Analysis of the socio-environmental vulnerability of black and Caucasian pregnant women in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil to the occurrence of microcephaly associated with the congenital syndrome of zika virus.

To understand the occurrence of the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), the living conditions of pregnant individuals must be considered in order to identify factors and areas of risk. An intersectional approach provides an understanding of the vulnerabilities to which Black women are subjected. To that end, we present an overview of the spatio-temporal distribution of confirmed cases of microcephaly associated with CZS during the 2015-2016 period in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil based on a survey of Black and Caucasian, pregnant women seen through the intersectional lens of race and class. To consider the confirmed cases of microcephaly and other neurological anomalies associated with CZS, a Living Condition Index (LCI) was utilized to rate the socio-environmental vulnerability of pregnant women. There was less information in the notification records with regard to Black, pregnant women resulting in fewer examinations. Twelve, highrisk areas for Black, pregnant women were identified but only two for Caucasian women. CZS cases referred to Black, pregnant women were found to be concentrated in census sectors with a low (31.6%) and very low (34.5%) LCI, while those referred to Caucasian, pregnant women were concentrated in areas with a high (35.6%) and intermediate (29.4%) LCI. The study concludes that inequities in health expose different population groups to different forms of illnesses, and institutional racism solidifies scenarios of exclusion. In this sense, Black women experiences manifest directly in their health. Confrontation with arboviruses requires the implementation of inter-institutional policies aimed at overcoming discriminatory practices of exposure.

Peptide R18H from BRN2 Transcription Factor POU Domain Displays Antitumor Activity In Vitro and In Vivo and Induces Apoptosis in B16F10-Nex2 Cells.

BACKGROUND: BRN2 transcription factor is associated with the development of malignant melanoma. The cytotoxic activities and cell death mechanism against B16F10-Nex2 cells were determined with synthetic peptide R18H derived from the POU domain of the BRN2 transcription factor. OBJECTIVE: To determine the cell death mechanisms and in vivo activity of peptide R18H derived from the POU domain of the BRN2 transcription factor against B16F10-Nex2 cells. METHODS: Cell viability was determined by the MTT method. C57Bl/6 mice were challenged with B16F10-Nex2 cells and treated with R18H. To identify the type of cell death, we used TUNEL assay, Annexin V and PI, Hoechst, DHE, and determination of caspase activation and cytochrome c release. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to verify morphological alterations after peptide treatment. RESULTS: Peptide R18H displayed antitumor activity in the first hours of treatment and the EC50% was calculated for 2 and 24h, being 0.76 ± 0.045 mM and 0.559 ± 0.053 mM, respectively. After 24h apoptosis was evident, based on DNA degradation, chromatin condensation, increase of superoxide anion production, phosphatidylserine translocation, activation of caspases 3 and 8, and release of extracellular cytochrome c in B16F10-Nex2 cells. The peptide cytotoxic activity was not affected by necroptosis inhibitors and treated cells did not release LDH in the extracellular medium. Moreover, in vivo antitumor activity was observed following treatment with peptide R18H. CONCLUSION: Peptide R18H from BRN2 transcription factor induced apoptosis in B16F10-Nex2 and displayed antitumor activity in vivo.

PnTx2-6 (or δ-CNTX-Pn2a), a toxin from Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom, releases l-glutamate from rat brain synaptosomes involving Na+ and Ca2+ channels and changes protein expression at the blood-brain barrier.

PhTx2 is the most toxic fraction from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer, being responsible to sodium entry into cortical synaptosomes, increasing the release of neurotransmitters, such as l-glutamate (L-Glu) and; acetylcholine. In this study, we investigated the action of a toxin purified from; PhTx2 fraction, called PnTx2-6 or δ-CNTX-Pn2a, on L-Glu release from rat; brain cortex synaptosomes, as well as its ability to induce blood-brain barrier permeability. PnTx2-6 increased L-Glu release from rat cortical brain synaptosomes in a time- and dose-dependent manner (EC50 = ∼20 nM; Tm = 16min), as measured by a fluorimetric method. The increase of L-Glu by PnTx2-6 was inhibited by tetrodotoxin. And partially inhibited by EGTA. Calcium channel blockers ω-conotoxin MVIIC (P/Q-types) and ω-conotoxin GVIA (N-type), were able to reduce the PnTx2-6-induced release of L-Glu, while nifedipine (L-type) did not show any inhibition. These findings suggest that thew release of L-Glu by PnTx2-6 is due its primary action on sodium channels, well-known to be target of this toxin. PnTx2-6 is able to potentiate penile erection and this effect may be related with the release of l-glutamate from the CNS, besides a local effect on corpus carvenosum, as previously shown by our group. If L-Glu release and penile erection potentiation are indeed correlated, then this toxin should be able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Results by immunoblotting assays indicated a change in the expression of proteins associated with the paracellular and transcellular transport at the blood-brain barrier, suggesting a BBB dysfunction mediated by PnTx2-6. Therefore, PnTx2-6 may induce the release l-glutamate in the central nervous system, when injected peripherally.

De catador de lixo a agente ambiental: educação ambiental na qualidade de vida / From Being a Waste Collector to an Environmental Education Agent - Environmental Education in Quality of Life

A Cooperativa Amigos do Lixo de Guaratinguetá é uma iniciativa de um grupo da sociedade civil do município de Guaratinguetá, Estado de São Paulo, que se dedica voluntariamente à tarefa de arrecadar material reciclável e tem conquistado, de forma progressiva, o apoio de empresas privadas, de instituições públicas e da Prefeitura Municipal. Nasceu da necessidade de melhorar as condições de trabalho e de vida dos catadores de lixo do município, que atuavam de modo isolado no antigo lixão do município. Todas as atividades foram planejadas de modo a inserir a ação no âmbito mais geral de educação ambiental e sanitária, com ênfase na qualidade de vida e preservação do meio ambiente. Inicialmente, estes catadores foram identificados após pesquisa de campo, tiveram seu perfil sócio-econômico traçado, participaram de curso de capacitação profissional, após o qual passaram a atuar com identificação pessoal, uniforme e carrinhos padronizados em setores pré-estabelecidos da cidade, ficando conhecidos como Agentes Ambientais. Participam de curso de alfabetização, de eventos sócio-ambientais, ministram palestras e são responsáveis pelo programa de educação ambiental na comunidade e nas escolas. A partir do ano de 2005, a cooperativa passou a se preocupar com a responsabilidade social, implementando o projeto Vivendo e Aprendendo para os filhos dos cooperados e o Centro Sensorial de Geração de Renda e Educação Ambiental para os portadores de necessidades especiais. Desta forma, o objetivo do trabalho é avaliar e analisar a melhoria de qualidade de vida destes catadores, tendo como ferramenta de análise as atividades sócio-educativas desenvolvidas. Os resultados foram obtidos através de acompanhamento das atividades e das entrevistas com os catadores.

Da norma ao risco: transformações na produção de subjetividades contemporâneas / From norm to risk: transformation in the contemporary production of subjectivities

O objetivo do presente artigo é demonstrar, com base na premissa foucaultiana de que a resistência é sempre primeira, algumas transformações que se deram com o movimento social de recusa à sociedade disciplinar a partir de profundas mudanças nos processos de produção de subjetividade e de controle sobre os corpos e os comportamentos. As transformações em análise dizem respeito à passagem de uma sociedade fundada na normatização dos sujeitos para uma sociedade de controle dos riscos do cotidiano, o que permitiu, em grande parte, uma revitalização da capacidade de comando social do capitalismo sobre as pessoas. Resulta dessa análise, portanto, a apreensão de alguns mecanismos de poder que vêm sendo impostos e naturalizados hoje em dia e que subjetividades são produzidas por eles (AU)