Guard-hair microstructure of Brazilian felids: considerations for species identification

O exame da microestrutura da cutícula e medula dos pêlos é uma técnica simples e de baixo custo para identificar espécies de mamíferos para uma variedade de aplicações. Foram estudados pêlos-guarda de 66 indivíduos de oito espécies de felídeos brasileiros (Leopardus colocolo, L.geoffroyi, L.pardalis, L.tigrinus, L.wiedii, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, Puma yagouaroundi), através de amostras colhidas de animais anestesiados em zoológicos. A microestrutura dos pêlos-guarda foi analisada e descrita através de impressões cuticulares e preparações medulares, e posteriormente foi feito um teste cego para avaliar a acurácia da identificação específica. Embora tenham sido encontrados caracteres morfológicos distintos para cada espécie, a sutileza destes caracteres e sua sobreposição entre as diferentes espécies resultaram em uma acurácia relativamente baixa (75%). A identificação de pares ou trios de espécies cujos pêlos têm morfologia mais semelhante (Grupo A: L. pardalis, L. tigrinus, L. wiedii; Grupo B: L. colocolo, L. geoffroyi, P. yagouaroundi; Grupo C: P. concolor, P. onca) elevou a acurácia significativamente (91%). A identificação dos felídeos brasileiros através da microestrutura de seus pêlos é desafiadora e requer um exame cuidadoso de caracteres sutis, devendo ser apoiada por outras técnicas mais acuradas e/ou ser limitada principalmente às aplicações que não requerem identificação específica ou que trabalhem em escalas taxonômicas mais amplas.The analysis of cuticle and medulla hair microstructure is a simple and inexpensive technique to identify mammal species for a variety of applications. We studied the guard-hairs of 66 individuals of eight felid species occurring in Brazil (Leopardus colocolo, L.geoffroyi, L.pardalis, L.tigrinus, L.wiedii, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, Puma yagouaroundi), through hair samples collected from anesthetized zoo animals. The microstructure of the guard-hairs was analyzed and described through cuticle impressions and medulla preparations; a blind test was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of species identification. Although distinctive morphological characters could be identified for each species, the subtlety of these characters and the overlap of features among species resulted in a relatively poor accuracy (75%). The identification of pairs or trios of species whose hair has similar morphologies (Group A: L. pardalis, L. tigrinus, L. wiedii; Group B: L. colocolo, L. geoffroyi, P. yagouaroundi; Group C: P. concolor, P. onca) significantly improved accuracy (91%). The identification of Brazilian felids through the microstructure of their hair is challenging and requires careful examination of subtle features, and should be complemented by more accurate techniques and/or be limited mostly to applications where high accuracy is not essential or where a broader taxonomic scale is being evaluated

Evidências de validade da versão brasileira do questionário das cinco facetas de mindfulness (FFMQ-BR)

In order to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the FFMQ, 395 participants divided into smokers, people from the general population, college students, and meditators answered the FFMQ and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS). An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted and the reliability was assessed. The FFMQ-BR consists of seven factors and all of them showed good internal consistency. Evidence of the construct and criterion validity was obtained by a significant correlation between the FFMQ-BR scores and well-being and by a significant difference between the scores of the meditators and the other participants on the FFMQ-BR. This study may help in providing subsidies to the progress of research in the topic by examining the empirical relationships between Mindfulness and mental health.Com o objetivo de avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do FFMQ, 395 participantes divididos entre tabagistas, comunidade geral, universitários e meditadores responderam ao FFMQ e à Escala de Bem-Estar Subjetivo (EBES). Foi realizada uma Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE) e a avaliação da fidedignidade. O FFMQ-BR foi composto por sete facetas e todas obtiveram valores adequados de consistência interna. Comprovou-se a validade de construto e de critério através da correlação entre os escores do FFMQ-BR e a EBES e da diferença entre os escores dos meditadores e dos demais participantes no FFMQ-BR, respectivamente. Estes resultados podem fornecer subsídios para o avanço das pesquisas nessa área através da avaliação enpírica de relações entre mindfulness e saúde mental.Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Vaginal cytology for estrus detection in ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

Utilizou-se a citologia vaginal por meio de diferentes métodos de coloração para detecção de cio em jaguatirica, Leopardus pardalis, pela estimulação hormonal exógena e pela avaliação das estruturas ovarianas por videolaparoscopia. Cinco fêmeas foram tratadas com eCG/hCG e FSH/LH a cada quatro meses pelo período de dois anos. Videolaparoscopia foi realizada após cada tratamento utilizando-se cetamina-xilazina e isoflurano. Esfregaços vaginais foram obtidos 15 dias antes e após a videolaparoscopia. As lâminas foram analisadas ao microscópio de luz quanto aos tipos celulares predominantes. Todos os animais apresentaram folículos maduros (>2mm) e corpos lúteos recentes em todas as intervenções. Não houve diferença significativa entre os resultados obtidos na mesma coloração de acordo com os tratamentos utilizados. Todas as técnicas mostraram-se eficientes na detecção de células superficiais queratinizadas anucleadas e nucleadas, intermediárias, parabasais e basais. Foi possível determinar a fase de estro em Leopardus pardalis por meio da citologia vaginalVaginal cytology was evaluated for estrus detection using different stains after hormonal stimulation with exogenous gonadotrophin (eCG/hCG, FSH/LH) and videolaparoscopy for ovarian structure evaluation. Five L. pardalis were treated four times during two years. After each treatment, videolaparoscopy was performed using Ketamine-Xylazine and Isoflurane. Vaginal cytology was made 15 days before and after videolaparoscopy. Three stains were used: Diff Quick, Papanicolaou, and Shorr. The slides were analyzed for the typical cell predominance. All the animals showed mature follicles (>2mm) and recent corpus luteum in all procedures. No significative difference was observed between the results in the same stain according to the treatment eCG/hCG and FSH/LH. All stains were efficient in detection of nucleated and anuclear superficial keratinized cells; intermediated, parabasal, and basal cells. Vaginal cytology can be used for estrus detection in Leopardus pardalisFAPES

Auxiliando uma aluna surda na compreensão da multiplicação

O objetivo deste trabalho é partilhar uma atividade de aula de Matemática, relatando a experiência de uma graduanda em Matemática, que atuou como professora auxiliar numa escola pública, da rede estadual de São Paulo em 2013. O trabalho busca apresentar alguns estudos sobre inclusão e - em particular - a inclusão de surdos e o papel do intérprete nesse processo. Nessa empreitada, descrevemos a experiência desenvolvida com uma aluna surda, matriculada no 1.º ano do ensino médio, visando auxiliá-la na compreensão da multiplicação, operação que só era realizada mecanicamente Consideramos que o trabalho contribuiu para que a aluna conseguisse realizar a operação de multiplicação com mais autonomia e que o processo aproximou a academia e a escola, permitindo vivenciar teoria/práxis e a produção de conhecimentos para a prática, na prática, em que os saberes da profissão docente podem ser efetivamente compreendidos ou ressignificados e ganharem sentido.

Health-related quality of life and leisure physical activity during pregnancy

The practice of physical activity during pregnancy plays an important role related to improvement how women perceive their health status. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived quality of life during pregnancy and the practice of physical activity during leisure time. It is a cross-sectional study of 187 postpartum women. A retrospective questionnaire was administered to obtain information regarding pregnancy, being evaluated the pattern of physical activity and health status. To evaluate the aspects related to quality of life we used the SF-12 questionnaire. The statistical analysis were t-test, chi-square and multiple linear regression analysis. From the results it was observed that mothers who were active during pregnancy considered their good or excellent health compared do non active (p=0.005, 35.9% and 15.5% respectively). Active women had higher mental component when compared to those who did not practice (p=0.035). There was a relationship between mental component with the private health service, income, education level, disease and presence of a partner. The physical component was related to maternal age, low birth weight, obesity, and smoking during pregnancy. Despite univariate analysis showed a positive association between physical activity during leisure time and the mental component of quality of life related to health, this association lost significance when included age and care health sectors. Longitudinal studies should be developed to measure effects of physical activity in quality of life

Pediatric ICU: the meaning of taking care in the mother's perspective

Objective: To understand the significance of maternal involvement in the care of hospitalized children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Method: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected in October 2013, through semi-structured interviews with eight mothers. The reports were submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: Presented in four categories: "Recognition of maternal function"; "Care as a resource for coping"; "Learning to take care occurs observing and caring" and "Role of nursing staff". Conclusion: It is essential practitioners to be sensitive before the needs of mothers, resulting in hospitalization of children process, reinforce the positive aspects of their stay in healthcare settings, and at the same time, intervene on the negatives, thus providing a comprehensive, humane and qualified care to the binomial in the hospital environment

mGlu1 Receptors Monopolize the Synaptic Control of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells by Epigenetically Down-Regulating mGlu5 Receptors

In cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) type-1 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu1) receptors play a key role in motor learning and drive the refinement of synaptic innervation during postnatal development. The cognate mGlu5 receptor is absent in mature PCs and shows low expression levels in the adult cerebellar cortex. Here we found that mGlu5 receptors were heavily expressed by PCs in the early postnatal life, when mGlu1α receptors were barely detectable. The developmental decline of mGlu5 receptors coincided with the appearance of mGlu1α receptors in PCs, and both processes were associated with specular changes in CpG methylation in the corresponding gene promoters. It was the mGlu1 receptor that drove the elimination of mGlu5 receptors from PCs, as shown by data obtained with conditional mGlu1α receptor knockout mice and with targeted pharmacological treatments during critical developmental time windows. The suppressing activity of mGlu1 receptors on mGlu5 receptor was maintained in mature PCs, suggesting that expression of mGlu1α and mGlu5 receptors is mutually exclusive in PCs. These findings add complexity to the the finely tuned mechanisms that regulate PC biology during development and in the adult life and lay the groundwork for an in-depth analysis of the role played by mGlu5 receptors in PC maturation

PROGRAMAÇÃO DE ENSINO NA ARTICULAÇÃO ENTRE TEORIA E PRÁTICA: EXPERIÊNCIA DE UMA DISCIPLINA DE GESTÃO DE QUALIDADE

This study aims to report the experience of using an instructional design focusing on the relationship between theory and practice and its effects on students' learning of a Quality Management discipline from an Environmental Engineering course. The procedure involved the systematization of programming learning from the specific description of the behavioral objectives expected of the students and the different arrangement of education and monitoring strategies for teaching. The effects of the intervention were evaluated considering the implementation of programming learning and its effects on the performance of students in performing each activity group. As a result, it was found that the program was implemented as planned and expected behaviors of students were observed in the classroom and in the application of knowledge in a real context and congruent to a productive environment. It was also allowed to the teacher to assess progressively the student learning, as well as providing students organize the study itself. Future studies could evaluate the impact of interventions of nature in other areas and in more detail, if applicable.O presente trabalho tem por objetivo relatar a experiência no uso de uma programação de ensino com enfoque na relação entre teoria e prática e seus efeitos sobre a aprendizagem dos alunos de uma disciplina de Gestão de Qualidade de um curso de Engenharia Ambiental. O procedimento envolveu a sistematização da programação de ensino a partir da descrição específica dos objetivos comportamentais esperados dos alunos e do arranjo diferenciado das estratégias de ensino e de acompanhamento, pela docente. Os efeitos da intervenção foram avaliados considerando-se a execução da programação de ensino e os seus efeitos sobre o desempenho dos alunos na realização de cada grupo de atividades. Como resultado, verificou-se que o programa foi executado como planejado e os comportamentos esperados dos alunos foram observados em sala de aula e na aplicação do conhecimento em contexto real e congruente a um ambiente produtivo. Também, possibilitou à docente avaliar, progressivamente, o aprendizado discente, além de propiciar que os alunos organizassem o próprio estudo. Futuros trabalhos poderiam avaliar o impacto de intervenções dessa natureza com maior rigor experimental

Evaluation of mandibular range of motion in Brazilian children and its correlation to age, height, weight, and gender

This study aimed to measure the active mandibular range of motion (ROM) (mouth opening: MO; right and left lateral movements: RL and LL; protrusion: P) in Brazilian children of both genders and of various ages, weights, and heights, and to establish correlations among such variables. Study subjects (n = 303) were healthy boys and girls, with ages ranging between 6 and 14 years, who were regular students of a public school in the state of São Paulo. Analysis of variance and intra-class correlation coefficients were considered significant for p < 0.05. Weak significant correlations were observed between mandibular ROM and age, height, and weight. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed regarding mandibular ROM between gender groups. Mean mandibular ROM values showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in relation to age, height, and weight, except for RL (p > 0.05), in the studied age range. Significantly smaller (p < 0.05) mean mandibular ROM values were observed for the intervals of 6 and 7 years of age, 1.15-1.35 m, and 17.30-26.50 kg, in relation to the other ranges. Nonetheless, no differences were observed among mean mandibular ROM values in the ranges 8 to 12-14 years, 1.36-1.75 m, and 47-85 kg. Thus, it is suggested that weight, height, and age variables be considered when obtaining mandibular ROM values, particularly in children aged 6 to 7 years, measuring 1.15-1.35 m, and weighing between 17.3-46.5 kg