Corpo, movimento e aprendizagem na psicocinética de Jean Le Boulch

School teachers in the discipline of Physical Education, we find ourselves constantly in question of methodological and epistemological issues of practice. This research aims to identify human body understanding, movement and theoretical learning proposed by examining the work of Jean Le Boulch and his approach to Physical Education. We seek to indicate epistemological elements about Physical Education theory and practice, believing that this approach and dialog comes to contribute with this field of knowledge. Boulch, a French teacher of Physical Education, Medicine and Psychology, had an important influence in Brazilian Physical Education during the 1970s and 1980s. His main contribution was teaching courses and knowledge about psychomotricity. Boulch’s studies helped to build knowledge of human movement; considering his importance in people’s development and a critic to a mechanistic view of body and movement. Our reflections will be based on the concepts brought from psychokinetics presented in the bibliographic references of Le Boulch in Brazil, and other references developed by him in this country including conferences, lectures and interviews. This reflection includes the debaters of his work. We chose a theoretical approach referring to the Phenomenology of philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1999) as a methodological reference considering the influence of his thought in Le Boulch studies. This thesis examines the learning and practice of teaching the Physical Education field of knowledge. We conclude that the body being an entity that exists for itself in the world and that contact with the world starts from human movement. Ultimately, new trains of thought for the teaching of physical education can be set from the reflection of phenomenological concepts brought by Le Boulch in his theory.

Impacto do exercício físico na qualidade de vida e do sono em pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS

The increased incidence along to new therapies for the treatment of HIV/AIDS bring way up exercise as a treatment option, as this promotes relevant changes in the general functioning of the body. The objective of this study was to evaluate in different periods the influence of exercise on quality of life and quality of sleep people living with HIV/AIDS, Natal/RN. The sample consisted of 17 people living with HIV/AIDS participating in physical exercise program, along accompanied by 25 months during the period January 2013 to April 2015. We evaluated through specific instruments quality of life, sleep quality and immunological parameters, which were evaluated before starting the exercise program and reassessed during periods of 2-4 months (short), 5-17 months (average period or intermediate) and finally to 19-25 months (long period). The results showed significant differences in five of the nine areas of quality life, pointing positive behaviors, specifically in the areas overall function, life satisfaction, health concerns, concerns about the medication and acceptance to HIV. We conclude that physical exercise promoted benefits both in short and long term, especially for the areas of quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and also demonstrated positive behavior changes and to aspects of sleep quality.

Avaliação do efeito do liraglutida nos tecidos muscular e adiposo e nos parâmetros bioquímicos em camundongos Swiss submetidos à dieta de cafeteria e a atividade física

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by adipose tissue formation excess leading to an increase in body fat mass, of multifactorial origin, produced mainly by poor eating habits combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Data consider obesity as a serious disease that affects the world's population, ranking fifth in death rates. Faced with this situation, individuals seek, increasingly, means to lose weight with less physical effort and food. In 2009 and 2010 the drug liraglutide was lauched in order to reduce weight in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2, thus avoiding the emergence of other diseases. The aggravating factor is that obese nondiabetic individuals are making use of this substance, even if its use is not authorized by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency). Thus the objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of liraglutide for muscle or fat tissues and biochemical parameters in Swiss mice submitted to cafeteria diet and physical activity. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use - CEUA (nº003 Protocol / 2014). For this study 74 animals (Swiss mice) were used, divided as follows: in the initial phase of this study, we carried out a pilot study (n = 10) divided into a control group (PCON) (n = 5) and cafeteria group (PCAF) (n = 5), in order to evaluate a cafeteria diet which was both attractive to the animals and that could provide an increase in adipose tissue. After the induction of the diet, animals were euthanized and as a result, the animals in the PCAF group showed an intra-abdominal adiposity 0.74 ± 0.05 g, taken as the parameter for increasing fat in animals. Subsequently the study base was conducted for this research where animals were used (n = 64) divided into 2 groups: the Cafeteria Study Base Group (EBCAF) divided as follows: cafeteria + exercise + liraglutide (CEL) (n = 8), cafeteria + exercise + saline (CES) (n = 8), cafeteria + liraglutide (CL) (n = 8) and cafeteria + saline (CS) (n = 8). The Chow Study Base group (EBR) was divided into: exercise + liraglutide (EL) (n = 8), exercise + saline + (ES) (n = 8), liraglutide (L) (n = 8) and saline solution (SS) (n = 8). All animals went through the submission process to the cafeteria diet, followed by exercise protocol through swimming and treatment with the test substance intraperitoneally (200 mg / mL / kg). After the treatments, the animals were euthanized and had the following parameters evaluated: the muscle tissue mass, adipose tissue mass and biochemical parameters. It was observed that the processing done with the exercise-associated liraglutide reduced adipose tissue mass significantly (0.32 ± 0.05 g) compared to the saline group (0.53 ± 0.07 g). There were no changes in the muscle tissue of the group which was treated and exercised (1.39 ± 0.03 g) compared to the saline group (1.33 ± 0.03 g). Regarding biochemical parameters it was evident that there were changes in these parameters. Interesting to note that, although blood glucose values have been changed, the animals did not become diabetic. Thus, it appears that physical activity together with liraglutide is eficcient to the loss of intraabdominal adipose tissue and the maintenance of lean body mass thereby generating a satisfactory result in the pursuit of quality of life and disease prevention.

Avaliação do efeito do liraglutida nos tecidos muscular e adiposo e nos parâmetros bioquímicos em camundongos Swiss submetidos à dieta de cafeteria e a atividade física

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by adipose tissue formation excess leading to an increase in body fat mass, of multifactorial origin, produced mainly by poor eating habits combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Data consider obesity as a serious disease that affects the world's population, ranking fifth in death rates. Faced with this situation, individuals seek, increasingly, means to lose weight with less physical effort and food. In 2009 and 2010 the drug liraglutide was lauched in order to reduce weight in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2, thus avoiding the emergence of other diseases. The aggravating factor is that obese nondiabetic individuals are making use of this substance, even if its use is not authorized by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency). Thus the objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of liraglutide for muscle or fat tissues and biochemical parameters in Swiss mice submitted to cafeteria diet and physical activity. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use - CEUA (nº003 Protocol / 2014). For this study 74 animals (Swiss mice) were used, divided as follows: in the initial phase of this study, we carried out a pilot study (n = 10) divided into a control group (PCON) (n = 5) and cafeteria group (PCAF) (n = 5), in order to evaluate a cafeteria diet which was both attractive to the animals and that could provide an increase in adipose tissue. After the induction of the diet, animals were euthanized and as a result, the animals in the PCAF group showed an intra-abdominal adiposity 0.74 ± 0.05 g, taken as the parameter for increasing fat in animals. Subsequently the study base was conducted for this research where animals were used (n = 64) divided into 2 groups: the Cafeteria Study Base Group (EBCAF) divided as follows: cafeteria + exercise + liraglutide (CEL) (n = 8), cafeteria + exercise + saline (CES) (n = 8), cafeteria + liraglutide (CL) (n = 8) and cafeteria + saline (CS) (n = 8). The Chow Study Base group (EBR) was divided into: exercise + liraglutide (EL) (n = 8), exercise + saline + (ES) (n = 8), liraglutide (L) (n = 8) and saline solution (SS) (n = 8). All animals went through the submission process to the cafeteria diet, followed by exercise protocol through swimming and treatment with the test substance intraperitoneally (200 mg / mL / kg). After the treatments, the animals were euthanized and had the following parameters evaluated: the muscle tissue mass, adipose tissue mass and biochemical parameters. It was observed that the processing done with the exercise-associated liraglutide reduced adipose tissue mass significantly (0.32 ± 0.05 g) compared to the saline group (0.53 ± 0.07 g). There were no changes in the muscle tissue of the group which was treated and exercised (1.39 ± 0.03 g) compared to the saline group (1.33 ± 0.03 g). Regarding biochemical parameters it was evident that there were changes in these parameters. Interesting to note that, although blood glucose values have been changed, the animals did not become diabetic. Thus, it appears that physical activity together with liraglutide is eficcient to the loss of intraabdominal adipose tissue and the maintenance of lean body mass thereby generating a satisfactory result in the pursuit of quality of life and disease prevention.

A questão ambiental nos cursos de graduação em Educação Física no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Environmental education started to be discussed since the intensification of the human activity, as a consequence of the industrial revolution. In Brazil, the proposal has gained attention due to the National Environmental Policy, which suggested inserting environmental education in all education levels and later as a crosscutting topic pervading the contents offered in all courses, according to the National Curricula Parameters. Faced with such a challenge, this work aimed to identify how environmental concerns is being considered in physical education licentiate courses at Rio Grande do Norte. For this purpose, we have adopted a descriptive method starting from interviews with coordinators of six institutions offering a physical education licentiate degree (UFRN, UNI-RN, UNIFACEX, FANEC, and UERN – Mossoró and Pau dos Ferros Campi), the application of a questionnaire with 30% of graduating students in the second half of 2015, and observations from the pedagogical projects and syllabi of the institutions that have provided such documents. Results have pointed out the acknowledgement of students and coordinators on the importance of addressing environmental concerns in physical education. However, coordinators and students contradict each other in all investigated institutions. According to the coordinators, environmental education effectively is in some courses of the curriculum as a mandatory requirement from the Brazilian National Ministry of Education. Nonetheless, in practice, most graduating students have no knowledge about environmental education in their courses, stating that they do not have training suited to meet these concerns. When requested to exemplify how they would deal with environmental education, a fragile education to address this topic in their future workspaces was revealed, showing uncritical activities. Despite the obligatoriness in the educational context already exists for decades and the importance of this topic revealed in the speeches of professionals, environmental education is still shy in physical education curricula and education courses, thereby showing the need of a curricular restructuration and a new understanding on this topic, as well as making it to be more present in the daily activities of the future teachers who should take it into consideration in their classes.

A questão ambiental nos cursos de graduação em Educação Física no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Environmental education started to be discussed since the intensification of the human activity, as a consequence of the industrial revolution. In Brazil, the proposal has gained attention due to the National Environmental Policy, which suggested inserting environmental education in all education levels and later as a crosscutting topic pervading the contents offered in all courses, according to the National Curricula Parameters. Faced with such a challenge, this work aimed to identify how environmental concerns is being considered in physical education licentiate courses at Rio Grande do Norte. For this purpose, we have adopted a descriptive method starting from interviews with coordinators of six institutions offering a physical education licentiate degree (UFRN, UNI-RN, UNIFACEX, FANEC, and UERN – Mossoró and Pau dos Ferros Campi), the application of a questionnaire with 30% of graduating students in the second half of 2015, and observations from the pedagogical projects and syllabi of the institutions that have provided such documents. Results have pointed out the acknowledgement of students and coordinators on the importance of addressing environmental concerns in physical education. However, coordinators and students contradict each other in all investigated institutions. According to the coordinators, environmental education effectively is in some courses of the curriculum as a mandatory requirement from the Brazilian National Ministry of Education. Nonetheless, in practice, most graduating students have no knowledge about environmental education in their courses, stating that they do not have training suited to meet these concerns. When requested to exemplify how they would deal with environmental education, a fragile education to address this topic in their future workspaces was revealed, showing uncritical activities. Despite the obligatoriness in the educational context already exists for decades and the importance of this topic revealed in the speeches of professionals, environmental education is still shy in physical education curricula and education courses, thereby showing the need of a curricular restructuration and a new understanding on this topic, as well as making it to be more present in the daily activities of the future teachers who should take it into consideration in their classes.

Corpos Queer e a experiência da sexualidade: notas para o conhecimento da educação física

This study had the goal of make a dialogue between queer theory and the thoughts of the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty in the categories of body and sexuality. From this dialogue, other goals were designed, namely: identify possible recurrences of the experience of bodies and queer sexualities, designed under Merleau-Ponty’s perspective, to the knowledge of Physical Education and reflect on this domain of knowledge using the notions of queer epistemology and esthesia. The study had as methodology the phenomenological attitude proposed by Merleau-Ponty and use the reduction as technic of research. Trying linking these thoughts we used the cinema of the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar as perceptive strategy, an exercise of look as possibility of reading the world and new ways of perceiving the human being. We appreciate three films, namely: All About My Mother (1999), The Skin I Live In (2011) and Bad Education (2004), which put us in touch with bodies and queer sexualities, with the body of esthesia, of the ecstasy, sensations and lived experiences, un type of art whose contours are not fixed or determinable, postulate by Merleau-Ponty. The philosopher, provide a rich conceptual view of the body and their sexual experience, extends and opens horizons of thought and reflection about queer experience, one experience indeterminate and contingent as a singular way of inhabiting the world. Those horizons opened by the philosopher and added to the queer perspective contribute to put in question the modes of knowledge production and the knowledge about body and sexuality in Physical Education. Finally, we point that this theoretical conversation give us clues to reflect about the reverberations of a queer epistemology for Physical Education usiging one type of knowledge guided by esthesia and sensitivity as marks of another scientific rationality.

Efetividade da terapia fisica descongestiva na cicatrização de úlceras venosas

A venous ulcer is the most serious clinical manifestation of chronic venous failure, and the most frequent in lower limbs, accounting for 70% of all ulcers. Patients may suffer from this infirmity for several years without healing of the lesion if treatment is inadequate. The aim of this investigation was to verify the effectiveness of decongestive physical therapy in the healing of venous ulcers. This is a quasi-experimental, interventionist study, with paired, non-probabilistic sampling, composed of 50 patients divided into two groups: control and intervention, each composed of 25 patients. Both groups were identically treated for six months with daily dressings and the latter also underwent complex physical therapy consisting of a combination of the following techniques: manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, lower limb elevation, myolymphokinetic exercises and skin care. The study was approved (Protocol no. 59/2007) by the Ethics Committee of the State University of Southeast Bahia. The Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were applied for data analysis. After statistical analysis the patients who underwent therapy showed a statistically significant difference with respect to wound contraction starting in the second month of treatment. Compared to the control, the intervention group showed a greater reduction in both pain and edema starting in the third and fourth month of therapy, respectively. To reinforce these findings, the mean percentage of tissue present at the base of the ulcer (granulation/fibrin ratio) was calculated. The intervention group showed greater granulation at the base of the ulcer compared to the control, significant from the second month of treatment on. It was observed in this study that lymphotherapy, when compared between the intervention and control groups, accelerated the healing process, and reduced pain and edema in the affected limbs. It is expected, therefore, that these results widen scientific knowledge and we suggest that this therapy be used 78 not only to reduce lymphedema, but also as a treatment option for venous ulcers, given its easy application and low cost. The data, therefore, demonstrated the importance of basic care on the part of a multiprofessional and transdisciplinary health team involved in the healing process of these infirmities, thereby contributing to better quality of life in these individuals

O programa Saúde da Família pelo olhar do Cirurgião-Dentista

This study tried to know the social representation of dentists surgeons about the Family Health Program (FHP). Where used as methodological instruments a semi-structured interview and direct observation of work process in tive towns that are part of the metropolis region ofNatal city. During the interview some aspects where broached, such as the reasons of dentists surgeons join the FHP, what are the implications ofthe introduction of this program in the everyday practice, what kind of activities are they practicing and what are those professional missing the most in the FHP. In the direct observation where take in account some aspects related to the physic structure of health units, its service organization and demand, relationship amongst dentist and other member of the team, and about patient receptiveness, when they arrives at health unit. This study also identifY the researches subject showing their age, sex, for how they are graduates, what are them specialty and for how long they work for the FHP. The data had been analyzed through the analysis of content of Bardin5. The dentists depict the FHP for the change in assistance model through the preventive proposal of social work that makes possible to work with an ample concept of health. However what makes the FHP more attractive to dentists is the salary questiono The creation of bonds whit the community and the work whit groups and in team had been the main occurred changes in the daily one of the pratices ones of these professionals. The principal activities executed for these professionals inside of the new strategy of assistance in oral health are the carried trough preventive activities achieved in health units and social area. To them, the absence of institutional support and the employment of only one dentist for each team it is one the main point of strangling. There is no doubt that FHP is new strategy and that it is need a better integration amongst the professional, the institution

Modelos matemáticos para estimativa do consumo máximo de oxigênio pela ventilometria de esforço em indivíduos saudáveis

The relation between metabolic demand and maximal oxygen consumption during exercise have been investigated in different areas of knowledge. In the health field, the determination of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is considered a method to classify the level of physical fitness or the risk of cardiocirculatory diseases. The accuracy to obtain data provides a better evaluation of functional responses and allows a reduction in the error margin at the moment of risk classification, as well as, at the moment of determination of aerobic exercise work load. In Brasil, the use of respirometry associated to ergometric test became an opition in the cardiorespiratory evaluation. This equipment allows predictions concerning the oxyredutase process, making it possible to identify physiological responses to physical effort as the respiratory threshold. This thesis focused in the development of mathematical models developed by multiple regression validated by the stepwise method, aiming to predict the VO2max based on respiratory responses to physical effort. The sample was composed of a ramdom sample of 181 healthy individuals, men and women, that were randomized to two groups: regression group and cross validation group (GV). The voluntiars were submitted to a incremental treadmill test; objetiving to determinate of the second respiratory threshold (LVII) and the Peak VO2max. Using the método forward addition method 11 models of VO2max prediction in trendmill were developded. No significative differences were found between the VO2max meansured and the predicted by models when they were compared using ANOVA One-Way and the Post Hoc test of Turkey. We concluded that the developed mathematical models allow a prediction of the VO2max of healthy young individuals based on the LVII

Avaliação da efetividade de estratégias não farmacológicas para o alívio da dor de parturientes na fase ativa do período de dilatação no trabalho de parto

This study was aim to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies non pharmacological for the relief of the intensity of the parturient pain in the phase activates of the dilation period in the labor. Is a clinic rehearse of the type therapeutic intervention before and after" with a quantitative approach, accomplished in the Humanized Unit of Childbirth of the Maternity Januário Cicco School of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, in Natal/RN, whit 130 parturient, being 30 in the pre-test of the strategies and 100 in the application of the strategies non pharmacological combined (breathing exercises, muscular relaxation and lombossacral massage) and isolated (shower bath in a normal temperature). We used the visual analogical scale to evaluate the intensity of the pain of the study parturient before and after" to the application of the strategies in the phases of acceleration, maximum inclination and desaceleration in the phase activates of dilation period in the labor. The principal results showed that the majority of the study parturient was between 20 to 30 years old (60%); with incomplete fundamental teaching (85%); family income until 2 minimum wages (74%); 78% had a companion and these, 44% were the own husband. The oxytocin was administered in the parturient during the phase activates of the labor in 81% of the cases and only 15% these women didn´t reciev anything medication. We verified significant relief (ρ=0.000) of intensity of the pain of the study parturient after application of the strategies non pharmacological combined and isolated. We concluded that the strategies non pharmacological combined and isolated were effective in the relief of the pain of the study parturient in the phase activates de labor

Estudos analíticos dos grafoelementos do eletroencefalograma em sono: fusos do sono, ondas agudas do vértex e o gradiente de freqüência e amplitude, como indicadores de comprometimento neurológico na criança

Innumerable studies have focused been reported on the sleep spindles (SS), Sharp Vertex Waves (SVW) and REM, NREM Sleep as indicators interpreting EEG patterns in children. However, Frequency and Amplitud Gradient (FAG) is rarely cited sleep parameter in children,that occurs during NREM Sleep. It was first described by Slater and Torres, in 1979, but has not been routinely evaluated in EEG reports. The aim of this study was to assess the absence of SS, SVW and FAG, as an indication of neurological compromise in children. The sample consisted of 1014 EEGs of children referred to the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, Hospital Universitário de Brasília (HUB), from January 1997 to March 2003, with ages ranging from 3 months to 12 years old, obtained in spontaneous sleep or induced by choral hydrate. The study was transversal and analytical, in which, visual analysis of EEG traces was perfumed individually and independently by two electroencephalographers without prior knowledge of the EEG study or neurological findings. After EEG selection, the investigators analyzed the medical reports in order to define and correlate neurological pattern was classified according to the presence or absence of neurological compromise, as Normal Neurological Pattern (NNP), and Altered Neurological Pattern (ANP) respectively. From the visual analysis of the EEG(s), it was possible to characterize 6 parameters: 1- FAG present (64,1%); 2- FAG absent (35,9%); 3 - normal SS (87,9%); 4 - altered SS s (12,1%); 5 - normal SVW s (95,7%); 6 - altered SVW s (4,3%). The prevalence of well-formed FAG is found in the 3 months to 5 years age group in the children with NNF. FAG was totally absent from the age of 10 years. When comparing the three sleep graphielements, it was observed that SVW and SS were predominant in children with NNF. However, FAG absent was more prevalent in the ANF than in altered SS an SVW. The statistical analysis showed that there is a strong association of FAG absent, with isolated alteration, in ANF patients, in that the prevalence ratio was 6,60. The association becomes stronger when FAG absent + altered SS(s) is considered (RP= 6,68). Chi-square test, corrected by Yates technique, showed a highly significant relation for FAG ρ= 0,00000001, for error X of 5%, or else the 95% confidence interval (ρ<0,05). Thus, the FAG absent were more expressive in ANF patient than altered SS(s) and SVW(s). The association becomes stronger in order to establish a prognostic relation, when the FAG is combined with the SS. The results os this study allow us to affirm that the FAG, when absent at ages ranging from 3 months to 5 years , is an indication of neurological compromise. FAG is an age-dependent EEG parameter and incorporated systematically, in the interpretation criteria of the EEG of children s sleep, not only in the maturational point of view, but also neurological disturbances with encephalic compromise

Associação entre as narrativas em saúde bucal e condições socioeconômico-culturais: a dentição como reflexo da desigualdade social

This anthropological study investigates the lived-experience of oral diseases in the context of poverty in Northeast Brazil. During six months in 2004???, ethnographic interviews, narratives and participant-observation with 31 residents of the low-income community, Dendê, located in Fortaleza, Ceará were conducted and analyzed utilizing a hermeneutic-dialetic method. It is revealed that precarious life conditions make prioritizing caretaking a difficult task. Despite suffering tooth pain, seeking a dentist's care is perceived as "a luxury" not a citzens' right. Difficulties in accessing services and poor quality restorations, favor tooth extractions as the most effective intervention. The deterioration of one's oral health is lamented by community members who seek help from popular clinics, politicians and traditional healers. The experience of dental disease differs according to social class, leaves oral scars of inequity, harms self-esteem and inhibits social inclusion. In this context, "treating" the Teeth of Inequity demands that we deepen our comprehension of the social determinants of health, reduce injustice in the access to quality care, remove demoralizing stigmas and empower the community to confront structural forces which affect its life

Avaliação bioquímica e hostológica de fígado de ratas wistar diabéticas e tratadas com tamoxifeno

Tamoxifen (TX), a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, may cause hepatic changes in some patients. The consequences of its use on the liver tissues of rats with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) have not been fully explored. The purpose of this multidisciplinary study was to evaluate the correlation between plasma hepatic enzyme levels and the presence of iron overload in the hepatic tissue of female Wistar rats with or without streptozotocin-induced DM and using TX. Female rats were studied in control groups: C-0 (non-drug users), C-V (sorbitol vehicle only) and C-TX (using TX). DM (diabetic non-drug users) and DM-TX (diabetics using TX) were the test groups. Sixty days after induced DM, blood samples were collected for glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin measures. Hepatic fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson s trichrome, Perls. The hepatic iron content was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. AST, ALT and ALP levels were significantly elevated in the DM and DM-TX groups, with unchanged bilirubin levels. Liver iron overload using Perls stain and atomic absorption spectrometry were observed exclusively in groups C-TX and DM-TX. There was positive correlation between AST, ALT and ALP levels and microscopic hepatic siderosis intensity in group DM-TX. In conclusion, TX administration is associated with liver siderosis in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In addition, TX induced liver iron overload with unaltered hepatic function in 2 non-diabetic rats and may be a useful tool for investigating the biological control of iron metabolism

Antígenos da forma amastigota de Leishmania chagasi identificados por dupla varredura da biblioteca de cDNA

Control of human visceral leishmaniasis in endemic regions is hampered in part by the lack of knowledge with respect of the role reservoirs and vector. In addition, there is not yet an understanding of how non-symptomatic subclinical infection might influence the maintenance of infection in a particular locality. Of worrisome is the limited accessibility to medical care in places with emerging drug resistance. There is still no available protective vaccine either for humans or other reservoirs. Leishmania species are protozoa that express multiple antigens which are recognized by the vertebrate immune system. Since there is not one immunodominant epitope recognized by most hosts, strategies must be developed to optimize selection of antigens for prevention and immunodiagnosis. For this reason, we generated a cDNA library from the intracellular amastigote form of Leishmania chagasi, the causative agent of South American visceral leishmaniasis. We employed a two-step expression screen of the library to systematically identify T and T-dependent B cell antigens. The first step was aimed at identifying the largest possible number of clones producing an epitope-containing polypeptide with a pool of sera from Brazilians with documented visceral leishmaniasis. After removal of clones encoding heat shock proteins, positive clones underwent a second step screen for their ability to cause proliferation and IFN-γ responses of T cells from immune mice. Six unique clones were selected from the second screen for further analysis. The clones encoded part of the coding sequence of glutamine synthetase, transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase, elongation factor 1γ, kinesin K-39, repetitive protein A2, and a hypothetical conserved protein. Humans naturally infected with L. chagasi mounted both cellular and antibody responses to these protein Preparations containing multiple antigens may be optimal for immunodiagnosis and protective vaccines against Leishmania