Building public-private partnerships for agricultural innovation:

Public-private partnerships are a new way of carrying out research and development (R&D) in Latin America's agricultural sector. These partnerships spur innovation for agricultural development and have various advantages over other institutional arrangements fostering R&D. This report summarizes the experiences of a research project that analyzed 125 public-private research partnerships (PPPs) in 12 Latin American countries. The analysis indicates that several types of partnerships have emerged in response to the various needs of the different partners. Nevertheless, public-private partnerships are not always the most appropriate mechanism by which to carry out R&D and foster innovation in agriculture. Sometimes, it is more efficient to organize research via participatory projects or through research contracts.Public-private partnerships, Agricultural innovations, Capacity strengthening, Agricultural research,

ANÁLISE DO CICLO DE VIDA DOS PALETES: UM ESTUDO DE CASO DEMONSTRANDO A IMPORTÂNCIA DO DESIGN PARA SUSTENTABILIDADE

Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar a importância do design transdisciplinar voltado para sustentabilidade, relacionando diferentes campos do saber com relevantes questoes e problemas complexos (wicked problems) – consumo e produçao, sustentabilidade, gestao de pessoas e processos, tecnologia, excesso de informaçoes, relaçao homem e objeto, cultura, identidade, entre outros – que permeiam o atual cenário fluido e em constante mutaçao. A resoluçao de problemas complexos e perversos nao deve ser entendida como responsabilidade somente dos atores políticos, novas redes devem ser criadas entre indivíduos, empresas e o poder público, associando a criatividade e o empreendedorismo para geraçao de valores compartilhados e soluçoes potenciais em prol da sustentabilidade. A gestao compartilhada de problemas vai ser discutida através de uma metodologia descritiva de estudo de caso em duas comunidades diferentes, mas com propósitos semelhantes. As comunidades do município de Jeceaba (MG) e bairro Jardim Canadá (Nova Lima, MG), que reaproveitaram resíduos (paletes) descartados para produçao de mobiliários e adornos, com o intuito de minimizar os impactos ambientais, porém uma aplica a metodologia do design no processo criativo e na execuçao das peças enquanto a outra nao adota a metodologia em respeito as limitaçoes locais. A análise desses estudos leva a compreensao da importância do design que produz projetos economicamente eficientes, socialmente justos e ambientalmente sustentáveis.This article aims to demonstrate the importance of Transversal Design for sustainability, linking different areas of knowledge with relevant issues and complex problems (wicked problems) – such as consume and production system, sustainability, management of people and processes, technology, information overload, relationship man and object, culture, identity, among others – that permeate the current fluid and constantly changing scenario. The resolution of complex and wicked problems should not be understood as a responsibility only of political actors, new networks must be created between individuals, businesses and public authorities associating creativity and entrepreneurship to generate shared values and potential solutions for sustainability. Shared management problems will be discussed through a descriptive methodology case study in two different communities with similar purposes. The communities of Jeceaba and Jardim Canada (Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil), reusing waste (pallets) discarded from furniture and adornments production, in order to minimize environmental impacts, but one applies the design methodology in the creative process and implementation of parts while the other doesn’t have methodology in respect to local restrictions. The analysis of these studies leads to understanding the importance of design to produce economically efficient, socially just and environmentally sustainable projects

Community Banks implementation and Social development of Territories

Em resposta ás desigualdades da economia em escala mundial, outra forma de organização econômica se desenvolveu no cenário econômico e social no mundo todo, inclusive no Brasil. Tal configuração ganhou força a partir do fim do século passado, sendo denominada “Economia Solidária”. Esta promove um fenômeno de inclusão social e econômica dos trabalhadores, através de Empreendimentos Econômicos Solidários. Dentro desse contexto, os EES difundiram-se por todo território brasileiro, principalmente a partir do final da década de 1990. Existe atualmente no país um expressivo número de trabalhadores organizados democrática e igualitariamente em empreendimentos econômicos solidários. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo verificar uma forma de EES, os Bancos Comunitários, e como estes se mostram eficazes para o desenvolvimento social dos territórios, além de buscar aferir como tal instrumento pode servir de estratégia nas políticas públicas e no planejamento do território. O estudo em questão almeja identificar os ajustamentos, características e potencialidades necessárias ao território, para a implantação de um Banco Comunitário. A referida investigação científica procura, também, compreender os fatores locais, de políticas públicas que influenciam ou condicionam o desenvolvimento dos territórios atendidos por esta tecnologia social. No que concerne ao teor metodológico a pesquisa é qualitativa, com levantamento de informações e dados, e com estudo empírico no Banco Comunitário União Sampaio – Jardim Maria Sampaio na cidade de São Paulo – SP. Quanto aos produtos foram obtidos resultados sobre a implantação, adequações e políticas públicas para os Bancos Comunitários nos territórios brasileiros, além da verificação do desenvolvimento (endógeno) dos territórios atendidos.In answers to inequities of the global economy, another form of economic organization developed in the social and economic climate worldwide, including in Brazil. Such a configuration gained strength since the end of the last century, being called "solidarity economy". This promotes a phenomenon of social and economic inclusion of workers through Solidarity Economic Ventures. Within this context, the EES spread throughout Brazilian territory, mainly from the late 1990 's. Currently exists in the country an expressive number of organized workers and equally in economic ventures of democratic solidarity. This research objective was to verify a form of sees, Community banks, and how these are effective for the social development of the territories, as well as seek to assess how such an instrument can serve as a strategy in public policies and in the planning of the territory. The study in question aims to identify the adjustments necessary to the territory characteristics and potential for the deployment of a Community Bank. This scientific research also seeks to understand the local factors, public policies that influence or affect the development of territories serviced by this social technology. Regarding the methodological research is qualitative content, with information and data, survey and empirical study in Community Bank Union Sampaio – garden Maria Sampaio in São Paulo – SP. regarding the products were obtained results about deployment, adjustments and public policies for Community banks in Brazilian territory, other than verification of the development (endogenous) serviced territories.Asociación de Universidades Grupo Montevide

Tumor estromal gastrointestinal de origem gástrica: relato de caso

Os tumores estromais gastrintestinais (GIST) são raros, de comportamento imprevisível, sendo a maioria assintomática ou com sintomas inespecíficos. Podem acometer qualquer local do tubo digestivo, sendo o tratamento padrão a ressecção cirúrgica completa, porém são frequentes as recidivas e metástases. O presente caso é um relato de uma paciente idosa com massa abdominal crescente e dolorosa ao exame físico, com resultado de exames complementares de imagem que sugerem tratar-se de GIST. Submetida à terapia cirúrgica para ressecção da lesão e seguimento com mesilato de imatinibe (Glivec®).Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare, with unpredictable behavior, most of them asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms. They may arise in any place of digestive tube, and the standard treatment is the complete surgical resection, however recurrences and metastases are frequent. The following case is a report from an elderly patient with growing and painful abdominal mass on physical examination, and the result of complementary imaging tests suggests that this is GIST. Submitted to surgical therapy for resection of the lesion and follow-up with imatinib mesylate (Glivec®)

Formando alianzas público-privadas para la innovación agrícola: Seguridad alimentaria en la práctica

Public-private partnership, Agricultural innovation,

Paraganglioma de corpo carotídeo: relato de caso

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that originate in specialized cells derived from neural crest cells. Carotid body tumors are rare and they must always be part of the differential diagnosis of the tumors in the cervical region. This report presents the case of a 24-year-old, female, with a complaint of a right cervical node. Surgical treatment was performed at the Padre Albino Hospital. The authors present a case of a carotid body paraganglioma, its clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment.Os paragangliomas são tumores neuroendócrinos raros com origem em células especializadas derivadas da crista neural. No corpo carotídeo são raros e devem fazer parte do diagnóstico diferencial de tumores da região cervical. Este relato de caso apresenta uma paciente de 24 anos, gênero feminino, com queixa de abaulamento cervical à direita. Foi realizado o tratamento cirúrgico no Hospital Padre Albino. Nesse artigo os autores apresentam um caso de paraganglioma de corpo carotídeo, dando ênfase nos aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico e tratamento

Ozone gas as a benign sterilization treatment for PLGA nanofibre scaffolds

The use of electrospun nanofibers for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications is a growing trend as they provide improved support for cell proliferation and survival due, in part, to their morphology mimicking that of the extracellular matrix. Sterilization is a critical step in the fabrication process of implantable biomaterial scaffolds for clinical use, but many of the existing methods used to date can negatively affect scaffold properties and performance. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely used as a biodegradable polymer for 3D scaffolds and can be significantly affected by current sterilization techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate pulsed ozone gas as an alternative method for sterilizing PLGA nanofibers. The morphology, mechanical properties, physicochemical properties, and response of cells to PLGA nanofiber scaffolds were assessed following different degrees of ozone gas sterilization. This treatment killed Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, the most common biological indicator used for validation of sterilization processes. In addition, the method preserved all of the characteristics of nonsterilized PLGA nanofibers at all degrees of sterilization tested. These findings suggest that ozone gas can be applied as an alternative method for sterilizing electrospun PLGA nanofiber scaffolds without detrimental effects

A combination of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol to test the effectiveness and safety in the fragile X syndrome: study protocol for a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited neurodevelopmental condition characterised by behavioural, learning disabilities, phisical and neurological symptoms. In addition, an important degree of comorbidity with autism is also present. Considered a rare disorder affecting both genders, it first becomes apparent during childhood with displays of language delay and behavioural symptoms. Main aim: To show whether the combination of 10 mg/kg/day of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 10 mg/kg/day of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) reduces FXS symptoms among male patients ages 6 to 18 years compared to placebo treatment, as measured on the standardized rating scales at baseline, and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. Secondary aims: To assess the safety of the treatment. To describe behavioural and cognitive changes revealed by the Developmental Behaviour Checklist Short Form (DBC-P24) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised. To describe metabolic changes revealed by blood analysis. To measure treatment impact at home and in an academic environment. METHODS/DESIGN: A phase II randomized, double-blind pilot clinical trial. Scope: male children and adolescents diagnosed with FXS, in accordance with a standardized molecular biology test, who met all the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. Instrumentation: clinical data, blood analysis, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised, Conners parent and teacher rating scale scores and the DBC-P24 results will be obtained at the baseline (t0). Follow up examinations will take place at 12 weeks (t1) and 24 weeks (t2) of treatment. DISCUSSION: A limited number of clinical trials have been carried out on children with FXS, but more are necessary as current treatment possibilities are insufficient and often provoke side effects. In the present study, we sought to overcome possible methodological problems by conducting a phase II pilot study in order to calculate the relevant statistical parameters and determine the safety of the proposed treatment. The results will provide evidence to improve hyperactivity control and reduce behavioural and learning problems using ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E). The study protocol was approved by the Regional Government Committee for Clinical Trials in Andalusia and the Spanish agency for drugs and health products. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01329770 (29 March 2011

Effects of platelet rich fibrin and leukocyte (L-PRF) associated or not with bovine bone graft on the healing of bone defects in rats with osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy

Tem sido proposto que a Fibrina Rica em Plaquetas e Leucócitos (L-PRF) pode estimular a neoformação óssea e melhorar a incorporação de enxertos ósseos. Este estudo avaliou a cicatrização de defeitos de tamanho crítico (DTCs) criados em calvária de ratas com osteoporose induzida por ovariectomia e tratados com L-PRF associada ou não a enxerto ósseo bovino (XENO). 32 ratas foram divididas em 4 grupos (n=8): C, PRF, XENO e PRF-XENO. Todos os animais foram submetidos a um procedimento de ovariectomia bilateral no início do estudo. Após 3 meses, DTCs de 5 mm de diâmetro foram criados na calvária dos animais. No grupo C, o defeito foi preenchido apenas com coágulo sanguíneo. Nos grupos PRF e XENO, os defeitos foram preenchido com 0,02 mL de L-PRF e 0,02 mL de XENO, respectivamente. No grupo PRF-XENO o defeito foi preenchido com uma mistura de 0,02 mL de PRF e 0,02 mL de XENO. Todos os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia aos 30 dias pós-operatórios. Foram realizadas análises histomorfométrica, microtomográfica e imunohistoquímica. Os dados obtidos foram estatisticamente analisados (ANOVA, Tukey, p < 0,05). O Grupo PRF-XENO apresentou maior quantidade de osso neoformado (ON) quando comparado ao Grupo XENO, bem como maiores expressões de Fator de Crescimento Endotelial Vascular (VEGF), Osteocalcina (OCN) e Proteína Morfogenética Óssea (BMP)-2/4 (p < 0,05). O Grupo PRF apresentou maior quantidade de ON e maiores expressões de VEGF, OCN, BMP-2/4 e Fator de transcrição relacionado a Runt 2 (RUNX-2) quando comparado ao Grupo C (p < 0,05). Conclui-se que a L-PRF pode favorecer a neoformação óssea de DTCs e potencializar a cicatrização de XENO em ratas com osteoporose induzida por ovariectomia.It has been proposed that Platelet Rich Fibrin and Leukocyte (L-PRF) can stimulate bone neoformation and improve bone graft incorporation. This study evaluated the healing of critical caliber defects (CSDs) created in the calvaria of rats with osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy and treated with L-PRF associated or not with bovine bone graft (XENO). 32 rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 8): C, PRF, XENO and PRF-XENO. All animals underwent a bilateral ovariectomy procedure at the start of the study. After 3 months, CDSs of 5 mm diameter were created in calvaria of the animals. In group C, the defect was filled only with blood clot. In the PRF and XENO groups, the defects were filled with 0.02 mL of L-PRF and 0.02 mL of XENO, respectively. In the PRF-XENO group the defect was filled with a mixture of 0.02 mL of PRF and 0.02 mL of XENO. All animals were submitted to euthanasia at 30 postoperative days. Histomorphometric, microtomographic and immunohistochemical analyzes were performed. The data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey, p < 0.05). The PRF-XENO group presented higher amount of neoformed bone (NB) when compared to the XENO group, as well as higher expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Osteocalcin (OCN) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP -2/4 (p < 0.05). The PRF group presented higher amounts of NB and higher expression of VEGF, OCN, BMP-2/4 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2) when compared to the group C (p <0.05). It can be concluded that L-PRF can improve bone neoformation in CSDs and potentiates the healing of XENO in rats with osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy

A Reliable Protocol for In situ microRNAs Detection in Feeding Sites Induced by Root-Knot Nematodes

Las agallas inducidas por Meloidogyne spp. en las raíces de las plantas son un órgano complejo formado por tejidos heterogéneos; dentro de ellas, existen 5-8 células gigantes (GCs) que los nematodos utilizan para su propia nutrición. Los mecanismos de regulación son sutiles y es probable que medie la represión masiva de genes descritos en las etapas tempranas de la infección en las agallas, particularmente en las células gigantes. Algunos de estos mecanismos están mediados por microRNAs; por lo tanto, se describe un protocolo fiable para detectar la abundancia de microRNAs dentro de los tejidos de las agallas inducidas por Meloidogyne spp. Algunos métodos están disponibles para determinar la abundancia de microRNAs específicos en diferentes partes de la planta; sin embargo, no en agallas que son órganos complejos formados por diferentes tejidos. Por lo tanto, la detección de microRNAs a nivel celular es particularmente importante para entender los mecanismos de regulación específicos que operan dentro de las GCs. La hibridación in situ (ISH) es un método clásico, robusto y preciso que permite la localización de los ARN específicos directamente en los tejidos vegetales. Presentamos por primera vez un método de ISH adaptado y estandarizado para detectar microRNAs en GCs inducidos por nematodos basados en parafina e ISH de microRNAs. Además, se puede adaptar a cualquier laboratorio sin más requisitos que un microtomo y un microscopio óptico y se tarda diez días para llevar a cabo, una vez el material vegetal se haya recogido. La técnica mostrada es muy fiable y de gran valor para una rápida detección de los patrones de expresión de microRNAs en tomate. Hemos probado el protocolo para el microRNA 390 ya que el análisis de secuenciación masiva mostró que éste microRNA se indujo a 3 dpi (días después de la infección) en agallas de Arabidopsis y está 100% conservado entre Arabidopsis y tomate. La localización exitosa del microRNA 390 en GCs de tomate constituye una validación de este método que podría extenderse fácilmente a otros cultivos y / o sincitios inducidos por otros nematodos (formadores de quistes). Por último, también se incluye una orientación sobre la solución de problemas que pueden surgir durante el proceso