Relação entre as práticas do board interlocking e características de empresas de estrutura de propriedade familiar com ações mais negociadas na BM&FBOVESPA

The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Board Interlocking practices and business characteristics of family ownership structure which have more stocks traded in BM&FBovespa. Study descriptive being conducted through desk research, with a quantitative approach. The information was collected from the financial reports of 23 Brazilian open capital companies of family ownership structure, classified by the Open Capital Magazine. The results show that the Board Interlocking practice occurred in 57% of the companies in the sample, indicating that it is a common practice. Show also a significant relationship between the variables Board Interlocking practices and characteristics of family ownership structure and control, with a canonical correlation of 83% and a canonical R of 69%. It is concluded that the Interlocking Board practices by members of the board of directors, directors and supervisory board is adopted in the surveyed companies, despite the tendency of family ownership structure be more concentrated.O estudo objetiva verificar a relação entre as práticas do Board Interlocking e características de empresas de estrutura de propriedade familiar com ações mais negociadas na BM&FBovespa. Estudo descritivo foi realizado por meio de pesquisa documental, com abordagem quantitativa. Coletaram-se informações nos relatórios financeiros das 23 empresas brasileiras de capital aberto com estrutura e propriedade familiar, classificadas pela Revista Capital Aberto. Os resultados apontam que a prática do Board Interlocking ocorreu em 57% das empresas da amostra, indicando ser uma prática comum. Evidenciam também uma relação significativa entre as variáveis prática do Board Interlocking e características de propriedade e controle familiar. Conclui-se que a prática do Board Interlocking pelos membros do conselho de administração, diretoria e conselho fiscal é adotada nas empresas pesquisadas, apesar da tendência da estrutura de propriedade familiar ser mais concentrada.

Spherical means-based free-water volume fraction from diffusion MRI increases non-linearly with age in the white matter of the healthy human brain

Producción CientíficaThe term free-water volume fraction (FWVF) refers to the signal fraction that could be found as the cerebrospinal fluid of the brain, which has been demonstrated as a sensitive measure that correlates with cognitive performance and various neuropathological processes. It can be quantified by properly fitting the isotropic component of the magnetic resonance (MR) signal in diffusion-sensitized sequences. Using healthy subjects (178F/109M) aged 25-94, this study examines in detail the evolution of the FWVF obtained with the spherical means technique from multi-shell acquisitions in the human brain white matter across the adult lifespan, which has been previously reported to exhibit a positive trend when estimated from single-shell data using the bi-tensor signal representation. We found evidence of a noticeably non-linear gain after the sixth decade of life, with a region-specific variate and varying change rate of the spherical means-based multi-shell FWVF parameter with age, at the same time, a heteroskedastic pattern across the adult lifespan is suggested. On the other hand, the FW corrected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) leads to a region-dependent flattened age-related evolution of the mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA), along with a considerable reduction in their variability, as compared to the studies conducted over the standard (single-component) DTI. This way, our study provides a new perspective on the trajectory-based assessment of the brain and explains the conceivable reason for the variations observed in FA and MD parameters across the lifespan with previous studies under the standard diffusion tensor imaging.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN-AEI) y FEDER-UE (grant PID2021-124407NB-I00)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN-AEI) - Unión Europea “NextGenerationEU/PRTR” (grant TED2021-130758B-I00)Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Poland) - Bekker programme (grant PPN/BEK/2019/1/00421)Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation (2015/FO5146)European Union's Horizon 2020 research and Innovation program (ERC 802998

Brain‐wide associations between white matter and age highlight the role of fornix microstructure in brain ageing

Unveiling the details of white matter (WM) maturation throughout ageing is a fundamental question for understanding the ageing brain. In an extensive comparison of brain age predictions and age-associations of WM features from different diffusion approaches, we analyzed UK Biobank diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data across midlife and older age (N = 35,749, 44.6–82.8 years of age). Conventional and advanced dMRI approaches were consistent in predicting brain age. WM-age associations indicate a steady microstructure degeneration with increasing age from midlife to older ages. Brain age was estimated best when combining diffusion approaches, showing different aspects of WM contributing to brain age. Fornix was found as the central region for brain age predictions across diffusion approaches in complement to forceps minor as another important region. These regions exhibited a general pattern of positive associations with age for intra axonal water fractions, axial, radial diffusivities, and negative relationships with age for mean diffusivities, fractional anisotropy, kurtosis. We encourage the application of multiple dMRI approaches for detailed insights into WM, and the further investigation of fornix and forceps as potential biomarkers of brain age and ageing.publishedVersio

ANÁLISE DA ESTRUTURA DE PROPRIEDADE DAS EMPRESAS LISTADAS NO ISE POR MEIO DA APLICAÇÃO DE REDES SOCIAIS

This study is aimed at verifying the configuration of the property structure and relationship network of shareholders in Brazilian companies listed on the BM&FBovespa Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI). Therefore, information was sought about the property structure, the structural configuration of the shareholders’ relationships and other characteristics for the 30 companies in the sample, over three consecutive years. As regards the methodological classification, a descriptive and documentary research with a quantitative approach was carried out. Data analysis was divided in two phases: the first involved descriptive statistics and the second the structuring of social relationships, when the configuration of the 1361 board of directors and executive board members’ relationships was verified, besides the existence of board interlocking. The results indicate that the structural and corporate configuration of the CSI companies’ relationships reveals a shared property structure, as two or more shareholders are in control; they also suggest that the property structure is interdependent, defining what part of investments will be made in according with socially responsible practices/activities, representing the application of this capital. These decisions can be influenced by the members of the company’s executive board and board of directors, who participate in other companies that adhere to sustainable practices. Finally, this research contributes to the area, indicating that board interlocking can be considered a driving factor in the transmission of a sustainable culture by board members in different companies.Este estudio tiene como objetivo verificar cuál es la configuración de la estructura de propiedad y de la red de relaciones de los accionistas de las empresas brasileñas integrantes del Índice de Sostenibilidad Empresarial (ISE) de la BM&FBovespa. Para tanto, se buscaron informaciones sobre la estructura de propiedad y la configuración estructural de las relaciones de los accionistas y demás características relativas a las 30 empresas componentes de la muestra, en un período de 3 años consecutivos. En lo referente a la clasificación metodológica, esta pesquisa se caracteriza como siendo descriptiva, documental, con abordaje cuantitativo. El análisis de los datos fue segmentado en dos fases, inicialmente por medio de la estadística descriptiva y en un segundo momento por la estructuración de redes sociales, con la verificación de la configuración de las relaciones de 1.361 miembros de consejos de administración y Directoría, además de la existencia de la práctica del Board Interlocking. Los resultados indican que la configuración estructural y societaria de las relaciones de las empresas adherentes al ISE se caracteriza como siendo del tipo compartido en relación a la estructura de propiedad, debido a que el control sea ejercido por dos o más accionistas; sugieren también que, existe una interdependencia de la estructura de propiedad que define las proporciones de inversiones que serán realizados con las prácticas/actividades socialmente responsables, que representa la aplicación de ese capital. Estas decisiones pueden ser influenciadas por el cuerpo directivo de la empresa y miembros del consejo, participantes de otras empresas adherentes a las prácticas sostenibles. Por fin, esta pesquisa trae contribuciones para el área, dando indicios de que la práctica del board interlocking puede ser considerado un factor que impulsa la transmisión de una cultura sostenible por miembros de consejos de diversas empresas.Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar qual a configuração da estrutura de propriedade e da rede de relacionamentos dos acionistas das empresas brasileiras integrantes do Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial (ISE) da BM&FBovespa. Para tanto, buscaram-se informações sobre a estrutura de propriedade e a configuração estrutural dos relacionamentos dos acionistas e demais características relativas às 30 empresas componentes da amostra, em um período de 3 anos consecutivos. Quanto à classificação metodológica, esta pesquisa caracteriza-se como sendo descritiva, documental, com abordagem quantitativa. A análise dos dados foi segmentada em duas fases, inicialmente por meio da estatística descritiva e em um segundo momento pela estruturação de redes sociais, com a verificação da configuração dos relacionamentos de 1.361 membros de conselhos de administração e diretoria, além da existência da prática do Board Interlocking. Os resultados indicam que a configuração estrutural e societária dos relacionamentos das empresas aderentes ao ISE é caracterizada como sendo do tipo compartilhado quanto à estrutura de propriedade, devido ao controle ser exercido por dois ou mais acionistas. Sugerem também que existe uma interdependência da estrutura de propriedade que define as proporções de investimentos que serão realizados com as práticas/atividades socialmente responsáveis, que representa a aplicação desse capital. Estas decisões podem ser influenciadas pelo corpo diretivo da empresa e membros do conselho participantes de outras empresas aderentes a práticas sustentáveis. Por fim, esta pesquisa traz contribuições para a área, dando indícios de que a prática do board interlocking pode ser considerada um fator que impulsiona a transmissão de uma cultura sustentável por membros de conselhos de diversas empresas

Bio-psycho-social factors’ associations with brain age: a large-scale UK Biobank diffusion study of 35,749 participants

Brain age refers to age predicted by brain features. Brain age has previously been associated with various health and disease outcomes and suggested as a potential biomarker of general health. Few previous studies have systematically assessed brain age variability derived from single and multi-shell diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data. Here, we present multivariate models of brain age derived from various diffusion approaches and how they relate to bio-psycho-social variables within the domains of sociodemographic, cognitive, life-satisfaction, as well as health and lifestyle factors in midlife to old age (N = 35,749, 44.6–82.8 years of age). Bio-psycho-social factors could uniquely explain a small proportion of the brain age variance, in a similar pattern across diffusion approaches: cognitive scores, life satisfaction, health and lifestyle factors adding to the variance explained, but not socio-demographics. Consistent brain age associations across models were found for waist-to-hip ratio, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, matrix puzzles solving, and job and health satisfaction and perception. Furthermore, we found large variability in sex and ethnicity group differences in brain age. Our results show that brain age cannot be sufficiently explained by bio-psycho-social variables alone. However, the observed associations suggest to adjust for sex, ethnicity, cognitive factors, as well as health and lifestyle factors, and to observe bio-psycho-social factor interactions’ influence on brain age in future studies.publishedVersio

Reaction Time Variability in Children Is Specifically Associated With Attention Problems and Regional White Matter Microstructure

Background Increased intraindividual variability (IIV) in reaction times (RTs) has been suggested as a key cognitive and behavioral marker of attention problems, but findings for other dimensions of psychopathology are less consistent. Moreover, while studies have linked IIV to brain white matter microstructure, large studies testing the robustness of these associations are needed. Methods We used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study baseline assessment to test the associations between IIV and psychopathology (n = 8622, age = 8.9–11.1 years) and IIV and white matter microstructure (n = 7958, age = 8.9–11.1 years). IIV was investigated using an ex-Gaussian distribution analysis of RTs in correct response go trials in the stop signal task. Psychopathology was measured by the Child Behavior Checklist and a bifactor structural equation model was performed to extract a general p factor and specific factors reflecting internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems. To investigate white matter microstructure, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were examined in 23 atlas-based tracts. Results Increased IIV in both short and long RTs was positively associated with the specific attention problems factor (Cohen’s d = 0.13 and d = 0.15, respectively). Increased IIV in long RTs was also positively associated with radial diffusivity in the left and right corticospinal tract (both tracts, d = 0.12). Conclusions Using a large sample and a data-driven dimensional approach to psychopathology, the results provide novel evidence for a small but specific association between IIV and attention problems in children and support previous findings on the relevance of white matter microstructure for IIV.publishedVersio

GANGRENA DIGITAL EM EXTREMIDADE SUPERIOR SECUNDÁRIA À INFUSÃO INTRAVENOSA LOCAL DE VANCOMICINA: RELATO DE CASO

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223658346378RESUMO Em decorrência de sua crescente recomendação para tratamento de infecções hospitalares por Staphilococcus sp. com resistência à meticilina e oxacilina, a utilização do antibiótico glicopeptídeo Vancomicina aumentou muito nos últimos 20 anos. Apesar desde fato, o número de pacientes que eventualmente apresenta efeitos adversos graves à sua administração é muito pequeno, sendo mais frequentes reações simples como dor, tromboflebite no local de administração, febre e calafrios. Entre as complicações graves relacionadas ao seu uso estão a anafilaxia, a necrólise epidérmica tóxica, o eritema multiforme, a ototoxicidade e a ‘síndrome do homem vermelho’. Neste artigo descrevemos um caso muito raro e excepcional de gangrena isquêmica de todos os quirodáctilos da mão direita após infusão intravenosa local de vancomicina. Descritores: vancomicina, efeitos adversos, toxicidade, gangrena

Cardiometabolic health across menopausal years is linked to white matter hyperintensities up to a decade later

Introduction: The menopause transition is associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors. Poor cardiometabolic health is further linked to microvascular brain lesions, which can be detected as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) using T2-FLAIR magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Females show higher risk for WMHs post-menopause, but it remains unclear whether changes in cardiometabolic risk factors underlie menopause-related increase in brain pathology. Methods: In this study, we assessed whether cross-sectional measures of cardiometabolic health, including body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood lipids, blood pressure, and long-term blood glucose (HbA1c), as well as longitudinal changes in BMI and WHR, differed according to menopausal status at baseline in 9,882 UK Biobank females (age range 40–70 years, n premenopausal = 3,529, n postmenopausal = 6,353). Furthermore, we examined whether these cardiometabolic factors were associated with WMH outcomes at the follow-up assessment, on average 8.78 years after baseline. Results: Postmenopausal females showed higher levels of baseline blood lipids (HDL (Formula presented.) = 0.14, p &lt; 0.001, LDL (Formula presented.) = 0.20, p &lt; 0.001, triglycerides (Formula presented.) = 0.12, p &lt; 0.001) and HbA1c ((Formula presented.) = 0.24, p &lt; 0.001) compared to premenopausal women, beyond the effects of age. Over time, BMI increased more in the premenopausal compared to the postmenopausal group ((Formula presented.) = −0.08, p &lt; 0.001), while WHR increased to a similar extent in both groups ((Formula presented.) = −0.03, p = 0.102). The change in WHR was however driven by increased waist circumference only in the premenopausal group. While the group level changes in BMI and WHR were in general small, these findings point to distinct anthropometric changes in pre- and postmenopausal females over time. Higher baseline measures of BMI, WHR, triglycerides, blood pressure, and HbA1c, as well as longitudinal increases in BMI and WHR, were associated with larger WMH volumes ((Formula presented.) range = 0.03–0.13, p ≤ 0.002). HDL showed a significant inverse relationship with WMH volume ((Formula presented.) = −0.27, p &lt; 0.001). Discussion: Our findings emphasise the importance of monitoring cardiometabolic risk factors in females from midlife through the menopause transition and into the postmenopausal phase, to ensure improved cerebrovascular outcomes in later years.</p

Venom Proteins of the Parasitoid Wasp Nasonia vitripennis: Recent Discovery of an Untapped Pharmacopee

Adult females of Nasonia vitripennis inject a venomous mixture into its host flies prior to oviposition. Recently, the entire genome of this ectoparasitoid wasp was sequenced, enabling the identification of 79 venom proteins. The next challenge will be to unravel their specific functions, but based on homolog studies, some predictions already can be made. Parasitization has an enormous impact on hosts physiology of which five major effects are discussed in this review: the impact on immune responses, induction of developmental arrest, increases in lipid levels, apoptosis and nutrient releases. The value of deciphering this venom is also discussed

Associations between abdominal adipose tissue, reproductive span, and brain characteristics in post-menopausal women

The menopause transition involves changes in oestrogens and adipose tissue distribution, which may influence female brain health post-menopause. Although increased central fat accumulation is linked to risk of cardiometabolic diseases, adipose tissue also serves as the primary biosynthesis site of oestrogens post-menopause. It is unclear whether different types of adipose tissue play diverging roles in female brain health post-menopause, and whether this depends on lifetime oestrogen exposure, which can have lasting effects on the brain and body even after menopause. Using the UK Biobank sample, we investigated associations between brain characteristics and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) in 10,251 post-menopausal females, and assessed whether the relationships varied depending on length of reproductive span (age at menarche to age at menopause). To parse the effects of common genetic variation, we computed polygenic scores for reproductive span. The results showed that higher VAT and ASAT were both associated with higher grey and white matter brain age, and greater white matter hyperintensity load. The associations varied positively with reproductive span, indicating more prominent associations between adipose tissue and brain measures in females with a longer reproductive span. The effects were in general small, but could not be fully explained by genetic variation or relevant confounders. Our findings indicate that associations between abdominal adipose tissue and brain health post-menopause may partly depend on individual differences in cumulative oestrogen exposure during reproductive years, emphasising the complexity of neural and endocrine ageing processes in females