Indicadores de sustentabilidade no segmento de distribuição de energia

The present study seeks to develop a tool for measuring the level of sustainability in an effective and quantitatively comparable way for electricity distribution companies, based on the dashboard of sustainability, composed of 17 indicators, in the social, environmental and economic dimensions, using as data source their balance sheets and corporate statements. The sample of the analysis was made of distributors from nine states in the northeastern region of Brazil - Coelba (BA), Energisa (SE), Eletrobras (AL), celpe (PE), Energisa (PB), Cosern (RN), Enel (CE), Eletrobras (PI), Cemar (MA). Values from data were calculated for each distributor and the degree of sustainability of these companies was calculated. The results show large differences in their levels of sustainability, both general and in each of the dimensions. Cosern (RN) presented the best levels with a "good" classification. Most were “average” or “reasonable”. In the economic aspect, the distributors still recover from a strong moment of financial crisis due to recent state tariff policies, being worrisome for strategic and economic role of this sector. We also noticed a lack of uniformity in the data presented in the statements, which implies methodological obstacles to comparative analysis. However, the tool proved effective; demonstrating differences between companies in their various dimensions, being efficient and practical in their use.NenhumaO presente estudo buscou desenvolver uma ferramenta de medição do nível de sustentabilidade de forma efetiva e quantitativamente comparável para empresas distribuidoras de energia elétrica, baseada no painel de sustentabilidade, composto por 17 indicadores, nas dimensões social, ambiental e econômica, tendo como fonte de dados seus balanços e demonstrativos corporativos. A amostra da análise foi composta por distribuidoras de nove estados da região nordeste do Brasil – Coelba (BA), Energisa (SE), Eletrobras (AL), celpe (PE), Energisa (PB), Cosern (RN), Enel (CE), Eletrobras (PI), Cemar (MA). Foram levantados dados de cada distribuidora e calculado o grau de sustentabilidade dessas empresas. Os resultados mostraram grandes diferenças nos níveis de sustentabilidade, seja geral, como em cada uma das dimensões. A Cosern (RN) apresentou os melhores níveis com a classificação “bom”. A maioria ficou com nível médio ou razoável. No aspecto econômico, as distribuidoras ainda se recuperam de forte momento de crise financeira devido a politicas tarifárias estatais recentes, sendo preocupante considerando o papel estratégico e econômico do setor. Percebeu-se, ainda, falta de uniformidade dos dados apresentados nos demonstrativos, o que implicou em obstáculos metodológicos para análise comparativa. Entretanto, a ferramenta se mostrou eficaz; demonstrando diferenças entre empresas em suas diversas dimensões, sendo efetiva e prática em sua utilização

Endurance training induces depot-specific changes in IL-10/TNF-α ratio in rat adipose tissue

White adipose tissue (WAT) is the source of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and recently, it recognized as an important source of interleukin 10 production (IL-10). Acute physical exercise induce an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile. However, the effect of chronic physical exercise in the production of IL-10 by the WAT has never been examined. IL-10 and TNF-α were assessed in WAT of rats engaged in endurance training. Animals were randomly assigned to either a sedentary control group (S, n=7) or an endurance trained group (T, n=8). Trained rats ran on a treadmill for 5 days/wk for 8 wk at 55-65% of the VO2max. Detection of IL-10 and TNF-α protein (by ELISA) and mRNA expression (by semi-quantitative PCR), as well as the mRNA of PPARγ, and immunocytochemistry to detect mononuclear phagocytes were carried out. A reduction in absolute retroperitoneal adipose tissue (RPAT) weight in T (44%; p\u3c0.01), when compared with S was observed. IL-10 and TNF-α concentration were increased (60% p\u3c0.05; 40%, p\u3c0.05, respectively), in the mesenteric adipose tissue (MEAT) from the trained group, while no change related to training was observed in RPAT. In MEAT, IL-10/TNF-α ratio was increased for T group when compared with S (30%; p\u3c0.05). PPAR-γ mRNA was increased in T (1.1 fold; p\u3c0.01) when compared with S in the same adipose depot. No monocyte infiltration was found. In conclusion, exercise training induced increased IL-10 expression in the mesenteric depot, resulting in a modified IL-10/ TNF-α ratio. We also conclude that WAT presents a depot-specific response to endurance training

Process of Establishment And In Vitro Development of Simaba Cedron Planch Seedlings. (Simaroubaceae)

Simaba cedron, popularly known as "cedron", is largely used for fever and snake bites. Its seeds are used in the treatment of stomach problems and liver infections. The fruits are used for the treatment of pain and malaria while its bark is an antispasmodic. Simaba cedron is generally propagated through seeds, but with limited success, as the low viability of same restricts its propagation. In view of such difficulty, it becomes necessary the study for adequate conditions for the large scale production of these seedlings. Being it known that in several species, the use of micropropagation has made it possible to obtain a large amount of disease-free and more homogeneous seedlings, in reduced time and physical space, in comparison with conventional propagation methods, the objective of this work was to analyze the effect of two culture media on the production of aseptic parent plants as a first step in the development of a micropropagation protocol for Simaba cedron. The seeds were collected from a matrix plant located in the Amazon Biotechnology Center (CBA), in Manaus/AM. The experiment was installed at the Vegetable Tissue Culture Laboratory, where the  explants were desinfected and grown in culture medium  according to Murashige & Skoog (MS) and in Wood Plant Medium (WPM), during 60 days. The disinfestation rate obtained was 75% and, of the disinfested seeds, 100% germinated. The cultivation medium that was more favorable to the cultivation of simaba was the MS, where the multiplication rate was of 8.0: 1, whose seedlings reached, in average, 4.8 cm and 75% of rooting

Influence of aerobic physical training in the motochondrial transport of long chain fatty acids in the skeletal muscle: role of the carnitine palmitoil transferase

O ácido graxo (AG) é uma importante fonte de energia para o músculo esquelético. Durante o exercício sua mobilização é aumentada para suprir as necessidades da musculatura ativa. Acredita-se que diversos pontos de regulação atuem no controle da oxidação dos AG, sendo o principal a atividade do complexo carnitina palmitoil transferase (CPT), entre os quais três componentes estão envolvidos: a CPT I, a CPT II e carnitina acilcarnitina translocase. A função da CPT I durante o exercício físico é controlar a entrada de AG para o interior da mitocôndria, para posterior oxidação do AG e produção de energia. Em resposta ao treinamento físico há um aumento na atividade e expressão da CPT I no músculo esquelético. Devido sua grande importância no metabolismo de lipídios, os mecanismos que controlam sua atividade e sua expressão gênica são revisados no presente estudo. Reguladores da expressão gênica de proteínas envolvidas no metabolismo de lipídios no músculo esquelético, os receptores ativados por proliferadores de peroxissomas (PPAR) alfa e beta, são discutidos com um enfoque na resposta ao treinamento físico.Fatty acids are an important source of energy for the skeletal muscle. During exercise, their mobilization is increased to supply the muscle energetic needs. Many points of regulation act in the fatty acids metabolism, where the carnitine palmytoiltransferase (CPT) complex is the main control system. Three compounds named CPT I, CPT II and carnitine acyl carnitine translocase (CACT) are components of this system. Its function is to control the influx of fatty acids inside the mitochondria for posterior oxidation and energy production. There is a pronounced increase in both activity and gene expression of CPT I in the skeletal muscle in response to exercise. Due to its importance in lipid metabolism, the controlling mechanisms are reviewed in the present study. The modulation of gene expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha and beta during the physical training is also discussed in this review

Exercise Intensity Modulation of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism in the liver is complex and involves the synthesis and secretion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), ketone bodies, and high rates of fatty acid oxidation, synthesis, and esterification. Exercise training induces several changes in lipid metabolism in the liver and affects VLDL secretion and fatty acid oxidation. These alterations are even more conspicuous in disease, as in obesity, and cancer cachexia. Our understanding of the mechanisms leading to metabolic adaptations in the liver as induced by exercise training has advanced considerably in the recent years, but much remains to be addressed. More recently, the adoption of high intensity exercise training has been put forward as a means of modulating hepatic metabolism. The purpose of the present paper is to summarise and discuss the merit of such new knowledge

Concurrent exercise: analysis of the acute effect of the performance order on the total energy expenditure

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito da ordem de execução dos exercícios de força e aeróbio sobre o gasto energético total na sessão. Para isso, dez homens tiveram seu consumo de oxigênio medido continuamente durante as seguintes sessões: aeróbio-força (AF) e força-aeróbio (FA). O exercício aeróbio consistiu de 30 minutos de corrida na esteira a 90% da velocidade do limiar anaeróbio. A sessão de força foi composta de quatro exercícios, na qual os participantes realizavam três séries de 12 repetições a 70% de 1RM. A concentração de lactato sanguíneo [La] foi mensurada após cada exercício de força e nos minutos 10, 20 e 30 do exercício aeróbio. A [La] durante a execução do exercício aeróbio permaneceu maior (p < 0,05) na situação FA quando comparado com a AF aos 10 (FA = 5,1 ± 1,3mmol.l-1; AF = 3,2 ± 1,0mmol.l-1), 20 (FA = 4,2 ± 1,0mmol.l-1; AF = 3,0 ± 0,9mmol.l-1) e 30 minutos (FA = 3,9 ± 1,3mmol.l-1; AF = 3,4 ± 1,1mmol.l-1). O gasto energético total não diferiu entre as ordens de exercício (FA = 2.793 ± 811kJ; AF = 2.893 ± 903 kJ; p > 0,05), indicando que a ordem de execução não afetou significativamente o gasto energético.The aim of present study was to analyze the effect of aerobic and strength exercises order on the total energy expenditure in an exercise session. Ten male subjects had their VO2 continuously measured during two sessions: aerobic-resistance (AR) and resistance-aerobic (RA) to estimate caloric expenditure. The aerobic session was a 30-min treadmill run at 90% of anaerobic threshold velocity. The strength exercise session had four exercises, where participants performed three sets of 12 repetitions at 70% of 1RM. Blood lactate concentration (LA) was measured after each strength exercise and at 10, 20 and 30 min during the aerobic exercise. LA during aerobic exercise was higher (p < 0.05) in RA order when compared to AR at 10 (RA = 5.1 ± 1.3 mmol.l-1; AR = 3.2 ± 1.0 mmol.l-1), 20 (RA = 4.2 ± 1.0 mmol.l-1; AR = 3.0 ± 0.9 mmol.l-1) and 30-min (RA = 3.9 ± 1.3 mmol. l-1; AR = 3.4 ± 1.1 mmol.l-1). Total caloric expenditure did not differ between exercise orders (RA = 2793 ± 811 kJ; AR = 2893 ± 903 kJ; p > 0.05), indicating that performance order did not affect energy expenditure.Mackenzie - Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica PIBI

Low and moderate intensity strength exercise affects more beneficially the lipid profile than high intensity strength exercise

This study aimed to compare the time-course effects of four different intensities of strength exercise (bench press) bouts on the blood lipid profile. Thirty-five Brazilian Army male soldiers were allocated randomly into five groups based at different percentages of one repetition maximum, in previous test (1-RM): 50%-1RM, 75%-1RM, 90%-1RM, 110%-1RM (this executing only eccentric phase), and control group. The total volume (sets x reps x load) of the exercise was equalized. The lipid profile (Triglycerides, VLDL, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-c/Total Cholesterol ratio and Total cholesterol) was determined at rest and after 1, 24, 48 and 72 h of the strength exercise. The 75% group demonstrated greater TG and VLDL reduction when compared with the other groups (p\u3c0.05). Additionally, the 110% group presented an increased TG and VLDL concentration when compared with the control, 50% and 75% groups (p\u3c0.05). HDL-c concentration was significantly greater after strength exercise at 50% and 75% when compared with 110% (p\u3c0.05). Accordingly, the 50% and control groups had greater HDL-c concentration than 110% group after 48 h and 72 h (p\u3c0.05). Finally, The 50% group showed lesser LDL-c concentration than 110% group after 24 h (p\u3c0.05). No significant differences were found in Total Cholesterol and HDL-c/Total cholesterol ratio concentration. Results indicate that acute strength exercise changes lipid profile in a specific-intensity manner. Overall, low and moderate exercise intensities appear to promote more benefits on lipid profile than high intensity. Long term studies should confirm these findings

Strategies for reducing body fat mass: effects of liposuction and exercise on cardiovascular risk factors and adiposity

Liposuction is the most popular aesthetic surgery performed in Brazil and worldwide. Evidence showing that adipose tissue is a metabolically active tissue has led to the suggestion that liposuction could be a viable method for improving metabolic profile through the immediate loss of adipose tissue. However, the immediate liposuction-induced increase in the proportion of visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue could be detrimental to metabolism, because a high proportion of visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The results of studies investigating the effects of liposuction on the metabolic profile are inconsistent, however, with most studies reporting either no change or improvements in one or more cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, animal studies have demonstrated a compensatory growth of intact adipose tissue in response to lipectomy, although studies with humans have reported inconsistent results. Exercise training improves insulin sensitivity, inflammatory balance, lipid oxidation, and adipose tissue distribution; increases or preserves the fat-free mass; and increases total energy expenditure. Thus, liposuction and exercise appear to directly affect metabolism in similar ways, which suggests a possible interaction between these two strategies. To our knowledge, no studies have reported the associated effects of liposuction and exercise in humans. Nonetheless, one could suggest that exercise training associated with liposuction could attenuate or even block the possible compensatory fat deposition in intact depots or regrowth of the fat mass and exert an additive or even a synergistic effect to liposuction on improving insulin sensitivity and the inflammatory balance, resulting in an improvement of cardiovascular risk factors. Consequently, one could suggest that liposuction and exercise appear to be safe and effective strategies for either the treatment of metabolic disorders or aesthetic purposes