Studies of Copaifera luetzelburgii Harms in reproductive pharmacology: In vivo and in vitro approaches

The objective of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic and anti-estrogenic actions, as well as the reproductive and foetal toxicity, of the ethanol extract from Copaifera luetzelburgii (EEtOH-Cl). In the experiment of (anti) estrogenicity, nulliparous Wistar rats were treated for 3 days with EEtOH-Cl (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg); estradiol (E, 5 μg/kg); E + EEtOH-Cl; tamoxifen (T, 4mg/kg). This extract presented estrogenic activity by increasing the relative weight (%) of the uterus of rats treated at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg (0.267 ± 0.016*, 0.231 ± 0.014*, 0.242 ± 0.015*), and it showed anti-estrogenic activity when associated with estradiol (0.116 ± 0.006*, 0.103 ± 0.06*, 0.098 ± 0.05*), respectively. For assessment of toxicity in pregnancy, the animals were divided into two groups and treated daily with EEtOH-Cl. In the first group, the effect of the extract on the development of pregnancy from first to seventh day was observed, and in the second group, from 8 to 21 days, there was no change of these parameters or the viability of the progeny when the study assessed reproductive and foetal toxicity; however, there was shortening of pregnancy (125 mg/kg) without affecting the progeny. In the in vitro study, uterine strips of pregnant (P) and non-pregnant (NP) females were used. In both groups, half received EEtOH-Cl (vo) for 13 days (treated females - T), and the other half received EEtOH-Cl directly to the isolated organ bath system (untreated - NT). In vitro study on the uterus of pregnant animals pretreated with doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg showed that there was inhibition of KCl 80-induced phasic contractions (0.490 ± 0.110, 0.540 ± 0.092), respectively. Also, the contractions induced by oxytocin were inhibited at a dose of 500 mg/kg (0.380 ± 0.109). In non-pregnant, non-treated females, the extract at a concentration of 125 μg/mL (0.180 ± 0.062) also inhibited the contractions induced by oxytocin. Thus, EEtOH-Cl demonstrated estrogenic activity, but when combined with estradiol, it demonstrated anti-estrogenic activity. It did not induce toxicity in the progenitors or in the progeny, and it inhibited isometric contractions induced by oxytocin and KCl 80 mM in pregnant and non-pregnant rats.Keywords: Copaifera luetzelburgii, (anti-)estrogenicity, reproductive toxicity, phasic contractionsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(24), pp. 3864-387

Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Annual Pollen Index Recorded by Sites Belonging to the Portuguese Aerobiology Network

This study presents the findings of a 10-year survey carried out by the Portuguese Aerobiology Network (RPA) at seven pollen-monitoring stations: five mainland stations (Oporto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Évora and Portimão) and two insular stations [Funchal (Madeira archipelago) and Ponta Delgada (Azores archipelago)]. The main aim of the study was to examine spatial and temporal variations in the Annual Pollen Index (API) with particular focus on the most frequently recorded pollen types. Pollen monitoring (2003–2012) was carried out using Hirst-type volumetric spore traps, following the minimum recommendations proposed by the European Aerobiology Society Working Group on Quality Control. Daily pollen data were examined for similarities using the Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric test and multivariate regression trees. Simple linear regression analysis was used to describe trends in API. The airborne pollen spectrum at RPA stations is dominated by important allergenic pollen types such as Poaceae, Olea and Urticaceae. Statistically significant differences were witnessed in the API recorded at the seven stations. Mean API is higher in the southern mainland cities, e.g. Évora, Lisbon and Portimão, and lower in insular and littoral cities. There were also a number of significant trends in API during the 10-year study. This report identifies spatial and temporal variations in the amount of airborne pollen recorded annually in the Portuguese territory. There were also a number of significant changes in API, but no general increases in the amount of airborne pollen

A atuação fonoaudiológica no acompanhamento integral da pessoa com deficiência visual: um relato de caso

Resumo:A Fonoaudiologia enquanto ciência visa estudar e favorecer a comunicação do sujeito com seus grupos sociais, entre eles: a família. Considera-se fundamental a participação do fonoaudiólogo na equipe terapêutica que atua na deficiência visual. Sendo assim, o trabalho integrado entre profissionais e família se torna de grande relevância teórica e prática para a reabilitação. Objetivou-se realizar intervenção grupal junto aos familiares a fim de promover conhecimento sobre deficiência visual, viabilizar e qualificar sua conduta no processo de inclusão. O estudo foi realizado em um serviço de reabilitação universitário. Obteve-se aprovação do Comitê de ética e os participantes assinaram o TCLE. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevista inicial e final, além de intervenção grupal com a família e grupo focal com os adolescentes. A entrevista inicial subsidiou a seleção dos temas para os encontros grupais. Este trabalho relata o caso de um familiar que implantou mudanças em sua casa, levando as informações dos grupos de intervenção a toda família. Os resultados destacam a importância do trabalho com a família para que ela ofereça suporte ao filho a fim de favorecer seu desenvolvimento escolar e efetiva inclusão. Evidenciou-se a importância do trabalho da Fonoaudiologia como mediador desse processo, valorizando a comunicação e a participação da família na educação e reabilitação da pessoa com deficiência visual. Portanto, a intervenção grupal viabilizou e qualificou a conduta dos familiares, sendo possível notar mudanças na percepção e atitudes da família em relação às reais necessidades e possibilidades do filho com deficiência visual

Evaluation in health: participatory methodology and involvement of municipal managers

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze scopes and limits of the use of participatory methodology of evaluation with municipal health managers and administrators. METHODS Qualitative research with health policymakers and managers of the Comissão Intergestores Regional (CIR – Regional Interagency Commission) of a health region of the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil. Representatives from seven member cities participated in seven workshops facilitated by the researchers, with the aim of assessing a specific problem of the care line, which would be used as a tracer of the system integrality. The analysis of the collected empirical material was based on the hermeneutic-dialectic methodology and aimed at the evaluation of the applied participatory methodology, according to its capacity of promoting a process of assessment capable to be used as a support for municipal management. RESULTS With the participatory approach of evaluation, we were able to promote in-depth discussions with the group, especially related to the construction of integral care and to the inclusion of the user’s perspective in decision-making, linked to the search for solution to concrete problems of managers. By joint exploration, the possibility of using data from electronic information systems was opened, as well as information coming directly from the users of the services, to enhance discussions and negotiations between partners. The participants were disbelievers of the replication potential of this type of evaluation without the direct monitoring of the academy, given the difficulty of organizing the process in everyday life, already taken by emergency and political issues. CONCLUSIONS Evaluations of programs and services carried out within the Regional Interagency Commission, starting from the local interest and facilitating the involvement of its members by the use of participatory methodologies, can contribute to the construction of integral care. To the extent that the act of evaluating stay invested with greater significance to the local actors, its involvement with the evaluations at the federal level can also be stimulated

Formação do eu professor na abordagem Walloniana*

RESUMO Objetivos Analisar como o professor percebe a construção de seu Eu Professor na perspectiva de Wallon e conhecer como vivencia seu cotidiano na escola na condição de ser o si mesmo e o outro. Método Estudo qualitativo que contou com 13 participantes atuantes no Curso Bacharelado em Enfermagem. A coleta de dados foi realizada em 2013, por meio de entrevistas submetidas à análise temática. Resultados Emergiram três categorias: Construção do Eu Professor; Viver o cotidiano apoiado em si mesmo e no outro; e Componentes da construção do Eu Professor, com destaque para a conscientização e valorização de si mesmo e do outro, edificando a construção do Eu Professor. Conclusão Os professores percorreram uma trajetória na qual permitiu reconhecer o si mesmo em diferentes movimentos da internalização do Eu