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Discusses quality improvement, focusing on the development of the database DEDALUS, in the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Compares all the activities used in that institution with the management theories of quality. Submits that there is a correlation between them.

This paper presents M-PoP, a method to model large, complex, and dynamic business processes. These processes have sometimes resulted from alliances of organizations (i.e. joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions) and are referred to as Processes-of-Business Processes (PoP). Due to the difficulty of modeling these dynamic processes, alliances of organizations have often lost opportunities, competitiveness, and profitability, so requiring suitable modeling methods.

The authors proposed M-PoP that can model PoP through three views in different abstraction levels and using well-known techniques in industry and academia, mainly those from Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). For this, M-PoP presents three main steps: identification of PoP elements, modeling of PoP, and verification of PoP models. To evaluate M-PoP, we applied it in a real-world business process in the health domain.

The evaluation results point out the capability and viability of M-PoP to deal with dynamic business processes.

M-PoP still needs to be applied in various real-world scenarios to gather evidence of its productivity, efficiency, and scalability.

This novel method could change the way organizations model their business processes and, as a consequence, it could leverage strategic business opportunities.

M-PoP is the first method that makes it possible to model large and complex business processes and, most importantly, dynamic processes.

This chapter presents a discussion on the development of the Brazilian education system. In the introduction, we resume the local and regional contexts and their relation to the global scenario using a historical-temporal perspective, focusing on the peculiarities of our political and democratic profile, Brazilian educational public policies, economy and social system. We descriptively reconstructed the beginnings of formal education: missionary and colonial education, independence and post-independence expansion. We point out the objectives of education, its organization, administration, structure, operation and its interfaces with the policies on curriculum, evaluation and funding. The discussion of these policies shows their impacts on the education of teachers and students, as well as the relation between education and work in the context of an approach of cycles and the neoliberal perspective. Beyond this, under the perspective of contextual influences, we have identified and described how OECD contributed to incorporate the analysis of comparative development indexes through which it is possible to re-discuss education quality, equity and other aspects. The understanding of all concepts used was broadened by a reformulation, not only due to the effects of the pandemic but also by a profound political and economic crisis that points toward an unprecedented historic setback in the democratic context.

This review provides an overview of recent advances in electrochemical sensors for analyte detection in saliva, highlighting their potential applications in diagnostics and health care. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current state of the field, identify challenges and limitations and discuss future prospects for the development of saliva-based electrochemical sensors.

The paper reviews relevant literature and research articles to examine the latest developments in electrochemical sensing technologies for saliva analysis. It explores the use of various electrode materials, including carbon nanomaterial, metal nanoparticles and conducting polymers, as well as the integration of microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices and wearable/implantable technologies. The design and fabrication methodologies used in these sensors are discussed, along with sample preparation techniques and biorecognition elements for enhancing sensor performance.

Electrochemical sensors for salivary analyte detection have demonstrated excellent potential for noninvasive, rapid and cost-effective diagnostics. Recent advancements have resulted in improved sensor selectivity, stability, sensitivity and compatibility with complex saliva samples. Integration with microfluidics and LOC technologies has shown promise in enhancing sensor efficiency and accuracy. In addition, wearable and implantable sensors enable continuous, real-time monitoring of salivary analytes, opening new avenues for personalized health care and disease management.

This review presents an up-to-date overview of electrochemical sensors for analyte detection in saliva, offering insights into their design, fabrication and performance. It highlights the originality and value of integrating electrochemical sensing with microfluidics, wearable/implantable technologies and point-of-care testing platforms. The review also identifies challenges and limitations, such as interference from other saliva components and the need for improved stability and reproducibility. Future prospects include the development of novel microfluidic devices, advanced materials and user-friendly diagnostic devices to unlock the full potential of saliva-based electrochemical sensing in clinical practice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease which has become a public health concern, whose growing prevalence has been reported as around 33.9% in Iran. As oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, antioxidant compounds such as quercetin could ameliorate the side effect of oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of quercetin on lipid profile, liver enzymes and inflammatory indices in NAFLD patients.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted as a pilot study, 90 patients with NAFLD were supplemented with either a quercetin or a placebo capsule twice daily (500 mg) for 12 weeks. Both groups were advised to follow an energy-balanced diet with physical activity recommendations. Blood sample was obtained for laboratory parameters at baseline and the end of week 12.

At the end of the follow-up, quercetin group had significantly greater reduction in anthropometric parameters, cholesterol (−15 ± (−41, 0.00) in Q group versus −1± (−8, 2) in control group, p = 0.004), TG (−56.7 ± 22.7) in Q group versus −13.4 ± 27.7 in control group, p = 0.04), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (−49.5 ± (−99, 21) in Q group versus −5 ± (−21, 0.30) in the control group, p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. However, changes in fatty liver grade, liver enzymes, as well as high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were not significantly different between the two groups.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study which assessed the effect of quercetin supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid profile and inflammatory indices of NAFLD patients as a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.

Recent societal interest in healthful foods has led to the development of functional dairy products that basically provide health benefits in addition to their fundamental nutrients. Yoghurt being most popular fermented milk product due to its healthy image can be an excellent carrier for probiotics. Functional properties of yoghurt can be enhanced with the inclusion of functional ingredients such as probiotics and its conjugate application with prebiotics may be advantageous as it favors probiotic growth. Nutritional and medicinal value of honey coupled with presence of oligosaccharides has projected honey as a functional additive in yoghurt.

Attempt has been made to review the literature on the biochemical activities of yoghurt cultures and probiotics in presence of honey. Both review and research papers related to biochemical activities and functional properties of yoghurt cultures and probiotics in presence of honey and their health benefits published in diverse journals under Pub Med and Science Direct have been considered. Keywords used for data search included functional foods, yoghurt, probiotic, health benefits, honey, etc.

Functional properties of yoghurt can be further enhanced with the inclusion of probiotic cultures and honey. Honey can be safely used in association with different probiotic cultures during yoghurt manufacture for augmenting functional properties of yoghurt to extend health benefits. Honey may not be equally a suitable matrix for all yoghurt cultures or probiotic cultures.

Reviewed literature indicated that limited research on animal or human feeding trials with honey containing yoghurt has been done. Clinical trials with honey containing yoghurt are emerging prior to its marketing as functional food.

Application of honey as a functional additive during the manufacture of probiotic yoghurt is suggested to extend the functional properties of normal yoghurt.