Pesquisa-Ação-Formação Inter e Transdisciplinar com Pessoas Envolvidas com a Questão do Morador de Rua

Este artigo apresenta reflexões teórico-metodológicas sobre processo de investigação de pós-doutorado que objetivava basicamente construir - na ação - estratégia de "psico-sócio-formação" de pessoas envolvidas com a questão do morador de rua; criar e aplicar um recurso metodológico operacional denominado "conto de encontro transformador". Do ponto de vista teórico, sob perspectivas inter e transdisciplinares de produção do conhecimento, essa "pesquisa-ação-formação" baseou-se no encontro dialógico entre os conhecimentos sobre "encontro transformador", "resiliência" e "ágape" e construtos teóricos da área da Educação, com ênfase no processo de autoformação. O projeto contou com vinte participantes: moradores de rua; trabalhadores de instituições de apoio a moradores de rua; técnicos das Secretarias de Assistência Social da Prefeitura de São Paulo e/ou da Secretaria da Saúde; e provenientes da Universidade de São Paulo e de outras Universidades do Brasil, França e Canadá.

Interference with Hemozoin Formation Represents an Important Mechanism of Schistosomicidal Action of Antimalarial Quinoline Methanols

Background: The parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni is one of the major causative agents of human schistosomiasis, which afflicts 200 million people worldwide. Praziquantel remains the main drug used for schistosomiasis treatment, and reliance on the single therapy has been prompting the search for new therapeutic compounds against this disease. Our group has demonstrated that heme crystallization into hemozoin (Hz) within the S. mansoni gut is a major heme detoxification route with lipid droplets involved in this process and acting as a potential chemotherapeutical target. In the present work, we investigated the effects of three antimalarial compounds, quinine (QN), quinidine (QND) and quinacrine (QCR) in a murine schistosomiasis model by using a combination of biochemical, cell biology and molecular biology approaches. Methodology/Principal Findings: Treatment of S. mansoni-infected female Swiss mice with daily intraperitoneal injections of QN, and QND (75 mg/kg/day) from the 11(th) to 17(th) day after infection caused significant decreases in worm burden (39%-61%) and egg production (42%-98%). Hz formation was significantly inhibited (40%-65%) in female worms recovered from QN- and QND-treated mice and correlated with reduction in the female worm burden. We also observed that QN treatment promoted remarkable ultrastructural changes in male and female worms, particularly in the gut epithelium and reduced the granulomatous reaction to parasite eggs trapped in the liver. Microarray gene expression analysis indicated that QN treatment increased the expression of transcripts related to musculature, protein synthesis and repair mechanisms. Conclusions: The overall significant reduction in several disease burden parameters by the antimalarial quinoline methanols indicates that interference with Hz formation in S. mansoni represents an important mechanism of schistosomicidal action of these compounds and points out the heme crystallization process as a valid chemotherapeutic target to treat schistosomiasis.

The physical education teacher's competences and professional formation

This study has as objective identifies the necessary competences to the physical education teachers of the basic education, in the teachers` of the public network of teaching of the Sao Paulo state perspective, licentiates and exits of the Physical Education School and Sport of the Sao Paulo University starting from 1995. It is a qualitative research, of nature no experimental, consisting of two studies (diagnostic and deepening). As instruments, questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used. It happened what the teachers judge importantly mobilize determined knowledges placed in a hierarchy or associated during the teaching practice, such as: knowledges pedagogic-educational, technical knowledges and cultural luggage, inserted in the current context and considering the cultural, social, political, economical and education transformations occurred along the history. There was shown up in this study the relevance of the formation continued for the teachers of Physical Education, who found her essential and basic added to the initial formation.

Study on Iron Formation During the Carbothermic Reduction of Iron Ore in Carbon Composite Pellets in the Temperature Range 1423 K-1623 K

The aim of this work is to study the reaction rate and the morphology of the intermediary reaction products during reduction of iron ore, when iron ore and carbonaceous material are agglomerated together as a carbon composite iron ore pellet. The reaction was performed at high temperatures, and in order to avoid heat transfer constraints small size samples were used. The carbonaceous materials employed were coke breeze and pure graphite. Portland cement was employed as a binder, and the pellets diameter was 5.2 mm. The experimental technique involved the measurement of the pellets weight loss, as well as interruption of the reaction at different stages in order to submit the partially reduced pellet to scanning electron microscopy. It has been observed that above 1523 K there is the formation of liquid slag inside the pellets, which partially dissolves iron oxides. The apparent activation energies obtained were 255 kJ/mol for coke breeze containing pellets, and 230 kJ/mol for those pellets containing graphite. It was possible to avoid heat transfer control of the reaction rate up to 1523 K by employing small composite pellets.

Tree-ring formation, radial increment periodicity, and phenology of tree species from a seasonal semi-deciduous forest in southeast Brazil

Many tropical tree species produce growth rings in response to seasonal environmental factors that influence the activity of the vascular cambium. We applied the following methods to analyze the annual nature of treering formation of 24 tree species from a seasonal semi-deciduous forest of southeast Brazil: describing wood anatomy and phenology, counting tree rings after cambium markings, and using permanent dendrometer bands. After 7 years of systematic observations and measurements, we found the following: the trees lost their leaves during the dry season and grew new leaves at the end of the same season; trunk increment dynamics corresponded to seasonal changes in precipitation, with higher increment (active period) during the rainy season (October-April) and lower increment (dormant period) during the dry season (May-September); the number of tree rings formed after injuries to the cambium coincided with the number of years since the extraction of the wood samples. As a result of these observations, it was concluded that most study trees formed one growth ring per year. This suggests that tree species from the seasonal semi-deciduous forests of Brazil have an annual cycle of wood formation. Therefore, these trees have potential for use in future studies of tree age and radial growth rates, as well as to infer ecological and regional climatic conditions. These future studies can provide important information for the management and conservation of these endangered forests.

A Strong Protective Action of Guttiferone-A, a Naturally Occurring Prenylated Benzophenone, Against Iron-Induced Neuronal Cell Damage

Guttiferone-A (GA) is a natural occurring polyisoprenylated benzophenone with several reported pharmacological actions. We have assessed the protective action of GA on iron-induced neuronal cell damage by employing the PC12 cell line and primary culture of rat cortical neurons (PCRCN). A strong protection by GA, assessed by the 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carbox-anilide (XTT) assay, was revealed, with IC(50) values <1 mu M. GA also inhibited Fe(3+)-ascorbate reduction, iron-induced oxidative degradation of 2-deoxiribose, and iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate, as well as stimulated oxygen consumption by Fe(2+) autoxidation. Absorption spectra and cyclic voltammograms of GA Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) complexes suggest the formation of a transient charge transfer complex between Fe(2+) and GA, accelerating Fe(2+) oxidation. The more stable Fe(3+) complex with GA would be unable to participate in Fenton-Haber Weiss-type reactions and the propagation phase of lipid peroxidation. The results show a potential of GA against neuronal diseases associated with iron-induced oxidative stress.

Formation Of The Maritime Labor Force In Brazil: Culture And Daily Life, Tradition And Resistance (1808-1850).

Formation Of The Maritime Labor Force In Brazil: Culture And Daily Life, Tradition And Resistance (1808-1850). Since the 16(th) Century, Brazil has played a major role in the rise of a new economical and social order, in which ships represented a space of struggle and contradictions among rulers, captains and sailors. This article will study the proletarization process that transformed Indians, small farmers, free and slave black people in maritime labor force in Brazil during the first half of 19(th) century.

Comparisons of the release of vasodilator substances from left and right cardiac chambers of the isolated perfused rabbit heart: Implications for intraventricular thrombus formation

Prostacyclin (PgI(2)) and endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) are produced by the arterial and venous endothelium. In addition to their vasodilator action on vascular smooth muscle, both act together to inhibit platelet aggregation and promote platelet disaggregation. EDNO also inhibits platelet adhesion to the endothelium. EDNO and PgI(2) have been shown to be released from the cultured endocardial cells. In this study, we examined the release of vasoactive substances from the intact endocardium by using isolated rabbit hearts perfused with physiological salt solution (95% O(2)/5% CO(2), T = 37 degrees C). The right and left cardiac chambers were perfused through separate constant-flow perfusion loops (physiological salt solution, 8 ml min(-1)). Effluent from left and right cardiac, separately, was bioassayed on canine coronary artery smooth muscle, which had been contracted with prostaglandin F(2 alpha_)(2 x 10(-6) M) and no change in tension was exhibit. However, addition of calcium ionophore A23187 (10(-6) M) to the cardiac chambers` perfusion line induced vasodilation of the bioassay coronary ring, 61.4 +/- 7.4% versus 70.49 +/- 6.1% of initial prostaglandin F(2 alpha) contraction for the left and right cardiac chambers perfusate, respectively (mean +/- SEM, n = 10, p > 0.05). Production of vasodilator was blocked totally in the left heart but, only partially blocked in the right heart by adding indomethacin (10(-5) M) to the perfusate, respectively, 95.2 +/- 2.2% versus 41.5 +/- 4.8% (mean +/- SEM, n = 10, p < 0.05). 6-Keto prostaglandin F(1 alpha), measured in the endocardial superfusion effluent was also higher for the left cardiac chambers than for the right at the time of stimulation with the A23187, respectively, 25385.88 +/- 5495 pg/ml (n = 8) versus 13,132.45 +/- 1839.82 pg/ml (n = 8), (p < 0.05). These results showed that cyclooxygenase pathway plays major role in generating vasoactive substances for the left cardiac chamber endocardium; while it is not the main pathway for the right ventricular endocardium at which EDNO and PgI(2) Could act together and potentiate their antithrombogenic activities in isolated perfused rabbit heart. This may be an explanation for the intraventricular thrombus mostly seen in left ventricle rather than in right ventricle as a complication of myocardial infarction. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Early dental plaque formation on toothbrushed titanium implant surfaces

Purpose: To evaluate the qualitative and quantitative differences on dental plaque formation on two different roughness titanium implant surfaces, i.e. machined and titanium plasma sprayed, as well as the amount of plaque removal by regular toothbrushing after 72-hour plaque accumulation. Methods: Eight systemically healthy subjects were recruited from the patient pool of a private dental practice. All patients underwent oral hygiene instruction and full mouth prophylaxis. Subsequently, maxillary casts from all patients were obtained and removable 0.7 mm-thick acetate stents without occlusal contact points were fabricated to support four titanium specimens of 4x2x2 mm divided into two groups (machined and plasma sprayed). Subjects were instructed to wear the stents for 72 hours, full time, removing them only during regular oral hygiene. Subsequently, the appliances were immediately repositioned and then the test side was brushed for 20 seconds. At the end of the 72-hour period, the stents were removed and prepared for microbiological analysis. Results: Both machined and plasma sprayed brushed surfaces presented statistically significant fewer bacteria than non-brushed surfaces. Similarly, regarding surface roughness, machined surfaces presented a total number of bacteria significantly smaller than those presented by plasma sprayed surfaces (P< 0.05). Statistically, the non-brushed machined turned surfaces presented a greater amount of Streptoccocus sp. when compared to the brushed machined surfaces. It was concluded that rough surfaces accumulated more dental plaque than polished surfaces. Both brushed surfaces presented less plaque accumulation, however, implant brushing was more effective on machined surfaces. (Am J Dent 2008;21:318-322).

A possible mechanism of low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) activity modulation by glutathione action during human osteoblast differentiation

Objective: Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (LMW-PTPs) are a family of enzymes strongly involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Since there is no information concerning the relationship between osteoblastic differentiation and LMW-PTP expression/activity, we investigated its involvement during human osteoblast-like cells (hFOB 1.19) differentiation. It is known that LMW-PTP is regulated by an elegant redox mechanism, so we also observed how the osteoblastic differentiation affected the reduced glutathione levels. Design: hFOB 1.19 cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 up to 35 days. The osteoblast phenotype acquisition was monitored by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation by Von Kossa staining. LMW-PTP activity and expression were measured using the p-nitrophenylphosphate as substrate and Western blotting respectively. Crystal violet assay determined the cell number in each experimental point. Glutathione level was determined by both HPLC and DNTB assays. Results: LMW-PTP modulation was coincident with the osteoblastic differentiation biomarkers, such as alkaline phosphatase activity and presence of nodules of mineralization in Vitro. Likewise LMW-PTP, the reduced glutathione-dependent microenvironment was modulated during osteoblastic differentiation. During this process, LMW-PTP expression/activity, as well as alkaline phosphatase and glutathione increased progressively up to the 21st day (p < 0.001) of culturing, decreasing thereafter. Conclusions: Our results clearly suggest that LMW-PTP expression/activity was rigorously modulated during osteoblastic differentiation, possibly in response to the redox status of the cells, since it seems to depend on suitable levels of reduced glutathione. in this way, we pointed out LMW-PTP as an important signaling molecule in osteoblast biology and bone formation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microbicidal Action of Indole-3-Acetic Acid Combined with Horseradish Peroxidase on Prototheca zopfii from Bovine Mastitis

We investigated the toxic effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) combined with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on Prototheca zopfii from bovine mastitis. P. zopfii isolates were identified and characterized by morpho-physiological parameters; presences of P. zopfii genotype 2 were also investigated. Subsequently, P. zopfii was incubated in the absence (control) or presence of IAA/HRP and examined for: (i) cell viability; (ii) colonies number formation; (iii) antioxidant enzyme activity; and (iv) DNA integrity. Significance of differences was calculated using ANOVA and Tukey`s test (P a parts per thousand currency sign 0.05). As evidenced by Trypan blue exclusion and colony formation in Sabouraud dextrose agar, IAA/HRP addition to the culture reduced respective P. zopfii viability and P. zopfii colony formation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. IAA/HRP specifically reduced cell viability in 10, 15, 20, 25, and 32% after 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h of incubation, respectively, compared with the control at the same time. The number of colony formation was inhibited (45, 82, and 88%) by IAA/HRP after 4, 6, and 9 h of incubation, respectively, compared with the control at the same time. In addition, P. zopfii antioxidant activity increased measurably in the presence of IAA/HRP (6 h); superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase increased by 90, 120, 150% and 3.4 times, compared with the controls. IAA/HRP did not appear to effect P. zopfii DNA integrity when examined by electrophoresis. In conclusion, IAA/HRP appears to function as a microbicidal mechanism on P. zopfii genotype 2 from bovine mastitis.

Ethylene and polyamine interactions in morphogenesis of Passiflora cincinnata: effects of ethylene biosynthesis and action modulators, as well as ethylene scavengers

Ethylene is a plant hormone that is of fundamental importance to in vitro morphogenesis, but in many species, it has not been thoroughly studied. Its relationship with polyamines has been studied mainly because the two classes of hormones share a common biosynthetic precursor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). In order to clarify whether competition between polyamines and ethylene influences in vitro morphogenetic responses of Passiflora cincinnata Mast., a climacteric species, different compounds were used that act on ethylene biosynthesis and action, or as ethylene scavengers. Treatment with the ethylene inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) caused a greater regeneration frequency in P. cincinnata, whereas treatment with the ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic-acid (ACC) lessened regeneration frequencies. The data suggested that levels of polyamines and ethylene are not correlated with morphogenic responses in P. cincinnata. It was ascertained that neither the absolute ethylene and polyamine levels, nor competition between the compounds, correlated to the obtained morphogenic responses. However, sensitivity to, and signaling by, ethylene appears to play an important role in differentiation. This study reinforces previous reports regarding the requirement of critical concentrations and temporal regulation of ethylene levels for morphogenic responses. Temporal regulation also appeared to be a key factor in competition between the two biosynthetic pathways, without having any effects on morphogenesis. Further studies investigating the silencing or overexpression of genes related to ethylene perception, under the influence of polyamines in cell differentiation are extremely important for the complete understanding of this process.

Selectivity in the mechanism of action of antimicrobial mastoparan peptide Polybia-MP1

Many potent antimicrobial peptides also present hemolytic activity, an undesired collateral effect for the therapeutic application. Unlike other mastoparan peptides, Polybia-MP1 (IDWKKLLDAAKQIL), obtained from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista, is highly selective of bacterial cells. The study of its mechanism of action demonstrated that it permeates vesicles at a greater rate of leakage on the anionic over the zwitterionic, impaired by the presence of cholesterol or cardiolipin; its lytic activity is characterized by a threshold peptide to lipid molar ratio that depends on the phospholipid composition of the vesicles. At these particular threshold concentrations, the apparent average pore number is distinctive between anionic and zwitterionic vesicles, suggesting that pores are similarly formed depending on the ionic character of the bilayer. To prospect the molecular reasons for the strengthened selectivity in Polybia-MP1 and its absence in Mastoparan-X, MD simulations were carried out. Both peptides presented amphipathic alpha-helical structures, as previously observed in Circular Dichroism spectra, with important differences in the extension and stability of the helix; their backbone solvation analysis also indicate a different profile, suggesting that the selectivity of Polybia-MP1 is a consequence of the distribution of the charged and polar residues along the peptide helix, and on how the solvent molecules orient themselves according to these electrostatic interactions. We suggest that the lack of hemolytic activity of Polybia-MP1 is due to the presence and position of Asp residues that enable the equilibrium of electrostatic interactions and favor the preference for the more hydrophilic environment.

Columnar joints in the Patino Formation sandstones, Eastern Paraguay: a dynamic interaction between dyke intrusion, quartz dissolution and cooling-induced fractures

The Patino Formation sandstones, which crop out in Aregua neighborhood in Eastern Paraguay and show columnar joints near the contact zone with a nephelinite dyke, have as their main characteristics the high proportion of syntaxial quartz overgrowth and a porosity originated from different processes, initially by dissolution and later by partial filling and fracturing. Features like the presence of floating grains in the syntaxial cement, the transitional interpenetrative contact between the silica-rich cement and grains as well as the intense fracture porosity are strong indications that the cement has been formed by dissolution and reprecipitation of quartz from the framework under the effect of thermal expansion followed by rapid contraction. The increase of the silica-rich cement towards the dyke in association with the orthogonal disposition of the columns relative to dyke walls are indicative that the igneous body may represent the main heat source for the interstitial aqueous solutions previously existing in the sediments. At macroscopic scale, the increasing of internal tensions in the sandstones is responsible for the nucleation of polygons, leading to the individualization of prisms, which are interconnected by a system of joints, formed firstly on isotherm surfaces of low temperature and later on successive adjacent planes towards the dyke heat source.

Effects of the antimicrobial peptide gomesin on the global gene expression profile, virulence and biofilm formation of Xylella fastidiosa

In the xylem vessels of susceptible hosts, such as citrus trees, Xylella fastidiosa forms biofilm-like colonies that can block water transport, which appears to correlate to disease symptoms. Besides aiding host colonization, bacterial biofilms play an important role in resistance against antimicrobial agents, for instance antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we show that gomesin, a potent AMP from a tarantula spider, modulates X. fastidiosa gene expression profile upon 60 min of treatment with a sublethal concentration. DNA microarray hybridizations revealed that among the upregulated coding sequences, some are related to biofilm production. In addition, we show that the biofilm formed by gomesin-treated bacteria is thicker than that formed by nontreated cells or cells exposed to streptomycin. We have also observed that the treatment of X. fastidiosa with a sublethal concentration of gomesin before inoculation in tobacco plants correlates with a reduction in foliar symptoms, an effect possibly due to the trapping of bacterial cells to fewer xylem vessels, given the enhancement in biofilm production. These results warrant further investigation of how X. fastidiosa would respond to the AMPs produced by citrus endophytes and by the insect vector, leading to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of these molecules on bacterial virulence.