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ABSTRACT Background: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by a parasite protozoon from the genus Leishmania. Among the molecular techniques applied for detecting these parasites, real-time PCR with High Resolution Melting (PCR-HRM) proved advantageous since it simultaneously determines both the presence and species of the pathogen in one step, through amplification and later analysis of curves generated by melting temperature. Methods: Based on this molecular technique, the goal of this study was to estimate the PCR-HRM sensitivity for Leishmania spp. detection in different canine tissues by evaluating biological samples obtained from popliteal, submandibular, and pre-scapular lymph nodes, from bone marrow and ear pinnae of 28 stray dogs captured in the metropolitan area of Asunción (Paraguay). Results: The rk39 immunochromatographic test showed that 25/28 tested dogs (89%) presented antibodies against L. infantum. In 20/25 dogs that tested positive for rk39 (80%), it was possible to detect Leishmania spp. by PCR-HRM and determine that the species corresponded entirely to L. infantum. Regarding the analysis of different tissues, the parasite was detected in all popliteal lymph node samples, followed by high detection in submandibular (at 95%) and pre-scapular lymph nodes (at 90%), bone marrow (at 85%), and ear pinnae (at 85%). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the use of real-time PCR-HRM using the molecular marker hsp70 was a highly sensitive method for simultaneously detecting and identifying Leishmania species in different tissues taken from infected dogs. In addition, the usefulness of ear pinnae as easily accessible tissue for molecular diagnosis was emphasized.
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INTRODUCCIÓN: el metronidazol, antiparasitario y antimicrobiano, y la amoxicilina, aminopenicilina de amplio espectro, son medicamentos de amplio uso. OBJETIVOS: determinar la calidad farmacéutica de formulaciones de administración oral disponibles en el mercado hondureño, en la ciudad de Tegucigalpa. MÉTODOS: se analizaron productos de cinco marcas de comprimidos de metronidazol 500 mg y cápsulas de amoxicilina 500 mg, respectivamente, todas ellas dentro de su período de validez de uso. Se evaluaron las propiedades tecnológicas y químicas de las tabletas y cápsulas, tales como peso pro-medio, dureza, valoración, uniformidad de contenido, ensayo de disolución, perfil de disolución, área bajo la curva y eficiencia de la disolución. RESULTADOS: no todas las especialidades medicinales contenían la información sobre las condiciones de almacenamiento, respecto a la temperatura, luz y humedad, declarados en los rótulos y prospectos. De acuerdo a la evaluación tecnológica y química, todos los productos evaluados cumplieron con las especificaciones de la farmacopea. Sin embargo, existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los productos según las pruebas de disolución in vitro. La liberación del metronidazol se ajustó al modelo de Hixson Crowell, mientras que la de amoxicilina, en dos formulaciones se ajustó al modelo de Higuchi, y en el resto al modelo de Hixson-Crowell. CONCLUSIONES: se sugiere la necesidad de una mayor vigilancia a los medicamentos que se comercializan en el país con el fin de verificar el cumplimiento de los estándares de calidad.
INTRODUCTION: metronidazole, an antiparasitic and antimicrobial, and amoxicillin, a broad-spectrum aminopenicillin, are widely used drugs. Aims: to determine the pharmaceutical quality of oral administration formulations available in the Honduran market, in the city of Tegucigalpa. METHODS: products from five brand of metronidazole tablets (500 mg) and amoxicillin capsules (500 mg) were analyzed, respectively, all of them within their period of validity of use. For this, the technological, chemical and chemical properties of the tablets and capsules were evaluated, such as average weight, hardness, evaluation of active principle, uniformity of content, dissolution test, dis-solution profile, area under curve and dissolution efficiency. RESULTS: not all medicinal specialties contained information on storage conditions, regarding temperature, light and humidity, stated on the labels and leaflets. According to the technological and chemical evaluation, all the evaluated products satisfied the specifications of the pharmacopeia. However, there are statistically significant differences between the products according to in vitro dissolution tests. The release of metronidazole was adjusted to the Hixson-Crowell model, while that of amoxicillin, in two formulations was adjusted to the Higuchi model, and in the rest to the Hix-son-Crowell model. CONCLUSIONS: The need for greater surveillance of the drugs that are marketed in the country is suggested, in order to verify compliance with quality standards.
Subject(s)
Total Quality Management , Amoxicillin , In Vitro Techniques , DissolutionABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and malaria cause morbidity globally. The drugs currently used for treatment have limitations. Activity of cinnamic acid analogs against Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, and Plasmodium falciparum was evaluated in the interest of identifying new antiprotozoal compounds. METHODS In vitro effects of analogs against L. braziliensis, L. infantum chagasi, T. cruzi, and P. falciparum, and hemolytic and cytotoxic activities on NCTC 929 were determined. RESULTS Three analogs showed leishmanicidal and tripanocidal activity. No antiplasmodial, hemolytic, or cytotoxic activity was observed. CONCLUSIONS Antiprotozoal activity of analogs against L. infantum braziliensis, L. infantum chagasi, and T. cruzi was demonstrated.
Subject(s)
Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects , Trypanosoma cruzi/drug effects , Cinnamates/pharmacology , Leishmania/drug effects , Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology , Cinnamates/chemistry , Parasitic Sensitivity Tests , Antiprotozoal Agents/chemistryABSTRACT
El artículo proporciona una presentación de la Perspectiva Discursiva en Psicología Social. Para ello, realiza un repaso de antecedentes, fundamentos, algunos recursos concretos de la perspectiva discursiva y una aproximación a la lectura que esta perspectiva realiza de la cognición social. A través de estos pasos, el artículo pretende: resaltar la importancia de la aportación teórica, no solamente metodológica de esta perspectiva; subrayar la importancia del lenguaje en la construcción de la realidad, y adentrarse en la comprensión de las posibilidades que esta importancia supone para el quehacer de la propia psicología.