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.

Downregulation of CD9 protein expression is associated with aggressive behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) is a malignancy characterized by a high degree of local aggression and metastasis to cervical lymph nodes. Tetraspanins are proteins with functional roles in a wide array of cellular processes and are reported to be associated with tumor progression. The present study investigated the expression of the CD9, CD37, CD63, CD81 and CD82 tetraspanins in OSCC using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Tissue microarray (TMA) analysis of samples from 179 cases of OSCC and 10 normal samples oral mucosa were evaluated immunomorphologically. We analyzed CD9 and CD82 expression by qRT-PCR in 66 OSCC cases and 4 normal samples of oral mucosa. Expression of CD63, CD37 and CD81 was not detected in the samples studied. CD82 was downregulated or negative in 127 of 179 (80%) specimens; no correlation was observed between CD82 expression, clinicopathological parameters, disease-free survival and 5-year overall survival. CD9 expression was downregulated or negative in 75 of 129 (42%) OSCC samples. Loss of CD9 expression in OSCC samples correlated with the incidence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.017). Disease-free survival and the 5-year overall survival of patients with downregulated or negative CD9 expression were significantly lower than in patients with positive CD9 expression (p = 0.010 and p = 0.071, respectively). No correlation was found between CD9 or CD82 expression and clinicopathological parameters by qRT-PCR. Our results suggest that the downregulation or lack of expression of the CD9 protein might indicate a more aggressive of OSCC. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Carbamazepine augmentation for schizophrenia: How good is the evidence?

Background: Augmentation strategies in schizophrenia treatment remain an important issue because despite the introduction of several new antipsychotics, many patients remain treatment resistant. The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of one frequently used adjunctive compound: carbamazepine. Data sources and study selection: Randomized controlled trials comparing carbamazopine (as a sole or as an adjunctive compound) with placebo or no intervention in participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were searched for by accessing 7 electronic databases, cross-referencing publications cited in pertinent studies, and contacting drug companies that manufacture carbamazepine. Method: The identified studies were independently inspected and their quality assessed by 2 reviewers, Because the study results were generally incompletely reported, original patient data were requested from the authors; data were received for 8 of the 10 randomized controlled trials included in the present analysis, allowing for a reanalysis of the primary data. Dichotomous variables were analyzed using the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio and continuous data were analyzed using standardized mean differences, both specified with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Ten studies (total N = 283 subjects) were included. Carbamazepine was not effective in preventing relapse in the only randomized controlled trial that compared carbamazepine monotherapy with placebo. Carbamazepine tended to be less effective than perphenazine in the only trial comparing carbamazepine with an antipsychotic. Although there was a trend indicating a benefit from carbamazepine as an adjunct to antipsychotics, this trend did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: At present, this augmentation strategy cannot be recommended for routine use. The most promising targets for future trials are patients with excitement, aggression, and schizoaffective disorder bipolar type.

Putting the group back into unions: A social psychological contribution to understanding union support

Industrial relations research that attempts to grapple with individuals' union-related sentiments and activities often draws on one of two traditions of psychological research—the individual-level factors tradition (for example, personality and attitude-behaviour relations) and the social context tradition (for example, frustration-aggression and relative deprivation). This paper provides an overview of research conducted from within these traditions to explain union-related phenomena and identifies some of the limitations that arise as a consequence of a shared tendency to treat people in an atomistic fashion. The paper argues for an understanding of the psychological processes that underpin group-based action. To this end, it elaborates a theoretical framework based on social identity theory and self-categorisation theory that would allow us to examine the dynamic interplay between the individual, their cognitions and their environment. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of a specific case of union mobilisation, to indicate how this theoretical framework might aid empirical analysis.

Personalidade e agressividade : um estudo em militares de protecção e socorro

RESUMO: A protecção e socorro é das missões mais recentes na instituição militar em Portugal, nomeadamente a intervenção em catástrofes. As características têm um papel decisivo, pois podem condicionar de forma determinante o sucesso da missão. O discernimento do indivíduo é imperativo nas situações, não pode haver erros, pois os custos humanos e económicos são demasiado elevados. Foi estudada uma amostra de 535 militares oportugueses de uma força de elite helitransportada que actua em catástrofes, em que a média de idades é de 28 anos (DP=4,4), tendo o militar mais novo 20 anos e o mais velho 49 anos. O escalão etário mais representado é o escalão dos 26-30 anos que compreende 52,7% desta força militar operacional. Para esta investigação utilizámos como medidas de avaliação o Inventário de Personalidade Neo revisto, NEOPI-R (Costa & McCrae 1992), o Questionário de Agressividade, AQ (Buss & Perry, 1992)e a Escala de Desejabilidade Social de Paulhus, PDS (Paulhus, 1998) para aceder à relação entre personalidade, agressividade e desejabilidade social em militares de protecção e socorro. Conclui-se que os militares de protecção e socorro demonstram valores elevados de conscienciosidade e valores mais baixos ao nível do domínio do neuroticismo. Demonstraram resultados mais elevados na dimensão Gestão da imagem e mais baixos na dimensão de Auto apresentação favorável. Apresentam ainda níveis de agressividade física bastante elevados e níveis de irritabilidade mais baixos. ABSTRACT: Rescue and protection is one of the latest missions in the Military Corps in Portugal, namely the Disaster Intervention. It depends directly on individual characteristics such as personality and how the military deal with extreme and tension situations. These characteristics have a decisive role, as they contribute to the success of decisive missions. The discernment of the individual is imperative in situations where there can be mistakes, because the human and economic costs are too high. The studied sample consisted of 535 soldiers of the military Portuguese Protection and Rescue, an elite force heliborne, where the average age is 28 years (DP=4,4 years), having the younger military 20 years and the oldest 49 years. The age group most represented is the level 26-30 years comprising 52.7% of this military operational force. In order to make this investigation we used the following measures : the Neo Personality Inventory Revised, NEOPI-R (costa & McCrae, 1992), the Agression Questionnaire, AQ (Buss & Perry, 1992), and the Paulhus Deception Scale, PDS (Paulhus, 1998) to access the relationship between personality, aggressiveness and social desirability in Rescue and Protection Military. It is concluded that Rescue and Protection military show high values of conscientiousness and lower values of neuroticism. They also show higher scores on the impression management and lower scores on the Self-Deceptive Enhancement dimension. Subjects also present high levels of physical aggression and lower levels of anger.

Bullying in hazing pratices : a study on higher education

7 th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI2014 Proceedings), Seville, Spain, 17-19 November 2014.

Bullying escolar – Intervenientes, ações e sentimentos associados: um estudo com alunos do 2º e 3º ciclos da região do Algarve

Introdução – O bullying pode ser definido como atitudes agressivas, intencionais e repetidas durante um período de tempo. Diversos estudos verificaram a prevalência de bullying entre estudantes de vários países e demonstraram que este é um problema internacional e que pelo menos um em cada dez estudantes está envolvido numa situação de bullying. Objetivos – Caracterizar as situações de bullying no ambiente escolar, o papel do estudante, os sentimentos associados a essas ações e identificar as características do agressor. Métodos – A amostra foi constituída por 519 alunos matriculados em duas escolas da região sul de Portugal que preencheram um questionário anónimo sobre uma situação de bullying que vivenciaram, descrevendo o papel do aluno e o que sentiram nesta situação. Resultados – Os resultados revelaram que em 61,7% dos casos se tratou de agressão física e 29,7% de agressão verbal. Desempenharam o papel de agressores 12,7% dos alunos, 21,8% foram vítimas e 63,6% foram testemunhas desta situação. 10,6% dos alunos relataram sentir bem, 11% mostraram indiferença e 78,4% dos alunos sentiram‑se mal com a situação de bullying. Verificou‑se que, com o avanço da idade, o estudante aumentava em 1,5 vezes a probabilidade de desempenhar o papel de agressor e os rapazes apresentavam 5,2 vezes mais probabilidades de vir a ser agressor numa situação de bullying. Conclusão – O presente estudo verificou que a maioria dos alunos participou de uma situação de bullying escolar como testemunha, sendo os casos mais comuns de agressão física. A maioria dos alunos sentiu‑se mal com essa situação. Os rapazes e os alunos com mais idade tiveram mais probabilidade de vir a desempenhar o papel de agressor numa situação de bullying.

Agressão no trabalho em processos de mudança organizacional: O papel mediador do cinismo organizacional e do comportamento político

Workplace aggression is a factor that shapes the interaction between individuals and their work environment and produces many undesirable outcomes, sometimes introducing heavy costs for organizations. Only through a comprehensive understanding o f the genesis of workplace aggression is possible to develop strategies and interventions to minimize its nefarious effects. The existent body of knowledge has already identified several individual, situational and contextual antecedents of workplace aggr ession, although this is a research area where significant gaps occur and many issues were still not addressed (Dupré & Barling, 2006). According to Neuman and Baron (1998) one of these predictors is organizational change, since certain changes in the work environment (e.g., changes in management) can lead to increased aggression. This paper intends to contribute to workplace aggression research by studying its relationship with organizational change, considering the mediation role of political behaviors an d organizational cynicism (Ammeter, Douglas, Gardner, Hochwarter, & Ferris, 2002). The literature review suggests that mediators and moderators that intervene in the relationships between workplace aggression and its antecedents are understudied topics. Ja mes (2005) sustains that organizational politics is related to cynicism and the empirical research of Miranda (2008) has identified leadership political behavior as an antecedent of cynicism but these two variables were not yet investigated regarding their relationship with workplace aggression. This investigation was operationalized using several scales including the Organizational Change Questionnaire - climate of change, processes, and readiness (Bouckenooghe, Devos, & Broeck, 2009), a Workplace Aggressio n Scale (Vicente, 2008, 2009), an Organizational Cynicism Scale (Wanous, Reichers, & Austin, 1994) and a Political Behavior Questionnaire (Yukl & Falbe, 1990). Participants representing a wide variety of jobs across many organizations were surveyed. The r esults of the study and its implications will be presented and discussed. This study contribution is also discussed in what concerns organizational change practices in organizations.

Exposição profissional a chumbo : utilização da protoporfirina-zinco (PPZ) na vigilância de saúde de trabalhadores ex

Resumo Uma estratégia de avaliação e prevenção de riscos na exposição a agentes químicos deve ter sempre em conta que a vigilância do ambiente de trabalho e a da saúde dos trabalhadores são aspectos complementares de uma mesma realidade – os riscos resultantes da interacção entre um agente químico e os trabalhadores a ele expostos. Se à Vigilância Ambiental compete apreciar o risco, pela caracterização do agente no ambiente de trabalho, a Vigilância Biológica pronuncia-se sobre a interacção entre o tóxico e o organismo, avaliando a resposta à agressão química e a evolução das reacções de adaptação ou de desajuste face à absorção do tóxico. Os Indicadores Biológicos, deste modo, assumem um estatuto de instrumento privilegiado na vigilância da saúde dos trabalhadores expostos, na medida em que medem a quantidade de tóxico que efectivamente penetrou e foi absorvido, ou o resultado (efeito) determinado por essa mesma dose. O presente estudo procura contribuir para a definição de um quadro metodológico de utilização dos Indicadores Biológicos na avaliação/gestão da exposição profissional ao chumbo, designadamente apreciando a variação da protoporfirina-zinco (PPZ), indicador até ao presente ainda não utilizado em Portugal. O chumbo é um metal de ocorrência natural, cujos níveis nos diversos ecossistemas resultam, principalmente, das actividades antropogénicas de natureza doméstica e industrial. A sua capacidade poluente é assinalável, representando uma fonte de exposição permanente para o homem, demonstrável pela sua constante presença no organismo apesar de não desempenhar qualquer tipo de função fisiológica. São actualmente inúmeras as suas aplicações, tornando a exposição profissional ao chumbo uma realidade vasta: indústrias de acumuladores eléctricos, de vidros, de plásticos e de munições, construção civil, manutenção e reparação automóvel e de navios, fabrico de tintas, indústrias electrónicas, fundições e actividades de soldadura são, entre outras, situações onde é uma realidade a ter em conta. A penetração dos compostos inorgânicos de chumbo no organismo efectua-se principalmente por via respiratória, não sendo, no entanto, desprezável, a sua penetração por via digestiva. As partículas absorvidas são transportadas pelo sangue principalmente ligadas aos eritrocitos (95%), distribuem-se pelos tecidos moles e depositam-se essencialmente no tecido ósseo, onde representam mais de 90% da carga corporal do total absorvido e tendo aí um elevado tempo de semi-vida (mais de 20 anos). Não é metabolizado no organismo e a sua eliminação efectua-se essencialmente por via renal,sendo igualmente excretado, em menor escala, através das fezes, do suor, da saliva, das faneras e do leite materno. O conhecimento científico evidencia que concentrações sanguíneas de chumbo entre 20 e 50 mg/dL são susceptíveis de determinar efeitos adversos no homem, podendo ser afectados o sistema hematopoiético, o sistema nervoso, o sistema cardiovascular, o sistema reprodutor e o sistema imunitário. Contudo, ainda muito há a clarificar no âmbito da toxicidade do chumbo. Os níveis de exposição a que correspondem as alterações nos diversos órgãos e sistemas continuam a ser motivo de alguma controvérsia. As características carcinogénicas e mutagénicas do chumbo são, ainda, um campo de vasta exigência de investigação. A intoxicação por chumbo e seus sais (Saturnismo) de origem ocupacional é reconhecida em Portugal como doença profissional (grupo 1 - Doenças Provocadas por Agentes Químicos, da Lista das Doenças Profissionais). É uma intoxicação do tipo crónico, fruto da absorção contínua de doses relativamente pequenas durante longo período, evidenciando-se no seu início por sinais e sintomas vagos e difusos de grande inespecificidade, que podem incluir, nomeadamente, perda de apetite, sabor metálico na boca, palidez, mal-estar e fadiga, cefaleias, mialgias e artralgias, irritabilidade, tremores finos, obstipação, cólicas abdominais, insónias, déficit da memória de curto prazo e da capacidade de concentração. Um importante conjunto de indicadores biológicos pode ser utilizado na vigilância periódica da saúde de trabalhadores nestas condições de exposição. Tais indicadores (de dose ou de efeito), encerram diferentes significados e comportam distintas exigências, competindo ao Médico do Trabalho, no âmbito dos programas de prevenção dos efeitos adversos relacionados com a exposição profissional a chumbo, seleccionar a sua utilização e interpretar a sua informação, de modo a avaliar a interacção do tóxico com o organismo numa fase de reversibilidade. O presente estudo envolveu 180 trabalhadores dos quais 110 apresentavam plumbémias (Pb-S) iguais ou superiores a 40 mg/dL. Além da Pb-S, a todos foi doseada a protoporfirina-zinco (PPZ) e efectuado o Hemograma e a cerca de 25% foi determinada a concentração do ácido d-aminolevulínico urinário (ALA-U). Os doseamentos da PPZ efectuados em amostra de sangue capilar através de um hematofluorímetro portátil revelaram-se de total fiabilidade, dando significado a uma técnica de fácil execução e baixo custo. A avaliação do tipo de colheita urinária para doseamento do ALA-U concluiu pela necessidade de recurso a urinas de 24 horas.Os resultados do estudo evidenciaram uma elevada associação entre a PPZ e a Pb-S, com uma maior magnitude e de início mais precoce do que o que registado na associação da Pb-S com o ALA-U. Revelaram, ainda, fracos níveis de associação da hemoglobina (e outros parâmetros hematológicos) com a Pb-S. E demonstraram para um cut-off de 100 mg/ dL de PPZ, taxa de falsos negativos e falsos positivos, para plumbémias a partir de 70 mg/dL, inferiores a 20%. Assim, concluiu-se que, nos protocolos de vigilância de saúde de trabalhadores expostos a chumbo, o doseamento da PPZ por hematofluorímetro, em sangue de colheita capilar, é adequado, fiável e de realização preferencial em relação ao do ALA-U. Concluiu-se, também, que a realização do hemograma apenas se justifica em situações individuais que clinicamente o tornem aconselhável. E que estes protocolos devem incluir a realização da Pb-S e da PPZ, podendo, em situações de controlo rigoroso (ambiental, biológico e clínico), basear-se apenas na determinação da PPZ reservando os outros indicadores para aprofundar a investigação médica nos casos de taxas elevadas desta ou de situações limitantes. ■ Résumée Une stratégie d’évaluation et de prévention des risques d’exposition aux agents chimiques doit toujours tenir en considération que la vigilance du lieu de travail et de la santé des travailleurs sont des aspects complémentaires d’une même réalité – les risques résultant d’une interaction entre l’agent chimique et les travailleurs exposés. Si c’est à la Vigilance Ambiantale de juger le risque, par la caractérisation de l’agent dans le lieu de travail, la Vigilance Biologique, elle, se prononce sur l’interaction entre le toxique et l’organisme, évaluant la réponse à l’agression chimique et l’évolution des réactions d’adaptation ou de rupture face à l’absorption du toxique. Les Indicateurs Biologiques assument ainsi un statut d’instrument privilégié de vigilance de la santé des travailleurs exposés, dans la mesure où ils déterminent la quantité de toxique qui a effectivement été pénétré et absorbé, ou le résultat (effet) déterminé par cette dose. Cette étude-ci cherche à contribuer à la définition d’un cadre méthodologique d’utilisation des Indicateurs Biologiques dans l’évaluation/ gestion de l’exposition professionnelle au plomb inorganique, évaluant spécialement le comportement de la protoporphirine-zinc (PPZ), indicateur pas encore utilisé au Portugal.Le plomb est un métal d’occurrence naturelle dont les niveaux dans les différents écosystèmes en résultent, principalement, des activités anthropogéniques de nature domestique et industrielle. Sa capacité polluante peut être signalée, représentant une source d’exposition permanente pour l’homme, celle-ci démontrable par sa présence continue dans l’organisme, même si elle n’y accomplit aucune fonction physiologique. Actuellement ses applications sont innombrables, faisant de l’exposition professionnelle au plomb une réalité de grande ampleur : industries d’accumulateurs électriques, de verre, de plastique et de munitions, bâtiments, manutention et réparation automobile et navale, fabrication d’encres, industries électroniques, fontes et activités de soudure sont, entre autres, des situations réelles a en tenir compte. La pénétration du plomb inorganique dans l’organisme se fait principalement par voie respiratoire, pouvant se faire également par voie digestive. Les particules absorbées sont transportées par le sang, surtout liées aux érythrocytes (95%), se repartent à travers les tissus mous et se déposent essentiellement dans le tissu osseux, où elles représentent plus de 90% de la charge corporelle de ce qui a été absorbé et ont un temps de demi-vie élevé (plus de 20 ans). Le plomb n’est pas métabolisé dans l’organisme et son élimination se fait essentiellement par voie rénale, pouvant tout de même, à une moindre échelle, être excrété dans les fèces, de la sueur, de la salive, des ongles, des cheveux et du lait maternel. La connaissance scientifique met en évidence que des concentrations sanguines de plomb entre 20 et 50 mg/dL sont susceptibles de déterminer des effets adverses dans l’homme, pouvant les systèmes hématopoïétique, nerveux, cardiovasculaire, reproducteur et immunitaire en être affectés. Cependant, il en reste beaucoup à éclaircir dans le domaine de la toxicité du plomb. Les niveaux d’exposition auxquels correspondent les modifications des divers organes et systèmes, demeurent toujours sujet de quelque controverse. Les caractéristiques carcinogèniques et mutagèniques du plomb restent toujours un champ d’investigation d’une grande exigence. L’intoxication par le plomb et ses sels (Saturnisme) d’origine occupationnelle est reconnue, au Portugal, comme une maladie professionnelle (groupe 1- Maladies Provoquées par des Agents Chimiques, de la Liste des Maladies Professionnelles). C’est une intoxication du tipe chronique, due à l’absorption continue de doses relativement petites pendant une longue période, mise en évidence à travers des signes et des symptômes vagues et diffus sans grande spécificité, lesquels peuvent inclure, particulièrement, le manque d’appétit, goût métallique dans la bouche, pâleur, malaise et fatigue, céphalées, myalgies et arthralgies, irritabilité, tremblements fins, constipation, coliques abdominales, insomnies, déficit de la mémoire à court terme et de la capacité de concentration.Un ensemble important d’indicateurs biologiques peut être employé dans la vigilance périodique de la santé des travailleurs dans ces conditions d’exposition. Ces indicateurs (de dose ou d’effet) renferment différentes significations et comportent diverses exigences, devant le Médecin de Travail, dans le domaine des programmes de prévention des effets adverses qui sont en relation avec l’exposition professionnelle au plomb, sélectionner son utilisation et interpréter son information de façon à évaluer l’interaction de l’élément toxique avec l’organisme à un stade de réversibilité. L’étude ci-présent engloba 180 travailleurs desquels 110 présentaient des plombémies (Pb-S) égales ou supérieures à 40 mg/dL. À part la Pb-S, la protoporphyrine-zinc (PPZ) leur a été prise en dosage et un Hémogramme fut effectué et fut déterminé l’acide d- aminolévulinique urinaire (ALA-U) sur environ 25% des travailleurs. Le dosage de la PPZ efectué en échantillon de sang capillaire par un fluorimètre portable, s’est accomplit d’une fiabilité total, donnant du sgnificat à une téchnique de facile execution et bas prix. L’évaluation de la prise urinaire par dosage du ALA-U conclut au besoin d’un recours aux urines de 24 heures Les résultats de l’étude ont mis en évidence une association élevée entre la PPZ et la Pb- S, avec une intensité majeure et de début plus précoce par rapport à celui qui fut registré lors de l’association de la Pb-S avec la ALA-U. Ces résultats ont également montré de faibles niveaux d’association entre l’hémoglobine (et autres paramètres hématologiques) et la Pb-S. Ils ont démontré aussi, une valeur de cut-off de 100 mg/dL de PPZ, des taux de faux négatifs et faux positifs, pour des plombémies de 70 mg/dL, inférieurs à 20%. On peut donc conclure que dans les protocoles de vigilance de la santé des travailleurs exposés au plomb, le dosage de la PPZ par fluorimetrie dans le sang capillaire est adéquat, fiable et de réalisation préférentielle par rapport à celui du ALA-U. On peut également conclure que la réalisation de l’hémogramme ne se justifie que dans les cas individuels où, cliniquement, celui-ci est conseillé. De plus, ces protocoles doivent inclure la réalisation de la Pb-S et de la PPZ, pouvant, en cas de contrôle rigoureux (ambiantal, biologique et clinique), s’appuyer que dans la détermination de la PPZ réservant les autres indicateurs pour approfondir l’investigation médicale dans les cas où les taux de celle-ci sont élevés ou dans les cas de situations limitantes. ■ Summary Any strategy to evaluate and prevent the risks of chemical agents exposure must always regard the work environment and workers health as complementary aspects of one reality - the resulting risks from the interaction between the chemical agent and the exposed workers. It is the responsibility of Environmental Monitoring to evaluate the risks of exposure by the characterization of the chemical agent in the work environment. Biological Monitoring, on the other hand, pronounces itself over the toxin and body interaction, evaluating human response to the chemical aggression and the body adaptations to the toxic absorption. Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) assume, therefore, a privileged status among exposed workers' health monitoring instruments, as they measure the actual penetrated and absorbed toxic quantity and the effect it produces. This research study aims to contribute to the definition of a methodological strategy on the utilization of BEI’s in evaluating inorganic lead's occupational exposure, more specifically appreciating the zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) variation, an index that has never been taken under consideration in Portugal until now. Lead is a natural metal whose ecosystem’s levels are mainly due to domestic and industrial anthropogenic activities. Its pollutant capacity is notable, representing a permanent exposure risk shown by its constant presence in the human body, although it has no physiologic function. Nowadays, lead's applications are countless, turning its professional exposure a huge reality: storage batteries industries, glass industries, plasterers and munitions industries, building construction, ships and motor car maintenance and repairing, ink manufacture, electronics industries, foundries and other soldering activities are, among so many other, realities to attend to. Respiration is the main cause of human body's inorganic lead absorption, although digestive pathway must not to be ignored. The absorbed particles are transported by blood, essentially bounded to erythrocytes (95%). It is distributed by soft tissues and settled mainly on bone tissues, where it represents approximately 90% of the total body charge and has a high half-life time (more than 20 years). It is not metabolized by the organism, its elimination being effectuated by renal activity and, in smaller scale, through lees, sweat, saliva, nails, hair and maternal milk.Scientific knowledge shows that concentrations of lead in blood between 20 e 50 mg/dL are susceptible to determine adverse effects in man and able to affect the hematopoietic system, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the reproductive system and the immunological system. Nevertheless, there's still much to be learned and clarified about lead's toxicity. The correlation between exposure levels and human's systems and organs alteration levels continues to be a centre of controversies. Still, lead's carcinogenic and mutagenic characteristics continue to be a high demanding research field. Intoxication by lead and its compounds (saturnism), from occupational origin, is recognized in Portugal as an occupational disease, included in Group 1 - Chemical Agents Caused Diseases, on the Occupational Diseases List. It is a chronic intoxication caused by a continuous absorption of small doses, throughout a long period of time. Its signs and symptoms are diffuse and imprecise, of great unspecificity, such as loss of appetite, metallic flavor in the mouth, paleness, ailment and fatigue, headaches, myalgia and arthralgia, irritability, thin tremors, constipation, abdominal pain, insomnias, short memory loses and inability to concentrate. A considered number of BEI’s can be used in Periodic Health Monitoring of workers in such exposure conditions. Such BEI (dose indices or effect indices) provide different meanings and imply different procedures, being Occupational Doctors responsibility, in the context of lead related adverse effects preventive programmes, to select and interpret its information, in order to evaluate the interaction between toxic and organism in a reversible phase of the toxic action. The present research study involved 180 workers, 110 of which presented blood lead levels (PbB) above or equal to 40 mg/dL. Besides PbB, all workers has been evaluated for zinc protoporphyrin levels (PPZ) and submitted to a haemogram. About 25% of the workers were selected for d-aminolevulinic urinary acid (ALA-U) determination. The evaluation of PPZ, by a portable hematofluorometer using capillary blood samples, turned out to be an easy procedure with low costs and total warrantability. As in regard for ALA- U procedure, it was concluded the necessity of 24 hours urine samples. This research results underlined a strong connection between ZPP and PbB, which was found to to be stringer and to begin earlier than it was registered for PbB and ALA-U association. The same study also revealed a low association level between PbB and hemoglobin or other hematological indices. It was also verified less than 20% of false negatives and false positives cases when admitted a ZPP 100 mg/dL cut off value for PbB³ 70 mg/dL. As in result it was concluded that in Health Monit

Les Boeufs de Paix. Douglas H. Johnson et la violence Nuer (Soudan)

This article seeks to restore (anthropologically speaking) the warrior status of the Nuer during the colonial period. It challenges the negative conclusions of Douglas H. Johnson about the cultural dimension of fighting. In 1839, when the Nuer sacrificed an ox before a fleet from the North, the Egyptians thought it was an act of aggression and shot at them. But did this mistake inaugurate a series of misunderstandings on the offensive provision of this people? If that is Johnson's assertion, a return to the sources allows an alternative interpretation. The article puts in symmetry this episode and another, ninety years later, which also involved an "ox peace". The British killed this animal in 1929 during the repression of the Nuer prophetic movement. But if Johnson seeks to contradict the importance of the prophets as leaders of revolt, this article points out that their pacifism was embedded in the ideology of war.

Barriers preventing the successful integration of mental health services into Primary Health Care in Nigeria : a mixed methods approach

RESUMO: A Nigéria tem uma população estimada em cerca de 170 milhões de pessoas. O número de profissionais de saúde mental é muito diminuto, contando apenas com 150 psiquiatras o que perfaz aproximadamente um rácio de psiquiatra: população de mais de 1:1 milhão de pessoas. O Plano Nacional de Saúde Mental de 1991 reconheceu esta insuficiência e recomendou a integração dos serviços de saúde mental nos cuidados de saúde primários (CSP). Depois de mais de duas décadas, essa política não foi ainda implementada. Este estudo teve como objetivos mapear a estrutura organizacional dos serviços de saúde mental da Nigéria, e explorar os desafios e barreiras que impedem a integração bem-sucedida dos serviços de saúde mental nos cuidados de saúde primários, isto segundo a perspectiva dos profissionais dos cuidados de saúde primários. Com este objetivo, desenvolveu-se um estudo exploratório sequencial e utilizou-se um modelo misto para a recolha de dados. A aplicação em simultâneo de abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas permitiram compreender os problemas relacionados com a integração dos serviços de saúde mental nos CSP na Nigéria. No estudo qualitativo inicial, foram realizadas entrevistas com listagens abertas a 30 profissionais dos CSP, seguidas de dois grupos focais com profissionais dos CSP de duas zonas governamentais do estado de Oyo de forma a obter uma visão global das perspectivas destes profissionais locais sobre os desafios e barreiras que impedem uma integração bem-sucedida dos serviços de saúde mental nos CSP. Subsequentemente, foram realizadas entrevistas com quatro pessoas-chave, especificamente coordenadores e especialistas em saúde mental. Os resultados do estudo qualitativo foram utilizados para desenvolver um questionário para análise quantitativa das opiniões de uma amostra maior e mais representativa dos profissionais dos CSP do Estado de Oyo, bem como de duas zonas governamentais locais do Estado de Osun. As barreiras mais comummente identificadas a partir deste estudo incluem o estigma e os preconceitos sobre a doença mental, a formação inadequada dos profissionais dos CPS sobre saúde mental, a perceção pela equipa dos CSP de baixa prioridade de ação do Governo, o medo da agressão e violência pela equipa dos CSP, bem como a falta de disponibilidade de fármacos. As recomendações para superar estes desafios incluem a melhoria sustentada dos esforços da advocacia à saúde mental que vise uma maior valorização e apoio governamental, a formação e treino organizados dos profissionais dos cuidados primários, a criação de redes de referência e de apoio com instituições terciárias adjacentes, e o engajamento da comunidade para melhorar o acesso aos serviços e à reabilitação, pelas pessoas com doença mental. Estes resultados fornecem indicações úteis sobre a perceção das barreiras para a integração bem sucedida dos serviços de saúde mental nos CSP, enquanto se recomenda uma abordagem holística e abrangente. Esta informação pode orientar as futuras tentativas de implementação da integração dos serviços de saúde mental nos cuidados primários na Nigéria.------------ABSTRACT: Nigeria has an estimated population of about 170 million people but the number of mental health professionals is very small, with about 150 psychiatrists. This roughly translates to a psychiatrist:population ratio of more than 1:1 million people. The National Mental Health Policy of 1991 recognized this deficiency and recommended the integration of mental health into primary health care (PHC) delivery system. After more than two decades, this policy has yet to be implemented. This study aimed to map out the organizational structure of the mental health systems in Nigeria, and to explore the challenges and barriers preventing the successful integration of mental health into primary health care, from the perspective of the primary health care workers. A mixed methods exploratory sequential study design was employed, which entails the use of sequential timing in the combined methods of data collection. A combination of qualitative and uantitative approaches in sequence, were utilized to understand the problems of mental health services integration into PHC in Nigeria. The initial qualitative phase utilized free listing interviews with 30 PHC workers, followed by two focus group discussions with primary care workers from two Local Government Areas (LGA) of Oyo State to gain useful insight into the local perspectives of PHC workers about the challenges and barriers preventing successful integration of mental health care services into PHC. Subsequently, 4 key informant interviews with PHC co-ordinators and mental health experts were carried out. The findings from the qualitative study were utilized to develop a quantitative study questionnaire to understand the opinions of a larger and more representative sample of PHC staff in two more LGAs of Oyo State, as well as 2 LGAs from Osun State. The common barriers identified from this study include stigma and misconceptions about mental illness, inadequate training of PHC staff about mental health, low government priority, fear of aggression and violence by the PHC staff, as well as non-availability of medications. Recommendations for overcoming these challenges include improved and sustained efforts at mental health advocacy to gain governmental attention and support, organized training and retraining for primary care staff, establishment of referral and supportive networks with neighbouring tertiary facilities and community engagement to improve service utilization and rehabilitation of mentally ill persons. These findings provide useful insight into the barriers to the successful integration of mental health into PHC, while recommending a holistic and comprehensive approach. This information can guide future attempts to implement the integration of mental health into primary care in Nigeria.

Violência no trabalho em contexto hospitalar: um estudo com profissionais de enfermagem

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia

Evolução do DSM quanto ao critério categorial de diagnóstico para o distúrbio da personalidade antissocial

OBJETIVO: Realizar um breve percurso sobre o desenvolvimento conceitual de um dos construtos psicológicos de maior evidência nos dias atuais, a saber: o transtorno de personalidade antissocial (TPAS). Especificamente, esse percurso se realiza no sistema categórico proposto pela Associação Americana de Psiquiatria (APA), o Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Distúrbios Mentais (DSM). MÉTODO: Utilizou-se a revisão literária sobre a evolução e a avaliação do construto associada a pesquisas empíricas consultadas nos principais livros e periódicos de reconhecimento internacional na área, tais como: Personality and Individual Differences, Psychological Medicine, Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Personality Assessment, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Aggression and Violent Behavior, Handbook of Psychopathy, entre outros. RESULTADO: Observa-se que o diagnóstico do TPAS é baseado nos critérios categóricos e não dimensionais. Isso significa que o sistema não consegue predizer a priori a variabilidade (intensidade) dos traços desse transtorno por ser o DSM desenvolvido no reconhecimento de sintomas e síndromes. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de o TPAS ter passado por diversas revisões e de apresentar insuficiência taxonômica, ele ainda é amplamente utilizado no diagnóstico e no prognóstico clínico de condições relacionadas ao comportamento social desviante.

A skin-picking disorder case report: a psychopathological explanation

We describe the case of a 44-year-old woman, without known previous psychiatric history, hospitalized after a significant hemorrhage caused by self-inflicted deep facial dermal lesions (with muscle exposition). Psychopathological possible explanations of this case, as in similar reviewed ones, are related to frustration, aggression, and impulsivity.

Efectos de los factores dietéticos sobre la conducta agresiva y otras patologías del comportamiento del perro

Studies show that feeding patterns, environmental conditions, and pet management mainly affect animal health, behavior and welfare. However, little epidemiologic data exist about pet dog feeding habits and management and canine behavior, especially aggression. Moreover, it is well known that serotonin is involved in aggression: a diet low in tryptophan (serotonin precursor) with high levels of neutral amino-acids could decrease the central levels of serotonin and increase the expression of aggression and impulsiveness in several domestic animals. oreover, brain levels of serotonin in humans and other species can be increased by physical activity. In this study we alysed the effects of diet management, supplementation and regular physical activity on oncentration of serotonin in a population of non aggressive dogs. The general aim of the study is to determine the effect of environmental factors on the dogs’ feeding habits as well as the relationship between the type of food provided and management and behavioral problems in dogs. The specific objectives were: characterization and comparison of different physiological and blood parameters between dogs with and without behavior pathologies. Observation of the impact of the diet and managment factors (exercise, education) on those parameters and on dog’s behavior, with particular attention to aggression. This study is divided into three phases, according with the objectives. Firstly, characterization of the dogs’ characteristics and serics profiles on the basis of the blood tests. Comparison between the values noticed on animals without any behavior pathology and animals with behavior disorder to point out the difference between the biochemical parameters of the two groups. Secondly, the purpose of the second phase is to verify whether a type of food is able to affect the biochemical paramenters of a population of non-aggressive dogs. Thirdly, the goal is to evaluate the effects of different diet factors, management and physical exercise on the canine aggression.