USE OF DIGITAL MICROSCOPY IMAGES IN THE TEACHING OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: ASSESSMENT OF THE MOTIVATION AND PROFICIENCY OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS / USO DE IMÁGENES DE MICROSCOPIA DIGITAL EN LA ENSEÑANZA DE LAS CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS: EVALUACIÓN DE LA MOTIVACIÓN Y COMPETENCIA DE ESTUDIANTES DE ESCUELA INTERMEDIA / USO DE IMAGENS DE MICROSCOPIA DIGITAL NO ENSINO DE CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS: AVALIAÇÃO DA MOTIVAÇÃO E DA PROFICIÊNCIA DE ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO MÉDIO

The teaching of Biology in schools is very important in the education of students, as it contributes to the development of a solid and comprehensive understanding of living beings  and the biological processes that occur in the natural world. The importance of Biology can be highlighted in three main aspects: scientific knowledge, student motivation and practical classes. Considering these aspects, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using digital microscopy and printed boards in Biology classes, for high school students, in relation to motivation and immediate learning. The methodology involved a theoretical class on the chosen topic, which was HPV and cervical cancer, followed by practical classes using digital microscopy images and printed plates. Students responded to tests and an understanding that assessed learning and motivation after the interventions. The study allowed us to verify that students' motivation is greater when there is a practical part and the use of microscope images to relate the content, digital microscopy and printed slides cause a high motivation in students who do not have experience and the importance of developing innovative and facilitating tools in the teaching of Biological Sciences. Thus, it is concluded that microscopy, in both forms used in the experiment, is a motivating factor and has a favorable cost, leaving the school to opt for the use of printed boards or digital microscopy, considering its reality.

La enseñanza de la Biología en las escuelas es muy importante en la formación de los estudiantes, ya que contribuye al desarrollo de una comprensión sólida e integral de los seres vivos y de los procesos biológicos que ocurren en el mundo natural. La importancia de la Biología se puede destacar en tres aspectos principales: el conocimiento científico, la motivación del estudiante y las clases prácticas. Considerando estos aspectos, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos del uso de microscopía digital y pizarras impresas en clases de Biología, para estudiantes de secundaria, en relación con la motivación y el aprendizaje inmediato. La metodología implicó una clase teórica sobre el tema elegido, que fue el VPH y el cáncer de cuello uterino, seguida de clases prácticas utilizando imágenes de microscopía digital y placas impresas. Los estudiantes respondieron pruebas y un cuestionario que evaluó el aprendizaje y la motivación después de las intervenciones. El estudio permitió comprobar que la motivación de los estudiantes es mayor cuando existe una parte práctica y el uso de imágenes microscópicas para relacionar el contenido, la microscopía digital y las láminas impresas provocan una alta motivación en los estudiantes, no mostrando diferencias significativas y la importancia del desarrollo. de herramientas innovadoras y facilitadoras en la enseñanza de las Ciencias Biológicas. Así, se concluye que la microscopía, en las dos formas utilizadas en el experimento, es un factor motivador y tiene un costo favorable, dejando a la escuela optar por el uso de placas impresas o microscopía digital, considerando su realidade.

O ensino de Biologia nas escolas é muito importante na formação dos estudantes, pois contribui para o desenvolvimento de uma compreensão sólida e abrangente dos seres vivos e dos processos biológicos que ocorrem no mundo natural. A importância da Biologia pode ser destacada em três aspectos principais: conhecimento científico, motivação dos estudantes e aulas práticas. Considerando esses aspectos, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da utilização de microscopia digital e de pranchas impressas nas aulas de Biologia, para alunos de ensino médio, em relação à motivação e à aprendizagem imediata. A metodologia envolveu uma aula teórica sobre o tema escolhido que foi HPV e câncer de colo de útero seguida de aulas práticas com o uso de imagens de microscopia digital e de pranchas impressas. Os estudantes responderam a testes e a um questionário que avaliaram aprendizagem e motivação após as intervenções. O estudo permitiu verificar que a motivação dos estudantes é maior quando se tem uma parte prática. Já o uso de imagens de microscópios para relacionar o conteúdo, a microscopia digital e as lâminas impressas causam uma motivação elevada nos estudantes, não apresentando diferenças significativas e a importância do desenvolvimento de ferramentas inovadoras e facilitadoras no ensino de Ciências Biológicas. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a microscopia, em ambas as formas utilizadas no experimento é um fator motivador e de custo favorável, cabendo a escola optar pelo uso das pranchas impressas ou microscopia digital, considerando a sua realidade.

Although with intact mucosa at colonoscopy, chagasic megacolons have an overexpression of Gal-3.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the density of anti-galectin-3-immunostained cells, collagen percentage, mast cell density and presence of pathological processes in intestinal muscle biopsies of patients. METHODS: Thirty-five patients who underwent intestinal biopsy were selected from 1997 to 2015. Patients were divided into three groups: chagasic patients with mucosal lesion (n=13), chagasic patients with intact mucosa (n=12) and non-chagasic patients with no mucosal lesion (n=10). Histological processing of the biopsied fragments and immunohistochemistry for galectin-3 were performed. Additional sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the general pathological processes, picrosirius for evaluation of collagen and toluidine blue to evaluate the mast cell density. RESULTS: Patients of mucosal lesion group had a significantly higher frequency of ganglionitis and myositis when compared to the chagasic patients with intact mucosa and non-chagasic group. The density of anti-galectin-3-immunostained cells was significantly higher in the chagasic patients with intact mucosa group when compared to the non-chagasic group. The group of chagasic patients with intact mucosa presented a higher percentage of collagen in relation to the patients with mucosal lesion and to the non-chagasic group, with a significant difference. There was no significant difference in mast cell density among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The higher density of anti-galectin-3-immunostained cells in patients in the chagasic patients with intact mucosa group suggested the need for greater attention in clinical evaluation of these patients, since this protein is associated with neoplastic transformation and progression.

Although with intact mucosa at colonoscopy, chagasic megacolons have an overexpression of Gal-3 / Embora com mucosa íntegra à colonoscopia, megacólons chagásicos apresentam superexpressão de Gal-3

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the density of anti-galectin-3-immunostained cells, collagen percentage, mast cell density and presence of pathological processes in intestinal muscle biopsies of patients. Methods Thirty-five patients who underwent intestinal biopsy were selected from 1997 to 2015. Patients were divided into three groups: chagasic patients with mucosal lesion (n=13), chagasic patients with intact mucosa (n=12) and non-chagasic patients with no mucosal lesion (n=10). Histological processing of the biopsied fragments and immunohistochemistry for galectin-3 were performed. Additional sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the general pathological processes, picrosirius for evaluation of collagen and toluidine blue to evaluate the mast cell density. Results Patients of mucosal lesion group had a significantly higher frequency of ganglionitis and myositis when compared to the chagasic patients with intact mucosa and non-chagasic group. The density of anti-galectin-3-immunostained cells was significantly higher in the chagasic patients with intact mucosa group when compared to the non-chagasic group. The group of chagasic patients with intact mucosa presented a higher percentage of collagen in relation to the patients with mucosal lesion and to the non-chagasic group, with a significant difference. There was no significant difference in mast cell density among the three groups. Conclusion The higher density of anti-galectin-3-immunostained cells in patients in the chagasic patients with intact mucosa group suggested the need for greater attention in clinical evaluation of these patients, since this protein is associated with neoplastic transformation and progression.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a densidade de células imunomarcadas por anti-galectina-3, a percentagem de colágeno, a densidade de mastócitos e a presença de processos patológicos na musculatura intestinal de pacientes biopsiados. Métodos Foram selecionados 35 pacientes submetidos à biópsia de intestino entre 1997 a 2015. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos: chagásicos com lesão de mucosa (n=13), chagásicos com mucosa íntegra (n=12) e não chagásicos sem lesão de mucosa (n=10). Foram realizados processamento histológico dos fragmentos biopsiados e imunohistoquímica para galectina-3. Cortes adicionais foram corados por hematoxilina e eosina, para avaliar os processos patológicos gerais, pelo picrosírius, para avaliação do colágeno, e pelo azul de toluidina, para avaliar a densidade de mastócitos. Resultados Os pacientes do grupo chagásicos com lesão de mucosa apresentaram frequência significativamente maior de ganglionite e miosite quando comparados aos dos grupos chagásico com mucosa íntegra e não chagásicos. A densidade das células imunomarcadas por anti-galectina-3 foi significativamente maior no grupo chagásicos com mucosa íntegra quando comparada ao grupo não chagásico. O grupo de chagásicos com mucosa íntegra apresentou maior percentagem de colágeno em relação aos grupos chagásicos com mucosa lesada e ao grupo de não chagásicos, com diferença significativa. Não houve diferença significativa com relação à densidade de mastócitos entre os três grupos. Conclusão A maior densidade de células imunomarcadas por anti-galectina-3 nos pacientes do grupo chagásico com mucosa íntegra sugere a necessidade de maior atenção na avaliação clínica desses pacientes, uma vez que essa proteína está associada com transformação e progressão neoplásica.

Lingual salivary gland hypertrophy and decreased acinar density in chagasic patients without megaesophagus.

Although the salivary glands present several functions, there are few studies evaluating these glands in Chagas disease (CD). This study aimed to compare the percentage of collagen, the presence of inflammation, the density of chimase and tryptase mast cells, the area and density of lingual salivary gland acini in autopsied individuals with and without (CD). We analyzed 400 autopsy reports performed in a tertiary public hospital from 1999 to 2015 and selected all the cases in which tongue fragments were collected (27 cases), 12 with chronic CD without megaesophagus (CH) and 15 without CD (non-chagasic - NC). The histological sections of the tongue were stained by Picrosirius red for collagen evaluation and Hematoxylin-eosin for morphometric evaluation of salivary gland acini and inflammation. Anti-chimase and anti-tryptase antibodies were used for the immunohistochemical evaluation of mast cells. The chagasic patients presented higher volume and lower density of salivary glands acini. There was no difference in the collagen percentage, inflammation and density of mast cell chymase and tryptase between the groups. Although we did not observe a significant difference between the groups regarding the collagen percentage, inflammatory process and mast cell density, our results suggest that even without megaesophagus, chagasic patients present hypertrophy of the lingual salivary glands and lower acinar density probably due to mechanisms independent of the esophagus-glandular stimulus.

Tongue function, salivary flow rate and IgA, IgM and IgG total salivary levels in chronic chagasic patients

Although microscopic alterations have been detected in tongues and salivary glands of chagasic patients and the identification of biomarkers in saliva has proved advantageous, there are no studies evaluating tongue function and total salivary IgA, IgG and IgM levels in chronic chagasic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate tongue function, salivary flow rate, and total salivary IgA, IgG and IgM levels comparing chronic and non-infected individuals. 37 patients were selected: chronic cardiac chagasic patients (n=6), chronic chagasic patients with the associated form of the disease (cardiopathy and megaesophagus) (n=11), and non-chagasic individuals (n=20). The tongue function underwent a phonoaudiological evaluation. The salivary flow rate was measured by sialometry. The total salivary IgA, IgG and IgM levels were evaluated by sandwich ELISA assay. Chagasic patients with the associated form of the disease presented higher salivary flow rate and lower salivary protein levels. No significant differences were noted in the lingual function or in the total salivary immunoglobulin levels among the groups. Although patients with chagasic megaesophagus presented higher levels of salivary flow and lower salivary protein, the fact that there were no significant differences in lingual function and total salivary immunoglobulin levels among the groups led to the conclusion that chronic chagas disease does not modify the lingual function or the total IgA, IgG and IgM salivary levels. The present study was the first to evaluate the function of the tongue and salivary total immunoglobulin levels in Chagas disease.