ANÁLISE DA VOLATILIDADE DOS PREÇOS DE BOI GORDO NO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO: UMA APLICAÇÃO DOS MODELOS GARCH

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma análise da volatilidade do retorno dos preços de boi gordo no Estado de São Paulo; examinando-se dois fatores determinantes, a persistência de choques e assimetrias na volatilidade, por meio da aplicação dos modelos ARCH/GARCH. Os resultados empíricos mostraram reações de persistência e assimetria na volatilidade, ou seja, os choques negativos e positivos têm impactos diferenciados sobre a volatilidade dos retornos dos preços do boi gordo, o que pode ser comprovado pelos modelos EGARCH e TARCH.--------------------------------------------- This paper aims to analyze the volatility process of the return the prices of beef cattle in the State of São Paulo; examining two factors determinatives, the persistence of shocks and asymmetry in the volatility, by means of the application of ARCH/GARCH models. The empirical results had shown persistence reactions and asymmetry in the volatility, that is, the negative and positive shocks have impacts differentiated on the volatility of the returns of the prices of beef cattle, what it can be proven by EGARCH and TARCH models.boi gordo, volatilidade, assimetria, modelos ARCH/GARCH, beef cattle, volatility, asymmetry, ARCH/GARCH models, Livestock Production/Industries,

A mudança do regime cambial e o seu impacto na balança comercial brasileira

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the change on the Brazilian exchange rate policy implemented in January 1999, and to analyze agricultural sector transformations. Specifically, the paper is an attempt to identify the economic relations of the aggregate performance of the Brazilian commercial trade balance and total GDP or agricultural GDP, world income, and real exchange rate as of in the 1980-2006 (up to first quarter) period. The main conclusion of the study is that the exchange rate policy bands of Plano Real exerted a negative effect on exports and favored imports. With the liberation of the Brazilian exchange rate, from 1999 on, the estimated relations appear to have a positive net effect on the commercial trade balance of the country. But the statistical results of the econometric model are not reliable.Exchange Rate Policy, Commercial Trade Balance, Brazilian Agriculture, International Relations/Trade,

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal brain development : the potential role of glial cells

Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. They actively participate in immune responses, as well as form functional barriers, such as blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS. In general, viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment, and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life, as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces a cytokine storm and, during pregnancy, may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and also to higher preterm birth rates. SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells, which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function. However, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS, including brain development during childhood and adulthood, remains undetermined. Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, which are strongly related to the inflammatory response. Thus, based on these relationships, we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life, focusing on the potential role of glial cells. Thus, it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy

Early effects of LPS-induced neuroinflammation on the rat hippocampal glycolytic pathway

Neuroinflammation is a common feature during the development of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, where glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, play key roles in the activation and maintenance of inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Neuroinflammation is now known to involve a neurometabolic shift, in addition to an increase in energy consumption. We used two approaches (in vivo and ex vivo) to evaluate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation on neurometabolic reprogramming, and on the modulation of the glycolytic pathway during the neuroinflammatory response. For this, we investigated inflammatory cytokines and receptors in the rat hippocampus, as well as markers of glial reactivity. Mitochondrial respirometry and the glycolytic pathway were evaluated by multiple parameters, including enzymatic activity, gene expression and regulation by protein kinases. Metabolic (e.g., metformin, 3PO, oxamic acid, fluorocitrate) and inflammatory (e.g., minocycline, MCC950, arundic acid) inhibitors were used in ex vivo hippocampal slices. The induction of early inflammatory changes by LPS (both in vivo and ex vivo) enhanced glycolytic parameters, such as glucose uptake, PFK1 activity and lactate release. This increased glucose consumption was independent of the energy expenditure for glutamate uptake, which was in fact diverted for the maintenance of the immune response. Accordingly, inhibitors of the glycolytic pathway and Krebs cycle reverted neuroinflammation (reducing IL-1β and S100B) and the changes in glycolytic parameters induced by LPS in acute hippocampal slices. Moreover, the inhibition of S100B, a protein predominantly synthesized and secreted by astrocytes, inhibition of microglia activation and abrogation of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly confirmed the role of neuroinflammation in the upregulation of glycolysis in the hippocampus. Our data indicate a neurometabolic glycolytic shift, induced by inflammatory activation, as well as a central and integrative role of astrocytes, and suggest that interference in the control of neurometabolism may be a promising strategy for downregulating neuroinflammation and consequently for diminishing negative neurological outcomes

Marcadores de injúria cerebral na isquemia global transitória : a proteína S100B e imagens por ressonância magnética nuclear

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Zika virus exposure affects neuron-glia communication in the hippocampal slices of adult rats

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy was associated with microcephaly in neonates, but clinical and experimental evidence indicate that ZIKV also causes neurological complications in adults. However, the changes in neuron-glial communication, which is essential for brain homeostasis, are still unknown. Here, we report that hippocampal slices from adult rats exposed acutely to ZIKV showed significant cellular alterations regarding to redox homeostasis, inflammatory process, neurotrophic functions and molecular signalling pathways associated with neurons and glial cells. Our findings support the hypothesis that ZIKV is highly neurotropic and its infection readily induces an inflammatory response, characterized by an increased expression and/or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also observed changes in neural parameters, such as adenosine receptor A2a expression, as well as in the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuron-specific enolase, indicating plasticity synaptic impairment/neuronal damage. In addition, ZIKV induced a glial commitment, with alterations in specific and functional parameters such as aquaporin 4 expression, S100B secretion and glutathione synthesis. ZIKV also induced p21 senescence-associated gene expression, indicating that ZIKV may induce early senescence. Taken together, our results indicate that ZIKV-induced neuroinflammation, involving nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathways, affects important aspects of neuron-glia communication. Therefore, although ZIKV infection is transient, long-term consequences might be associated with neurological and/or neurodegenerative diseases