Comparative genomics of Leishmania donovani progeny from genetic crosses in two sand fly species and impact on the diversity of diagnostic and vaccine candidates.

Sand fly transmitted Leishmania species are responsible for severe, wide ranging, visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases. Genetic exchange can occur among natural Leishmania populations and hybrids can now be produced experimentally, with limitations. Feeding Phlebotomus orientalis or Phlebotomus argentipes on two strains of Leishmania donovani yielded hybrid progeny, selected using double drug resistance and fluorescence markers. Fluorescence activated cell sorting of cultured clones derived from these hybrids indicated diploid progeny. Multilocus sequence typing of the clones showed hybridisation and nuclear heterozygosity, although with inheritance of single haplotypes in a kinetoplastid target. Comparative genomics showed diversity of clonal progeny between single chromosomes, and extraordinary heterozygosity across all 36 chromosomes. Diversity between progeny was seen for the HASPB antigen, which has been noted previously as having implications for design of a therapeutic vaccine. Genomic diversity seen among Leishmania strains and hybrid progeny is of great importance in understanding the epidemiology and control of leishmaniasis. As an outcome of this study we strongly recommend that wider biological archives of different Leishmania species from endemic regions should be established and made available for comparative genomics. However, in parallel, performance of genetic crosses and genomic comparisons should give fundamental insight into the specificity, diversity and limitations of candidate diagnostics, vaccines and drugs, for targeted control of leishmaniasis.

Temporal and spatial variability in the isotopic composition of sea urchins along Portuguese coast.

Paracentrotus lividus is a sea urchin widely distributed throughout Mediterranean basin and Atlantic coast, highly appreciated for its gonads. It is broadly distributed along the Portuguese coast and its exploitation has potential to grow. Nevertheless, fluctuations on nutritional composition and sensory traits of P. lividus according to each habitat and seasonality are still little understood. Stable isotopes analysis has been recognised as a powerful tool for exploring environmental-ecological-biological processes in aquatic systems. It is also useful to give indications on how to improve available diets for the aquaculture of this species, contributing to a sustainable rearing. Herein, such technique was used to assess temporal and spatial differences in isotopic composition of P. lividus' gonads and intestines and to evaluate its application as a management tool for the identification of the most suitable locations and periods of the year to collect organisms with high quality gonads. Sampling campaigns were carried out between 2019 and 2020 in five rocky shores along the Portuguese coast (Viana do Castelo, Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Sines and Guia). Three rock pools were selected in each shore, and five specimens were collected per pool. The gonadosomatic index (GSI, %) was calculated and carbon and nitrogen elemental and isotopic composition were determined in gonads and intestine using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Significant spatial and temporal fluctuations were registered among urchins collected along Portuguese coast. Such variations may be associated with latitudinal gradients along the coast and variations of environmental and ecological conditions within each area, especially those affecting algal biomass, on which urchins primarily feed. More research must be pursued to maximise the use of stable isotopes analysis as a management tool for supporting sustainable exploitation of natural stocks or even to contribute to nutritional studies with new diets for sea urchin production that consider the feeding of these animals in the wild.

A educação física no entendimento de escolares do ensino médio da região metropolitana de João Pessoa/PB / Physical education in the understanding of high school students in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa/PB / La educación física en la comprensión de estudiantes de secundaria de la región metropolitana de João Pessoa/PB

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar como o componente curricular Educação Física (EF) é compreendido por escolares do sexo masculino e feminino que frequentam o Ensino Médio (EM) na região metropolitana de João Pessoa/PB. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, com a tipologia do tipo estudo descritivo, com o corte temporal transversal e foi fundamentada na análise de conteúdo como técnica de análise dos dados. Participaram do estudo 50 estudantes do 2º ano do EM de duas escolas localizadas na região metropolitana de João Pessoa - PB, sendo 25 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino. O instrumento utilizado na pesquisa foi um questionário semiestruturado (perguntas abertas e fechadas) composto por 11 questões. Através dos resultados obtidos, foi possível constatar que existiram tanto aproximações quanto diferenças no entendimento a respeito da EF entre escolares do sexo masculino e feminino.

The objective of this study was to analyze how the Physical Education (PE) curriculum component is understood by male and female students who attend High School (HS) in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa/PB. This is a qualitative research, with a descriptive study typology, with a cross-sectional temporal cut and was based on content analysis as a data analysis technique. Fifty 2nd year students from two schools located in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa - PB participated in the study, 25 males and 25 females. The instrument used in the research was a semi-structured questionnaire (open and closed questions) composed of 11 questions. Through the results obtained, it was possible to verify that there were both approximations and differences in the understanding of PE between male and female students.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar cómo el componente curricular de Educación Física (EF) es entendido por alumnos y alumnas que frecuentan la Enseñanza Media (EM) de la región metropolitana de João Pessoa/PB. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, con tipología de estudio descriptivo, con corte temporal transversal y se basó en el análisis de contenido como técnica de análisis de datos. Participaron del estudio 50 alumnos del 2º año de dos escuelas ubicadas en la región metropolitana de João Pessoa - PB, 25 del sexo masculino y 25 del sexo femenino. El instrumento utilizado en la investigación fue un cuestionario semiestructurado (preguntas abiertas y cerradas) compuesto por 11 preguntas. A través de los resultados obtenidos, fue posible verificar que hubo tanto aproximaciones como diferencias en la comprensión de la EF entre alumnos y alumnas.

3D-Hepatocyte Culture Applied to Parasitology: Immune Activation of Canine Hepatic Spheroids Exposed to Leishmania infantum.

The application of innovative three-dimensional (3D) spheroids cell culture strategy to Parasitology offers the opportunity to closely explore host-parasite interactions. Here we present a first report on the application of 3D hepatic spheroids to unravel the immune response of canine hepatocytes exposed to Leishmania infantum. The liver, usually considered a major metabolic organ, also performs several important immunological functions and constitutes a target organ for L. infantum infection, the etiological agent of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), and a parasitic disease of major veterinary and public health concern. 3D hepatic spheroids were able to sense and immunologically react to L. infantum parasites, generating an innate immune response by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production and enhancing toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and interleukin-10 gene expression. The immune response orchestrated by canine hepatocytes also lead to the impairment of several cytochrome P450 (CYP450) with possible implications for liver natural xenobiotic metabolization capacity. The application of meglumine antimoniate (MgA) increased the inflammatory response of 3D hepatic spheroids by inducing the expression of Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) -like receptors 1 and NOD2 and TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 and enhancing gene expression of tumour necrosis factor α. It is therefore suggested that hepatocytes are key effector cells and can activate and orchestrate the immune response to L. infantum parasites.

A construção de valores ambientais em práticas de lazer através da escalada / The environmental values development in leisure practices trough climbing

Por ser uma prática que vem ganhando muitos adeptos, a escalada segue se destacando e se tornando objeto de estudos acadêmicos na área de Educação Física. O objetivo do estudo é investigar a construção de valores ambientais a partir das experiências através da prática da escalada ao ar livre. Este estudo tem natureza qualitativa, descritiva e transversal. A amostra foi composta por dezesseis sujeitos com idades entre 20 e 40 anos. As variáveis investigadas foram analisadas por um questionário online, com questões sobre a construção de valores ambientais que a prática da escalada pode proporcionar. Os dados foram analisados de forma qualitativa através de análise de conteúdo e apresentados através de gráficos e tabelas comparativas. Concluiu-se nesta pesquisa que existe um satisfatório desenvolvimento de construção de valores ambientais através da prática da escalada, em especial com mudanças nas relações e atitudes diante da natureza, além da promoção de valores sociais, culturais, psicológicos e cognitivos na vida cotidiana dos praticantes.

As a practice that has been gaining many followers, Climbing continues standing out and becoming the object of academic studies in the area of Physical Education. The aim of this study is to investigate the development of environmental from the experiences through the practice of Climbing. This study carried out has a qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of sixteen participants aged from 20 to 40 years old. The variables investigated were analyzed by an online questionnaire with questions about the development of environmental values Climbing practices can offer. The data were analyzed by a qualitative format through the contente analysis and presented by comparative charts and tables. The research identified the relationship between Climbing and the development of values. It was possible to conclude that exists a satisfactory development of environmental values through Climbing practice, specially with changes in the relations and attitudes in the face of the nature, besides the promotion of social, cultural, psychological and cognitive values in the daily life of the practitioners.

Ecological divergence and hybridization of Neotropical Leishmania parasites.

The tropical Andes are an important natural laboratory to understand speciation in many taxa. Here we examined the evolutionary history of parasites of the Leishmania braziliensis species complex based on whole-genome sequencing of 67 isolates from 47 localities in Peru. We first show the origin of Andean Leishmania as a clade of near-clonal lineages that diverged from admixed Amazonian ancestors, accompanied by a significant reduction in genome diversity and large structural variations implicated in host-parasite interactions. Within the Andean species, patterns of population structure were strongly associated with biogeographical origin. Molecular clock and ecological niche modeling suggested that the history of diversification of the Andean lineages is limited to the Late Pleistocene and intimately associated with habitat contractions driven by climate change. These results suggest that changes in forestation over the past 150,000 y have influenced speciation and diversity of these Neotropical parasites. Second, genome-scale analyses provided evidence of meiotic-like recombination between Andean and Amazonian Leishmania species, resulting in full-genome hybrids. The mitochondrial genome of these hybrids consisted of homogeneous uniparental maxicircles, but minicircles originated from both parental species. We further show that mitochondrial minicircles-but not maxicircles-show a similar evolutionary pattern to the nuclear genome, suggesting that compatibility between nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes and minicircle-encoded guide RNA genes is essential to maintain efficient respiration. By comparing full nuclear and mitochondrial genome ancestries, our data expand our appreciation on the genetic consequences of diversification and hybridization in parasitic protozoa.

Central Asian Rodents as Model Animals for Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani Research.

The clinical manifestation of leishmaniases depends on parasite species, host genetic background, and immune response. Manifestations of human leishmaniases are highly variable, ranging from self-healing skin lesions to fatal visceral disease. The scope of standard model hosts is insufficient to mimic well the wide disease spectrum, which compels the introduction of new model animals for leishmaniasis research. In this article, we study the susceptibility of three Asian rodent species (Cricetulus griseus, Lagurus lagurus, and Phodopus sungorus) to Leishmania major and L. donovani. The external manifestation of the disease, distribution, as well as load of parasites and infectiousness to natural sand fly vectors, were compared with standard models, BALB/c mice and Mesocricetus auratus. No significant differences were found in disease outcomes in animals inoculated with sand fly- or culture-derived parasites. All Asian rodent species were highly susceptible to L. major. Phodopus sungorus showed the non-healing phenotype with the progressive growth of ulcerative lesions and massive parasite loads. Lagurus lagurus and C. griseus represented the healing phenotype, the latter with high infectiousness to vectors, mimicking best the character of natural reservoir hosts. Both, L. lagurus and C. griseus were also highly susceptible to L. donovani, having wider parasite distribution and higher parasite loads and infectiousness than standard model animals.

Práticas de atividade física: uma análise da motivação e satisfação dos policiais militares de João Pessoa / Physical activity practices: an analysis of the motivation and satisfaction of the military police in João Pessoa / Prácticas de actividad física: un análisis de la motivación y la satisfacción de la policía militar en João Pessoa

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar os aspectos motivacionais e de satisfação nas práticas de atividades físicas dos policiais militares. Do ponto de vista metodológico este estudo contempla uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa ­ descritiva e transversal, os dados foram obtidos através de um questionário semi-estruturado, sendo analisados de forma qualitativa e quantitativa, através da análise de conteúdo e estatística percentual simples. Esta pesquisa foi realizada com 32 policiais militares da ativa e guarda da reserva, de ambos os sexos, pertencentes ao 5º Batalhão de Polícia Militar do estado da Paraíba. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a maioria dos policiais são adeptos a alguma prática de atividade física, foram observados a predominância de fatores intrínsecos na motivação para a realização destas práticas, os principais citados são saúde, bem-estar, qualidade de vida, estética e condicionamento físico para atuação profissional.

This study aims to analyze the motivational and satisfaction aspects in the physical activity practices of military police officers. From a methodological point of view, this study includes a qualitative - descriptive and transversal research, the data were obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire, being analyzed in a qualitative and quantitative way, through content analysis and simple percentage statistics. This research was carried out with 32 military police officers of the active and guard of the reserve, of both sexes, belonging to the 5 th Military Police Battalion of the state of Paraíba. The results obtained suggest that most police officers are adept at some physical activity practice, the predominance of intrinsic factors in the motivation to perform these practices was observed, the main ones mentioned being health, well-being, quality of life, aesthetics and physical conditioning for professional performance.

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los aspectos de motivación y satisfacción en las prácticas de actividad física de los oficiales de la policía militar. Desde un punto de vista metodológico, este estudio incluye una investigación cualitativa - descriptiva y transversal, los datos se obtuvieron a través de un cuestionario semiestructurado, analizándose de manera cualitativa y cuantitativa, a través de análisis de contenido y estadísticas de porcentajes simples. Esta investigación se realizó con 32 policías militares del activo y guardia de la reserva, de ambos sexos, pertenecientes al 5º Batallón de la Policía Militar del estado de Paraíba. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que la mayoría de los oficiales de policía son expertos en alguna práctica de actividad física, se observó el predominio de factores intrínsecos en la motivación para realizar estas prácticas, los principales mencionados fueron la salud, el bienestar, la calidad de vida, la estética y el acondicionamiento físico para un desempeño profesional.

Genomic analysis of natural intra-specific hybrids among Ethiopian isolates of Leishmania donovani.

Parasites of the genus Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) cause widespread and devastating human diseases. Visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania donovani is endemic in Ethiopia where it has also been responsible for major epidemics. The presence of hybrid genotypes has been widely reported in surveys of natural populations, genetic variation reported in a number of Leishmania species, and the extant capacity for genetic exchange demonstrated in laboratory experiments. However, patterns of recombination and the evolutionary history of admixture that produced these hybrid populations remain unclear. Here, we use whole-genome sequence data to investigate Ethiopian L. donovani isolates previously characterized as hybrids by microsatellite and multi-locus sequencing. To date there is only one previous study on a natural population of Leishmania hybrids based on whole-genome sequences. We propose that these hybrids originate from recombination between two different lineages of Ethiopian L. donovani occurring in the same region. Patterns of inheritance are more complex than previously reported with multiple, apparently independent, origins from similar parents that include backcrossing with parental types. Analysis indicates that hybrids are representative of at least three different histories. Furthermore, isolates were highly polysomic at the level of chromosomes with differences between parasites recovered from a recrudescent infection from a previously treated individual. The results demonstrate that recombination is a significant feature of natural populations and contributes to the growing body of data that shows how recombination, and gene flow, shape natural populations of Leishmania.

Kabaddi na escola: conteúdo de ensino para professores de educação física / Kabaddi at school: teaching content for physical education teachers / Kabaddi en la escuela: contenido docente para profesores de educación física

Este estudo analisou a aplicabilidade do Kabaddi como conteú - do de Educação Física escolar da cidade de João Pessoa. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram 30 graduandos matriculados no curso de Licenciatura em Educação Física da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, que aplica - ram o Kabaddi como conteúdo de ensino em escolas, após a interação com a modalidade nas formas esportiva original e didático-pedagógica. Utilizamos a abordagem qualitativa, descritiva, e corte temporal trans - versal, e nos baseamos na análise de conteúdo para a apresentação dos construtos deste estudo. Notou-se que existe a possibilidade de utiliza - ção do Kabaddi como conteúdo de ensino nas aulas de Educação Física, municiando o professor a trabalhar com um esporte pouco conhecido e novo para aguçar o interesse dos alunos.

This study analyzed the applicability of Kabaddi as Physical Education content for schools in the city of João Pessoa. The research participants were 30 undergraduate students enrolled in the Physical Education course at the Federal University of Paraíba, who applied Kabaddi as teaching content in schools, after the interaction with the original sports and didactic pedagogical aspects. We used a qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional time approach and we based on a content analysis for the presentation of the study constructs. It was noticed that there is the possibility of using Kabaddi as teaching content in Physical Education classes, equipping the teacher to work with a little-known sport and bring something new to whet students' interest.

Este estudio analizó la aplicabilidad de Kabaddi como contenido de Educación Física en la ciudad de João Pessoa. Los sujetos de investigación fueron 30 estudiantes universitarios inscritos en el curso de Educación Física de la Universidad Federal de la Paraíba, que aplicaron Kabaddi como contenido de enseñanza en escuelas, después de la interacción con la modalidad en las formas deportiva original y didácticas pedagógicas. Utilizamos el enfoque cualitativo, descriptivo, transversal y nos basamos en el análisis de contenido para la presentación de los constructos de este estudio. Se observó que existe la posibilidad de utilizar Kabaddi como contenido de enseñanza en las clases de Educación Física, equipando al maestro para trabajar con un deporte poco conocido y aportar algo nuevo para despertar el interés de los estudiantes.

Meglumine Antimoniate and Miltefosine Combined With Allopurinol Sustain Pro-inflammatory Immune Environments During Canine Leishmaniosis Treatment.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a zoonotic disease of global concern. Antileishmanial drug therapies commonly used to treat sick dogs improve their clinical condition, although when discontinued relapses can occur. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the effect of CanL treatments in peripheral blood, lymph node, and bone marrow cytokine profile associated with clinical recovery. Two groups of six dogs diagnosed with CanL were treated with miltefosine combined with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate combined with allopurinol (MT+A and MG+A), respectively. At diagnosis and after treatment, during a 3-month follow-up, clinical signs, hematological and biochemical parameters, urinalysis results and antileishmanial antibody titers were registered. Furthermore, peripheral blood, popliteal lymph node, and bone marrow samples were collected to assess the gene expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and IFN-γ by qPCR. In parallel, were also evaluated samples obtained from five healthy dogs. Both treatment protocols promoted the remission of clinical signs as well as normalization of hematological and biochemical parameters and urinalysis values. Antileishmanial antibodies returned to non-significant titers in all dogs. Sick dogs showed a generalized upregulation of IFN-γ and downregulation of IL-2, IL-4, and TGF-ß, while gene expression of IL-12, TNF-α, IL-5, and IL-10 varied between groups and according to evaluated tissue. A trend to the normalization of cytokine gene expression was induced by both miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate combined therapies. However, IFN-γ gene expression was still up-regulated in the three evaluated tissues. Furthermore, the effect of treatment in the gene expression of cytokines that were not significantly changed by infection, indicates that miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate combined therapy directly affects cytokine generation. Both combined therapies are effective in CanL treatment, leading to sustained pro-inflammatory immune environments that can compromise parasite survival and favor dogs' clinical cure. In the current study, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines do not seem to play a prominent role in CanL or during clinical recovery.

Intracellular and extracellular effector activity of mouse neutrophils in response to cutaneous and visceral Leishmania parasites.

Neutrophils are short-lived phagocytic cells equipped with several receptors for pathogen recognition and phagocytosis and have intracellular and extracellular effector mechanisms that can inactivate pathogens. Leishmaniases are diseases caused by different species of Leishmania that mainly afflicts poorer populations of tropical and subtropical regions and immunocompromised individuals. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effector response of murine neutrophils to species of Leishmania causing American cutaneous leishmaniasis and zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis by evaluating pattern recognition receptors (PRR) and intracellular and extracellular effector microbicide activity. When exposed to Leishmania parasites, mouse neutrophils produced superoxide, released enzymes in the extracellular space and generated neutrophil extracellular traps, although PRR gene expression is negatively regulated. L. infantum, L. guyanensis, and L. shawi inhibited enzymatic activity, whereas L. amazonensis reduced the emission of extracellular structures. These findings indicate that although neutrophils trigger several microbicide mechanisms, Leishmania parasites can manipulate extracellular effector mechanisms. The present study also provides evidence that neutrophils can internalize parasites by coiling phagocytosis.

Canine neutrophils activate effector mechanisms in response to Leishmania infantum.

Canine leishmaniosis caused by L. infantum is a severe zoonotic disease. Although macrophages are the definitive host cells, neutrophils are the first cells to encounter the parasite soon after its inoculation in the dermis by the phlebotomine vector. To study the interaction of dog neutrophils and L. infantum promastigotes, blood neutrophils were isolated from healthy donors and the infection was established in vitro. In the majority of the dogs, L. infantum was efficiently phagocytized by neutrophils, and oxidative (superoxide production) and non-oxidative (neutrophil elastase exocytosis) intracellular effector mechanisms were activated, but the release of neutrophil extracellular traps was minimized. Furthermore, promastigotes and culture supernatants induced neutrophil migration, but the prior contact with Leishmania inhibits chemotaxis, which might contribute to neutrophil retention at the inoculation site. Neutrophil-parasite interaction resulted in a decrease in parasite viability, although some intracellular promastigotes survive and maintain their proliferative capacity. These findings indicate that dog neutrophils are competent effector cells able to control the initial L. infantum infection. However, some parasites evade intracellular effector mechanisms and can be transferred to the definitive host cell, the macrophage, contributing to the development of canine leishmaniosis.

Hemisynthetic trifluralin analogues incorporated in liposomes for the treatment of leishmanial infections.

Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania protozoa, is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in terms of drug discovery and development. Current treatment is based on a limited number of chemotherapeutic agents all of which present either/or resistance issues, severe toxicities and adverse reactions associated with extended treatment regimens, and high cost of therapy. Dinitroanilines are a new class of drugs with proven in vitro antileishmanial activity. In previous work a liposomal formulation of one dinitroaniline (TFL) was found to be active against Leishmania parasites in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and in the treatment of experimental canine leishmaniasis. In this study we have investigated the use of dinitroaniline analogues (TFL-A) associated to liposomes, as means to further improve TFL antileishmanial activity. The potential of the liposomal formulations was assessed in vitro against Leishmania infantum promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and in vivo in a murine model of zoonotic VL. Free and liposomal TFL-A were active in vitro against Leishmania parasites, and they also exhibited reduced cytotoxicity and haemolytic activity. Treatment of infected mice with liposomal TFL-A reduced the amastigote loads in the spleen up to 97%, compared with the loads for untreated controls. These findings illustrate that chemical synthesis of new molecules associated with the use of Nano Drug Delivery Systems that naturally target the diseased organs could be a promising strategy for effective management of VL.

Laboratório de exergames: um espaço complementar para as aulas de educação física / Laboratorio de exergames: un espacio complementario para las clases de educación física / Exergames lab: a complementary space for physical education classes

Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre o uso de exergames em práticas estruturadas em aulas de Educação Física envolvendo estudantes que geralmente apresentam sinais de insatisfação com atividades esportivas propostas nas aulas regulares da disciplina. Enquanto os videogames foram historicamente associados a problemas como obesidade e introversão social, os exergames trouxeram uma nova perspectiva para esses artefatos culturais. Vinte e quatro alunos entre oito e 14 anos de idade participaram do estudo, realizado em um laboratório criado em uma escola no sul do Brasil. Os alunos foram observados e seus professores de Educação Física entrevistados ao final do projeto. Como resultado, foi possível observar que os estudantes que normalmente não demonstravam interesse pelas aulas de Educação Física passaram a apresentar uma atitude positiva em relação às práticas com os exergames, evidenciando também sua disposição em colaborar com os colegas.

This paper presents a study about the use of exergames in structured Physical Education (PE) classes with students that usually show signs of dissatisfaction with sports activities proposed at regular PE classes. While videogames have been historically associated with issues related to obesity and social introversion, exergames brought a new perspective on those cultural artifacts. Twenty-four 8-14-year-old students participated in the study conducted in a laboratory set up in a school in Southern Brazil. They were observed and their PE teachers were also interviewed at the end of project. Results showed that students that usually did not show interest in Physical Education classes started to demonstrate a positive attitude regarding exergame practices, also expressing willingness to cooperate with their peers.

Este artículo presenta un estudio sobre el uso de exergames en prácticas estructuradas en clases de Educación Física con estudiantes que generalmente presentan señales de insatisfacción frente a las actividades deportivas propuestas en las clases regulares de la asignatura. Mientras los videojuegos han sido históricamente asociados a problemas como obesidad e introversión social, los exergames han traído una nueva perspectiva para esos artefactos culturales. Veinticuatro alumnos entre ocho y catorce años de edad han participado en este estudio, desarrollado en un laboratorio organizado en una escuela en el sur de Brasil. Los estudiantes fueron observados y sus profesores de Educación Física entrevistados al final del proyecto. Como resultado, fue posible observar que los estudiantes que normalmente no mostraban interés por las clases de Educación Física, pasaron a presentar una actitud positiva en relación a las prácticas con los exergames, evidenciando también su disposición de colaborar con sus compañeros.

Corpo Joystick: Cinema, Videogames e Estilo de Vida Ativo / Joystick Body: Movies, Video Games and Active Living

Este ensaio trata do processo de inserção do videogame na cultura contemporânea, enfatizando as mudanças na interação humano máquina produzidas pelas diferentes gerações de jogos eletrônicos. O texto está dividido tem três grandes partes: (1) a primeira trata dos "suspenses de abdução virtual", uma série de filmes produzidos nos anos 1980 com enredo na linha "corpos reais transportados para dentro dos jogos virtuais"; (2) a segunda mostra o processo de incorporação da movimentação corporal aos consoles que leva ao surgimento dos exergames nos anos 1990; (3) e a terceira apresenta o jogo Wii Fit da Nintendo como um dos dispositivos eletrônicos mais bem sucedidos no processo de transformação dos exergames em produto de uso doméstico com vistas à introjeção de um estilo de vida ativo.

This essay deals with the process of the presence of videogame in the contemporary culture, emphasizing the changes in human-machine interaction produced by the different generations of electronic games. The text is divided into three major parts: the first (1) is "virtual abduction thrillers," a series of films produced in the 1980s with the main a plotlines centered around "real bodies being transported into the virtual games", the second (2) shows the process of incorporating body movement to the video games consoles leading to the exergames? first appearance in 1990. Finally, the third (3) part presents the Nintendo Wii Fit game as one of the most successful electronic devices in transforming exergames into a household product, becoming an introjection for an active living.

Rompendo fronteiras na Educação Física através dos videogames com interação corporal / Opening frontiers in physical education through body interaction video games

Os videogames, uma das mais fortes correntes da indústria do entretenimento, têm também influenciado a área da Educação Física através de novos dispositivos digitais que possibilitam a interação corporal. O videogame Wii Fit, objeto desta pesquisa, é um destes jogos, que tem como principal objetivo incentivar a prática de atividades físicas de maneira lúdica. Este artigo apresenta um estudo com base na etnografia virtual, envolvendo uma análise de conteúdo on-line sobre como os usuários do jogo Wii Fit o têm percebido. Três comunidades virtuais foram pesquisadas, buscando relatos sobre as percepções dos usuários quanto à influência do jogo em suas práticas de atividade física e manutenção de uma alimentação saudável. A investigação realizada permitiu concluir que o jogo Wii Fit funciona como uma ferramenta educativa capaz de levar os usuários a práticas físicas mais regulares bem como aos hábitos alimentares mais saudáveis.

The industry of video games, one of the most prominent, has also influenced the area of physical education through new digital devices which enable body interaction. The videogame Wii Fit, object of this research, is one of these games which tries to promote the practice of physical activity in an entertaining way. This article presents a study based on virtual ethnography, involving an online content analysis about the perceptions of Wii Fit users about the game. Three virtual communities have been analyzed, looking for posts about the perceptions of users regarding the influence of the game in their physical activity practices and healthy eating. The investigation showed that Wii Fit works as an educational tool that is able to influence users for regular physical activities as well as healthier nutrition habits.