Ressonâncias metodológicas para a investigação qualitativa: o estudo das fratrias

El artículo es el resultado de una investigación sociológica sobre las relaciones entre hermanos. Partiendo de un conjunto de reflexiones planteadas por las características de este objeto, presentamos las opciones metodológicas, discutiendo sobre su potencial heurístico para comprender otros fenómenos. La investigación analiza las relaciones entre hermanos en su complejidad y multiplicidad, argumentando que deben entenderse a través de la diversidad y la temporalidad de las trayectorias individuales y familiares. Por lo tanto, defiende un enfoque cualitativo que explica simultáneamente las prácticas y las representaciones, lo cotidiano y lo extraordinario, los sentidos y los significados atribuidos por los actores.El artículo presenta los caminos seguidos durante la investigación, argumentando que la combinación de técnicas de recopilación de datos, en este caso, entrevistas en profundidad, bajo la modalidad de historia de vida, y la foto-elicitación durante la entrevista, contiene virtualidades para comprender el fenómeno bajo análisis, que puede ser transferible a diferentes objetos. La investigación se llevó a cabo en Portugal, entre 2018 y 2019, con una muestra de hermanos y medio hermanos, integrada en 25 grupos fraternos, en la que se entrevistaron a todos ellos. El objetivo del artículo es discutir: a) la articulación entre la conceptualización del objeto y las elecciones epistemológicas y metodológicas; b) la relevancia metodológica de las opciones con respecto a la elección de los temas a ser entrevistados; c) las ventajas de combinar las dos técnicas de recolección de datos.The article is the result of a sociological study on sibling relationships. The paper begins with a series of reflections on the phenomenon of sibling relationships, before moving on to examine the methodological options for a study of this type and their heuristic potential to provide insights into other phenomena. The study highlights the complexity and multiplicity of sibling relationships, arguing that any analysis must take into account the diversity and temporality of the subjects’ individual and family experiences. For this reason, a qualitative approach is preferred, to account simultaneously for practices and representations, the everyday and the extraordinary, and the senses and meanings attributed to their experience by the sibling subjects of the study. The article describes the research process, arguing that the combination of data collection techniques used to explore the phenomenon of sibling relationships (in-depth life-story and photo-elicitation) may be transferable to other phenomena.The study was carried out in Portugal in 2018-2019 and involved a sample of 25 groups of siblings and half-siblings, all of whom were interviewed. The objective of the article is to discuss: a) consistency between the conceptual framework and the epistemological and methodological choices; b) the methodological relevance of the choice of interview topics; and c) the advantages of combining the two data collection techniques.O artigo resulta de uma investigação sociológica acerca das relações entre irmã/os. Partindo de um conjunto de reflexões suscitadas pelas características deste objeto, apresentam-se as opções metodológicas tomadas, defendendo o seu potencial heurístico para a compreensão de outros fenómenos. A investigação em curso encarou as fratrias na sua complexidade e multiplicidade, defendendo que estas devem ser compreendidas através da diversidade e temporalidade das trajetórias individuais e familiares. Deste modo, defende uma abordagem qualitativa que dê conta, simultaneamente das práticas e das representações, do quotidiano e do extraordinário, dos sentidos e significados atribuídos pelos atores.O artigo apresenta os percursos seguidos no decorrer da pesquisa, defendendo que a combinação de técnicas de recolha de dados – no caso, entrevistas em profundidade, com carácter de história de vida, e foto-elicitação durante o momento da entrevista – contem virtualidades para a compreensão do fenómeno em análise, que podem ser transferíveis para distintos objetos. A investigação de base foi realizada em Portugal, entre 2018 e 2019, e teve por base uma amostra composta por irmãs/os e meias/os irmãs/os, integradas/os em 25 fratrias, nas quaistodos os elementos foram entrevistados. Tem-se como objetivos discutir: a) a articulação entre a conceptualização do objeto e as opções epistemológicas e metodológicas tomadas; b) a importância metodológica das opções acerca da escolha dos sujeitos a inquirir; c) as vantagens em combinar as duas técnicas de recolha de dados. Apresentar os principaisresultados

Promoter-specific inhibition of transcription by daunorubicin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

6 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables.-- PMID: 12164785 [PubMed].-- PMCID: PMC1222970.-- Available online Aug 7, 2002.Several anti-tumour drugs exert some of their cytotoxic effects by direct binding to DNA, thus inhibiting the transcription of certain genes. We analysed the influence of the anti-tumour antibiotic daunorubicin on the transcription of different genes in vivo using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Daunorubicin only affected wild-type yeast strains at very high concentrations; however, erg6 mutant strains (but not pdr1, pdr3 or pdr5 strains) were sensitive to daunorubicin at low micromolar concentrations. In Delta erg6 strains, daunorubicin inhibited the galactose-induced transcription by Gal4p in a specific manner, since the transcription of identical reporters driven by other activators (either constitutive or inducible) was not inhibited. The drug concentrations at which Gal4p function was inhibited did not affect cell growth or viability. Furthermore, daunorubicin inhibited the growth in galactose and the transcriptional induction of resident Gal4p-driven genes upon galactose addition, two processes absolutely dependent on Gal4p function. We propose that daunorubicin and some transcription factors compete for DNA sequences encompassing CpG steps, and that this is the main determinant of the effects of the drug on transcription in vivo. Our approach may foster the development of anti-tumour drugs with more specific mechanisms of action.This study has been supported by grants PB98-0469, BMC2000-0898, BMC2001-0246 and GEN2001-4707-C8-08 from the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (Spain) and Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (Spain). S.M. is the recipient of a fellowship from the Generalitat de Catalunya. This study was carried out within the framework of the Centre de Referència en Biotecnologia of the Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

Medicalization beyond physicians: pharmaceutical marketing on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in Argentina and Brazil (1998-2014)

Desde un análisis crítico de los estudios de la medicalización, y como un aporte a estas perspectivas, describimos y analizamos los modos en que la industria farmacéutica transnacional penetra en diversos espacios sociales, con diferentes estrategias de marketing, interviniendo en la consolidación de procesos medicalizadores en Argentina y Brasil. Se analizan dos modalidades de expansión de los procesos de medicalización, y se desarrollan aspectos y tendencias específicas del diagnóstico y tratamiento del TDAH en ambos países: la incidencia de la industria farmacéutica en los grupos de apoyo en Brasil, y las estrategias de marketing farmacéutico orientadas a actores no médicos en Argentina. Estas dos modalidades se caracterizan por no involucrar sólo al profesional médico. La metodología incluye datos de investigaciones conducidas en Argentina y Brasil entre 1998 y 2014, con sede en la Universidad de Buenos Aires y la Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, orientadas al estudio de los procesos de diagnóstico y tratamiento del TDAH y el consumo de metilfenidato en ambos países. Se emplearon técnicas de entrevista semiestructurada individual y grupal a profesores y profesionales de salud, estadísticas oficiales y de organizaciones profesionales, y revisión de bibliografía general y especializada nacional e internacional. Concluimos que los fenómenos documentados en Argentina y Brasil ponen de relieve la importancia de efectuar investigaciones que contemplen aspectos singulares de los casos empíricos, y sus múltiples vinculaciones con entramados más amplios y en tensión de saberes, dispositivos, normativas y actores involucrados en la medicalización en el siglo XXI.From a critical analysis of medicalization studies, and as a contribution to these perspectives, we describe and analyze the ways in which the transnational pharmaceutical industry penetrates diverse social spaces, with different marketing strategies, to consolidate medicalized processes in Argentina and Brazil. We analyzed two expansion methods of medicalization processes and specific ADHD diagnostic and treatment aspects and trends were developed in both countries: the impact of the pharmaceutical industry on advocacy groups in Brazil and pharmaceutical marketing strategies aimed at non-medical actors in Argentina. These two methods are characterized by involving other actors than medical professionals. The methodology includes data from research conducted in Argentina and Brazil between 1998 and 2014, based in the University of Buenos Aires and in the State University of Rio de Janeiro, focused on the study of ADHD diagnostic and treatment processes and methylphenidate consumption in both countries. We used individual and group semi-structured interview techniques with professors and health professionals, official and professional organization statistics, and national and international general and specialized literature. We concluded that the phenomena documented in Argentina and Brazil highlight the importance of conducting investigations that covers specific aspects of empirical cases and their multiple connections with broader and intense knowledges networks, dispositives, normatives and actors involved in the medicalization in the 21st century.Fil: Bianchi, Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; ArgentinaFil: Ortega, Francisco. Universidade Do Estado de Rio Do Janeiro. Instituto de Medicina Social; BrasilFil: Faraone, Silvia Adriana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; ArgentinaFil: Gonçalves, Valéria Portugal. Universidade Do Estado de Rio Do Janeiro. Instituto de Medicina Social; BrasilFil: Zorzanelli, Rafaela Teixeira. Universidade Do Estado de Rio Do Janeiro. Instituto de Medicina Social; Brasi

Neoplasia ovariana teratogénica en canino

Los teratomas son neoplasias de células germinales originadas en el ectodermo, mesodermo o endodermo. El quiste dermoide o teratoma ovárico maduro quístico es un tumor raro en caninos que puede causar serios daños en la fertilidad y salud del animal. El presente caso reporta un quiste ovárico encontrado durante el acto quirúrgico, en un canino hembra pastor alemán de 5 años de edad. La paciente presentaba descargas vaginales desde hace aproximadamente tres semanas. Los signos clínicos asociados a examen ultrasónico permitieron confirmar el diagnóstico de piometra y el paciente fue remitido a tratamiento quirúrgico para realización de ovariohisterectomia. Después de la retirada de los ovarios y útero, fueron percibidas anomalías en tamaño y coloración del ovario izquierdo durante revisión macroscópica, encontrándose a la incisión contenido de pelos y material sebáceo.  El espécimen fue enviado para análisis histopatológico, siendo confirmado el diagnóstico de quiste dermoide ovárico. En conclusión, la falta de especificidad de los signos primarios hace difícil el diagnóstico clínico, contribuyendo a que esta alteración sea encontrada incidentalmente durante cirugías abdominales siendo la ovariohisterectomia un tratamiento efectivo para esta condición

Otoliths-composed gelatin/sodium alginate scaffolds for bone regeneration

Evidence that otoliths, mineral-rich limestone concrescences present in the inner ear of bone fishes, can accelerate bone formation in vivo has been previously reported. The goal of this work was the development, characterization, and evaluation of the cytocompatibility of otoliths-incorporated sodium alginate and gelatin scaffolds. Cynoscion acoupaderived otoliths were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (FRX), particle size, free lime, and weight loss by calcination. Furthermore, otoliths were incorporated into sodium alginate (ALG/OTL-s) or gelatin (GEL/OTL-s) scaffolds, previously developed by freeze-drying. Then, the scaffolds were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FTIR), swelling tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity assays were run against J774.G8 macrophages and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Data obtained from TGA/DTG, DSC, and FTIR analyses confirmed the interaction between otoliths and the polymeric scaffolds. SEM showed the homogeneous porous 3D structure rich in otolith micro-fragments in both scaffolds. Swelling of the GEL/OTL-s (63.54±3.0%) was greater than of ALG/OTL-s (13.36±9.9%) (p0.05) and significantly higher than that treated with Triton-X (p0.05). However, by 48 h, only ALG/OTL-s showed growth similar to control (p>0.05), whereas GEL/OTL showed a significantly lower growth index (p<0.05). In conclusion, the physicochemical profiles suggest proper interaction between the otoliths and the two developed polymeric 3D scaffolds. Moreover, both materials showed cytocompatibility with J774.G8 macrophages but the growth of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts was higher when exposed to ALG/OTL-s. These data suggest that sodium alginate/otoliths scaffolds are potential biomaterials to be used in bone regeneration applications.We would like to thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Foundation for Research and Technological Innovation Support of the State of Sergipe for the financial support in this study. EMBS acknowledges the sponsorship of the projects M-ERA-NET-0004/2015-PAIRED and UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), received support from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC) through national funds, and was co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O IMPACTO DOS CENTROS DE MATERIAL E ESTERILIZAÇÃO NA SEGURANÇA E QUALIDADE DOS SERVIÇOS DE SAÚDE

The CME is the functional unit of the hospital environment responsible for processing the critical, semi-critical and non-critical PPS, subject to processing. The study aims to address the main aspects related to Sterile Material Centers and their impact on the safety and quality of health services. This is an integrative literature review, the search for study materials was carried out in June 2023 in the databases: LILACS, SciELO and PubMed. The following DeCS were used: “Quality of Health Care”; “Safety” and “Sterilization Center”, which were combined with the Boolean operator “AND” in the intersection. For discussion purposes, the survey was divided into 4 categories: CSSD functions and processes; Quality and safety control at the CME; Technology and innovations at CME and Training and qualification of CME staff. It is concluded that the MSC plays a fundamental role in health services, being metaphorically compared to the heart of a hospital. Because, just as the heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, the CME is responsible for processing and providing essential materials for proper care and the functioning of health services.El CME es la unidad funcional del ámbito hospitalario responsable de la tramitación de los PPS críticos, semicríticos y no críticos, sujetos a tramitación. El estudio tiene como objetivo abordar los principales aspectos relacionados con los Centros de Material Estéril y su impacto en la seguridad y calidad de los servicios de salud. Esta es una revisión integrativa de la literatura, la búsqueda de materiales de estudio se realizó en junio de 2023 en las bases de datos: LILACS, SciELO y PubMed. Se utilizaron los siguientes DeCS: “Calidad de la Atención en Salud”; “Seguridad” y “Centro de esterilización”, que se combinaron con el operador booleano “Y” en la intersección. Para fines de discusión, la encuesta se dividió en 4 categorías: funciones y procesos del CSSD; Control de calidad y seguridad en el CME; Tecnología e innovaciones en CME y Formación y cualificación del personal de CME. Se concluye que el MSC juega un papel fundamental en los servicios de salud, siendo metafóricamente comparado con el corazón de un hospital. Porque, así como el corazón es el encargado de bombear la sangre a todo el organismo, el CME es el encargado de procesar y proveer los materiales indispensables para el correcto cuidado y funcionamiento de los servicios de salud.O CME é a unidade funcional do ambiente hospitalar responsável pelo processamento dos PPS de caráter crítico, semicrítico e não-crítico, passíveis de processamento. O estudo tem como objetivo abordar os principais aspectos relacionados as Centras de Material Estéril e o seu impacto na segurança e na qualidade dos serviços de saúde. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura, a busca dos materiais para estudo, foi realizada em junho de 2023 nas bases de dados: LILACS, SciELO e PubMed. Utilizaram-se os seguintes DeCS: “Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde”; “Segurança” e “Centro de Esterilização”, os quais foram combinados com o operador booleano “AND” no cruzamento. Para fins de discussão, dividiu-se a pesquisa em 4 categorias: Funções e processos do CME; Controle de qualidade e segurança no CME; Tecnologia e inovações no CME e Treinamento e capacitação da equipe do CME. Conclui-se, que o CME exerce um papel fundamental nos serviços de saúde, comparado metaforicamente ao coração de um hospital. Pois, assim como o coração é responsável por bombear sangue para todo o corpo, o CME é responsável por processar e fornecer materiais essenciais para o atendimento adequado e funcionamento dos serviços de saúde

Plasmodium falciparum transcription in different clinical presentations of malaria associates with circulation time of infected erythrocytes

Following Plasmodium falciparum infection, individuals can remain asymptomatic, present with mild fever in uncomplicated malaria cases, or show one or more severe malaria symptoms. Several studies have investigated associations between parasite transcription and clinical severity, but no broad conclusions have yet been drawn. Here, we apply a series of bioinformatic approaches based on P. falciparum’s tightly regulated transcriptional pattern during its ~48-hour intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) to publicly available transcriptomes of parasites obtained from malaria cases of differing clinical severity across multiple studies. Our analysis shows that within each IDC, the circulation time of infected erythrocytes without sequestering to endothelial cells decreases with increasing parasitaemia or disease severity. Accordingly, we find that the size of circulating infected erythrocytes is inversely related to parasite density and disease severity. We propose that enhanced dhesiveness of infected erythrocytes leads to a rapid increase in parasite burden, promoting higher parasitaemia and increased disease severity

Global study of social odor awareness

Olfaction plays an important role in human social communication, including multiple domains in which people often rely on their sense of smell in the social context. The importance of the sense of smell and its role can however vary inter-individually and culturally. Despite the growing body of literature on differences in olfactory performance or hedonic preferences across the globe, the aspects of a given culture as well as culturally universal individual differences affecting odor awareness in human social life remain unknown. Here, we conducted a large-scale analysis of data collected from 10,794 participants from 52 study sites from 44 countries all over the world. The aim of our research was to explore the potential individual and country-level correlates of odor awareness in the social context. The results show that the individual characteristics were more strongly related than country-level factors to self-reported odor awareness in different social contexts. A model including individual-level predictors (gender, age, material situation, education and preferred social distance) provided a relatively good fit to the data, but adding country-level predictors (Human Development Index, population density and average temperature) did not improve model parameters. Although there were some cross-cultural differences in social odor awareness, the main differentiating role was played by the individual differences. This suggests that people living in different cultures and different climate conditions may still share some similar patterns of odor awareness if they share other individual-level characteristics

Preferred interpersonal distances: a global comparison

Human spatial behavior has been the focus of hundreds of previous research studies. However, the conclusions and generalizability of previous studies on interpersonal distance preferences were limited by some important methodological and sampling issues. The objective of the present study was to compare preferred interpersonal distances across the world and to overcome the problems observed in previous studies. We present an extensive analysis of interpersonal distances over a large data set (N = 8,943 participants from 42 countries). We attempted to relate the preferred social, personal, and intimate distances observed in each country to a set of individual characteristics of the participants, and some attributes of their cultures. Our study indicates that individual characteristics (age and gender) influence interpersonal space preferences and that some variation in results can be explained by temperature in a given region. We also present objective values of preferred interpersonal distances in different regions, which might be used as a reference data point in future studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio