A relação entre os indicadores de recursos humanos e o desempenho econômico-financeiro das cooperativas agropecuárias paranaenses

This study presents an analysis of human resources performance indicators and their relation to financial economic performance in agricultural cooperatives in Paraná, data for 2015. The indicators of human resources selected were turnover, absenteeism and variable remuneration. The chosen outcome proxy variables, which reflect financial economic performance, were billing and leftovers. The analysis of the relations was made by the matrix of correlations and multiple regression. It was possible to conclude that the human resources indicators present high variability among the three regions of the State, but they have a low relation with the indicators of economic and financial performance. Despite the low relationship between the indicators, the results induce to reflect on the importance of a contextualized analysis, including not only financial and people management perspectives, but also process and market based on a strategic direction.Este estudo apresenta uma análise de indicadores de desempenho de recursos humanos e sua relação com o desempenho econômico financeiro em cooperativas agropecuárias no Paraná. Os dados das cooperativas são referentes ao ano de 2015, extraídos do Sistema de Autogestão, software do Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem do Cooperativismo do Paraná - SESCOOP/PR. Os indicadores de recursos humanos selecionados foram rotatividade, absenteísmo e remuneração variável. As variáveis proxy de resultado escolhidas, que refletem o desempenho econômico financeiro, foram faturamento e sobras. A análise das relações foi feita pela matriz de correlações e regressão múltipla. A análise permitiu uma melhor compreensão das relações entre os indicadores e a ampliação das possibilidades de apoio ao processo decisório por parte dos gestores e profissionais das cooperativas agropecuárias em estudo. Foi possível concluir que os indicadores de recursos humanos apresentam alta variabilidade entre as 3 regiões do Estado, mas possuem baixa relação com os indicadores de desempenho econômico financeiro. Apesar da baixa relação entre os indicadores, os resultados induzem a refletir sobre a importância de uma análise contextualizada, incluindo não somente perspectivas financeiras e de gestão de pessoas, mas também de processos e de mercado a partir de um direcionamento estratégico. Ou seja, para que seja possível uma compreensão mais aprofundada da relação entre indicadores de recursos humanos e financeiros, pressupõe-se que seja necessário a inclusão de outros indicadores mediadores que deveriam ser analisados como facetas da mesma dimensão

Identification of p38 MAPK and JNK as New Targets for Correction of Wilson Disease-Causing ATP7B Mutants

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by the toxic accumulation of copper (Cu) in the liver. The ATP7B gene, which is mutated in WD, encodes a multitransmembrane domain adenosine triphosphatase that traffics from the trans-Golgi network to the canalicular area of hepatocytes, where it facilitates excretion of excess Cu into the bile. Several ATP7B mutations, including H1069Q and R778L that are two of the most frequent variants, result in protein products, which, although still functional, remain in the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, they fail to reach Cu excretion sites, resulting in the toxic buildup of Cu in the liver of WD patients. Therefore, correcting the location of these mutants by leading them to the appropriate functional sites in the cell should restore Cu excretion and would be beneficial to help large cohorts of WD patients. However, molecular targets for correction of endoplasmic reticulum-retained ATP7B mutants remain elusive. Here, we show that expression of the most frequent ATP7B mutant, H1069Q, activates p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways, which favor the rapid degradation of the mutant. Suppression of these pathways with RNA interference or specific chemical inhibitors results in the substantial rescue of ATP7B(H1069Q) (as well as that of several other WD-causing mutants) from the endoplasmic reticulum to the trans-Golgi network compartment, in recovery of its Cu-dependent trafficking, and in reduction of intracellular Cu levels. Conclusion: Our findings indicate p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase as intriguing targets for correction of WD-causing mutants and, hence, as potential candidates, which could be evaluated for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat WD

Short-Term Sensorimotor Effects of Experimental Occlusal Interferences on the Wake-Time Masseter Muscle Activity of Females with Masticatory Muscle Pain

AIMS: To investigate the effects of the application of an acute alteration of the occlusion (ie, interference) on the habitual masseter electromyographic (EMG) activity of females with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-related muscular pain during wakefulness. METHODS: Seven female volunteers with masticatory myofascial pain participated in a crossover randomized clinical trial. Gold foils were glued on an occlusal contact area (active occlusal interference, AI) or on the vestibular surface of the same molar (dummy interference, DI) and left for 8 days. The masseter electromyogram was recorded during wakefulness in the natural environment by portable recorders under interference-free, dummy-interference, and active-interference conditions. The number, amplitude, and duration of EMG signal fractions with amplitudes above 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction (activity periods, APs) were computed in all experimental conditions. Muscle pain, headache, and perceived stress were each assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS), and an algometer was used to assess masseter and temporalis pressure pain thresholds. Data were analyzed by means of analysis of variance. RESULTS: The frequency and duration of the recorded APs did not differ significantly between the experimental conditions (P>.05), but a small and significant reduction of the EMG mean amplitude of the APs occurred with AI (P.05). CONCLUSION: An active occlusal interference in female volunteers with masticatory muscle pain had little influence on the masseter EMG activity pattern during wakefulness and did not affect the pressure tenderness of the masseter and temporalis

3D Printed replica of articular fractures for surgical planning and patient consent: a two years multi-centric experience

Abstract Background CT scanning with 3D reconstructed images are currently used to study articular fractures in orthopedic and trauma surgery. A 3D-Printer creates solid objects, starting from a 3D Computer representation. Case Description We report from two year of multicenter experience in 3D printing of articular fractures. Discussion and Evaluation During the study period, 102 patients (distal radius fractures, radial head, tibial plateau, astragalus, calcaneus, ankle, humeral head and glenoid) underwent 3D printing. The medical models were used by surgeons to appreciate the dislocation of fragments and the yielding of the articular surface. In addition, models were showed to patient as part of the acquisition of the informed consent before surgery. Conclusions 3D printing of articular fractures are innovative procedures that achieve a preoperative tangible, highly useful evaluation of the fractures to plan intervention and educate patients

System design for high-capacity unrepeatered optical transmission

By basing the figure of merit on the joint evaluation of signal bit error rate and optical signal-to-noise ratio, the design of single-carrier 400 G unrepeatered optical systems using remote optically-pumped amplifiers with dedicated delivery fiber is discussed and analyzed in this paper. Simulation results show very good agreement with experimental measurements, proving the effectiveness of the proposed approach in critical transmission situations37412461253CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOS - FINEPFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP306355/2014-0não temnão tem2015/25513-6; 2016/11163-6; 311871/2016-

Evaluating targets and costs of treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism in incident dialysis patients: The FARO-2 study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this analysis was to estimate biochemical parameters and the costs of treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in a subpopulation of the FARO-2 study. METHODS: The FARO-2 observational study aimed at evaluating the patterns of treatment for SHPT in naïve hemodialysis patients. Data related to pharmacological treatments and biochemical parameters (parathyroid hormone [PTH], calcium, phosphate) were recorded at entry to hemodialysis (baseline) and 6 months later (second survey). The analysis was performed from the Italian National Health Service perspective. RESULTS: Two prominent treatment groups were identified, ie, one on oral calcitriol (n=105) and the other on intravenous paricalcitol (n=33); the intravenous calcitriol and intravenous paricalcitol + cinacalcet combination groups were not analyzed due to low patient numbers. At baseline, serum PTH levels were significantly higher in the intravenous paricalcitol group (P<0.0001). At the second survey, the intravenous paricalcitol group showed a higher percentage of patients at target for PTH than in the oral calcitriol group without changing the percentage of patients at target for phosphate. Moreover, between baseline and the second survey, intravenous paricalcitol significantly increased both the percentage of patients at target for PTH (P=0.033) and the percentage of patients at target for the combined endpoint PTH, calcium, and phosphate (P=0.001). The per-patient weekly pharmaceutical costs related to SHPT treatment, erythropoietin-stimulating agents and phosphate binders accounted for 186.32€ and 219.94€ at baseline for oral calcitriol and intravenous paricalcitol, respectively, while after 6 months, the costs were 180.51€ and 198.79€, respectively. Either at the beginning of dialysis or 6 months later, the total cost of SHPT treatment was not significantly lower in the oral calcitriol group compared with the intravenous paricalcitol group, with a difference among groups that decreased by 46% between the two observations. The cost of erythropoietin stimulating agents at the second survey was lower (−22%) in the intravenous paricalcitol group than in the oral calcitriol group (132.13€ versus 168.36€, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intravenous paricalcitol significantly increased the percentage of patients at target for the combined endpoint of PTH, calcium, and phosphate (P=0.001). The total cost of treatment for the patients treated with intravenous paricalcitol 6 months after entry to dialysis was not significantly higher than the cost for patients treated with oral calcitriol