Can you see what i am talking about? Human speech triggers referential expectation in four-month-old infants

Infants’ sensitivity to selectively attend to human speech and to process it in a unique way has been widely reported in the past. However, in order to successfully acquire language, one should also understand that speech is a referential, and that words can stand for other entities in the world. While there has been some evidence showing that young infants can make inferences about the communicative intentions of a speaker, whether they would also appreciate the direct relationship between a specific word and its referent, is still unknown. In the present study we tested four-month-old infants to see whether they would expect to find a referent when they hear human speech. Our results showed that compared to other auditory stimuli or to silence, when infants were listening to speech they were more prepared to find some visual referents of the words, as signalled by their faster orienting towards the visual objects. Hence, our study is the first to report evidence that infants at a very young age already understand the referential relationship between auditory words and physical objects, thus show a precursor in appreciating the symbolic nature of language, even if they do not understand yet the meanings of words

A hospitalidade e a economia popular: um estudo em um empreendimento extra hoteleiro / Hospitality and the popular economy: a study in an extra hotel development

O presente artigo tem como objetivo relacionar a hospitalidade e a economia popular sob a ótica de um equipamento extra hoteleiro. Nos últimos anos, houve um aumento significativo de diferentes tipos de alojamentos para atender à uma demanda que deseja viver uma experiência de hospitalidade fora dos padrões tradicionais da hotelaria. Nessa perspectiva, considera-se a relevância dos equipamentos extra hoteleiros atrelados à economia popular por se diferenciar dos padrões da hotelaria tradicional, por ter como proposta maior participação ativa dos hóspedes e pela sua estrutura organizacional baseada na autogestão. Logo, a hospitalidade  favorece a relação entre pessoas, ou seja, o vínculo social entre o anfitrião e o hóspede. Esta pesquisa teve como objeto do estudo o Espaço Raízes do Brasil localizado no bairro de Santa Teresa na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. O referido espaço é coordenado e organizado pelo Movimento dos Pequenos Agricultores (MPA), movimento nacional e de caráter popular que surgiu em 1996, e atua no Rio de Janeiro desde 2013.  Em relação, aos procedimentos metodológicos, este estudo caracteriza-se como estudo de caso único exploratório e descritivo. Os resultados da pesquisa inferem que formas de organização econômica e a hospitalidade relacionada à hospedagem e demais atividades alimentares e culturais do espaço Raízes do Brasil expressam premissas próprias das economias populares desenvolvidas pelos movimentos sociais, como estratégias de reciprocidade, solidariedade e trabalho coletivo. Além disso, há uma flexibilização na relação hóspede e empreendimento, uma vez que a dinâmica da hospedagem incorpora práticas de autogestão, para o funcionamento do espaço. Em relação a prática da hospitalidade observou-se que não ocorre a partir de uma hospitalidade encenada e comercial. Nesse sentido, considera-se as atividades propostas pelo Espaço Raízes do Brasil para além de um mero equipamento extra hoteleiro, pois a hospitalidade e o acolhimento nos serviços de alimentação e hospedagem fazem deste um espaço um lugar de compartilhamento e troca de vivências e experiências entre o anfitrião e o “hóspede”

Protective role of 17 beta-estradiol treatment in renal injury on female rats submitted to brain death

Background: Clinical and experimental data highlight the consequences of brain death on the quality of organs and demonstrate the importance of donor state to the results of transplantation. Female rats show higher cardio-pulmonary injury linked to decreased concentrations of female sex hormones after brain-dead (BD). This study evaluated the effect of 17 beta-estradiol on brain death induced renal injury in female rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomically allocated into 4 groups: false-operation (Sham), BD, treatment with 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/mL, 2 mL/h) 3 h after brain death (E2-T3), or immediately after brain death confirmation (E2-T0). Creatinine, urea, cytokines, and complement system components were quantified. Renal injury markers, such as KIM-1, Caspase-3, BCL-2 and MMP2/9 were evaluated. Results: Brain death leads to increased kidney KIM-1 expression and longer 17 beta-estradiol treatment resulted in downregulation (

Long-term lung inflammation is reduced by estradiol treatment in brain dead female rats

OBJECTIVES: Lung transplantation is limited by the systemic repercussions of brain death (BD). Studies have shown the potential protective role of 17 beta-estradiol on the lungs. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol on the long-lasting lung inflammatory state to understand a possible therapeutic application in lung donors with BD. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were separated into 3 groups: BD, subjected to brain death (6h); E2-T0, treated with 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/mL, 2 mL/h) immediately after brain death; and E2-T3, treated with 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/ml, 2 ml/h) after 3h of BD. Complement system activity and macrophage presence were analyzed. TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-10, and IL-6 gene expression (RT-PCR) and levels in 24h lung culture medium were quantified. Finally, analysis of caspase-3 gene and protein expression in the lung was performed. RESULTS: Estradiol reduced complement C3 protein and gene expression. The presence of lung macrophages was not modified by estradiol, but the release of inflammatory mediators was reduced and TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta gene expression were reduced in the E2-T3 group. In addition, caspase-3 protein expression was reduced by estradiol in the same group. CONCLUSIONS: Brain death-induced lung inflammation in females is modulated by estradiol treatment. Study data suggest that estradiol can control the inflammatory response by modulating the release of mediators after brain death in the long term. These results strengthen the idea of estradiol as a therapy for donor lungs and improving transplant outcomes

Sex differences in the coagulation process and microvascular perfusion induced by brain death in rats

Brain death (BD) leads to a systemic inflammation associated with the activation of coagulation, which could be related to decreased microcirculatory perfusion. Evidence shows that females exhibit higher platelet aggregability than males. Thus, we investigated sex differences in platelets, coagulation and microcirculatory compromise after BD. BD was induced in male and female (proestrus) Wistar rats. After 3 h, we evaluated: (i) intravital microscopy to evaluate mesenteric perfusion and leucocyte infiltration; (ii) platelet aggregation assay; (iii) rotational thromboelastometry; and (iv) SerumNOx-. Female rats maintained the mesenteric perfusion, whereas male reduced percentage of perfused vessels. Male BD presented higher platelet aggregation than the controls. In contrast, female BD had lower platelet aggregation than the control. Thromboelastometry indicated a reduction in clot firmness with increased clotting time in the female group compared with the male group. SerumNOx-level in female BD was higher than that in the male BD and female control. There is sex dimorphism in platelet function and clotting process, which are altered in different ways by BD. Thus, it is possible to connect the reduction in microcirculatory perfusion in males to intravascular microthrombi formation and the maintenance of perfusion in females to a higher inflammatory response and NO synthesis

Treatment with 17 beta-estradiol protects donor heart against brain death effects in female rat

The viability of donor organs is reduced by hemodynamic and immunologic alterations caused by brain death (BD). Female rats show higher heart inflammation associated with the reduction in female sex hormones after BD. This study investigated the effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on BD-induced cardiac damage in female rats. Groups of female Wistar rats were assigned: Sham-operation (Sham), brain death (BD), treatment with E2 (50 mu g/ml, 2 ml/h) 3 h after BD (E2-T3), or immediately after BD confirmation (E2-T0). White blood cell (WBC) count was analyzed; cytokines and troponin-I were quantified. Heart histopathological changes and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, endothelin-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, BCL-2, and caspase-3 were evaluated. Cardiac function was continuously assessed for 6 h by left ventricular pressure-volume loop analysis. E2 decreased the BD-induced median serum concentration of troponin-I (BD:864.2 vs. E2-T0:401.4;P = 0.009), increased BCL-2 (BD:0.086 vs. E2-T0:0.158; P = 0.0278) and eNOS median expression in the cardiac tissue (BD:0.001 vs. E2-T0:0.03 and E2-T3:0.0175; P <0.0001), and decreased caspase-3 (BD:0.025 vs. E2-T0:0.006 and E2-T3:0.019; P = 0.006), WBC counts, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage. 17 beta-estradiol treatment was effective in reducing cardiac tissue damage in brain-dead female rats owing to its ability to reduce leukocyte infiltration and prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis

17β-Estradiol Treatment Protects Lungs Against Brain Death Effects in Female Rat Donor

Background: Brain death (BD) affects the viability of lungs for transplantation. A correlation exists between high lung inflammation after BD and the decrease in female sex hormones, especially estradiol. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment on the lungs of female brain dead rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: BD (submitted to BD for 6 h), sham (false-operated), E2-T0 (treated with E2 immediately after BD; 50 μg/ml, 2 ml/h), and E2-T3 (treated with E2 after 3 h of BD; 50 μg/ml, 2 ml/h). Lung edema, hemorrhage, and leukocyte infiltration were analyzed. Adhesion molecules were evaluated and analysis of NO synthase gene and protein expression was performed using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Release of chemokines and matrix degradation in the lungs were analyzed. Results: BD increased leukocyte infiltration, as shown by intravital microscopy (P=0.017), bronchoalveolar lavage cell count (P=0.016), the release of inflammatory mediators (P=0.02), and expression of adhesion molecules. BD also increased microvascular permeability and the expression and activity of MMP-9 in the lungs. E2 treatment reduced leukocyte infiltration, especially in the E2-T3 group, release of inflammatory mediators, adhesion molecules, and MMP activity in the lungs. Conclusions: E2 treatment was successful in controlling the lung inflammatory response in females submitted to BD. Our results suggest that E2 directly decreases the release of chemokines, restraining cell traffic into the lungs. Thus, E2 has a therapeutic potential, and its role in improving donor lung quality should be explored further

Comparison of acute kidney injury following brain death between male and female rats

Background: Clinical reports associate kidneys from female donors with worse prognostic in male recipients. Brain Death (BD) produces immunological and hemodynamic disorders that affect organ viability. Following BD, female rats are associated with increased renal inflammation interrelated with female sex hormone reduction. Here, the aim was to investigate the effects of sex on BD-induced Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) using an Isolated Perfused rat Kidney (IPK) model. Methods: Wistar rats, females, and males (8 weeks old), were maintained for&nbsp;4h after BD. A left nephrectomy was performed and the kidney was preserved in a cold saline solution (30&nbsp;min). IPK was performed under normothermic temperature (37°C) for&nbsp;90&nbsp;min using WME as perfusion solution. AKI was assessed by morphological analyses, staining of complement system components and inflammatory cell markers, perfusion flow, and creatinine clearance. Results: BD-male kidneys had decreased perfusion flow on IPK, a phenomenon that was not observed in the kidneys of BD-females (p&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.0001). BD-male kidneys presented greater proximal (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0311) and distal tubule (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0029) necrosis. However, BD-female kidneys presented higher expression of eNOS (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0060) and greater upregulation of inflammatory mediators, iNOS (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0051), and Caspase-3 (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0099). In addition, both sexes had increased complement system formation (C5b-9) (p=0.0005), glomerular edema (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0003), and nNOS (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.0051). Conclusion: The present data revealed an important sex difference in renal perfusion in the IPK model, evidenced by a pronounced reduction in perfusate flow and low eNOS expression in the BD-male group. Nonetheless, the upregulation of genes related to the proinflammatory cascade suggests a progressive inflammatory process in BD-female kidneys

Comparison of acute kidney injury following brain death between male and female rats

Background: Clinical reports associate kidneys from female donors with worse prognostic in male recipients. Brain Death (BD) produces immunological and hemodynamic disorders that affect organ viability. Following BD, female rats are associated with increased renal inflammation interrelated with female sex hormone reduction. Here, the aim was to investigate the effects of sex on BD-induced Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) using an Isolated Perfused rat Kidney (IPK) model. Methods: Wistar rats, females, and males (8 weeks old), were maintained for 4h after BD. A left nephrectomy was performed and the kidney was preserved in a cold saline solution (30 min). IPK was performed under normothermic temperature (37°C) for 90 min using WME as perfusion solution. AKI was assessed by morphological analyses, staining of complement system components and inflammatory cell markers, perfusion flow, and creatinine clearance. Results: BD-male kidneys had decreased perfusion flow on IPK, a phenomenon that was not observed in the kidneys of BD-females (p &lt; 0.0001). BD-male kidneys presented greater proximal (p = 0.0311) and distal tubule (p = 0.0029) necrosis. However, BD-female kidneys presented higher expression of eNOS (p = 0.0060) and greater upregulation of inflammatory mediators, iNOS (p = 0.0051), and Caspase-3 (p = 0.0099). In addition, both sexes had increased complement system formation (C5b-9) (p=0.0005), glomerular edema (p = 0.0003), and nNOS (p = 0.0051). Conclusion: The present data revealed an important sex difference in renal perfusion in the IPK model, evidenced by a pronounced reduction in perfusate flow and low eNOS expression in the BD-male group. Nonetheless, the upregulation of genes related to the proinflammatory cascade suggests a progressive inflammatory process in BD-female kidneys.</p

Orientações de metodologia de pesquisa digital para o estudante de medicina obter adequado estudo de diretrizes nacionais de medicina / Digital research methodology guidance for medical students in obtaining adequate study within the national medicine guidelines

É fato que a sociedade sofre modificações ao longo dos anos, logo, no âmbito da medicina não seria diferente, e para acompanhar esse processo é fundamental a utilização de uma metodologia eficaz que transmita o conhecimento desejado. Neste contexto, estão inseridos diferentes mecanismos de busca e pesquisa que tem por finalidade gerar esse conhecimento de forma completa e confiável, minimizando possíveis erros. Desta maneira, este estudo visou desenvolver um raciocínio crítico a partir dos resultados encontrados nos mecanismos de busca como Google, Google Acadêmico, Scielo e Diretrizes Médicas, estabelecendo uma análise de como pesquisas simples sem os adequados processos de busca acabam por se tornar inviáveis para o estudante e profissional da área médica. Além disso, com os novos modelos pedagógicos na medicina, a busca pelo desenvolvimento da autonomia na educação deve ser pautada na estratégia da ação-reflexão-ação, logo, este estudo procurou também ressaltar os impactos que um corpo docente preparado acarreta na vida acadêmica do estudante de medicina, levando à uma formação médica eficaz e baseada em evidência. Como resultado, verificou-se que a pesquisa por artigos acadêmicos no banco de dados Scielo e a busca por Diretrizes Médicas são fontes de alta confiabilidade e transparência, necessárias para o adequado raciocínio clínico e prática médic