Aspectos microbiológicos e imunológicos periodontais de homens usuários de esteroides anabolizantes androgênicos

Orientador: Prof. Dr. João Paulo SteffensCoorientadora: Profª Drª Geisla Mary Silva SoaresDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia. Defesa : Curitiba, 01/07/2019.Inclui referências: p. 69-75.Resumo: A testosterona, além de ser o principal responsável pelo desenvolvimento de características sexuais nos homens, exerce importante papel em outros processos como o desenvolvimento do tecido muscular esquelético, manutenção e equilíbrio do humor e perfusão cerebral. Esteroides anabolizantes androgênicos (EAA) são derivados sintéticos desse hormônio amplamente utilizados não apenas por atletas, mas também por homens em geral. O uso abusivo dessas drogas pode trazer efeitos adversos ao medicamento tais como doenças cardíacas, toxicidade hepática, infertilidade, distúrbios comportamentais e possíveis alterações no tecido periodontal. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar aspectos microbiológicos e imunológicos do periodonto de homens usuários de EAA. Foram recrutados em academias e eventos de fisiculturismo 15 homens usuários de EAA (grupo EAA). Para o grupo controle, foram recrutados 15 homens pareados por idade e hábitos (praticantes regulares de atividades físicas) não usuários de EAA. Todos os participantes passaram por exame periodontal em que índice de placa (O'Leary), profundidade de sondagem (PS), sangramento à sondagem (SS) e nível clínico de inserção (NCI) foram avaliados. Amostras de fluido crevicular e de biofilme subgengival foram coletadas de dois sítios periodontias contralaterais em cada participante, sendo um saudável e o outro doente (PS>3mm, SS presente e NCI>0). Amostras de fluido crevicular foram analisadas para quantificação de proteína total (Bradford) e expressão de interleucina (IL)-1 B (ELISA). As amostras de biofilme passaram por teste Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. A idade dos participantes variou entre 23 e 40 anos (grupo EAA: 30,07±4,4 anos; grupo controle: 28,1 ±4,6 anos). A expressão de IL-1 B em sítios saudáveis do grupo caso não foi estatisticamente diferente daquela observada em sítios doentes, ao contrário do grupo controle (p0,05). Embora sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes, usuários de EAA apresentaram maiores porcentagens de micro-organismos de complexos microbianos compatíveis com doença tanto em sítios saudáveis (61%) quanto em sítios doentes (55%) quando comparados com não usuários (35% em sítios saudáveis e 40% em doentes) (Mann Whitney; p>0,05). Concluímos que mesmo em sítios periodontais saudáveis, o perfil microbiano e a expressão de IL-1 B de usuários de EAA parece ser compatível com sítios doentes.Abstract: Besides being the main responsible for sexual characteristics development in men, testosterone is important in other biological processes like skeletal muscle development, maintenance of the mood and brain perfusion. Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivates of this hormone largely used not only by athletes, but by men in general. The abuse of this substances may result in adverse effects associated with the medicament such as heart conditions, liver toxicity, sterility, behavior disturbs and possibly changes in the periodontium. The aim of this study was to assess microbiological and immunological aspects of men under AAS abuse. Participants were recruited in gyms, bodybuilding events and championships. Fifteen men that admittedly used AAS (AAS group) and 15 men paired by age, and habits (gym regular goers) but not AAS users (control group) were admitted in this study. All participants went through a complete clinical periodontal examination in which plaque index (O'Leary), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed. Crevicular fluid and subgengival biofilm samples were collected from two contralateral periodontal sites from each participant being one healthy and the other diseased (PD>3mm, BOP presence and CAL>0). Crevicular fluid samples were analyzed for total protein quantification (Bradford) and Interleukin (IL)-1bexpression (ELISA). Biofilm went through Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization test. The age of participants varied between 23 and 40 years of age (AAS group: 30.07±4.4 years; control group: 28.1±4.6 years). IL- 1 bexpression in healthy sites of the AAS group was statistically not different from the observed in diseased sites, unlike in the control group (p0.05). Although without statistically significant differences, AAS users presented higher percentages of microorganisms compatible with disease in both, healthy (61%) and diseased (55%) sites when compared to non-users (35% in healthy sites and 40% in diseased sites) (Mann Whitney; p>0.05). We concluded that even in periodontal healthy sites, the microbial profile and the IL-1bexpression in AAS users seem to be compatible with periodontal diseased sites

A relação entre as competências de um parque tecnológico e a competitividade de empresas do setor de TI nele residentes: análise do caso TECNOPUC

Over the years, technology parks have attracted organizations seeking competitiveness through innovation and technological cooperation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the competencies contained within a technology park, TECNOPUC, and the competitiveness of the Information Technology (IT) firms located within it. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted involving experts on the topic, the Park managers and managers from seven firms located in the Park. The findings reveal the perception that the brand TECNOPUC and the working environment provided by the Park are the competencies that are more closely related to the competitiveness of the firms located within it. The managers interviewed seem to be in the Park in search of business opportunities with large corporations, focusing their actions on reducing costs in order to achieve greater competitiveness. Rather than developing or selling technology, the priority seems to be selling products and services. Thus, actions aimed at encouraging and promoting research, technological development and innovations, such as the implementation of joint projects, for example, are not prioritized.Os parques tecnológicos vêm ao longo dos anos atraindo organizações que buscam competitividade por meio da inovação e cooperação tecnológica. Diante disso, este estudo buscou evidenciar a relação entre as competências de um parque tecnológico, o TECNOPUC, e a competitividade das empresas de Tecnologia da Informação (TI) lá instaladas. Realizou-se, para isso, uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório, envolvendo experts no tema, gestores do parque e gestores de sete empresas lá residentes. Como resultado, evidenciou-se a percepção de que as principais relações entre as competências do Parque e a competitividade das empresas são constituídas pela marca TECNOPUC e pelo ambiente de trabalho proporcionado pelo parque. Os gestores entrevistados parecem estar no Parque em busca de oportunidades de negócios com as grandes corporações, focando suas ações na diminuição de custos para conquistarem maior competitividade. Mais do que desenvolver ou vender tecnologia, a prioridade parece ser a de vender serviços e produtos. Com isso, ações voltadas ao estímulo e à promoção da pesquisa, ao desenvolvimento tecnológico e a inovações, tais como a execução de projetos conjuntos, por exemplo, ainda não são priorizadas

So Different, yet So Similar: Meta-Analysis and Policy Modeling of Willingness to Participate in Clinical Trials among Brazilians and Indians

BACKGROUND: With the global expansion of clinical trials and the expectations of the rise of the emerging economies known as BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China), the understanding of factors that affect the willingness to participate in clinical trials of patients from those countries assumes a central role in the future of health research. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) of willingness to participate in clinical trials among Brazilian patients and then we compared it with Indian patients (with results of another SRMA previously conducted by our group) through a system dynamics model. RESULTS: Five studies were included in the SRMA of Brazilian patients. Our main findings are 1) the major motivation for Brazilian patients to participate in clinical trials is altruism, 2) monetary reimbursement is the least important factor motivating Brazilian patients, 3) the major barrier for Brazilian patients to not participate in clinical trials is the fear of side effects, and 4) Brazilian patients are more likely willing to participate in clinical trials than Indians. CONCLUSION: Our study provides important insights for investigators and sponsors for planning trials in Brazil (and India) in the future. Ignoring these results may lead to unnecessary fund/time spending. More studies are needed to validate our results and for better understanding of this poorly studied theme

A análise Foucaultiana do discurso como ferramenta metodológica de pesquisa

Este artigo tem por objetivo operar com a noção de discurso, a partir de Michel Foucault, como ferramenta metodológica de pesquisa. Selecionamos os Cadernos Empregos & Oportunidades do jornal Zero Hora, publicados em 2008 para analisar como o perfil profissional desejado pelo mercado de trabalho contemporâneo constitui-se a fim de sustentar discursos neoliberais como verdades. O estudo operacionalizou-se, inicialmente, fazendo trabalhar a noção de discurso em uma espécie de laboratório para compreender sua potencialidade. Posteriormente, analisamos excertos do jornal operando com um dos procedimentos internos do discurso - o autor -, visto como função que dá nós de coerência aos textos e não como propriedade intelectual

Blood Meal-Derived Heme Decreases ROS Levels in the Midgut of Aedes aegypti and Allows Proliferation of Intestinal Microbiota

The presence of bacteria in the midgut of mosquitoes antagonizes infectious agents, such as Dengue and Plasmodium, acting as a negative factor in the vectorial competence of the mosquito. Therefore, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of midgut microbiota could help in the development of new tools to reduce transmission. We hypothesized that toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by epithelial cells control bacterial growth in the midgut of Aedes aegypti, the vector of Yellow fever and Dengue viruses. We show that ROS are continuously present in the midgut of sugar-fed (SF) mosquitoes and a blood-meal immediately decreased ROS through a mechanism involving heme-mediated activation of PKC. This event occurred in parallel with an expansion of gut bacteria. Treatment of sugar-fed mosquitoes with increased concentrations of heme led to a dose dependent decrease in ROS levels and a consequent increase in midgut endogenous bacteria. In addition, gene silencing of dual oxidase (Duox) reduced ROS levels and also increased gut flora. Using a model of bacterial oral infection in the gut, we show that the absence of ROS resulted in decreased mosquito resistance to infection, increased midgut epithelial damage, transcriptional modulation of immune-related genes and mortality. As heme is a pro-oxidant molecule released in large amounts upon hemoglobin degradation, oxidative killing of bacteria in the gut would represent a burden to the insect, thereby creating an extra oxidative challenge to the mosquito. We propose that a controlled decrease in ROS levels in the midgut of Aedes aegypti is an adaptation to compensate for the ingestion of heme

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies.publishedVersio

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies

Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry:Workshop Summary

This document presents a summary of the 2023 Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop hosted by CERN. The workshop brought together experts from around the world to discuss the exciting developments in large-scale atom interferometer (AI) prototypes and their potential for detecting ultralight dark matter and gravitational waves. The primary objective of the workshop was to lay the groundwork for an international TVLBAI proto-collaboration. This collaboration aims to unite researchers from different institutions to strategize and secure funding for terrestrial large-scale AI projects. The ultimate goal is to create a roadmap detailing the design and technology choices for one or more km-scale detectors, which will be operational in the mid-2030s. The key sections of this report present the physics case and technical challenges, together with a comprehensive overview of the discussions at the workshop together with the main conclusions

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI