Erythrocyte as a link between basic and clinical research

© 2011 – IOS Press and the authorsWe review the major hemorheological experimental studies that show the erythrocyte aggregation as a link between basic and clinical research. The results of the clinical cross-sectional and longitudinal studies presented here will highlight the possible association between erythrocyte aggregation and plasma fibrinogen. Basic studies conducted in vitro are also mentioned as for its relevance in answering questions raised in clinical settings, as well as and in understanding the underlying influent factors in the erythrocyte tendency to aggregate and disaggregate.This work was supported by “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

A VECM approach with oil Prices

This paper addresses to the spillover effects from the USA to the Euro Area and the spillover from Euro Area to the USA, under oil prices. Taking into consideration the already accepted and well-established literature is well known the effects of the USA monetary policy on other economies, being in some cases bigger and stronger than in the USA economy itself. Following this line of thought, this paper aims, supported by a VECM methodology and using quarterly data from 2000Q1 to 2015Q4, to measure the magnitude of spillover effects on both economies. The results also contribute to shed light on economic policy procedures, specially enabling the decision makers to handle this effects in their economies. The results are consistent with the literature. The USA monetary policy plays the major role on the propagation of monetary shocks across the globe, especially to the big and mature economies, such as the Euro Area and to economies linked to the USA dollar. However, the Euro Area is also a source of shocks to the USA economy but, as expected, in a smaller scale. It is also shown how important the money supply and the interest rates are to restrain the inflationary pressures originated by the oil prices, producing a sizable spillover on the other economy. Ultimately these results are easily understood, being both economies integrated in a global market dominated by the USA and consequently, is not strange, that the USA is the biggest source of these shocks.Este trabalho foca-se no efeito de spillover proveniente dos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) para a Zona Euro e o spillover da Zona Euro para os EUA, sob o efeito dos preços do petróleo. Partindo da literatura existente e aceite, são bem conhecidos os efeitos da política monetária dos EUA em outras economias, sendo em alguns casos maior e mais forte que na própria economia dos EUA. Seguindo esta linha de pensamento, este trabalho tenta, recorrendo ao Vector Error Correction Model, com dados trimestrais do primeiro trimestre de 2000 ao quarto trimestre de 2015, responder à questão de investigação: existirá efeito spillover entre estas economias e caso exista, qual a sua magnitude e direção sob o efeito dos preços do petróleo? Os resultados são consistentes com a literatura. A política monetária dos EUA é a maior fonte de propagação de choques monetários pelo mundo, especialmente para as economias desenvolvidas, como a da Zona Euro e para as economias vinculadas ao dólar. No entanto, a Zona Euro é também uma fonte de choques para a economia Americana, mas como é esperado, numa menor escala. É também demonstrado o quão importante são a oferta monetária e as taxas de juro para conter as pressões inflacionárias originadas pelos preços do petróleo, produzindo neste processo, efeitos spillover consideráveis na outra economia. Os resultados também contribuem para uma melhor compreensão, por parte dos decisores políticos, de medidas de política económica para melhor enfrentarem esta situação. Em última análise, estes resultados são facilmente entendidos, tendo em conta que ambas as economias estão integradas globalmente, sendo os EUA a economia líder. Sendo assim, não é de estranhar, que os EUA sejam a maior fonte destes choques

O papel mediador da satisfação no trabalho na relação entre a liderança autêntica e a intenção de saída de colaboradores da indústria farmacêutica

O presente estudo propõe analisar o efeito mediador da satisfação laboral, na relação entre a liderança autêntica e a intenção de saída de colaboradores da indústria farmacêutica, em Portugal. Para testar o modelo de Investigação, aplicou-se um questionário a 310 participantes, a desempenharem funções na Indústria Farmacêutica. Os resultados sugerem que a liderança autêntica está fortemente e positivamente correlacionada com a satisfação laboral, e negativamente correlacionada com a intenção de saída. A satisfação laboral revelou um efeito de mediação total na relação entre a perceção de liderança autêntica do supervisor e a intenção de saída dos colaboradore

Evidence that the degree of band 3 phosphorylation modulates human erythrocytes nitric oxide efflux – in vitro model of hyperfibrinogenemia

© 2011 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reservedRecent evidence has shown that plasma fibrinogen, a major cardiovascular risk factor, interacts with the erythrocyte membrane and acts to influence blood flow via erythrocyte nitric oxide (NO) modulation. In the present pioneer in-vitro study, whole blood samples were harvested from healthy subjects and aliquots were incubated in the absence (control aliquots) and presence of fibrinogen at different degrees of band 3 phosphorylation, and the levels of NO, nitrite, nitrate and S-nitroglutathione (GSNO) were determined. Hyperfibrinogenemia interferes with erythrocyte NO mobilization without changing its efflux in a way that seems to be dependent of the degree of band 3 phosphorylation. In presence of higher fibrinogen concentrations the NO efflux is reinforced when band 3 is phosphorylated (p < 0.001). Higher levels of nitrite, nitrate and GSNO were documented (p < 0.05). However, the mechanisms by which fibrinogen signalling modulates erythrocyte function remain to be clarified and are currently under study. These conditions may be considered an approach to be followed in blood storage for transfusions.This study was supported by grants from the FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (project reference PTDC/SAU-OSM/73449/2006

Magnetic Field Dependent Behavior of the CDW ground state in Per2M(mnt)2 (M = Au, Pt)

The Per2M(mnt)2 class of organic conductors exhibit a charge density wave (CDW) ground state below about 12 K, which may be suppressed in magnetic fields of order 20 to 30 T. However, for both cases of counter ion M(mnt)2 species studied (M = Au (zero spin) and M = Pt (spin 1/2)), new high field ground states evolve for further increases in magnetic field. We report recent investigations where thermopower, Hall effect, high pressure and additional transport measurements have been carried out to explore these new high field phases.Comment: 6 pages, 10 figures, 27 reference

Da Genealogia da mais-valia à realização da crítica da economia política

XX Encontro Nacional de Economia Política: desenvolvimento Latino-Americano, Integração e Inserção Internacional - UNILA, Foz do Iguaçu, 26 a 29 de maio de 2015Este artigo pretende demonstrar a singularidade da crítica da economia política realizada por Marx como superação da crítica fi losófi ca na qual foi formado, pela afi rmação da centralidade das determinações materiais da vida social. Nesse processo, foi central a reconfi guração da dialética hegeliana empreendida por Marx, sintetizada na descoberta da categoria mais-valia. A genealogia desta categoria será sumariamente reconstituída mediante o exame do itinerário teórico de Marx, desde os anos como jornalista na Gazeta Renana até o momento de sua descoberta nos Grundrisse. A mais-valia é entendida, pois, como ponto fulcral de um longo processo de investigações movido tanto por uma insatisfação com a fi losofi a de seu tempo, quanto pela motivação político-ideológica de transformação socialista do mundo, representando a categoria-síntese, o núcleo fundamental da crítica da economia política, a partir do qual a essência da sociedade capitalista pôde ser reveladaBanco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES); Usina Hidrelétrica de Itaipu (ITAIPU); Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) e Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana (UNILA

Macrophages in M1/M2 states and exposed to amyloid-beta: a RNA-seq analysis in human cells

Tese de mestrado em Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, em 2017A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença associada à idade e é uma das doenças neurodegenerativas com maior prevalência mundial. Esta doença causa a destruição progressiva de funções cognitivas e memória, levando à eventual morte do indivíduo. Um dos principais achados patológicos, para esta doença, são as placas extracelulares constituídas por beta amilóide (Aβ) que são encontradas frequentemente no cérbero de pacientes com DA. Enquanto que os mecanismos envolvidos na progressão desta doença permanecem desconhecidos, algumas hipóteses foram propostas envolvendo estas placas amilóides. Uma dessas hipótese é conhecida como a hipótese cascata de amiloide, e esta propõe que, através de uma cascata de eventos, a acumulação das placas de Aβ eventualmente resulta em disfunção neuronal e eventual morte celular. Microglia, os macrófagos residentes no cérbero, foram encontrados perto destas placas e já foi provado que eles têm capacidade de fagocitar estas placas. Neste trabalho foi feita uma análise de RNA-seq em dados humanos, com o objectivo de comparar os perfis genéticos e de miRNA de um grupo de controlo, de macrófagos polarizados para os fenótipos M1 e M2a e de macrófagos estimulados com Aβ. Adicionalmente, também se pretendia descobrir novas vias ou genes expressos em macrófagos presentes num ambiente com Aβ. Para tal, uma análise de expressão diferencial foi feita, tanto para os dados relativos ao mRNA como para os dados relativos ao miRNA. Uma análise do enriquecimento funcional foi feita para ajudar na compreensão dos genes diferencialmente expressos no mRNA. Por fim, uma série de testes de correlação foram feitos de modo a perceber o quão influente é a expressão de miRNA sobre o seu mRNA alvo. Através da utilização de marcadores de expressão de mRNA e miRNA, foi possível verificar a polarização dos macrófagos para M1 e M2a. Além disso, foram descobertos alguns miRNA com alta expressão nos estados de polarização, que poderiam ajudar no estudo destes estados de polarização. Relativamente ao teste de correlação, os resultados estavam enviesados para correlações positivas devido a um miRNA em particular. Uma hipótese foi criada para tentar explicar esse resultado, mas nenhuma conclusão sólida foi alcançada neste projecto.Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an age-related disease and it is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in the world. This disease causes a progressive destruction of cognitive functions and memory, leading to the eventual death of the individual. One of the main pathological findings, for this disease, are the extracellular plaques of amyloid-beta (Aβ) often found in the brain of AD patients. Whilst the mechanisms involved in the progression of AD remain unknown, some hypotheses have been proposed surrounding the amyloid plaques. One such hypothesis is the Amyloid cascade hypothesis, and it purposes that, through a cascade of events, the accumulation of Aβ plaques leads to neuronal dysfunction and eventual cell death. Microglias, brain macrophages, have been found around such plaques, and it has been proven that they can phagocyte said plaques. In this present work, an analysis of human RNA-seq data was done, aiming to compare the genetic and miRNA profiles of a control group, macrophages polarized towards the M1 and M2a phenotype, and of macrophages stimulated with Aβ. Additionally, another aim was to discover of novel pathways or genes expressed in macrophages in an Aβ environment. To do so, a differential expression analysis was done for both the mRNA and miRNA data. Functional enrichment analysis was done to sort the differential expressed genes for the mRNA. Lastly, a series of correlation tests were done in order to access the amount of influence done by the expression of miRNA to their mRNA targets. It was possible to attest for the polarization of the macrophages into M1 and M2a, through the usage of mRNA and miRNA markers. Furthermore, some over-expressed miRNAs were discovered for the polarized states that could provide insight in to the study of this polarization states. For the correlation test, the results were skewed towards a positive correlation due to a single miRNA. While a hypothesis was constructed as to why it may have happened, no solid conclusion was achieved in this project thus far

FIFA 2014 WORLD CUP: Brazil’s Unending Headache: An Economic Investment that Challenges the Country’s Future

Brazil is soccer. The game is so deeply ingrained in daily life - in Brazilian identity and self-esteem- that they define each other. Soccer is so profoundly intertwined with Brazilian culture that familiarity with the sport begins early, producing a bottomless pool of talent. Year after year, soccer stars seem to roll out of Brazil like cars off a factory assembly line; it’s a natural talent that grows in almost every Brazilian child. Soccer means passion to Brazilians; it is the symbol of their nationality, as they have proven to be very the best at it. Now, Brazil finally has been chosen to host the world’s largest sport event, one that Brazil has won five times (more than any other country in the world), the 2014 World Cup. After dedicating their hearts and souls to the sport, the World Cup will be brought to the Brazilian country, as passionate crowds will cheer for their favorite team. But as the event gets closer and closer, Brazil finally understands the implications that come along with hosting something as big and powerful as a World Cup. While the sport event itself might bring the country several benefits, such as job creation with additional economic activities, Foreign Direct Investments, tourism and infrastructure improvements, it is also forcing Brazil to spend beyond its capacity. With a lack of commitment coming from the private sector, Brazil finds itself in a desperate situation, where the country is required to utilize public funds to make sure that it will be ready in time. This, obviously, is not the perfect solution. After analyzing the model used by the United States (a well-established country with a successful history of hosting major sporting events and in funding sport facilities), I propose an alternative way for Brazil to proceed with 2014 World Cup infrastructure funding. I have come to the conclusion that there is no way that the present Brazilian model will work. Given that stadiums do not generate great economic revenues, in the long run, Brazil will find itself embedded in even greater debt. Currently, the Brazilian Development Bank is funding at least 45% of all government - owned stadiums (not a public good). This, however, is not sustainable, given that this money will have to be paid back. So what do I propose? Tax holidays to the private sector to spur critical private investment. To date, the lack of participation from the private sector comes from (a) the belief that stadiums do not generate enough revenues to significantly cover all the costs, and (b) the “Brazilian cost” of doing business in the country. Reducing or exempting the private sector from state and federal taxes on revenues generated would incentivize private entities to invest in projects that the government is not able to fund, and as a consequence, it would also give businesses room to grow, as the private sector has proven to be more efficient in stimulating progress. Brazil has all the necessary tools to succeed and show the world that it can, too, promote a life-changing event. All it needs to do is use its resources right. It is Brazil’s turn to shine as it presents its most beautiful sport, one which Brazilians know how to play as no other country does. Brazil is soccer. It’s the country’s culture, identity, and nationality. Brazil will be hosting an event that defines it in every single way, and it cannot go wrong