GDNF-based therapies, GDNF-producing interneurons, and trophic support of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. Implications for Parkinson’s disease

EDITED BY : Javier Blesa, Jose L. Lanciego and Jose A. Obeso.The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a well-established trophic agent for dopaminergic (DA) neurons in vitro and in vivo. GDNF is necessary for maintenance of neuronal morphological and neurochemical phenotype and protects DA neurons from toxic damage. Numerous studies on animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have reported beneficial effects of GDNF on nigrostriatal DA neuron survival. However, translation of these observations to the clinical setting has been hampered so far by side effects associated with the chronic continuous intra-striatal infusion of recombinant GDNF. In addition, double blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials have not reported any clinically relevant effect of GDNF on PD patients. In the past few years, experiments with conditional Gdnf knockout mice have suggested that GDNF is necessary for maintenance of DA neurons in adulthood. In parallel, new methodologies for exogenous GDNF delivery have been developed. Recently, it has been shown that a small population of scattered, electrically interconnected, parvalbumin positive (PV+) GABAergic interneurons is responsible for most of the GDNF produced in the rodent striatum. In addition, cholinergic striatal interneurons appear to be also involved in the modulation of striatal GDNF. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on brain GDNF delivery, homeostasis, and its effects on nigrostriatal DA neurons. Special attention is paid to the therapeutic potential of endogenous GDNF stimulation in PD.Xavier d’Anglemont de Tassigny was supported by the Miguel Servet program (grant CP12-03217) from the Health Institute Carlos III. Research by Alberto Pascual and Jose López-Barneo was supported by the Botín Foundation, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF program) and the Andalusian Government.Peer reviewe

GDNF-based therapies, GDNF-producing interneurons, and trophic support of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. Implications for Parkinson's disease

The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a well-established trophic agent for dopaminergic (DA) neurons in vitro and in vivo. GDNF is necessary for maintenance of neuronal morphological and neurochemical phenotype and protects DA neurons from toxic damage. Numerous studies on animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have reported beneficial effects of GDNF on nigrostriatal DA neuron survival. However, translation of these observations to the clinical setting has been hampered so far by side effects associated with the chronic continuous intra-striatal infusion of recombinant GDNF. In addition, double blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials have not reported any clinically relevant effect of GDNF on PD patients. In the past few years, experiments with conditional Gdnf knockout mice have suggested that GDNF is necessary for maintenance of DA neurons in adulthood. In parallel, new methodologies for exogenous GDNF delivery have been developed. Recently, it has been shown that a small population of scattered, electrically interconnected, parvalbumin positive (PV+) GABAergic interneurons is responsible for most of the GDNF produced in the rodent striatum. In addition, cholinergic striatal interneurons appear to be also involved in the modulation of striatal GDNF. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on brain GDNF delivery, homeostasis, and its effects on nigrostriatal DA neurons. Special attention is paid to the therapeutic potential of endogenous GDNF stimulation in PD.Xavier d’Anglemont de Tassigny was supported by the Miguel Servet program (grant CP12-03217) from the Health Institute Carlos III. Research by Alberto Pascual and Jose López-Barneo was supported by the Botín Foundation, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF program) and the Andalusian Government.Peer Reviewe

University Solidarity Management: Weaving Possibilities on Decolonial Terrain

In the perspective of discussing a university management proposal that places an alternative epistemological conception and understands the multidimensionality of human beings and social systems (as a critique of economic instrumentality) and the multidimensionality of the educational phenomenon, this article presents a theoretical synthesis, an essay of idea, in the sense of proposing a model of solidarity management, in the perspective of its dimensions (Cosmopolitan Rationality; Multidimensional Model of Administration Management; Intercultural Translation). The solidary management of the university centralizes the debate on interculturalityfrom the perspective of emancipation, while activating the reflective process on how to strategically operationalize actions that are guided by an integrative rationality and coordinate the dimensions of the educational phenomenon, in this case: culture, politics, pedagogy and economics. It is in the scope of a democratization of knowledge that this management advances from the “societal” management, as it comprehends a perspective on participation that qualifies the knowledge and practices of social agents in building proposals as credible, and the social organization should focus its efforts and trigger the experiences of the subjects so that the intercultural translation process incorporates comprehensive and purposeful practices within symbolic interactions

Decoloniality and University Management: Unveiling Knowledge in Managerial Narratives

The research analyzes critical this points on talk twenty-one managers of a Federal University, dedicated to the Cooperation International Solidarity, having as theoretical support the South Epistemologies Project, which includes the Interceptor translation ultural and ecology of knowledge, and the Academic Dependency. By means of the speeches Critical Analysis examines four themes and two developments. The themes: “Novelt ” and Symbolic Power , unfolding from the perspective of organizational identity, adhesion and participation of its members; Academic training of students and the training of employees , including the perspective of training; Integration, Mobility, Excellence and Internationalization ; Research and Circulation of Knowledge, unfolding in the configuration of Knowledge, Experiences and Knowledge. Some questions are conclusive: a set of arguments that intend the vision of science, within its Eurocentric aspect, institutionalized and reproduced in academic dependence; the affirmation of interculturality as a power, which manifests itself in the exclusion of difference; the significance that the Institution assumes and that propagates as power struggles; identity fragmentation, in the context of managerial actions; and in the “struggle” “decolonial”, which addresses the confrontation of multiple knowledge in the conformation of “other” possibilities of social life

A Comparative Study of the Irrigated Zones of Jaguaribe-Apodi and Morada Nova from a (Un) Sustainable Perspective

Large-scale government-sponsored irrigation is a feasible alternative to the development of semiarid regions such as Northeastern Brazil provided perennial rivers and reservoirs are available Brazilian irrigation projects have also generally promoted the participation of farmers as informed agents in the process encouraging training and education towards agribusiness The purpose of this explorative and descriptive study was to analyze and compare the sustainability characteristics of the Jaguaribe-Apodi and Morada Nova irrigation zones in light of the triple bottom line model Elkington 2012 based on information from 18 interviews conducted in September 2015 to November 2015 and submitted to discourse analysis Triple bottom line sustainability envisages a balance between three dimensions social environmental and economic Such a balance was not observed in our study due to insufficient awareness of environmental issues However focusing on a specific context and moment in time the exploratory study design made it difficult to extrapolate our findings Future studies could expand the discussion on the sustainability of irrigation zones by using data triangulation in longitudinal design

Striatal GDNF Production Is Independent to Circulating Estradiol Level Despite Pan- Neuronal Activation in the Female Mouse.

Gender difference in Parkinson’s disease (PD) suggests that female sex steroids may promote dopaminergic neuron survival and protect them from degeneration. The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is believed to be dopaminotrophic; thus it is considered as a potential therapeutic target in PD. Additionally, GDNF is endogenously synthetized in the caudate/putamen of humans and striatum in rodents. A neuroprotective role of estrogens on the nigrostriatal pathway via the stimulation of GDNF has been proposed. Since the GDNF-producing parvalbumin (Parv) interneurons express the estrogen receptor alpha in the mouse striatum, we sought to determine whether ectopic estrogenic compound mod- ulates the GDNF synthesis in mice. Using an ovariectomized-estradiol (E 2 ) replacement regimen, which reliably generates a rise of plasma estradiol, we assessed the effects of dif- ferent levels of E 2 on the activation of striatal neuronal populations, and GDNF production. A strong correlation was found between plasma E 2 and the expression of the immediate early gene cFos in the striatum, as well as in other cortical regions. However, moderate and high E 2 treatments failed to induce any striatal GDNF mRNA and protein synthesis. High E 2 only stimulates cFos induction in a low percentage of striatal Parv neurons whereas the majority of cFos-positive cells are medium spiny neurons. Activation of these projecting neurons by E 2 suggests a role of circulating sex steroids in the modulation of striatal neural pathways.Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Miguel Servet Asociación CP12- 03217 (XDADT)Ministerio de Economı́a y Competitividad: Plan Estatal de Investigación Cientı́fica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013-2016 (JLB

Empreendedorismo Sustentável no Setor de Energia: Uma Perspectiva de uma Empresa Brasileira Concessionária de Eletricidade

The key question in this article consists of identifying the conditions under which the social projects developed by the firm Alpha are really promoting the sustainable development in the state of Ceará, located in Northeast Brazil. The general goal is to discuss if the firm’s social projects are related to the sustainable corporate entrepreneurship (SCE). This paper intends to stimulate the scientific community to advance knowledge on entrepreneurial, innovation and sustainability. This case study focuses on four Alpha’s projects: Ecological Initiative, Efficient Exchange, Social Energy, and School of Efficient Paths. The thematic content’s analysis methodology was used in this article. The documental research served as primary data source and helped to better elucidate the studied object. The researcher obtained 12 questionnaires answered. It was found an agreement of respondents to the categories: values, transparency and governance, workforce, environment, suppliers, consumers and customers and community. For the theme government and society, the results showed a disagreement with the category and for the last theme, innovation, the respondents are indifferent. After lexical analysis of data the results confirm in accordance with state of art of literature the existence of triple bottom line in the social projects of Alpha, by the categories resulted (profit, planet, people) from content’s analysis of open questions. Alpha is a strong example of social commitment with poverty and environment. In conclusion, the research confirms that the firm promotes sustainable entrepreneurship and innovativeness leading to sustainable development.La pregunta central de este artículo es identificar las condiciones en las que los proyectos sociales desarrollados por la empresa Alfa están promoviendo el desarrollo sostenible en el estado de Ceará se encuentra en el noreste de Brasil . El objetivo general es analizar si los proyectos empresariales sociales están relacionadas con el emprendimiento empresarial sostenible (SCE ) . Este artículo tiene la intención de estimular a la comunidad científica para avanzar en el conocimiento sobre el espíritu empresarial , la innovación y la sostenibilidad. Este estudio de caso se centra en cuatro proyectos de la empresa Alfa: Ecoelce, Cambio Efectivo, Energía Social e Escuela Coelce. La metodología de análisis de contenido temático fue utilizado en este artículo. La investigación documental sirvió como la fuente primaria de datos y ayudó a aclarar el objeto estudiado. El investigador recibió 12 cuestionarios completados. Valores , Transparencia y Gobernabilidad, la fuerza de trabajo , el medio ambiente, proveedores, consumidores y clientes, y la Comunidad: Un acuerdo entre los encuestados a las categorías que se encuentran. Para el gobierno el tema y la sociedad, los resultados mostraron una discrepancia con la categoría y el último tema de la innovación, los encuestados se mostró indiferente . Tras el análisis de datos léexical, los resultados confirman la existencia de una tríada en proyectos sociales de Alfa , las categorías resultantes ( lucro , planeta , personas) a partir del análisis de contenido de las preguntas abiertas y de acuerdo con el estado de la literatura de la técnica. Alpha es un gran ejemplo de compromiso social con la pobreza y el medio ambiente. La investigación confirma que la empresa promueve el espíritu empresarial sostenible y la innovación hacia el desarrollo sostenible.A questão central neste artigo é identificar as condições em que os projetos sociais desenvolvidos pela empresa Alpha estão promovendo o desenvolvimento sustentável no Ceará, estado localizado no Nordeste do Brasil. O objetivo geral é discutir se os projetos sociais da empresa estão relacionados com o empreendedorismo corporativo sustentável (SCE). Este artigo tem a intenção de estimular a comunidade científica para o avanço do conhecimento sobre empreendedorismo, inovação e sustentabilidade. Este estudo de caso se concentra em quatro projetos da empresa Alpha: Ecoelce, Troca Eficiente, Energia Social e Escola Coelce. A metodologia de análise do conteúdo temática foi utilizada neste artigo. A pesquisa documental serviu como fonte de dados primária e ajudou a elucidar melhor o objeto estudado. O pesquisador obteve 12 questionários respondidos. Foi encontrada uma concordância entre os entrevistados para as categorias: valores, transparência e governança, força de trabalho, meio ambiente, fornecedores, consumidores e clientes e comunidade. Para o tema governo e sociedade, os resultados mostraram uma discordância com a categoria e para o último tema inovação, os entrevistados foram indiferentes. Após a análise léxica dos dados, os resultados confirmam a existência de uma tríade nos projetos sociais da Alpha, pelas categorias resultantes (lucro, planeta, pessoas) a partir da análise do conteúdo das perguntas abertas e de acordo com o estado da arte da literatura. Alpha é um forte exemplo de compromisso social com a pobreza e o meio ambiente. A pesquisa confirma que a empresa promove o empreendedorismo sustentável e a inovação na direção do desenvolvimento sustentável

A dinâmica da relação entre inovação e internacionalização em empresas de TIC

The article aims to evaluate the existence of a coevolution between internationalization strategies and innovative performance within information and communication technology (ICT) companies located in the northeast of Brazil. In order to achieve this objective, a conceptual model was derived from the literature review contemplating the vision that internationalization and innovation within companies happen in an evolutionary and dynamic way. Methodologically, the study is characterized by being qualitative, using the technique of multiple cases. The studied companies (IVIA, IFACTORY, CPQI and GREENMILE) presented changes in both internal and external competences. Thus, a main conclusion has been that the studied companies presented a process of coevolution between innovation and internationalization strategies. In terms of business strategies, it can be verified that the presence of these two processes, guarantees the development and growth of companies in the global market.O artigo avalia a existência de coevolução entre as estratégias de internacionalização e o desempenho inovativo em empresas de Tecnologia da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) localizadas no nordeste brasileiro. Para tanto, derivou-se da revisão de literatura um modelo conceitual contemplando a visão de que a internacionalização e inovação nas empresas acontecem de forma evolucionista e dinâmica. Metodologicamente, o estudo caracteriza-se por ser qualitativo, utilizando a técnica de múltiplos casos. As empresas estudadas (IVIA, IFACTORY, CPQI e GREENMILE) apresentaram evolução das competências tanto internas, como externas, com diferenças em cada caso analisado. Como principal conclusão, tem-se que as empresas estudadas apresentaram um processo de coevolução entre inovação e internacionalização. Em termos de estratégias empresariais, verifica-se que a presença destes dois expedientes garante a permanência sustentável das empresas no mercado.

Uma questão de gênero na pós graduação stricto sensu no Estado do Amazonas / A gender issue on graduation programs in the State of Amazonas

No Estado do Amazonas a participação das mulheres em curso de pós-graduação stricto sensu em Direito é de caráter marcadamente minoritário. Esta análise tem como objetivo verificar a diferença de gênero no ingresso e ascensão na produção científica em Direito no Estado do Amazonas, entre os anos de 2013 a 2018, e identificar os fatores que contribuem para essa desigualdade na ciência.  As coordenadorias de pós-graduação da Universidade Estadual do Amazonas e do Centro Integrado de Ensino Superior do Amazonas foram as fontes iniciais da pesquisa uma vez que são elas as duas intituições que oferecem programas de mestrado e doutourado na unidade da federação analisada. Este artigo tem como metodologia pesquisa bibliográfica e documental de abordagem qualitativa. Os resultados apontam significativa preponderância de ingresso dos homens em comparação com as mulheres. Há ainda estagnação das mulheres na ascensão da carreira se comparadas com a progressão profissional masculina, resultando na sub-representação das mulheres nas áreas de produção de conhecimento