Acute Effects of Different Set Configurations on Neuromuscular, Metabolic, and Perceptual Responses in Young Women.

We compared neuromuscular, metabolic, and perceptual responses between different resistance training configurations in young women. In a counterbalanced randomized order, 13 young women performed the following protocols in separate sessions (sets x repetitions): traditional (TRAD): 5x10, 90-s of rest interval between sets; more frequent and shorter total rest (FSR): 10x5, 30-s of rest interval between sets. The sessions were composed of leg press exercise with the same intensity. Force (maximum voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) and metabolic (lactate concentration) responses were measured pre- and post-resistance training sessions. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured after each set. The internal training load was calculated using the session-RPE method. There was a significant reduction in the MVIC only after TRAD configuration (Effect size [ES] = 0.36). The lactate concentration increased in both conditions but was higher after TRAD (ES = 2.81) than FSR (ES = 1.23). The RPE has progressively increased in both configurations. On the other hand, the internal training load was lower in the FSR configuration. From our findings, we suggest that more frequent and shorter total rest is an effective strategy for maintaining the ability to produce force, generating less metabolic stress and lower perceived internal load in young women.

Retirada de projetil de arma de fogo alojado em assoalho infraorbitário com preservação do globo ocular: relato de caso / Removal of a firearm projectile lodged in the infraorbital floor with preservation of the eyeball: case report

Objetivo: relatar um caso de ferimento por arma de fogo (FAF), com projétil balístico alojado em região infraorbitária à esquerda, relatando tratamento cirúrgico de urgência para exérese do projetil por acesso subciliar. Relato do caso: Paciente do gênero masculino, 18 anos, foi encaminhado ao pronto socorro do Hospital Universitário por conta de ferimento por arma de fogo. Ao exame clínico, foi verificado discreto aumento de volume em região cervical e hemiface à esquerda, ausência de sangramento em face; presença de limitação para infraversão de olho esquerdo. O orifício de entrada do projetil foi identificado em região de tórax superior posterior à esquerda; após realização de tomografia de face, confirmou-se fratura de assoalho orbitário esquerdo, assim como projétil alojado abaixo do globo ocular. O ato cirúrgico foi realizado com caráter de urgência pela equipe de Cirurgia e Traumatologia Bucomaxilofacial. Discussão: estudos descrevem a importância da realização do adequado manejo de lesões traumáticas decorrentes de FAF seguido de remoção do projetil com urgência, visto que as complicações ao postergar o tempo cirúrgico só agravam o quadro clínico do paciente, além das afecções futuras que podem surgir com o decorrer da resolução do caso clínico. Conclusão: ratifica-se a importância da multidisciplinariedade entres as clínicas médicas, assim como, o correto manejo do paciente traumatizado, baseado nos critérios que conduzem o plano de tratamento.(AU)

Aim: to report a case of gunshot wound, with ballistic projectile lodged in the left infraorbital region, reporting emergency surgical treatment for projectile exeresis by subciliary access. Case Report: An 18-year-old male patient was referred to the emergency department of the University Hospital due to a gunshot wound. On clinical examination, it was found slight increase in volume in the cervical region and left hemiface, absence of bleeding in the face; presence of limitation to infraversion of the left eye. The entrance hole of the projectile was identified in the posterior left upper thorax region; after a tomography of the face, a fracture of the left orbital floor was confirmed, as well as the projectile lodged below the eyeball. The surgery was urgently performed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team. Discussion: Studies describe the importance of performing the proper management of traumatic injuries resulting from FAF followed by removal of the projectile with urgency, since the complications to postpone the surgical time only aggravate the clinical picture of the patient, in addition to future problems that may arise with the resolution of the clinical case. Conclusion: the importance of multidisciplinarity among medical clinics is ratified, as well as the correct management of the traumatized patient, based on the criteria that lead to the treatment plan.(AU)

Electrochemical Actuation of a DyP Peroxidase: A Facile Method for Drastic Improvement of the Catalytic Performance.

Dye decolorizing peroxidases (DyP) have attracted interest for applications such as dye-containing wastewater remediation and biomass processing. So far, efforts to improve operational pH ranges, activities, and stabilities have focused on site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution strategies. Here, we show that the performance of the DyP from Bacillus subtilis can be drastically boosted without the need for complex molecular biology procedures by simply activating the enzyme electrochemically in the absence of externally added H2O2. Under these conditions, the enzyme shows specific activities toward a variety of chemically different substrates that are significantly higher than in its canonical operation. Moreover, it presents much broader pH activity profiles with the maxima shifted toward neutral to alkaline. We also show that the enzyme can be successfully immobilized on biocompatible electrodes. When actuated electrochemically, the enzymatic electrodes have two orders of magnitude higher turnover numbers than with the standard H2O2-dependent operation and preserve about 30% of the initial electrocatalytic activity after 5 days of operation-storage cycles.

Direct Electrochemical Generation of Catalytically Competent Oxyferryl Species of Classes I and P Dye Decolorizing Peroxidases.

This work introduces a novel way to obtain catalytically competent oxyferryl species for two different dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) in the absence of H2O2 or any other peroxide by simply applying a reductive electrochemical potential under aerobic conditions. UV-vis and resonance Raman spectroscopies show that this method yields long-lived compounds II and I for the DyPs from Bacillus subtilis (BsDyP; Class I) and Pseudomonas putida (PpDyP; Class P), respectively. Both electrochemically generated high valent intermediates are able to oxidize ABTS at both acidic and alkaline pH. Interestingly, the electrocatalytic efficiencies obtained at pH 7.6 are very similar to the values recorded for regular catalytic ABTS/H2O2 assays at the optimal pH of the enzymes, ca. 3.7. These findings pave the way for the design of DyP-based electrocatalytic reactors operable in an extended pH range without the need of harmful reagents such as H2O2.

Ochratoxin A and related fungi in Brazilian black pepper (Piper nigrum L.).

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin with nephrotoxic, genotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic properties, produced by several species of Aspergillus, mainly those belonging to the A. section Circumdati and A. section Nigri. Although this toxin has been detected in spices and condiments, in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) few studies have investigated the mycobiota (based on a molecular approach) and the presence of OTA in this food. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of potentially ochratoxigenic species and ochratoxin A in black pepper marketed in Brazil, one of the largest producers in the world. A total of 60 samples of black pepper (29 in powder and 31 in grain) were collected in markets. The presence of OTA was investigated in black pepper samples using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), OTA was detected in 55% of the samples, with levels ranging from 0.05 to 13.15 µg/kg, all of which were below the Brazilian legal tolerances. A. section Nigri and A. section Circumdati were found in 80% of the samples, but the species of A. section Nigri were significantly more frequent than those of A. section Circumdati. The potential for OTA production by fungal isolates was tested using the agar plug technique and confirmed by HPLC. Among the isolates belonging to A. section Nigri (n = 1,083) and A. section Circumdati (n = 129), 3.7% and 3.8%, respectively, were able to produce OTA in Yeast Extract Sucrose Agar (YESA). A total of 25 strains from A. section Circumdati and 64 from A. section Nigri were identified using molecular data. The following potentially ochratoxigenic species were found in black pepper: A. niger, A. welwitschiae, A. carbonarius, A. westerdijkiae and A. ochraceus. The occurrence of these species denotes the need for continuous monitoring of black pepper by regulatory bodies in order to safeguard consumers' health.

O que é a psicologia concreta: contribuições de Lev. S. Vigotski / What is concrete psychology? Contributions by Lev S. Vigotski

Este artigo tem como objetivo corroborar a resposta a psicologia concreta, tendo como referências as proposições de Vigotski. Para tanto apresenta, introdutoriamente, elementos da crítica tecida por este autor à psicologia tradicional presentes no ensaio "O significado histórico da crise da psicologia. Uma investigação metodológica", bem como sua defesa em prol de uma psicologia científica, concreta. Na sequência, recorrendo ao estofo filosófico materialista histórico-dialético da psicologia vigotskiana, apresenta uma sistematização acerca dos traços característicos fundamentais de uma psicologia concreta, quais sejam: o enfoque materialista; a constatação de que na base de todas as relações sociais estão as relações sociais de produção; o apelo à luta contra as condições objetivas e subjetivas que alienam o trabalho e o trabalhador e, por último, a adoção do método materialista dialético. À guisa de finalização, esses traços são ilustrados no tratamento dispensado por Vigotski à necessidade de formulação de uma psicologia geral; no enfoque ontológico e gnosiológico dispensado ao desenvolvimento do psiquismo humano bem como por meio do conceito de vivência, considerada pelo autor como unidade indissolúvel entre pessoa e situação social de desenvolvimento.

This paper aims to corroborate the answer to what is concrete psychology, having as reference Vygotsky's propositions. To this end, presents introductory elements of the critique made by this author to the traditional psychology in the essay "The historical meaning of the crisis in psychology. A methodological investigation", as well as its defense of a concrete, scientific psychology. Then, using the historical and dialectical materialism of Vigotski's psychology, this paper presents a systematization of the concrete psychology's fundamental characteristics, namely: the materialist approach; the realization that the basis of all social relations are the relations of production; the call to fight against the objective and subjective conditions that alienate work and workers and, finally, the adoption of the dialectical materialist method. In conclusion, these elements are illustrated in how Vigotski discusses the need to formulate a unique psychology; in the ontological and gnosiological focus given to the development of the human psyche as well as through the concept of "life experience", considered by the author as an indissoluble unit between person and social situation of development.

Modeling aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus during wheat malting for craft beer as a function of grains steeping degree, temperature and time of germination.

This study aimed to model the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production by A. flavus in wheat grains during malting for craft beer. A total of sixty-four different combinations of grains steeping degree (ST; 41, 43, 45 and 47%), temperature (13, 15, 17 and 19 °C) and time of germination (48, 72, 96 and 120 h), comprising the range of malting conditions that allow the production of quality malt, were assayed. AFB1 was produced in a range of 15.78 ± 3.54 µg/kg (41% ST, 13 °C for 48 h) to 284.66 ± 44.34 µg/kg (47% ST, 19 °C for 120 h). The regression model showing an acceptable fit to the experimental data (adjusted R2 0.84) for AFB1 as a function of grains steeping degree, temperature and time of germination. Results showed that AFB1 levels in wheat malt increase with increase of the temperature or time of germination. Within the range of tested malting conditions, no significant effects were observed for steeping degree on AFB1 levels in wheat malt. The generated model is useful to estimate the AFB1 levels in wheat malt. Findings highlight overall that if wheat grains are contaminated with A. flavus, AFB1 might be produced in malt in levels above the limits set by regulatory agencies, regardless the steeping conditions used.

Interaction of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus with Salmonella spp. isolated from peanuts.

Although Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are the main microorganisms of concern in peanuts, due to aflatoxin contamination, several Salmonella outbreaks from this product have been reported over the last ten decades. Thus, it is important to understand the relationship between microorganisms to predict, manage and estimate the diversity in the peanut supply chain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate aflatoxin production during the co-cultivation of Aspergillus section Flavi and Salmonella both isolated from peanuts. Three strains of A. section Flavi: A. flavus producing aflatoxin B, A. flavus non-producing aflatoxin and A. parasiticus producing aflatoxin B and G were co-cultivated with seven serotypes of Salmonella of which six were isolated from the peanut supply chain (S. Muenster, S. Miami, S. Glostrup, S. Javiana, S. Oranienburg and S. Yoruba) and one was S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028. First of all, each Salmonella strain was inoculated by pour plate (ca. 5 log cfu/mL) in PDA (potato dextrose agar). Then, each pre-cultured fungus was inoculated in the center of the petri dish. The plates were incubated at 30 °C and the fungal colony diameter was measured once a day for 7 days. As a control each Aspergillus strain was cultivated in the absence of Salmonella culture. All three strains of Aspergillus with absence of Salmonella (control) reached the maximum colony diameter and their growth rate was influenced when co-cultivated (p < 0.05) with all Salmonella serotypes tested. The maximum inhibition in the colony diameter was 20% for A. flavus aflatoxin B producer and A. parasiticus, and 18% for A. flavus non- aflatoxin producer when cultivated with Salmonella. However, no significant difference (p < 0.05) in reduction of colony diameter was observed among the Salmonella serotypes. Aflatoxin production was determined previously, by using the agar plug technique on thin layer chromatography (TLC). The production of aflatoxin G by A. parasiticus in co-cultivation with Salmonella was not observed. On the other hand, A. flavus preserved their characteristics of aflatoxin B production. The quantification of aflatoxin reduction by Salmonella interaction was evaluated using HPLC method. There was a maximum reduction of aflatoxin production of 88.7% and 72.9% in A. flavus and A. parasiticus, respectively, when cultivated with Salmonella. These results indicate that some serotypes of Salmonella may interfere with aflatoxin production and fungal growth of A. flavus and A. parasiticus in the peanut supply chain.

Reading comprehension in dyslexic schoolchildren after an intervention program. / Compreensão de leitura em disléxicos após programa de intervenção.

PURPOSE: To develop a Speech-language Pathology (SLP) program and verify its effects on the reading comprehension of dyslexic students. METHODS: Participants were eleven 4th and 5th-grade Elementary School students, eight boys and three girls, aged 9-11 years, diagnosed with developmental dyslexia. All individuals underwent the therapeutic program, which was composed of 16 sessions divided into four levels of complexity. A text adapted according to the Cloze technique and reading comprehension and orthography tasks were used in each session. The schoolchildren had their reading comprehension assessed pre- and post-program using a text available at the Test of Reading Comprehension of Expository Texts, adapted for application of the structural Cloze technique without support, according to the Evaluation of Reading Comprehension Levels. RESULTS: The participants showed better performance in reading comprehension at the post-program assessment not only in the filling of blanks in the text adapted according to the Cloze technique and in the Responses to Reading Comprehension Questions, but also in the level of reading comprehension achieved. CONCLUSION: The SLP program improved the reading comprehension performance and increased motivation to reading of dyslexic schoolchildren. Both the Cloze technique and the Reading Comprehension Questions were useful tools to develop and identify changes in the reading comprehension of the students assessed. This study is relevant because it prepared and verified the effects of a specific remediation program for schoolchildren with dyslexia by proposing the use of texts adapted according to the Cloze technique combined with other various tasks of reading comprehension and orthography.

OBJETIVO: Elaborar um programa terapêutico fonoaudiológico e verificar seus efeitos na compreensão de leitura de escolares disléxicos. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo onze escolares de 4º e 5° anos do ensino fundamental, diagnosticados com Dislexia do Desenvolvimento, com idades entre nove e onze anos, sendo oito meninos. Todos foram submetidos ao programa terapêutico fonoaudiológico com 16 sessões, divididas em quatro níveis de complexidade. Em cada sessão, foram utilizados um texto adaptado com a Técnica de Cloze e tarefas de Compreensão Textual e Ortografia. Os sujeitos realizaram avaliação da compreensão leitora no pré e no pós-teste com um texto do Teste de Compreensão Leitora de Textos Expositivos, adaptado com a Técnica de Cloze estrutural sem apoio, seguido da Avaliação dos Níveis de Compreensão de Leitura. RESULTADOS: Os sujeitos apresentaram melhor desempenho na compreensão leitora no pós-teste, tanto no preenchimento do texto adaptado com a Técnica de Cloze e nas respostas às Perguntas de Compreensão Textual quanto no nível de compreensão de leitura atingido. CONCLUSÃO: O programa elaborado gerou melhor desempenho na compreensão leitora dos escolares disléxicos e na motivação para a leitura. A Técnica de Cloze e as Perguntas de Compreensão Textual foram instrumentos úteis para desenvolver e apontar mudanças na compreensão de leitura dos sujeitos desta pesquisa. Trata-se de estudo relevante, por elaborar e verificar os efeitos de um programa específico de remediação para disléxicos, com uma proposta de aplicação de textos usando a Técnica de Cloze e aliando-a a outras tarefas diversificadas de compreensão de leitura textual e ortografia.

Fungal communities in rice cultivated in different Brazilian agroclimatic zones: From field to market.

Rice is one of the most consumed cereals in Brazil and around the world. Due to the major health impact of rice consumption on populations, studies about its quality have great importance. The present study determined the mycobiota of soil, field, processing and market rice samples from two production systems in Brazil, dryland in the state of Maranhão and wetland in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. These areas are distinct agroclimatic zones. A total of 171 rice and 23 soil samples were analyzed. A high differentiation was observed in the composition of the fungal communities found in the two production systems, as the wetland presented greater fungal incidence and biodiversity. It was observed that toxigenic species from Aspergillus section Flavi and Fusarium, present in the field, may infect rice grains pre or postharvest and may persist into the final product.

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles in psoriasis: use as laboratory biomarkers and disease predictors.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to delineate the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles of psoriasis and cytokine profile models that externally validate the diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study recruited 70 patients with psoriasis and 76 healthy controls. Cytokine profiles were evaluated, including pro-inflammatory M1 (IL-1 + IL-6 + TNF-α), Th1 (IL-2 + IL-12 + IFN-γ), Th17 (IL-6 + IL-17), and immune-inflammatory response system (IRS = M1 + Th1 + Th17) profiles. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory potential included Th2 (IL-4), Th2 + T regulatory (Th2 + Treg, namely IL-4 + IL-10 + TGF-ß), anti-inflammatory (Th2 + Treg + adiponectin), and the pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory index. RESULTS: There was a highly significant association between psoriasis and cytokine levels with an effect size of 0.829 and a particularly strong impact on IL-2 (0.463), IL-12 (0.451), IL-10 (0.532) and adiponectin (0.401). TGF-ß and adiponectin were significantly lower while all other cytokines (except IFN-γ) were significantly higher in psoriasis than in controls. In addition, M1, Th1, Th17, Th2 + Treg, and IRS/Anti-inflammatory index were significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in controls. The IRS index, Th2 + Treg, and adiponectin predicted psoriasis with 97.1% sensitivity and 94% specificity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, psoriasis is characterized by increased M1, Th1, Th2 and Th17 profiles together with lowered TGF-ß and adiponectin. In addition, we propose a model based on a higher IRS and Th2 + Treg index coupled with lower adiponectin values, which may be used to externally validate the diagnosis of psoriasis. The most important single biomarker of psoriasis is adiponectin. Because the latter may play a role in the modulation of the chronic inflammatory response in psoriasis, adiponectin could be a new drug target to treat psoriasis.

O processo de alfabetização: da pré-história da escrita a escrita simbólica / The literacy process: from the prehistory of writing the symbolic writing / Proceso de alfabetización: de la pre-historia de la escritura a la escritura simbólica

Este artigo focaliza a alfabetização à luz da Psicologia Histórico-Cultural, estabelecendo relações entre a mesma e o desenvolvimento cultural do psiquismo destacando os vínculos existentes entre fala e escrita. Objetiva apresentar elementos que corroborem a compreensão dos processos psíquicos que medeiam a aprendizagem da escrita explorando o trânsito cultural que avança das expressões gráficas primevas, denominadas por Alexander Romanovich Luria como "pré-história da escrita", à escrita simbólica. Haja vista que o legado por este autor confere centralidade aos primórdios do desenvolvimento da escrita, identificamos na literatura histórico-cultural a existência de um hiato no tratamento dispensado, especificamente, à transição entre a pré-história e a escrita simbólica, dado que nos conduz à busca de aclaramentos sobre esta.Fundamentando-se no método materialista histórico-dialético, adotaram-se como procedimentos de pesquisa: análise conceitual do referencial bibliográfico adotado e contraposição da referida análise a dados empíricos advindos de registros de campo de duas professoras alfabetizadoras.

This article focuses on literacy in the light of Historical-Cultural Psychology, establishing relationships between it and the cultural development of the psyche, highlighting the links between speech and writing. It aims to present elements that corroborate the understanding of the psychic processes that mediate the learning of the writing exploring the cultural traffic that advances from the primeval graphic expressions, denominated by Alexander Romanovich Luria like "prehistory of the writing", to the symbolic writing. Since the legacy of this author confers centrality to the early development of writing, we have identified in the historical-cultural literature the existence of a hiatus in the treatment, specifically, of the transition between prehistory and symbolic writing, since it leads us the search for clarifications about it. Based on the historical-dialectical materialist method, we adopted as research procedures: the conceptual analysis of the bibliographic references adopted and the analysis of empirical data derived from the field records of two literacy teachers.

En este artículo se focaliza la alfabetización a la luz de la Psicología Histórico-Cultural, estableciendo relaciones entre esta y el desarrollo cultural del psiquismo destacando los vínculos existentes entre el habla y la escritura. Se tiene por objetivo presentar elementos que corroboren a la comprensión de los procesos psíquicos que arbitran el aprendizaje de la escritura explotando el tránsito cultural que avanza de las expresiones gráficas primevas, denominadas por Alexander Romanovich Luria como "pre-historia de la escritura", a la escritura simbólica. Haya vista que el legado por este autor confiere centralidad a los principios del desarrollo de la escritura, identificamos en la literatura histórico-cultural la existencia de un hiato en el tratamiento dispensado, específicamente, a la transición entre la pre-historia y la escritura simbólica, dato que nos conduce a la búsqueda de aclaramientos sobre esta. Fundamentándose en el método materialista histórico-dialéctico, se adoptó como procedimientos de investigación: análisis conceptual del referencial bibliográfico adoptado y contraposición del referido análisis a datos empíricos advenidos de registros de campo de profesoras alfabetizadoras.

Occurrence of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxins in Brazilian rice: From field to market.

The guarantee of the high quality of rice is of utmost importance because any toxic contaminant may affect consumer health, especially in countries such as Brazil where rice is part of the daily diet. A total of 187 rice samples, from field, processing and market from two different production systems, wetland from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, dryland, from the state of Maranhão and market samples from the state of São Paulo, were analyzed for fungi belonging to Aspergillus section Flavi and the presence of aflatoxins. Twenty-three soil samples from wetland and dryland were also analyzed. A total of 383 Aspergillus section Flavi strains were isolated from rice and soil samples. Using a polyphasic approach, with phenotypic (morphology and extrolite profiles) and molecular data (beta-tubulin gene sequences), five species were identified: A. flavus, A. caelatus, A. novoparasiticus, A. arachidicola and A. pseudocaelatus. This is the first report of these last three species from rice and rice plantation soil. Only seven (17%) of the A. flavus isolates produced type B aflatoxins, but 95% produced kojic acid and 69% cyclopiazonic acid. Less than 14% of the rice samples were contaminated with aflatoxins, but two of the market samples were well above the maximum tolerable limit (5µg/kg), established by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency.

A relação intrínseca entre a psicologia histórico-cultural e a epistemologia marxiana / La relación intrínseca entre la psicología histórico-cultural y la epistemología marxiana / The intrinsic relation between historical-cultural psychology and the marxian epistemology

RESUMO. Considerando as investidas ideológicas que tencionam mascarar as bases epistemológicas marxistas da psicologia histórico-cultural, o artigo em tela visa contribuir para evidenciar o modo como o materialismo histórico e dialético edificou os pressupostos essenciais desta teoria psicológica. Para tanto, estabeleceu-se a proposição de que os três pilares metodológicos que fundamentam a crítica marxiana à sociedade burguesa - quais sejam, a unidade mínima de análise, a historicização categorial e a essência contraditória do fenômeno estudado - amparam, analogamente, a análise histórica do psiquismo humano como sistema interfuncional. Deste modo, objetivou-se demonstrar que a arquitetônica epistemológica marxiana serviu de sustentáculo para a edificação de uma psicologia legitimamente marxista a qual superou os limites atomísticos da lógica formal burguesa. Concluiu-se que a especificidade metodológica da psicologia histórico-cultural apreendeu o desenvolvimento dos processos psicológicos no movimento de suas tendências antagônicas essenciais - representadas pelo núcleo contraditório que contrapõe e articula os processos funcionais elementares e superiores - alcançando a compreensão da concretude histórica que conforma a subjetividade humana.

RESUMEN. En cuanto a las investiduras ideológicas que pretenden enmascarar las bases epistemológicas marxistas de la psicología histórico-cultural, en el artículo en pantalla se pretende contribuir a evidenciar el modo en que el materialismo histórico y dialéctico ha edificado los supuestos esenciales de esta teoría psicológica. Para ello, se estableció la proposición de que los tres pilares metodológicos que fundamentan la crítica marxiana a la sociedad burguesa - que sean, la unidad mínima de análisis, la historicidad categorial y la esencia contradictoria del fenómeno estudiado - amparan, análogamente, el análisis histórico del psiquismo humano como sistema inter-funcional. De este modo, se pretendió demostrar que la arquitectónica epistemológica marxiana sirvió de sostenimiento para la edificación de una psicología legítimamente marxista la cual superó los límites atomísticos de la lógica formal burguesa. Se concluyó que la especificidad metodológica de la psicología histórico-cultural aprehendió el desarrollo de los procesos psicológicos en el movimiento de sus tendencias antagónicas esenciales - representadas por el núcleo contradictorio que contrapone y articula los procesos funcionales elementales y superiores - alcanzando la comprensión de la concreción histórica que conforma la subjetividad humana.

ABSTRACT. Considering the ideological assumptions that intend to mask the marxist epistemological foundations of historical-cultural psychology, this article aims to contribute to evidence the way in which historical and dialectical materialism has built the essential presuppositions of this psychological theory. In order to do so, the proposition was established that the three methodological pillars that underpin marxian criticism of bourgeois society - namely, the minimum unit of analysis, the categorical historicization and the contradictory essence of the studied phenomenon - support, in the same way, the historical analysis of the human psyche as a cross-functional system. In this way, it was tried to demonstrate that the marxian epistemological architectonic served as support for the construction of a legitimately marxist psychology that surpassed the atomistic limits of the formal bourgeois logic. It was concluded that the methodological specificity of historical-cultural psychology seized the development of psychological processes in the movement of their essential antagonistic tendencies - represented by the contradictory nucleus that contrasts and articulates the elementary and higher functional processes - reaching an understanding of historical concreteness which conforms to human subjectivity.

A dialética do ensino e da aprendizagem na atividade pedagógica histórico-crítica / The dialectic of teaching and learning in historical-critical educational activity / La dialéctica de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje en la actividad pedagógica histórico-crítica

Explicitando as intermediações entre a pedagogia histórico-crítica e a psicologia histórico-cultural a partir dos fundamentos do materialismo histórico-dialético, o artigo pretende problematizar a dialética do ensino e da aprendizagem na atividade pedagógica. Enseja-se contribuir para a superação do problema da cisão entre ontologia e epistemologia ao apontar a necessidade da sólida compreensão dos fundamentos do método de ascensão do abstrato ao concreto, ao passo que se afirma a teoria da atividade como estofo teórico imprescindível para se pensar a organização da atividade pedagógica de ensino e aprendizagem no âmbito da educação, colocando em movimento o método pedagógico necessário para a apreensão dos fenômenos como síntese de múltiplas determinações e relações numerosas.(AU)

Through the intermediation between the historical-critical pedagogy and historical-cultural psychology based on the fundamentals of historical and dialectical materialism, the paper aims to discuss the dialectic of teaching and learning in the educational activity. It aims to contribute to overcome the split between ontology and epistemology, by pointing out the need for a solid understanding of the fundamentals of the ascension from the abstract to the concrete method while proposing the activity theory as an indispensable theoretical stuff to think about the organization of educational activity of teaching and learning in the field of education. In this way it puts in motion the teaching method needed for the apprehension of phenomena as synthesis of multiple determinations and relations.(AU)

Explicitando las intermediaciones entre la pedagogía histórico-crítica y la psicología histórico-cultural a partir de los fundamentos del materialismo histórico-dialéctico, el artículo pretende problematizar la dialéctica de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje en la actividad pedagógica. Se busca contribuir a la superación del problema de la escisión entre ontología y epistemología al señalar la necesidad de la sólida comprensión de los fundamentos del método de ascensión de lo abstracto a lo concreto, al paso que se afirma la teoría de la actividad como base teórica imprescindible para pensar la organización de la actividad pedagógica de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje en el ámbito de la educación, poniendo en movimiento el método pedagógico necesario para la aprehensión de los fenómenos como síntesis de múltiples determinaciones y relaciones numerosas.(AU)

The biodiversity of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxins in the Brazilian peanut production chain.

A total of 119 samples of peanut were collected throughout the peanut production chain in São Paulo State, Brazil. The peanut samples were directly plated for determination of percentages of infection and a polyphasic approach was used to identify Aspergillus section Flavi species. Further, the potential for aflatoxin production by the isolates was tested using the agar plug technique and the presence of aflatoxins in peanuts was assessed using an immunoaffinity column followed by quantification using HPLC with reverse phase column and fluorescence detection. The limit of detection and quantification were 0.05 and 0.17µg/kg for total aflatoxins, respectively. Four species of Aspergillus section Flavi were isolated: A. caelatus (11), A. flavus (515), A. parasiticus (17) and A. tamarii (13). All isolates of A. parasiticus were able to produce aflatoxin B and G whereas aflatoxin B was produced by 50% of A. flavus isolates. Aflatoxins were found in 12 samples at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 100µg/kg. The data reported in this study add information on the occurrence and biodiversity of fungi in peanuts at several stages of the production chain. The occurrence of aflatoxins is also of major relevance for continuous monitoring and assessment of likely exposure of consumers to aflatoxins through consumption of peanuts.

Antileishmanial Activity and Immunomodulatory Effects of Tricin Isolated from Leaves of Casearia arborea (Salicaceae).

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of antileishmanial active extract from leaves of Casearia arborea led to isolation of three metabolites: tricin (1), 1',6'-di-O-ß-d-vanilloyl glucopyranoside (2) and vanillic acid (3). Compound 1 demonstrated the highest activity against the intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania infantum, with an IC50 value of 56 µm. Tricin (1) demonstrated selectivity in mammalian cells (SI > 7) and elicited immunomodulatory effect on host cells. The present work suggests that tricin modulated the respiratory burst of macrophages to a leishmanicidal state, contributing to the parasite elimination. Therefore, the natural compound tricin could be further explored in drug design studies for leishmaniasis treatment.

A atividade humana como unidade afetivo-cognitiva: um enfoque histórico-cultural / The human activity as affective-cognitive unit: a historic-cultural approach / La actividad humana como unidad afectivo-cognitivo: un enfoque histórico-cultural

Este artigo coloca em questão a unidade afetivo-cognitiva que sustenta a atividade humana com o objetivo de aclarar a impropriedade de enfoques que dicotomizam razão e emoção. Assevera que tais dissociações radicam em princípios teórico-metodológicos que balizam explicações sobre o psiquismo humano, de sorte que a superação dos referidos dualismos se impõe como uma questão de método. Para a explicitação dessa assertiva, recorreu à psicologia histórico-cultural, à luz da qual se explana acerca do psiquismo como imagem subjetiva da realidade objetiva, das críticas vigotskianas ao dualismo cartesiano e da necessidade de um enfoque histórico-cultural no estudo das emoções, tendo em vista analisar a atividade humana como unidade afetivo-cognitiva e as imbricadas relações que se travam, nela, entre afetos, emoções, sentimentos e pensamentos. Uma vez apresentadas as intervinculações entre afetos e cognições, a presente exposição advoga que os conceitos se impõem como unidade mínima de análise tanto do pensamento quanto dos sentimentos.

This article puts in question the affectional-cognitive unit which sustains the human activity, with the purpose to light incorrectness of approaches which dichotomize reason and emotion. It asserts that such dissociations are founded in theorical-methodological principles which set bounds for explanations about the human psychism, so that the overcoming of referred dualisms puts on as a method matter. For making explicit that assertion, it resorted to Historic-Cultural Psychology, based on that it explains about the psychism as subjective image of objective reality, of Vygotskyan criticisms to Cartesian dualism and the need of a historic-cultural approach on emotion studies, intend to analyzing the human activity as a affective-cognitive unit and the imbricated relations that are waged, within it, among affections, emotions, feelings and thoughts. Once presented the interrelations between emotions and cognitions this exhibition argues that the concepts are necessary as a minimum unit of analysis both of thought and feelings.

En este artículo se pone en tela el juicio la unidad cognitivo-afectivo que sustenta la actividad humana con el fin de aclarar la insuficiencia de los enfoques de la dicotomía entre la razón y la emoción. Afirma que tales disociaciones tienen sus raíces em los principios teóricos y metodológicos que guían las explicaciones sobre la psique humana, de modo que la superación de este dualismo se impone como una cuestión de método. Para la aclaración de esta declaración hizo un llamamiento a la Psicología Histórico-Cultural a la luz de lo que se expuso en la psique como imagen subjetiva de la realidad objetiva, la crítica vigotskiana del dualismo cartesiano y la necesidad de un enfoque histórico cultural para el estudio de las emociones con el fin de analizar la actividad humana como unidad cognitivo-afectivo y las complejas relaciones que se libran entre los afectos, emociones, sentimientos y pensamientos. Una vez presentadas las interrelaciones entre las emociones y cogniciones esta exposición argumenta que los conceptos son necesarios como unidad mínima de análisis tanto del pensamiento como del sentimento.

Analogues of Marine Guanidine Alkaloids Are in Vitro Effective against Trypanosoma cruzi and Selectively Eliminate Leishmania (L.) infantum Intracellular Amastigotes.

Synthetic analogues of marine sponge guanidine alkaloids showed in vitro antiparasitic activity against Leishmania (L.) infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi. Guanidines 10 and 11 presented the highest selectivity index when tested against Leishmania. The antiparasitic activity of 10 and 11 was investigated in host cells and in parasites. Both compounds induced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulation of reactive oxygen species levels, and increased plasma membrane permeability in Leishmania parasites. Immunomodulatory assays suggested an NO-independent effect of guanidines 10 and 11 on macrophages. The same compounds also promoted anti-inflammatory activity in L. (L.) infantum-infected macrophages cocultived with splenocytes, reducing the production of cytokines MCP-1 and IFN-γ. Guanidines 10 and 11 affect the bioenergetic metabolism of Leishmania, with selective elimination of parasites via a host-independent mechanism.

Antiprotozoal activity of extracts and isolated triterpenoids of 'carnauba' (Copernicia prunifera) wax from Brazil.

CONTEXT: 'Carnauba' wax is a natural product obtained from the processing of the powder exuded from Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore (Arecaceae). This material is widely used in the Brazilian folk medicine, including the treatment of rheumatism and syphilis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiprotozoal activity of hexane and EtOH extracts from the 'carnauba' wax as well as from the isolated compounds from the bioactive extracts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two different samples of 'carnauba' (C. prunifera) waxes - types 1 and 4 - were individually extracted using hexane (EH) and EtOH (EE). Aliquots of hexane (type 1 - EH-1 and EH-4) and EtOH (type 4 - EE-1 and EE-4) extracts were tested against promastigote (2-200 µg/mL in DMSO during 48 h at 24 °C) and amastigote (3-150 µg/mL in DMSO during 120 h at 37 °C) forms of Leishmania infantum as well as against trypomastigote (3-150 µg/mL in DMSO during 24 h at 37 °C) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Bioactive extracts EH-1 and EE-4 were subjected to a bioactivity-guided fractionation to afford three dammarane-type triterpenoids (1-3). The in vitro antiprotozoal activities of the obtained compounds were evaluated as described above. Additionally, the cytotoxicity activity of compounds 1-3 against mammalian conjunctive cells (NCTC - 2-200 µg/mL in DMSO during 48 h at 37 °C) was determined. RESULTS: From the bioactive hexane and EtOH extracts from the 'carnauba' (C. prunifera) wax, were isolated three dammarane-type triterpenoids: (24R*)-methyldammar-25-ene-3ß,20-diol (carnaubadiol, 1), (24R*)-methyldammara-20,25-dien-3-one (2) and (24R*)-methyldammara-20,25-dien-3α-ol (3). These compounds were identified based on the analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-3 were effective against the intracellular amastigotes of L. infantum, with IC50 values ranging from 8 to 52 µM, while compounds 1 and 3 displayed activity against trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi with IC50 values of 15 and 35 µM, respectively. The mammalian cytotoxicity assay demonstrated no damage to NCTC conjunctive cells up to 200 µM, except for compound 1, which demonstrated a CC50 value of 34 µM. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it was possible to conclude that the detected antiprotozoal bioactivity of 'carnauba' (C. prunifera) wax extracts could be related to the presence of the natural dammarane triterpenoid derivatives. The results suggested that these compounds could be used as promising scaffolds for drug design studies for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.