Molecular mimicry between Zika virus and central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disorders: the role of NS5 Zika virus epitope and PLP autoantigens.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates a strong link between Zika virus (ZikV) and neurological complications. Acute myelitis, optic neuritis, polyneuropathy, and encephalomyelitis that mimic inflammatory idiopathic demyelination disorders (IIDD) after ZikV infection have been reported in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the possible occurrence of molecular mimicry between ZikV antigens and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) autoantigens, the most frequent IIDD of the central nervous system (CNS). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with 305 patients admitted due to suspected arbovirus infection in Rio de Janeiro was performed, all subjects were submitted to neurological examination, and a biological sample was collected for serologic and molecular diagnostic. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the peptides shared between ZikV antigens and MS autoantigens. RESULTS: Of 305 patients, twenty-six were positive for ZikV and 4 presented IDD patterns found in MS cases. Sequence homology comparisons by bioinformatics approach between NS5 ZikV and PLP MS protein revealed a homology of 5/6 consecutive amino acids (CSSVPV/CSAVPV) with 83% identity, deducing a molecular mimicry. Analysis of the 3D structures revealed a similar conformation with alpha helix presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular mimicry between NS5 Zika virus antigen and PLP MS autoantigens emerge as a possible mechanism for IDD spectrum in genetically susceptible individuals.

ANTECEDENTES: Evidências indicam uma forte ligação entre o vírus Zika (ZikV) e complicações neurológicas. Mielite aguda, neurite óptica, polineuropatia e encefalomielite que mimetizam distúrbios inflamatórios de desmielinização idiopáticos (DDII) após infecção por ZikV têm sido relatadas no Brasil. OBEJTIVO: O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar a possível ocorrência de mimetismo molecular entre antígenos do ZikV e autoantígenos da Esclerose Múltipla (EM), a DDII mais frequente do sistema nervoso central (SNC). MéTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 305 pacientes internados por suspeita de infecção por arbovírus no Rio de Janeiro, todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a exame neurológico e coleta de amostra biológica para diagnóstico sorológico e molecular. Ferramentas de bioinformática foram usadas para analisar os peptídeos compartilhados entre antígenos do ZikV e autoantígenos da EM. RESULTADOS: Dos 305 pacientes, vinte e seis foram positivos para ZikV e 4 apresentaram padrão IDD encontrado em casos de EM. As comparações de homologia de sequência por abordagem de bioinformática entre a proteína NS5 ZikV e PLP EM revelaram uma homologia de 5/6 aminoácidos consecutivos (CSSVPV/CSAVPV) com 83% de identidade, deduzindo um mimetismo molecular. A análise das estruturas 3D revelou uma conformação semelhante com apresentação em alfa-hélice. CONCLUSõES: O mimetismo molecular entre o antígeno NS5 do vírus Zika e o autoantígeno PLP da EM surge como um possível mecanismo para o espectro IDD em indivíduos geneticamente suscetíveis.

Molecular mimicry between Zika virus and central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disorders: the role of NS5 Zika virus epitope and PLP autoantigens / Mimetismo molecular entre o vírus Zika e os distúrbios inflamatórios desmielinizantes do sistema nervoso central: o papel do epítopo NS5 do vírus Zika e dos autoantígenos PLP

Abstract Background Evidence indicates a strong link between Zika virus (ZikV) and neurological complications. Acute myelitis, optic neuritis, polyneuropathy, and encephalomyelitis that mimic inflammatory idiopathic demyelination disorders (HDD) after ZikV infection have been reported in Brazil. Objective The present study aims to investigate the possible occurrence of molecular mimicry between ZikV antigens and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) autoantigens, the most frequent HDD of the central nervous system (CNS). Methods A retrospective cohort study with 305 patients admitted due to suspected arbovirus infection in Rio de Janeiro was performed, all subjects were submitted to neurological examination, and a biological sample was collected for serologic and molecular diagnostic. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the peptides shared between ZikV antigens and MS autoantigens. Results Of 305 patients, twenty-six were positive for ZikV and 4 presented IDD patterns found in MS cases. Sequence homology comparisons by bioinformatics approach between NS5 ZikV and PLP MS protein revealed a homology of 5/6 consecutive amino acids (CSSVPV/CSAVPV) with 83% identity, deducing a molecular mimicry. Analysis of the 3D structures revealed a similar conformation with alpha helix presentation. Conclusions Molecular mimicry between NS5 Zika virus antigen and PLP MS autoantigens emerge as a possible mechanism for IDD spectrum in genetically susceptible individuals.

Resumo Antecedentes Evidências indicam uma forte ligação entre o vírus Zika (ZikV) e complicações neurológicas. Mielite aguda, neurite óptica, polineuropatia e encefalomielite que mimetizam distúrbios inflamatórios de desmielinização idiopáticos (DDII) após infecção por ZikV têm sido relatadas no Brasil. Obejtivo O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar a possível ocorrência de mimetismo molecular entre antígenos do ZikV e autoantígenos da Esclerose Múltipla (EM), a DDII mais frequente do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Métodos Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 305 pacientes internados por suspeita de infecção por arbovirus no Rio de Janeiro, todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a exame neurológico e coleta de amostra biológica para diagnóstico sorológico e molecular. Ferramentas de bioinformática foram usadas para analisar os peptídeos compartilhados entre antígenos do ZikV e autoantígenos da EM. Resultados Dos 305 pacientes, vinte e seis foram positivos para ZikV e 4 apresentaram padrão IDD encontrado em casos de EM. As comparações de homologia de sequência por abordagem de bioinformática entre a proteína NS5 ZikV e PLP EM revelaram uma homologia de 5/6 aminoácidos consecutivos (CSSVPV/CSAVPV) com 83% de identidade, deduzindo um mimetismo molecular. A análise das estruturas 3D revelou uma conformação semelhante com apresentação em alfa-hélice. Conclusões O mimetismo molecular entre o antígeno NS5 do vírus Zika e o autoantígeno PLP da EM surge como um possível mecanismo para o espectro IDD em indivíduos geneticamente suscetíveis.

Effects of seizure burden on structural global brain networks in patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Temporal lobe epilepsy secondary to hippocampal sclerosis is related to epileptogenic networks rather than a focal epileptogenic source. Graph-theoretical gray and white matter networks may help to identify alterations within these epileptogenic networks. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with hippocampal sclerosis and 14 controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging, including 3D-T1, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and diffusion tensor imaging. Subject-specific structural gray and white matter network properties (normalized path length, clustering, and small-worldness) were reconstructed. Group differences and differences between those with higher and lower seizure burden (<4 vs. ≥4 average monthly seizures in the last year) in network parameters were evaluated. Additionally, correlations between network properties and disease-related variables were calculated. RESULTS: All patients with hippocampal sclerosis as one group did not have altered gray or white matter network properties (all p > .05). Patients with lower seizure burden had significantly lower gray matter small-worldness and normalized clustering compared to controls and those with higher seizure burden (all p < .04). A higher number of monthly seizures was significantly associated with increased gray and white matter small-worldness, indicating a more rigid network. CONCLUSION: Overall, there were no differences in network properties in this group of patients with hippocampal sclerosis. However, patients with lower seizure burden had significantly lower gray matter network indices, indicating a more random organization. The correlation between higher monthly seizures and a more rigid network is driven by those with higher seizure burden, who presented a more rigid network compared to those with a lower seizure burden.

Exome-Wide Search for Genes Associated With Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases Following CHIKV Infection: The Tip of the Iceberg.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emergent arbovirus that causes a disease characterized primarily by fever, rash and severe persistent polyarthralgia, although <1% of cases develop severe neurological manifestations such as inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDD) of the central nervous system (CNS) like acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and extensive transverse myelitis. Genetic factors associated with host response and disease severity are still poorly understood. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify HLA alleles, genes and cellular pathways associated with CNS IDD clinical phenotype outcomes following CHIKV infection. The cohort includes 345 patients of which 160 were confirmed for CHIKV. Six cases presented neurological manifestation mimetizing CNS IDD. WES data analysis was performed for 12 patients, including the CNS IDD cases and 6 CHIKV patients without any neurological manifestation. We identified 29 candidate genes harboring rare, pathogenic, or probably pathogenic variants in all exomes analyzed. HLA alleles were also determined and patients who developed CNS IDD shared a common signature with diseases such as Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD). When these genes were included in Gene Ontology analyses, pathways associated with CNS IDD syndromes were retrieved, suggesting that CHIKV-induced CNS outcomesmay share a genetic background with other neurological disorders. To our knowledge, this study was the first genome-wide investigation of genetic risk factors for CNS phenotypes in CHIKV infection. Our data suggest that HLA-DRB1 alleles associated with demyelinating diseases may also confer risk of CNS IDD outcomes in patients with CHIKV infection.

Novel CCM1 (KRIT1) Mutation Detection in Brazilian Familial Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: Different Genetic Variants in Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Drug Metabolism Genes Affect Disease Aggressiveness.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular capillary anomalies with a dysfunctional endothelial adherent junction profile, depicting hemorrhage and epilepsy as the main clinical features. With the advent of an increasingly personalized medicine, better comprehension of genetic mechanisms behind CCM represents an important key in the management of the patients and risk rating in relatives. In this context, genetic factors that might influence clinical expressiveness of CCM need to be identified. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 33-year-old woman harboring multiple CCM lesions with a CCM1 mutational profile already being treated conservatively for a right mesial temporal lobe CCM presented with refractory seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no bleeding in the lesion, and the patient was submitted to complete resection of the CCM. Histopathology of the CCM samples depicted an extensive inflammatory reaction and colocalization of CD20+ and CD68+ cells. Genetic analyses of the patient and her mother demonstrated a novel CCM1 (KRIT1) frameshift mutation (c.1661_1662insT; p.Leu554PhefsTer14). Furthermore, variants in CD14 (rs778588), TLR-4 (rs10759930), SOD2 (rs4880), APEX1 (rs1130409), and OGG1 (rs1052133), known as polymorphisms related to disease aggressiveness, were detected in the patient and not in her oligosymptomatic mother harboring the same CCM1 mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity of clinical manifestations among individuals with familial CCM with the same genotype adds mechanistic involvement of modifier factors as phenotypic markers. We describe a novel CCM1/KRIT1 familial mutation in which the coexistence of genetic variants in inflammation and oxidative stress may be related to variable expressiveness of the disease.

Association between high titers of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody and epilepsy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are at higher risk of epilepsy. T1D is a progressive immune-mediated disease and the etiology of epilepsy remains unknown in most. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes GABA formation. GABA-secreting neurons and pancreatic beta cells are the major cells expressing GAD. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Patients with T1D from a multiethnic population underwent GADA measurement to investigate possible association between T1D and epilepsy of unknown etiology. RESULTS: T1D patients were analyzed (n = 375). Overall frequency of epilepsy was 5.9% (n = 22). Frequency of epilepsy of unknown etiology was 3.2% (n = 12). Of these, 8 (2.1%) had idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and 4 (1.1%) MRI-negative temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Patients with T1D and epilepsy of unknown etiology did not show differences in GADA frequency (83.3% vs 50%; p = 0.076); however, their titers were higher (106.9 ±â€¯136.5 IU/mL; median 7; IQR 1.65-256 vs 10.2 ±â€¯14.5 IU/ml; median 4.3; IQR 1.9-8.9; p = 0.019) compared to patients without epilepsy. Moreover, epilepsy of unknown etiology was associated with GADA titers ≥ 100 UI/mL [odds ratio (OR) 4.42, 95% CI 2.36-8.66]. CONCLUSION: Epilepsy frequency was elevated in patients with T1D and multiethnic background. Presence of epilepsy of unknown etiology was associated with high titers of GADA in this population with long-standing T1D, which has different ethnic and genetic background compared to previous studies. Further prospective studies are required to identify if GADA presence or its persistence are directly responsible for epilepsy in individuals with T1D.

Widespread white matter DTI alterations in mesial temporal sclerosis independent of disease side.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate white matter (WM) integrity in vivo in patients with unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings from patients with left-sided MTS (L-MTS; N = 14) and right-sided MTS (R-MTS; N = 13), all taking antiepileptic medication, were compared with those from gender- and age-matched controls; DTI was performed along 30 noncollinear directions in a 1.5-T scanner. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis was performed by creating a WM skeleton; 5000-permutation-based inference (threshold, p < 0.05) was used to identify fractional anisotropy (FA) abnormalities. Mean (MD), radial (RD), and axial diffusivities (AD) were projected onto the mean FA skeleton. RESULTS: Compared with the control groups, patients with MTS had decreased FA affecting widespread WM tracts as well as extensive areas with increased RD, bilaterally and independent of the disease side. Areas with decreased FA and increased RD overlapped substantially. There were no significant differences in DTI parameters between L-MTS and R-MTS patients. CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities were observed within and beyond the temporal lobe in patients with MTS. Patients with R- and L-MTS had extensive bilateral abnormalities in comparison to controls. These findings suggest that MTS pathobiology involves diffuse dysfunction of WM tracts, even in areas with no direct connections to the hippocampus.

Genetic association study of the HLA class II alleles DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy associated with mesial hippocampal sclerosis.

PURPOSE: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common variety of focal epilepsy among adults. The neuroinflammatory mechanisms of epilepsies may be involved in the genesis of seizures and refractory epilepsies, particularly in the case of progressive syndromes such as TLE associated with mesial hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS). The goal of the present study is investigate the genetic profile of susceptibility of individuals with TLE-HS by analyzing the possible association of TLE-HS with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 42 individuals with pharmacoresistant TLE-HS and 89 healthy controls. The typing of the HLA class II alleles from DRB1, DQB1, and DQA1 loci were analyzed using sequence-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) and identified through sequencing. Statistical analysis of relative allele frequencies was performed using an Excel spreadsheet; p-value, relative risk (RR), and odds ratio (OR) were calculated using the software Epi Info 6.0. p-values <0.05 following Bonferroni's method correction were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: HLA-DRB1*13:02 was the only allele with a statistically significant difference (p=0.01) in frequency between patients and controls. However, the significance was lost following Bonferroni's method correction (p=0.44). The remainder of the alleles in the HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DQA1 regions did not exhibit any significant association. CONCLUSION: The allele HLA DRB1*13:02 has exhibited a tendency to behave as a susceptibility factor for TLE-HS.

Syncope in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy without apparent cardiovascular disease.

Epilepsy and syncope are clinical conditions with high prevalence rates in the general population, and the differential diagnosis between them is difficult. Objective To assess the frequency of syncope in patients diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) without appa-rent heart disease, to investigate the relationship between clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) changes, and to verify the role of the inclination test (IT). Method An open, prospective study from 2004 to 2006, including 35 consecutive patients from the Epilepsy Program of Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho who were diagnosed with DRE without apparent heart disease. Results The frequency of syncope was 25.7% (n=9), with a significant prevalence in women. Vasovagal syncope (VVS) was the most frequent diagnosis. Conclusion We found a significant association between syncope and the presence of autonomic symptoms (p=0.005). The IT plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of patients with DRE presenting with autonomic symptoms, regardless of EEG results and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities.

Syncope in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy without apparent cardiovascular disease / Sincope em pacientes com epilepsia farmaco resistente sem doenca cardiovascular aparente

Epilepsy and syncope are clinical conditions with high prevalence rates in the general population, and the differential diagnosis between them is difficult. Objective To assess the frequency of syncope in patients diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) without appa­rent heart disease, to investigate the relationship between clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) changes, and to verify the role of the inclination test (IT). Method An open, prospective study from 2004 to 2006, including 35 consecutive patients from the Epilepsy Program of Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho who were diagnosed with DRE without apparent heart disease. Results The frequency of syncope was 25.7% (n=9), with a significant prevalence in women. Vasovagal syncope (VVS) was the most frequent diagnosis. Conclusion We found a significant association between syncope and the presence of autonomic symptoms (p=0.005). The IT plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of patients with DRE presenting with autonomic symptoms, regardless of EEG results and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. .

Epilepsia e síncope são condições clínicas com alta prevalência na população geral e, às vezes, o diagnóstico diferencial entre elas é difícil. Objetivo Investigar a frequência de síncope em pacientes diagnosticados com epilepsia fármaco resistente (EFR), sem doença cardíaca aparente; investigar a relação entre alterações clínicas e eletrencefalográficas; verificar o papel do teste de inclinação (TI). Método Estudo aberto prospectivo, realizado de 2004 a 2006, incluindo 35 pacientes consecutivos do Programa de Epilepsias do Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, diagnosticados com EFR, sem doença cardíaca aparente. Resultados A frequência de síncope foi de 25,7% (n=9), com prevalência significativa em mulheres. Síncope vasovagal (SVV) foi o diagnóstico mais frequente. Conclusão Encontramos uma significativa associação entre síncope e a presença de sintomas autonômicos (p=0,005). O TI tem importante papel no diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes com diagnóstico de EFR que apresentam sintomas autonômicos, a despeito de alterações eletrencefalográficas e de ressonância magnética do crânio. .

Um melanoma "mascarado" / A disguised melanoma / Melanoma disfrazado

O melanoma é um tumor que se desenvolve como resultado da transformação maligna dos melanócitos, estimando-se a sua incidência global em 132.000 casos/ano. Este relato de caso reporta-se a um doente do sexo masculino com 70 anos, história de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 há dez anos e psoríase vulgar extensa há seis anos. Em aproximadamente um ano, este desenvolveu lesão ulcerada da região plantar do pé direito, que ao exame histológico revelou melanoma maligno, ulcerado, nível V de Clark, com 5,6 mm de espessura (Breslow). Foi submetido à exérese cirúrgica da lesão e biópsia de gânglio sentinela que foi negativa. O estadiamento inicial revelou evolução avançada do tumor primário (TNM IIC). Exames imagiológicos detetaram metastização gástrica, reclassificando a doença num estádio TNM IV. O melanoma maligno pode ser de difícil diagnóstico como se pode constatar neste caso em que uma ulceração plantar foi avaliada tardiamente, atrasando o diagnóstico de uma neoplasia grave e com elevada taxa de mortalidade.

Melanoma is a tumor that develops as a result of the malignant transformation of the melanocytes. There is a worldwide estimate of 132,000 new cases per year. This case study presents a 70-year-old male person with history of Diabetes Mellitus type 2 for 10 years and extensive psoriasis vulgaris for 6 years. The patient developed an ulcerated lesion in the plantar region of the right foot in one-year time period. The histological examination revealed an ulcerated malignant melanoma, Clark level V, 5.6 mm thick (Breslow). The lesion was surgically removed and the sentinel lymph node biopsy was negative. Initial conclusions revealed an advanced state of evolution of the primary tumor (TNM IIC). CAT scan detected gastric metastasis, reclassifying the illness as a TNM IV stage. Malignant melanoma may be difficult to diagnose, as it was possible to observe in this case study, where a foot ulcer was late diagnosed, delaying the diagnosis of a severe neoplasia with high mortality rate.

El melanoma es un tumor que se desarrolla como resultado de la transformación maligna de los melanocitos, estimándose su incidencia global en 132,000 casos/año. Este informe presenta a un paciente de sexo masculino de 70 años, con antecedentes de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 desde hace diez años y psoriasis vulgar extensa desde hace seis años. En aproximadamente un año el paciente desarrolló una lesión ulcerada en la región plantar del pie derecho, el examen histológico reveló un melanoma maligno, ulcerado, nivel V de Clark, de 5.6 mm de espesor (Breslow). Después de una escisión quirúrgica de la lesión, se realizó una biopsia de ganglio centinela que fue negativa. Las conclusiones iniciales revelaron una evolución avanzada del tumor primario (TNM IIC). Exámenes radiológicos detectaron una metástasis gástrica, reclasificando la enfermedad en una etapa TNM IV. El melanoma maligno puede ser de difícil diagnóstico, como se puede ver en este caso en que una úlcera en la planta del pie fue diagnosticada muy tarde, atrasando el diagnóstico de una neoplasia grave y de elevada tasa de mortalidad.

Emoções e trabalho: estudo sobre a influência do status e do sexo na atribuição de afetos / Emotions and work: study about the influences of status and sex in the attribution of affects

O estudo explorou as atribuições de emoções a supervisores e empregados em interação de trabalho em três países distintos. A fundamentação teórica apoiou-se na abordagem interacional social das emoções de Kemper e nos estudos de Algoe, Buswell e Delamater. Participaram 238 pessoas: 100 da Espanha, 38 da Inglaterra e 100 do Brasil, sendo 73 homens e 158 mulheres (7 não identificaram o sexo). O objetivo foi investigar se informações de status (supervisor ou empregado) e sexo (homem ou mulher) dos atores influenciavam nas atribuições de emoções a supervisores e empregados e se variavam conforme país e experiência de trabalho. Foram utilizadas 4 condições experimentais, variando sexo e status. Estudos anteriores concluíram que o status exerce maior influência que o sexo nas atribuições de emoções em interações de trabalho. Os resultados do presente estudo sinalizam que a interação no trabalho é percebida nos três países como harmoniosa, embora as atribuições de emoções positivas aos supervisores tenham sido mais frequentes, o que revela a importância do status profissional. Mulheres atribuíram mais afetos negativos à interação no trabalho do que os homens. A expressão facial de tristeza foi a mais relacionada a supervisores e empregados, embora para supervisores estivesse associada à seriedade e ao distanciamento emocional(AU)

This study investigated the emotions attributed to supervisors and employees involved in a work interaction in three different countries This research is based on Kemper's social interactional theory of emotions and the Algoe, Buswell and DeLamaters' studies. 238 people participated in this study: 100 were from Spain, 38 from England and 100 were from Brazil. From the total, 73 were male and 158 female (7 did not respond). The goal was to investigate whether the emotions attributed to supervisors and employees are influenced by information of professional status (employee or supervisor) and actor's sex (male or female). Also, whether the emotions attributed varied according to country and work experience. Four experimental conditions were created, they varied in sex and professional status. Previous studies concluded that professional status has more impact than sex on the attribution of emotions in the work place. The results of this study indicate that interaction at work is perceived as harmonious by participants from all three countries. However, positive emotions were attributed to supervisors more frequently - that shows the importance of professional status. Women attributed more negative emotions than men. The facial expression of sadness was the most chosen for employees and supervisors, although in this last case it was interpreted as expression of seriousness and emotional detachment(AU)

Emoções e trabalho: estudo sobre a influência do status e do sexo na atribuição de afetos / Emotions and work: study about the influences of status and sex in the attribution of affects

O estudo explorou as atribuições de emoções a supervisores e empregados em interação de trabalho em três países distintos. A fundamentação teórica apoiou-se na abordagem interacional social das emoções de Kemper e nos estudos de Algoe, Buswell e Delamater. Participaram 238 pessoas: 100 da Espanha, 38 da Inglaterra e 100 do Brasil, sendo 73 homens e 158 mulheres (7 não identificaram o sexo). O objetivo foi investigar se informações de status (supervisor ou empregado) e sexo (homem ou mulher) dos atores influenciavam nas atribuições de emoções a supervisores e empregados e se variavam conforme país e experiência de trabalho. Foram utilizadas 4 condições experimentais, variando sexo e status. Estudos anteriores concluíram que o status exerce maior influência que o sexo nas atribuições de emoções em interações de trabalho. Os resultados do presente estudo sinalizam que a interação no trabalho é percebida nos três países como harmoniosa, embora as atribuições de emoções positivas aos supervisores tenham sido mais frequentes, o que revela a importância do status profissional. Mulheres atribuíram mais afetos negativos à interação no trabalho do que os homens. A expressão facial de tristeza foi a mais relacionada a supervisores e empregados, embora para supervisores estivesse associada à seriedade e ao distanciamento emocional.

This study investigated the emotions attributed to supervisors and employees involved in a work interaction in three different countries This research is based on Kemper's social interactional theory of emotions and the Algoe, Buswell and DeLamaters' studies. 238 people participated in this study: 100 were from Spain, 38 from England and 100 were from Brazil. From the total, 73 were male and 158 female (7 did not respond). The goal was to investigate whether the emotions attributed to supervisors and employees are influenced by information of professional status (employee or supervisor) and actor's sex (male or female). Also, whether the emotions attributed varied according to country and work experience. Four experimental conditions were created, they varied in sex and professional status. Previous studies concluded that professional status has more impact than sex on the attribution of emotions in the work place. The results of this study indicate that interaction at work is perceived as harmonious by participants from all three countries. However, positive emotions were attributed to supervisors more frequently - that shows the importance of professional status. Women attributed more negative emotions than men. The facial expression of sadness was the most chosen for employees and supervisors, although in this last case it was interpreted as expression of seriousness and emotional detachment.

Traço, letra e escrita na/da psicanálise

Os significantes traço, letra e escrita foram importados de seus campos semânticos para a psicanálise num movimento incialmente metafórico. É nossa proposta demonstrar que, mais do que uma metáfora, estes significantes vieram a se constituir em modelos do psíquico de tal maneira que as letras e escritas visíveis passaram a poder ser entendidas a partir da referência à escrita psíquica. Como segunda hipótese, encetamos uma operação de extração de uma teoria psicanalítica da origem da letra e da escrita, e da função da escrita para os sujeitos, que estaria implícita em Freud e Lacan. Esta denominada operação de extração, assemelhada à desconstrução derridina, revelou que o inconsciente (é) uma escrita de traços, o que só pode se escrever sob rasura uma vez que a verdade está ausente do traço. Por consequência, a escrita visível será sempre encobrimento desta ausência radical de verdade do traço. Escrever ou traçar é uma mímica da fundação do sujeito, busca de reencontrar sua metade sem par, num estreito litoral entre saber e gozo: lituraterra. Aqueles sujeitos cuja língua é trabalhada pela escrita e que se sustentam em uma dupla referência à fala e à escrita, ou aqueles outros que, por determinação estrutural, sustentam melhor o non sense da letra, contituem um interessante caso para o exame da inanalisabilidade, devido à sua afinidade com a letra como traço (num caso, o ideograma, e no outro, lituraterra) Também de forma não explicita, a psicanálise acompanhou este movimento. Houve uma psicanálise dominada por um desejo de leitura, de produção de sentido e há hoje uma psicanálise que se aventura a ficar do lado do non-sense do traço, onde o desejo do analista é um desejo de escrita (AU)