O objeto transicional pode ser uma pessoa? teoria e clínica

The objective of this work is to answer the question posed in the title, based on the texts of D. W. Winnicott. To this effect we addressed the origins of the concept of transitional object in the author’s work, the chronology of its first appearances, direct references to the topic and a discussion of a clinical case. Winnicott rarely referred to a person as being another person’s transitional object, and when he did so, he situated this experience in the field of pathology, and when referring to it, used such terms as “comforter object”, “fetish object” and “regressive object”. In contrast, the concept of transitional object is linked to an experience indicative of mental health, of transition between fusion and mother-baby separation, and of the personal and symbolic use of objects of the sensory field. Maintaining this conceptual specificity enables us to discriminate nuances in the evolution of the use of material objects by the child, and helps to guide anamnesis, diagnosis and the therapeutic process.

Molecular and morphological characterization of bis benzimidazo perylene films and surface-enhanced phenomena

Thin solid films of bis benzimidazo perylene (AzoPTCD) were fabricated using physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. Thermal stability and integrity of the AzoPTCD PVD films during the fabrication (similar to 400 degrees C at 10(-6) Torr) were monitored by Raman scattering. Complementary thermogravimetric results showed that thermal degradation of AzoPTCD occurs at 675 degrees C. The growth of the PVD films was established through UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and the surface morphology was surveyed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a function of the mass thickness. The AzoPTCD molecular organization in these PVD films was determined using the selection rules of infrared absorption spectroscopy (transmission and reflection-absorption modes). Despite the molecular packing, X-ray diffraction revealed that the PVD films are amorphous. Theoretical calculations (density functional theory, B3LYP) were used to assign the vibrational modes in the infrared and Raman spectra. Metallic nanostructures, able to sustain localized surface plasmons (LSP) were used to achieve surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF).

Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with renal pelvis transitional cell carcinoma in a dog

A 6-year-old male, Belgian shepherd dog was presented with lethargy, oliguria, hematuria, and reluctance to move. The dog developed hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to renal pelvis transitional cell carcinoma. A nephrectomy was performed and after a year, the dog was completely asymptomatic, and no evidence of metastatic disease was present.

HLA-G polymorphism and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in a Brazilian population

The morphologic appearance and clinical behavior of the human urinary bladder papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) probably result from a complex interaction between carcinogenic insults and host resistance during the patient's life. While the main recognized risk factors are of environmental origin (e.g. smoking), relatively little information exists about the susceptibility to TCC development. The human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) molecule plays an important role in immune response regulation and has been implicated in the inhibition of the cytolytic function of natural killer and cytotoxic T cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that HLA-G polymorphisms influence the expression level and production of different HLA-G isoforms. The aim of this study was to explore a possible influence of the HLA-G polymorphism on the susceptibility to urinary bladder TCC development and progression in smokers and nonsmokers Brazilian subjects. The HLA-G locus was found to be associated with susceptibility to TCC development and progression. The G*0104 allelic group (specially the G*010404 allele) and the G*0103 allele were associated with a tobacco-dependent influence on TCC development. The G*0104 group was associated with progression to high-grade tumors, irrespective of smoking habit, while the G*0103 allele was associated to high-grade tumor only in smoking patients. Our results are an evidence that the HLA-G locus itself, or as part of an extended haplotype encompassing this chromosome region (particularly the HLA-A given the high linkage disequilibrium observed between them in this data series), may be associated with TCC susceptibility and tumor progression, suggesting a tobacco-dependent influence of these polymorphisms.

Single-cell gel (comet) assay detects primary DNA damage in nonneoplastic urothelial cells of smokers and ex-smokers

A protocol for DNA damage assessment by the single-cell gel (SCG)/comet assay in human urinary bladder washing cells was established. Modifications of the standard alkaline protocol included an increase to 2% of sodium sarcosinate in the lysis solution, a reduction in the glass-slide area for comet analysis, and a cutoff value for comet head diameter of at least 30 mum, to exclude contaminating leukocytes. Distinguishing cell populations is crucial, because significant differential migration was demonstrated for transitional and nontransitional cells, phenomena that may confound the results. When applying the modified protocol to urinary bladder cells from smokers without urinary bladder neoplasia, it was possible to detect a significant (P = 0.03) increase in DNA damage as depicted by the tail moment (6.39 +/- 3.23; mean 95% confidence interval; n = 18) when compared with nonsmokers (1.94 +/- 1.41; n = 12). No significant differences were observed between ex-smokers and current smokers regarding comet parameters. Inflammation was not a confounding factor, but DNA migration increased significantly with age in nonsmokers (r = 0.68; P = 0.014). Thus, age matching should be a concern when transitional cells are analyzed in the SCG assay. As it is well known, DNA damage may trigger genomic instability, a crucial step in carcinogenesis. Therefore, the present data directly support the classification of individuals with smoking history as patients at high risk for urinary bladder cancer.

Effect of eFSH on ovarian cyclicity and embryo production of mares in spring transitional phase

The use of equine FSH (eFSH) for inducing follicular development and ovulation in transitional mares was evaluated. Twenty-seven mares, from 3 to 15 years of age, were examined during the months of August and September 2004, in Brazil. Ultrasound evaluations were performed during 2 weeks before the start of the experiment to confirm transitional characteristics (no follicles larger than 25 mm and no corpus luteum [CL] present). After this period, as the mares obtained a follicle of at least 25 mm, they were assigned to one of two groups: (1) control group, untreated; (2) treated with 12.5 mg eFSH, 2 times per day, until at least half of all follicles larger than 30 mm had reached 35 mm. Follicular activity of all mares was monitored. When most of the follicles from treated mares and a single follicle from control mares acquired a preovulatory size ( : 35 mm), 2,500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered IV to induce ovulation. After hCG administration, the mares were inseminated with fresh semen every other day until ovulation. Ultrasound examinations continued until detection of the last ovulation, and embryo recovery was performed 7 to 8 days after ovulation. The mares of the treated group reached the first preovulatoiy follicle (4.1 +/- 1.0 vs 14.9 +/- 10.8 days) and ovulated before untreated mares (6.6 +/- 1.2 vs 18.0 +/- 11.1 days; P <.05). All mares were treated with prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)), on the day of embryo flushing. Three superovulated mares did not cycle immediately after PGF(2 alpha), treatment, and consequently had a longer interovulatory interval (22.4 vs 10.9 days, P < 0.05). The mean period of treatment was 4.79 1.07 days and 85.71% of mares had multiple ovulations. The number of ovulations (5.6 vs 1.0) and embryos (2.0 vs 0.7) per mare were higher (P < 0.05) for treated mares than control mares. In conclusion, treatment with eFSH was effective in hastening the onset of the breeding season, inducing multiple ovulations, and increasing embryo production in transitional mares. This is the first report showing the use of FSH treatment to recover embryos from the first cycle of the year.

The use of transitional implants to support provisional prostheses during the healing phase: a literature review

Objective: Transitional implants are indicated for cases in which immediate loading is counter-indicated because a healing period is necessary for osseointegration of the definitive implants. These provisional implants were developed to support an implant-supported fixed prosthesis or overdenture to provide retention, stability, and support. The aim of this article was to conduct a literature review on transitional implants to highlight the characteristics of the transitional implants and their advantages, indications, and contraindications, including the level of osseointegration of such implants according to the functional period. Method and Materials: The present literature review was based on the OldMedline and Medline databases from 1999 to 2010 using the key words "transitional implants" and "temporary implants." Fourteen articles were found: 11 clinical studies or techniques and three histologic and histomorphometric studies. Results: The transitional immediate prostheses were worn by completely and partially edentulous patients. Advantages of transitional implants include complete denture retention, stability, and support; maintenance of chewing, phonetics, and patient comfort; protection of bone grafts; vertical stop during healing period; easy and fast surgical and prosthetic procedures; lower cost in comparison to the definitive implant; and reestablishment of esthetics. The success of transitional implants as conservative treatment for conventional immediate loading is a reality if correctly indicated. Conclusion: Transitional implants are a provisional treatment alternative for completely and partially edentulous patients. However, additional studies are required to evaluate the level of remodeling and repair of the transitional implants under loading. (Quintessence Int 2011; 42: 19-24)

Neonatal Gonocyte Differentiation in Mongolian Gerbil Meriones unguiculatus Involves Asynchronous Maturation of Seminiferous Cords and Rapid Formation of Transitional Cell Stage

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mucus extravasation and retention phenomena: a 24-year study

Background: Mucoceles are benign lesions related to the minor salivary glands and their respective ducts frequently affecting oral structures which are generally asymptomatic. Mucoceles are generally characterized by swollen nodular lesions preferentially located on the lower lip and differ from the so-called ranulas, which are lesions located on the floor of the mouth and related to the sublingual or submandibular glands.Methods: The objective of the present study was to analyze data such as age, gender, race and site of the lesion of 173 mucocele cases diagnosed at the Discipline of Stomatology, Sao Jose dos Campos Dental School, UNESP, over a period of 24 years (April 1980 to February 2003).Results: of the 173 cases analyzed, 104 (60.12%) were females and 69 (39.88%) were males. Age ranged from 4 to 70 years (mean +/- SD: 17 +/- 9.53) and most patients were in the second decade of life (n = 86, 49.42%); white (n = 124, 71.68%). The lower lip was the site most frequently affected by the lesions (n = 135, 78.03%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed for the soft palate, buccal mucosa, and lingual frenum.Conclusion: In this study, mucoceles predominated in white female subjects in the second decade of life, with the lower lip being the most frequently affected site.

Quantization of the electromagnetic field outside static black holes and its application to low-energy phenomena

We discuss the Gupta-Bleuler quantization of the free electromagnetic field outside static black holes in the Boulware vacuum. We use a gauge which reduces to the Feynman gauge in Minkowski spacetime. We also discuss its relation with gauges used previously. Then we apply the low-energy sector of this held theory to investigate some low-energy phenomena. First, we discuss the response rate of a static charge outside the Schwarzschild black hole in four dimensions. Next, motivated by string physics, we compute the absorption cross sections of low-energy plane waves for the Schwarzschild and extreme Reissner-Nordstrom black holes in arbitrary dimensions higher than three.

Model indedpendent search for new phenomena in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

On energy transfer phenomena, in a nonlinear ideal and nonideal essential vibrating systems, coupled to a (MR) magneto-rheological damper

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)