The State of Impact Investing in Latin America

This report lays out an assessment of the current landscape, some of the critical challenges ahead and the likely path forward over the next five 5 to 10 years on impact investing in Latin America

Neoliberalism and Individualism: Theoretical Points

In this article we propose to analyze neoliberalism in its relationship with individualism that is we intend to show that both processes mark the same dynamics of societies and markets today On the one hand neoliberalism would be a structural process coercing actors and institutions however it would also mark a social dynamic where individuals themselves assume practices and guidelines for conducting their actions in the sense of valuing their own undertaking in the processes of social integration to markets With this we aim to show that in contemporary times reflecting on and analyzing neoliberalism necessarily involves understanding the individualization processes characteristic of modern societie

A ocorrência de trilobitas Phacopida da Formação Pimenteira em João Costa, Piauí, Brasil

The marine macroinvertebrate fossils from the Devonian of the Parnaíba Basin are among the most diverse of Paleozoic of Brazil. In recent years, most revisions on these fossils involved trilobites from the Pimenteira and Cabeças formations, in the region of Picos and Pimenteiras cities, in the Piauí State. This survey reports the occurrence of Devonian trilobites from the Pimenteira Formation cropping out at João Costa city, in the region of Serra da Capivara National Park, southeastern Piauí State, where two species were recognized: Burmeisteria notica Clarke, 1913 and Metacryphaeus cf. australis Clarke, 1913. The wide occurrence of these genera in the Malvinokaffric Realm shows that transgressive events during part of the Devonian favored the faunal communication between the Andean, Brazilian and South African provinces through the reduction of geographical barriers. Finally, although the still preliminary character of the studies on Pimenteira Formation trilobites, this unit is already providing new paleontological data that contribute to the understanding of these fossil assemblages.Os fósseis de macroinvertebrados marinhos do Devoniano da Bacia do Parnaíba estão entre os mais diversos do Paleozoico do Brasil. Nos últimos anos, a maioria das revisões sobre esses fósseis envolveu trilobitas das formações Pimenteira e Cabeças, na região das cidades de Picos e Pimenteiras, no Estado do Piauí. Esta pesquisa relata a ocorrência de trilobitas devonianos da Formação Pimenteira, aflorante na cidade de João Costa, na região do Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara, no sudeste do Piauí, onde duas espécies foram reconhecidas: Burmeisteria notica Clarke, 1913 e Metacryphaeus cf. australis Clarke, 1913. A ampla ocorrência destes gêneros no Domínio Malvinocáfrico mostra que eventos transgressivos durante parte do Devoniano favoreceu a comunicação entre as faunas das províncias Andina, Brasileira e Sul-africana, através da redução das barreiras geográficas. Finalmente, apesar do caráter ainda preliminar dos estudos sobre trilobitas da Formação Pimenteira, esta unidade continua fornecendo novos dados paleontológicos que contribuem para o entendimento destas assembleias fósseis

O processo e organização do trabalho na agroindústria canavieira

Este estudo se propõe a refletir sobre a organização do processo de trabalho em um setor de "ponta" da agricultura paulista: a agroindústria canavieira, setor este onde se processam transformações de cunho tecnológico que interferem estruturalmente nos padrões vigentes de relações de trabalho. Na perspectiva adotada, estes três temas: organização do trabalho, relações de trabalho e tecnologia se encontram imbicados em um eixo principal, o qual norteia as transformações processadas no setor

Gestational Low Protein Diet Modulation on miRNA Transcriptome and Its Target During Fetal and Breastfeeding Nephrogenesis

BackgroundThe kidney ontogenesis is the most structurally affected by gestational protein restriction, reducing 28% of their functional units. The reduced nephron number is predictive of hypertension and cardiovascular dysfunctions that are generally observed in the adult age of most fetal programming models. We demonstrate miRNAs and predict molecular pathway changes associated with reduced reciprocal interaction between metanephros cap (CM) and ureter bud (UB) and a 28% decreased nephron stem cells in the 17 gestational days (17GD) low protein (LP) intake male fetal kidney. Here, we evaluated the same miRNAs and predicted targets in the kidneys of 21GD and at 7 days of life (7DL) LP offspring to elucidate the molecular modulations during nephrogenesis.MethodsPregnant Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: NP (regular protein diet- 17%) or LP (diet-6%). miRNA transcriptome sequencing (miRNA-Seq) was performed on the MiSeq platform from 21GD and 7DL male offspring kidneys using previously described methods. Among the top 10 dysfunctional regulated miRNAs, we validated 7 related to proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis processes and investigated predicted target genes and proteins by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn 21GD, LP fetuses were identified alongside 21 differently expressed miRNAs, of which 12 were upregulated and 9 downregulated compared to age-matched NP offspring. In 7-DL LP offspring, the differentially expressed miRNAs were counted to be 74, of which 46 were upregulated and 28 downregulated. The curve from 17-GD to 7-DL shows that mTOR was fundamental in reducing the number of nephrons in fetal kidneys where the mothers were subjected to a protein restriction. IGF1 and TGFβ curves also seemed to present the same mTOR pattern and were modulated by miRNAs 181a-5p, 181a-3p, and 199a-5p. The miRNA 181c-3p modulated SIX2 and Notch1 reduction in 7-DL but not in terms of the enhanced expression of both in the 21-GD, suggesting the participation of an additional regulator. We found enhanced Bax in 21-GD; it was regulated by miRNA 298-5p, and Bcl2 and Caspase-3 were controlled by miRNA (by 7a-5p and not by the predicted 181a-5p). The miRNA 144-3p regulated BCL6, which was enhanced, as well as Zeb 1 and 2 induced by BCL6. These results revealed that in 21GD, the compensatory mechanisms in LP kidneys led to the activation of UB ramification. Besides, an increase of 32% in the CM stem cells and a possible cell cycle halt of renal progenitor cells, which remaining undifferentiated, were observed. In the 7DL, much more altered miRNA expression was found in LP kidneys, and this was probably due to an increased maternal diet content. Additionally, we verified the activation of pathways related to differentiation and consumption of progenitor cells

Máxima fase estável de lactato durante a natação em ratos recuperados de desnutrição protéica

The objective of the present study was to determine the maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS) of rats recovered from malnutriction in comparison to well-nourished rats. The rats were submitted to 2 types of diets: normal-protein (N=17% protein 60 days) and low-protein (L=6% protein 30 days and 17% protein 30 days). Each animal was submitted to 4 swimming tests lasting for 20 minutes with workloads of 4,5% and 7,5% of body weight. Blood samples were taken for lactate analysis in the beginning and at 5 min intervals throughout the exercise period. Blood lactate stabilized with the 4,5% and the 5,5% overloads and the maximal lactate steady-state was obtained with 5,5% overload at a concentration of 5,5 0,4 mmol/L for the normal- protein rats and of 4,7 0,3 mmol/L for the low-protein rats. These results indicate that protein malnutrition alters the lactate kinetics of the rats during swimming.O presente estudo objetivou determinar a máxima fase estável de lactato (MLSS) em ratos recuperados de desnutrição em comparação com ratos eutróficos. Os ratos foram submetidos a 2 tipos de dietas: normoproteica (N= 17% proteína por 60 dias) e hipoproteica (H=16% proteína por 30 dias e 17% proteína por 30 dias). Cada animal realizou 4 testes de natação por 20 minutos suportando sobrecargas ente 4,5 e 7,5% da massa corporal, com coleta de sangue para análise de lactato em repouso e a cada 5 minutos de exercício. Houve estabilização do lactato sangüíneo nas cargas de 4,5% e 5,5% e a máxima fase estável foi obtida na carga de 5,5%, a uma concentração sangüínea de lactato de 5,5 0,4 mmol/L nos ratos N e de 4,7 0,3 mmol/L nos ratos H. Esses resultados indicam que a desnutrição protéica altera a cinética de lactato no exercício em ratos

Genomic epidemiology unveils the dynamics and spatial corridor behind the Yellow Fever virus outbreak in Southern Brazil

Despite the considerable morbidity and mortality of yellow fever virus (YFV) infections in Brazil, our understanding of disease outbreaks is hampered by limited viral genomic data. Here, through a combination of phylogenetic and epidemiological models, we reconstructed the recent transmission history of YFV within different epidemic seasons in Brazil. A suitability index based on the highly domesticated Aedes aegypti was able to capture the seasonality of reported human infections. Spatial modeling revealed spatial hotspots with both past reporting and low vaccination coverage, which coincided with many of the largest urban centers in the Southeast. Phylodynamic analysis unraveled the circulation of three distinct lineages and provided proof of the directionality of a known spatial corridor that connects the endemic North with the extra-Amazonian basin. This study illustrates that genomics linked with eco-epidemiology can provide new insights into the landscape of YFV transmission, augmenting traditional approaches to infectious disease surveillance and control

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly