Evaluation of cytotoxicity, acute toxicity, genotoxicity and antioxidant and antigenotoxicity activities of the sarcotesta fraction of punica granatum L. rich in lectin (PgTel).

Punica granatum, popularly known as pomegranate, is a fruit tree with wide worldwide distribution, containing numerous phytochemicals of great medicinal value. The aim of the present study was to determine the phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of a protein fraction (PF) derived from P. granatum sarcotesta which is rich in lectin. In addition, the acute oral toxicity, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of this protein fraction (PF) from P. granatum sarcotesta was measured. The phytochemical profile of PF was determined using HPLC. The in vitro antioxidant effect was assessed using the methods of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging. Acute oral toxicity was determined in female Swiss mice administered a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. This PF was examined for genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity at doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, utilizing mouse peripheral blood cells. Phytochemical characterization detected a high content of ellagic acid and antioxidant capacity similar to that of ascorbic acid (positive control). PF was not toxic (LD50 >2000 mg/kg) and did not exert a genotoxic effect in mice. PF protected the DNA of peripheral blood cells against damage induced by cyclophosphamide. In conclusion, this PF fraction exhibited significant antioxidant activity without initiating toxic or genotoxic responses in mice.

A short-term high-sugar diet is an aggravating factor in experimental allergic contact dermatitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory skin reaction whose incidence has increased and has been associated with a dietary pattern rich in saturated fats and refined sugars. Considering the increased incidence of ACD and the lack of research about the influence of a short-term high-sugar diet on dermatitis, our aim is to improve understanding of the influence of a high-sugar diet on ACD. We introduced a diet rich in sugar fifteen days before inducing contact dermatitis with oxazolone, in mice, and maintained it until the end of the experiment, which lasted three weeks in total. The dermatitis model increased cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver, and the combination of diet and dermatitis increased weight and worsened liver cholesterol measurements. Furthermore, the high-sugar diet increased the production of IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the skin, which may be involved in the increase in epithelial skin thickness observed in experimental ACD.

Cross-Sectional Serological Survey of Human Fascioliasis in Canutama Municipality in Western Amazon, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Fascioliasis is an important parasitic disease. In the northern region of Brazil, a human parasite infection has been reported through a coprological survey. Eggs of Fasciola hepatica were found in fecal samples of 11 individuals. Knowledge of the infection in animals or the presence of snails is necessary to address the possibility of the parasite cycle occurrence in that region. The aim of this study was to describe the transmission of human fascioliasis in Canutama, Amazonas, in Western Amazonia, Brazil. METHODS: Serological (ELISA and Western Blot, WB) and parasitological analyses were carried out in humans. In addition, the presence of the intermediate snail host within the community was examined. RESULTS: A total of 434 human samples were included in the study, of which 36 (8.3%) were reactive by ELISA and 8 (1.8%) were reactive by WB. Fasciola hepatica eggs were found in one human sample. The occurrence of the intermediated host was recorded and 31/43 specimens were identified as Lymnaea columella. Conclusion. Canutama constitutes a focus of transmission of human fascioliasis. This study describes the first serological survey for human fascioliasis, as well as its simultaneous occurrence in human hosts and possible intermediates performed in northern Brazil.

Ocorrência de micobactérias não causadoras de tuberculose no Brasil / Occurrence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Brazil

O gênero Mycobacterium é constituído pelas espécies do complexo M. tuberculosis (CMTB) e as espécies de micobactérias não causadoras de tuberculose (MNT). Até o momento 175 espécies e 13 subespécies foram descritas, sendo que grande parte destas espécies está associada a doenças no homem e animais. Os objetivos desse estudo foram conhecer a diversidade e características das espécies de MNT, além da ocorrência das espécies de MNT no Brasil e os fatores associados às micobacterioses no país. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica, conduzida através de consultas aos manuais e artigos científicos selecionados através dos bancos de dados da Scielo e da Bireme, a partir das fontes Medline e Lilacs. Conclui-se que houve uma grande redução no número dos casos de micobacterioses no Brasil; em função principalmente dos novos métodos moleculares de identificação das MNTs, os quais tem permitido a identificação de diversas novas espécies, além do incremento significativo do diagnóstico das doenças e infecções causadas por estas micobactérias.

Tegumentary leishmaniasis in the State of Amazonas: what have we learned and what do we need?

This study evaluated the occurrence of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, in the last 30 years with emphasis on the last 10 years (2001 to 2010). The disease was predominantly observed in males (76.2%), in the 21- to 30-year-old age group (26.6%) and in extractive workers (43.7%); 3.3% of the cases were the mucosal form. The endemic channel shows the disease seasonality, with a predominance of cases at the beginning and end of each year. The number of cases by municipality in the period of 2001-2010 shows the maintenance of the endemic in the localities where the highest numbers of cases have always been registered, namely, Manaus, Rio Preto da Eva, Itacoatiara and Presidente Figueiredo. The comparison of data from 2001 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2010 showed the emergence of this disease in municipalities that had been previously unaffected. In the last years, there has been a significant increase in the activities of control, diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis in the State of Amazonas. In conclusion, the historical series of ATL analyzed in this study suggests that the transmission foci remain and are even expanding, though without continuous transmission in the intra- or peridomicile settings. Moreover, the disease will persist in the Amazon while the factors associated with infection acquisition relative to forest exploitation continue to have economic appeal. There is a real expectation of wide variations in disease incidence that can be influenced by climate and economic aspects.

Tegumentary leishmaniasis in the State of Amazonas: what have we learned and what do we need?

This study evaluated the occurrence of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, in the last 30 years with emphasis on the last 10 years (2001 to 2010). The disease was predominantly observed in males (76.2%), in the 21- to 30-year-old age group (26.6%) and in extractive workers (43.7%); 3.3% of the cases were the mucosal form. The endemic channel shows the disease seasonality, with a predominance of cases at the beginning and end of each year. The number of cases by municipality in the period of 2001-2010 shows the maintenance of the endemic in the localities where the highest numbers of cases have always been registered, namely, Manaus, Rio Preto da Eva, Itacoatiara and Presidente Figueiredo. The comparison of data from 2001 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2010 showed the emergence of this disease in municipalities that had been previously unaffected. In the last years, there has been a significant increase in the activities of control, diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis in the State of Amazonas. In conclusion, the historical series of ATL analyzed in this study suggests that the transmission foci remain and are even expanding, though without continuous transmission in the intra- or peridomicile settings. Moreover, the disease will persist in the Amazon while the factors associated with infection acquisition relative to forest exploitation continue to have economic appeal. There is a real expectation of wide variations in disease incidence that can be influenced by climate and economic aspects.

Trypanosoma cruzi strain TcI is associated with chronic Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease in the Amazon region is considered an emerging anthropozoonosis with a predominance of the discrete typing units (DTUs) TcI and TcIV. These DTUs are responsible for cases of acute disease associated with oral transmission. Chronic disease cases have been detected through serological surveys. However, the mode of transmission could not be determined, or any association of chronic disease with a specific T. cruzi DTU's. The aim of this study was to characterize Trypanosoma cruzi in patients with chronic Chagas disease in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS: Blood culture and xenodiagnosis were performed in 36 patients with positive serology for Chagas disease who participated in a serological survey performed in urban and rural areas of Manaus, Amazonas. DNA samples were extracted from the feces of triatomines used for xenodiagnosis, and the nontranscribed spacer of the mini-exon gene and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) were amplified by PCR and sequenced. RESULTS: Blood culture and xenodiagnosis were negative in 100% of samples; however, molecular techniques revealed that in 13 out of 36 (36%) fecal samples from xenodiagnosis, T. cruzi was characterized as the DTU TcI, and different haplotypes were identified within the same DTU. CONCLUSION: The DTU TcI, which is mainly associated with acute cases of Chagas disease in the Amazon region, is also responsible for chronic infection in patients from a region in the State of Amazonas.

Serological survey for Chagas disease in the rural areas of Manaus, Coari, and Tefé in the Western Brazilian Amazon / Inquérito sorológico para doença de Chagas em áreas rurais de Manaus, Coari e Tefé na Amazônia Ocidental

INTRODUCTION: Deforestation, uncontrolled forest, human population migration from endemic areas, and the large number of reservoirs and wild vectors naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi promote the endemicity of Chagas disease in the Amazon region. METHODS: We conducted an initial serological survey (ELISA) in a sample of 1,263 persons; 1,095 (86.7 percent) were natives of the State of Amazonas, 666 (52.7 percent) were male, and 948 (75.1 percent) were over 20 years old. Serum samples that were found to be reactive, indeterminate, or inconclusive by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) or positive with low titer by IFA were tested by Western blot (WB). Serologically confirmed patients (WB) were evaluated in terms of epidemiological, clinical, ECG, and echocardiography characteristics. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had serologically confirmed T. cruzi infection, and 12 of them were autochthonous to the state of Amazonas, for an overall seroprevalence of 1.2 percent and 0.9 percent for the state of Amazonas. Five of the 15 cases were males, and the average age was 47 years old; most were farmers with low education. One patient who was not autochthonous, having originated from Alagoas, showed right bundle branch block, bundle branch block, and anterosuperior left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 54 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study ratify the importance of monitoring CD cases in Amazonia, particularly in the state of Amazonas.

INTRODUÇÃO: Na Amazônia, o desmatamento desordenado da floresta, as migrações populacionais humanas de áreas endêmicas e o grande número de reservatórios e vetores silvestres naturalmente infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi, favorece a endemicidade da doença de Chagas nessa região. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um inquérito sorológico inicial por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA), em uma amostra de 1.263 pessoas, 1.095 (86,7 por cento ) as quais eram autóctones do Estado do Amazonas, 666 (52,7 por cento) do sexo masculino, 948 (75,1 por cento) com idade superior a 20 anos. As amostras de soro reativas, indeterminadas ou inconclusivas por imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) positivas ou com baixo título na IFI foram submetidas ao Western blot (WB). Os pacientes com sorologia confirmada (WB) foram avaliados do ponto de vista epidemiológico, clínico, eletro e ecocardiográfico. RESULTADOS: Quinze pacientes tiveram sorologia confirmada para infecção por T. cruzi, 12 dos quais autóctones do Estado do Amazonas, com uma prevalência sorológica geral de 1,2 por cento e de 0,9 por cento para o Estado do Amazonas. Entre os 15 casos com sorologia positiva, cinco eram do sexo masculino, média de idade de 47 anos, baixa escolaridade e a maioria agricultores. Um paciente não autoctone, procedente de Alagoas, apresentou bloqueio de ramo direito, bloqueio divisional ântero-superior e disfunção sistólica ventricular esquerda com fração de ejeção de 54 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: O resultado deste estudo reforça a importância do monitoramento de casos da doença de Chagas na Amazônia, em especial no Amazonas.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis and HIV-AIDS association in a tertiary care center in the Brazilian Amazon.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are both common infectious diseases in the Brazilian Amazon with overlapping expansion areas, which leads to the occurrence of Leishmania/HIV coinfection. Most ATL/HIV-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) association cases have been reported from areas where Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main pathogen; this finding is in contrast with the Amazon region, where L. (V.) guyanensis is the most implicated agent, implying distinct clinical and therapeutic aspects. We describe 15 cases of ATL/HIV coinfection treated in a tertiary care center in the Brazilian Amazon between 1999 and 2008. Thirteen patients presented with diverse clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and four of them had disseminated forms; two patients presented with mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). Seven patients required more than one course of treatment. The particularities of ATL/HIV-AIDS association in L. (V.) guyanensis-endemic areas require efforts for an increased understanding of its burden and subsequent improvements in case management.

Mucosal Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is a parasite recognized as the most important etiologic agent of mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) in the New World. In Amazonia, seven different species of Leishmania, etiologic agents of human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, have been described. Isolated cases of ML have been described for several different species of Leishmania: L. (V.) panamensis, L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (L.) amazonensis. METHODOLOGY: Leishmania species were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of tissues taken from mucosal biopsies of Amazonian patients who were diagnosed with ML and treated at the Tropical Medicine Foundation of Amazonas (FMTAM) in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. Samples were obtained retrospectively from the pathology laboratory and prospectively from patients attending the aforementioned tertiary care unit. RESULTS: This study reports 46 cases of ML along with their geographical origin, 30 cases caused by L. (V.) braziliensis and 16 cases by L. (V.) guyanensis. This is the first record of ML cases in 16 different municipalities in the state of Amazonas and of simultaneous detection of both species in 4 municipalities of this state. It is also the first record of ML caused by L. (V.) guyanensis in the states of Pará, Acre, and Rondônia and cases of ML caused by L. (V.) braziliensis in the state of Rondônia. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: L. (V.) braziliensis is the predominant species that causes ML in the Amazon region. However, contrary to previous studies, L. (V.) guyanensis is also a significant causative agent of ML within the region. The clinical and epidemiological expression of ML in the Manaus region is similar to the rest of the country, although the majority of ML cases are found south of the Amazon River.

Characterization of Leishmania spp. causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

In the State of Amazonas, American tegumentary leishmaniasis is endemic and presents a wide spectrum of clinical variability due to the large diversity of circulating species in the region. Isolates from patients in Manaus and its metropolitan region were characterized using monoclonal antibodies and isoenzymes belonging to four species of the parasite: Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, 73% (153/209); Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, 14% (30/209); Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, 8% (17/209); and Leishmania (Viannia) naiffii, 4% (9/209). The most prevalent species was L. (V.) guyanensis. The principal finding of this study was the important quantity of infections involving more than one parasite species, representing 14% (29/209) of the total. The findings obtained in this work regarding the parasite are further highlighted by the fact that these isolates were obtained from clinical samples collected from single lesions.

Serological survey for Chagas disease in the rural areas of Manaus, Coari, and Tefé in the Western Brazilian Amazon.

INTRODUCTION: Deforestation, uncontrolled forest, human population migration from endemic areas, and the large number of reservoirs and wild vectors naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi promote the endemicity of Chagas disease in the Amazon region. METHODS: We conducted an initial serological survey (ELISA) in a sample of 1,263 persons; 1,095 (86.7%) were natives of the State of Amazonas, 666 (52.7%) were male, and 948 (75.1%) were over 20 years old. Serum samples that were found to be reactive, indeterminate, or inconclusive by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) or positive with low titer by IFA were tested by Western blot (WB). Serologically confirmed patients (WB) were evaluated in terms of epidemiological, clinical, ECG, and echocardiography characteristics. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had serologically confirmed T. cruzi infection, and 12 of them were autochthonous to the state of Amazonas, for an overall seroprevalence of 1.2% and 0.9% for the state of Amazonas. Five of the 15 cases were males, and the average age was 47 years old; most were farmers with low education. One patient who was not autochthonous, having originated from Alagoas, showed right bundle branch block, bundle branch block, and anterosuperior left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 54%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study ratify the importance of monitoring CD cases in Amazonia, particularly in the state of Amazonas.

[Cardiac involvement in Acute Chagas' Disease cases in the Amazon region].

The cardiac involvement of five patients from the Amazon region with Acute Chagas' Disease (ACD) is described. Four of these patients presented probable oral transmission. All of them presented some degree of cardiac involvement, but there were no deaths.

Acometimento cardíaco em Casos de Doença de Chagas Aguda da Amazônia / Cardiac involvement in Acute Chagas' Disease Cases in the Amazon region

Descreve-se o acometimento cardíaco em cinco pacientes autóctones da Amazônia com diagnóstico de Doença de Chagas Aguda (DCA). Quatro desses pacientes apresentaram provável transmissão oral. Todos apresentaram algum grau de acometimento cardíaco, não havendo nenhum óbito.

The cardiac involvement of five patients from the Amazon region with Acute Chagas' Disease (ACD) is described. Four of these patients presented probable oral transmission. All of them presented some degree of cardiac involvement, but there were no deaths.

Caracterização de Leishmania spp em amostras isoladas de pacientes portadores de leishmaniose tegumentar americana em área endêmica da região Norte, Brasil / Characterization of Leishmania spp in samples isolated from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in endemic area in Northern Brazil

A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) na Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil, comporta-se, dentro do padrão de transmissão modificado do ponto de vista epidemiológico, pelos diversos fatores que influenciam no ciclo da doença. A ocorrência de casos vem aumentando nos últimos anos em Manaus, com frequência maior em áreas de assentamentos populacionais, notificados em média 600 casos/ano. Esse estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar as espécies de Leishmania spp. em amostras isoladas de pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar americana em área endêmica da região norte, Brasil. Pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar, procedentes de Manaus (61 por cento), região metropolitana, do interior do estado do Amazonas, Pará, Roraima e Rondônia (39 por cento) procuraram os serviços de ambulatório da Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas. Um total de 209 pacientes submeteu-se aos exames clínicos, epidemiológicos e laboratoriais. Os exames parasitológicos foram realizados nos 209 pacientes através da técnica de escarificação de borda da lesão para a pesquisa direta; em 188 foi realizada punção aspirativa e em 21 biópsias para o isolamento do parasito em meios de cultura NNN/Schnneiders. Foi realizada a identificação e caracterização das espécies de Leishmania spp utilizando painel de anticorpos monoclonais e perfil de isoenzimas (MLEE). Dos 209 isolados 85 por cento (178/209) foram positivas na pesquisa direta e se conseguiu isolamento por cultura de todas as amostras. Na caracterização os serodemas apresentaram maior frequência para L. (V.) guyanensis (73 por cento) 153/209, zimodemas 83 por cento(173/209). Em 13 por cento (26/209) dos isolados apresentaram mais de uma espécie de parasitos, denominado de infecção mista. Nessas infecções a L. (V.) guyanensis estava presente na maioria dos isolados. O expressivo índice de infecções mistas evidenciado demonstra a grande diversidade de espécies de Leishmania associadas à doença nesta área endêmica da região norte...

American tegumentar leishmaniasis (ATL) in Western Amazon behave itself in a standard of transmission that have been changed in an epidemiological point of view, by many factors that influence the disease’s cycle. The occurrence of cases has been increasing in the last few years in Manaus, in a greater frequency in areas of“populations’ settlement”, notifying, in average, 600 cases per year. This study has the objective to characterize the species of Leishmania spp in samples obtained from patients with ATL in the endemic area of North region in Brail. Patients with ATL from Manaus (61%), metropolis region, from the country side area of Amazonas state, Pará, Roraima and Rondônia (39%) have reached the Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas. A total of 209 patients went under clinical, epidemiologicaland laboratorial exams. The parasitological exams were performed in the 209 patients by collecting material through “escarificação” in the edge of the lesion for direct observation; 188 the aspitative puncture and in 21 biopsy to isolate theparasite in “cultive medium: NNN and Schnneider’s. The identification andcharacterization of the species of Leishmania spp were done using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and isoenzyme profile (MLEE). From 209 samples 85% (178-209) was positive in the direct observation and all of them were isolated by culture. In the characterization the “serodemas” showed a greater frequency for L (V)guyanensis (73%) 153-209, zimodemas 83% (173-209). In 13% (26-209) of the isolated shoed more than one species of parasites, calling mixed infection. In these infections L (V) guyanensis were present in the majority of the species. Theexpressive rate of mixed infections shows the great diversity of species ofLeishmania associated to disease in this endemic area from North region of thecountry. These findings may contribute in the treatment follow up with the perspective of therapeutic intervention more efficient for the patient.

Cardiopatia chagásica crônica na Amazônia: uma etiologia a ser lembrada / Chronic chagasic cardiopathy in Amazon region: an etiology to remember / Cardiopatía chagásica crónica en la Amazonía: una etiología que recordar

Este estudo avaliou a frequência de cardiopatia chagásica crônica (CCC) em 37 pacientes autóctones da Amazônia com disfunção sistólica ventricular esquerda sem etiologia definida. Foram diagnosticados três casos com frequência de 8,1 por cento no grupo estudado.

This study assessed the frequency of chronic chagasic cardiopathy (CCC) in 37 autochthonus patients from Amazon region with left ventricular systolic dysfunction of undefined etiology. Three cases were diagnosed in the studied sample, with an 8.1 percent frequency.

Este estudio evaluó la frecuencia de cardiopatía chagásica crónica (CCC) en 37 pacientes autóctonos de la Amazonía con disfunción sistólica ventricular izquierda sin etiología definida. Se diagnosticaron tres casos con frecuencia del 8,1 por ciento en el grupo estudiado.

A história da inserção política da mulher no Brasil: uma trajetória do espaço privado ao público / The history of the politics insertion of the woman in Brazil: a trajectory from the private to the public spaces / La historia de la inserción política de la mujer en Brasil: una trayectória del espacio privado a lo público

Apresenta uma revisão histórica do papel feminino na sociedade brasileira, que atribui às mulheres uma atuação predominante no espaço privado, o que pode explicar a pequena presença das mulheres, como protagonistas, na cena política. Embora inseridas e intensamente atuantes na política partidária, bem como nos diferentes contextos políticos vividos pelo país - movimento operário, luta pelo sufrágio feminino e contra a ditadura - raramente as mulheres chegam a exercer um cargo político eletivo ou por nomeação. Esta atividade permanece associada ao papel masculino, numa dicotomia público/privado própria da modernidade. A reflexão proposta indica que uma maior inserção feminina no cenário político brasileiro supõe modificações quanto à expectativa social de gênero e, ao mesmo tempo, questionamentos quanto ao padrão atual.

It presents a historical revision of the feminine role in the Brazilian society that attributes to the women a predominant performance in the private space, which explains the small presence of the women, as protagonists, in the politics scene. Although inserted and intensely operating in the partisan politics, as well as in the different politics contexts lived by the country - working-class movement, fight for the feminine vote and against the dictatorship - rarely the women arrive to exert an elective or nominative politician position. This activity remains associated to the masculine role, in a private/public dichotomy proper of modernity. The reflective proposal indicates that a bigger feminine insertion in the Brazilian politician scene supposes modifications in terms of the gender related social expectations and, at the same time, questionings of the current standards.

Presenta una revisión histórica del papel femenino en la sociedad brasileña, que atribuye a las mujeres una actuación predominante en el espacio privado, lo que puede explicar la pequeña presencia de las mujeres, como protagonistas, en la escena política. Aunque inseridas e intensamente actuantes en la política partidaria, así como en los diferentes contextos políticos vividos por el país - movimiento operario, lucha por el sufragio femenino y contra la dictadura - raramente las mujeres llegan a ejercer un cargo político electivo o por nombración. Esta actividad permanece asociada al papel masculino, en una dicotomía público/ privado propia de la modernidad. La reflexión propuesta indica que una mayor inserción femenina en el escenario político brasileño supone modificaciones cuanto a la expectativa social de género y, al mismo tiempo, cuestionamientos cuanto al patrón actual.

A história da inserção política da mulher no Brasil: uma trajetória do espaço privado ao público / The history of the politics insertion of the woman in Brazil: a trajectory from the private to the public spaces / La historia de la inserción política de la mujer en Brasil: una trayectória del espacio privado a lo público

Apresenta uma revisão histórica do papel feminino na sociedade brasileira, que atribui às mulheres uma atuação predominante no espaço privado, o que pode explicar a pequena presença das mulheres, como protagonistas, na cena política. Embora inseridas e intensamente atuantes na política partidária, bem como nos diferentes contextos políticos vividos pelo país - movimento operário, luta pelo sufrágio feminino e contra a ditadura - raramente as mulheres chegam a exercer um cargo político eletivo ou por nomeação. Esta atividade permanece associada ao papel masculino, numa dicotomia público/privado própria da modernidade. A reflexão proposta indica que uma maior inserção feminina no cenário político brasileiro supõe modificações quanto à expectativa social de gênero e, ao mesmo tempo, questionamentos quanto ao padrão atual.(AU)

It presents a historical revision of the feminine role in the Brazilian society that attributes to the women a predominant performance in the private space, which explains the small presence of the women, as protagonists, in the politics scene. Although inserted and intensely operating in the partisan politics, as well as in the different politics contexts lived by the country - working-class movement, fight for the feminine vote and against the dictatorship - rarely the women arrive to exert an elective or nominative politician position. This activity remains associated to the masculine role, in a private/public dichotomy proper of modernity. The reflective proposal indicates that a bigger feminine insertion in the Brazilian politician scene supposes modifications in terms of the gender related social expectations and, at the same time, questionings of the current standards.(AU)

Presenta una revisión histórica del papel femenino en la sociedad brasileña, que atribuye a las mujeres una actuación predominante en el espacio privado, lo que puede explicar la pequeña presencia de las mujeres, como protagonistas, en la escena política. Aunque inseridas e intensamente actuantes en la política partidaria, así como en los diferentes contextos políticos vividos por el país - movimiento operario, lucha por el sufragio femenino y contra la dictadura - raramente las mujeres llegan a ejercer un cargo político electivo o por nombración. Esta actividad permanece asociada al papel masculino, en una dicotomía público/ privado propia de la modernidad. La reflexión propuesta indica que una mayor inserción femenina en el escenario político brasileño supone modificaciones cuanto a la expectativa social de género y, al mismo tiempo, cuestionamientos cuanto al patrón actual.(AU)

Chronic chagasic cardiopathy in Amazon region: an etiology to remember.

This study assessed the frequency of chronic chagasic cardiopathy (CCC) in 37 autochthonus patients from Amazon region with left ventricular systolic dysfunction of undefined etiology. Three cases were diagnosed in the studied sample, with an 8.1% frequency.

Comparison between quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR, and real-time PCR for quantification of Leishmania parasites.

DNA or RNA amplification methods for detection of Leishmania parasites have advantages regarding sensitivity and potential quantitative characteristics in comparison with conventional diagnostic methods but are often still not routinely applied. However, the use and application of molecular assays are increasing, but comparative studies on the performance of these different assays are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare three molecular assays for detection and quantification of Leishmania parasites in serial dilutions of parasites and in skin biopsies collected from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients in Manaus, Brazil. A serial dilution of promastigotes spiked in blood was tested in triplicate in three different runs by quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (QT-NASBA), quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). In addition, the costs, durations, and numbers of handling steps were compared, and 84 skin biopsies from patients with suspected CL were tested. Both QT-NASBA and qRT-PCR had a detection limit of 100 parasites/ml of blood, while qPCR detected 1,000 parasites/ml. QT-NASBA had the lowest range of intra-assay variation (coefficients of variation [CV], 0.5% to 3.3%), while qPCR had the lowest range of interassay variation (CV, 0.4% to 5.3%). Furthermore, qRT-PCR had higher r2 values and amplification efficiencies than qPCR, and qPCR and qRT-PCR had faster procedures than QT-NASBA. All assays performed equally well with patient samples, with significant correlations between parasite counts. Overall, qRT-PCR is preferred over QT-NASBA and qPCR as the most optimal diagnostic assay for quantification of Leishmania parasites, since it was highly sensitive and reproducible and the procedure was relatively fast.