Action Of Mediators Research Articles

Transnational Latinx Youths’ Workplace Funds of Knowledge and Implications for Assets-Based, Equity-Oriented Engineering Education

Due to economic inequality in society, millions of Latinx high school youth work after-school jobs and summer jobs in order to provide additional income for their families. The purpose of this qualitative study, conducted with transnational Latinx youth, was to identify the engineering-related skills and bodies of knowledge they developed and applied while in different workplaces. This study is framed in complementary theories of funds of knowledge, Vygotskian theories of mediated action, and theories of resistant capital. Specifically, this study is based in the premise that youth can develop engineering-related funds of knowledge through tool-mediated, goal-directed activities jointly conducted with family members and others, and that workplaces can be important sites for the development of funds of knowledge. Workplace activities are situated within sociohistorical contexts in which Latinx workers are often exploited and thus mobilize forms of resistance. A multiple case study was conducted with 20 transnational Latinx youth who currently or previously worked one or more jobs to supplement family income. Data sources included workplace observations, occupational interviews, and semi-structured interviews. We first divided the data by category of business ownership (family-owned businesses versus corporate-owned businesses) to explore whether different types of workplaces, characterized by different hierarchical relations, fostered different types of skills and bodies of knowledge. Constant comparative analytic methods were used to describe the engineering-related bodies of knowledge and skills, including critical resistant skills, that the youths applied in the context of workplace activities. Across different occupations, all youth developed and applied knowledge and skills related to industrial and operations engineering, including the iterative development of processes designed to maximize efficiency and to promote health and safety. While applying funds of knowledge toward their employers’ goals, they also applied these funds of knowledge to make counter-spaces that were more humane, and they expanded technical processes to include a deep consideration of the emotions and well-being of people and animals. Ultimately, the youth mobilized and hoped to mobilize these funds of knowledge and forms of resistance toward more humane workplaces, better living conditions in their homes and communities, and more economically secure futures for themselves and their families. This study does not romanticize exploitative economic conditions experienced by suggesting that Latinx youths’ workplace experiences are positive, but it offers better understandings of the wide range of complex and rich engineering-related funds of knowledge developed in the context of different workplace activities. Educators who understand and recognize these funds

Anaphylaxis: Focus on Transcription Factor Activity.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, rapid in onset, and can lead to fatal consequences if not promptly treated. The incidence of anaphylaxis has risen at an alarming rate in past decades and continues to rise. Therefore, there is a general interest in understanding the molecular mechanism that leads to an exacerbated response. The main effector cells are mast cells, commonly triggered by stimuli that involve the IgE-dependent or IgE-independent pathway. These signaling pathways converge in the release of proinflammatory mediators, such as histamine, tryptases, prostaglandins, etc., in minutes. The action and cell targets of these proinflammatory mediators are linked to the pathophysiologic consequences observed in this severe allergic reaction. While many molecules are involved in cellular regulation, the expression and regulation of transcription factors involved in the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators and secretory granule homeostasis are of special interest, due to their ability to control gene expression and change phenotype, and they may be key in the severity of the entire reaction. In this review, we will describe our current understanding of the pathophysiology of human anaphylaxis, focusing on the transcription factors’ contributions to this systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Host mutation in transcription factor expression, or deregulation of their activity in an anaphylaxis context, will be updated. So far, the risk of anaphylaxis is unpredictable thus, increasing our knowledge of the molecular mechanism that leads and regulates mast cell activity will enable us to improve our understanding of how anaphylaxis can be prevented or treated.

Digital Skills Readiness amongst Malaysian Service Sector Workforce

This study aimed to measure the digital skills readiness amongst Malaysian workforce in the service sector by looking into two crucial antecedent factors, namely facility and training as well as applied digital skills (hard digital skills and soft digital skills). The research framework is derived from Vygotsky’s Mediated Action Theory (1978) and tested using 384 samples from the Klang Valley through the statistic reported by the Department of Statistics Malaysia in Q4 2018. Random sampling methods were used, in which an online questionnaire was distributed through random acquittances and posted on social media such as LinkedIn and Facebook. The collected data were analysed using SPSS. The results indicated significant correlations between the ‘Facility and Training’ and the ‘Applied Digital skills – soft and hard digital skills’ with ‘Digital skills Readiness’. Discussions and recommendations are presented considering the crucial role that digital skills play in the general workforce of the future.

The Agonist Action of Alkylphenols on TRPA1 Relates to Their Effects on Membrane Lipid Order: Implications for TRPA1-Mediated Chemosensation.

The Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 cation channel (TRPA1) is a broadly-tuned chemosensor expressed in nociceptive neurons. Multiple TRPA1 agonists are chemically unrelated non-electrophilic compounds, for which the mechanisms of channel activation remain unknown. Here, we assess the hypothesis that such chemicals activate TRPA1 by inducing mechanical perturbations in the plasma membrane. We characterized the activation of mouse TRPA1 by non-electrophilic alkylphenols (APs) of different carbon chain lengths in the para position of the aromatic ring. Having discarded oxidative stress and the action of electrophilic mediators as activation mechanisms, we determined whether APs induce mechanical perturbations in the plasma membrane using dyes whose fluorescence properties change upon alteration of the lipid environment. APs activated TRPA1, with potency increasing with their lipophilicity. APs increased the generalized polarization of Laurdan fluorescence and the anisotropy of the fluorescence of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), also according to their lipophilicity. Thus, the potency of APs for TRPA1 activation is an increasing function of their ability to induce lipid order and membrane rigidity. These results support the hypothesis that TRPA1 senses non-electrophilic compounds by detecting the mechanical alterations they produce in the plasma membrane. This may explain how structurally unrelated non-reactive compounds induce TRPA1 activation and support the role of TRPA1 as an unspecific sensor of potentially noxious compounds.

Junctophilin-4 facilitates inflammatory signalling at plasma membrane-endoplasmic reticulum junctions in sensory neurons.

Rat somatosensory neurons express a junctional protein, junctophilin-4 (JPH4) JPH4 is necessary for the formation of store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) complex at the junctions between plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum in these neurons. Knockdown of JPH4 impairs endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store refill and junctional Ca2+ signalling in sensory neurons. In vivo knockdown of JPH4 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons significantly attenuated experimentally induced inflammatory pain in rats. Junctional nanodomain Ca2+ signalling maintained by JPH4 is an important contributor to the inflammatory pain mechanisms. Junctions of endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane (ER-PM junctions) form signalling nanodomains in eukaryotic cells. ER-PM junctions are present in peripheral sensory neurons and are important for the fidelity of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling. Yet little is known about the assembly, maintenance and physiological role of these junctions in somatosensory transduction. Using fluorescence imaging, proximity ligation, super-resolution microscopy, in vitro and in vivo gene knockdown we demonstrate that a member of the junctophilin protein family, junctophilin-4 (JPH4), is necessary for the formation of store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) complex at the ER-PM junctions in rat somatosensory neurons. Thus we show that JPH4 localises to the ER-PM junctional areas and co-clusters with SOCE proteins STIM1 and Orai1 upon ER Ca2+ store depletion. Knockdown of JPH4 impairs SOCE and ER Ca2+ store refill in sensory neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrate a key role of the JPH4 and junctional nanodomain Ca2+ signalling in the pain-like response induced by the inflammatory mediator bradykinin. Indeed, an in vivo knockdown of JPH4 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons significantly shortened the duration of nocifensive behaviour induced by hindpaw injection of bradykinin in rats. Since the ER supplies Ca2+ for the excitatory action of multiple inflammatory mediators, we suggest that junctional nanodomain Ca2+ signalling maintained by JPH4 is an important contributor to the inflammatory pain mechanisms.

Albumin protects the liver from tumor necrosis factor α-induced immunopathology.

Besides its oncotic power, albumin exerts pleiotropic actions, including binding, transport, and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous molecules, antioxidant activity, and modulation of immune and inflammatory responses. In particular, recent studies have demonstrated that albumin reduces leukocyte cytokine production. Here, we investigated whether albumin also has the ability to protect tissues from the damaging actions of these inflammatory mediators. We circumscribed our investigation to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, which exemplifies the connection between immunity and tissue injury. In vivo experiments in analbuminemic mice showed that these mice exhibit a more pronounced response to a model of TNFα-mediated liver injury induced by the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-gal). A tissue protective action against LPS/D-gal liver injury was also observed during the administration of human albumin to humanized mice expressing the human genes for albumin and neonatal Fc receptor (hAlb+/+ /hFcRn+/+ ) with preestablished carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced early cirrhosis. The cytoprotective actions of albumin against TNFα-induced injury were confirmed ex vivo, in precision-cut liver slices, and in vitro, in primary hepatocytes in culture. Albumin protective actions were independent of its scavenging properties and were reproduced by recombinant human albumin expressed in Oryza sativa. Albumin cytoprotection against TNFα injury was related to inhibition of lysosomal cathepsin B leakage accompanied by reductions in mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity. These data provide evidence that in addition to reducing cytokines, the albumin molecule also has the ability to protect tissues against inflammatory injury.

Secreted Phosphoprotein 24 is a Biomarker of Mineral Metabolism.

The 24kD form of secreted phosphoprotein (SPP-24), a cytokine-binding bone matrix protein with various truncated C-terminal products, is primarily synthesized by the liver. SPP-24 shares homology with fetuin-A, a potent vascular and soft tissue calcification inhibitor and SPP-24 is one component of calciprotein particles (CPPs), a circulating fetuin-mineral complex. The limited molecular evidence to date suggests that SPP-24 may also function as an inhibitor of bone formation and ectopic vascular calcification, potentially through bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) and Wnt-signaling mediated actions. The C-terminal products of SPP-24 bind to BMP-2 and attenuate BMP-2-induced bone formation. The aim of this study was to assess circulating SPP-24 in relation to kidney function and in concert with markers of mineral metabolism in humans. SPP-24 was measured in the serum of total of 192 subjects using ELISA-based measurements. Subjects were participants of one of two cohorts: (1) mGFR Cohort (n = 80) was participants of a study of measured GFR (mGFR) using inulin urinary clearance, recruited mostly from a chronic kidney disease clinic with low-range kidney function (eGFR 38.7 ± 25.0mL/min/1.73m2) and (2) CaMOS Cohort (n = 112) was a subset of randomly selected, community-dwelling participants of year 10 of the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study with eGFR in the normal range of 75.0 ± 15.9mL/min/1.73m2. In the combined cohort, the mean SPP-24 was 167.7 ± 101.1ng/mL (range 33.4-633.6ng/mL). The mean age was 66.5 ± 11.3, 57.1% female and mean eGFR (CKD-EPI) was 59.9 ± 27.0mL/min/1.73m2 (range 8-122mL/min/1.73m2). There was a strong inverse correlation between SPP-24 and eGFR (R = -0.58, p < 0.001) that remained after adjustment for age. Following adjustment for age, eGFR, and sex, SPP-24 was significantly associated with phosphate (R = -0.199), PTH (R = 0.298), and the Wnt-signaling inhibitor Dickkopf-related protein 1 (R = -0.156). The results of this study indicate that SPP-24 is significantly altered by kidney function and is the first human data linking levels of SPP-24 to other biomarkers involved in mineral metabolism. Whether there is a role for circulating SPP-24 in bone formation and ectopic mineralization requires further study.

A mediação cultural e apropriação da informação musical a partir da regência

A música é uma prática social considerada, nesta pesquisa, como uma relevante fonte de informação, que pode auxiliar a formação cognitiva, cultural e profissional dos sujeitos no processo de criação de estratégias e democratização do acesso à cultura. Objetivo: Esta comunicação teve o objetivo de investigar se a regência do Maestro Carlos Prazeres, no espetáculo Cineconcerto da Orquestra Sinfônica da Bahia (OSBA), tem propiciado o acesso e a apropriação da informação, porquanto isso contribui para despertar o gosto do público pela música clássica e aproximá-lo da Orquestra e identificar a relevância da atuação do bibliotecário na intensificação do processo de acesso e apropriação da informação realizada pelo Maestro. Embasamento teórico: O referencial teórico e o empírico foram baseados nos aspectos conceituais de mediação cultural, mediação da informação e informação musical. Metodologia: Quanto à metodologia, a pesquisa, em que foi empregada o método de estudo de caso, é de natureza descritiva, e o objeto de investigação foi a OSBA. Para coletar os dados, foram adotadas as seguintes técnicas: entrevista com o Maestro Carlos Prazeres; aplicação de questionário com o público do Cineconcerto e a observação direta da relação entre o Maestro e o público. Resultados: Depois de analisar os dados coletados, constatamos que a regência do Maestro Carlos Prazeres no Cineconcerto se configura como uma ação consciente de mediação cultural que favorece o acesso à informação musical e possibilita que o público se aproprie da informação e dos bens culturais. Conclusão: Concluímos que esse é um ambiente propício para o bibliotecário atuar como mediador cultural e da informação, o que contribui para potencializar as ações desenvolvidas pelos demais agentes culturais.

КОНСТРУКТИВНЫЕ КОММУНИКАЦИЙ В УПРАВЛЕНИИ МЕЖЛИЧНОСТНЫМИ КОНФЛИКТАМИ ПРИ ПРОЦЕДУРЕ МЕДИАЦИИ

The purpose of the article is to consider the structure of mediation session and standardization of the mediation procedure in the management of interpersonal conflicts. The research methodology is based on the theory of conflict, which understands sociology, the narrative approach, as well as the fundamental scientific developments of sociology and psychology of conflict. In various approaches to the mediation procedure, caucus is regarded as a key stage, since it is it that has the greatest influence on the result of the entire negotiation procedure with the participation of a mediator. The authors describe several cases from the practice of mediation, focusing on the logic of the mediator's action. Case analysis demonstrates the complexity and multivariance of the behavior of the parties to the conflict. As a result of the systematization of practical experience, a number of problematic issues are formulated that require reflection by the mediator in order to predict and influence the situation of the conflict between the parties as efficiently as possible. Such a system of questions of the mediator to oneself allows providing a qualitative study of the conflict situation and building a constructive line of interaction between the parties to the conflict participating in the mediation procedure. As a result of forecasting problem situations, the use of answers to these questions will bring closer the possibility of negotiating a strategy of cooperation. A number of recommendations are offered to novice mediators for better work on the study of the conflict, planning its stages, forecasting and finding mutually acceptable solutions during the caucus stage.

Convite à emancipação à luz da mediação da informação makerspace e inovações no contexto da biblioteca pública

The public library brings with itself the social dimension, which creates a space for training and social change. However, society requires innovations and libraries are part of this context. Thus, this work is justified by understanding the role that public libraries have for society. It lacks spaces for access to innovative technologies and information mediation actions. To make the research feasible, the research problem consists on the following question: to what extent do the investigations on public libraries aim at increasing innovation and makerspaces to reinforce their social function? Then, the aim of this study is to ascertain the number of publications in scientific journals that relate innovation and the makerspace in the emancipatory context of public libraries. Methodologically, it was drawn a qualitative and quantitative exploratory research. An exploratory search was carried out in databases considering papers pusblished by authors dealing with the themes, as well as in the abstracts of papers in journals and proceedings in the databases Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) and the Base de Dados Referenciais de Artigos de Periódicos em Ciência da Informação (BRAPCI). Findings reveal that it lacks the relationship between public libraries, makerspace and information mediation, concomitantly, in investigations in the area of Information Science between the years 2009 and 2019.

Chronic Inflammation in PCOS: The Potential Benefits of Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators (SPMs) in the Improvement of the Resolutive Response.

PCOS as the most common endocrine disorder of women in their reproductive age affects between 5–15% of the female population. Apart from its cardinal symptoms, like irregular and anovulatory cycles, hyperandrogenemia and a typical ultrasound feature of the ovary, obesity, and insulin resistance are often associated with the disease. Furthermore, PCOS represents a status of chronic inflammation with permanently elevated levels of inflammatory markers including IL-6 and IL-18, TNF-α, and CRP. Inflammation, as discovered only recently, consists of two processes occurring concomitantly: active initiation, involving “classical” mediators including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and active resolution processes based on the action of so-called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). These novel lipid mediator molecules derive from the essential ω3-poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) DHA and EPA and are synthesized via specific intermediates. The role and benefits of SPMs in chronic inflammatory diseases like obesity, atherosclerosis, and Diabetes mellitus has become a subject of intense research during the last years and since PCOS features several of these pathologies, this review aims at summarizing potential roles of SPMs in this disease and their putative use as novel therapeutics.

INTERAÇÕES DO PÚBLICO ESCOLAR EM DOIS DIFERENTES TIPOS DE MUSEUS DE CIÊNCIAS

Este trabalho buscou analisar a visita de público escolar em dois diferentes tipos de Museus de Ciências. Foram observadas interações de estudantes visitantes entre si, com professores, com mediadores e com as exposições nessas instituições. A revisão teórica abarcou obras clássicas e estudos mais recentes acerca do tema. A abordagem metodológica de natureza qualitativa com caráter exploratório empregou como técnica observações naturalistas, não-participantes em três museus de Ciências em município da região sul do Brasil: um de Ciências e Tecnologia, tradicional do tipo interativo, e dois tradicionais ortodoxos. Efetuou-se análise de conteúdo, sendo criadas categorias de interação. No museu tradicional do tipo interativo foram mais frequentes interações pessoa-objeto e ocorreram algumas interações visitante-visitante. Nos museus tradicionais ortodoxos, interações pessoa-pessoa foram mais marcantes, sobretudo interações entre visitantes e mediadores. As interações de visitantes com professores foram mais comumente observadas em um dos museus ortodoxos. Neste também foi observada a realização de tarefas e a expressão de associação das exposições com conhecimentos prévios pelos alunos, nenhuma das quais puderam ser observadas no museu interativo. A leitura dos textos explicativos acerca dos objetos e experimentos expostos foi raramente observada nos três museus, embora tenha sido um pouco mais comum no museu interativo. O estudo empírico mostrou que as características dos museus e a atuação dos mediadores influenciam o público, cujos interesses e bagagens de conhecimento marcam a forma como o acervo é explorado.

Dinamika Komunikasi Humas Kementerian Komunikasi Dan Informatika Dalam Memberantas Hoax Dan Ujaran Kebencian Di Media Sosial

This research discusses how the dynamics of public relations communication of the Ministry of Communication and informatics in eradicating hoaxes and speech on social media. The research objective was to determine the dynamics of communication, steps and obstacles in eradicating hoaxes and hate speech. This research uses Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) theory and action theory. The paradigm used is constructivism with a qualitative research approach. The method used is a case study. Research subjects in the study consisted of key informants and informants. Data collection techniques using interviews, observation and documentation. The results of this study indicate that the dynamics of communication are carried out through face-to-face (direct) communication and media (indirect) communication. The steps taken in eradicating hoaxes and hate speech are by providing direction to the public through open seminars and on their way being hampered by time and location constraints. Obstacles found in the process of blocking websites or social media, Kominfo cannot directly block them but must wait for recommendations from other parties that are in accordance with their respective sectors

Systemic Action of Inflammatory Mediators in Patients with Essential Hypertension and Diastolic Chronic Heart Failure: A Clinical Pathophysiological Study.

The aim of this research was to correlate indicators of proinflammatory status and the structural/functional characteristics of the cardiovascular system comparatively in male and female patients with essential hypertension (EH) complicated by diastolic chronic heart failure (CHF) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The study included 104 middle-aged patients (55 males (M) and 49 females (F)) with first- or second-degree EH complicated by CHF with preserved LVEF. They all belonged to the low functional class of CHF, with LVEF ≥50%, first- or second-degree of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), LV hypertrophy (LVH), and dilatation of the left atrium (LA) with a sinus rhythm and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide >125 pg/mL. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. To identify the relationship between the proinflammatory pattern and cardiovascular parameters, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were determined. M had markedly higher levels of CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 compared to F. However, all the mean values corresponded to the reference range. Significant direct associations of CRP level with the LV mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), LA volume index (LAVI), E/e’ ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) existed in both M and F, as well as negative correlations of CRP with LVDD parameter e’ and distance covered in a 6 min walk test. M and F had a positive association between IL-6 and LVMI, LAVI, E/e’ ratio, SBP, RWT, and DBP, as well as strong negative associations between IL-6 and e’ and distance passed in 6 min in each group. Significant direct correlations existed between serum TNF-α level and LVMI, RWT, LAVI, E/e’, SBP, and DBP both in M and F. Furthermore, there were negative relationships of TNF-α level with e’ and the distance covered for the 6 min walk. This study demonstrated a close relationship between the blood levels of proinflammatory autacoids and indicators of EH, exercise tolerance, LVH, LVDD, and LA enlargement, regardless of the patient’s sex. Compared to female patients, male patients had stronger correlations of CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels with indicators of LVDD degree.

O livro: do objeto ao documento na prática bibliográfica

Objetivo: Discorrer sobre o papel exercido pelo livro na concepção e desenvolvimento das práticas documentárias em abordagem bibliográfica. Método: Por meio de discussão da literatura, selecionada segundo os objetivos do artigo, inicialmente, buscamos responder o que é um livro em sua constituição no tempo, considerando suportes, formatos e modos de organização de conteúdos. Em seguida, exploramos o livro como documento, observando tratar-se de objeto produzido com esta finalidade, para então tratarmos do livro em sua função de documento bibliográfico, adjetivo que responde por um atributo documental, portanto, não inerente ao objeto. Por fim, discorremos sobre o livro na constituição da prática documentária em abordagem bibliográfica, o qual exerceu papel central na produção dos métodos e instrumentos mais conhecidos. Resultados: Constatamos a preponderância de quadros empíricos, construídos a partir dos suportes materiais e tipologias documentais de cada época, à falta de referenciais teóricos e metodológicos generalizantes, que tenham como princípio ações de mediação sobre todo e qualquer tipo de objeto, segundo parâmetros pragmáticos que permitam subsidiar as respostas a cada público. Conclusões: Chamamos a atenção para a literatura técnico-científica do campo e suas práticas profissionais complexas por indicarem relevante conhecimento constituído.

Inflammatory pain in peripheral tissue depends on the activation of the TNF-α type 1 receptor in the primary afferent neuron.

The mechanism underlying the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia has been extensively studied, mainly the role of TNF-α in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The current concept relies in the fact that TNF-α stimulates the cascade release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 (CINC-1 in rats), triggering the release of the final inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and sympathetic amines that directly sensitize the nociceptors. However, this may not be the sole mechanism involved as the blockade of TNF-α synthesis by thalidomide prevents hyperalgesia without interrupting the synthesis of IL-1β, IL-6, and CINC-1. Therefore, we hypothesized that activation of TNF-α receptor type 1 (TNFR1) by TNF-α increases nociceptors' susceptibility to the action of PGE2 and dopamine. We have found out that intrathecal administration of oligodeoxynucleotide-antisense (ODN-AS) against TNFR1 or thalidomide prevented carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia. The co-administration of TNF-α with a subthreshold dose of PGE2 or dopamine that does not induce hyperalgesia by itself in the hind paw of Wistar rats pretreated with dexamethasone (to prevent the endogenous release of cytokines) induced a robust hyperalgesia that was prevented by intrathecal treatment with ODN-AS against TNFR1. We consider that the activation of neuronal TNFR1 by TNF-α decisively increases the susceptibility of the peripheral afferent neuron to the action of final inflammatory mediators - PGE2 and dopamine - that ultimately induce hyperalgesia. This mechanism may also underlie the analgesic action of thalidomide.

Contribuições da disciplina Teorias e Práticas do Ensino e Aprendizagem no processo de formação de mestrandos da Educação Profissional e Tecnológica:

Este artigo busca analisar as percepções dos estudantes do Mestrado Profissional em Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (ProfEPT) quanto às contribuições da disciplina Teorias e Práticas do Ensino e Aprendizagem (TPEA) como espaço de Formação. Caracteriza-se como de abordagem qualitativa, do tipo exploratória. A coleta dos dados ocorreu por intermédio da revisão da literatura e a aplicação de questionários a 23 mestrandos. A análise dos questionários foi realizada por meio da análise de conteúdo, na perspectiva de Bardin (2011). Os procedimentos de organização dos questionários possibilitaram a identificação de duas categorias iniciais referentes as contribuições da TPEA como espaço de Formação para a EPT: i) na proposta das Atividades Pedagógicas Não Presenciais (APNPs) e ii) na aprendizagem do mestrando. A experiência nos mostrou que a proposta pedagógica teve destaque em quatro princípios básicos: i) da autonomia; ii) da pesquisa; iii) da interação; e iv) da colaboração. Mediante esses princípios, promoveu-se nos mestrandos múltiplas aprendizagens: i) aprofundamento teórico; ii) a construção coletiva; iii) a reflexão crítica; e iv) a autoria e a coautoria nos envolvidos no processo. Com o processo analítico, concluímos que é necessário pluralizar e individualizar a ação mediacional, recorrendo a princípios e estratégias intervencionais, que podem ser relevantes na aprendizagem.

The delicate balance between neurotoxicity and neuroprotection in the context of HIV-1 infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) causes a spectrum of neurological impairments, termed HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), following the infiltration of infected cells into the brain. Even though the implementation of antiretroviral therapy reduced the systemic viral load, the prevalence of HAND remains unchanged and infected patients develop persisting neurological disturbances affecting their quality of life. As a result, HAND have gained importance in basic and clinical researches, warranting the need of developing new adjunctive treatments. Nonetheless, a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms remains necessary. Several studies consolidated their efforts into elucidating the neurotoxic signaling leading to HAND including the deleterious actions of HIV-1 viral proteins and inflammatory mediators. However, the scope of these studies is not sufficient to address all the complexity related to HAND development. Fewer studies focused on an altered neuroprotective capacity of the brain to respond to HIV-1 infection. Neurotrophic factors are endogenous polyproteins involved in neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Any defects in the processing or production of these crucial factors might compose a risk factor rendering the brain more vulnerable to neuronal damages. Due to their essential roles, they have been investigated for their diverse interplays with HIV-1 infection. In this review, we present a complete description of the neurotrophic factors involved in HAND. We discuss emerging concepts for their therapeutic applications and summarize the complex mechanisms that down-regulate their production in favor of a neurotoxic environment. For certain factors, we finally address opposing roles that rather lead to increased inflammation.

Cultural interventions through children's literature and arts-based practices in times of disaster: A case study of reading mediators' response to the Mexican earthquakes (September 2017)

Recent natural disasters have challenged current models of crisis management and intervention, demanding speedy, flexible and emergent social actors to respond at multiple levels. To provide a comprehensive response, top-down models have incorporated the critical role played by citizen-volunteers in assisting communities in distress. However, few post-crisis response models have identified new social actors who can contribute with creative, coordinated, and sustainable solutions. In this article, we present the case study of the 2017 Mexican earthquakes and the post-disaster activities developed by an emergent group of social actors — reading mediators. We argue for the critical role of mediators and their use of children's literature and arts-based practices as essential instruments for community reconstruction. Drawing upon a case study methodology, we share the mediators' post-disaster activities and experiences in four stages: immediate recovery, stabilisation, development and consolidation. We argue that such cultural interventions are essential in assisting communities recover and build resilience and, more importantly, new social actors such as reading mediators need further formal and institutional support. In this sense, el Protocolo, the cultural protocol developed in response to the mediators' work, stands as an exemplary model that complements the emergent and distributed actions of reading mediators. As a whole, the Mexican cultural response provides a unique comprehensive approach that could be modeled in other contexts to address the needs of all citizens in vulnerable post-disaster circumstances.

Effects of the antibiotics trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on granulation, microbiology, and performance of aerobic granular sludge systems

This work assessed the effect of the antibiotics trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on the granulation process, microbiology, and organic matter and nutrient removal of an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system. In addition, after the maturation stage, the impact of the redox mediator anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) (25 μM) on the biotransformation of the antibiotics was evaluated. The reactor R1 was maintained as a control, and the reactor R2 was supplemented with TMP and SMX (200 μg L−1). The ability to remove C, N, and P was similar between the reactors. However, the structural integrity of the AGS was impaired by the antibiotics. Low TMP (∼30%) and SMX (∼60%) removals were achieved when compared to anaerobic or floccular biomass aerobic systems. However, when the system was supplemented with AQDS, an increase in the removal of TMP (∼75%) and SMX (∼95%) was observed, possibly due to the catalytic action of the redox mediator on cometabolic processes. Regarding the microbial groups, whereas Proteobacteria and Bacterioidetes increased, Planctomycetes decreased in both reactors. However, TMP and SMX presence seemed to inhibit or favor some genera during the formation of the granules, possibly due to their bactericidal action.