RESUMO
When the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is heard today, a multitude of concepts such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development or Sustainability comes to mind where, without losing the essence of what its implementation entails, it implies not the existence of a consensus that unifies everything into a theory. The objective of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the current situation and trends in this area of research. Thus, in this paper, bibliometrics is used to evaluate performance and productivity in CSR, and scientific maps to extract and classify the most important research topics in this area. The results obtained when analyzing the period 1978-2017 show the conceptual evolution of CSR research, demonstrating the growth potential of CSR, as well as its great development, being the main thematic areas identified: Financial Performance, Corporate Reputation, Ethics, Consumers, Employees and Risk.
Assuntos
Responsabilidade Social , Humanos , BibliometriaRESUMO
Electron microscopy is routinely used to identify viral infections in protozoan parasites. These viruses have been described as non-enveloped and icosahedral structures with a diameter of 30-60 nm. Most of them are classified within the non-segmented dsRNA Totiviridae family. We observed virus-like particles (VLPs) through transmission electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes grown in cultures. Clusters of electrodense enveloped VLPs having a diameter of 48 nm were also observed. These clusters appear to have been released from distended Golgi cisternae. Furthermore, a paracrystalline array of electrodense, non-enveloped VLPs (with a diameter of 32 nm) were found in distended Golgi cisternae or as smaller clusters at a distance from the RE or Golgi. We cannot rule out that the 48 nm enveloped VLPs belong to the ssRNA Flaviviridae family because they are within its size range. The localization of enveloped VLPs is consistent with the replication strategy of these viruses that transit through the Golgi to be released at the cell surface. Due to the size and shape of the 32 nm non-enveloped VLPs, we propose that they belong to the dsRNA Totiviridae family. This is the first description of cytoplasmic enveloped and non-enveloped VLPs in T. cruzi epimastigotes.
Assuntos
Trypanosoma cruzi/virologia , Vírion , Animais , Camundongos , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Trypanosoma cruzi/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Apoptosis is one of the most destructive mechanisms that develop after spinal cord (SC) injury. Immunization with neural-derived peptides (INDPs) such as A91 has shown to reduce the deleterious proinflammatory response and the amount of harmful compounds produced after SC injury. With the notion that the aforementioned elements are apoptotic inducers, we hypothesized that INDPs would reduce apoptosis after SC injury. In order to test this assumption, adult rats were subjected to SC contusion and immunized either with A91 or phosphate buffered saline (PBS; control group). Seven days after injury, animals were euthanized to evaluate the number of apoptotic cells at the injury site. Apoptosis was evaluated using DAPI and TUNEL techniques; caspase-3 activity was also evaluated. To further elucidate the mechanisms through which A91 exerts this antiapoptotic effects we quantified tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). To also demonstrate that the decrease in apoptotic cells correlated with a functional improvement, locomotor recovery was evaluated. Immunization with A91 significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells and decreased caspase-3 activity and TNF-α concentration. Immunization with A91 also improved the functional recovery of injured rats. The present study shows the beneficial effect of INDPs on preventing apoptosis and provides more evidence on the neuroprotective mechanisms exerted by this strategy.
Assuntos
Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunização , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/farmacologia , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/imunologia , Animais , Apoptose/imunologia , Feminino , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/imunologia , Peptídeos/imunologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/patologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/imunologiaRESUMO
The present research was performed to isolate and study the effects of a low molecular weight (<1300Da) parasite-associated substance, obtained from peritoneal fluids of female mice infected with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci, on seminiferous epithelium cells of male mice testis. The results showed an intense disruption of Sertoli cells and germ cells within the seminiferous tubules of experimental mice, along with the destruction of their gap junction (GJ). Significant generalized apoptosis of germ cells within seminiferous tubules was determined by TUNEL staining (P=0.0159). In addition, a significant number of infiltrating macrophages were found in the luminal space of these seminiferous tubules (P<0.0001). Finally, electron microscopy studies revealed structural and morphological abnormalities in the somatic cells (Sertoli and Leydig cells) and in the germ cells, primarily in the round and elongate spermatids.
Assuntos
Líquido Ascítico/química , Cisticercose/parasitologia , Cysticercus/metabolismo , Testículo/patologia , Animais , Apoptose , Líquido Ascítico/parasitologia , Cromatografia em Gel , Cisticercose/imunologia , Cisticercose/patologia , Cysticercus/imunologia , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Feminino , Marcação In Situ das Extremidades Cortadas , Macrófagos/patologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Peso Molecular , Epitélio Seminífero/patologia , Epitélio Seminífero/ultraestrutura , Testículo/ultraestrutura , UltrafiltraçãoRESUMO
This research was carried out to study the effects of infection with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci on the seminiferous epithelium histoarchitecture in the testes of male mice. Our results showed a severe disruption of the histoarchitecture of the testis epithelium in infected mice. In these animals, a significant infiltration of macrophages within seminiferous tubules was observed (P < 0.001). Generalized apoptosis of germ cells within the seminiferous tubules was observed, as assessed by TUNEL assay and apoptotic nuclei were quantified. The total number of fluorescent objects (DNA) (including clusters, singles, and objects in clusters) was significantly higher in the infected cells than in the control group (P = 0.0286). Observation of the interstitial tissue showed disorder and deterioration of many Leydig cells of infected mice, as well as intense vacuolization and destruction of their inter-cellular junctions. Several ultrastructural abnormalities were observed through electron microscopy as well. The observed pathology could lead to a state of infertility.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Túbulos Seminíferos/patologia , Taenia/patogenicidade , Teníase/patologia , Laranja de Acridina , Animais , Corantes , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Corantes Fluorescentes , Marcação In Situ das Extremidades Cortadas , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Microscopia Confocal , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Túbulos Seminíferos/parasitologia , Túbulos Seminíferos/ultraestrutura , Cloreto de TolônioRESUMO
After an intraperitoneal infection of mice with Taenia crassiceps metacestodes, peritoneal inflammatory cells labeled with fluoresceinated MoAb anti-mouse were analyzed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was studied by annexin A/PI, TUNEL assays, DNA laddering, caspase-3 activity, and electron microscopy. An important continuous decrease of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes, and an increase of eosinophils and macrophages throughout the observation time were found. Apoptosis of eosinophils was quantified during the observation period with a peak at 6 days post-infection (67.27%). In an additional experiment at 12 days post-infection using TUNEL staining, a high level of apoptosis of eosinophil (92.3%) and a significant decrease of CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes were confirmed. Caspase-3 activity in peritoneal fluid, peritoneal cells' DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis of eosinophils and monocytes were found. The dramatic decrease of peritoneal inflammatory T and B cells and the high level of apoptosis of inflammatory eosinophils induced in mice by infection with T. crassiceps cysticerci may be important factors of the immunosuppression observed in cysticercosis.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Eosinófilos/imunologia , Peritonite/imunologia , Peritonite/patologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Teníase/imunologia , Teníase/patologia , Animais , Antígenos CD19/análise , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Citometria de Fluxo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Microscopia Eletrônica , Peritonite/parasitologia , Taenia/isolamento & purificação , Teníase/parasitologia , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes to lysis by normal or immune sera in a complement-dependent reaction has been reported. Mouse immune sera depleted complement-induced damage in epimastigotes characterized by morphological changes and death. The purpose of this work was to study the mechanism of death in epimastigotes exposed to decomplemented mouse immune serum. Epimastigotes were maintained in RPMI medium. Immune sera were prepared in mice by immunization with whole crude epimastigote extracts. Viable epimastigotes were incubated with decomplemented normal or immune sera at 37 degrees C. By electron microscopy, agglutinated parasites showed characteristic patterns of membrane fusion between two or more parasites; this fusion also produced interdigitation of the subpellicular microtubules. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and annexin V assays. Nuclear features were examined by 4'-,6-diamidino-2'-phenylindole diHCI cytochemistry that demonstrated apoptotic nuclear condensation. Caspase activity was also measured. TUNEL results showed that parasites incubated with decomplemented immune sera took up 26% of specific fluorescence as compared to 1.3% in parasites incubated with decomplemented normal sera. The Annexin-V-Fluos staining kit revealed that epimastigotes incubated with decomplemented immune sera exposed phosphatidylserine on the external leaflet of the plasma membrane. The incubation of parasites with immune sera showed caspase 3 activity. We conclude that specific antibodies are able to induce agglutination and apoptosis in epimastigotes, although the pathway is not elucidated.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/imunologia , Apoptose , Proteínas do Sistema Complemento/imunologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/imunologia , Animais , Anexina A5/análise , Caspase 3/análise , Feminino , Marcação In Situ das Extremidades Cortadas , Camundongos , Viabilidade Microbiana , Microscopia Eletrônica , Trypanosoma cruzi/química , Trypanosoma cruzi/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Objetivo: Demostrar la presencia de Rotavirus en las diferentes fases de un proceso de compostaje: matrices utilizadas como materia prima, mezcla a compostar y producto terminado. Materiales y métodos. El Rotavirus se determinó durante los tres procesos de compostaje. La detección viral se realizó por inmunocromatografía, ELISA y RT- PCR. Resultados. Se evidenció presencia viral en el primer proceso de compostaje, ausencia viral en el segundo y en el tercer proceso de compostaje, se presentaron interferencias que dificultaron interpretar los resultados de la PCR, lo cual impidió llegar a un resultado concluyente de su presencia en el abono. Conclusiones. Los abonos orgánicos pueden ser portadores de virus motivo por el cual se deben implementar pruebas de calidad para evitar que este material contribuya con la diseminación viral. Dentro de estos abonos existen sustancias capaces de interferir en las pruebas de detección.
Objective. To show the presence of rotavirus in different stages of a composting process: matrices used as raw material, mixture to be composted and the final product. Materials and methods. Immunochromatography, ELISA and RT-PCR were used for viral detection. Results. Rotavirus was found in the first composting step, no virus was found in the second step, and some inhibitory substances were found in the third step that posed difficulties in interpreting the PCR results and therefore providing a concluding result on rotavirus presence in the final product. Conclusions. Organic fertilizers can be vectors of human pathogenic viruses; therefore quality control tests must be implemented to avoid further viral dissemination. There are inhibitory substances present in organic fertilizers capable of interfering with the detection tests.
Objetivo. Demonstrar a presença de Rotavírus nas diferentes fases de um processo de compostagem: matrizes utilizadas como matéria-prima, mistura de composto e produto final. Materiais e métodos: A determinação do Rotavírus foi realizada nos três processos de compostagem. A detecção viral foi realizada por imunocromatografia, ELISA e RT-PCR. Resultados. Evidenciou-se a presença viral no primeiro processo de compostagem, ausência de vírus no segundo, e no terceiro processo de compostagem, apresentaram-se interferências que dificultaram a interpre tação dos resultados da PCR, tornando impossível chegar a um resultado conclusivo de sua presença no adubo. Conclusões. Os adubos orgânicos podem abrigar o vírus é por isso que se devem implementar provas de qualidade para evitar que esse material contribuía com a disseminação viral. Dentro desses fertilizantes existem substâncias capazes de interferir nas provas de detecção.
RESUMO
In the current research, we report apoptosis of lymphocytes in the inflammatory reaction around metacestodes in muscle tissue from cysticercotic pigs. Two events, high metacestode viability (100%) and high cysteine protease activity were found to be closely related to a high phosphatydilserine expression by inflammatory lymphocytes (56%). Testing the RPMI medium used for washing away inflammatory cells from metacestodes with 100% viability, with the fluorescent substrate Z-Phe-Ala-AFC for measuring cysteine protease activity, significant fluorescent values were found. In contrast, tests performed with RPMI medium used for washing away inflammatory cells from metacestodes with 90% viability or less, showed low fluorescence values. Flow cytometry analyses of inflammatory cells obtained from four naturally cysticercotic pigs, and stained with Annexin-V/PI, showed lymphocytes expressing phosphatidylserine with values of 0, 6, 41 and 56% on their outer surfaces. Electron microscopy studies of inflammatory cells from metacestodes with 100% viability, showed lymphocytes with strangled and fragmented nuclei, and heterochromatin displaced to the nuclear periphery. In addition, DNA from these cells showed fragmentation in electrophoresis assays. Apoptosis of lymphocytes in the inflammatory reaction around Taenia solium metacestodes, might have been induced by the parasite cysteine protease, and may be involved in impairing cell-mediated immune responses in human and porcine cysticercosis.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Cisticercose/veterinária , Doenças dos Suínos/imunologia , Taenia solium/enzimologia , Animais , Anexina A5 , Células Cultivadas , Meios de Cultura , Cisteína Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Cisticercose/imunologia , Cisticercose/parasitologia , Fragmentação do DNA , Citometria de Fluxo/veterinária , Corantes Fluorescentes/metabolismo , Linfócitos , Músculo Esquelético/parasitologia , Suínos , Doenças dos Suínos/parasitologia , Taenia solium/imunologiaRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the implantation of Taenia solium metacestodes and the treatment with suppressive metacestode factor (F1) on the ability of spleen cells from Balb/c mice to produce cytokines. Cytokine production was estimated 12 days following the implantation or 4 days after the last dose of F1 (five doses) by RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses. Spleen cells were obtained from metacestode-implanted, F1-treated and control mice. They were stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) ex vivo and used for RT-PCR studies and for CD25 expression and intracellular cytokine production estimations using specific monoclonal antibodies labeled with phycoerithrin or fluorescein. Results of the RT-PCR showed that all cells expressed IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 mRNAs. IL-10 mRNA was not expressed in any case. Flow cytometry analyses showed that both spleen CD4+ and CD8+ cells from metacestode-implanted or treated-F1 mice expressed significantly diminished percentages of CD25 when compared with control cells (P<0.05). The estimation of intracellular cytokines showed that the production of IL-2 and IL-4 in CD8+ cells, and of IFN-gamma in CD4+ cells from mice implanted with metacestodes was significantly impaired when compared with the values from control cells (P<0.05).