The inappropriate immune response to foods, such as peanut, wheat and milk may be the basis in the pathogenesis of enteropathies like coeliac and Crohn disease, which present small intestinal malabsorption. A number of recent studies have utilized d-xylose absorption as an investigative tool to study small intestinal function in a variety of clinical settings. Thus, the aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the intestinal absorption of D-xylose in an antigen-specific gut inflammatory reaction rat model. Animals of the experimental group were inoculated with peanut protein extract before their exposure to a challenge diet containing exclusively peanut seeds to induce the gut inflammatory reaction caused by peanut allergy. Our results show that systemic inoculation with peanut protein extract renders significantly higher antibody titres (5.085 +/- 0.126 units) (P < 0.0001) than control rats (0.905 +/- 0.053 units) and that the antibody titres correlate positively to an inflammatory alteration of the gut morphology (P < 0.0001). Animals pertaining to the experimental group showed an intestinal absorption of D-xylose lower than control rats (P < 0.0001). We also observed that D-xylose absorption correlates negatively with IgG titres and positively with morphometric parameters (Pearson correlation). In conclusion, the use of serum D-xylose test was useful to identify the presence of small intestinal malabsorption in our antigen specific gut inflammatory reaction rat model.

ABSTRACT

The use of three-dimensional models is a strategy that facilitates teaching contents considered difficult for many high school teachers even in classes that do not have students with special educational needs. Our objective was to develop a tactile model that helps the understanding of the DNA structure and its replication. To achieve this, we adapted the steps proposed by Miotto for the production of tactile models. As a result, we constructed the matrix of the basic structures of the DNA molecule in cardboard covered with different textures. After approval by a blind student, who reported that the scale and textures chosen allowed identification of the structure as a whole and its parts, we prepared the high relief acetate plates. These were tested and approved by blind students in the "resource class" of a State Public School.

Embora nem sempre percebido, a Educação Ambiental é um tema que perpassa tanto por diversas áreas do conhecimento como pelo cotidiano das pessoas. Assim se presta facilmente para a realização de atividades interdisciplinares. Relatamos uma ação educativa desenvolvida em uma escola pública de Maricá, RJ, onde foi observado que a comunidade não valorizava o ambiente natural no seu entorno apesar da região possuir diversas áreas de preservação ambiental. Foram propostas e realizadas várias estratégias educacionais que envolveram o conhecimento das áreas naturais existentes na região, a saber: Restinga, Mata Atlântica, complexo lagunar e sistema costeiro. Durante a ação os estudantes demonstraram uma mudança no olhar não só para as questões ambientais (antes discutidas de forma distante em sala de aula), mas também para a conservação do ambiente local. Desta forma, confirmamos que ações interdisciplinares associadas à utilização de estratégias educacionais variadas levam a bons resultados no processo ensino-aprendizagem.