Construindo sentidos e possibilidades: a experiência da equipe de incubação de um empreendimento solidário

Esta pesquisa qualitativa teve por objetivo analisar a experiência da equipe de incubação de um empreendimento solidário de usuários de saúde mental. As entrevistas ocorreram com sete membros da equipe, sendo os dados analisados segundo análise de conteúdo. Da análise emergiram quatro categorias: Considerando a incubação como um processo - aprendendo e encontrando os significados de ser apoio; Apontando facilidades e dificuldades no processo de construção do empreendimento; Visualizando resultados da inclusão pelo trabalho - percebendo a melhora dos usuários; Apontando necessidades de mudanças no processo, esperando uma maior autonomia dos usuários e a formalização do empreendimento. A experiência revelou ser um trabalho novo e gratificante para a equipe, possibilitando aprendizado, troca de saberes e vínculo. Identificamos o papel do técnico como educador/facilitador do processo. Além das facilidades e do reconhecimento da relevância do trabalho para a vida dos usuários, a equipe enfrenta desafios para gerar renda satisfatória

Heavy episodic drinking and soccer practice among high school students in Brazil: the contextual aspects of this relationship

BACKGROUND: Heavy episodic drinking (HED) (consumption of five or more drinks on the same occasion) among adolescents is related to several problems and partaking in sport or physical activities has been suggested as an option to prevent or reduce alcohol consumption among this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between soccer practice and heavy episodic drinking among high school students from Brazil. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of public and private high school students from all Brazilian state capitals (N=19,132). Only students aged from 14 to 18 who reported having taken part in soccer practice, other team sports or non-practicing sports in the last month were included. Characteristics of sport practice (frequency and motivation) and HED in the last month (type of drink; where and with whom they drank; frequency of HED) were also considered. Regression models were controlled for sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: For all groups studied most of the students reported drinking beer, with friends and at nightclubs or bars. Soccer practice was associated to HED when compared to non-practicing sports and to other team sports. Compared to other team sports, playing soccer for pleasure or profession, but not for keep fit or health reasons, were more associated to HED. Frequency of soccer practice from 1 to 5 days per month and 20 or more days per month, but not from 6 to 19 days per month, were also more associated to HED. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between soccer and HED appears to be particularly stronger than in other team sports among adolescents in Brazil. Induced sociability of team sports practice cannot be assumed as the main reason for HED among soccer players. Possibly these results reflect the importance of a strong cultural association between soccer and beer in Brazil and these findings should be integrated to future prevention or intervention programs

Immunity to Lutzomyia intermedia Saliva Modulates the Inflammatory Environment Induced by Leishmania braziliensis

Transmission of Leishmania parasites occurs during blood feeding, when infected female sand flies inject humans with parasites and saliva. Chemokines and cytokines are secreted proteins that regulate the initial immune responses and have the potential of attracting and activating cells. Herein, we studied the expression of such molecules and the cellular recruitment induced by salivary proteins of the Lutzomyia intermedia sand fly. Of note, Lutzomyia intermedia is the main vector of Leishmania braziliensis, a parasite species that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease associated with the development of destructive skin lesions that can be fatal if left untreated. We observed that L. intermedia salivary proteins induce a potent cellular recruitment and modify the expression profile of chemokines and cytokines in mice. More importantly, in mice previously immunized with L. intermedia saliva, the alteration in the initial inflammatory response was even more pronounced, in terms of the number of cells recruited and in terms of gene expression pattern. These findings indicate that an existing immunity to L. intermedia sand fly induces an important modulation in the initial immune response that may, in turn, promote parasite multiplication, leading to the development of cutaneous leishmaniasis

BluePort: A Platform to Study the Eosinophilic Response of Mice to the Bite of a Vector of Leishmania Parasites, Lutzomyia longipalpis Sand Flies

transmission in residents of endemic areas has been attributed to the acquisition of immunity to sand fly salivary proteins. One theoretical way to accelerate the acquisition of this immunity is to increase the density of antigen-presenting cells at the sand fly bite site. Here we describe a novel tissue platform that can be used for this purpose. sand flies. Results presented indicate that a shift in the inflammatory response, from neutrophilic to eosinophilic, is the main histopathological feature associated with the immunity acquired through repeated exposure to the bite of sand flies, and that the BluePort tissue compartment could be used to accelerate this process. In addition, changes observed inside the BluePort parenchyma indicate that it could be used to study complex immunobiological processes, and to develop ectopic secondary lymphoid structures.Understanding the characteristics of the dermal response to the bite of sand flies is a critical element of strategies to control leishmaniasis using vaccines that target salivary proteins. Finding that dermal eosinophilia is such a prominent component of the anti-salivary immunity induced by repeated exposure to sand fly bites raises one important consideration: how to avoid the immunological conflict derived from a protective Th2-driven immunity directed to sand fly saliva with a protective Th1-driven immunity directed to the parasite. The BluePort platform is an ideal tool to address experimentally this conundrum

In Vitro Identification of Novel Plasminogen-Binding Receptors of the Pathogen Leptospira interrogans

Background: Leptospirosis is a multisystem disease caused by pathogenic strains of the genus Leptospira. We have reported that Leptospira are able to bind plasminogen (PLG), to generate active plasmin in the presence of activator, and to degrade purified extracellular matrix fibronectin. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have now cloned, expressed and purified 14 leptospiral recombinant proteins. The proteins were confirmed to be surface exposed by immunofluorescence microscopy and were evaluated for their ability to bind plasminogen (PLG). We identified eight as PLG-binding proteins, including the major outer membrane protein LipL32, the previously published rLIC12730, rLIC10494, Lp29, Lp49, LipL40 and MPL36, and one novel leptospiral protein, rLIC12238. Bound PLG could be converted to plasmin by the addition of urokinase-type PLG activator (uPA), showing specific proteolytic activity, as assessed by its reaction with the chromogenic plasmin substrate, D-Val-Leu-Lys 4-nitroanilide dihydrochloride. The addition of the lysine analog 6-aminocaproic acid (ACA) inhibited the protein-PLG interaction, thus strongly suggesting the involvement of lysine residues in plasminogen binding. The binding of leptospiral surface proteins to PLG was specific, dose-dependent and saturable. PLG and collagen type IV competed with LipL32 protein for the same binding site, whereas separate binding sites were observed for plasma fibronectin. Conclusions/Significance: PLG-binding/activation through the proteins/receptors on the surface of Leptospira could help the bacteria to specifically overcome tissue barriers, facilitating its spread throughout the host.FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo)CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico)Fundacao Butantan, BrazilFAPESP (Brazil

Desafıos do profıssional de saúde na notifıcação da violência: obrigatoriedade, efetivação e encaminhamento

The notification of the occurrence or suspicion of violence is mandatory for health professionals and is a key tool for epidemiological surveillance and the definition of public policies for prevention and intervention. However, professionals feel unprepared for this assignment, which renders underreporting prevalent. To address this issue, the objective is to identify the means available to the professional to submit notification as well as ensure due process follow-up. For this purpose, research and document analysis was conducted in Brazilian legislation, ordinances, and government programs, codes of ethics and consultation of the literature in databases on the subject over a period of five years to establish a brief comparative analysis with other countries. The conclusion drawn is that while some measures are inapplicable, knowledge about the appropriate process for the notification and routing to specific organs will enable healthcare professionals to make the appropriate decisions for the protection and safety of the victim, besides the measures in order to change this situation of violence in the country.A notificação da ocorrência ou suspeita da violência é obrigatória aos profissionais de saúde, instrumento fundamental para a vigilância epidemiológica e a definição de políticas públicas de prevenção e intervenção. Neste trabalho objetivou-se instruir o profissional de saúde quanto ao reconhecimento da obrigatoriedade de notificação da violência e aos meios disponíveis para sua efetivação e devido encaminhamento. Com esta finalidade foi desenvolvido um estudo exploratório por meio de análise documental: na legislação brasileira, portarias, programas governamentais e códigos de ética, além de consulta bibliográfica sobre o tema, na base de dados do SciELO, num período de cinco anos; e para estabelecer uma breve análise comparativa com outros países, foram selecionados artigos internacionais no PubMed. Esta pesquisa demonstra a existência de uma série de recursos para o combate à violência, com pouca aplicabilidade, em decorrência da falta de conhecimento e insegurança dos profissionais de saúde, assim como, das debilidades estruturais do próprio sistema. Os serviços disponíveis para a notificação da violência, relatados desde o diagnóstico até as providências cabíveis, permitirão ao profissional conduzir os casos com segurança e habilidade.Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Odontologia Infantil e Social, Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatub