From dispersed to monopolized violence: expansion and consolidation of the Primeiro Comando da Capital's hegemony in São Paulo's prisons

The present work aims to understand the process of expansion and consolidation of the organized criminal group the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) in São Paulo’s prison system over the past 20 years, and the social configuration that has formed as a result of the PCCs monopolization of opportunities of power. To this end, the work of Norbert Elias is utilized to analyze empirical data collected from various sources. The article consists of two lines of analysis. First, the PCC phenomenon is approached from a macro-sociological point of view, focusing on the social, political and administrative problems that are directly or indirectly linked to the PCCs social development. Second, a figurational analysis is used to explore the social dynamics produced from this process. In comparison to the “pre-PCC” situation, it is shown that the new social configuration produced from the hegemony of the PCC consists of a complexity of interdependencies, including greater functional division and social integration. Given this intensification of mutual dependencies, the social controls on individual behavior have been expanded and centralized. Here, the structure and organization of the PCC, its political dynamics, and individual self-control are central issues. The article concludes by calling into question the view that the most significant effect of the PCCs consolidation has been social pacification of São Paulo’s prison system. Fragilities in the power of the PCC are explored, principally the precarious nature of the relationship between the PCC and state authorities, and the extent to which the PCC’s authority is imposed.

Bodies in Nature: Associations between Exposure to Nature, Connectedness to Nature, and Body Image

Here, we sought to replicate previous work showing a relationship between connectedness to nature and body appreciation, and extend it by examining associations between exposure to natural environments and other body image-related variables. An online sample of 399 U.S. women and men (Mage = 34.55 years) completed measures of body appreciation, connectedness to nature, nature exposure, appearance investment, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and self-esteem. Path analysis showed that nature exposure and connectedness to nature, respectively, were associated with body appreciation in women and men, both directly and indirectly via self-esteem. Connectedness to nature also mediated the link between nature exposure and body appreciation. In men, but not women, the link between connectedness to nature and body appreciation was also mediated by appearance investment and internalisation of a muscular ideal. These results may point to novel methods for promoting more positive body image in adults through engagement with nature.

Antioxidant status in J774A.1 macrophage cell line during chronic exposure to glycated serum

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are linked to aging and correlated diseases. The aim of present study was to evaluate oxidative stress related parameters in J774A.1 murine macrophage cells during chronic exposure to a subtoxic concentration of AGE (5% ribose-glycated serum (GS)) and subsequently for 48 h to a higher dose (10% GS). No effects on cell viability were evident in either experimental condition. During chronic treatment, glycative markers (free and bound pentosidine) increased significantly in intra- and extracellular environments, but the production and release of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), as an index of lipid peroxidation, underwent a time-dependent decrease. Exposure to 10% GS evidenced that glycative markers rose further, while TBARs elicited a cellular defence against oxidative stress. Nonadapted cultures showed an accumulation of AGEs, a marked oxidative stress, and a loss of viability. During 10% GS exposure, reduced glutathione levels in adapted cultures remained constant, as did the oxidized glutathione to reduced glutathione ratio, while nonadapted cells showed a markedly increased redox ratio. A constant increase of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA was observed in all experimental conditions. On the contrary, HSP70 expression became undetectable for a longer exposure time; this could be due to the direct involvement of HSP70 in the refolding of damaged proteins. Our findings suggest an adaptive response of macrophages to subtoxic doses of AGE, which could constitute an important factor in the spread of damage to other cellular types during aging.Key words: in vitro cytotoxicity, AGE, pentosidine, glycoxidation, oxidative stress, TBARs.