Entre permanecer en el jardín y el primerito: sentidos y prácticas de la educación infantil

En este artículo presentamos los avances que venimos realizando en el marco de una investigación colectiva que aborda los nuevos “usos” de la diversidad, centralmente en espacios escolares. Basándonos en el trabajo de campo en una institución de Nivel Inicial de la zona sur de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y partiendo de un enfoque socioantropológico/etnográfco analizamos, por un lado, los sentidos entorno de lo que docentes y directivos de la institución bajo estudio -refriéndose al pasaje de los niños del nivel Inicial a la Primaria- denominan “articulación”, “permanencia” y “primerito”. Por otro lado, documentamos las prácticas que se despliegan intentando dirimir tensiones que en ciertos casos presenta el “permanecer” o el pasar de nivel. Sosteniendo como hipótesis que la obligatoriedad de la sala de cinco años genera un fuerte movimiento que afecta la estructuración del trabajo docente e impacta en la vida cotidiana de los jardines, analizamos cómo esta obligatoriedad dispuesta y una resolución del Consejo Federal de Educación se insertan en la trama institucional particular, desde la cual se las procesa. Complementariamente, sostenemos que las prácticas de los sujetos no son respuestas mecánicas a sentidos construidos con anterioridad ni van necesariamente en línea con la intencionalidad de las políticas sino que están contextuadas, atravesadas por huellas del pasado y pueden expresar, además, nuevos “usos” de la diversidad.In this paper we present the advances of a collective research that is focused on the new “uses” of diversity, centrally in school spaces. Te feld work takes place in an institution of Initial Level of the south area of Buenos Aires City and is done from an socio-anthropological/ethnographic approach. We analyze the senses constructed by teachers and Head teachers that refer to the passage of the children of the Initial Level to Primary School, called by them “articulación”, “permanencia” y “primerito”. Along this line, we documented the practices trying to resolve tensions unfold that in certain cases and disposes the stay or the move to the next Level. Holding the hypothesis that the obligatoriness school, for fve years old children, generated a strong movement that afects the structuring of the teaching work and has correlate in the daily life of kindergarten; we analyze how this obligatoriness and the resolution of the Consejo Federal de Educación are inserted into the particular institutional framework. According to this, we proposed that the practices deployed on everyday life are not mechanistic responses to senses built before, or necessarily in line with the intent of policies. Tey are situated, contextualized and defned by traces of the past, expressing, in addition, new “uses” of diversity.Fil: Sinisi, Liliana Dora. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofia y Letras. Departamento de Ciencias Antropologicas; ArgentinaFil: Petrelli, Lucia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofia y Letras. Departamento de Ciencias Antropologicas; Argentin

A materialidade dos jardins de infância como produtora de experiências: Utilização da diversidade e relações de desigualdade

Este artículo presenta resultados preliminares de una investigación socioantropológica realizada en escuelas de nivel inicial de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Pone el foco en los usos de la diversidad sociocultural/desigualdad y su vinculación con la materialidad en que transcurre la vida cotidiana de las instituciones en las que realizamos el trabajo de campo. Se describe analíticamente una situación social —la visita de un funcionario a uno de los jardines de infantes bajo estudio— en la que los actores institucionales tematizan y producen los espacios en que desarrollan sus prácticas, al disputar sus lugares y poner en tensión las relaciones de diversidad/desigualdad características de sus interacciones. Posteriormente, a partir de la consideración de un distrito escolar en toda su extensión, se analizan las características de la “oferta educativa” del nivel inicial, la incorporación de teléfonos celulares en el ámbito de los jardines como modo de sostener la tarea docente, y los inicios de la informatización en la inscripción escolar. A partir de estas cuestiones, se va iluminando la historia reciente del nivel inicial en la Argentina, así como aspectos de las experiencias de sus docentes. El artículo sostiene que el abordaje de la materialidad constituye un indicio del procesamiento actual de relaciones de diversidad/desigualdad.This article presents preliminary results of socio-anthropological research that took place in Early Education schools of the City of Buenos Aires. It focuses on the uses of sociocultural diversity and unequal relationships and their articulation with the materiality of everyday life conditions of the institutions in which fieldwork took place. It includes the analytical description of a social situation —the visit of an officer of the Ministry of Education to one of these Initial Schools in which research was carried on. This descriptions show the ways in which the different institutional subjects —teachers, parents, school directors, the staff member— refer to and produce the spaces in which their practices take place, and simultaneously, struggle for their places and put under strain their diverse and unequal relationships. Afterwards, taking into account the Initial Education schools of a whole Educational District of the City, we analyze the features of the “educational offer” for Initial Schooling, the incorporation of devices as cell phones to everyday educational work of the kindergartens, as an aide to the teacher’s work, and the beginnings of the online school enrolment. These issues permit us to highlight the recent history of Argentina´s Initial Level teaching. The article accounts that materiality, as the ethnographic descriptions evidence, permits to understand how, nowadays, relations of diversity and inequality come together.Neste artigo abordaremos os resultados preliminares de uma investigação socioantropológica desenvolvida em escolas de educação infantil da Cidade de Buenos Aires, Argentina. O estudo põe atenção nos usos da diversidade sociocultural em situações caracterizadas pela desigualdade, e focalizará a sua vinculação com a materialidade própria da cotidianidade das escolas estudadas. O artigo descreve, em termos analíticos, uma situação social —um funcionário visita um desses jardins de infância pesquisado— no qual os atores institucionais —professores, pães, equipes de condução, funcionários— tematizam e produzem os espaços em que tem lugar as suas práticas. Depois, considerando a totalidade de um Distrito Escolar da Cidade, o artigo analisa as características da “oferta educativa” do Nível Inicial, e a utilização de dispositivos como os telefones celulares pessoais no desenvolvimento do trabalho docente, assim como os começos da implementação da inscrição on-line dos alunos. Por último, se argumenta que a materialidade constitui um indício das relações entre diversidade e desigualdade tal como ocorrem na atualidade.Fil: Petrelli, Lucia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Ciencias Antropológicas. Sección de Antropología Social; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Neufeld, Maria Rosa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Ciencias Antropológicas. Sección de Antropología Social; Argentin

A materialidade dos jardins de infância como produtora de experiências: Utilização da diversidade e relações de desigualdade

Este artículo presenta resultados preliminares de una investigación socioantropológica realizada en escuelas de nivel inicial de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Pone el foco en los usos de la diversidad sociocultural/desigualdad y su vinculación con la materialidad en que transcurre la vida cotidiana de las instituciones en las que realizamos el trabajo de campo. Se describe analíticamente una situación social —la visita de un funcionario a uno de los jardines de infantes bajo estudio— en la que los actores institucionales tematizan y producen los espacios en que desarrollan sus prácticas, al disputar sus lugares y poner en tensión las relaciones de diversidad/desigualdad características de sus interacciones. Posteriormente, a partir de la consideración de un distrito escolar en toda su extensión, se analizan las características de la “oferta educativa” del nivel inicial, la incorporación de teléfonos celulares en el ámbito de los jardines como modo de sostener la tarea docente, y los inicios de la informatización en la inscripción escolar. A partir de estas cuestiones, se va iluminando la historia reciente del nivel inicial en la Argentina, así como aspectos de las experiencias de sus docentes. El artículo sostiene que el abordaje de la materialidad constituye un indicio del procesamiento actual de relaciones de diversidad/desigualdad.This article presents preliminary results of socio-anthropological research that took place in Early Education schools of the City of Buenos Aires. It focuses on the uses of sociocultural diversity and unequal relationships and their articulation with the materiality of everyday life conditions of the institutions in which fieldwork took place. It includes the analytical description of a social situation —the visit of an officer of the Ministry of Education to one of these Initial Schools in which research was carried on. This descriptions show the ways in which the different institutional subjects —teachers, parents, school directors, the staff member— refer to and produce the spaces in which their practices take place, and simultaneously, struggle for their places and put under strain their diverse and unequal relationships. Afterwards, taking into account the Initial Education schools of a whole Educational District of the City, we analyze the features of the “educational offer” for Initial Schooling, the incorporation of devices as cell phones to everyday educational work of the kindergartens, as an aide to the teacher’s work, and the beginnings of the online school enrolment. These issues permit us to highlight the recent history of Argentina´s Initial Level teaching. The article accounts that materiality, as the ethnographic descriptions evidence, permits to understand how, nowadays, relations of diversity and inequality come together.Neste artigo abordaremos os resultados preliminares de uma investigação socioantropológica desenvolvida em escolas de educação infantil da Cidade de Buenos Aires, Argentina. O estudo põe atenção nos usos da diversidade sociocultural em situações caracterizadas pela desigualdade, e focalizará a sua vinculação com a materialidade própria da cotidianidade das escolas estudadas. O artigo descreve, em termos analíticos, uma situação social —um funcionário visita um desses jardins de infância pesquisado— no qual os atores institucionais —professores, pães, equipes de condução, funcionários— tematizam e produzem os espaços em que tem lugar as suas práticas. Depois, considerando a totalidade de um Distrito Escolar da Cidade, o artigo analisa as características da “oferta educativa” do Nível Inicial, e a utilização de dispositivos como os telefones celulares pessoais no desenvolvimento do trabalho docente, assim como os começos da implementação da inscrição on-line dos alunos. Por último, se argumenta que a materialidade constitui um indício das relações entre diversidade e desigualdade tal como ocorrem na atualidade.Fil: Petrelli, Lucia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Ciencias Antropológicas. Sección de Antropología Social; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Neufeld, Maria Rosa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Ciencias Antropológicas. Sección de Antropología Social; Argentin

Endothelin-1 Drives Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition In Hypertensive Nephroangiosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the final outcome of most kidney diseases, involves activation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) activates EMT in cancer cells, but it is not known whether it drives EMT in the kidney. We therefore tested the hypothesis that tubulointerstitial fibrosis involves EMT driven by ET‐1. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transgenic TG[mRen2]27 (TGRen2) rats developing fulminant angiotensin II–dependent hypertension with prominent cardiovascular and renal damage were submitted to drug treatments targeted to ET‐1 and/or angiotensin II receptor or left untreated (controls). Expressional changes of E‐cadherin and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were examined as markers of renal EMT. In human kidney HK‐2 proximal tubular cells expressing the ET(B) receptor subtype, the effects of ET‐1 with or without ET‐1 antagonists were also investigated. The occurrence of renal fibrosis was associated with EMT in control TGRen2 rats, as evidenced by decreased E‐cadherin and increased αSMA expression. Irbesartan and the mixed ET‐1 receptor antagonist bosentan prevented these changes in a blood pressure–independent fashion (P < 0.001 for both versus controls). In HK‐2 cells ET‐1 blunted E‐cadherin expression, increased αSMA expression (both P < 0.01), collagen synthesis, and metalloproteinase activity (P < 0.005, all versus untreated cells). All changes were prevented by the selective ET(B) receptor antagonist BQ‐788. Evidence for involvement of the Rho‐kinase signaling pathway and dephosphorylation of Yes‐associated protein in EMT was also found. CONCLUSIONS: In angiotensin II–dependent hypertension, ET‐1 acting via ET(B) receptors and the Rho‐kinase and Yes‐associated protein induces EMT and thereby renal fibrosis

Fetal Fascial Reinforcement Development: From “a White Tablet” to a Sculpted Precise Organization by Movement

Simple Summary Nowadays, the number of studies concerning fasciae is increasing, but few studies focus on fetal fasciae development and there is no study on the retinacula. The latter are fascial reinforcements with a crucial role in proprioception and coordination. We aimed to identify their structural organization by qualitative and quantitative assessments, to establish their role in myofascial development, highlighting their appearance and organization. Our data strongly suggest that the movement models the fascial reinforcements, structuring the fascial system, particularly at the end of the pregnancy. Fasciae have received much attention in recent years due to their important role in proprioception and muscular force transmission, but few studies have focused on fetal fasciae development and there is no study on the retinacula. The latter are fascial reinforcements that play a key role in proprioception and motor coordination. Furthermore, it is still unclear if they are genetically determined or if they are defined by movements, and if they are present during gestation or if they appear only later in the childhood. We aim to identify their structural organization by qualitative and quantitative assessments to establish their role the myofascial development, highlighting their appearance and organization. Samples from the wrist retinacula, posterior forearm, ankle retinacula, anterior leg, iliotibial tract and anterior thigh of six fetus body donors (from 24th to 40th week of gestation) and histological sections were obtained and a gross anatomy dissection was performed. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe their overall structure and measure their thicknesses. Using Weigert Van Gieson, Alcian blue and immunostaining to detect Hyaluronic Acid Binding Protein (HABP), Collagens I and III (Col I and III) were realized to assess the presence of elastic fibers and hyaluronan. This study confirms that the deep fasciae initially do not have organized layers and it is not possible to highlight any reinforcement. The fascial development is different according to the various area: while the deep fascia and the iliotibial tract is already evident by the 27th week, the retinacula begin to be defined only at the end of pregnancy, and their complete maturation will probably be reached only after birth. These findings suggest that the movement models the retinacula, structuring the fascial system, in particular at the end of pregnancy and in the first months of life. The fasciae can be imagined, initially, as white tablets composed of few elastic fibers, abundant collagens and HA, on which various forces, u movements, loads and gravity, write their history

Urotensin II Exerts Pressor Effects by Stimulating Renin and Aldosterone Synthase Gene Expression

Abstract We investigated the in vivo pressor effects of the potent vasoconstrictor Urotensin II (UII). We randomized normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats into 4 groups that received a 7-day UII infusion (cases) or vehicle (controls). Group 1 received normal sodium intake; Group 2 underwent unilateral nephrectomy and salt loading; Group 3 received spironolactone, besides unilateral nephrectomy and salt loading; Group 4 only received spironolactone. UII raised BP transiently after a lag phase of 12-36 hours in Group 1, and progressively over the week in Group 2. Spironolactone did not affect blood pressure, but abolished both pressor effects of UII in Group 3, and left blood pressure unaffected in Group 4. UII increased by 7-fold the renal expression of renin in Group 2, increased aldosterone synthase expression in the adrenocortical zona glomerulosa, and prevented the blunting of renin expression induced by high salt. UII raises BP transiently when sodium intake and renal function are normal, but progressively in salt-loaded uninephrectomized rats. Moreover, it increases aldosterone synthase and counteracts the suppression of renin induced by salt loading. This novel action of UII in the regulation of renin and aldosterone synthesis could play a role in several clinical conditions where UII levels are up-regulated

Fasciacytes: specialized fibroblast-like cells that secrete the hyaluronan-rich matrix in fascial tissue

The presence of hyaluronan (HA) in samples of fascia lata were determined in eight volunteers undergoing elective surgical procedures at the Orthopedic Clinic of Padova University. The methods used were: Alcian Blue staining with differential concentrations of the electrolyte MgCl2, immunohistochemistry with anti-HABP (HA-binding protein) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In additional biochemical studies, we extracted and quantified HA in fascial tissue using an HA assay (Biocolor). The results demonstrated the rich presence of HA within fascia. HA forms thin layers throughout the various fascial fibrous layers. The quantification assay documented a mean value of 40 µg HA/g in fascia. Histological and TEM analyses demonstrated the presence of two different types of stromal cells within fasciae: apparent fibroblasts and some modified fibroblast-like cells with specialized functions of HA synthesis and secretion. We termed these cells “fasciacytes”. They may represent a new class of cells not previously recognized. This study confirmed that copious levels of HA occur within fascia, and provide quantification for the first time. In future studies, it will be important to compare these results in tissue from patients with myofascial pain and with rheumatic diseases

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) modulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which contributes to kidney tubulo-interstitial fibrosis in angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

The origin of myofibroblasts remains uncertain, but studies suggest that the epithelial cells may acquire a fibroblast-like phenotype via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Objective of the study was to investigate whether EMT may contribute to the development of kidney fibrosis in a model of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension and to identify the role of ET-1 via ETA/ETB receptors. Transgenic rats TGRen2 (n=35) received for 4 weeks one of the following treatments a) irbesartan, b) bosentan, non selective ETA /ETB receptor antagonist, c) BMS-182874, selective ETA,antagonist, d) BMS+irbesartan, e) placebo. EMT was assessed by investigating coexpression of a marker of epithelial cell (E-cadherin) and one of myofibroblast (S100A4 or alfa-SMA) with double immunofluorescence. Specific immunoreactivity was measured using QWinStandard Leica ImageTMsoftware. A reduction in blood pressure was found only with irbesartan, whereas both bosentan and irbesartan significantly lowered tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. Coexpression of E-cadherin and S100A4, or E-cadherin and alfa-SMA, markedly decreased in the tubular cells of TGRen2 treated with irbesartan or bosentan. Alfa-SMA expression decreased after irbesartan, bosentan and BMS+irbesartan, but not after BMS. S100A4 expression was reduced after irbesartan, bosentan and BMS+irbesartan. E-cadherin increased only after irbesartan. Coexpression of the markers of myofibroblasts and kidney epithelial cells, by demonstrating the development of EMT during the onset of kidney hypertension-induced damage, suggests a crucial role of EMT in the pathogenesis of Ang II-mediated fibrosis. The reduction of myofibroblast markers not only after irbesartan, but also after blockade of ETA/ETB receptors, suggests an involvement of ET-1 in the development of Ang II-mediated EMT

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) modulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which contributes to kidney tubulo-interstitial fibrosis in angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

The origin of myofibroblasts remains uncertain, but studies suggest that the epithelial cells may acquire a fibroblast-like phenotype via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Objective of the study was to investigate whether EMT may contribute to the development of kidney fibrosis in a model of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension and to identify the role of ET-1 via ETA/ETB receptors. Transgenic rats TGRen2 (n=35) received for 4 weeks one of the following treatments a) irbesartan, b) bosentan, non selective ETA /ETB receptor antagonist, c) BMS-182874, selective ETA,antagonist, d) BMS+irbesartan, e) placebo. EMT was assessed by investigating coexpression of a marker of epithelial cell (E-cadherin) and one of myofibroblast (S100A4 or alfa-SMA) with double immunofluorescence. Specific immunoreactivity was measured using QWinStandard Leica ImageTMsoftware. A reduction in blood pressure was found only with irbesartan, whereas both bosentan and irbesartan significantly lowered tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. Coexpression of E-cadherin and S100A4, or E-cadherin and alfa-SMA, markedly decreased in the tubular cells of TGRen2 treated with irbesartan or bosentan. Alfa-SMA expression decreased after irbesartan, bosentan and BMS+irbesartan, but not after BMS. S100A4 expression was reduced after irbesartan, bosentan and BMS+irbesartan. E-cadherin increased only after irbesartan. Coexpression of the markers of myofibroblasts and kidney epithelial cells, by demonstrating the development of EMT during the onset of kidney hypertension-induced damage, suggests a crucial role of EMT in the pathogenesis of Ang II-mediated fibrosis. The reduction of myofibroblast markers not only after irbesartan, but also after blockade of ETA/ETB receptors, suggests an involvement of ET-1 in the development of Ang II-mediated EMT

Brainstem lesions in permanent vegetative state

Vegetative state has mainly been associated with widespread damage of cortex, white matter and/or thalamus, whereas brainstem findings are usually absent or include focal, slight and non-haemorrhagic lesions. Functional integrity of the brainstem is considered to be necessary for preservation of sleep/wake cycle (arousal and wakefulness), particularly midline structures of the upper pons and midbrain. Awareness, instead, mainly relies on the integrity of the cerebral cortex, white matter, basal ganglia and thalamus. We present here the neuroanatomical study of a case of post-traumatic permanent vegetative state which is characterized by a quite complex damage also at the level of the brainstem. After a car accident a young woman was referred to Neurosurgical Unit in coma and paraplegia due to head injury and C2 fracture. Spontaneous sleep/wake cycle recovered in the following months. Magnetic resonance, performed one month after the trauma, showed injuries of midbrain, thalamus and left frontal lobe. The patient died more than 15 years after the trauma. Macroscopic examination showed generalized hypotrophy of cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brainstem. Partial degeneration of the basal ganglia and severe volumetric reduction of the hemispheric white matter were observed. Wide and bilateral thalamic necrosis and degeneration was found. Transverse sections of the brainstem showed degeneration of the descending and ascending systems of motor and sensitive fibres, and neuronal loss in the inferior olivary complex, pontine nuclei, red nucleus and substantia nigra. In the midbrain, areas of necrosis with reactive astrogliosis extended from the mesencephalic aqueduct towards the interpeduncular fossa, affecting the periaqueductal grey matter, and the dorsal and median raphe nuclei. On the basis of the neuroanatomic description of the damaged areas, we discuss the role of the midbrain reticular activating system and possible plasticity responses in the mechanisms of arousal/wakefulness