O problema mente-corpo na psicologia fenomenológica de Edith Stein : implicações para uma fundamentação da ciência psicológica

Psychology is a relatively new scientific branch and still lacks consistent methodological foundation to support its investigations. Given its immaturity, this science finds difficulties to delimit its ontological status, which spawnes several epistemological and methodological misconceptions. Given this, Psychology failed to demarcate precisely its object of study, leading, thus, the emergence of numerous conceptions about the psychic, which resulted in the fragmentation of this science. In its constitution, psychological science inherited a complex philosophical problem: the mind-body issue. Therefore, to define their status, Psychology must still face this problem, seeking to elucidate what is the mind, the body and how they relate. In light of the importance of this issue to a strict demarcation of psychological object, it was sought in this research, to investigate the mind-body problem in the Phenomenological Psychology of Edith Stein (1891-1942), phenomenologist philosopher who undertook efforts for a foundation of Psychology. For that, the discussion was subsidized from the contributions of the Philosophy of Mind and the support of the phenomenological method to the mind-body problem. From there, by a qualitative bibliographical methodology, it sought to examine the problem of research through the analysis of some philosophical-psychological philosopher's works, named: "Psychic Causality” (Kausalität Psychische, 1922) and “Introduction to Philosophy" (Einführung in die Philosophie, 1920). For this investigation, it was made, without prejudice to the discussion, a terminological equivalence between the terms mind and psyche, as the philosopher used the latter to refer to the object of Psychology. It sought to examine, therefore, how Stein conceived the psyche, the body and the relationship between them. Although it wasn't the focus of the investigation, it also took into account the spiritual dimension, as the philosopher conceived the human person as consisting of three dimensions: body, psyche and spirit. Given this, Stein highlighted the causal mechanism of the psyche, which is based on the variations of the vital force that emerges from the vital sphere. In relation to the corporeal dimension, the philosopher, following the analysis of Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), highlighted the dual aspect of the body, because it is at the same time something material (Körper) and also a linving body (Leib). On the face of it, it is understood that the psyche and the body are closely connected, so that it constitutes a dual-unit which is manifested in the Leib. This understanding of the problem psyche-mind/body provides a rich analysis of this issue, enabling the overcoming of some inconsistencies of the monistic and dualistic positions. Given this, it allows a strict elucidation of the Psychology object, contributing to the foundation of this science.

La respuesta liberal de Edmund Burke a la crisis de legitimidad política del siglo XVIII

Edmund Burke is both the greatest and the most underrated political thinker of the last three hundred years. We could not agree more with this assertion of Jesse Norman. Very few political-statesmen have attainted the enormous repercussion both in politics and in history that Burke had deployed over the last centuries. Nevertheless, Burke remains unfairly unknown for a wider public. And what it is more, the vast majority tend to think of him as a conservative, if not a liberal-conservative. A prior precision has to be made before continuing regarding the term liberal for the sake of accuracy. Burke was a prominent Whig, what in Spanish language we describe as a liberal, in the sense that both Hayek and Milton Friedman uttered, far from the meaning “kidnapped” of the word liberal by the Anglo-Saxon left. The object of this thesis is to investigate the non-solved controversy on Burke`s figure and the liberal answer he provided with to the political crisis of legitimacy of the 18th century. There is an existing shared opinion by the academia that prior to the Reflections on the Revolution of France, his masterpiece, he was an outstanding and prominent Whig. Champion of liberty, justice and good governance, guardian of liberal virtues and the authentic developer of the efficient policy put in place by the Marquis of Rockingham in order to curb the corruption and influence emanating from the court of George the Third and his double cabinet.

Kulturowa interpretacja filozofii moralności Davida Hume’a

Wydział Nauk Społecznych: Instytut Filozofii

La question de l'histoire chez Husserl

Ce présent mémoire porte sur la conception historique de la phénoménologie dans le dernier ouvrage de Husserl, La crise des sciences européennes et la phénoménologie transcendantale (1937). Le chapitre 1 avance, qu’il n’y a pas, du point de vue de ses motifs internes, de « tournant historique » de la phénoménologie. Le projet d’une théorie transcendantale de l’histoire doit se comprendre comme étant l’aboutissement nécessaire de la pensée husserlienne. Le chapitre 2 s’intéresse à la manière par laquelle la phénoménologie serait censée renouveler l’identité collective de l’Europe et résoudre la séparation entre la pensée et l'action. La phénoménologie, à partir d’une critique de l’objectivisme des sciences, serait la réalisation du telos de la pensée moderne. Cependant, l’exigence d’authenticité de Husserl s’avère insuffisante pour parvenir à une juste compréhension des implications de la responsabilité. Bien que cette visée humaniste soit d’un intérêt évident, elle s’avère trop rudimentaire.

La question de l'histoire chez Husserl

Ce présent mémoire porte sur la conception historique de la phénoménologie dans le dernier ouvrage de Husserl, La crise des sciences européennes et la phénoménologie transcendantale (1937). Le chapitre 1 avance, qu’il n’y a pas, du point de vue de ses motifs internes, de « tournant historique » de la phénoménologie. Le projet d’une théorie transcendantale de l’histoire doit se comprendre comme étant l’aboutissement nécessaire de la pensée husserlienne. Le chapitre 2 s’intéresse à la manière par laquelle la phénoménologie serait censée renouveler l’identité collective de l’Europe et résoudre la séparation entre la pensée et l'action. La phénoménologie, à partir d’une critique de l’objectivisme des sciences, serait la réalisation du telos de la pensée moderne. Cependant, l’exigence d’authenticité de Husserl s’avère insuffisante pour parvenir à une juste compréhension des implications de la responsabilité. Bien que cette visée humaniste soit d’un intérêt évident, elle s’avère trop rudimentaire.

A auto-interpretação de Husserl em 1930-31: o Nachwort às Ideen como escrito polémico

This essay seeks to expose Husserl’s defensive attitude towards what he calls “the mistaken views” found in the new ways of conducting phenomenology, in the Epilogue to his Ideas. While the polemic side of Husserl’s project, basically but tacitly against Heidegger, is underlined, it is also sustained that this auto-interpretive piece is a fundamental key within Husserl’s corpus in that it defines the direction of the phenomenological project. At the centre of the controversy are the answer to the objections of intellectualism and solipsism, and the disavowal of all forms of anthropologism in the conception of subjectivity.

The Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model Applied To The Treatment Of women With Breast Cancer, Through Rime Intervention (relaxation, mental Images, Spirituality).

This postdoctoral study on the application of the RIME intervention in women that had undergone mastectomy and were in treatment, aimed to promote psychospiritual and social transformations to improve the quality of life, self-esteem and hope. A total of 28 women participated and were randomized into two groups. Brief Psychotherapy (PB) (average of six sessions) was administered in the Control Group, and RIME (three sessions) and BP (average of five sessions) were applied in the RIME Group. The quantitative results indicated a significant improvement (38.3%) in the Perception of Quality of Life after RIME according to the WHOQOL, compared both to the BP of the Control Group (12.5%), and the BP of the RIME Group (16.2%). There was a significant improvement in Self-esteem (Rosenberg) after RIME (14.6%) compared to the BP of the Control Group (worsened 35.9%), and the BP of the RIME Group (8.3%). The improvement in well-being, considering the focus worked on (Visual Analog Scale), was significant in the RIME Group (bad to good), as well as in the Control Group (unpleasant to good). The qualitative results indicated that RIME promotes creative transformations in the intrapsychic and interpersonal dimensions, so that new meanings and/or new attitudes emerge into the consciousness. It was observed that RIME has more strength of psychic structure, ego strengthening and provides a faster transformation that BP, therefore it can be indicated for crisis treatment in the hospital environment.

Glycosaminoglycan distribution in the rat uterine cervix during the estrous cycle

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the amount of glycosaminoglycans in the uterine cervix during each phase of the rat estrous cycle. DESIGN: Based on vaginal smears, forty female, regularly cycling rats were divided into four groups (n = 10 for each group): GI - proestrous, GII - estrous, GIII - metaestrous and GIV - diestrous. Animals were sacrificed at each phase of the cycle, and the cervix was immediately removed and submitted to biochemical extraction and determination of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid. The results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test. RESULTS: The uterine cervix had the highest amount of total sulfated glycosaminoglycans and dermatan sulfate during the estrous phase (8.90 ± 0.55 mg/g of cetonic extract, p<0.001; and 8.86 ± 0.57 mg/g of cetonic extract, p<0.001). In addition, there was more heparan sulfate at the cervix during the proestrous phase (0.185 ± 0.03 mg/g of cetonic extract) than during any other phase (p<0.001). There were no significant changes in the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the uterine cervix during the estrous cycle. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the amount of total sulfated glycosaminoglycans may be influenced by hormonal fluctuations related to the estrous cycle, with dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate being the glycosaminoglycans most sensitive to hormonal change.

Rat pinealectomy: a modified direct visual approach

PURPOSE: To report a new, direct visual approach for rat pinealectomy. METHODS: Eighty adult female rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus EPM-1 strain) were weighted and anesthetized intraperitoneally with 15 mg/kg xylazine and 30 mg/kg ketamine. The animal was fastened to a dissection table, an incision was made in the skin and the subcutaneous tissue, bringing the lambda into view. The skullcap was opened with a dental drill, bringing the cerebral hemispheres and the superior sagittal sinus into view. The pineal gland, located under the venous sinus, was removed in a single piece using tweezers. Next, the bone fragment was returned to its place and the surgical layers were sutured. RESULTS: This new technique is easy to be done, avoids bleedings and removes only the pineal gland without damage to the remaining encephalon. In addition it makes possible the achievement of a sham surgery, allowing the pineal gland to remain intact. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique intends to facilitate studies aiming to better understanding the complexity and importance of the pineal gland on reproductive and other body systems.

Endometrial claudin-4 and leukemia inhibitory factor are associated with assisted reproduction outcome

Background: Claudin-4 (CLDN4) is one of several proteins that act as molecular mediators of embryo implantation. Recently, we examined immunolabeling of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the endometrial tissue of 52 IVF patients, and found that LIF staining intensity was strongly correlated with successful pregnancy initiation. In the same set of patients, we have now examined endometrial CLDN4 expression, to see how expression intensity may vary with LIF. We examined CLDN4 in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, immediately preceding IVF treatment. Our aim was to compare expression of LIF and CLDN4 in the luteal phase, and document these patterns as putative biomarkers for pregnancy. Methods: Endometrial tissue was collected from women undergoing IVF. Endometrial biopsies were obtained during the luteal phase preceding IVF, and were then used for tissue microarray (TMA) immunolabeling of CLDN4. Previously published LIF expression data were then combined with CLDN4 expression data, to determine CLDN4/LIF expression patterns. Associations between successful pregnancy after IVF and combined CLDN4/LIF expression patterns were evaluated. Results: Four patterns of immunolabeling were observed in the endometrial samples: 16% showed weak CLDN4 and strong LIF (CLDN4(-)/LIF(+)); 20% showed strong CLDN4 and strong LIF (LIF(+)/CLDN4(+)); 28% showed strong CLDN4 and weak LIF (CLDN4(+)/LIF(-)); and 36% showed weak CLDN4 and weak LIF (CLDN4(-)/LIF(-)). Successful implantation after IVF was associated with CLDN4(-)/LIF(+)(p = 0.003). Patients showing this endometrial CLDN4(-)/LIF(+) immunolabeling were also 6 times more likely to achieve pregnancy than patients with endometrial CLDN4(+)/LIF(-) immunolabeling (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The combined immunolabeling expression of CLDN4(-)/LIF(+) in endometrial tissue is a potential biomarker for predicting successful pregnancy in IVF candidates.

Association between intratumoral lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) and clinicopathologic features in endometrial cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer significantly decreases survival rate. Few data on the influence of intratumoral lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) on survival in endometrial cancer are available. Our aim was to assess the intratumoral LMVD of endometrial carcinomas and to investigate its association with classical pathological factors, lymph node metastasis and survival. Methods: Fifty-seven patients with endometrial carcinoma diagnosed between 2000 and 2008 underwent complete surgical staging and evaluation of intratumoral LMVD and other histologic variables. Lymphatic microvessels were identified by immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibody against human podoplanin (clone D2-40) and evaluated by counting the number of immunostained lymphatic vessels in 10 hot spot areas at 400x magnification. The LMVD was expressed by the mean number of vessels in these 10 hot spot microscopic fields. We next investigated the association of LMVD with the clinicopathologic findings and prognosis. Results: The mean number of lymphatic vessels counted in all cases ranged between 0 and 4.7. The median value of mean LMVD was 0.5, and defined the cut-off for low and high LMVD. We identified low intratumoral LMVD in 27 (47.4%) patients and high LMVD in 30 (52.6%) patients. High intratumoral LMVD was associated with lesser miometrial and adnaexal infiltration, lesser cervical and peritoneal involvement, and fewer fatal cases. Although there was lower lymph node involvement among cases with high LMVD, the difference did not reach significance. No association was seen between LMVD and FIGO staging, histological type, or vascular invasion. On the other hand, low intratumoral LMVD was associated with poor outcome. Seventy-five percent of deaths occurred in patients with low intratumoral LMVD. Conclusion: Our results show association of high intratumoral LMVD with features related to more localized disease and better outcome. We discuss the role of lymphangiogenesis as an early event in the endometrial carcinogenesis.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Common and Independently Associated With Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with arrhythmias and cardiovascular death. Left atrial enlargement and atrial fibrillation (AF) are considered markers for death due to heart failure in patients with HCM. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with heart remodeling and arrhythmias in other populations. We hypothesized that OSA is common and is associated with heart remodeling and AF in patients with HCM. Methods: We evaluated 80 consecutive stable patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HCM by sleep questionnaire, blood tests, echocardiography, and sleep study (overnight respiratory monitoring). Results: OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 15 events/h) was present in 32 patients (40%). Patients with OSA were significantly older (56 [41-64] vs 38.5 [30-53] years, P < .001) and presented higher BMI (28.2 +/- 3.5 vs 25.2 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2), P < .01) and increased left atrial diameter (45 [42-52.8] vs 41 [39-47] mm, P = .01) and aorta diameter (34 [30-37] vs 29 [28-32] mm, P < .001), compared with patients without OSA. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that the AHI (P = .05) and BMI (P = .06) were associated with left atrial diameter. The AHI was the only variable associated with aorta diameter (P = .01). AF was present in 31% vs 6% of patients with and without OSA, respectively (P < .01). OSA (P = .03) and left atrial diameter (P = .03) were the only factors independently associated with AF. Conclusions: OSA is highly prevalent in patients with HCM and it is associated with left atrial and aortic enlargement. OSA is independently associated with AF, a risk factor for cardiovascular death in this population. CHEST 2010; 137(5):1078-1084