A Fala do Corpo em Luiza Neto Jorge e Luís Miguel Nava

Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Línguas, Literaturas e Culturas,

Da imagem poética ao diálogo interartístico

Na poesia de Luiza Neto Jorge existe uma verdadeira poética do olhar, uma espécie de poder de encantação que permite o estabelecimento de nexos de continuidade com as artes visuais. Partindo desta premissa de base surrealista, pretende-se relacionar a poesia de Luiza Neto Jorge com a pintura, o cinema, a música, o teatro, a arquitetura e a escultura Nos ensaios poéticos do século XX, na criação do poema como matéria verbal, o papel da imagem passa a ser o de apresentar e não mais o de representar. Com base na definição de André Breton, a imagem contraria o conceito harmonioso de beleza tradicional, acasalando realidades contraditórias e adquirindo um caráter delirante, fantástico e até diabólico.

A Vaccine Encoding Conserved Promiscuous HIV CD4 Epitopes Induces Broad T Cell Responses in Mice Transgenic to Multiple Common HLA Class II Molecules

Current HIV vaccine approaches are focused on immunogens encoding whole HIV antigenic proteins that mainly elicit cytotoxic CD8+ responses. Mounting evidence points toward a critical role for CD4+ T cells in the control of immunodeficiency virus replication, probably due to cognate help. Vaccine-induced CD4+ T cell responses might, therefore, have a protective effect in HIV replication. In addition, successful vaccines may have to elicit responses to multiple epitopes in a high proportion of vaccinees, to match the highly variable circulating strains of HIV. Using rational vaccine design, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding 18 algorithm-selected conserved, ""promiscuous"" ( multiple HLA-DR-binding) B-subtype HIV CD4 epitopes - previously found to be frequently recognized by HIV-infected patients. We assessed the ability of the vaccine to induce broad T cell responses in the context of multiple HLA class II molecules using different strains of HLA class II-transgenic mice (-DR2, -DR4, -DQ6 and -DQ8). Mice displayed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses of significant breadth and magnitude, and 16 out of the 18 encoded epitopes were recognized. By virtue of inducing broad responses against conserved CD4+ T cell epitopes that can be recognized in the context of widely diverse, common HLA class II alleles, this vaccine concept may cope both with HIV genetic variability and increased population coverage. The vaccine may thus be a source of cognate help for HIV-specific CD8+ T cells elicited by conventional immunogens, in a wide proportion of vaccinees.

Aspectos epidemiológicos da tuberculose multirresistente em serviço de referência na cidade de São Paulo

Com o objetivo de estudar algumas características epidemiológicas dos portadores de tuberculose pulmonar multirresistente e suas influências sobre o controle e o tratamento, foi avaliada uma coorte de 4 anos de pacientes selecionados pela recuperação do Mycobacterium tuberculosis no escarro, resistência à rifampicina, isoniazida e mais uma terceira droga usual ou falência do esquema de reserva, matriculados em uma referência na cidade de São Paulo. As variáveis estudadas foram: sexo e idade, tipo de multirresistência, contágio, condições associadas, perfil de resistência às drogas usuais e distribuição das lesões na radiologia convencional. Revistos 182 pacientes, 112 (61,5%) masculinos, com idade variando entre 16 e 64 anos (35,7±6,8). Com base na história terapêutica foram discriminados os seguintes tipos: MR-primária (com teste de sensibilidade inicial), 11 (6%), MR-pós-primária (irregularidade no tratamento anterior), 134 (74%) e MR-indeterminada (falência após uso regular informado dos esquemas usuais), 37 (20%). Contágio presente em 41 de 170 pacientes, predominando o intradomiciliar sobre o institucional. Identificados 4 surtos familiares e nenhum institucional. O abandono (45%) foi a mais freqüente condição associada, seguido do etilismo (27%), falência seqüencial aos esquemas de retratamento (23%), contágio com multirresistência (15%), reações adversas às drogas (6%), HIV-positivo (4%) e diabetes (3%). Resistência à rifampiina+isoniazida em 100%, 83% à estreptomicina e 47% ao etambutol. Todos com cavidades no Rx de tórax convencional, unilaterais em 35 (19%). Discutem-se os achados e apresentam-se sugestões.

Effect of raloxifene on the vaginal epithelium of postmenopausal women

Objective: The objective was to analyze the effect of raloxifene oil the vaginal epithelium of postmenopausal women.Study design: In this non-randomized clinical trial, 80 women (mean age = 60.6 years) were prospectively studied. Forty patients received 60 mg/day of raloxifene (RG), and 40 women constituted it non-treated control group (CG), paired by age and time since menopause. The treated group consisted of patients with osteoporosis of the lumbar spine. Those with a diagnosis of infection ill the lower genital tract and using hormone therapy (HT) up to 6 months prior to the study were excluded. Vaginal smears were collected at baseline and after 6 months of intervention. The vaginal maturation value (VMV) was determined, and counts of superficial, intermediate and parabasal cells were performed. Smears were analyzed by only one cytopathologist who was blinded to patient data. The t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-Squared test were used in the statistical analysis.Results: The study groups were homogeneous regarding age, time since menopause, parity, HT use, smoking, and body mass index. No statistically significant differences were observed in VMV median values (RG, 39.7 and 35.7; CG, 50.0 and 50.0, respectively) or in the percentage of superficial, intermediate and parabasal cells between the groups at baseline and after 6 months (p > 0.05). There was no significant correlation between VMV and age, time since menopause, previous HT use, or body mass index, in either of the groups.Conclusion: Treatment with raloxifene for 6 months has no effect on the maturation of the vaginal epithelium ill postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efficacy and safety of a soy isoflavone extract in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of soy isoflavone on climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.Design: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, a total of 80 women (mean age =55.1 years), who reported 5 or more hot flush episodes per day, were randomized to receive either 250 mg of standardized soy extract (Glycine max AT) a total of 100 mg/day of isoflavone (n=40) or placebo (n=40). Exclusion criteria included: contra-indication for hormone therapy (HT), chronic gastrointestinal diseases, and users of HT within the preceding 6-months. For 10-months, climacteric symptoms were evaluated using a score card and the menopausal Kupperman index. Compliance and safety were also assessed. At baseline and the end of the study, lipid and hormonal profiles, as well as vaginal, mammographic and ultrasonographic parameters were measured. The t-test, Wilcoxon test and ANOVA were used in the statistical analysis.Results: At baseline, the mean number of hot flushes was 9.6 +/- 3.9 per day in the isoflavone group and 10.1 +/- 4.9 in the placebo group (p>0.05). After 10 months, there was a significant reduction in frequency of hot flushes among isoflavone users when compared to those on placebo (3.1 +/- 2.3 and 5.9 +/- 4.3, respectively) (p<0.001). Kupperman index mean values showed a significant reduction in both groups. However, soy isoflavone was significantly superior to placebo, in reducing hot flush severity (69.9% and 33.7%, respectively) (p<0.001). Endometrial thickness, mammography, vaginal cytology, lipids and hormonal profile did not change in both groups. No serious adverse event related to isoflavone treatment was reported.Conclusions: the soy isoflavone extract exerted favorable effects on vasomotor symptoms and good compliance, providing a safe and effective alternative therapeutic for postmenopausal women. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Theoretical and experimental study of the thermal degradation of Eucalyptus timber

Thermal action on timber causes it to degrade through combustion of its chemical components, which leads to the release of vapors, combustible gases and surface char. This diminishes its load capacity, due to the reduction of its cross section by charring and to changes in its mechanical properties of strength and stiffness as a function of its exposure to high temperatures. This paper reports the charring rates observed on Eucalyptus structural beams and presents a numerical and experimental study of the behavior of these beams when exposed to fire, in which the properties of strength and stiffness were evaluated as a function of rising temperatures, allowing an analysis of the effect of the section factor on the internal rise in temperature of structural Eucalyptus beams.

Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: Cellular Mechanisms Leading Autoimmune Reactivity and Disease

Rheumatic fever (RF) is an autoimmune disease caused by the gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes that follows a nontreated throat infection in susceptible children. The disease manifests as polyarthritis, carditis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and/or subcutaneous nodules. Carditis, the most serious complication, occurs in 30% to 45% of RF patients and leads to chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which is characterized by progressive and permanent valvular lesions. In this review, we will focus on the genes that confer susceptibility for developing the disease, as well as the innate and adaptive immune responses against S. pyogenes during the acute rheumatic fever episode that leads to RHD autoimmune reactions. The disease is genetically determined, and some human leukocyte antigen class II alleles are involved with susceptibility. Other single nucleotide polymorphisms for TNF-alpha and mannan-binding lectin genes were reported as associated with RF/RHD. T cells play an important role in RHD heart lesions. Several autoantigens were already identified, including cardiac myosin epitopes, vimentin, and other intracellular proteins. In the heart tissue, antigen-driven oligoclonal T cell expansions were probably the effectors of the rheumatic heart lesions. These cells are CD4(+) and produced inflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha and IFN gamma). Molecular mimicry is the mechanism that mediated the cross-reactions between streptococcal antigens and human proteins. The elucidation of chemokines and their receptors involved with the recruitment of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, as well as the function of T regulatory cells in situ will certainly contribute to the delineation of the real picture of the heart lesion process that leads to RHD.

Variabilidade em população base de pimenteiras ornamentais (Capsicum annuum L.)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar progênies de uma população base de pimenteiras (Capsicum annuum L.). Foram utilizadas 54 plantas de uma geração F2 de pimenteiras ornamentais, para se avaliarem os seguintes caracteres morfoagronômicos: altura da planta (AP), diâmetro da copa (DDC), altura da primeira bifurcação (APB), diâmetro do caule (DCL), comprimento da folha (CFL), largura da folha (LFL), comprimento da corola (CDC), comprimento de antera (CANT), comprimento do estilete (CES) e largura da pétala (LAP). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à Análise de Variância, com posterior agrupamento das médias para o teste de Scott-Knott (p<0,01). Com exceção do CANT, verificaram-se diferenças significativas para os demais descritores, pelo Teste F. O DCL foi o descritor com maior herdabilidade (99,49%), seguido de DDC (96,14%) e APB (94,05%). O caractere DCL apresentou maior variabilidade entre as plantas, formando 13 classes, seguido de DDC, com oito e APB, com seis classes. Quando se utilizaram as técnicas multivariadas, foi possível agrupar as 54 plantas em oito grupos, sendo o grupo 1 o que reuniu maior número de plantas (35). A característica que mais contribuiu para a divergência genética foi o diâmetro do caule (68,97%), seguida pelo diâmetro da copa (9,22%), altura da primeira bifurcação (6,76%) e altura da planta (4,58%). Já as características de flor foram as que menos contribuíram para a variabilidade (10,47%). Houve variabilidade entre as plantas estudadas, sendo possível praticar seleção dentro dessa família, dando continuidade ao Programa de Melhoramento de Pimenteiras.

Prevalence of Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Association With Risk Factors in Primary Care

Abstract Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic, progressive disease with high morbidity and mortality. It is underdiagnosed, especially among women. Objective: To study the prevalence of high risk for OSAS globally and for the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) categories, and to evaluate the reliability of the BQ use in the population studied. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study with individuals from the Niterói Family Doctor Program, randomly selected, aged between 45 and 99 years. The visits occurred between August/2011 and December/2012. Variables associated with each BQ category and with high risk for OSAS (global) were included in logistic regression models (p < 0.05). Results: Of the total (616), 403 individuals (65.4%) reported snoring. The prevalence of high risk for OSA was 42.4%, being 49.7% for category I, 10.2% for category II and 77.6% for category III. Conclusion: BQ showed an acceptable reliability after excluding the questions Has anyone noticed that you stop breathing during your sleep? and Have you ever dozed off or fallen asleep while driving?. This should be tested in further studies with samples mostly comprised of women and low educational level individuals. Given the burden of OSAS-related diseases and risks, studies should be conducted to validate new tools and to adapt BQ to better screen OSAS.

Parâmetros morfológicos para estabelecer tolerância diferencial à toxicidade de alumínio em cultivares de arroz

Dois experimentos em casa de vegetação foram conduzidos visando identificar parâmetros morfológicos ligados à tolerância ao alumínio (Al) e estabelecer a concentração de Al e o tempo de cultivo suficientes para a expressão da tolerância ao Al, em duas cultivares de arroz, em solução nutritiva. Plantas de determinado comprimento radicular máximo foram transferidas para solução nutritiva com quatro concentrações de Al (0, 80, 160 e 320 mimol L-¹), a pH 4,0. Em cada coleta, foram medidos o comprimento máximo radicular, área radicular, área foliar e massa seca de raízes e parte aérea. Apenas os parâmetros morfológicos ligados ao sistema radicular possibilitaram o reconhecimento da tolerância diferencial das cultivares; a elongação radicular relativa foi a medida mais sensível. Quatro dias de exposição ao Al foram suficientes para a detecção da tolerância diferencial por meio da elongação radicular relativa. Os procedimentos estabelecidos nos experimentos podem ser utilizados para a avaliação de um número maior de cultivares.

Embebição de sementes de soja em solução de fosfato de potássio

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar a possibilidade de aumentar a concentração de fósforo e de potássio nas sementes de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), cv. EMBRAPA 66, utilizando três métodos de embebição (contato com substrato úmido, imersão em solução e imersão em solução a vácuo) e as concentrações de KH2PO4: 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mM. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial (métodos de embebição x concentrações de solução), com quatro repetições. As determinações dos conteúdos de P e K nas sementes e as avaliações de germinação e vigor foram realizadas imediatamente após o procedimento e após a secagem. Os métodos da imersão e da imersão a vácuo proporcionam 14% de acúmulo de P nas sementes de soja. Os métodos de embebição e as concentrações de KH2PO4 não aumentam o teor de K das sementes de soja. O método do substrato úmido provoca menor prejuízo à qualidade fisiológica inicial das sementes. A secagem das sementes acentua os danos causados pelos métodos de imersão e imersão a vácuo.