Risk management prioritization in medical device SMEs based on AHP analysis

Purpose - Risk management is crucial for the longevity of companies and it is also required by many standards and regulations, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. Particularly for the medical device industry the standards are stricter, due to the level of risk that products can represent. However, each standard is particular on its requirements and establishing the risk management process can be challenging, namely for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This research aims to identify and prioritize the key features for the risk management of medical device SMEs. Design/methodology/approach - The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied as follows: from the literature review and the above-mentioned standards the authors defined the problem, objectives, alternatives and identified 5 evaluation criteria and 8 evaluation subcriteria, organized in the hierarchical structuring of four matrices, which were the basis for data collection and analysis. Five experts from Brazilian and Portuguese companies operating in the sector were interviewed and asked to evaluate each of the matrices, establishing the relative importance among the criteria, for the calculation of local priorities. Findings - The results led to the involvement of employees as the most important criterion for risk management, followed by employees training and qualification. Organizational culture was listed as the least important criterion, with four of the five evaluators considering training and qualification as a way to work towards a cultural change and encourage risk-based thinking. Originality/value - Recent researches highlight the need for methodological and scientific support on risk management for the companies. This paper provides discussion regarding whether the literature reflects the reality of organizations and how the process is considered by them.CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(undefined

Ortodontia plástica - conceito e diferentes sistemas

A necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico, na maioria dos pacientes, prende-se com a procura de alinhamento dentário ou de estética facial. A pouca popularidade dos aparelhos fixos tradicionais metálicos entre os pacientes deve-se ao reduzido sentido estético e receio de dor. Os aparelhos plásticos transparentes são uma boa alternativa (especialmente em jovens adultos com dentição permanente) para proceder ao tratamento ortodôntico, na medida em que não levantam tantas questões estéticas. Porém, há sistemas de ortodontia plástica que apresentam limitações e apenas tratam casos simples a nível anterior ou recidivas após tratamento ortodôntico. Existem assim vários sistemas que conseguem corrigir diversos tipos de maloclusões mais severas, mas o clínico tem que estar ciente sempre das limitações e decidir qual o sistema viável para proceder ao tratamento com ortodontia plástica.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Kaingang traditional knowledge: the use of medicinal herbs

O povo Kaingang é o mais populoso do Sul do Brasil e está entre os mais numerosos povos indígenas do país. Neste trabalho faz-se uma relação entre as informações encontradas na literatura e a atualidade na Terra Indígena Kaingang em relação ao conhecimento que possuem sobre o uso de plantas para a cura de doenças e como interpretam a ação da erva no organismo. Para isto, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo em uma Terra Indígena Kaingang no Paraná, cujo entrevistas forneceram confirmações históricas em relação aos etnoconhecimentos da etnia, da evolução dos aspectos químicos e das atitudes perante a química e os remédios de origem farmacêutica e natural

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory extracts from sea cucumbers and tunicates induce a pro-osteogenic effect in Zebrafish Larvae

Bone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis are characterized by the loss of mineral from the bone tissue leading to its structural weakening and increased susceptibility to fractures. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathophysiological processes involved in the rise of these conditions. As the currently available therapeutic strategies are often characterized by toxic effects associated with their long-term use, natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as polyphenols promise to be a valuable alternative for the prevention and treatment of these disorders. In this scope, the marine environment is becoming an important source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological applications. Here, we explored the bioactive potential of three species of holothurians (Echinodermata) and four species of tunicates (Chordata) as sources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds with a particular focus on polyphenolic substances. Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts were obtained from animals' biomass and screened for their content of polyphenols and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Hydroethanolic fractions of three species of tunicates displayed high polyphenolic content associated with strong antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory activity. Extracts were thereafter tested for their capacity to promote bone formation and mineralization by applying an assay that uses the developing operculum of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to assess the osteogenic activity of compounds. The same three hydroethanolic fractions from tunicates were characterized by a strong in vivo osteogenic activity, which positively correlated with their anti-inflammatory potential as measured by COX-2 inhibition. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of polyphenol-rich hydroethanolic extracts obtained from three species of tunicates as a substrate for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of bone disorders correlated to oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio