Aprendizagem através de role-playing games: uma abordagem para a educação ativa / Learning through role-playing games: an approach for active learning and teaching

This study evaluates the use of role-playing games (RPGs) as a methodological approach for teaching cellular biology, assessing student satisfaction, learning outcomes, and retention of acquired knowledge. First-year undergraduate medical students at two Brazilian public universities attended either an RPG-based class (RPG group) or a lecture (lecture-based group) on topics related to cellular biology. Pre- and post-RPG-based class questionnaires were compared to scores in regular exams and in an unannounced test one year later to assess students' attitudes and learning. From the 230 students that attended the RPG classes, 78.4% responded that the RPG-based classes were an effective tool for learning; 55.4% thought that such classes were better than lectures but did not replace them; and 81% responded that they would use this method. The lecture-based group achieved a higher grade in 1 of 14 regular exam questions. In the medium-term evaluation (one year later), the RPG group scored higher in 2 of 12 questions. RPG classes are thus quantitatively as effective as formal lectures, are well accepted by students, and may serve as educational tools, giving students the chance to learn actively and potentially retain the acquired knowledge more efficiently.

Avaliamos o uso dos role-plying games (RPGs) como uma metodologia de ensino e aprendizagem em Biologia Celular. Alunos do primeiro ano de Medicina participaram de aula expositiva tradicional (grupo referência) ou de aula com RPG (grupo RPG). Comparações foram feitas pela análise de questionários pré- e pós-aula com RPG, das notas nas provas regulares, e das notas obtidas em um teste aplicado um ano após a conclusão da disciplina. Dos 230 alunos que participaram das aulas com RPG, 78,4% responderam que o RPG é uma ferramenta eficaz na aprendizagem; 55,4% acharam que essas aulas são melhores que as aulas tradicionais, mas não as substituem; e 81% responderam que usariam essa metodologia. Os alunos do grupo referência tiveram nota maior em uma de 14 questões das provas regulares; os alunos do grupo RPG tiveram notas maiores em duas de 12 questões aplicadas um ano depois. Portanto, aulas com RPG foram tão eficientes quanto as aulas tradicionais (quantitativamente), são bem aceitas pelos estudantes, e podem ser uma metodologia que lhes dá a chance de aprender ativamente e, potencialmente, levar a uma melhor retenção do conhecimento aprendido.

Traque-oclusão intra-útero: técnica cirúrgica assistida à corticoterapia promove aumento nos receptores de VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) em pulmões de fetos de ratas / In utero tracheal occlusion: surgical approach associated to steroid treatment increase VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) receptors in lungs of fetal rats

A hérnia diafragmática congênita (HDC) causa hipoplasia e hipertensãopulmonar e em geral leva a alta morbidade e mortalidade neonatal. Traqueo-oclusão fetal (TO) e corticoterapia pré-natal são alternativas para acelerar o crescimento pulmonar fetal e diminuir a hipoplasia na HDC. A produção de VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) está relacionada com a maturidade pulmonar e sofre alterações na HDC ainda não elucidadas.Materiais e métodos: Seis grupos de 12 fetos de ratos Spreague-Dawley foram comparados: TO, Sham, Controle, TO+Dex, Sham+Dex e Controle+Dex. No dia 18,5º foi realizada TO come sem corticoterapia utilizando dexametasona. No 21,5º dia gestacional os pesos corporal e...

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) presents with hypoplastic lungs and usually leads to pulmonary hypertension and high neonatal mortality. Fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) and prenatal corticotherapy are alternatives to accelerate fetal pulmonary growth and decrease hypoplasia in CDH. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)production and surfactant production by type II pneumocytes are related with pulmonary maturity and are altered in CDH, but little has been described about VEGF receptors. Our objective wasto quantify the receptors of VEGF (VEGFR) and type II pneumocytes, verifying the effects of TO and corticotherapy on normal lungs of fetal rats...

Fluorescence and confocal laser scannig microscopy of H&E staned sections for the study of elastic fiber in skin and some skin disorders

Elastic fibers are important components of the skin and contribute to its biomechanical properties. Primary changes in elastic fiber structure are responsible for some diseases while modifications of the elastic fibers results from disorders in other extracellular matix components. We have previously suggested that examination of H&E stained sections by fluorence microscopy allows for good imaging of elastic fiber structure and distribution. Since these paramenters are important for the chacacterization of elastic fibers and for diagnosing some skin diseases, we show in this paper that dermal elastic fibers are consistently imaged by H&E plus fluorescence microscopy, by the analysis of normal and diseased skin samples, and that the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy greatly increases the image qualitity, which in turn will permit image analysis to be carried out. We are clearly convinced that the proposed procedure is a revelant tool in elastic fiber research and the present tecnique is of interest to a large group of investigators using H&E as a routine method.

Aspectos biológicos e moleculares das lectinas / Biological and molecular aspects of lectins

Alguns aspectos da estrutura e do modo de açäo das lectinas säo brevemente revisados. Especial ênfase é dada as funçöes biológicas dessas moléculas, bem como às suas aplicaçöes como ferramentas em diversas áreas