Environmental, social and governance e o ciclo de vida das firmas: evidências no mercado brasileiro

O estudo analisou a associação entre o environmental, social and governance (ESG) e os estágios de ciclo de vida das empresas brasileiras de capital aberto listadas na B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão (B3) no período de 2010 a 2020. Explora-se uma lacuna teórica sobre a relação dos estágios de ciclo de vida das empresas com iniciativas ESG no Brasil, um país emergente. As evidências são relevantes para a compreensão de como os estágios do ciclo de vida funcionam como sinalizadores do nível de ações ESG das companhias e para demonstrar como o mercado percebe essas ações e sua capacidade de geração de valor. A pesquisa traz insights de que os fundamentos da teoria dos estágios de ciclo de vida da firma funcionam como indicadores para diversas perspectivas organizacionais, até mesmo para as práticas ESG. A amostra foi composta por 109 empresas cujos dados foram coletados na Thomson Reuters® e analisados por meio de regressão múltipla. Para análise dos ciclos de vida, utilizou-se o modelo proposto por Dickinson (2011). Cabe destacar que os dados também foram analisados utilizando o efeito fixo como estimação do modelo econométrico, porém houve perda da significância estatística na relação encontrada, possivelmente devido à seleção da amostra realizada no painel desbalanceado. A partir da amostra analisada e dos modelos econométricos utilizados, os resultados indicam que as empresas em estágio de nascimento e turbulência apresentam menores níveis de práticas ESG, notadamente nos pilares ambiental e social, se comparadas às empresas em estágio de maturidade. Os achados também evidenciaram que as iniciativas ESG no mercado de capitais brasileiro estão associadas com medidas de rentabilidade, liquidez, endividamento, valor de mercado e número de analistas das organizações. A pesquisa contribui para a análise da associação entre a adoção de práticas ESG e os estágios de ciclo de vida das empresasem um mercado emergente, com reflexões aos stakeholders a respeito do direcionamento de recursos em ações sustentáveis.The study analyzed the association between environmental, social and governance (ESG) and the life cycle stages of Brazilian publicly-traded companies listed on the B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão (B3) from 2010 to 2020. It explores a theoretical gap regarding the relationship between the life cycle stages of companies and ESG initiatives in Brazil, an emerging country. The findings are relevant for understanding how the life cycle stages act as signals of the level of ESG actions of companies and how the market perceives these actions and their ability to create value. The research provides evidence that the fundamentals of the firm life cycle theory function as indicators for several organizational perspectives, including ESG practices. The sample consisted of 109 companies whose data were collected from Thomson Reuters® and analyzed using multiple regression. The model proposed by Dickinson (2011) was used to analyze the life cycle stages. It should be highlighted that the data were also analyzed using the fixed effect as an estimation of the econometric model, but there was a loss of statistical significance in the relationship found, possibly due to the sample selection performed in the unbalanced panel. Based on the sample analyzed and the econometric models used, the results indicate that companies in the birth and turbulence stages have lower levels of ESG practices, particularly in the environmental and social pillars, compared to companies in the maturity stage. The findings also show that ESG initiatives in the Brazilian capital market are associated with measures of companies’ profitability, liquidity, indebtedness, market value, and number of analysts. The research contributes to the analysis of the relationship between the adoption of ESG practices and the life cycle stages of companies in an emerging market, with implications for stakeholders regarding the targeting of resources to sustainable actions

Determining factors of functioning in hemodialysis patients using the international classification of functioning, disability and health

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) treatment affects functioning, physical activity level, clinical biomarkers, and body composition. However, the association between these variables with functioning, considering International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between physical activity, biomarkers, and body composition with functioning in HD patients in reference to the ICF. Methods: Eighty HD patients performed different tests grouped according to ICF domain: Body structure and function – handgrip strength (HS), 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, and 60-s sit-to-stand test (5-STS, 60-STS, respectively); Activity – short physical performance battery (SPPB); and Participation – participation scale questionnaire. Physical activity [Human Activity Profile questionnaire (HAP)], body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), Parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed as possible variables associated with ICF domains. Data analyses were performed using simple and multiple regression models adjusted for age, duration of HD, and diuresis volume. Results: In the body structure and function domain, appendicular lean mass, PTH level, and age were associated with HS ( R2 = 0.558); HAP and PTH were associated with 5-STS ( R2 = 0.263); and HAP, PTH, duration of HD, and age were associated with 60-STS ( R2 = 0.337). In the activity domain, HAP, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, duration of HD, age, and body fat were associated with SPPB ( R2 = 0.689). Finally, only HAP was associated with the participation scale ( R2 = 0.067). Conclusion: Physical activity and PTH levels are determinant protagonists of functioning in all ICF domains in hemodialysis patients

Labeling mesenchymal cells with DMSA-coated gold and iron oxide nanoparticles : assessment of biocompatibility and potential applications

Nanoparticles’ unique features have been highly explored in cellular therapies. However, nanoparticles can be cytotoxic. The cytotoxicity can be overcome by coating the nanoparticles with an appropriated surface modification. Nanoparticle coating influences biocompatibility between nanoparticles and cells and may affect some cell properties. Here, we evaluated the biocompatibility of gold and maghemite nanoparticles functionalized with 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), Au-DMSA and γ-Fe2O3-DMSA respectively, with human mesenchymal stem cells. Also, we tested these nanoparticles as tracers for mesenchymal stem cells in vivo tracking by computed tomography and as agents for mesenchymal stem cells magnetic targeting

Smoking-induced aggravation of experimental arthritis is dependent of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in Th17 cells.

Background: Epidemiologic studies have highlighted the association of environmental factors with the development and progression of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Among the environmental factors, smoking has been associated with increased susceptibility and poor prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the immune and molecular mechanism of smoking-induced arthritis aggravation remains unclear. The transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) regulates the generation of Th17 cells, CD4 T cells linked the development of autoimmune diseases. AHR is activated by organic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are environmental pollutants that are also present in cigarette smoke. In this study, we investigated the role of AHR activation in the aggravation of experiment arthritis induced by exposure to cigarette smoke. Methods: Mice were exposed to cigarette smoke during the developmental phase of antigen-induced arthritis and collagen-induced arthritis to evaluate the effects of smoking on disease development. Aggravation of articular inflammation was assessed by measuring neutrophil migration to the joints, increase in articular hyperalgesia and changes in the frequencies of Th17 cells. In vitro studies were performed to evaluate the direct effects of cigarette smoke and PAH on Th17 differentiation. We also used mice genetically deficient for AHR (Ahr KO) and IL-17Ra (Il17ra KO) to determine the in vivo mechanism of smoking-induced arthritis aggravation. Results: We found that smoking induces arthritis aggravation and increase in the frequencies of Th17 cells. The absence of IL-17 signaling (Il17ra KO) conferred protection to smoking-induced arthritis aggravation. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that cigarette smoke can directly increase Th17 differentiation of T cells by inducing AHR activation. Indeed, Ahr KO mice were protected from cigarette smoke-induced arthritis aggravation and did not display increase in TH17 frequencies, suggesting that AHR activation is an important mechanism for cigarette smoke effects on arthritis. Finally, we demonstrate that PAHs are also able to induce arthritis aggravation. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the disease-exacerbating effects of cigarette smoking are AHR dependent and environmental pollutants with AHR agonist activity can induce arthritis aggravation by directly enhancing Th17 cell development

Tratamiento Quirúrgico En La Corrección De Prolongamiento De Paladar Blando Y Estenosis Nasal En Un Canino

Brachycephalic dogs are predisposed to alterations in the tissues of the upper respiratory system, such as: nostrils stenosis, elongated soft palate, laryngeal saccules eversion and laryngeal collapse. This article describes a male, boxer, dog, nine months of age that clinical examination showed mucosal cyanotic, nostrils stenosis, inspiratory dyspnea and respiratory auscultation rattle noisily.Laryngeal examination was performed which showed the soft palate to theepiglottis overlap by about one centimeter. The soft palate showed thickenedwith rough edges and inflamed. Due to nasal stenosis and the extension of thepalate was decided the surgical resection of the soft palate and surgicalcorrection of stenotic nares.Los perros braquiocefálicos están predispuestos a sufrir cambios en los tejidosdel sistema respiratorio superior, tales como: la estenosis de las fosas nasales,prolongamiento del paladar blando, eversión de los sáculos laríngeos y colapsolaríngeo. En este artículo se describe el caso de un perro de raza bóxer,macho, con nueve meses de edad que durante el examen clínico presentómucosas cianóticas, estenosis de las fosas nasales, disnea inspiratoria,estertores pulmonares y auscultación respiratoria ruidosa. Se realizó examenlaríngeo mostrando que el paladar blando se superpone a la epiglotis enalrededor de un centímetro. El paladar blando estaba espesó y con leextremidad asperea e inflamada. Debido a la estenosis nasal y la extensión delpaladar se decidió la resección quirúrgica del paladar blando y de la correcciónde las narinas estenósadas

Modulatory antimicrobial activity of Piper arboretum extracts (Zingiberaceae)

The side effects of certain antibiotics have been a recent dilemma in the medical arena. Due this fact, the necessity of natural product discovery could provide important indications against several pharmacological targets and combat many infectious agents. Piper arboreum Aub. (Piperaceae) has been used by Brazilian traditional communities against several illnesses including rheumatism, bronchitis, sexually transmitted diseases and complaints of the urinary tract. Medicinal plants are a source of several remedies used in clinical practice to combat microbial infections. In this study, ethanol extract and fractions of Piper arboreum leaves were used to assay antimicrobial and modulatory activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using microdilution method of ethanol extract and fractions from the leaves of P. arboreum ranging between 8 and 1024 mgmL–1. The capacity of these natural products to enhance the activity of antibiotic and antifungal drugs was also assayed. In these tests, natural products were combined with drugs. The natural products assayed did not demonstrate any clinically relevant antimicrobial activity (MIC ³ 1024 mg mL–1). However, the modulation of antibiotic activity assay observed a synergistic activity of natural products combined with antifungal (such as nystatin and amphotericin B) and antibiotic drugs (such as amikacin, gentamicin and kanamycin). According to these results, these natural products can be an interesting alternative not only to combat infectious diseases caused by bacteria or fungi, but also to combat enhanced resistance of microorganisms to antibiotic and antifungal drugs

PERFIL DE PRÁTICAS DOS PROFESSORES DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA RELACIONADAS À MONTAGEM DE TREINOS NAS ACADEMIAS DE GINÁSTICA DE GOIÂNIA

A intervenção do professor de educação física nos diferentes espaços deveria ter como direção a formação de seres humanos críticos, independente do espaço no qual eles atuam. Apesar de haverem diferentes posições sobre as academias de ginástica as mesmas podem ser compreendidas como ambiente de educação não formal. Partindo desta premissa, questiona-se: Como os treinos são montados nas Academias de Ginástica de Goiânia? Partindo desta questão central, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo geral realizar um breve relato sobre as práticas que os professores de Educação Física se apropriam para prescrever treinos dentro das Academias de Ginástica de Goiânia. A metodologia adotada é o estudo descritivo, realizado através de entrevistas estruturadas em academias de ginástica de Goiânia

Plantio direto, adubação verde e suplementação com esterco de aves na produção orgânica de berinjela.

Sob manejo orgânico, foram avaliados, em Seropédica, RJ, os sistemas de plantio direto da berinjela(Solanum melongena) nas palhadas de Crotalaria juncea (crotalária), Pennisetum glaucum (milheto, cv. BRS 1501)e vegetação espontânea (pousio), em comparação com o plantio convencional (aração e gradagem ou enxada rotativa). Simultaneamente, foram avaliados três tipos de cultivo: berinjela em monocultura, em consórcio com crotalária e em consórcio com caupi (Vigna unguiculata, cv. Mauá). Não houve diferença entre os sistemas de plantio direto e convencional quanto à produção comercial da berinjela. A palhada da crotalária foi mais eficiente que a do milheto e do pousio para cobertura morta do solo e conseqüentemente o controle de plantas espontâneas foi maior. O cultivo simultâneo com as leguminosas não acarretou redução da produtividade da berinjela.Em um segundo estudo, foram comparados plantio direto (palhadas de crotalária e da vegetação espontânea) e plantio convencional, combinados com doses crescentes de cama de aviário (0, 100, 200 e 400 kg ha-1 de N)aplicada em cobertura. Em termos de aporte de biomassa, a crotalária foi novamente superior à vegetação espontânea.A berinjela respondeu à adubação orgânica, com produtividade máxima de 50,6 t ha-1 , correspondendo à maior dose empregada, contra 36,9 t ha-1 referentes ao controle