Translational research (TR) is an interdisciplinary branch of the biomedical field that seeks to connect its three supporting pillars: basic research on the bench, the hospital beds and other health system services, and the delivery of products for the well-being and health of the community. Here, we review the five transition stages of the TR spectrum, registering the lessons learned during > 20 years leading to the first clinical trial designed and performed in Brazil for testing a complementary treatment for Chagas disease (CD): the selenium trial (STCC). Lessons learned were: (1) to consider all the TR spectrum since the beginning of the project; (2) to start simultaneously animal studies and translation to humans; (3) to ensure a harmonious interaction between clinical and basic research teams; (4) to include MSc and PhD students only in pre-clinical and basic studies (TR0) or vertical clinical studies using retrospective samples and data (TR1); (5) to identify potential suppliers in the national commercial market for a future final treatment since the pre-clinical stage; (6) to keep an international network of experts as permanent advisers on the project. In the whole process, some perspectives were created: a complementary clinical trial for the opened questions and the construction of a Brazilian clinical CD platform.

Este artigo apresenta a adaptação da matriz e indicadores para mensuração do retorno de investimento em pesquisa em saúde, para avaliação de um programa de indução à pesquisa, no âmbito de 16 cursos de doutorado da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, uma das ações do Plano Brasil Sem Miséria. A matriz canadense se mostrou adequada para avaliação dos resultados do programa, em virtude dos atributos como flexibilidade, amplitude e profundidade, contemplando abordagens quantitativas e qualitativas. Para adaptação, foram consideradas as cinco dimensões avaliativas, bem como seus indicadores e métricas, critérios como validade, relevância, disponibilidade, custo e tempo de coleta de dados, orientaram a adaptação ao contexto brasileiro e ao objeto de estudo. Como resultado apresenta-se a matriz adaptada, os indicadores, assim como a fonte de coleta de dados e forma de análise dos dados. Ressalta-se a relevância deste estudo como contribuição à crescente demanda acadêmica e da sociedade civil por avaliação do investimento de recursos públicos em pesquisa.

This article presents the adaptation of the matrix and indicators for measuring the return on investment in health research, for the evaluation of a research induction program, within 16 doctoral courses of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, one of the actions of the Brasil Sem Miséria Plan. The Canadian matrix proved to be adequate for evaluating the results of the program, due to attributes such as flexibility, breadth and depth, including quantitative and qualitative approaches. For adaptation, the five evaluative dimensions were considered, as well as their indicators and metrics, criteria such as validity, relevance, availability, cost and time of data collection, guided the adaptation to the Brazilian context and the object of study. As a result, the adapted matrix, the indicators, as well as the data collection source and data analysis method are presented. The relevance of this study is highlighted as a contribution to the growing academic and civil society demand for evaluating the investment of public resources in research.

RESUMO A multidimensionalidade da pobreza foi premissa central do Plano Brasil Sem Miséria (2011-2014), que visava a erradicar a extrema pobreza no País. A Fundação Oswaldo Cruz coordenou um programa de indução à pesquisa em saúde que promoveu investigações destinadas a produzir conhecimento para mitigar problemas relacionados à miséria. O estudo de avaliabilidade foi orientado pelo instrumento teórico-metodológico da Teoria da Mudança, que permitiu traçar o caminho do cenário inicial para um cenário esperado, com base nos resultados da indução, representados no modelo lógico do programa, no qual também foram descritos a estrutura, os processos e os resultados. A partir da análise documental e entrevistas com stakeholders das instituições envolvidas foi possível identificar os objetivos do programa, os resultados esperados, o público beneficiado pelo programa e o público beneficiado pela avaliação dos resultados do programa. Este estudo orientou o planejamento da avaliação que se seguiu, bem como a definição do modelo canadense de mensuração do retorno de investimento em pesquisa em saúde como estratégia metodológica. As limitações foram reconhecidas, bem como os pontos que favoreceram a implantação e o desenvolvimento do programa de indução. Espera-se, ainda, que este estudo possa contribuir para avaliações e/ou pré-avaliações de outros programas com escopo semelhante.

ABSTRACT The multidimensionality of poverty was the central premise of the Brazilian Without Misery Plan (2011-2014), which aimed at eradicating misery in the country. The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation coordinated a health research induction program that promoted research aimed at producing knowledge to mitigate problems related to misery. The evaluability study was guided by the theoretical and methodological instrument of the Theory of Change, which allowed us to trace the path from the initial scenario to an expected scenario, based on the induction results, represented in the logical model of the program, in which the structure, processes, and results were also described. Through document analysis and interviews with stakeholders, it was possible to identify the objectives, expected results of the program, as well as the public benefited by it and by the evaluation of the program’s results. This study guided the planning of the assessment that followed, as well as the definition of the Canadian model, to measure the return on health research investment as a methodological strategy. The limitations were recognized, as well as the issues that favored the implementation and development of the induction program. It is further hoped that this study may contribute to evaluations and/or pre-evaluations of other similarly targeted programs.

RESUMO A multidimensionalidade da pobreza foi premissa central do Plano Brasil Sem Miséria (2011-2014), que visava a erradicar a extrema pobreza no País. A Fundação Oswaldo Cruz coordenou um programa de indução à pesquisa em saúde que promoveu investigações destinadas a produzir conhecimento para mitigar problemas relacionados à miséria. O estudo de avaliabilidade foi orientado pelo instrumento teórico-metodológico da Teoria da Mudança, que permitiu traçar o caminho do cenário inicial para um cenário esperado, com base nos resultados da indução, representados no modelo lógico do programa, no qual também foram descritos a estrutura, os processos e os resultados. A partir da análise documental e entrevistas com stakeholders das instituições envolvidas foi possível identificar os objetivos do programa, os resultados esperados, o público beneficiado pelo programa e o público beneficiado pela avaliação dos resultados do programa. Este estudo orientou o planejamento da avaliação que se seguiu, bem como a definição do modelo canadense de mensuração do retorno de investimento em pesquisa em saúde como estratégia metodológica. As limitações foram reconhecidas, bem como os pontos que favoreceram a implantação e o desenvolvimento do programa de indução. Espera-se, ainda, que este estudo possa contribuir para avaliações e/ou pré-avaliações de outros programas com escopo semelhante.

ABSTRACT The multidimensionality of poverty was the central premise of the Brazilian Without Misery Plan (2011-2014), which aimed at eradicating misery in the country. The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation coordinated a health research induction program that promoted research aimed at producing knowledge to mitigate problems related to misery. The evaluability study was guided by the theoretical and methodological instrument of the Theory of Change, which allowed us to trace the path from the initial scenario to an expected scenario, based on the induction results, represented in the logical model of the program, in which the structure, processes, and results were also described. Through document analysis and interviews with stakeholders, it was possible to identify the objectives, expected results of the program, as well as the public benefited by it and by the evaluation of the program’s results. This study guided the planning of the assessment that followed, as well as the definition of the Canadian model, to measure the return on health research investment as a methodological strategy. The limitations were recognized, as well as the issues that favored the implementation and development of the induction program. It is further hoped that this study may contribute to evaluations and/or pre-evaluations of other similarly targeted programs.

Resumo As doenças negligenciadas correspondem a um grupo de agravos de relevância nacional e internacional. O tema das doenças negligenciadas precisa transcender o setor da saúde e sua abordagem deve estar presente também no ensino. Além disso, o controle e a prevenção destes agravos, bem como a saúde, necessitam ser compreendidos como um fenômeno multifacetado. Analisamos o tema das doenças negligenciadas nas propostas curriculares dos estados brasileiros destinados à disciplina de Ciências do 6º ao 9º ano do ensino fundamental. Reunimos ao todo 24 propostas curriculares. Os resultados apontaram que somente nove destes currículos abordaram as doenças negligenciadas como conteúdos de relevância e que persiste ainda a ideia de que a saúde é um bem restritamente biológico ou produto de ações prescritivas e ganhos cognitivos.

Abstract Neglected diseases are of national and international relevance. The neglected diseases’ subject-matter must transcend the health sector and its approach must be present in education as well. In addition, the control and prevention of these diseases, as well as health, should be understood as a multifaceted phenomenon. This study aimed to analyze the neglected diseases’ theme in the Brazilian states’ curriculum proposals for elementary school’s Science subject from 6th to 9th grade. A total of 24 curriculum proposals were gathered and examined. The results showed that only nine of these curricula dealt with neglected diseases as relevant content, still allowing the idea to persist that health is a strictly a biological good or a product of prescriptive actions and cognitive gains.

The present paper summarizes new approaches regarding the progress done to the understanding of the interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi-cardiomyocytes. Mannose receptors localized at the surface of heart muscle cell are involved in binding and uptake of the parasite. One of the most striking events in the parasite-heart muscle cells interaction is the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. We have investigated the regulation of the actin mRNA during the cytopathology induced in myocardial cells by the parasite. T. cruzi invasion increases calcium resting levels in cardiomyocytes. We have previously shown that Ca2+ ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) is involved in the invasion of T. cruzi in cardiomyocytes. Treating the cells with thapsigargin, a drug that binds to all SERCA ATPases and causes depletion of intracellular calcium stores, we found a 75% inhibition in the T. cruzi-cardiomyocytes invasion.

Biocorrosion means any process of corrosion in wich microorganisms are somehow involved. As far as the petroleum industry is concerned, the anaerobic type is the more important, with Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) accouting for half of the described processes. SRB are obligate anaerobs that use sulphur, sulphate or other oxidized sulphur compounds as oxidizing agents when decomposing organic material. A typical product of SRB metabolism, hydrogen sulphide -H2S-, is extremely toxic. In the present work we review the literature on mechanisms underlying biocorrosive process in wich SRB are involved and summarize some of the ultrastructural and eletrochemical work developed using SRB obtained from water injection flow in wells located on PETROBRAS offshore marine plataforms, sampled directly in the field over metallic probes, or cultured under laboratory conditions. Biofilms develop when SRB adhere to inert surfaces. A high diversity of morphological types is found inside these biofilms. Their extracellular matrix is highly hydrated and mainly anionic, as shown by its avid reaction with cationic compounds like ruthenium red. We have noted that variations in iron contet lead to interesting changes in the ultrastructure of the bacterial cell coat and also in the rate of corrosion induced in metallic test cupons. Since routine methods to prevent and treat SRB contamination and biodeterioration involve the use of biocides that are toxic and always have some environmental impact, an accurate diagnosis of biocorrosion is always required prior to a treatment decision. We developed a method that detects and semi-quantifies the presence of living or dead SRB by using free silver potentials as an indicator of corrosive action by SRB-associated sulphides. We found a correlation between sulphide levels (determined either by spectrophotometry, or using a silver electrode -E(Ag)- that measured changes in free potentials induced by the presence of exogeneously added sulphide) and SRB concentration (enumerated by a culturing method). E (Ag) was characterized under a variety of conditions andwas found to be relatively immune to possible interference resulting from aeration of media or from the psence of iron corrosion products. The method offers a simple, rapid, and effective means of diagnosing biocorrosive processes prior to their control.

Macrophages and muscle cells are the main targets for invasion of Trypanosoma cruzi. Ultrastructural studies of this phenomenon in vitro showed that invasion occurs by endocytosis, with attachment and internalization being mediated by different components capable of recognizing epi-or trypomastigotes (TRY). A parasitophorus vacuole was formed in both cell types, thereafter fusing with lysosomes. Then, the mechanism of T. cruzi invasion of host cells (HC) is essentially similar (during a primary infection in the abscence of a specific immune response), regardless of wether the target cell is a professional or a non-professional phagocytic cell. Using sugars, lectins, glycosidases, proteinases and proteinase inhibitors, we observed that the relative balance between exposed sialic acid and galactose/N-acetyl galactosamine (GAL) residues on the TRY surface, determines the parasite's capacity to invade HC, and that lectin-mediated phagocytosis with GAL specificity is important for internalization of T. cruzi into macrophages. On the other hand, GAL on the surface to heart muscle cells participate on TRY adhesion. TRY need to process proteolytically both the HC and their own surface, to expose the necessary ligands and receptors that allow binding to, and internalization in the host cell. The diverse range of molecular mechanisms which the parasite could use to invade the host cell may correspond to differences in the available "receptors"on the surface of each specific cell type. Acute phase components, with lectin or proteinase inhibitory activities (a-macroglobulins), may also be involved in T. cruzi-host cell interaction.