BALANCED SCORECARD COMO SISTEMA DE AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE UMA INSTITUIÇÃO DE ENSINO SUPERIOR PÚBLICA MUNICIPAL

Este artigo tem por objetivo desenvolver um modelo de avaliação de desempenho por meio da estruturação do Balanced Scorecard (BSC) em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior Pública Municipal, a Faculdade Municipal da Palhoça (FMP), no estado de Santa Catarina. Para tanto, a revisão sistemática da literatura científica internacional (por meio de um procedimento bibliométrico), permitiu a elaboração de uma estrutura de BSC adaptada para IES públicas, com indicadores e categorias baseados na literatura e alinhados de acordo com a missão, a visão, os valores, os objetivos e as metas da FMP. A construção dessa estrutura adaptada do BSC foi validada pelos gestores da FMP utilizando questionários e entrevistas para construção das funções de valor e taxas de compensação, que auxiliaram na construção de um mapa estratégico e na proposição de recomendações para melhoria do desempenho da IES. Como resultado, observou-se que Sustentabilidade foi a perspectiva com maior relevância para a FMP (50%), e com menor desempenho, este sendo 34,06; seguido por Stakeholders (20%), com baixo desempenho, equivalente a 37,72; Aprendizado e Crescimento (16%), com o melhor desempenho entre as perspectivas, equivalente a 68,15; e Processos Internos (14%), com o desempenho equivalente a 45,46

Sensory profiling of complex meals : the case study of baked cod with cream and duck

Sensory analysis provides important information for developing new products and improving existing ones on the market. In fact, this science appears as a link between research and the development of innovative foods and their acceptance by the consumer [1]. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of sensory methodologies for profiling of complex meals such as baked cod with cream and duck rice. Evaluation was performed with two sets of eight samples of industrial cod with cream and duck rice. Two independent trained panels of 9 and 12 judges evaluated the samples according to Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA). Two independent panels of 16 untrained judges applied the Flash-Profile (FP) methodology over four sessions: attribute generation; final attribute list choice; evaluation 1 and 2. Two consumer panels evaluated the overall acceptance of each set of samples, on a sequential monadic presentation. For duck rice meals, the correlation between QDA and FP was not high (RV=0,646), and consumers preferred samples characterized by rice colour intensity, amount of duck, oiliness, bacon and chorizo in the meal. For cod with cream meals, the consumers preferred the samples characterized by amount and size of the cod pieces and intensity of cod taste, with a high correlation between FP and QDA (RV=0,860). Both sensory descriptive methodologies provide us with reliable and robust data in the characterization of complex meals. The FP methodology is relevant when working with panels of consumers to the extent that allows it to use their own lexicon of attributes. The application of external preference mapping on consumers’ response to FP emerges as a quick tool, either to describe products or to be used by food companies that have difficulties in using trained assessors’ panels. References: [1] Siegrist, M. (2008) Factors influencing public acceptance of innovative food technologies and products. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 19, 603-608

MicroRNA deregulation and chemotaxis and phagocytosis impairment in Alzheimer's disease

AbstractIntroductionMononuclear phagocytes play a critical role during Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis due to their contribution to innate immune responses and amyloid beta (Aβ) clearance mechanisms.MethodsBlood-derived monocytes (BDMs) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) were isolated from blood of AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and age-matched healthy controls for molecular and phenotypic comparisons.ResultsThe chemokine/chemokine receptor CCL2/CCR2 axis was impaired in BDMs from AD and MCI patients, causing a deficit in cell migration. Changes were also observed in MDM-mediated phagocytosis of Aβ fibrils, correlating with alterations in the expression and processing of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). Finally, immune-related microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-155, -154, -200b, -27b, and -128, were found to be differentially expressed in these cells.DiscussionThis work provides evidence that chemotaxis and phagocytosis, two crucial innate immune functions, are impaired in AD and MCI patients. Correlations with miRNA levels suggest an epigenetic contribution to systemic immune dysfunction in AD

Recent developments on the thermal properties, stability and applications of nanofluids in machining, solar energy and biomedicine

In this review work, the recent progress made in the use of nanofluids (NFs) applied in three specific areas will be presented: machining, solar energy, and biomedical engineering. Within this context, the discussions will be guided by emphasizing the thermal and stability properties of these fluids. In machining, NFs play a prominent role in the processes of turning, milling, drilling, and grinding, being responsible for their optimization as well as improving the useful life of the tools and reducing costs. In the solar energy field, NFs have been used in the thermal management of the panels, controlling and homogenizing the operating temperature of these systems. In the biomedical area, the advantages of using NFs come from the treatment of cancer cells, the development of vaccines before the improvement of diagnostic imaging, and many others. In all lines of research mentioned in this study, the main parameters that have limited or encouraged the use of these fluids are also identified and debated. Finally, the discussions presented in this review will inspire and guide researchers in developing new techniques to improve the applications of NFs in several fields.This research was partially funded by the Portuguese national funds of FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through the base funding from the following research units: UIDB/00690/2020 (CIMO), UIDB/04077/2020 (MEtRICs), and UIDB/00532/2020 (CEFT). The authors are also grateful for the funding of ANI and CIMO through the projects POCI-01-02B7-FEDER-069844 and CMFPE3- EXPL2021CIMO_01, respectively. The authors also acknowledge partial financial support from the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030171 (PTDC/EMD-EMD/30171/2017), PTDC/EME-TED/7801/ 2020 and EXPL/EME-EME/0732/2021 funded by the NORTE 2020 Portugal Regional Operational Programme, under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tailor made degradable ureteral stents from natural origin polysaccharides

A urinary stent is defined as a thin tube, which is inserted in the ureter to prevent or treat the obstruction of urine flow from the kidney. Silicone, latex, polyvinylchloride and polyurethanes are the most widely used materials for the preparation of stents. Nonetheless, severe clinical complications may result from the use of these materials such as fracture, encrustation and infection. In some of the cases, the ureteral stents are temporary and it is often required a second surgery to remove the stent. The main complications with ureteral stents are dislocation, infection, and blockage by encrustation [1]. Recently, a tendency has been noticed favouring less invasive approaches (e.g. pharmacological or catheterization) in treating patients who exhibit symptoms or signs of urinary retention [2]. Currently, nearly 100% of the people who have an urological stent are likely to develop a bacterial infection within 30 days, which increases morbidity threefold [1]. Different types of temporary and permanent stents have been introduced into urological practice to relieve obstructions [3]. Particular attention should be devoted to polymers as they represent a highly versatile class of materials. Despite the fact that silicon continues to be the gold standard material for urological stents, there have been fast developments in manufacturing processes, as well as the introduction of new biodegradable materials in order to overcome the drawbacks of the available products. Polyurethane continues to be the most widely used material for polymeric stents; however it frequently promotes biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion leading to severe infections [2]. The concerns regarding existing stents are the motivation to design new biodegradable urological stent systems based on natural polymers, specifically polysaccharides, which present inherent biocompatibility, anti-bacterial properties and that can be tailor-made into a custom suitable stent for a particular patient

Role of protein kinase R in the killing of Leishmania major by macrophages in response to neutrophil elastase and TLR4 via TNF and IFN

In cutaneous leishmaniasis, Leishmania amazonensis activates macrophage double-stranded, RNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) to promote parasite growth. In our study, Leishmania major grew normally in RAW cells, RAW-expressing dominant-negative PKR (PKR-DN) cells, and macrophages of PKR-knockout mice, revealing that PKR is dispensable for L. major growth in macrophages. PKR activation in infected macrophages with poly I:C resulted in parasite death. Fifty percent of L. major-knockout lines for the ecotin-like serine peptidase inhibitor (ISP2; Δisp2/isp3), an inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (NE), died in RAW cells or macrophages from 129Sv mice, as a result of PKR activation. Inhibition of PKR or NE or neutralization of Toll-like receptor 4 or 2(TLR4 or TLR2) prevented the death of Δisp2/isp3. Δisp2/isp3 grew normally in RAW-PKR-DN cells or macrophages from 129Sv pkr−/−, tlr2−/−, trif−/−, and myd88−/− mice, associating NE activity, PKR, and TLR responses with parasite death. Δisp2/isp3 increased the expression of mRNA for TNF-α by 2-fold and of interferon β (IFNβ) in a PKR-dependent manner. Antibodies to TNF-α reversed the 95% killing by Δisp2/isp3, whereas they grew normally in macrophages from IFN receptor–knockout mice. We propose that ISP2 prevents the activation of PKR via an NE-TLR4-TLR2 axis to control innate responses that contribute to the killing of L. major.—Faria, M. S., Calegari-Silva, T. C., de Carvalho Vivarini, A., Mottram, J. C., Lopes, U. G., Lima, A. P. C. A. Role of protein kinase R in the killing of Leishmania major by macrophages in response to neutrophil elastase and TLR4 via TNFα and IFNβ

Biodegradable drug-eluting stents: Targeting urothelial tumors of upper urinary tract

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Urothelial tumors of upper urinary tract are ranked among the most common types of cancers worldwide. The current standard therapy to prevent recurrence is intravesical Bacillus Calmetteâ Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy, but it presents several disadvantages such as BCG failure and intolerance. Another way is to use chemotherapy, which is generally better tolerated that BCG. In this case, drugs such as epirubicin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel and gemcitabine are used. Nevertheless, intravesical chemotherapy only prevents recurrence in the short-term. These failings can be partially attributed to the short residence time and low bioavailability of the drug within the upper urinary tract and the cancer cells, resulting in a need for frequent drug instillation. To avoid these problems, biodegradable ureteral stents impregnated by supercritical fluid CO2 (SCF) with each of the four anti-cancer drugs were produced. MATERIAL & METHODS: Four formulations with different concentrations of gelatin and alginate and crosslink agent were tested and bismuth was added to confer radiopaque properties to the stent. The preliminary in vivo validation studies in female domestic pigs was conducted at the University of Minho, Braga, after formal approval by the institutionâ s review board and in accordance with its internal ethical protocol for animal experiments. Paclitaxel, epirubicin, doxorubicin and gemcitabine were impregnated in the stents and the release kinetics was measured in artificial urine solution (AUS) for 9 days by UV spectroscopy in a microplate reader. The anti-tumoral effect of the developed stents in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and HUVEC primary cells, used as control, was evaluated. RESULTS: The in vivo validation of this second-generation of ureteral stents performed was herein demonstrated. Biodegradable ureteral stents were placed in the ureters of a female pigs, following the normal surgical procedure. The animals remained asymptomatic, with normal urine flow. The in vitro release study in AUS of the stent impregnated showed a higher release in the first 72h for the four anti-cancer drugs impregnated after this time the plateau was achieved and the stent degraded after 9 days. The direct and indirect contact of the anti-cancer biodegradable stents with the TCC and HUVEC cell lines confirm the anti-tumor effect of the stents impregnated with the four anti-cancer drugs, reducing around 75% of the viability of the TCC cell line after 72h and no killing effect in the HUVEC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The use of biodegradable ureteral stent in urology clinical practice not only reduce the stent-related symptoms but also open new treatment therapyâ s, like in urothelial tumors of upper urinary tract. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the clinical validation in vivo pig model. This study has thus shown the killing efficacy of the anti-cancer drug eluting biodegradable stents in vitro for the TCC cell line, with no toxicity observed in the control, non-cancerous cells.The direct and indirect contact of the anti-cancer biodegradable stents with the TCC and HUVEC cell lines confirm the anti-tumor effect of the stents impregnated with the four anti-cancer drugs, reducing around 75% of the viability of the TCC cell line after 72h and no killing effect in the HUVEC cells. This study has thus shown the killing efficacy of the anti-cancer drug eluting biodegradable stents in vitro for the TCC cell line, with no toxicity observed in the control, non-cancerous cells

MORFOGÉNESIS DE TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI: FACTORES RELEVANTES PARA LA DIFERENCIACIÓN IN VITRO

En este artículo nosotros revisamos el estado actual de la morfogénesis de Trypanosoma cruzi in vivo e in vitro examinando los siguientes aspectos a) la definición de estadio del parásito y el concepto de competencia, b) epimastigogénesis y metaciclogénesis en el vector e inducida in vitro, c) amastigogénesis y tripomastigogénesis extra e intracelular. Nosotros enfatizamos el papel que juegan algunos factores que disparan los procesos de diferenciación en condiciones axénicas. Proponemos como hipótesis que en los hospedadores vertebrado e invertebrado, la secuencia de eventos morfológicos son equivalentes y solo difiere la velocidad en que ocurren en función de la temperatura microambiental