulide and NS-398) were added before LPS. Mature and immature DCs expressed PAFR. LPS increased MHCII, CD40, CD80, CD86, CCR7 and induced IL-10, IL-12, COX-2 and PGE2 expression. IL-10, COX-2 and PGE2 levels were reduced by PAFR antagonists and increased by cPAF. The IL-10 production was independent of PGs. Mature DCs induced antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation. PAFR antagonists or PG-synthesis inhibitors significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation. It is proposed that PAF has a central role in regulatory DC differentiation through potentiation of IL-10 and PGE2 production.

Experimental and numerical analysis of dry contact in the pin on disc test

The reduction of friction and wear in systems presenting metal-to-metal contacts, as in several mechanical components, represents a traditional challenge in tribology. In this context, this work presents a computational study based on the linear Archard's wear law and finite element modeling (FEM), in order to analyze unlubricated sliding wear observed in typical pin on disc tests. Such modeling was developed using finite element software Abaqus® with 3-D deformable geometries and elastic–plastic material behavior for the contact surfaces. Archard's wear model was implemented into a FORTRAN user subroutine (UMESHMOTION) in order to describe sliding wear. Modeling of debris and oxide formation mechanisms was taken into account by the use of a global wear coefficient obtained from experimental measurements. Such implementation considers an incremental computation for surface wear based on the nodal displacements by means of adaptive mesh tools that rearrange local nodal positions. In this way, the worn track was obtained and new surface profile is integrated for mass loss assessments. This work also presents experimental pin on disc tests with AISI 4140 pins on rotating AISI H13 discs with normal loads of 10, 35, 70 and 140 N, which represent, respectively, mild, transition and severe wear regimes, at sliding speed of 0.1 m/s. Numerical and experimental results were compared in terms of wear rate and friction coefficient. Furthermore, in the numerical simulation the stress field distribution and changes in the surface profile across the worn track of the disc were analyzed. The applied numerical formulation has shown to be more appropriate to predict mild wear regime than severe regime, especially due to the shorter running-in period observed in lower loads that characterizes this kind of regime.