Causalidade e continuidade adequadas: os princípios de coerência em uma audiência de conciliação no PROCON

O presente estudo focaliza princípios de coerência em práticas narrativas construídas por reclamado e reclamante em audiências de conciliação no PROCON, sob o arcabouço teórico-metodológico da Sociolinguística Interacional. Considerando que o objetivo desse encontro é a resolução do conflito via argumentação e consubstanciação de posições assumidas, investigo como as partes divergentes procuram gerenciar uma causalidade adequada nas suas narrativas, apresentando razoes consistentes para justificar a sequencia de eventos apresentada. Palavras-chave: audiência de conciliação, narrativa, princípio de coerência, fala-em-interação

DEMANDA DE IMPORTAÇÃO DE VINHO NO BRASIL NO PERÍODO 1995-2007

O objetivo deste trabalho é estimar a função de demanda de importação de vinho no Brasil. Os dados utilizados são de janeiro de 1995 a novembro de 2007, com periodicidade mensal. O modelo econométrico dinâmico de ajustamento parcial, também conhecido como modelo de Nerlove, foi o escolhido para se proceder à estimação. Este se caracteriza como um tipo de modelo autoregressivo de curto prazo, bastante apto para explicar os movimentos no quantum importado no momento atual com base nas importações passadas e no valor de outras variáveis. Concluiu-se que renda interna, preço de importação e taxa de câmbio são estatisticamente significantes para a explicação de variações na importação de vinho pelo Brasil, assim como a própria defasagem da variável dependente. Ademais, verificou-se, a partir do modelo de Nerlove estimado, o formato da estimação para períodos de longo prazo. Com base na forma funcional log-log, verificou-se que as elasticidades de longo prazo são maiores que as de curto prazo.-------------------The objective of this study is to estimate the demand function for wine imports in Brazil. The data used are from January 1995 to November 2007, with monthly frequency. The econometric model of dynamic partial adjustment, also known as Nerlove model, was chosen to make the estimate. This is characterized as a kind of short-term autoregressive model, quite able to explain the movements in the quantum imported in the current time based on past imports and the value of other variables. It was concluded that domestic income, the import price and exchange rate are statistically significant to the explanation of variations in the importation of wine by Brazil as well as the lagged dependent variable. Moreover, it was found the format of the estimate for the long-term. Based on the log-log functional form, it was found that the long-term elasticities are higher than the ones in the short-term.comércio internacional, setor de vitivinicultura, Brasil, international trade, wine sector, Brazil, Agribusiness, International Development,

Causalidade e continuidade adequadas: os princípios de coerência em uma audiência de conciliação no PROCON

This paper is focused on coherence principles in narrative practices developed by complainant and complainer in conciliation hearings at PROCON. The study is carried out under the theoretical and methodological orientation of Interactional Sociolinguistics. Considering that the purpose of this type of hearing is conflict resolution through argumentation and realization of assumed positions, the study investigates how the discording parties try to manage adequate causality in their narratives, presenting grounded reasons to justify the presented sequence of events. Key words: conciliation hearing, narrative, coherence principles, talkin- interaction.O presente estudo focaliza princípios de coerência em práticas narrativas construídas por reclamado e reclamante em audiências de conciliação no PROCON, sob o arcabouço teórico-metodológico da Sociolinguística Interacional. Considerando que o objetivo desse encontro é a resolução do conflito via argumentação e consubstanciação de posições assumidas, investigo como as partes divergentes procuram gerenciar uma causalidade adequada nas suas narrativas, apresentando razoes consistentes para justificar a sequencia de eventos apresentada. Palavras-chave: audiência de conciliação, narrativa, princípio de coerência, fala-em-interação

Investigando uma interrogação brasileira: relatando 16 casos de febre Q em Minas Gerais, Brasil

Q fever has been considered non-existing in Brazil where reports of clinical cases still cannot be found. This case-series of 16 patients is a result of a systematic search for such illness by means of clinical and serologic criteria. Serologic testing was performed by the indirect microimmunofluorescence technique using phase I/II C. burnetii antigens. Influenza-like syndrome was the most frequent clinical form (eight cases - 50%), followed by pneumonia, FUO (fever of unknown origin), mono-like syndrome (two cases - 12.5% each), lymphadenitis (one case - 6.3%) and spondylodiscitis associated with osteomyelitis (one case - 6.3%). The ages varied from four to 67 years old with a median of 43.5. All but one patient had positive serologic tests for phase II IgG whether or not associated with IgM positivity compatible with acute infection. One patient had both phase I and phase II IgG antibodies compatible with chronic Q fever. Seroconvertion was detected in 10 patients. Despite the known limitations of serologic diagnosis, the cases here reported should encourage Brazilian doctors to include Q fever as an indigenous cause of febrile illness.A febre Q continua sendo considerada inexistente no Brasil onde publicações de casos clínicos ainda não são encontráveis. Esta série de casos de 16 pacientes é resultado de uma busca sistemática para esta doença usando-se critérios clínicos e sorológicos. Os testes sorológicos foram realizados pela técnica de microimunofluorescência indireta utilizando-se antígenos de C. burnetii fase I e fase II. Síndrome influenza símile foi a forma clínica mais frequente (oito casos - 50%), seguida pela pneumonia, FOI (febre de origem indeterminada), síndrome mononucleose símile (dois casos - 12,5% cada) e por fim linfoadenite (um caso - 6,3%) e espondilodiscite associada à osteomielite (um caso - 6,3%). As idades variaram de quatro a 67 anos com mediana de 43,5. Todos os pacientes, com exceção de um, tinham testes sorológicos positivos para IgG anti fase II, associado ou não a IgM anti fase II, compatíveis com infecção aguda. Um paciente tinha tanto anticorpos IgG anti fase I quanto anti fase II compatíveis com febre Q crônica. Soroconversão foi detectada em 10 pacientes. A despeito das conhecidas limitações do diagnóstico sorológico os casos aqui relatados devem encorajar os médicos brasileiros a incluir a febre Q como causa nativa de doença febril neste país a ser pesquisada

Docentes médicos e internos do curso de medicina estão preparados para uma boa prática médica no atendimento aos portadores de doença falciforme?

Sickle cell disease is a denomination given to hemoglobinopathies’s group. It is estimated that there are 25,000 to 30,000 patients with sickle cell disease in Brazil and 3,500 new cases occur each year. In the state of São Paulo, we have an incidence of 1: 4000 live births. Doesn’t have data on mortality and lethality sickle cell disease in Brazil. It is important to emphasize that health professionals be trained so that mortality rates continue to decrease. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the training of internal medicine students, as well as their teachers in relation to sickle cell disease. Materials and methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out with 5th and 6th grade students and medical professors from Universidade Cidade de São Paulo. A questionnaire with 5 questions was applied. Results and discussion: The results showed that students and teachers knew what is sickle cell disease; with respect to the diagnosis most of the students had this knowledge and all the teachers would know to diagnose it; with respect to the clinical manifestations, most of the students knew how to answer the question and 100% of the teachers answered yes; with respect to the fourth question both students and teachers were more often aware of the general manifestations observed. Regarding the treatment, it was observed that the students of the 9th and 12th stages, as well as the medical teachers had the proper knowledge of the treatment of the acute manifestations of sickle cell disease, unlike the students of the 10th and 11th stages, who reported unknowing the treatment of these manifestations. Our studies point to the importance of adequate knowledge of the disease, its diagnosis, its clinical manifestations and treatment in the academic environment to improve the quality of life of patients with this disease, as well as significantly reduce the mortality rate of patients with sickle cell disease.Doença falciforme é uma denominação dada ao conjunto de hemoglobinopatias. Estima-se que existam no Brasil de 25 mil a 30 mil portadores de doença falciforme e que surjam, anualmente, 3.500 novos casos. No estado de São Paulo, temos uma incidência de 1:4000 nascidos vivos. Ainda não há dados consistentes sobre a mortalidade e a letalidade da doença falciforme no Brasil. É importante ressaltar que os profissionais de saúde sejam devidamente treinados para que as taxas de mortalidade continuem a decrescer. Para tanto, este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a capacitação de estudantes internos de medicina, bem como seus docentes em relação a doença falciforme. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal quantitativo, com alunos do 5º e 6º ano e docentes médicos da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo. Foi aplicado um questionário com 5 perguntas. Resultados e discussão: Os resultados mostraram que os alunos e os docentes sabiam o que era doença falciforme; com relação ao diagnóstico a maioria dos estudantes tinha este conhecimento e todos os docentes saberiam diagnosticá-la; com relação as manifestações clínicas, a maioria dos alunos souberam responder à pergunta e 100% dos docentes responderam que sim; com relação a quarta pergunta tanto os alunos quanto os docentes conheciam com maior frequência as manifestações gerais observadas. E com relação ao tratamento, foi observado que os alunos das etapas 9ª e 12ª, bem como os docentes médicos tinham o devido conhecimento do tratamento das manifestações agudas da doença falciforme, ao contrário dos alunos da 10ª e 11ª etapas, que relataram desconhecer o tratamento destas manifestações. Nossos estudos apontam para a importância do adequado conhecimento da doença, seu diagnóstico, suas manifestações clínicas e tratamento no meio acadêmico para melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com esta doença, bem como diminuir significativamente a taxa de mortalidade de pacientes portadores de doença falciforme

Involvement of formyl peptide receptors in the stimulatory effect of crotoxin on macrophages co-cultivated with tumour cells

Crotoxin (CTX) is the main neurotoxic component of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom. It inhibits tumour growth and modulates the function of macrophages, which are essential cells in the tumour microenvironment. the present study investigated the effect of CTX on the secretory activity of monocultured macrophages and macrophages co-cultivated with LLC-WRC 256 cells. the effect of the macrophage secretory activities on tumour cell proliferation was also evaluated. Macrophages pre-treated with CTX (0.3 mu g/mL) for 2 h were co-cultivated with LLC-WRC 256 cells, and the secretory activity of the macrophages was determined after 12, 24 and 48 h. the co-cultivation of CTX-treated macrophages with the tumour cells caused a 20% reduction in tumour cell proliferation. the production of both H2O2 and NO was increased by 41% and 29% after 24 or 48 h of co-cultivation, respectively, compared to the values for the co-cultures of macrophages of control. the level of secreted IL-1 beta increased by 3.7- and 3.2-fold after 12 h and 24 h of co-cultivation, respectively. Moreover, an increased level of LXA(4) (25%) was observed after 24 h of co-cultivation, and a 2.3- and 2.1-fold increased level of 15-epi-LXA(4) was observed after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Boc-2, a selective antagonist of formyl peptide receptors, blocked both the stimulatory effect of CTX on the macrophage secretory activity and the inhibitory effect of these cells on tumour cell proliferation. Taken together, these results indicate that CTX enhanced the secretory activity of macrophages, which may contribute to the antitumour activity of these cells, and that activation of formyl peptide receptors appears to play a major role in this effect. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)PAPInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em ToxinasButantan Inst, Lab Pathophysiol, BR-05503900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Lab Inflammat & Vasc Pharmacol, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Med, BR-01246000 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Anat, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Physiol & Biophys, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilButantan Inst, Special Lab Pain & Signaling, BR-05503900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Lab Inflammat & Vasc Pharmacol, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 09/52330-9Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Toxinas: INCTTOX 2008/57898-0Web of Scienc

Walker 256 tumor growth suppression by crotoxin involves formyl peptide receptors and lipoxin a(4)

We investigated the effects of Crotoxin (CTX), the main toxin of South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) venom, on Walker 256 tumor growth, the pain symptoms associated (hyperalgesia and allodynia), and participation of endogenous lipoxin A(4). Treatment with CTX (s.c.), daily, for 5 days reduced tumor growth at the 5th day after injection of Walker 256 carcinoma cells into the plantar surface of adult rat hind paw. This observation was associated with inhibition of new blood vessel formation and decrease in blood vessel diameter. The treatment with CTX raised plasma concentrations of lipoxin A 4 and its natural analogue 15-epi-LXA(4) 4, an effect mediated by formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). In fact, the treatment with Boc-2, an inhibitor of FPRs, abolished the increase in plasma levels of these mediators triggered by CTX. The blockage of these receptors also abolished the inhibitory action of CTX on tumor growth and blood vessel formation and the decrease in blood vessel diameter. Together, the results herein presented demonstrate that CTX increases plasma concentrations of lipoxin A 4 and 15-epi-LXA 4, which might inhibit both tumor growth and formation of new vessels via FPRs.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (fellowship-CAPES)PAP (fellowship-Secretaria da Saude do Estado de Sao Paulo)FAPESP [07/52447-8]Guggenheim FoundationSpecial Laboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, Avenida Vital Brazil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, BrazilCEIS/Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Pathophysiology, Butantan Institute, Avenida Vital Brazil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, BrazilDepartment of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Education, Agricultural Sciences Center, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Anhanguera Km 174, 13600-970 Araras, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Inflammation and Vascular Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua São Nicolau 210, 09913-030 Diadema, SP, BrazilDepartment of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, BrazilDepartment of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1524, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Inflammation and Vascular Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua São Nicolau 210, 09913-030 Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 07/52447-8Web of Scienc

Structure–function relationships of the peptide Paulistine: A novel toxin from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista

AbstractBackgroundThe peptide Paulistine was isolated from the venom of wasp Polybia paulista. This peptide exists under a natural equilibrium between the forms: oxidised — with an intra-molecular disulphide bridge; and reduced — in which the thiol groups of the cysteine residues do not form the disulphide bridge. The biological activities of both forms of the peptide are unknown up to now.MethodsBoth forms of Paulistine were synthesised and the thiol groups of the reduced form were protected with the acetamidemethyl group [Acm-Paulistine] to prevent re-oxidation. The structure/activity relationships of the two forms were investigated, taking into account the importance of the disulphide bridge.ResultsPaulistine has a more compact structure, while Acm-Paulistine has a more expanded conformation. Bioassays reported that Paulistine caused hyperalgesia by interacting with the receptors of lipid mediators involved in the cyclooxygenase type II pathway, while Acm-Paullistine also caused hyperalgesia, but mediated by receptors involved in the participation of prostanoids in the cyclooxygenase type II pathway.ConclusionThe acetamidemethylation of the thiol groups of cysteine residues caused small structural changes, which in turn may have affected some physicochemical properties of the Paulistine. Thus, the dissociation of the hyperalgesy from the edematogenic effect when the actions of Paulistine and Acm-Paulistine are compared to each other may be resulting from the influence of the introduction of Acm-group in the structure of Paulistine.General significanceThe peptides Paulistine and Acm-Paulistine may be used as interesting tools to investigate the mechanisms of pain and inflammation in future studies

Bilateral downregulation of Nav1.8 in dorsal root ganglia of rats with bone cancer pain induced by inoculation with Walker 256 breast tumor cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rapid and effective treatment of cancer-induced bone pain remains a clinical challenge and patients with bone metastasis are more likely to experience severe pain. The voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.8 plays a critical role in many aspects of nociceptor function. Therefore, we characterized a rat model of cancer pain and investigated the potential role of Nav1.8.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult female Wistar rats were used for the study. Cancer pain was induced by inoculation of Walker 256 breast carcinosarcoma cells into the tibia. After surgery, mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and ambulation scores were evaluated to identify pain-related behavior. We used real-time RT-PCR to determine Nav1.8 mRNA expression in bilateral L4/L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) at 16-19 days after surgery. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to compare the expression and distribution of Nav1.8 in L4/L5 DRG between tumor-bearing and sham rats. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) against Nav1.8 were administered intrathecally at 14-16 days after surgery to knock down Nav1.8 protein expression and changes in pain-related behavior were observed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Tumor-bearing rats exhibited mechanical hyperalgesia and ambulatory-evoked pain from day 7 after inoculation of Walker 256 cells. In the advanced stage of cancer pain (days 16-19 after surgery), normalized Nav1.8 mRNA levels assessed by real-time RT-PCR were significantly lower in ipsilateral L4/L5 DRG of tumor-bearing rats compared with the sham group. Western-blot showed that the total expression of Nav1.8 protein significantly decreased bilaterally in DRG of tumor-bearing rats. Furthermore, as revealed by immunofluorescence, only the expression of Nav1.8 protein in small neurons down regulated significantly in bilateral DRG of cancer pain rats. After administration of antisense ODNs against Nav1.8, Nav1.8 protein expression decreased significantly and tumor-bearing rats showed alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia and ambulatory-evoked pain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that Nav1.8 plays a role in the development and maintenance of bone cancer pain.</p