Equitação e volteio com crianças carentes : uma proposta educacional

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Subcutaneous tissue response of isogenic mice to calcium hydroxide-based pastes with chlorhexidine

This study was evaluated the response of subcutaneous connective tissue of isogenic mice to calcium hydroxide-based pastes with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX). Seventy isogenic male BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks and weighing 15-20 g were randomly assigned to 8 groups. The animals received polyethylene tube implants as follows: Groups I, II, and III (n=10) - Calen® paste mixed with 0.4% CHX (experimental paste; Calen/CHX) for 7, 21, and 63 days, respectively; Groups IV, V, and VI (n=10) - UltraCal™ paste mixed with 2% CHX (experimental paste supplied by Ultradent Products Inc.; Ultracal/CHX) for 7, 21, and 63 days, respectively; and Groups VII and VIII (n=5): empty tube for 7 and 21 days, respectively. At the end of the experimental periods, the implants were removed together with the surrounding tissues (skin and subcutaneous connective tissue). The biopsied tissues were subjected to routine processing for histological analysis. Using a descriptive analysis and a four-point (0-3) scoring system, the following criteria were considered for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the tissue around the implanted materials: collagen fiber formation, tissue thickness and inflammatory infiltrate. A quantitative analysis was performed by measuring the thickness (µm), area (µm²) and perimeter (µm) of the reactionary granulomatous tissue formed at the tube ends. Data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's post-test (α=0.05). Calen/CHX showed biocompatibility with the subcutaneous and reactionary tissues, with areas of discrete fibrosis and normal conjunctive fibrous tissue, though without statistically significant difference (p>0.05) from the control groups. In Groups I to III, there was a predominance of score 1, while in Groups IV to VI scores 2 and 3 predominated for all analyzed parameters. UltraCal/CHX, on the other hand, induced the formation of an inflammatory infiltrate and abundant exudate, suggesting a persistent residual aggression from the material, even 63 days after implant placement. In conclusion, the Calen paste mixed with 0.4% CHX allowed an adequate tissue response, whereas the UltraCal paste mixed with 2% CHX showed unsatisfactory results.

Long-term social recognition memory in adult male rats: factor analysis of the social and non-social behaviors

A modified version of the intruder-resident paradigm was used to investigate if social recognition memory lasts at least 24 h. One hundred and forty-six adult male Wistar rats were used. Independent groups of rats were exposed to an intruder for 0.083, 0.5, 2, 24, or 168 h and tested 24 h after the first encounter with the familiar or a different conspecific. Factor analysis was employed to identify associations between behaviors and treatments. Resident rats exhibited a 24-h social recognition memory, as indicated by a 3- to 5-fold decrease in social behaviors in the second encounter with the same conspecific compared to those observed for a different conspecific, when the duration of the first encounter was 2 h or longer. It was possible to distinguish between two different categories of social behaviors and their expression depended on the duration of the first encounter. Sniffing the anogenital area (49.9% of the social behaviors), sniffing the body (17.9%), sniffing the head (3%), and following the conspecific (3.1%), exhibited mostly by resident rats, characterized social investigation and revealed long-term social recognition memory. However, dominance (23.8%) and mild aggression (2.3%), exhibited by both resident and intruders, characterized social agonistic behaviors and were not affected by memory. Differently, sniffing the environment (76.8% of the non-social behaviors) and rearing (14.3%), both exhibited mostly by adult intruder rats, characterized non-social behaviors. Together, these results show that social recognition memory in rats may last at least 24 h after a 2-h or longer exposure to the conspecific.

Relação conjugal, violência psicológica e complementaridade fusional

Neste artigo abordamos um tipo específico de dinâmica conjugal marcada pela violência psicológica. Na clínica com casais, temos observado situações nas quais são utilizadas agressões verbais e humilhações, que afetam a auto-estima e a capacidade de reação e decisão da pessoa agredida. Forma-se um laço perverso caracterizado por um movimento recíproco no sentido do domínio do parceiro, com condições e exigências que submetem a ambos, levando a um tipo de relação na qual impera a complementaridade fusional. O discurso característico da contemporaneidade, de obtenção de prazer e busca da perfeição nos relacionamentos amorosos e da presença do modelo igualitário nas relações homem/mulher, põe em destaque esse tipo de dinâmica relacional. Observa-se, em alguns casos, uma fixação do modelo "homem-ativo-fálico/mulher-passiva-castrada" que permanece subjacente à mudança dos tempos.

Agressividade infantil no ambiente escolar: concepções e atitudes do professor

Ao se abordar o tema da agressividade infantil no ambiente escolar é preciso considerar a participação dos envolvidos neste fenômeno: pais, crianças e professores. Tal abordagem vem sendo conduzida em projeto de pesquisa mais amplo, do qual o presente estudo representa um recorte, ao enfocar apenas o ponto de vista dos professores. O objetivo é analisar as concepções e atitudes relacionadas à expressão da agressividade infantil na escola. Realizou-se uma avaliação qualitativa, por meio de entrevistas individuais semidirigidas com 15 professores de uma escola pública da periferia de São Paulo. As atitudes mais citadas como agressivas envolvem rebeldia e agressão física entre alunos, sendo esta última a queixa que mais motiva o encaminhamento para ludoterapia. Em relação às estratégias de manejo, predominam atitudes envolvendo diálogo e compreensão. Os dados sugerem que subsiste preocupação do professor com as crianças, o que desperta nelas a esperança de obter atenção e cuidado.

Maus-tratos infantis: um resgate da história e das políticas de proteção

O estudo apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica, cujo objetivo foi conhecer e divulgar a evolução histórica da violência contra a criança, bem como as políticas desenvolvidas na atenção à violência contra menores, além de discutir a importância da prevenção e da atuação dos profissionais de saúde. A pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada na base de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO, selecionando-se os estudos com os descritores: Violência, Agressão, Maus-Tratos, Síndrome da Criança Maltratada, Pediatria, não se fazendo restrição aos idiomas espanhol, inglês e francês. A literatura mostra a importância de ações preventivas e a necessidade de discussões e reflexões entre os diferentes setores que possam culminar em políticas e estratégias preventivas, diagnósticas e terapêuticas, além da relevância de incluir o tema na formação dos profissionais de saúde para que possam contribuir para o diagnóstico, tratamento e profilaxia do abuso infantil, rompendo as cadeias de determinação e fatalidade.

Violência física contra menores de 15 anos: estudo epidemiológico em cidade do sul do Brasil

OBJETIVO: apresentar o perfil de casos notificados de violência física contra menores de 15 anos em Londrina, Paraná, no ano de 2006. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, com coleta retrospectiva nos prontuários dos Conselhos Tutelares e serviços de atendimento do município. Os dados foram processados e tabulados pelo programa Epi Info. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 479 casos de violência por força corporal e 9 casos de violência por outros meios (7 por instrumentos, 1 por objeto cortante e 1 por substância corrosiva). Na violência por força corporal, predominaram vítimas do sexo feminino (53,4 por cento ) e maior risco na idade de seis anos (12,2 por 1.000). O pai foi o agressor mais frequente (48,8 por cento ) e o alcoolismo esteve presente em 64,0 por cento dos casos. A violência por instrumentos foi praticada através de cinta (42,9 por cento ), fio (28,6 por cento ), ferro (14,3 por cento ) e instrumento de cozinha (14,3 por cento ), com vítimas do sexo feminino (85,7 por cento ), na faixa etária de doze anos (33,3 por cento ), sendo o pai (71,4 por cento ) e a mãe (28,6 por cento ) os únicos agressores, com o alcoolismo presente em 57,1 por cento destas situações. A vítima de violência por objeto cortante era do sexo masculino, 13 anos e o agressor, desconhecido, tinha de 15 a 19 anos. A violência por substância corrosiva teve como vítima um adolescente de 13 anos, do sexo masculino, cujo agressor foi o pai, sendo o alcoolismo a situação presente. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados apontam para a importância epidemiológica do abuso físico contra crianças e adolescentes e podem contribuir para a elaboração de estratégias de prevenção e acompanhamento das vítimas

Surface dental enamel lead levels and antisocial behavior in Brazilian adolescents

Lead poisoning has been reportedly linked to a high risk of learning disabilities, aggression and criminal offenses. To study the association between lead exposure and antisocial/delinquent behavior, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 173 Brazilian youths aged 14\201318 and their parents (n = 93), living in impoverished neighborhoods of Bauru-SP, with high criminality indices. Self-Reported Delinquency (SRD) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) questionnaires were used to evaluate delinquent/antisocial behavior. Body lead burdens were evaluated in surface dental enamel acid microbiopsies. The dental enamel lead levels (DELL) were quantified by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and phosphorus content was measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Logistic regression was used to identify associations between DELL and each scale defined by CBCL and SRD scores. Odd ratios adjusted for familial and social covariates, considering a group of youths exposed to high lead levels (\2265 75 percentile), indicated that high DELL is associated with increased risk of exceeding the clinical score for somatic complaints, social problems, rule-breaking behavior and externalizing problems (CI 95 per cent). High DELL was not found to be associated with elevated SRD scores. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that high-level lead exposure can trigger antisocial behavior, which calls for public policies to prevent lead poisoning

Desistindo da denúncia ao agressor: relato de mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica

O objetivo do estudo é descrever a experiência de mulheres, vítimas da violência doméstica, que desistiram do processo contra seu agressor. As entrevistas foram orientadas pela questão: Como foi sua experiência de desistir da denúncia contra seu agressor? Das convergências dos depoimentos emergiram três temas: o tempo vivido da agressão até a denúncia e desistência; o companheiro, a família, a delegacia da mulher; refletindo sobre a experiência vivida, que descrevem o fenômeno estudado. As participantes expressam sentimentos ambíguos em relação ao agressor: afetividade, raiva, humilhação e medo. Reconhecem que são dominadas e humilhadas. Porém, noções de justiça e igualdade entre os cônjuges não aparecem nos depoimentos. A desistência do processo pode ser compreendida na concepção da reprodução da estrutura familiar, condicionada a fatores econômicos e sociais. Os resultados remetem à reflexão sobre o papel da Delegacia da Mulher e das instituições de saúde na assistência à mulher vítima da violência doméstica

A mixed colony of Scaptotrigona depilis and Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponina)

We describe a case of a spontaneously established mixed colony of two species of stingless bees. The host colony of Scaptotrigona depilis, an aggressive bee that forms large colonies, was invaded by workers of Nannotrigona testaceicornis, a smaller bee that forms small colonies. The host colony and the invading species colony were maintained in next boxes about 1.5 m apart. The N. testaceicornis colony had been recently divided. Observations were made daily for 10 min, and every two weeks the colony was opened for observations within the nest. Initially the host colony bees repulsed the invading species, but as their numbers built up, they were no longer able to defend the entrance. An estimated 60-90 N. testaceicornis workers lived integrated into the colony of S. depilis for 58 days. During this period, they reconstructed and maintained the entrance tube, changing it to an entrance typical of N. testaceicornis. They also collected food and building material for the host colony. Nannotrigona testaceicornis tolerated transit of S. depilis through the entrance, but did not allow the host species to remain within the tube, though the attacks never resulted in bee mortality. Aggression was limited to biting the wings; when the bees fell to the ground they immediately separated and flew back. There have been very few reports of spontaneously occurring mixed stingless bee colonies. It is difficult to determine what caused the association that we found; probably workers of N. testaceicornis got lost when we split their colony, and then they invaded the colony of S. depilis.

Street children and their relationship with the police

Background: This paper explores and analyses the experiences of school-age street children. It specifically addresses the relationship of the street children who live on the streets of Sao Paulo (a large Brazilian metropolis), in relation to their experiences, with the policemen. Methods: The paper is a secondary analysis of date previously collected in 1999. The data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews, with 14 school-age children frequenting two city public refuges, with their legal guardians` consent. The text from transcribed interviews was organized according to the validity norms of `thematic analysis`, a technique of contents analysis method. The decomposing and reconstructing process of that analysis gave rise to thematic categories (among which `the police category`) that represented the reconstruction of the difficulties faced by the children in their development. Results and discussion: The children portrayed the police as an enemy, a fearful figure and one of the most agonizing street experiences. Rarely did the police have a positive image to them. According to the children, police violence occurs in three forms: through systematic police persecution in an effort to remove the children from the streets against their will; actions that had the deliberate intent to humiliate them with verbal or physical aggression; and through alleged sexual abuse, revealed by the children in a veiled manner. The authority that is supposedly intended to protect them is portrayed as one of the most feared social agents. Conclusion: The reported hostile behaviour of the policemen shows the state of vulnerability of those children living on the street. This situation must be focused like a health problem because it causes injury to development of children. Nurses can help them through organizing assistance to children in situation of personal and social risk in the school nursing and health institution.

Effect of water renewal on dominance hierarchy of juvenile Nile tilapia

Nile tilapia social position (Oreochromis niloticus) can be mediated by multiple channels, including chemical communication. Absence of chemical cues in the environment prevents hierarchical settlement among pairs, and enhances time spent in confrontations. The aim of this study was to test the effect of continuously renewed water flow on the establishment of hierarchical dominance in Nile tilapia juveniles. In this condition, a high frequency of attacks and disruption on hierarchical stability were expected because chemical cues for hierarchy maintenance could be washed out. After 3 days in isolation, the fish were paired by standard size but not by sex, and submitted to two conditions: continuously renewed water flow (RENEWED, n = 7) and non-renewed water flow (NONRENEWED n = 8). The paired fish were placed in an aquarium (40 cm x 30 cm x 40 cm) for 3 h; four 10-min sessions were video-recorded: the first, immediately after the fish were paired and the others 1, 2, and 3 h after pairing. Hierarchy was identified by a dominance index (DI = given attacks/received + given attacks) For each fish. The hierarchical stability was achieved by analyzing the difference between dominant DI and subordinate DI (DI-D). Hierarchy was established in both groups after second session because the DI was significantly higher for one fish of the pair. The frequency of attacks of the dominant fish in RENEWED and NONRENEWED conditions was similar in all observation sessions. The attack frequency by subordinate fish was also similar during the first three sessions (2-h pairing). However, the frequency of attacks by subordinate fish in the RENEWED condition was higher than in the NONRENEWED situation at the fourth observation session (means +/- S.E.: RENEWED = 2.83 +/- 0.94 x 10 min(-1) and NONRENEWED = 0.25 +/- 0.16 x 10 min(-1); Mann-Whitney, p = 0.04). At this point, a significant reduction of the DI-D was observed (means +/- S.E.: RENEWED = 0.70 +/- 0.11 and NONRENEWED = 1,00 +/- 0.002; Mann-Whitney, p = 0.04). The changes in DI-D were related to more frequent attacks by the subordinated fish in renewed water flow. According to our results, the unsteady agonistic interaction under renewed water flow leads to social instability. Thus, continuous water renewing can wash out relevant chemical substances and therefore disturb the dominance recognition by subordinate fish. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sweeper polyps of the coral Goniopora tenuidens (Scleractinia : Poritidae)

The massive coral Goniopora tenuidens can develop elongated sweeper polyps. These are thought to be involved in aggressive interactions with neighbouring benthic organ isms, like the sweeper tentacles of other corals. The cnidoms of sweeper polyps and ordinary polyps of G. tenuidens from the Great Barrier Reef were compared. Sweeper polyps had significantly greater densities of elongate holotrichous isorhizas (34577 +/- 3839/mg; mean +/- SD, n = 6) than ordinary polyps (936 +/- 371/mg; p < 0.05), while ordinary polyps had significantly greater densities of spirocysts (75994 +/- 15992/mg) than sweeper polyps (19469 +/- 7808/mg; p < 0.05). This suggests that sweeper polyps of G. tenuidens, like the sweeper tentacles of other corals, are modified for aggression, and that they probably act through nematocyst discharge. However, the scattered distribution of sweeper polyps observed on colonies of G. tenuidens in the field suggests that sweeper polyps may have other functions.

Disruptive vocalization and depression in older nursing home residents

Screaming and other types of disruptive vocalization are commonly observed among nursing home residents. Depressive symptoms are also frequently seen in this group, although the relationship between disruptive vocalization and depressive symptoms is unclear. Accordingly, we sought to examine this relationship in older nursing home residents. We undertook a controlled comparison of 41 vocally disruptive nursing home residents and 43 non-vocally-disruptive nursing home residents. All participants were selected to have Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of at least 10. Participants had a mean age of 81.0 years (range 63-97 years) and had a mean MMSE score of 17.8 (range 10-29). Nurse ratings of disruptive vocalization according to a semioperationalized definition were validated against the noisy behavior subscale of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Subjects were independently rated for depressive symptoms by a psychiatrist using the Dementia Mood Assessment Scale, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, and the Depressive Signs Scale. Vocally disruptive nursing home residents scored significantly higher than controls on each of these three depression-in-dementia scales. These differences remained significant when the effects of possible confounding variables of cognitive impairment, age, and sex were removed. We conclude that depressive symptoms are associated with disruptive vocalization and may have an etiological role in the generation of disruptive vocalization behaviors in elderly nursing home residents.

Fight versus flight: the interaction of temperature and body size determines antipredator behaviour in tegu lizards

Ectotherm antipredator behaviour might be strongly affected both by body temperature and size: when environmental temperatures do not favour maximal locomotor performance, large individuals may confront predators, whereas small animals may flee, simply because they have no other option. However, integration of body size and temperature effects is rarely approached in the study of antipredator behaviour in vertebrate ectotherms. In the present study we investigated whether temperature affects antipredator responses of tegu lizards, Tupinambis merianae, with distinct body sizes, testing the hypothesis that small tegus (juveniles) run away from predators regardless of the environmental temperature, because defensive aggression may not be an effective predator deterrent, whereas adults, which are larger, use aggressive defence at low temperatures, when running performance might be suboptimal. We recorded responses of juvenile (small) and adult (large) tegu lizards to a simulated predatory attack at five environmental temperatures in the laboratory. Most differences between the two size classes were observed at low temperatures: large tegus were more aggressive overall than were small tegus at all temperatures tested, but at lower temperatures, the small lizards often used escape responses whereas the large ones either adopted a defensive posture or remained inactive. These results provide strong evidence that body size and temperature affect the antipredator responses of vertebrate ectotherms. We discuss the complex and intricate network of evolutionary and ecological parameters that are likely to be involved in the evolution of such interactions. (C) 2009 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.