Immediate expression of c-fos and c-jun mRNA in a model of intestinal autotransplantation and ischemia-reperfusion in situ

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs in several clinical conditions and after intestinal transplantation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenomena of apoptosis and cell proliferation in a previously described intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury autograft model using immunohistochemical markers. The molecular mechanisms involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury repair were also investigated by measuring the expression of the early activation genes c-fos and c-jun, which induce apoptosis and cell proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were subjected to surgery for a previously described ischemia-reperfusion model that preserved the small intestine, the cecum and the ascending colon. Following reperfusion, the cecum was harvested at different time points as a representative segment of the intestine. The rats were allocated to the following four subgroups according to the reperfusion time: subgroup 1: 5 min; subgroup 2: 15 min; subgroup 3: 30 min; and subgroup 4: 60 min. A control group of cecum samples was also collected. The expression of c-fos, c-jun and immunohistochemical markers of cell proliferation and apoptosis (Ki67 and TUNEL, respectively) was studied. RESULTS: The expression of both c-fos and c-jun in the cecum was increased beginning at 5 min after ischemia-reperfusion compared with the control. The expression of c-fos began to increase at 5 min, peaked at 30 min, and exhibited a declining tendency at 60 min after reperfusion. A progressive increase in c-jun expression was observed. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed these observations. CONCLUSION: The early activation of the c-fos and c-jun genes occurred after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and these genes can act together to trigger cell proliferation and apoptosis

O ensino de Geografia no Brasil (nunca se falou tanto em Geografia...)

João Rua é reconhecido por seu trabalho como professor de ensino fundamental, médio e superior por três décadas, com passagens pelo ensino público estadual (18 anos), Colégio de Aplicação da UFRJ (26 anos), Departamento de Geografia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (27 anos), IBGE (6 anos) e Departamento de Geografia da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (6 anos). Nesta vasta experiência em que, simultaneamente, trabalhou com diferentes níveis de ensino e com pesquisa, escreveu alguns livros e muitos artigos sobre geografia da população, geografia agrária, geografia regional do mundo e ensino de geografia. Atualmente é professor da UERJ (onde leciona disciplinas da área de Geografia Agrária e mantém, há quatro anos, um grupo de pesquisas sobre o estado do Rio de Janeiro) e da PUC (onde leciona disciplinas de Geografia da População e Geografia Agrária, e coordena um grupo PET - Programa Especial de  treinamento - mantido pela CAPES, com doze bolsistas). Esta entrevista foi, em sua versão inicial, efetuada em novembro de 1995 e publicada na revista European Geographer, n° 9, 1995. A versão, agora apresentada, sofreu algumas atualizações / modificações e é dedicada, in memoriam, aos queridos amigos Luiz Antônio de Moraes Ribeiro e Fernando Antônio Waszkiavicus

Effects of the administration of pentoxifylline and prednisolone on the evolution of portal fibrogenesis secondary to biliary obstruction in growing animals: immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of TGF-BETA; and VEGF

OBJECTIVE: During the neonatal and infancy periods, some chronic liver diseases may lead to progressive hepatic fibrosis, which is a condition that can ultimately result in the loss of organ function and severe portal hypertension necessitating hepatic transplantation. In a previous report, pharmacological interventions were demonstrated to modulate hepatic fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in young rats. The administration of pentoxifylline or prednisolone, or the combination of both, resulted in reduced fibrogenesis in portal spaces. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the expression of transforming growth factor beta and vascular endothelial growth factor after bile duct ligation in young rats and to assess the effect of those same drugs on cytokine expression. METHODS: In this experimental study, 80 young rats (21 or 22 days old) were submitted either to laparotomy and common bile duct ligation or to sham surgery. The animals were allocated into four groups according to surgical procedure, and the following treatments were administered: (1) common bile duct ligation + distilled water, (2) sham surgery + distilled water, (3) common bile duct ligation + pentoxifylline, or (4) common bile duct ligation + prednisolone. After 30 days, a hepatic fragment was collected from each animal for immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies against transforming growth factor beta and vascular endothelial growth factor. Digital morphometric and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The administration of pentoxifylline reduced the transforming growth factor beta-marked area and the amount of transforming growth factor beta expressed in liver tissue. This effect was not observed after the administration of prednisolone. There was a significant reduction in vascular endothelial growth factor expression after the administration of either drug compared with the non-treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of pentoxifylline to cholestatic young rats resulted in the diminished expression of transforming growth factor beta and vascular endothelial growth factor in liver tissue. The administration of steroids resulted in the diminished expression of vascular endothelial growth factor only. These pathways may be involved in hepatic fibrogenesis in young rats submitted to bile duct ligation and exposed to pentoxifylline or prednisolone.FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo) [2009/07225-2]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP

Effects of selective bile duct ligation on liver parenchyma in young animals: histologic and molecular evaluations

Background/Purpose: The mechanisms of increased collagen production and liver parenchyma fibrosis are poorly understood. These phenomena are observed mainly in children with biliary obstruction (BO), and in a great number of patients, the evolution to biliary cirrhosis and hepatic failure leads to the need for liver transplantation before adolescence. However, pediatric liver transplantation presents with biliary complications in 20% to 30% of cases in the postoperative period. Intra-or extrahepatic stenosis of bile ducts is frequent and may lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis and the need for retransplantation. It is unknown whether biliary stenosis involving isolated segments or lobes may affect the adjacent nonobstructed lobes by paracrine or endocrine means, leading to fibrosis in this parenchyma. Therefore, the present study aimed to create an experimental model of selective biliary duct ligation in young animals with a subsequent evaluation of the histologic and molecular alterations in liver parenchyma of the obstructed and nonobstructed lobes. Methods: After a pilot study to standardize the surgical procedures, weaning rats underwent ligation of the bile ducts of the median, left lateral, and caudate liver lobes. The bile duct of the right lateral lobe was kept intact. To avoid intrahepatic biliary duct collaterals neoformation, the parenchymal connection between the right lateral and median lobes was clamped. The animals were divided into groups according to the time of death: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks after surgical procedure. After death, the median and left lateral lobes (with BO) and the right lateral lobe (without BO [NBO]) were harvested separately. A group of 8 healthy nonoperated on animals served as controls. Liver tissues were subjected to histologic evaluation and quantification of the ductular proliferation and of the portal fibrosis. The expressions of smooth muscle alpha-actin (alpha-SMA), desmin, and transforming growth factor beta 1 genes were studied by molecular analyses (semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction, a quantitative method). Results: Histologic analyses revealed the occurrence of ductular proliferation and collagen formation in the portal spaces of both BO and NBO lobes. These phenomena were observed later in NBO than BO. Bile duct density significantly increased 1 week after duct ligation; it decreased after 2 and 3 weeks and then increased again after 4 and 8 weeks in both BO and NBO lobes. The portal space collagen area increased after 2 weeks in both BO and NBO lobes. After 3 weeks, collagen deposition in BO was even higher, and in NBO, the collagen area started decreasing after 2 weeks. Molecular analyses revealed increased expression of the alpha-SMA gene in both BO and NBO lobes. The semiquantitative and quantitative methods showed concordant results. Conclusions: The ligation of a duct responsible for biliary drainage of the liver lobe promoted alterations in the parenchyma and in the adjacent nonobstructed parenchyma by paracrine and/or endocrine means. This was supported by histologic findings and increased expression of alpha-SMA, a protein related to hepatic fibrogenesis. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.CNPQ [478407/2008-4]CNP

AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF INCENTIVE SCHEMES ON THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF COMPANIES LISTED IN IBRX-50 OF BM&FBOVESPA

Organizations are inserted in a demanding and competitive market, and in this context, they seek strategic alternatives in order to obtain good results, and one of the challenges is to make the employees act so as to align their personal goals to those of the organization, as the agency theory of Jensen and Meckling approach. In this sense, as a way to motivate and get the commitment of employees, organizations provide numerous benefits such as profit sharing, post-employment benefits, stock-based compensation among others. The aim of this research is to evaluate perceptive effects on economic performance of listed companies in Brazil Index IBrX-50 Bovespa arising from the type and amount of incentives granted to employees between the years 2006 to 2010. The methodology consisted in collecting the explanatory notes and the consolidated statements of these companies and applying statistical tests to compare the mean performance according to types and amounts of benefits offered. The results demonstrated that in just a few years, companies that offered more types of benefits have highest rates of profitability. It was concluded that, although organizations have increased the amount of benefits granted during the years surveyed, statistically, the data did not present evidence to affirm that the economic performance of companies is affected by the benefits offered to employees in all periods analyzed.As organizações estão inseridas em um mercado exigente e competitivo, e nesse contexto, buscam alternativas estratégicas a fim de obter bons resultados; e um dos desafios consiste em fazer com que os colaboradores atuem de forma a alinhar suas metas pessoais às da organização, conforme abordagem da teoria da agência de Jensen e Meckling. Nesse sentido, como forma de motivar e obter o comprometimento dos colaboradores, as organizações concedem inúmeros benefícios como participação nos lucros, benefícios pós-emprego, remuneração baseada em ações entre outros. O objetivo desta pesquisa consiste em avaliar efeitos perceptíveis no desempenho econômico das empresas listadas no Índice Brasil IBrX-50 da Bovespa decorrentes do tipo e quantidade de incentivos concedidos aos empregados entre os anos de 2006 a 2010. A metodologia utilizada consistiu em coletar as notas explicativas e as demonstrações consolidadas dessas empresas e aplicar testes estatísticos para comparar o desempenho médio de acordo com tipos e quantidades de benefícios oferecidos. Os resultados demonstraram que apenas em alguns anos, as empresas que ofereceram mais tipos de benefícios, apresentaram maiores índices de rentabilidade. Concluiu-se que, embora as organizações tenham aumentado a quantidade de benefícios concedidos no decorrer dos anos pesquisados, estatisticamente, os dados não apresentaram evidências para afirmar que o desempenho econômico das empresas é afetado pelos benefícios oferecidos aos seus empregados em todos os períodos analisados

Profile of health professionals who completed a master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral degree in one Brazilian pediatric program

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the personal and professional characteristics, and the physical, psychiatric/psychological, and professional issues that exist among master’s-, doctoral-, and post-doctoral-level health professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online, self-reported survey of 452 postgraduates who completed master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral degrees in one graduate program in pediatrics in Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, was conducted. RESULTS: The response rate was 47% (211/453). The majority of participants were women (78%) and physicians (74%), and the median age was 47 years (28-71). Master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral degrees were reported by 73%, 53%, and 3%, respectively. High workload (440 hours/week) occurred in 59%, and 45% earned X15 minimum wages/month. At least one participation in scientific meeting in the past year was reported by 91%, and 79% had published their research. Thirty-nine percent served as a member of a faculty of an institution of higher learning. The data were analyzed by two age groups: participants aged p48 years (group 1) and participants aged 448 years (group 2). The median rating of overall satisfaction with the profession in the past year [8 (0-10) vs. 9 (1-10), p=0.0113]; workload 440 hours/week (53% vs. 68%, p=0.034); and X15 minimum wages/month (37% vs. 56%, p=0.0083) were significantly lower in group 1. Further analysis by gender revealed that the median rating of overall satisfaction with the profession in the past year [8 (0-10) vs. 9 (3-10), p=0.0015], workload 440 hours/week (53% vs. 83%, p=0.0002), and X15 minimum wages/month (37% vs. 74%, p=0.0001) were significantly lower in women compared with men. The median rating of overall satisfaction with the mentorship supervision provided was significantly higher among the women 10 (5-10) vs. 10 (2-10), p=0.0324]. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of master’s-, doctoral-, and post-doctoral-level health professionals were women and physicians, and had published their thesis. Younger postgraduates and women reported low salaries, less likelihood of working 440 hours/week, and less overall satisfaction with their profession. Further longitudinal and qualitative studies are warranted to assess career trajectories after graduation

Declínio dos citros: algo a ver com o sistema de produção de mudas cítricas?

Na atualidade, a citricultura paulista enfrenta sérios problemas com o surgimento de novas enfermidades limitantes ao processo produtivo. Uma das alternativas para prevenir essas enfermidades é, seguramente, a produção de mudas certificadas, com borbulhas e sementes de assegurada qualidade genética e sanitária, produzidas em containers ou sacos plásticos, sob fiscalização dos órgãos competentes, garantindo-se, assim, a sanidade das mesmas. No entanto, tem-se verificado que grande parte do processo operacional de produção de mudas cítricas foi parcialmente adaptado da produção de essências florestais (eucalipto), onde se insere, principalmente, o emprego de tubetes com comprimento de 12 cm. Tal prática desencadeia uma grave deformidade morfológica no sistema radical das mudas cítricas, reduzindo o seu potencial de crescimento, quando são plantadas a campo, em local definitivo. Como a principal causa desencadeadora do declínio dos citros parece ser o estresse hídrico, plantas oriundas desse sistema de produção de mudas, mostram-se muito mais vulneráveis ao estresse e, conseqüentemente, a esta anomalia. Como atualmente todas as mudas produzidas no Estado de São Paulo provêm desse sistema de produção, seguramente o declínio dos citros tenderá a ser, futuramente, muito mais freqüente e severo nos casos de combinações vulneráveis à sua ocorrência.Nowadays, São Paulo citrus culture faces serious problems with the outbreak of new diseases that limit the production process. One of the alternatives to prevent these diseases certainly is the production of certified seedlings, with shoot meristems and seeds of guaranteed genetic and sanitary quality, produced in containers or plastic bags, under the inspection of competent bureaus, thus assuring their health. However, it has been observed that a large part of the operational process of citrus seedling production has been partially adapted from the eucalypt production system, where, the use of plastic conic 12 cm-long cells were originally used. Such practice entails a severe morphological deformation of the root system on citrus seedlings, reducing their growth potential after field transplanting. Because the major triggering cause for citrus decline is the water stress, plants originating from this production system are much more vulnerable to the stress and, consequently, to this anomaly. Since all seedlings produced in São Paulo State come from this system, certainly citrus decline tends to be, in the near future, much more frequent and severe in the cases of vulnerable combinations for its occurrence