Role of the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D in models of liver inflammation and tumorigenesis

Inflammation is a fundamental protective immune response that is now accepted as one of the hallmarks of cancer as it can provide pro-tumorigenic signals and subvert immunosurveillance. The activating receptor NKG2D, expressed on both innate and adaptive immune cells, binds to several ligands expressed by target cells and it is known to be critical in the surveillance of ligand-expressing spontaneous tumours. NKG2D has recently emerged as an important player in inflammatory disorders but its precise relevance in inflammation-driven cancer remains elusive. In this study, the role played by NKG2D in a chemically induced model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is addressed by using NKG2D-deficient mice to provide evidence of a novel and unexpected role for NKG2D as a tumour promoter. The study shows that the presence of NKG2D in this model accelerates tumour growth, favours the recruitment of CD8+T cells to the inflamed liver tissue and exacerbates the pro-inflammatory milieu. NKG2D contributes to liver damage that drives chronic cycles of hepatocyte death and proliferation favouring tumour progression. The NKG2D/NKG2D ligand pathway provides an additional mechanism linking chronic inflammation to tumour development in the context of HCC exposing the need to selectively target the types of cancer that will benefit from NKG2D-based immunotherapy. In contrast with the HCC model, a NKG2D effect is not observed at early stages of liver inflammation in a short-term model of acute inflammation and liver damage. Mechanisms that regulate the recruitment and location of immune cells at sites of inflammation are poorly understood and no data are available regarding the importance of activating receptors in this mobilization process. For this reason a protocol for real time imaging of natural killer (NK) cells in the liver tissue using intravital confocal or two-photon laser-scanning microscopy (TPSLM) was established to address NK cell dynamics in vivo in the liver.Open Acces

Inventariar, arrecadar, distribuir: A formação de um novo paradigma para os bens patrimoniais religiosos no contexto das desamortizações oitocentistas

Apresenta-se o processo da desamortização dos bens bibliográficos e artísticos dos conventos extintos masculinos e femininos, comparando estratégias das principais instituições envolvidas e avaliando os resultados

Cercica portfolio revision and transformation plan section 1:context and section 6: overall Impact

The objective of this chapte rwas to define the scope of the analysis and conclude the overall impact of the given recommendationsonCercica’s2019 negative operational margin. The scope was defined by analyzing (1) the pain points that should be investigated, through an online survey and interviews, and (2) the BUs that have been underperforming, considering financial statements and documents granted by the organization. The highlighted pain points included topics on Financial Resources, Human Resources and Strategy. Investigation on Cercica’s operational performance led to the selection of5 Bus. Recommendations were given to explore the areas of improvement, rising the negative operational margin to stand between 0.2%-2.8%.Moreover, general recommendations were also manifested to intervene on the areas of continuous improvement considered within the scope

Sustainability as a key asset in establishing differentiation strategies for fashion brands

In referring to the fashion system or business, we can address to a wide variety of approaches. On an economical and business analysis, fashion can be defined as a cycle that allows to some mature industries, such as clothing, footwear or even cars, to be dynamic and maintain certain profitability over the time. While our attention tends to focus solely on the finished products, we must understand that these are the result of a long chain of stages, activities and technologies whose interaction is largely responsible for the product’s success on the market. Sustainability arises as a main vector of differentiation for fashion brands in today’s world context. In a fast moving industry such as fashion, sustainability is a concept for designers to explore, breaking the grounds for the environmental impact of the production supply, considerations of end uses or the lifecycle of the product. One of the challenges that we can present to fashion brands nowadays is to deliver a blend of both sustainability and elegance in fashion. In an era dominated by economic and financial crises, how can fashion brands coop with this new reality and enhance their differentiation vectors in order to succeed? This paper intends to explore the sustainable business model and strategy for fashion brands towards a more responsible branding, facing the challenges that the new world places upon them.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Communication strategies and processes within fashion brands : Nordic brands as case studies for successful communicationstrategies

The study conducted intends to demonstrate to what extent Nordic fashion brands are positioning themselves in the market and the way they are assuming a leading position in a globalized market through the adoption of personalized communication strategies. Through the analyses of the differentiation concepts and the “country of origin” effect we have conducted an empiric study of these brands, whose market recognition has been crescent in recent years. We intend to show that these brands are differentiation themselves from the competitors by the adoption of well integrated communication strategies reinforce by the promotion of a Scandinavian heritage. Through successful communication languages, clear positioning and international expansion, these brands are transforming the “Nordic” term into a major key asset, due to its favourable perceived brand attributes and region’s strength. Studied brands were: Acne, By Malege Birger and Designers Remix Collection. The gathered data allowed us to develop a data base of brand analyses, one that is built upon 3 main directions: brand character, emotional territory and communication registry.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

O impacto, nas crianças, da transição entre a educação pré-escolar e o 1.º ciclo do ensino básico: perceções de educadores/as de infância e de professores/as do 1.ºciclo do ensino básico

As transições, nos dias de hoje, são consideradas um modo de viver, por isso, é importante apoiar as crianças desde cedo nas transições, não só para o momento específico, mas também para construir mentalmente esses momentos como um potencial de crescimento. Dependendo de como são vividas e abordadas, podem ser ocasiões de crescimento e aprendizagem ou ocasiões de estagnação e insucesso. A passagem da Educação Pré-Escolar para o 1.º CEB é entendida, por vários/as autores/as, como um marco importante na vida das crianças. Devido às complexas consequências que estes momentos podem incitar, torna-se fulcral que as transições educativas sejam compreendidas e auxiliadas por todas as figuras envolvidas. A natureza da experiência de transição depende de como são vividas pelas crianças, famílias e profissionais educativos. É o modo de viver a situação que irá ditar o sucesso ou o insucesso da transição. Ao longo deste relatório será abordado o papel de todos os intervenientes no processo de transição entre a Educação Pré-Escolar e o 1.º CEB, assim como as estratégias de auxílio para o sucesso da mesma

Antioxidantes na estabilidade oxidativa do biodiesel

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais. Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia. 201

Embalagem de Vinho do Porto: a Graham’s como caso de estudo

Mestrado em DesignO Vinho do Porto é um produto único no mundo cuja tradição remonta ao séc. XVI. A sua produção está sujeita a severos procedimentos e fiscalizações pela autoridade da primeira região vinícola demarcada do mundo. O seu enquadramento histórico, socioeconómico, tecnológico e estético faz do Vinho do Porto uma marca nacional, cujas mais-valias para a imagem e economia de Portugal são imensas. A divisão deste produto em três grandes estilos e a sua subdivisão em diferentes categorias, à qual acresce a existência de mais de 650 marcas registadas, atribuem-lhe características de elevada complexidade; daí o imperativo do estudo e análise deste produto, que cremos poder contribuir para a qualificação da compreensão e comunicação deste produto pelo mercado. O estudo acrescentará conhecimento específico sobre a identidade do Vinho do Porto, oferecendo os meios de convergência identitária que a dispersão, por cerca de 700 marcas comerciais diferentes, implica. O estudo recaiu, na análise gráfica da marca e produtos Graham’s, com o principal objetivo de compreender de que forma o rótulo e embalagem favorecem, com tanta eficiência, a reputação de uma marca de Vinho do Porto e identificar as implicações e interpretar os sinais de caracterização do estilo "britânico" com que comunica o Vinho do Porto.Port wine is a unique product in the world whose tradition dates back to the sixteenth century. Its production is subject to strict procedures and inspections since the establishment of the first demarcated wine region in the world. Its historical, socio-economic, technological, and aesthetic framework makes the Port Wine a national brand, whose added value to the image and economy of Portugal are immense. The division of this product into three major styles and their subdivision into different categories, to which is added the existence of more than 650 brands, attribute to its characteristics of high complexity; hence the imperative to study and analysis of this product, which we believe can contribute to improve the understanding and communication of this product by the market. This study will increase knowledge about the Port’s identity, offering an identity convergence implied by the dispersion by ca. 700 different brands. This study falls under the graphical analysis of the brand and Graham's products, with the main objective being to understand how the label and packaging favours, so efficiently, the reputation of a wine brand of Port and identify the implications and interpret the signs of characterization of the "british" style that communicates the Port

O processo de internacionalização de uma marca de calçado Portuguesa: o caso Josefinas

Dissertação de mestrado em Negócios InternacionaisEsta dissertação de Mestrado tem como objetivo analisar e retratar o processo de internacionalização de uma marca de calçado portuguesa. A escolha desta temática tem a ver com o fato de vivermos num mundo cada vez mais competitivo. Deste modo a internacionalização é essencial para que as empresas possam fazer frente a esta competitividade. A análise decorre da recolha de dados primários e secundários na empresa Bloomers SA, uma empresa, sediada em Braga. A Josefina é primeira marca própria da Bloomers, foi criada em 2013, sendo já uma marca de referencia no setor do calçado Português. A marca Josefinas é uma marca recente do mercado de calçado Português, tendo já iniciado o seu percurso internacional e um reconhecimento nos mercados nacional e internacional. Este estudo tem como objetivo a expansão do negócio com vista ao crescimento, à conquista de quota de mercado, assim aumentando a competitividade da empresa.Regarding the theme of business internationalization, I have decided to investigate and analyze the process of Josefinas internationalization. The choice of this theme stems from the fact that we live in an increasingly competitive world. Thus, internationalization is essential for businesses to cope with this competitiveness. The analysis results from the collection of primary and secondary data at Bloomers S.A., a company based in Braga. Created in 2013, Josefinas are Bloomers first brand and already a reference brand in the Portuguese footwear sector. Although a new brand in the Portuguese footwear market, Josefinas have already entered international trade and gained recognition in the national and international market. This study aims at expanding a business with the objective of growth, market share gaining, thus increasing the competitiveness of the company