Monitoramento da multidisciplinaridade no processo de transferência de tecnologia em uma universidade: proposta de análise de cluster

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the management of the technology transfer process conducted by a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of a federal public university. Patent co-authorship and multidisciplinarity were used as concepts to evaluate and monitor the quality of academic and practical contribution and their potential for commercial application, using descriptive statistics and cluster analysis. Considering only multidisciplinary patents, binary cluster analysis was conducted, using Jaccard similarity measurement and single linkage method to determine proximity among academic units. Apart from the analysis of the number of patents, the approach enabled discussions and questions regarding the differences between patent generation patterns, resultant from the specific organizational culture and structures. The discussions are relevant to improve the identification of opportunities in technology transfer processes by the TTO

FK 506 pre-treatment is associated with reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 6 following hepatic ischemia/reperfusion

Using a rat model, the effect of pre-treatment with FK 506 on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury was investigated. All control animals died within 72 h of the ischemia/reperfusion injury. Pre-treatment of the animals with FK 506 (0.3 mg/kg in 0.5 ml saline) administered intravenously improved survival. The most striking protection against fatal ischemia/reperfusion injury was achieved in rats that were given FK 506 6 and 24 h prior to the induction of the hepatic ischemic insult (70% and 80% 10-day survival rates, respectively). The hepatoprotective effect of FK 506 was assessed further in a second experiment in which the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured. These results suggest that a 60-min period of hepatic ischemia and subsequent reperfusion triggers the release of both TNF and IL-6, and that FK 506 pre-treatment (6 h before the ischemic episode) significantly inhibits the production and/or release of these two cytokines compared to untreated controls. These data provide additional information concerning the immunosuppressive and hepatoprotective activities of FK 506. Based upon these data, it is probable that FK 506 attenuates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, at least in part, by reducing TNF and IL-6 levels. © 1993 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Testing relationships: ethical arguments for screening with HbA1C

Since the 1990s, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) has been the gold standard for monitoring glycaemic control in people diagnosed as having either type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Discussions are underway about diagnosing diabetes mellitus on the basis of HbA1C titres and using HbA1C tests to screen for T2DM. These discussions have focused on the relative benefits for individual patients, with some attention directed towards reduced costs to healthcare systems and benefits to society. We argue that there are strong ethical reasons for adopting HbA1C-based diagnosis and T2DM screening that have not yet been articulated. The rationale includes the differential impact of HbA1C-based diabetic testing on disadvantaged groups, and what we are beginning to learn about HbA1C vis-à-vis population health. Although it is arguable that screening must primarily benefit the individual, using HbA1C to diagnose and screen for T2DM may promote a more just distribution of health resources and lead to advances in investigating, monitoring and tackling the social determinants of health

The Appearance and Modulation of Osteocyte Marker Expression during Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Vascular calcification is an indicator of elevated cardiovascular risk. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the predominant cell type involved in medial vascular calcification, can undergo phenotypic transition to both osteoblastic and chondrocytic cells within a calcifying environment.In the present study, using in vitro VSMC calcification studies in conjunction with ex vivo analyses of a mouse model of medial calcification, we show that vascular calcification is also associated with the expression of osteocyte phenotype markers. As controls, the terminal differentiation of murine calvarial osteoblasts into osteocytes was induced in vitro in the presence of calcifying medium (containing ß-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid), as determined by increased expression of the osteocyte markers DMP-1, E11 and sclerostin. Culture of murine aortic VSMCs under identical conditions confirmed that the calcification of these cells can also be induced in similar calcifying medium. Calcified VSMCs had increased alkaline phosphatase activity and PiT-1 expression, which are recognized markers of vascular calcification. Expression of DMP-1, E11 and sclerostin was up-regulated during VSMC calcification in vitro. Increased protein expression of E11, an early osteocyte marker, and sclerostin, expressed by more mature osteocytes was also observed in the calcified media of Enpp1(-/-) mouse aortic tissue.This study has demonstrated the up-regulation of key osteocytic molecules during the vascular calcification process. A fuller understanding of the functional role of osteocyte formation and specifically sclerostin and E11 expression in the vascular calcification process may identify novel potential therapeutic strategies for clinical intervention

Recognition and diagnosis of sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease

Contains fulltext : 109296.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Sleep disturbances are among the most frequent and incapacitating non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), and are increasingly recognized as an important determinant of impaired quality of life. Here we review several recent developments regarding the recognition and diagnosis of sleep disorders in PD. In addition, we provide a practical and easily applicable approach to the diagnostic process as a basis for tailored therapeutic interventions. This includes a stepwise scheme that guides the clinical interview and subsequent ancillary investigations. In this scheme, the various possible sleep disorders are arranged not in order of prevalence, but in a 'differential diagnostic' order. We also provide recommendations for the use of sleep registrations such as polysomnography. Furthermore, we point out when a sleep specialist could be consulted to provide additional diagnostic and therapeutic input. This structured approach facilitates early detection of sleep disturbances in PD, so treatment can be initiated promptly

The relation among stress, adrenalin, interleukin 6 and acute phase proteins in the rat

Stress reactions exist in many conditions in which plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) is elevated. Examples are burns and sepsis. In these situations fever is often present. These stress situations are always accompanied with high levels of adrenalin and corticosteroids. These hormones, especially when given together, elicit a definite response of acute phase proteins in normal rats. In two stress models, (i) laparotomy and (ii) fever induced by administration of PGE2 in the lateral intracerebral ventricle, we observed a rise of adrenalin and corticosteron followed by an elevated level of plasma IL-6. Therefore, we studied the effect of adrenalin and corticosteron on the plasma level of IL-6. Adrenalin evokes high levels of IL-6, and this effect can be blocked by propranolol. When IL-6 release is blocked in this way, the response of alpha 2 macroglobulin and the cysteine protease inhibitor, both fast-reacting acute phase proteins in rat, is strongly depressed. Isoprenalin, an adreno beta 2 agonist, also causes very high levels of IL-6, indicating that the release of IL-6 can be mediated by an adreno beta 2 receptor whose presence has been demonstrated in monocytic cells. The results suggest a relation between stress situations and IL-6 and may be another factor besides the presence of endotoxins, virus, etc. explaining the high levels of IL-6 observed in many serious clinical situation

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) in serum and urine of renal transplant recipients.

Hybridoma growth factor (HGF) is a 20-25 kD protein, supporting the growth of hybridoma cells in vitro and capable of replacing feeder cells. It was shown to be produced by human monocytes and a number of cultured cell lines. Recently, HGF was found to be identical to interferon-beta 2 or 26 kD protein and BSF-2, and was renamed interleukin 6 (IL-6). Using a sensitive bio-assay we were able to measure IL-6 activity in the serum and urine of healthy volunteers and renal transplant recipients. Low levels of IL-6 were present in the serum but not in the urine of healthy individuals. In contrast, both serum and urine of renal transplant recipients contained high levels of IL-6 directly after transplantation and during acute rejection episodes. On the basis of kinetic studies of the IL-6 response, it is concluded that serial measurement of IL-6, especially in urine, may be of value in monitoring renal transplant recipients. Moreover, the sensitivity of the bioassay will allow for detailed studies as to the biological significance of IL-6 in health and disease