Marilise Katsurayama

Psychological stress and its influence on salivary flow rate, total protein concentration and IgA, IgG and IgM titers.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenomedullary axes are the main systems activated in response to stress. Alterations in salivary components and flow rate have been associated with oral health problems and psychological stress. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of psychological stress on salivary flow, total protein concentration and IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations. Methods: Thirty-eight medical students, average age of 21.4 ± 2.1 years and enrolled in the 2nd to 5th years of their course, took part voluntarily in the study which involved two different periods: the first after vacations and the second during the final exams (a gap of 4 months). An Oral Health Questionnaire and the Lipp Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL) were applied during both these periods. The flow rate, total protein concentration and immunoglobulin titers of saliva samples, collected after stimulation and stored in a container with protease inhibitor, were measured. Results: Analysis of the ISSL showed that 42.1% (n = 16) of the students had stress during the post-vacation period, and 44.7% (n = 17) during the final exams. The students’ salivary flow rate was significantly lower during the latter period than during the post-vacation period (p < 0.0001), regardless of the presence or absence of psychological stress as measured by the ISSL. There was a reduction in salivary flow rate and a consequent reduction in total protein concentration during the exam period (p = 0.0058). However, during both periods of the study there was no significant difference in total salivary protein concentration between the groups of students with or without psychological stress according to the ISSL (p > 0.05). IgG predominated over IgA and IgM (p < 0.001) during both study periods, regardless of the presence or absence of psychological stress. The study period and the presence of stress influenced the secretion of salivary immunoglobulins. IgM titers during the post-vacation period (p = 0.0044), and IgA (p = 0.028), IgG (p = 0.022) and IgM (p = 0.0075) titers during the final exams were higher in students with symptoms of psychological stress. Conclusions: Although the immunoglobulin titers were high, there was a reduction in the students’ salivary flow rates and a consequent reduction in total protein concentrations.

Cell phenotyping in saliva of individuals under psychological stress

Total leukocytes, NK cells, B and T lymphocytes present in the saliva of medical students with or without stress were quantified by flow cytometry in 10,000 events. The symptoms of psychological stress were monitored with Lipps Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL). No significant differences were observed in the number of cells phenotyped in students with and those without psychological stress. However, a negative correlation was observed between the number of NK cells and T lymphocytes in students with stress (r=-0.8173; p=0.0058), suggesting that innate immunity is predominant in the adaptation phase.

PROPOSTA DE REDUÇÃO DA IDADE PENAL: VISÃO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DA PSICOLOGIA

O presente artigo objetiva conhecer a opiniao dos profissionais com vivencia na area da Psicologia Juridica e no atendimento de adolescentes em conflito com a lei da cidade de Manaus a respeito da proposta de reducao da idade penal, que se encontra em tramitacao no Senado Federal. O tema foi escolhido com vistas a relevância politica e social, bem como devido a sua importância academica. No curso metodologico percorrido, utilizou-se um roteiro semiestruturado que abordou a opiniao dos profissionais a respeito da mencionada proposta, bem como sobre as possiveis contribuicoes da Psicologia para o tema. Assim, sao apresentados argumentos favoraveis e contrarios a reducao da idade penal, buscando-se um debate entre as areas do Direito e da Psicologia a fim de gerar esclarecimento e espaco para reflexao sobre o efetivo resultado pela lei, tendo em vista ainda a importância da promocao de politicas publicas que ultrapassem a questao da aplicacao de medidas socio-educativas aos adolescentes em conflito com a lei, e que contemplem tambem o acesso a condicoes de vida favoraveis ao desenvolvimento psicossocial saudavel, provocando cidadania e prevencao do crime.

A formação dos médicos de saúde da família no interior da Amazônia sobre a problemática do abuso de álcool - doi:10.5020/18061230.2010.p56

Objectives: To investigate the understanding of Family Health Doctors of the Region of Middle Solimoes (Amazon) on several aspects of the problematic of alcohol abuse. Methods: An observational, descriptive and qualitative study in an intentional sample of six Family Health Doctors. Data was collected by means of two focus groups, using a set of interviews. Data were assessed using thematic analysis from the references of the principles of Brazil´s Unified Health System (SUS) and the training of health manpower. Results: Data indicate that the professionals have identified risk factors for the problem, showed knowledge about the consequences of this consumption for the individual and society and were able to describe the criteria used by the systems of classification of diseases; however, they did not know how to act on this issue within Primary Care. Conclusion: There is a need for mechanisms of continuing education for these professionals, addressing topics such as the problematic of alcohol abuse, its management and intervention in Primary Care.

Construção de um modelo teórico dejouriano destinado à avaliação da saúde do trabalhador - doi: 10.5020/18061230.2012.p374

Objective: To construct a theoretical model intended for evaluative researches on the worker’s health into the Family Health Strategy, supported by Christophe Dejours’s theory. Methods: The theoretical model was built between September and December 2010, through the integration of Dejours’s theory and the facts, the current situation of health workers, represented by official documents, which allowed the instrumentalization of thought, making affordable the features related to worker’s health. Results: Dejourian theory was adopted as the basic element in the construction of this model, due to its approach to the dynamics of the mental processes involved in the confrontation between the subject and his reality in work, focusing the interest in the worker’s subjective experiences (main source of pleasure and suffering in work). Given the influence played by the work organization on the worker’s health, it becomes essential to perform the analysis of the variables that influence pleasure-suffering process among these actors of such an importance for the health practices that reorganize the primary care. Conclusion: Christophe Dejours’s theory reveals its great potential for the analysis of the psychological processes involved in the confrontation between the worker in primary care and his reality, since it is vital to understand how the issues related to work in health area are disclosed, and the way the worker shall react to difficult work situations.