O ensino colaborativo como facilitador da inclusão da criança com deficiência intelectual na educação infantil

This paper presents aspects of Early Childhood Education in the perspective of Inclusive Education, considering collaborative teaching as a relevant strategy in this mode. Thus, had been aimed to review the literature on collaborative learning in kindergarten and verify the knowledge of teachers on this pedagogical strategy. The survey was conducted in Child Education Centers and Schools municipal daycare, totaling 4 units and 45 participants. Empirical data were collected through a closed questionnaire, tabulated and analyzed qualitative and qualitatively. The results indicate the recognition of preschool teachers in need of support and assistance regarding collaborative teaching, highlighting the need for continuous training in the performance of special education teacher in this context.

Autismo e família: revisão bibliográfica em bases de dados nacionais

Early studies involving childhood autism attributed to family involvement in impairment of psycho-emotional development of the child. The purpose of this study was to review the literature related to autism and family in two national databases (Theses Database of Capes and Scientific Electronic Library Online) without defining a specific period as well as identify the main thematic focused. Were located 29 studies in Theses Database of Capes, the first record in 1990 and 12 in Scientific Electronic Library Online, the first publication in 2001. The results were grouped into seven categories. The categories “Quality of Life” and “Family Relations” concentrate most of publications on Theses Database. Already in Scientific Electronic Library Online, mostly refers to the “Family Relations” and “literature review”. It was found that none of theses or dissertations was published in scientific paper format, hampering the dissemination of research in the area.

Internet e democracia: a qualidade da informação sobre políticas públicas de cultura em portais de governo

Public communication comprises the dissemination of information on the various aspects of public management, with transparency and accountability, including the use of the existing technological resources. Particularly in the field of cultural policies, the right to information must be exercised as a contribution to political participation and economic expansion. This paper presents the results of research that was investigated, through analysis of the content under thirteen categories of evaluation, of the quality of information on cultural policies in web portals of the different spheres of government in Brazil. The results show the lack of information on the processes of development and implementation of policies in that field.

A qualidade da educação infantil na produção científica nacional

A educação infantil é caracterizada como a primeira etapa da educação básica no Brasil, que é destinada ao atendimento de crianças de 0 a 5 anos de idade, sendo um direito da criança, é um dever do Estado em ofertá-la, porém a questão acerca da oferta de uma educação de qualidade, ainda é uma questão incongruente no território brasileiro. Há documentos oficiais como Os Indicadores de Qualidade da Educação Infantil, caracterizado pelos próprios autores como um instrumento de autoavaliação da qualidade das instituições de educação infantil, que buscam indicar padrões para a garantia de qualidade, mesmo que de caráter mínimo, para a educação infantil. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar e mapear dados obtidos por meio de levantamento de artigos científicos nacionais acerca da qualidade da educação infantil, artigos estes que foram selecionados a partir de periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) avaliados como A1 no ano de 2014, a pesquisa analisará os artigos disponíveis apenas online que abordem a temática do estudo, com publicação no período de 2004 à 2014. Procurou-se averiguar a discussão realizada nos artigos sobre a temática do estudo, e compreender os principais aspectos relacionados à qualidade da oferta da educação segundo os artigos científicos selecionados, atentando-se para as discussões relacionadas às políticas de qualidade para a educação infantil; formação dos professores, a relação escola e pais, e a participação das crianças como forma para garantir melhor atendimento. Desta forma se evidencia poucos artigos que tratam da temática e para novos temas que emergem a serem trabalhados, para ampliar e qualificar o debate sobre uma educação infantil de real qualidade para as crianças brasileiras

A capacidade quimiopreventiva de antioxidantes

O câncer tem sido, há muitos anos, a principal causa de morbidade e mortalidade no mundo, alcançando a casa de milhões de mortes todo ano. Dentre os tipos de câncer, os que mais matam são: pulmão, fígado, estômago, colorretal, mama e esofaringeal. Todos os fatores externos aos quais estamos expostos e até mesmo o nosso metabolismo normal, contribuem para a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio que podem causar danos à macromoléculas, lipídios e proteínas, sendo, hoje, entendido como o responsável pelo desenvolvimento de diversos processos patológicos no ser humano, dentre eles, o câncer. Pode-se prevenir o desenvolvimento de tumores através da diminuição da exposição aos fatores de risco, como tabagismo, obesidade e sobrepeso, hábitos alimentares não saudáveis e sedentarismo, exposição a radiações e poluição do ar. O sucesso no tratamento e até mesmo a cura de determinado câncer é possível através da detecção precoce, possível através de exames de rotina. Sabe-se também que substâncias antioxidantes, presentes em muitos alimentos, atuam de forma a neutralizar o efeito danoso de radicais livres, evitando dessa forma, o estresse oxidativo. Por isso, o papel dessas substâncias tem sido alvo de muitos estudos, principalmente no que diz respeito à prevenção do câncer.

A capacidade quimiopreventiva de antioxidantes

O câncer tem sido, há muitos anos, a principal causa de morbidade e mortalidade no mundo, alcançando a casa de milhões de mortes todo ano. Dentre os tipos de câncer, os que mais matam são: pulmão, fígado, estômago, colorretal, mama e esofaringeal. Todos os fatores externos aos quais estamos expostos e até mesmo o nosso metabolismo normal, contribuem para a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio que podem causar danos à macromoléculas, lipídios e proteínas, sendo, hoje, entendido como o responsável pelo desenvolvimento de diversos processos patológicos no ser humano, dentre eles, o câncer. Pode-se prevenir o desenvolvimento de tumores através da diminuição da exposição aos fatores de risco, como tabagismo, obesidade e sobrepeso, hábitos alimentares não saudáveis e sedentarismo, exposição a radiações e poluição do ar. O sucesso no tratamento e até mesmo a cura de determinado câncer é possível através da detecção precoce, possível através de exames de rotina. Sabe-se também que substâncias antioxidantes, presentes em muitos alimentos, atuam de forma a neutralizar o efeito danoso de radicais livres, evitando dessa forma, o estresse oxidativo. Por isso, o papel dessas substâncias tem sido alvo de muitos estudos, principalmente no que diz respeito à prevenção do câncer.

Vitreous Pharmacokinetics and Retinal Safety of Intravitreal Preserved Versus Non-preserved Triamcinolone Acetonide in Rabbit Eyes

Purpose: To compare the intravitreal pharmacokinetic profile of a triamcinolone acetonide formulation containing the preservative benzyl alcohol (TA-BA) versus a preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide formulation (TA-PF), and evaluate potential signs of toxicity to the retina. Methods: A total of 60 New Zealand male white rabbits, divided into two groups, were studied. In the TA-BA group, 30 rabbits received an intravitreal injection of TA-BA (4 mg/0.1ml) into the right eye. In the TA-PF group, 30 rabbits received an intravitreal injection of TA-PF (4 mg/0.1ml) into the right eye. The intravitreal drug levels were determined in 25 animals from each group by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The potential for toxicity associated with the intravitreal triamcinolone injections was evaluated in five randomly selected animals from each group by electroretinography (ERG) and by light microscopy. Results: Median intravitreal concentrations of TA-BA (mu g/ml) were 1903.1, 1213.0, 857.8, 442.0, 248.6 at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after injection. Intravitreal concentrations of TA-PF (mu g/ml) were 1032.9, 570.1, 516.6, 347.9, 102.8 at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after injection. The median intravitreal triamcinolone concentration was significantly higher in the TA-BA compared to the TA-PF group at 7 days post-injection (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in median triamcinolone concentration at the other time points evaluated. There was no evidence of toxic effects on the retina in either group based on ERG or histological analyses. Conclusions: Following a single intravitreal injection, the median concentration of triamcinolone acetonide is significantly higher in the TA-BA compared to the TA-PF group at 7 days post-injection. No toxic reactions in the retina were observed in either group.

Phosphene Thresholds Elicited by Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Retinal Diseases

PURPOSE. To evaluate electrically evoked phosphene thresholds (EPTs) in healthy subjects and in patients with retinal disease and to assess repeatability and possible correlations with common ophthalmologic tests. METHODS. In all, 117 individuals participated: healthy subjects (n = 20) and patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP, n = 30), Stargardt's disease (STG, n = 14), retinal artery occlusion (RAO, n = 20), nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION, n = 16), and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG, n = 17). EPTs were determined at 3, 6, 9, 20, 40, 60, and 80 Hz with 5+5-ms biphasic current pulses using DTL electrodes. Subjects were examined twice (test-retest range: 1-6 weeks). An empirical model was developed to describe the current-frequency relationship of EPTs. Visual acuity, visual field (kinetic + static), electrophysiology (RP, RAO, STG: Ganzfeld-electroretinography [ERG]/multifocal-ERG; POAG: pattern-ERG; NAION: VEP), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, and tonometry were assessed. RESULTS. EPTs varied between disease groups (20 Hz: healthy subjects: 0.062 +/- 0.038 mA; STG: 0.102 +/- 0.097 mA; POAG: 0.127 +/- 0.09 mA; NAION: 0.244 +/- 0.126 mA; RP: 0.371 +/- 0.223 mA; RAO: 0.988 +/- 1.142 mA). In all groups EPTs were lowest at 20 Hz. In patients with retinal diseases and across all frequencies EPTs were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects, except in STG at 20 Hz (P = 0.09) and 40 Hz (P = 0.17). Test-retest difference at 20 Hz was 0.006 mA in the healthy group and 0.003-0.04 mA in disease groups. CONCLUSIONS. Considering the fast, safe, and reliable practicability of EPT testing, this test might be used more often under clinical circumstances. Determination of EPTs could be potentially useful in elucidation of the progress of ophthalmologic diseases, either in addition to standard clinical assessment or under conditions in which these standard tests cannot be used meaningfully. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00804102.) (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012; 53: 7440-7448) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-9612

Electroretinographic findings associated with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) versus PRP plus intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy

To evaluate changes in electroretinographic (ERG) findings after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) compared to PRP plus intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) in eyes with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Patients with high-risk PDR and no prior laser treatment were assigned randomly to receive PRP (PRP group; n = 9) or PRP plus IVR (PRPplus group; n = 11). PRP was administered in two sessions (weeks 0 and 2), and IVR was administered at the end of the first laser session (week 0) in the PRPplus group. Standardized ophthalmic evaluations including (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and fluorescein angiography to measure area of fluorescein leakage (FLA), were performed at baseline and at weeks 16 (+/- 2), 32 (+/- 2) and 48 (+/- 2). ERG was measured according to ISCEV standards at baseline and at week 48 (+/- 2). At 48 weeks, 2,400-3,000 laser spots had been placed in eyes in the PRP group, while only 1,400-1,800 spots had been placed in the PRPplus group. Compared to baseline, there was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) FLA reduction observed at all study visits in both groups, with the reduction observed in the PRPplus group significantly larger than that in the PRP group at week 48. ROD b-wave amplitude was significantly reduced to 46 +/- A 5 % (P < 0.05) of baseline in the PRP group and 64 +/- A 6 % (P < 0.05) in the PRPplus group. This reduction was significantly larger in the PRP group than in the PRPplus group (P = 0.024; t Test). Similar results were observed for the dark-adapted Combined Response (CR) b-wave amplitude, with a reduction at 48 weeks compared to baseline of 45 +/- A 4 % in the PRP group and 62 +/- A 5 % in the PRPplus group; the reduction in CR b-wave amplitude was significantly larger in the PRP group than in the PRPplus group (P = 0.0094). CR a-wave, oscillatory potentials, cone single flash, and 30 Hz flicker responses showed statistically significant within-group reductions, but no differences in between-group analyses. These results suggest that treating high-risk PDR with PRP plus IVR is effective for PDR control, and permits the use of less extensive PRP which, in turn, induces less retinal functional loss, in particular for rod-driven post-receptoral responses, than treatment with PRP alone.

Assessment of "non-recordable" electroretinograms by 9 Hz flicker stimulation under scotopic conditions

To refine methods of electroretinographical (ERG) recording for the analysis of low retinal potentials under scotopic conditions in advanced retinal degenerative diseases. Standard Ganzfeld ERG equipment (Diagnosys LLC, Cambridge, UK) was used in 27 healthy volunteers (mean age 28 +/- A SD 8.5 years) to define the stimulation protocol. The protocol was then applied in clinical routine and 992 recordings were obtained from patients (mean age 40.6 +/- A 18.3 years) over a period of 5 years. A blue stimulus with a flicker frequency of 9 Hz was specified under scotopic conditions to preferentially record rod-driven responses. A range of stimulus strengths (0.0000012-6.32 scot. cd s/mA(2) and 6-14 ms flash duration) was tested for maximal amplitudes and interference between rods and cones. Analysis of results was done by standard Fourier Transformation and assessment of signal-to-noise ratio. Optimized stimulus parameters were found to be a time-integrated luminance of 0.012 scot. cd s/mA(2) using a blue (470 nm) flash of 10 ms duration at a repetition frequency of 9 Hz. Characteristic stimulus strength versus amplitude curves and tests with stimuli of red or green wavelength suggest a predominant rod-system response. The 9 Hz response was found statistically distinguishable from noise in 38% of patients with otherwise non-recordable rod responses according to International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision standards. Thus, we believe this protocol can be used to record ERG potentials in patients with advanced retinal diseases and in the evaluation of potential treatments for these patients. The ease of implementation in clinical routine and of statistical evaluation providing an observer-independent evaluation may further facilitate its employment.

Digestible lysine levels in diets for pigs from 24 to 50 kg under sanitary segregation

This study evaluated the relationship between digestible lysine and metabolizable energy for barrow and gilts from 24 to 50 kg. Performance, digestibility and blood profile were studied. The experimental design was of randomized blocks, with five treatments, eight replicates and two animals per experimental unit in the performance assay and four replicates and one animal per experimental unit in the digestibility assay. The blood profile was chosen at 20 random animals of each sex, with four replicates per treatment and the animal as experimental unit. The treatments were 0.80, 0.90, 1.00, 1.10 and 1.20% digestible lysine. There was a linear effect of lysine levels on weight gain and feed conversion in females and crude protein in both sexes, gross energy excreted in the urine (kcal) and digestible energy (kcal). A quadratic effect of the amino acid studied in the daily consumption of crude protein (g) in both sexes, weight gain and feed conversion of barrows, as well as the nitrogen excreted in the urine (g) and nitrogen retained, and absorbed and retained. The relationship between neutrophils and lymphocytes had quadratic responses with increasing levels of lysine. The maximum performance for the studied genotype was obtained with 0.88 and 0.91% of digestible lysine or 2.60 and 2.67 g of digestible lysine/Mcal of metabolizable energy for females and barrows, respectively, corrected for digestibility trial.

Fluoride plus CO2 laser against the progression of caries in root dentin

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel combined with CO2 laser in protecting carious root dentin against further cariogenic challenges. Methods: After a 7-day lead-in period, 12 volunteers wore an intraoral palatal device containing four carious root dentin slabs, treated with APF and APF+CO2 or placebo and placebo+CO2. After a 14-day wash-out period, volunteers were crossed-over to the other treatment arm. During both intraoral phases, specimens were submitted to cariogenic challenges and then evaluated for cross-sectional Knoop microhardness. Results: Two-way ANOVA demonstrated that there was significant effect for both main factors: CO2 laser irradiation (P< 0.0001) and gel treatment (P< 0.0001), and that there was no interaction between them (P= 0.4706). Protection of carious root dentin against further cariogenic challenges may be provided by APF fluoride gel and CO2 laser, but no additive benefit was found by combining such strategies. (Am J Dent 2012;25:114-117).

On the zeros of polynomials: an extension of the Enestrom-Kakeya theorem

This paper presents an extension of the Enestrom-Kakeya theorem concerning the roots of a polynomial that arises from the analysis of the stability of Brown (K, L) methods. The generalization relates to relaxing one of the inequalities on the coefficients of the polynomial. Two results concerning the zeros of polynomials will be proved, one of them providing a partial answer to a conjecture by Meneguette (1994)[6]. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation Shows Neuroprotective Effects in Retinas of Light-Exposed Rats

PURPOSE. To examine the effects of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) on retinal degeneration of light-exposed rats. METHODS. Thirty-three Sprague Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups: STIM (n = 15) received 60 minutes of TES, whereas SHAM (n = 15) received identical sham stimulation 2 hours before exposure to bright light with 16,000 lux; healthy animals (n = 3) served as controls for histology. At baseline and weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, dark-and light-adapted electroretinography was used to assess retinal function. Analysis of the response versus luminance function retrieved the parameters Vmax (saturation amplitude) and k (luminance to reach 1/2Vmax). Retinal morphology was assessed by histology (hematoxylin-eosin [HE] staining; TUNEL assay) and immunohistochemistry (rhodopsin staining). RESULTS. Vmax was higher in the STIM group compared with SHAM 1 week after light damage (mean intra-individual difference between groups 116.06 mu V; P = 0.046). The b-wave implicit time for the rod response (0.01 cd.s/m(2)) was lower in the STIM group compared with the SHAM group 2 weeks after light damage (mean intra-individual difference between groups 5.78 ms; P = 0.023); no other significant differences were found. Histological analyses showed photoreceptor cell death (TUNEL and HE) in SHAM, most pronounced in the superior hemiretina. STIM showed complete outer nuclear layer thickness preservation, reduced photoreceptor cell death, and preserved outer segment length compared with SHAM (HE and rhodopsin). CONCLUSIONS. This sham-controlled study shows that TES can protect retinal cells against mild light-induced degeneration in Sprague Dawley rats. These findings could help to establish TES as a treatment in human forms of retinal degenerative disease. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:5552-5561) DOI: 10.1167/iovs.12-10037