Office-Based Procedures in the Management of Hemorrhoidal Disease: Rubber Band Ligation versus Sclerotherapy - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The most frequently used office-based procedures in hemorrhoidal disease (HD) are rubber band ligation (RBL) and sclerotherapy. Few studies have been published comparing the various types of instrumental therapy. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of sclerotherapy and RBL. Methods: Three online databases were searched. Efficacy (control of symptoms, prolapse, bleeding and pain, patients' satisfaction, and disease recurrence) and safety (complications, such as pain and bleeding) were the assessed outcomes. Pooled relative risks (RR) were computed for each outcome using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q test and I2. Results: Six RCTs and three cohort studies were included. Control of prolapse and bleeding was significantly higher with RBL (93.1% RBL vs. 66.4% sclerotherapy, RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.12-1.60 and 89.1% RBL vs. 78.7% SCL, RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.34, respectively). Both techniques had similar results in terms of pain relief, overall control of symptoms, and risk of recurrence at 3 months. Although patient satisfaction was significantly higher with RBL (77.8% RBL vs. 46.7% sclerotherapy, RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.01-2.50), post-procedural pain was significantly higher with this technique (24% RBL vs. 14% sclerotherapy, RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.32-2.28). There was no significant difference regarding post-procedure bleeding (11.1% RBL vs. 8.7% sclerotherapy, RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.86-1.94). In the subgroup analysis, according to the HD grade, post-procedure pain was higher with RBL only in HD grade II (vs. HD grade I-III). Conclusions: RBL performs better than sclerotherapy in controlling HD symptoms, specifically prolapse and bleeding, although post-procedural pain is a frequent complication. Recurrence is similar with both procedures. While waiting for the publication of results with sclerotherapy with new sclerosants, RBL remains the office-based treatment of choice in HD.

Contexto/Objetivos: Os tratamentos instrumentais mais frequentemente realizados na doença hemorroidária (DH) são a laqueação elástica (LE) e a escleroterapia. Existem poucos estudos publicados que comparem os vários tipos de tratamento instrumental. O objetivo desta revisão sistemática e meta-análise foi comparar a eficácia e a segurança da escleroterapia e da LE. Métodos: A pesquisa foi feita em três bases de dados. A eficácia (controlo dos sintomas, do prolapso, da hemorragia e da dor, satisfação dos doentes e recorrência da DH) e a segurança (complicações, tais como dor e hemorragia) foram os resultados avaliados. Os riscos relativos (RR) foram calculados para cada resultado, com recurso a um modelo de efeitos aleatórios, e a heterogeneidade foi avaliada pelo teste Q de Cochran e I2. Resultados: Foram incluídos seis estudos clínicos randomizados e três estudos de coorte. O controlo do prolapso e da hemorragia foi significativamente mais elevado com a LE (93,1% LE VS 66,4% escleroterapia, RR 1,34, 95% CI 1,12-1,60 e 89,1% LE VS 78,7% escleroterapia, RR 1,17, 95% CI 1,02-1,34, respetivamente). Ambas as técnicas tiveram resultados semelhantes em termos de alívio da dor, controlo global dos sintomas e risco de recidiva aos 3 meses. Embora a satisfação dos doentes fosse significativamente maior com LE (77,8% LE VS 46,7% escleroterapia, RR 1,59 95% CI 1,01-2,50), a dor pós-procedimento foi significativamente maior com esta técnica (24% LE VS 14% escleroterapia, RR 1,74, 95% CI 1,32-2,28). Não houve diferença significativa na hemorragia pós-procedimento (11,1% LE VS 8,7% escleroterapia, RR 1,29, 95% CI 0,86-1,94). Na análise de subgrupos, de acordo com o grau da DH, a dor pós-procedimento foi mais elevada com a LE apenas na DH grau II (VS DH graus I-III). Conclusões: A LE tem melhores resultados do que a escleroterapia no controlo dos sintomas, mais concretamente na resolução do prolapso e da hemorragia hemorroidária, embora a dor pós-procedimento seja uma complicação mais frequente com a LE. A recorrência é semelhante em ambos os procedimentos. Enquanto se aguarda a publicação dos resultados de estudos com novos esclerosantes, a LE deverá ser considerado o tratamento instrumental de primeira linha na DH.

Differential isoform expression of Allergin-1 during acute and chronic inflammation.

INTRODUCTION: Neutrophils are crucial to antimicrobial defense, but excessive neutrophilic inflammation elicits immune pathology. Currently, no effective treatment exists to curb neutrophil activation. However, neutrophils express a variety of inhibitory receptors which may represent potential therapeutic targets to limit neutrophilic inflammation. Indeed, we previously showed that the inhibitory collagen receptor leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR-1) regulates neutrophilic airway inflammation and inhibits neutrophil extracellular trap formation. The inhibitory receptor Allergin-1 is expressed by myeloid cells and B cells. Allergin-1 suppresses mast cell and basophil activation, but a potential regulatory role on neutrophils remains unexplored. We aimed to demonstrate the regulation of neutrophils by Allergin-1. METHODS: We examine Allergin-1 isoform expression on human neutrophils during homeostatic (healthy donors) and chronic inflammatory (systemic lupus erythematosus patients) conditions in comparison to other circulating leukocytes by flow cytometry. To reveal a potential role for Allergin-1 in regulating neutrophilic inflammation, we experimentally infect wild-type (WT) and Allergin-1-deficient mice with a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and monitor disease severity and examine cellular airway infiltrate. Flow cytometry was used to confirm Allergin-1 expression by airway-infiltrated neutrophils in RSV infection-induced bronchiolitis patients. RESULTS: Only the short 1 (S1) isoform, but not the long (L) or S2 isoform could be detected on blood leukocytes, with the exception of nonclassical monocytes, which exclusively express the S2 isoform. Allergin-1 expression levels did not vary significantly between healthy individuals and patients with the systemic inflammatory disease on any interrogated cell type. Airway-infiltrated neutrophils of pediatric RSV bronchiolitis patients were found to express Allergin-1S1. However, Allergin-1-deficient mice experimentally infected with RSV did not show exacerbated disease or increased neutrophil airway infiltration compared to WT littermates. CONCLUSION: Allergin-1 isoform expression is unaffected by chronic inflammatory conditions. In stark contrast to fellow inhibitory receptor LAIR-1, Allergin-1 does not regulate neutrophilic inflammation in a mouse model of RSV bronchiolitis.

The Role of Vegetation on the Dynamics of Water and Fire in the Cerrado Ecosystems: Implications for Management and Conservation.

The Cerrado is the richest savanna and is undergoing one of the planet's most rapid land transformations for pasture and agriculture; around 45% of the biome has been deforested. Agriculture is of strategic importance to Brazil, but it also modifies ecosystems and jeopardizes habitats and biodiversity. Well-managed agricultural lands can have a favorable impact on environmental conservation. In this paper, we reviewed our current knowledge about water ecology and fire management to show that an ecosystem services perspective can bring about a conciliation of agriculture production with conservation by supporting effective land use decision-making and the optimization of public policy. The landscape/watershed scale seems to be the most relevant for decision-making on how to achieve production and conservation results. This scale appears to be an appropriate level for engaging with stakeholders. Fire frequency and timing (season) combination are determinant of individuals' survivorship. The combination determines vegetation recovery, and it is important to maintain high biodiversity, especially for the herbaceous layer, but it is a limitation to woody vegetation recovery. A pragmatic and conciliatory land use agenda must be based on scientific knowledge and support innovative decision-making solutions for policy-makers and stakeholders, particularly farmers and donors.

cDC1 are required for the initiation of collagen-induced arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic autoimmune disease which etiology remains unknown. Several cell types have been described to potentiate/aggravate the arthritic process however the initiating event in synovial inflammation is still elusive. Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for the initiation of primary immune responses and thus we hypothesized that these cells might be crucial for RA induction. DCs are a heterogeneous population of cells comprising different subsets with distinct phenotype and function. Here we investigated which DC subset(s) is/are crucial for the initiation of the arthritic process. We have previously demonstrated that Flt3-/- mice, with reduced DCs, were protected from collagen induced arthritis (CIA). Here we have shown that GM-CSF derived DCs in Flt3L-/- mice are functional but not sufficient to induce arthritis. Batf3-/- mice lacking both CD103+ and CD8α+ cDC1 were resistant to collagen induced arthritis (CIA), demonstrating that this DC subset is crucial for arthritis development. CEP-701 (a Flt3L inhibitor) treatment prevented CIA induction, and reduced dramatically the numbers CD103+ cDC1s present in the lymph nodes and synovium. Hence this study identified cDC1 as the main subset orchestrating the initiation of cell-mediated immunity in arthritis.

Is Copytus Skogsberg, 1939 (Crustacea: Ostracoda) a neocytherideid? With description of a new family and two new species.

The genus Copytus Skogsberg, 1939 was erected based on C. caligula, recovered from bottom sediments of the South Georgia Island, Antarctica. However, we propose herein that Skogsberg's species is a junior synonym of Cytherideis laevata Brady, 1880 also collected from Antarctica and, therefore, Copytus laevata (Brady, 1880) becomes the type species. The position of the genus Copytus in the family Neocytherideidae is discussed, and a new family is proposed. In addition, we consider the genus Neocopytus Külköylüoðlu, Colin Kiliç, 2007 invalid, and some of its species are transferred to Copytus. Finally, two new species of Copytus are herein described, C. cuspidata sp. nov. and C. wuerdigae sp. nov., and their geographic, bathymetric and stratigraphic distributions are discussed.

Taxonomy of Ostracods from the Pirabas Formation (Upper Oligocene to Lower Miocene), Eastern Amazonia (Pará State, Brazil).

Ostracods from the Upper Oligocene to Lower Miocene Pirabas Formation, Northeastern Amazonia, Pará State, Brazil were examined from one subsurface and four outcrop sections. A total of 119 species were recognized and are illustrated; another 53 species were left in open nomenclature. Twenty-seven of the species are common to the Neogene of Caribbean, another two species are known from areas other than the Caribbean, and one species was already described from the studied unit. This study provides a robust taxonomic database for paleoenvironmental, biostratigraphic and paleogeographic studies and contributes to the knowledge of the paleodiversity of Neogene Ostracods from the Southwestern Atlantic.

Late Oligocene-Miocene non-lunulate sand dollars of South America: Revision of abertellid taxa and descriptions of two new families, two new genera, and a new species.

Material for all seven South American species of late Oligocene and Miocene scutelliform, non-lunulate sand dollars (Echinoidea: Clypeasteroida) was examined, resulting in revision of several taxa, and description of a new family, Placatenellidae n. fam., to house Placatenella n. gen. and Camachoaster n. gen. Known only from the state of Pará, Brazil, and previously described as a member of Abertella Durham, 1953, A. complanata Brito, 1981 is redescribed on the basis of analysis of the holotype and subsequently described material from the same region. A. complanata is removed from synonymy with A. pirabensis (Marchesini Santos, 1958), and transferred as the type species of Placatenella n. gen. A new taxon, Camachoaster n. gen., is described to hold C. maquedensis n. sp. The Abertellidae Durham, 1955 is revised and the concept of the genus Abertella restricted to include only those forms with a posterior notch and all interambulacra discontinuous, including A. pirabensis, which is redescribed from the only known specimen, confirming that this species lacks any trace of an anal lunule but possesses features fully congruent with its placement in Abertella. Iheringiellidae n. fam. is established to house the common but taxonomically challenging taxon, Iheringiella Berg, 1898. New data on the occurrence and location of the types of Iheringiella are discussed, and comments on the status of Eoscutella mirandae Parma, 1985 provided. A tabular key to all seven South American non-lunulates is given, along with discussion of the relationship between the posterior notch and the anal lunule.

A minute ostracod (Crustacea: Cytheromatidae) from the Miocene Solimões Formation (western Amazonia, Brazil): evidence for marine incursions?

A huge wetland (the 'Pebas system') covered western Amazonia during the Miocene, hosting a highly diverse and endemic aquatic fauna. One of the most contentious issues concerns the existence, potential pathways and effects of marine incursions on this ecosystem. Palaeontological evidences (body fossils) are rare. The finding of a new, presumably marine ostracod species (Pellucistoma curupira sp. nov.) in the upper middle Miocene Solimões Formation initiated a taxonomic, ecological and biogeographical review of the genus Pellucistoma. We demonstrate that this marine (sublittoral, euhaline), subtropical-tropical taxon is biogeographically confined to the Americas. The biogeographical distribution of Pellucistoma largely depends on geographical, thermal and osmotic barriers (e.g. land bridges, deep and/or cold waters, sea currents, salinity). We assume an Oligocene/early Miocene, Caribbean origin for Pellucistoma and outline the dispersal of hitherto known species up to the Holocene. Pellucistoma curupira sp. nov. is dwarfed in comparison to all other species of this genus and extremely thin-shelled. This is probably related to poorly oxygenated waters and, in particular, to strongly reduced salinity. The associated ostracod fauna (dominated by the eurypotent Cyprideis and a few, also stunted ostracods of possibly marine ancestry) supports this claim. Geochemical analyses (δ18O, δ13C) on co-occurring ostracod valves (Cyprideis spp.) yielded very light values, indicative of a freshwater setting. These observations point to a successful adaptation of P. curupira sp. nov. to freshwater conditions and therefore do not signify the presence of marine water. Pellucistoma curupira sp. nov. shows closest affinities to Caribbean species. We hypothesize that Pellucistoma reached northern South America (Llanos Basin) during marine incursions in the early Miocene. While larger animals of marine origin (e.g. fishes, dolphins, manatees) migrated actively into the Pebas wetland via fluvial connections, small biota (e.g. P. curupira sp. nov.) were phoretically freighted and developed freshwater tolerance over long timescales. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:886C6476-393D-4323-8C0E-06BB8BD02FD9.

Taxonomy and bathymetric distribution of the outer neritic/upper bathyal ostracodes (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from the southernmost Brazilian continental margin.

Sixty-five ostracode species belonging to 41 genera and 17 families were recorded in the outer shelf and upper slope off Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states, southernmost Brazil, between 100 and 586 m water depth interval. The ostracode occurrences are hypothesized to be influenced by both, the coastal waters and the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW). The taxonomy of some species of Bradleya Hornibrook, 1952, Legitimocythere Coles & Whatley, 1989 and Henryhowella Puri, 1957 previously described in the same study area is revised. Bradleya gaucha sp. nov., Legitimocythere megapotamica sp. nov., Apatihowella acelos sp. nov., Apatihowella capitulum sp. nov., Apatihowella besnardi sp. nov., Apatihowella convexa sp. nov., and Aversovalva tomcronini sp. nov. are herein proposed. Trachyleberis aorata Bergue & Coimbra, 2008 is reassigned to the genus Legitimocythere and Bradleya pseudonormani Ramos et al., 2009 has its diagnosis emended. Bythocypris praerenis Brandão, 2008 is considered a junior synonym of Bythocypris kyamos Whatley et al., 1998a. Apatihowella Jellinek & Swanson, 2003 and Legitimocythere species have well-defined bathymetric distributions and are potential paleoceanographic markers for the Quaternary in the Southern Brazilian Margin.

On the Miocene Cyprideis species flock (Ostracoda; Crustacea) of Western Amazonia (Solimões Formation): Refining taxonomy on species level.

The Miocene mega-wetland of western Amazonia holds a diverse, largely endemic ostracod fauna. Among them, especially the genus Cyprideis experienced a remarkable radiation. Micropalaeontologic investigations of a 400 m long sediment core (~62 km SW Benjamin Constant, Amazonia, Brazil) permitted a taxonomic revision of about two-thirds of hitherto described Cyprideis species. We evaluate the diagnostic value of shell characters and provide an extensive illustration of the intraspecific variability of species. Based on comparative morphology, the 20 recorded Cyprideis species are arranged in groups and subgroups. The "smooth" group comprises C. amazonica, C. kotzianae, C. kroemmelbeini, C. machadoi, C. multiradiata, C. olivencai, C. paralela and C. simplex; the "ornate" group C. curucae nom. nov., C. cyrtoma, C. aff. graciosa, C. inversa, C. ituiae n. sp., C. matorae n. sp., C. minipunctata, C. munoztorresi nom. nov., C. pebasae, C. reticulopunctata, C. schedogymnos and C. sulcosigmoidalis. Five species have been revalidated, two renamed, two synonymised and two are new descriptions. Along with 10 further formally established species, for which a review is pending, Cyprideis keeps at least 30 endemic species in that region during Miocene times. Up to 12 Cyprideis species have been found to occur sympatrically, representing >90% of the entire ostracod fauna. Ostracod index species enable a biostratigraphic allocation of the well succession to the Cyprideis minipunctata to Cyprideis cyrtoma biozones, corresponding to a late Middle to early Late Miocene age (late Serravallian-early Tortonian).

Ostracods (Crustacea) and their palaeoenvironmental implication for the Solimões Formation (Late Miocene; Western Amazonia/Brazil).

Western Amazonia's landscape and biota were shaped by an enormous wetland during the Miocene epoch. Among the most discussed topics of this ecosystem range the question on the transitory influx of marine waters. Inter alia the occurrence of typically brackish water associated ostracods is repeatedly consulted to infer elevated salinities or even marine ingressions. The taxonomical investigation of ostracod faunas derived from the upper part of the Solimões Formation (Eirunepé; W-Brazil) documents a moderately diverse assemblage (19 species). A wealth of freshwater ostracods (mainly Cytheridella, Penthesilenula) was found co-occurring with taxa (chiefly Cyprideis) usually related to marginal marine settings today. The observed faunal compositions as well as constantly very light δ18O- and δ13C-values obtained by measuring both, the freshwater and brackish water ostracod group, refer to entirely freshwater conditions. These results corroborate with previous sedimentological and palaeontological observations, which proposed a fluvial depositional system for this part of western Amazonia during the Late Miocene. We demonstrate that some endemic, "brackish" water ostracods (i.e., Cyprideis) have been effectively adapted to freshwater conditions. Thus, their occurrence is no univocal evidence for the influence of brackish or marine waters in western Amazonia during the Miocene.

Late Miocene sedimentary environments in south-western Amazonia (Solimões Formation; Brazil).

In Miocene times a vast wetland existed in Western Amazonia. Whereas the general development of this amazing ecosystem is well established, many questions remain open on sedimentary environments, stratigraphical correlations as well as its palaeogeographical configuration. Several outcrops located in a barely studied region around Eirunepé (SW Amazonas state, Brazil) were investigated to obtain basic sedimentological data. The observed deposits belong to the upper part of the Solimões Formation and are biostratigraphically dated to the Late Miocene. Vertically as well as laterally highly variable fine-grained clastic successions were recorded. Based on the lithofacies assemblages, these sediments represent fluvial deposits, possibly of an anastomosing river system. Sand bodies formed within active channels and dominant overbank fines are described (levees, crevasse splays/channels/deltas, abandoned channels, backswamps, floodplain paleosols). Lacustrine environments are restricted to local floodplain ponds/lakes. The mollusc and ostracod content as well as very light δ18O and δ13C values, measured on ostracod valves, refer to exclusively freshwater conditions. Based on palaeontological and geological results the existence of a long-lived lake ("Lake Pebas") or any influx of marine waters can be excluded for that region during the Late Miocene.

A entrevista de anamnese sob a ótica do referencial teórico psicodramático: uma contribuição para a Psicopedagogia / The anamnesis interview under the optic of the psycodramatic theory: a contribution to Psychopedagogy

Para Jacob Levi Moreno, idealizador da teoria psicodramática, o indivíduo nasce em Sociedade e necessita dos outros para sobreviver, sendo apto para a convivência com os demais. E é concebido e estudado por meio de suas relações interpessoais. O presente artigo tem como objetivo abordar alguns referenciais teóricos da teoria psicodramática: os conceitos de matriz de identidade, da teoria dos papéis e do átomo social e propor esta ótica teórica ao psicopedagogo para auxiliá-lo na compreensão da história de vida do paciente, durante a entrevista de anamnese no diagnóstico psicopedagógico.

A entrevista de anamnese sob a ótica do referencial teórico psicodramático: uma contribuição para a Psicopedagogia / The anamnesis interview under the optic of the psycodramatic theory: a contribution to Psychopedagogy

Para Jacob Levi Moreno, idealizador da teoria psicodramática, o indivíduo nasce em Sociedade e necessita dos outros para sobreviver, sendo apto para a convivência com os demais. E é concebido e estudado por meio de suas relações interpessoais. O presente artigo tem como objetivo abordar alguns referenciais teóricos da teoria psicodramática: os conceitos de matriz de identidade, da teoria dos papéis e do átomo social e propor esta ótica teórica ao psicopedagogo para auxiliá-lo na compreensão da história de vida do paciente, durante a entrevista de anamnese no diagnóstico psicopedagógico.(AU)

Interferência do brinquedo sonoro na atividade exploratória de crianças na faixa etária de 1 a 2 anos / The interference of sound toys on exploratory behavior of children aged from 1 to 2 years old

Com o objetivo de analisar a influência de brinquedos sonoros no comportamento exploratório de crianças na faixa etária de 1 a 2 anos incompletos, participaram deste estudo 20 crianças que apresentavam normoacusia. As crianças foram submetidas a gravações em videotape na situação de interação com 10 brinquedos previamente selecionados. Foram realizados dois períodos de 10 minutos de gravação: no primeiro, os brinquedos não produziam som, e no segundo os sons de cada brinquedo estavam ativados. As imagens foram analisadas segundo o Sistema de Observação do Comportamento da Criança (Coutinho, 1990), que estabelece categorias de comportamento. A comparação entre as diversas categorias de comportamento das crianças nas duas situações evidenciou diferenças significativas quando o som era introduzido no brinquedo. Em média, as crianças aumentaram as ocorrências nos itens de comportamento Olhar (p<0,05) e Manipulação Ativa Especifica (p<0,001), tendo reduzido significativamente a ocorrência de Manipulação Ativa Básica (p<0,001) e Contato Mínimo (p,0,05) não havendo alterações nos itens referentes aos comportamentos Fora da Tarefa e Social (p>0,05). Foi concluído que o som no brinquedo exerce uma influência relevante no comportamento exploratório das crianças na faixa etária estudada.

For analysing the influence of sound toys on the child exploratory behavior, an experimental study was carried out with children with ages from one to two years (incomplete) twenty children with normal hearing participated in the study. These children were submitted to videotape recordings in a situation of interaction with 10 toys. Two ten minute sessions were recorded: the first session was carried out with toys without sound, whereas in the second session the sound of every toy was activated. The recordings were analysed according to the Child Behavior Observation System (Coutinho, 1990). A comparison among the children different behavior categories in both situations revealed significant differences when the sound of the toys was activated In average, the children increased the frequency on the behavior items Look (p<0.05) and Specific Active Manipulation (p<0.001), reducing significantly as well the frequency on the Basic Active Mnipulation (p<0.001) and Minimal Contact (p<0.05). No alterations on the items referring to Off Task and Social behaviors was observed (p>0.05). It was con eluded that the sound of the toy had a relevant influence on children explorative behavior in the age range covered by this study.

Interferência do brinquedo sonoro na atividade exploratória de crianças na faixa etária de 1 a 2 anos / The interference of sound toys on exploratory behavior of children aged from 1 to 2 years old

Com o objetivo de analisar a influência de brinquedos sonoros no comportamento exploratório de crianças na faixa etária de 1 a 2 anos incompletos, participaram deste estudo 20 crianças que apresentavam normoacusia. As crianças foram submetidas a gravações em videotape na situação de interação com 10 brinquedos previamente selecionados. Foram realizados dois períodos de 10 minutos de gravação: no primeiro, os brinquedos não produziam som, e no segundo os sons de cada brinquedo estavam ativados. As imagens foram analisadas segundo o Sistema de Observação do Comportamento da Criança (Coutinho, 1990), que estabelece categorias de comportamento. A comparação entre as diversas categorias de comportamento das crianças nas duas situações evidenciou diferenças significativas quando o som era introduzido no brinquedo. Em média, as crianças aumentaram as ocorrências nos itens de comportamento Olhar (p<0,05) e Manipulação Ativa Especifica (p<0,001), tendo reduzido significativamente a ocorrência de Manipulação Ativa Básica (p<0,001) e Contato Mínimo (p,0,05) não havendo alterações nos itens referentes aos comportamentos Fora da Tarefa e Social (p>0,05). Foi concluído que o som no brinquedo exerce uma influência relevante no comportamento exploratório das crianças na faixa etária estudada.(AU)

For analysing the influence of sound toys on the child exploratory behavior, an experimental study was carried out with children with ages from one to two years (incomplete) twenty children with normal hearing participated in the study. These children were submitted to videotape recordings in a situation of interaction with 10 toys. Two ten minute sessions were recorded: the first session was carried out with toys without sound, whereas in the second session the sound of every toy was activated. The recordings were analysed according to the Child Behavior Observation System (Coutinho, 1990). A comparison among the children different behavior categories in both situations revealed significant differences when the sound of the toys was activated In average, the children increased the frequency on the behavior items Look (p<0.05) and Specific Active Manipulation (p<0.001), reducing significantly as well the frequency on the Basic Active Mnipulation (p<0.001) and Minimal Contact (p<0.05). No alterations on the items referring to Off Task and Social behaviors was observed (p>0.05). It was con eluded that the sound of the toy had a relevant influence on children explorative behavior in the age range covered by this study.(AU)