Raciocínio lógico, avaliação interativa e ludicidade no contexto da inclusão

O trabalho analisou o impacto de intervenções psicopedagógicas – via material concreto como a Caixa Lógico-Simbólica – sobre o raciocínio lógico de alunos com deficiência intelectual no contexto da inclusão. O recorte teórico baseou-se no conceito de zona de desenvolvimento proximal e na teoria da aprendizagem mediada. Metodologicamente, a pesquisa fundou-se na avaliação interativa que admite que a aprendizagem mediada e o estímulo à metacognição contribuem para a plasticidade cognitiva e a autorregulação dos alunos. Utilizando-se do método longitudinal um protocolo com atividades avaliou o raciocínio lógico em situações de pré e pós intervenções com o material da Caixa Lógico-Simbólica. O pré-teste revelou a predominância dos alunos no nível pré-operatório. O pós-teste demonstrou avanço nas habilidades lógicas nos testes da conservação, lógica de classes, sequências lógicas, interseção de classes, entre outras. O estudo apontou a eficácia de intervenções psicopedagógicas baseadas na avaliação interativa através do lúdico no raciocínio lógico em alunos com deficiência intelectual

Raciocínio lógico, avaliação interativa e ludicidade no contexto da inclusão

The work analyzed the impact of psychopedagogical interventions - via concrete material such as the Logical-Symbolic Box - on the logical reasoning of students with intellectual disabilities in the context of inclusion. The theoretical clipping was based on the concept of zone of proximal development and on the theory of mediated learning. Methodologically, the research was based on an interactive assessment that admits that mediated learning and the stimulus to metacognition contribute to students' cognitive plasticity and self-regulation. Using the longitudinal method, a protocol with activities evaluated the logical reasoning in situations of pre and post interventions with the material of the Logical-Symbolic Box. The pre-test revealed the predominance of students at the preoperative level. The post-test demonstrated advancement in the logical abilities in the conservation tests, class logic, logical sequences, class intersection, among others. The study pointed to the efficacy of psychopedagogical interventions through playful logical thinking in students with intellectual disabilities.El trabajo analizó el impacto de intervenciones psicopedagógicas-a través material concreto como la Caja Lógico-Simbólica - sobre el razonamiento lógico de alumnos con discapacidad intelectual en el contexto de la inclusión. El recorte teórico se basó en el concepto de zona de desarrollo proximal y en la teoría del aprendizaje mediado. Metodológicamente, la investigación se fundó en la evaluación interactiva que admite que el aprendizaje mediado y el estímulo a la metacognición contribuyen a la plasticidad cognitiva y la autorregulación de los alumnos. Utilizando el método longitudinal un protocolo con actividades evaluó el raciocinio lógico en situaciones de pre y post intervenciones con el material de la Caja Lógico-Simbólica. El pre-test reveló la predominancia de los alumnos en el nivel preoperatorio. El post-test demostró avance en las habilidades lógicas en las pruebas de la conservación, lógica de clases, secuencias lógicas, intersección de clases, entre otros. El estudio apuntó la eficacia de intervenciones psicopedagógicas a través del lúdico en el raciocinio lógico en alunos con discapacidad intelectual.O trabalho analisou o impacto de intervenções psicopedagógicas – via material concreto como a Caixa Lógico-Simbólica – sobre o raciocínio lógico de alunos com deficiência intelectual no contexto da inclusão. O recorte teórico baseou-se no conceito de zona de desenvolvimento proximal e na teoria da aprendizagem mediada. Metodologicamente, a pesquisa fundou-se na avaliação interativa que admite que a aprendizagem mediada e o estímulo à metacognição contribuem para a plasticidade cognitiva e a autorregulação dos alunos. Utilizando-se do método longitudinal um protocolo com atividades avaliou o raciocínio lógico em situações de pré e pós intervenções com o material da Caixa Lógico-Simbólica. O pré-teste revelou a predominância dos alunos no nível pré-operatório. O pós-teste demonstrou avanço nas habilidades lógicas nos testes da conservação, lógica de classes, sequências lógicas, interseção de classes, entre outras. O estudo apontou a eficácia de intervenções psicopedagógicas baseadas na avaliação interativa através do lúdico no raciocínio lógico em alunos com deficiência intelectual

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Cenas da inclusão: modelos e intervenções em experiências portuguesa e brasileira

Analisa modelos de inclusão e intervenções pedagógicas nos contextos brasileiro e português, assim como o seu impacto no desenvolvimento de alunos com Necessidades Educativas Especiais (NEE). Para a realização da pesquisa, houve entrevistas com professores e consulta à legislação sobre educação especial. No Brasil, foi relatada a pesquisa Cognição em movimento, baseada nos pressupostos da avaliação interativa; em Portugal, o trabalho concentrou-se na região do Minho, dividindo-se nas temáticas Intervenção Precoce (IP), dificuldade de aprendizagem e Plano Individual de Transição (PIT). Observou-se um gap entre os modelos teóricos de inclusão e as intervenções adotadas, com variações em diferentes contextos, ainda que mantidos os princípios da política de inclusão. O acompanhamento do desenvolvimento dos alunos fez perceber uma indissociabilidade entre os sistemas microssociais e as condições macrossistêmicas

Forest Matrix Fosters High Similarity in Bee Composition Occurring on Isolated Outcrops Within Amazon Biome

Most studies analyze fragmentation due to habitat loss caused by anthropogenic activities and few of them analyzed fragmentation on naturally fragmented areas. In the Eastern Amazon, it is possible to find areas naturally open and surrounded by pristine forest. Understanding how species respond to isolation in these areas is an important challenge for decision-making processes aiming conservation and restoration. Using standardized methods of bee collection (entomological nets, bait trap, pan trap, and nest trap), the objective of this study was to analyze the composition and diversity of bees occurring on six isolated outcrops located in two protected areas within Amazon biome. More specifically, we tested 1) if the dissimilarity in bee species composition is explained by the isolation of outcrops and 2) if bee richness, abundance, and Shannon diversity can be explained by the outcrop size. We found 118 species, with the Meliponini and Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) tribes representing the highest number of species. The similarity in species composition across all outcrops is high and is not explained by the isolation. In addition, the richness, abundance, and Shannon diversity are not explained by outcrop size. Forest does not seem to be a barrier to bee movement, and although most species probably nest in the forests, they use the highly diverse plants of the outcrops as a complementary food source

Identification of human chromosome 22 transcribed sequences with ORF expressed sequence tags

Transcribed sequences in the human genome can be identified with confidence only by alignment with sequences derived from cDNAs synthesized from naturally occurring mRNAs. We constructed a set of 250,000 cDNAs that represent partial expressed gene sequences and that are biased toward the central coding regions of the resulting transcripts. They are termed ORF expressed sequence tags (ORESTES). The 250,000 ORESTES were assembled into 81,429 contigs. Of these, 1,181 (1.45%) were found to match sequences in chromosome 22 with at least one ORESTES contig for 162 (65.6%) of the 247 known genes, for 67 (44.6%) of the 150 related genes, and for 45 of the 148 (30.4%) EST-predicted genes on this chromosome. Using a set of stringent criteria to validate our sequences, we identified a further 219 previously unannotated transcribed sequences on chromosome 22. Of these, 171 were in fact also defined by EST or full length cDNA sequences available in GenBank but not utilized in the initial annotation of the first human chromosome sequence. Thus despite representing less than 15% of all expressed human sequences in the public databases at the time of the present analysis, ORESTES sequences defined 48 transcribed sequences on chromosome 22 not defined by other sequences. All of the transcribed sequences defined by ORESTES coincided with DNA regions predicted as encoding exons by genscan. (http://genes.mit.edu/GENSCAN.html)