Identifying and assessing the scales of dynamic capabilities:: a systematic literature review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing measure instruments for dynamic capabilities (DCs) in order to understand the tendencies of quantitative studies on DCs as well as to evaluate the reliability and validity of these scales. Design/methodology/approach – To accomplish this objective, the authors conducted a systematic review of literature on DCs. Findings – Main findings indicate that quantitative research works on DCs have focused on the relationship between DCs, innovation, organization performance, knowledge management and absorptive capacity. Findings also show that efforts to measure DCs quantitatively are recent and lack reliable methodology. Research limitations/implications – One limitation of this research is that the authors conducted the systematic review on two databases. However, the authors conducted the research on the two most used databases in management research. Practical implications – Findings show that academicians have plenty of room to work on quantitative research works on DCs as well as to develop robust scales to measure this construct in diverse business sectors. Originality/value – This paper is the first to analyze the existing scales that measure DCs

Identifying and assessing the scales of dynamic capabilities: a systematic literature review

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing measure instruments for dynamic capabilities (DCs) in order to understand the tendencies of quantitative studies on DCs as well as to evaluate the reliability and validity of these scales. Design/methodology/approach - To accomplish this objective, the authors conducted a systematic review of literature on DCs. Findings - Main findings indicate that quantitative research works on DCs have focused on the relationship between DCs, innovation, organization performance, knowledge management and absorptive capacity. Findings also show that efforts to measure DCs quantitatively are recent and lack reliable methodology. Research limitations/implications - One limitation of this research is that the authors conducted the systematic review on two databases. However, the authors conducted the research on the two most used databases in management research. Practical implications - Findings show that academicians have plenty of room to work on quantitative research works on DCs as well as to develop robust scales to measure this construct in diverse business sectors. Originality/value - This paper is the first to analyze the existing scales that measure DCs

O olhar da Enfermagem diante do Processo de Morte e Morrer de pacientes críticos: Uma Revisão Integrativa

Face death fear of dealing with death every moment has become essential burden for workers in the health field, in particular to professional nursing, which in turn is who provides the comprehensive care to the patient and family, and that it must deal with suffering, and the fears that may exist at different moments involving the care. Therefore, it is necessary to further the nursing professional view on the subject, so that it can see beyond the context of the circumstances and understand the processes of death and dying, so that their cooperation is quality. From this, the present study aims: To analyze the national scientific literature on the experience of the nursing team before the death of critically ill patients. We used the integrative review of literature method. We analyzed 14 articles that met the guiding research question and from the approach of these studies were listed two categories: 1-The process of death and dying: praxis and meaning; 2-The qualification of nurses in the process of training on the theme death and dying. The study identified that there is a deficiency in learning professionals to the process of death and dying, causing suffering of the nursing team, influencing the quality of care provided to patients and their families. In this sense become relevant research on this subject for the expansion of knowledge and deconstruction of existing paradigms.Encarar la muerte y el miedo a enfrentarse a ella a cada instante se ha convertido en esencial para los trabajadores del área de la salud, en especial para el profesional de enfermería, que a su vez es quien presta los cuidados integrales al paciente y a la familia, ya que este debe luchar con el sufrimiento y con los miedos que pueden existir en los diversos momentos que acompañan el cuidar. Por tanto, es necesario profundizar em la visión del profesional de enfermería sobre el tema, de modo que pueda ver más allá de las circunstancias del contexto, y conocer los procesos de la muerte y del morir, para que su asistencia sea de calidad. Partiendo de esto, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo: Analizar la producción científica nacional sobre la experiencia del equipo de enfermería ante la muerte de los pacientes críticos. Se empleó el método de revisión integral de la literatura. Se analizaron 14 artículos que cumplían la pregunta principal de la investigación y a partir del enfoque de estos estudios, fueron listadas dos categorías: 1-El proceso de muerte y morir: praxis y significados; 2- La cualificación del enfermero en su proceso de formación ante la temática muerte y el morir. El estudio identificó que existe una deficiencia en el aprendizaje de los profesionales para el proceso de la muerte y el morir, causando sufrimiento del equipo de enfermería, lo que influye en la calidad de la atención prestada a los pacientes y a sus familias. En este sentido, es importante realizar investigaciones acerca de esta temática para la ampliación del conocimiento y (re)deconstrucción de los paradigmas existentes.Encarar a morte o medo de lidar com a morte a todo instante tornou-se encargo essencial para os trabalhadores da área da saúde, em especial ao profissional da enfermagem, que por sua vez é quem presta os cuidados integrais ao paciente e a família, sendo que este deve lidar com o sofrimento, e com os receios que podem existir nos diversos momentos que envolvem o cuidar. Portanto, é necessário aprofundar a visão do profissional da enfermagem sobre o assunto, de modo que, o mesmo possa perceber para além das circunstâncias do contexto, e conhecer os processos da morte e do morrer, para que sua assistência seja de qualidade. A partir disso, o presente estudo tem como objetivo: Analisar a produção científica nacional sobre a experiência da equipe de enfermagem diante da morte de pacientes críticos. Foi empregado o método de revisão integrativa da literatura. Foram analisados 14 artigos que atenderam a questão norteadora da pesquisa e a partir da abordagem destes estudos, foram elencadas duas categorias: 1-O processo de morte e morrer: práxis e significados; 2-A qualificação do enfermeiro em seu processo de formação diante da temática morte e o morrer. O estudo possibilitou identificar que há uma deficiência no aprendizado dos profissionais perante o processo de morte e morrer, causando sofrimento da equipe de enfermagem, influenciando na qualidade da assistência prestada ao paciente e sua família. Neste sentido tornam-se relevantes pesquisas acerca desta temática para a ampliação do conhecimento e (re)desconstrução de paradigmas existentes

Ts6 and Ts2 from Tityus serrulatus venom induce inflammation by mechanisms dependent on lipid mediators and cytokine production

AbstractInflammatory mediators are thought to be involved in the systemic and local immune response induced by the Tityus serrulatus scorpion envenomation. New functional aspects of lipid mediators have recently been described. Here, we examine the unreported role of lipid mediators in cell recruitment to the peritoneal cavity after an injection with Ts2 or Ts6 toxins isolated from the T. serrulatus scorpion venom. In this report, we demonstrate that following a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Ts2 or Ts6 (250 μg/kg) in mice, there was an induction of leukocytosis with a predominance of neutrophils observed at 4, 24, 48 and 96 h. Moreover, total protein, leukotriene (LT)B4, prostaglandin (PG)E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were increased. We also observed an increase of regulatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-10, after the Ts2 injection. Finally, we observed that Ts2 or Ts6 injection in 5-lipoxygenase (LO) deficient mice and in wild type (WT) 129sv mice pre-treated with LTs and PGs inhibitors (MK-886 and celecoxib, respectively) a reduction the influx of leukocytes occurs in comparison to WT. The recruitment of these cells demonstrated a phenotype characteristic of neutrophils, macrophages, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes expressing GR1+, F4/80+, CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD8+, respectively. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ts2 and Ts6 induce inflammation by mechanisms dependent on lipid mediators and cytokine production. Ts2 may play a regulatory role whereas Ts6 exhibits pro-inflammatory activity exclusively

Combined immunization using DNA-Sm14 and DNA-Hsp65 increases CD8+ memory T cells, reduces chronic pathology and decreases egg viability during Schistosoma mansoni infection

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected diseases found in developing countries and affects 249 million people worldwide. The development of an efficient vaccination strategy is essential for the control of this disease. Previous work showed partial protection induced by DNA-Sm14 against Schistosoma mansoni infection, whereas DNA-Hsp65 showed immunostimulatory properties against infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer and antifibrotic properties in an egg-induced granuloma model.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud C57BL/6 mice received 4 doses of DNA-Sm14 (100 μg/dose) and DNA-Hsp65 (100 μg/dose), simultaneously administrated, or DNA-Sm14 alone, once a week, during four weeks. Three groups were included: 1- Control (no immunization); 2- DNA-Sm14; 3- DNA-Sm14/DNA-Hsp65. Two weeks following last immunization, animals were challenged subcutaneously with 30 cercariae. Fifteen, 48 and 69 days after infection splenocytes were collected to evaluate the number of CD8+ memory T cells (CD44highCD62low) using flow cytometry. Forty-eight days after challenge adult worms were collected by portal veins perfusion and intestines were collected to analyze the intestinal egg viability. Histological, immunohistochemical and soluble quantification of collagen and α-SMA accumulation were performed on the liver.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud In the current work, we tested a new vaccination strategy using DNA-Sm14 with DNA-Hsp65 to potentiate the protection against schistosomiasis. Combined vaccination increased the number of CD8+ memory T cells and decreased egg viability on the intestinal wall of infected mice. In addition, simultaneous vaccination with DNA-Sm14/DNA-Hsp65 reduced collagen and α-SMA accumulation during the chronic phase of granuloma formation.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud Simultaneous vaccination with DNA-Sm14/DNA-Hsp65 showed an immunostimulatory potential and antifibrotic property that is associated with the reduction of tissue damage on Schistosoma mansoni experimental infection.We are grateful to Elaine Medeiros Floriano, Olinda Mara Brigoto and Fabiana\ud Rossetto de Morais for their technical assistance. This study was supported\ud by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant# 2009/01501-8 and 2009/\ud 07169-5) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e\ud Tecnológico (CNPq)

ESTUDO DOS POSSÍVEIS EFEITOS SISTÊMICOS OCASIONADOS POR ALTAS DOSES DE IVERMECTINA EM UM MODELO ANIMAL DE RATOS WISTAR

Introduction: Self-medication and inappropriate prescribing are serious public health problems, creating health risks. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, there was an urgency to obtain therapeutics, although much speculation drove deleterious habits regarding the use of medications. Objective: To evaluate the possible systemic effects caused by different doses of Ivermectin. Methods: Using an animal model of Wistar rats, the animals were divided into 4 groups of 10 members, being treated orally with: i. saline (control - placebo); ii. Ivermectin suspension 300 µg/Kg/day; iii. Ivermectin suspension 500 µg/Kg/day; and iv. Ivermectin suspension 1000 µg/Kg/day. After the 6-week experiment, the rats were euthanized and serum samples collected, with liver (ALT and AST) and kidney (creatinine and urea) function tests performed, as well as histological evaluation of the liver, kidneys, heart, and salivary glands. Results: Treatments with Ivermectin doses up to 1000 µg/kg/day did not affect ALT and AST, creatinine and urea levels compared to the control-placebo group (p > 0.05), and such doses also did not cause morphological damage to the kidneys, heart and salivary glands. Only the dose of 1000 µg/kg/day promoted slight changes in liver morphology. Conclusions: Ivermectin doses up to 1000 µg/kg/day did not promote functional changes in the organs evaluated, except for the dose of 1000 µg/kg/day in the liver. Due to the limitations of the animal model adopted, further studies in different experimental models should be conducted to corroborate these preliminary findings, in order to clarify the possible safety of Ivermectin.La automedicación y la prescripción inadecuada son graves problemas de salud pública, que generan riesgos para la salud. Debido a la pandemia de coronavirus y COVID-19, ha habido una urgencia para obtener terapias, aunque mucha especulación ha impulsado hábitos nocivos con respecto al uso de medicamentos. Objetivo: Evaluar los posibles efectos sistémicos causados por diferentes dosis de Ivermectina. Métodos: Utilizando un modelo animal de ratas Wistar, los animales fueron divididos en 4 grupos de 10 miembros, siendo tratados por vía oral con: i. salina (control – placebo); ii. suspensión de ivermectina 300 μg/Kg/día; iii. suspensión de ivermectina 500 μg/Kg/día; y iv. suspensión de ivermectina 1000 μg/Kg/día. Después de las 6 semanas del experimento, las ratas fueron sacrificadas y se recolectaron muestras de suero, con pruebas de función hepática (ALT y AST) y renal (creatinina y urea), así como evaluación histológica del hígado, riñones, corazón y glándulas salivales. Resultados: Los tratamientos con dosis de ivermectina de hasta 1000 μg/kg/día no afectaron los niveles de ALT y AST, creatinina y urea, en comparación con el grupo control placebo (p > 0,05), y tales dosis tampoco causaron daño morfológico a los riñones, corazón y glándulas salivales. Sólo la dosis de 1000 μg/kg/día promovió una ligera alteración en la morfología hepática. Conclusiones: Las dosis de ivermectina de hasta 1000 μg/kg/día no promovieron cambios funcionales en los órganos evaluados, excepto la dosis de 1000 μg/kg/día en el hígado. Debido a las limitaciones del modelo animal adoptado, se deben realizar otros estudios en diferentes modelos.A automedicação e a prescrição inapropriada são sérios problemas de saúde pública, gerando riscos à saúde. Devido à pandemia do coronavírus e à COVID-19, houve uma urgência para obtenção de terapêuticas, embora muita especulação impulsionou hábitos deletérios quanto ao uso de medicamentos. Objetivo: Avaliar os possíveis efeitos sistêmicos ocasionados por doses diferentes de Ivermectina. Métodos: Usando um modelo animal de ratos Wistar, os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos de 10 integrantes, sendo tratados oralmente com: i. salina (controle – placebo); ii. suspensão de Ivermectina 300 µg/Kg/dia; iii. suspensão de Ivermectina 500 µg/Kg/dia; e iv. suspensão de Ivermectina 1000 µg/Kg/dia. Após as 6 semanas de experimento, os ratos foram eutanasiados e amostras de soro coletadas, com realização de provas de função hepática (ALT e AST) e renal (creatinina e ureia), bem como avaliação histológica do fígado, rins, coração e glândulas salivares. Resultados: Os tratamentos com doses de Ivermectina de até 1000 µg/kg/dia não afetaram os níveis de ALT e AST, creatinina e ureia, comparados ao grupo controle-placebo (p > 0,05), sendo que tais doses também não causaram danos morfológicos nos rins, coração e glândulas salivares. Apenas a dose de 1000 µg/kg/dia promoveu ligeira alteração na morfologia hepática. Conclusões: Doses de Ivermectina até 1000 µg/kg/dia não promoveram alterações funcionais nos órgãos avaliados, com exceção para a dose de 1000 µg/kg/dia no fígado. Devido às limitações do modelo animal adotado, outros estudos em diferentes modelos experimentais devem ser conduzidos para corroborar estes achados preliminares, visando esclarecer a possível segurança da Ivermectina.A automedicação e a prescrição inapropriada são sérios problemas de saúde pública, gerando riscos à saúde. Devido à pandemia do coronavírus e à COVID-19, houve uma urgência para obtenção de terapêuticas, embora muita especulação impulsionou hábitos deletérios quanto ao uso de medicamentos. Objetivo: Avaliar os possíveis efeitos sistêmicos ocasionados por doses diferentes de Ivermectina. Métodos: Usando um modelo animal de ratos Wistar, os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos de 10 integrantes, sendo tratados oralmente com: i. salina (controle – placebo); ii. suspensão de Ivermectina 300 µg/Kg/dia; iii. suspensão de Ivermectina 500 µg/Kg/dia; e iv. suspensão de Ivermectina 1000 µg/Kg/dia. Após as 6 semanas de experimento, os ratos foram eutanasiados e amostras de soro coletadas, com realização de provas de função hepática (ALT e AST) e renal (creatinina e ureia), bem como avaliação histológica do fígado, rins, coração e glândulas salivares. Resultados: Os tratamentos com doses de Ivermectina de até 1000 µg/kg/dia não afetaram os níveis de ALT e AST, creatinina e ureia, comparados ao grupo controle-placebo (p > 0,05), sendo que tais doses também não causaram danos morfológicos nos rins, coração e glândulas salivares. Apenas a dose de 1000 µg/kg/dia promoveu ligeira alteração na morfologia hepática. Conclusões: Doses de Ivermectina até 1000 µg/kg/dia não promoveram alterações funcionais nos órgãos avaliados, com exceção para a dose de 1000 µg/kg/dia no fígado. Devido às limitações do modelo animal adotado, outros estudos em diferentes modelos experimentais devem ser conduzidos para corroborar estes achados preliminares, visando esclarecer a possível segurança da Ivermectina