A real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification and quantification of American Leishmania species on the basis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was developed on the basis of the Leishmania glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase locus that enables identification and quantification of parasites. Using two independent pairs of primers in SYBR-Green assays, the test identified etiologic agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis belonging to both subgenera, Leishmania (Viannia) and Leishmania (Leishmania) in the Americas. Furthermore, use of TaqMan probes enables distinction between L. (V.) braziliensis or L. (V.) peruviania from the other L. (Viannia) species. All assays were negative with DNA of related trypanosomatids, humans, and mice. The parasite burden was estimated by normalizing the number of organisms per total amount of DNA in the sample or per host glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase copies. The real-time PCR assay for L. (Leishmania) subgenus showed a good linear correlation with quantification on the basis of a limiting dilution assay in experimentally infected mice. The test successfully identifies and quantifies Leishmania in human biopsy specimens and represents a new tool to study leishmaniasis.

Physiological response of American bullfrog tadpoles to stressor conditions of capture and hypoxia

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Profile of cortisol, glycaemia, and blood parameters of American Bullfrog tadpoles Lithobates catesbeianus exposed to density and hypoxia stressors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Leishmanial antigens in the diagnosis of active lesions and ancient scars of American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients

Cutaneous biopsies (n = 94) obtained from 88 patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by conventional and immunohistochemical techniques. Specimens were distributed as active lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 53) (Group I), cicatricial lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 35) (Group II) and suggestive scars of healed mucosal leishmaniasis patients (n = 6) (Group III). In addition, active cutaneous lesions of other etiology (n = 24) (Group C1) and cutaneous scars not related to leishmaniasis (n = 10) (Group C2) were also included in the protocol. Amastigotes in Group I biopsies were detected by routine histopathological exam (30.2%), imprint (28.2%), culture (43.4%), immunofluorescence (41.4%) and immunoperoxidase (58.5%) techniques; and by the five methods together (79.3%). In Group II, 5.7% of cultures were positive. Leishmanial antigen was also seen in the cytoplasm of macrophages and giant cells (cellular pattern), vessel walls (vascular pattern) and dermal nerves (neural pattern). Positive reaction was detected in 49 (92.5%), 20 (57%) and 4 (67%) biopsies of Groups I, II and III, respectively. Antigen persistency in cicatricial tissue may be related to immunoprotection or, on the contrary, to the development of late lesions. We suggest that the cellular, vascular and neural patterns could be applied in the immunodiagnosis of active and cicatricial lesions in which leishmaniasis is suspected.

Effect of irrigation level on yield and bioactive amine content of American lettuce

The influence of four levels (25, 50, 75 and 100%) of Class A pan evaporation replenishment (PER) on the marketable yield and bioactive amine content of American lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv Lucy Brown) grown under greenhouse conditions and drip irrigation was investigated. Lettuce was planted in 1.20 m x 2.10 m plots in a completely randomised block design with three replications. Lowest fresh head weights and diameters were obtained at 25% PER. Highest marketable yields and fresh head weights were obtained at 100% PER; however, no significant difference was observed when using 75% PER. The fresh head diameter was smaller only when using 25% PER. Four amines were detected in lettuce grown under 100% PER, with a total content of 7.60 mg kg(-1). Spermidine was the prevalent amine, followed by putrescine, cadaverine and agmatine. Higher spermidine and cadaverine levels were observed in the outer layers of leaves than in the intermediate and inner leaves. The contents of every amine except agmatine increased with water stress; however, a significant difference was observed only between 100 and 25% PER. The concentrations of accumulated putrescine were not capable of negatively affecting the sensory quality of the lettuce. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inter-American programme to promote the human rights of migrants within the framework of the Organization of American States

Includes bibliography

The revival of American hegemony

Analiza los importantes efectos que la politica economica seguida por Estados Unidos desde 1979 esta teniendo tanto dentro como fuera del pais. Examina las probabilidades de que pueda mantenerse en el futuro y la forma en que ello condicionaria las opciones de politica de los paises de America Latina, en especial del Brasil, en el plano de las relaciones financieras y comerciales internacionales.

Report of the Working Group on institution building of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Programas de la Organización de Estados Americanos relacionados con la urbanización en América Latina = Programmes of the Organization of American States connected with urbanization in Latin America

Los documentos del Seminario fueron publicados por UNESCO en 1961 con el título: La urbanización en América Latina/Urbanization in Latin America

Molecular detection of the blood meal source of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a transmission area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, Parana State, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)