Razão e razões masculinas: geração de desigualdades pelas práticas de meritocracia em uma empresa tecnocrática brasileira / Rationality and male reasons: generation of inequalities through meritocracy practices in a Brazilian technocratic company

O artigo revela como a meritocracia ­ transvestida como um sistema neutro de promoções ­ produz e reproduz as desigualdades entre atributos de gênero, em uma empresa brasileira do setor elétrico. O enfoque teórico estabelece paralelo entre a prática meritocrática, como luta de categorias e seus valores, e a praxiologia de Bourdieu. A abordagem é qualitativa, baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas e observação participante. Da análise de conteúdo emergiram três pares de categorias analíticas: técnico/não técnico, meritoso/não meritoso e masculino/feminino. A associação entre atributos masculinos e méritos mais valorizados é uma relação desigual de gênero não explícita no discurso, mas envolta em atributos de mérito que se agrupam em rótulos neutros e dissimuladores associados à masculinidade. O estudo contribui com a ampliação da compreensão sobre a construção de significados que subjazem aos processos de ascensão na estrutura hierárquica organizacional, ao revelar as relações entre os atributos de méritos e de valor; além de os atributos de masculinidade e racionalidade

The paper reveals how meritocracy ­ disguised as a neutral promotion system ­ produces and reproduces inequalities between gender attributes in a Brazilian company in the electricity sector. Our theoretical approach establishes a parallel between meritocratic practice as a struggle between categories and their values and Bourdieu's praxeology. Our approach is qualitative and based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation. From content analysis, three pairs of analytical categories emerged: technical/non-technical; meritorious/not meritorious; and male/female. The association between more valued male and merit attributes is an unequal gender relation which discourse maintains implicit but wrapped in merit attributes which are grouped in neutral and dissimulating labels associated with masculinity. This study broadens the understanding of the construction of meanings underlining the ascension processes in this organizational hierarchical structure by showing the relations between the attributes of merit and value, and those of masculinity and rationality

Zidovudine inhibits telomere elongation, increases the transposable element LINE-1 copy number and compromises mouse embryo development.

PURPOSE: Millions of pregnant, HIV-infected women take reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as zidovudine (azidothymidine or AZT), during pregnancy. Reverse transcription plays important roles in early development, including regulation of telomere length (TL) and activity of transposable elements (TE). So we evaluated the effects of AZT on embryo development, TL, and copy number of an active TE, Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1), during early development in a murine model. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: In vivo fertilized mouse zygotes from B6C3F1/B6D2F1 mice were cultured for 48 h in KSOM with no AZT (n = 45), AZT 1 µM (n = 46) or AZT 10 µM (n = 48). TL was measured by single-cell quantitative PCR (SC-pqPCR) and LINE-1 copy number by qPCR. The percentage of morulas at 48 h, TL and LINE-1 copy number were compared among groups. RESULTS: Exposure to AZT 1 µM or 10 µM significantly impairs early embryo development. TL elongates from oocyte to control embryos. TL in AZT 1 µM embryos is shorter than in control embryos. LINE-1 copy number is significantly lower in oocytes than control embryos. AZT 1 µM increases LINE-1 copy number compared to oocytes controls, and AZT 10 µM embryos. CONCLUSION: AZT at concentrations approaching those used to prevent perinatal HIV transmission compromises mouse embryo development, prevents telomere elongation and increases LINE-1 copy number after 48 h treatment. The impact of these effects on the trajectory of aging of children exposed to AZT early during development deserves further investigation.

Endometrium-free uterine closure technique and abnormal placental implantation in subsequent pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal placentation can result in massive hemorrhage, which is the leading cause of severe maternal morbidities and mortality in its management. Over the past 50 years, the incidence of placenta previa (PP), abnormal implantation of the placenta, and cesarean scar pregnancy have continued to rise. This coincides with the well-documented parallel rise in the rate of cesarean deliveries, the performance of multiple repeat cesarean deliveries and the adoption of newer uterine closure techniques. However, no studies have examined the role of uterine closure techniques in abnormal placentation in women with a history of a prior cesarean delivery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the practicality of one specific uterine closure technique at cesarean delivery and to evaluate the relationship between previous cesarean delivery and subsequent development of abnormal implantation of the placenta, as well as neonatal and other perioperative outcomes after receiving an endometrium-free uterine closure technique. METHODS: This retrospective observational study considered cesarean deliveries (n = 727) and subsequent vaginal births after cesarean delivery (n = 109) among total deliveries (n = 4496) performed in private practice at NYU Langone Health from 1985 to 2015. All cesarean deliveries were performed using the endometrium-free uterine closure technique. The primary outcome was the incidence of abnormal implantation of the placenta in subsequent pregnancies. The secondary outcomes were neonatal and maternal complications, specifically postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration losses. The association between independent variables and outcomes were evaluated using mixed-effect regression models. RESULTS: In contrast to published data, independent of the number of repeat cesarean deliveries, the presence of 26 (3.1%) PPs and of 366 (43.8%) anterior placentas, there were no patients with abnormal implantation of the placenta in a cesarean scar, neither prenatally nor at delivery. Maternal hemorrhage, postoperative and neonatal complications did not reach clinical significance. The statistical analysis revealed that, when compared with women who had fewer repeat cesarean deliveries using endometrium-free uterine closure technique, those with the most had a lesser risk of forming PP and less blood loss, as measured by both hematocrit and hemoglobin evaluation. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort study, the exclusion of the endometrium during the endometrium-free uterine closure technique was associated with fewer placental abnormalities in subsequent pregnancies and reduced life-threatening maternal morbidity for future cesarean deliveries.

Impaired reproductive function and fertility preservation in a woman with a dyskeratosis congenita.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of accelerated telomere shortening on the fertility parameters and treatment outcomes of a woman with dyskeratosis congenita (DKC). METHODS: A case study of the clinical data, blood, discarded oocytes, and arrested embryos of a woman with DKC and donated cryopreserved embryos from unaffected patients. Mean telomere length in blood cells was analyzed by flow cytometry-fluorescence in situ hybridization (flow-FISH) and qPCR. The load of short telomeres in blood cells was measured by universal single telomere length analysis (Universal STELA). The mean telomere length in embryos was analyzed by single-cell amplification of telomere repeats (SCATR) PCR. RESULTS: Comparison of clinical parameters revealed that the DKC patient had reduced anti-Mullerian hormone (0.3 vs 4.1 ± 5.7 ng/ML), reduced oocytes retrieved (7 vs 18.5 ± 9.5), reduced fertilization rate, and reduced euploidy rate relative to unaffected patients. Additionally, mean telomere length in DKC embryos were shorter than unaffected embryos. However, hormone treatment led to increased leukocyte telomere length, while the load of short telomeres was also shown to decrease during the course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate for the first time the direct detrimental impacts of short telomeres on female fertility. We further demonstrate positive effects of hormone treatments for people with telomere disorders.

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity in Immature Oocytes and Cumulus Cells of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Metaphase II oocytes (MII) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently have impaired oocyte competence. Since telomere maintenance is important for folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and early embryonic development, we sought to verify the implications of PCOS on telomere length and telomerase activity in immature oocytes and cumulus cells. 43 PCOS and 67 control women were included, and anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics were evaluated. The telomere length in germinal vesicle stage (GV) and in metaphase I (MI) oocytes, as well as in the cumulus cells of immature (CCI) and mature oocytes (CCM), and in leukocytes was measured by qPCR. The telomerase activity in reproductive cells was evaluated by the TRAPeze® XL Kit. The body mass index (p = 0.001), LH (p = 0.015), estradiol (p = 0.004), insulin (p = 0.002), testosterone (p < 0.0001), androstenedione (p = 0.001), free androgen index (p < 0.0001), and c-reactive protein (p = 0.003) were greater, while the FSH (p = 0.0002) was lower in the PCOS group. The telomere length in the CCI (p = 0.649) and CCM (p = 0.378) did not differ between the PCOS and the control groups. On the other hand, telomerase activity in the CCI (p = 0.003) and CCM (p = 0.022) was higher in the PCOS group. In the leukocyte's cells, the telomere length was reduced in the PCOS group (p = 0.025). In the GV and MI oocytes, no differences were observed in telomere length and telomerase activity between the groups. We showed that telomere length is not altered in reproductive cells from PCOS. However, higher telomerase activity in the CCI and CCM may be required for telomere length maintenance.

Amyloid-like substance in mice and human oocytes and embryos.

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize amyloid-like substance (ALS) in human and mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos. METHODS: An experimental prospective pilot study. A total of 252 mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos and 50 immature and in vitro matured human oocytes and parthenogenetic human embryos, from 11 consenting fertility patients, ages 18-45. Fluorescence intensity from immunofluorescent staining and data from confocal microscopy were quantified. Data were compared by one-way analysis of variance, with the least square-MEANS post-test, Pearson correlation coefficients (r), and bivariate analyses (t tests). ALS morphology was verified using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Immunostaining for ALS appears throughout the zona pellucida, as well as in the cytoplasm and nucleus of mouse and human oocytes, polar bodies, and parthenogenetic embryos, and mouse preimplantation embryos. In mouse, 2-cell embryos exhibited the highest level of ALS (69000187.4 ± 6733098.07). Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of ALS. In humans, fresh germinal vesicle stage oocytes exhibited the highest level of ALS (4164.74088 ± 1573.46) followed by metaphase I and II stages (p = 0.008). There was a significant negative association between levels of ALS and patient body mass index, number of days of ovarian stimulation, dose of gonadotropin used, time between retrieval and fixation, and time after the hCG trigger. Significantly higher levels of ALS were found in patients with AMH between 1 and 3 ng/ml compared to < 1 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate for the first time the presence, distribution, and change in ALS throughout some stages of mouse and human oocyte maturation and embryonic development. We also determine associations between ALS in human oocytes with clinical characteristics.

O casal homossexual e a inseminação artificial heteróloga / The homosexual couple and the artificial heterologous insemination

Objetivos: Avaliar o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes submetidas à inseminação artificial heteróloga (IAH), estabelecer a taxa de gravidez e de gestação múltipla e reconhecer a prevalência dos casais homossexuais como elemento de indicação. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo feito de janeiro de 2009 a outubro de 2014, na Clínica Fértile – Reprodução Humana, que avaliou os procedimentos de IAH. Resultados: Foram analisadas 67 pacientes submetidas a 156 ciclos de tratamento, média de 2,3 procedimentos por paciente. A faixa etária mais prevalente situou‐se entre 18 e 35 anos (55,2%). A principal indicação foi o fator masculino (70,1%). O padrão espermático mais prevalente foi entre 1 e 5 milhões de espermatozoides/mL (53,9%). A taxa de gravidez por ciclo foi de 17,3%. Foram obtidas 7 gestações múltiplas (4,48%). Das 67 pacientes, 9 procuraram a IAH por serem casais homossexuais (13,5%). Conclusão:O perfil epidemiológico foi idade entre 18 e 35 anos, indicação principal o fator masculino e padrão espermático entre 1 e 5 milhões. A taxa de gravidez por ciclo foi de 17,3% com uma taxa de gestações múltiplas de 4,48%. A prevalência de casais homossexuais durante o estudo foi de 13,5%.

Aims: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients undergoing heterologous artificial insemination (HAI), establish the rate of pregnancy and multiple pregnancy and recognize the prevalence of homosexual couples as an indication element for the procedure. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective and quantitative study conducted from January 2009 to October 2014, in the Fertile Clinic ‐ Human Reproduction assessing the HAI procedures. Results: We analyzed 67 patients who underwent 156 cycles of treatment with an average of 2.3 procedures per patient. The most prevalent age group was among 18 and 35 representing 55.2%. The main indication for the procedure was the male factor (70.1%). In most prevalent standard sperm concentration was between 1 and 5 million sperm/ml (53.9%) The cycle for pregnancy rate was 17.3%. Seven obtained multiple pregnancies (4.48%) and 5 of these were twins (3.2%) and 2 triplets (1.28%). Of the 67 patients, nine sought to HAI for being homosexual couples representing a rate of 13.5% of patients. Conclusion: The epidemiological profile was represented as follows: age among 18 and 35, the main indication was the male factor and the spermatic standard donated semen was between 1 and 5 million. The cycle for pregnancy rate was 17.3% with a rate of multiple pregnancies of 4.48%, 3.2% were twins and 1.28% triplets. The prevalence of homosexual couples during the study was 13.5%.

Videolaparoscopia no diagnóstico e tratamento da síndrome do ovário remanescente em uma gata / Videolaparoscopic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of remaining ovary in a cat

A síndrome do ovário remanescente é definida como a persistência da atividade ovariana em fêmeas castradas. É decorrente da presença de tecido ovariano acessório no ligamento largo uterino ou por erro na técnica cirúrgica de ovariosalpingohisterectomia ou ovariectomia. O presente trabalho descreve o diagnóstico e tratamento videolaparoscópico de um caso de síndrome de ovário remanescente em uma gata. No acesso, foram utilizados três portais de 5mm nas paredes abdominais direita, esquerda e na linha média ventral. Constatou-se a presença de massa com aspecto de tecido ovariano junto à fossa paralombar esquerda e aumento de volume na fossa paralombar direita, removidos com tesoura de Metzenbaum e cauterização monopolar. O exame histológico da massa extirpada do lado esquerdo confirmou a presença de tecido ovariano. Não se observaram complicações perioperatórias, e a paciente evoluiu sem sinais de recidiva de estro pelo período de pelo menos 24 meses. Conclui-se que a síndrome do ovário remanescente em gatas pode ser diagnosticada e tratada com sucesso por cirurgia laparoscópica.

Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) refers to the presence of functional ovarian tissue in a previously ovariohysterectomized animal. This report describes a case of remaining ovary syndrome in a cat that was submitted to ovariohysterectomy six months later. Three laparoscopic portals of 5mm were created in the abdominal walls (in the right and left lateral abdominal flank, and one in the ventral abdominal midline). It was observed the presence of one mass in the site of ovarians region. Both tissues were removed using Metzenbaum scissors and monopolar cauterization. The histological examination demonstrated ovarian tissue in the left carried by side. The post-operative time was uneventful. The treatment of ovarian remnant syndrome in a cat can be successfully performed by laparoscopic surgery.

[Chagas' disease seroprevalence among school-age children in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, 1999-2000]. / Soroprevalência da doença de Chagas em crianças em idade escolar do Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil, em 1999-2000.

Although the Brazilian State of Espírito Santo is not considered endemic for Chagas' disease, the sylvatic triatomines occurring there frequently invade houses, increasing the chances of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission to man. The epidemiological pattern of the disease in Espírito Santo was evaluated by a serological survey of 5,243 schoolchildren ages 7 to 14 years, residents of 17 municipalities. Indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemagglutination, and immunoenzymatic (ELISA) tests were positive in only one person, representing only 0.019% of the total. This result was similar to those found by other authors in previous studies. Based on the results of serological tests it is concluded that the epidemiological pattern of Chagas' disease in Espírito Santo remains stable, despite the intensive destruction of the Atlantic Forest that has occurred in recent decades.

Soroprevalência da doença de Chagas em crianças em idade escolar do Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil, em 1999-2000 / Chagas' disease seroprevalence among school-age children in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, 1999-2000

Embora o Estado do Espírito Santo näo seja considerado endêmico para a doença de Chagas, triatomíneos silvestres que lá ocorrem freqüentemente invadem as casas, com chances de transmissäo da doença às pessoas. Avaliou-se o padräo epidemiológico da moléstia no Estado por meio de um inquérito sorológico realizado em 5.243 escolares de 7 a 14 anos de idade, residentes em 17 municípios. Os testes de Imunofluorescência Indireta, Hemaglutinaçäo Indireta e Imunoenzimático (ELISA) foram positivos em apenas uma pessoa, representando 0,019 por cento do total. O resultado foi semelhante aos encontrados por outros autores em investigaçöes anteriores. Concluiu-se que, apesar da intensa destruiçäo da Mata Atlântica ocorrida nas últimas décadas, o padräo epidemiológico da doença de Chagas permanece estável, a julgar pelo resultado dos testes sorológicos