ABSTRACT
Television is an important mediator of cultural practices and contributes to the construction of social representations, including representations of science. Considering that teenagers are a main target audience, here we analyze how TV content can help build perceptions of science among these young people. Twelve focus groups were held with students from public and private schools in three Brazilian cities: Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais), and Belém (Pará). We observed that although stereotypes of science and scientists did emerge in the discussions, the students demonstrated a more detailed understanding of scientific activity, as well as the TV programming itself.
Importante mediação de práticas culturais, a TV contribui na construção de representações sociais, incluindo a da ciência. Considerando que adolescentes são um dos seus principais públicos, visamos analisar de que forma os conteúdos televisivos podem contribuir para a construção de percepções sobre ciência nesses jovens. Realizamos 12 grupos focais com alunos de escolas públicas e privadas em três cidades brasileiras: Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Belo Horizonte (MG) e Belém (PA). Observamos que, embora estereótipos da ciência e dos cientistas tenham emergido nas discussões, os jovens demonstraram compreender a atividade científica de maneira mais aprofundada, assim como a própria programação televisiva.
ABSTRACT
Resumo Importante mediação de práticas culturais, a TV contribui na construção de representações sociais, incluindo a da ciência. Considerando que adolescentes são um dos seus principais públicos, visamos analisar de que forma os conteúdos televisivos podem contribuir para a construção de percepções sobre ciência nesses jovens. Realizamos 12 grupos focais com alunos de escolas públicas e privadas em três cidades brasileiras: Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Belo Horizonte (MG) e Belém (PA). Observamos que, embora estereótipos da ciência e dos cientistas tenham emergido nas discussões, os jovens demonstraram compreender a atividade científica de maneira mais aprofundada, assim como a própria programação televisiva.
Abstract Television is an important mediator of cultural practices and contributes to the construction of social representations, including representations of science. Considering that teenagers are a main target audience, here we analyze how TV content can help build perceptions of science among these young people. Twelve focus groups were held with students from public and private schools in three Brazilian cities: Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais), and Belém (Pará). We observed that although stereotypes of science and scientists did emerge in the discussions, the students demonstrated a more detailed understanding of scientific activity, as well as the TV programming itself.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adolescent , Science , Television , Adolescent , Social Representation , BrazilABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional condition, which main symptoms of pain, discomfort and abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, altered fecal consistency and sensation of incomplete evacuation can be influenced by the presence of dietary fiber and fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs). This study aimed to assess the relationship between the quantity of fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAP) and fiber consumed by individuals diagnosed with IBS, and their classification according to the Rome III criteria. METHODS: A transversal study was carried out in the Intestinal Outpatient Clinic of the Gastroenterology Discipline of UNIFESP. The nutrients of interest for the study were: fiber, general carbohydrates and FODMAPs, with intake quantity measured in grams, analyzed through portions consumed. A nutrition log was used, along with a semi-quantitative questionnaire of consumption frequency. RESULTS: The sample included 63 adult patients; 21 with constipated IBS, 21 with diarrhea IBS, and 21 with mixed IBS. Carbohydrate intake was suboptimal in 55.6% of patients in all groups; excessive consumption was identified in 38.1% of the diarrhea group, 14.3% of the mixed group and 38.1% of the constipated group. Low consumption of carbohydrates was found in 28.6% of diarrhea patients and 47.6% of the mixed group. A mean intake of 23 g of fiber per day was identified, lower than recommended. CONCLUSION: The study identified a number of inadequacies in the consumption of different nutrients, excessive carbohydrate intake, especially FODMAPs, identified by the respondents as responsible for a worsening of their conditions. By contrast, other food groups such as meat, eggs and dairy were consumed by the sample population in insufficient quantities.
Subject(s)
Dietary Carbohydrates/adverse effects , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Feeding Behavior/physiology , Fermentation/physiology , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dietary Carbohydrates/analysis , Female , Humans , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare, intractable and devastating genetic connective tissue disorder characterized by progressive ectopic ossification in the soft tissues and skeleton. Three patients, one teenage girl (P1), one male adult (P2) and one male child (P3), were studied and treated with FOPCON (combined formulation of 14 mg of propranolol and 250 mg of ascorbic acid), given three times per day. P1 started treatment in March 2012, P2 in October 2012 and P3 in July 2015. The clinical follow-up of these three patients, before initiating treatment with FOPCON, showed that FOP flare-ups used to occur frequently and that under FOPCON therapy, none of these patients had flare-ups. The striking feature of this treatment with FOPCON, is that, all three cases suffered accidental falls with documented injures until complete healing and that where major flare-ups should occur, injures or sequels, there was none. The present clinical observation shows that ascorbic acid plus the nonspecific beta blocker propranolol can be effectively useful, when administered previously and continually, in the prophylaxis of FOP flare-ups, especially for accidental falls. In this regard, FOPCON could be a prophylactic aid in cases of surgery of patients with FOP, hoping that it may benefit patients from having the severe sequels, characteristic of heterotopic bone formation. All three patients reported, to date, they no longer had flare-ups nor heterotopic ossification and showed normal scar healing.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional condition, which main symptoms of pain, discomfort and abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, altered fecal consistency and sensation of incomplete evacuation can be influenced by the presence of dietary fiber and fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs). This study aimed to assess the relationship between the quantity of fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAP) and fiber consumed by individuals diagnosed with IBS, and their classification according to the Rome III criteria. METHODS: A transversal study was carried out in the Intestinal Outpatient Clinic of the Gastroenterology Discipline of UNIFESP. The nutrients of interest for the study were: fiber, general carbohydrates and FODMAPs, with intake quantity measured in grams, analyzed through portions consumed. A nutrition log was used, along with a semi-quantitative questionnaire of consumption frequency. RESULTS: The sample included 63 adult patients; 21 with constipated IBS, 21 with diarrhea IBS, and 21 with mixed IBS. Carbohydrate intake was suboptimal in 55.6% of patients in all groups; excessive consumption was identified in 38.1% of the diarrhea group, 14.3% of the mixed group and 38.1% of the constipated group. Low consumption of carbohydrates was found in 28.6% of diarrhea patients and 47.6% of the mixed group. A mean intake of 23 g of fiber per day was identified, lower than recommended. CONCLUSION: The study identified a number of inadequacies in the consumption of different nutrients, excessive carbohydrate intake, especially FODMAPs, identified by the respondents as responsible for a worsening of their conditions. By contrast, other food groups such as meat, eggs and dairy were consumed by the sample population in insufficient quantities.
RESUMO CONTEXTO: A síndrome do intestino irritável é um distúrbio funcional crônico, no qual a dieta, principalmente o teor de fibra dietética e presença de carboidratos fermentativos (FODMAPs) podem influenciar nos principais sintomas: dores, desconforto e/ou distensão abdominal, constipação, diarreia, alteração na consistência das fezes, sensação de evacuação incompleta. OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as quantidades de carboidratos fermentativos (FODMAP) e fibras consumidas por indivíduos com o diagnóstico de síndrome do intestino irritável e relacionar com seu modelo da classificação, segundo os critérios Roma III. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, realizado no Ambulatório de Doenças Intestinais da Disciplina de Gastroenterologia/UNIFESP. Os nutrientes de interesse para o estudo foram: fibras, carboidratos em geral e FODMAPs, calculando-se suas quantidades em gramas, analisadas através das porções consumidas. Os instrumentos de pesquisa utilizados: ficha de acompanhamento nutricional e questionário de frequência alimentar semi-quantitativo. RESULTADOS: A amostra incluiu 63 pacientes adultos, com síndrome do intestino irritável constipado (21), diarreico (21) e misto (21). O consumo de carboidratos mostrou-se inadequado em 55,6% dos indivíduos em todos os grupos; os que tinham alto consumo (38,1%) pertenciam ao grupo diarreia, 14,3% ao misto e 38,1 % ao constipado. Baixo consumo deste nutriente foi 28,6% nos casos de diarreia e 47,6% do misto. Observamos uma ingestão média de fibras equivalente à 23 g/dia, nos três grupos, inferior ao recomendado. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo permitiu reconhecer várias inadequações no consumo dos diferentes grupos de alimentos, particularmente excesso de carboidratos, incluindo os classificados como FODMAPs, identificados pelos doentes como responsáveis pela piora das suas queixas. Em contrapartida, nutrientes fundamentais, como carnes, ovos, leite e derivados estiveram referidos em níveis abaixo do recomendado.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Young Adult , Dietary Carbohydrates/adverse effects , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/physiopathology , Feeding Behavior/physiology , Fermentation/physiology , Dietary Carbohydrates/analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/etiology , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tannin-rich plants have been examined as an alternative for controlling the gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants. In vivo assays typically examine the anthelmintic activity in female fecundity and/or the adult worm burden, without considering other life-cycle stages or the impact on pasture contamination. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of tanniniferous food from Bauhinia pulchella in goats and the potential impact on pasture contamination with the infective larval stage of gastrointestinal nematodes. FINDINGS: Sixteen cross breed Boer goats that were naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes were fed tanniniferous concentrate from the leaves of B. pulchella and compared to a separate paddock of control animals without condensed tannin supplementation. A range of parasite characteristics were monitored throughout the 63 days of experimentation, including faecal egg count (FEC), egg hatching and relative numbers of hatched helminth larvae on herbage. Worm free tracer animals were used to assess the infective larval stage load of the contaminated pasture. The tanniniferous food did not reduce the combined FEC values, but egg hatching was significantly affected (p < 0.05). The pasture grazed by goats fed with tanniniferous food from B. pulchella showed reduced contamination through infective larval stages. Tracer goats maintained in paddocks grazed with animals fed with tanniniferous food had lower numbers of Trichostrongylus colubriformis than did those in the control group (86 % reduction). CONCLUSIONS: Condensed tannin from B. pulchella showed anthelmintic activity, affected egg viability and reduced pasture contamination, which led to the reduced infection of the animals by T. colubriformis.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed , Anthelmintics/administration & dosage , Bauhinia/chemistry , Diet/methods , Nematoda/isolation & purification , Soil/parasitology , Tannins/administration & dosage , Animals , Anthelmintics/isolation & purification , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , Feces/parasitology , Goat Diseases/parasitology , Goat Diseases/prevention & control , Goats , Nematode Infections/parasitology , Nematode Infections/veterinary , Parasite Egg Count , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Tannins/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein extracts obtained from the plant Leucaena leucocephala on the nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus. The seeds, shell and cotyledon of L. leucocephala were separated and their proteins extracted using a sodium phosphate buffer, and named as TE (total seed extract), SE (shell extract) and CE (cotyledon extract). Soluble protein content, protease, protease inhibitory and chitinase activity assays were performed. Exsheathment inhibition of H. contortus larvae were performed at concentrations of 0.6 mg mL-1, and egg hatch assays were conducted at protein concentrations of 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mg mL-1. The effective concentration for 50% hatching inhibition (EC50) was estimated by probit. Different proportions of soluble proteins, protease and chitinase were found in TE and CE. Protease inhibitory activity was detected in all extracts. The EC50 of the CE and TE extracts were 0.48 and 0.33 mg mL-1, respectively. No ovicidal effects on H. contortus were detected in SE extracts, and none of the protein extracts demonstrated larvicidal effects on H. contortus. We therefore conclude that protein extracts of L. leucocephala had a detrimental effect on nematode eggs, which can be correlated with the high protease and chitinase activity of these extracts.
Subject(s)
Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Fabaceae/chemistry , Haemonchus/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Larva/drug effectsABSTRACT
Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein extracts obtained from the plant Leucaena leucocephala on the nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus. The seeds, shell and cotyledon of L. leucocephala were separated and their proteins extracted using a sodium phosphate buffer, and named as TE (total seed extract), SE (shell extract) and CE (cotyledon extract). Soluble protein content, protease, protease inhibitory and chitinase activity assays were performed. Exsheathment inhibition of H. contortus larvae were performed at concentrations of 0.6 mg mL–1, and egg hatch assays were conducted at protein concentrations of 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mg mL–1. The effective concentration for 50% hatching inhibition (EC50) was estimated by probit. Different proportions of soluble proteins, protease and chitinase were found in TE and CE. Protease inhibitory activity was detected in all extracts. The EC50 of the CE and TE extracts were 0.48 and 0.33 mg mL–1, respectively. No ovicidal effects on H. contortus were detected in SE extracts, and none of the protein extracts demonstrated larvicidal effects on H. contortus. We therefore conclude that protein extracts of L. leucocephala had a detrimental effect on nematode eggs, which can be correlated with the high protease and chitinase activity of these extracts.
Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade anti-helmíntica de extratos proteicos de leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) sobre Haemonchus contortus. As sementes, as cascas e os cotilédones foram moídos separadamente e as proteínas extraídas com tampão fosfato de sódio e denominados: TE (extrato total), SE (extrato casca) e CE (extrato cotilédone). O teor de proteínas, atividade proteolítica, inibitória de protease e quitinolítica dos extratos foram verificados, além da ação sobre a eclosão de ovos e desembainhamento larvar de H. contortus. A concentração efetiva para inibição de 50% da eclosão dos ovos (EC50) foi calculada através do probit. Foi demonstrado que TE e CE possuem, em diferentes proporções, proteínas solúveis, protease e quitinase. Atividade inibitória de protease foi encontrada em todos os extratos. A EC50 dos extratos CE e TE foram 0,48 e 0,33 mg de proteína mL–1, respectivamente. O extrato SE não apresentou atividade sobre a eclosão dos ovos. Os extratos proteicos não apresentaram efeito larvicida sobre H. contortus. Conclui-se que a ação de extratos proteicos de L. leucocephala afetam negativamente a eclodibilidade dos ovos, correlacionando-se com a alta atividade de protease e quitinase dos extratos testados.
Subject(s)
Animals , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Haemonchus/drug effects , Fabaceae/chemistry , Anthelmintics/poisoning , Larva/drug effectsABSTRACT
A non-engorged adult female Amblyomma dissimile and two Amblyomma sp. larvae were found parasitizing the lizard Ameiva ameiva in the municipality of Chapadinha, State of Maranhão. This is the first record in the state of Maranhão and fills a gap in the distribution of A. dissimile in Brazil. The lizard A. ameiva represents a new host for A. dissimile, and also the first record of this tick species infesting lizards of the family Teiidae in Brazil.
Subject(s)
Ixodidae/physiology , Lizards/parasitology , Animals , BrazilABSTRACT
A non-engorged adult female Amblyomma dissimile and two Amblyomma sp. larvae were found parasitizing the lizard Ameiva ameiva in the municipality of Chapadinha, State of Maranhão. This is the first record in the state of Maranhão and fills a gap in the distribution of A. dissimile in Brazil. The lizard A. ameiva represents a new host for A. dissimile, and also the first record of this tick species infesting lizards of the family Teiidae in Brazil.
Uma fêmea adulta não ingurgitada de Amblyomma dissimile e duas larvas de Amblyomma sp. foram encontradas parasitando o lagarto Ameiva ameiva no município de Chapadinha, Estado do Maranhão. Além de representar um novo registro para o Estado do Maranhão, esse trabalho preenche uma lacuna de distribuição geográfica de A. dissimile no país. O lagarto A. ameiva representa um novo hospedeiro para A. dissimile, sendo também o primeiro registro dessa espécie de carrapato infestando lagartos da família Teiidae no Brasil.
