Utilising a novel surveillance system to enhance field screening activities for the leishmaniases.

Over the last decade, an arbovirus surveillance system based on the preservation of nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) has been developed using Flinders Technology Associates (FTAⓇ) cards. Soaked in honey, FTAⓇ cards are applied in the field to detect arboviruses expectorated during mosquito sugar feeding. This technique has been shown to be inexpensive and efficient, and the implementation of this system for detecting parasites could be of international importance. As Leishmania parasites are highly prevalent in developing countries, FTAⓇ cards may offer an alternative inexpensive tool to enhance field surveillance activities for leishmaniasis. The simple approach of applying the cards in programs can substitute the necessary extensive training of personnel. In our hands, Leishmania macropodum DNA was shown to be stable on FTAⓇ cards during a 10-week time course, supporting their suitability for projects where direct access to laboratories is unobtainable and samples require storage prior to processing. This method may benefit programs in remote areas where accessibility to laboratory facilities are limited and samples need to be stored long-term.•This study found that FTA cards could be a valuable tool in the surveillance of leishmaniasis.•The method is based on the long-term preservation and detection of Leishmania DNA expectorated during insect sugar feeding.•The application of FTA cards can preclude the need to screen large samples and analysis of insect populations to provide evidence of disease transmission.

Luminescent-Conjugated Oligothiophene Probe Applications for Fluorescence Imaging of Pure Amyloid Fibrils and Protein Aggregates in Tissues.

Luminescent-conjugated oligo- and polythiophenes (LCOs and LCPs) are valuable tools for optical imaging of a plethora of protein aggregates associated with amyloidoses. Here, we outline updated protocols for the application of the anionic pentameric LCO, p-FTAA, for staining and hyperspectral imaging of protein aggregates in a variety of settings such as in vitro formed amyloid fibrils, ex vivo tissue sections, and whole brain Drosophila.

Establishing and validating the fluorescent amyloid ligand h-FTAA (heptamer formyl thiophene acetic acid) to identify transthyretin amyloid deposits in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Transthyretin-derived (ATTR) amyloidosis is a frequent finding in carpal tunnel syndrome. We tested the following hypotheses: the novel fluorescent amyloid ligand heptameric formic thiophene acetic acid (h-FTAA) has a superior sensitivity for the detection of amyloid compared with Congo red-staining; Amyloid load correlates with patient gender and/or patient age. We retrieved 208 resection specimens obtained from 184 patients with ATTR amyloid in the carpal tunnel. Serial sections were stained with Congo red, h-FTAA and an antibody directed against transthyretin (TTR). Stained sections were digitalized and forwarded to computational analyses. The amount of amyloid was correlated with patient demographics. Amyloid stained intensely with h-FTAA and an anti-TTR-antibody. Congo red-staining combined with fluorescence microscopy was significantly less sensitive than h-FTAA-fluorescence and TTR-immunostaining: the highest percentage area was found in TTR-immunostained sections, followed by h-FTAA and Congo red. The Pearson correlation coefficient was .8 (Congo red vs. h-FTAA) and .9 (TTR vs. h-FTAA). Amyloid load correlated with patient gender, anatomical site and patient age. h-FTAA is a highly sensitive method to detect even small amounts of ATTR amyloid in the carpal tunnel. The staining protocol is easy and h-FTAA may be a much more sensitive procedure to detect amyloid at an earlier stage.

O Brasil, seus sócios e seus negócios / x

O objetivo é discutir a questão da inserção do Brasil na economia mundial em um novo contexto marcado pelo fenômeno da globalização, pela constituição da Organização Mundial do Comércio -- OMC como órgão de governança econômica global e pela proliferação dos blocos regionais de comércio.

This article considers Brazil´s evolving role in a world economy marked by globalization, the creation of the World Trade Organization as an organ of global economic governance, and the proliferation of regional trading blocks.

O Brasil e os chamados blocos regionais / Brazil and the so-called regional blocs

A hipótese de formação de blocos regionais rivais não se realizou. O Brasil tem hoje a possibilidade de aprofundar sua inserção de modo complementar em dois arranjos regionais -- a Alca e o Mercosul -- e um arranjo inter-regional, entre o Mercosul e a União Européia. A negociação da Alca é a mais importante das três porque estabelece a referência a partir da qual o Brasil definirá seu papel no mundo.

Contrary to expectations, the formation of competing trade blocks has not become a reality. Today, Brazil has the opportunity to play a larger role in two regional associations -- the FTAA and Mercosul -- as well as in the inter-regional arrangement between Mercosul and the European Union. FTAA membership is the most important of the three, providing as it would a point of reference from which Brazil can define its role in the world.

Política externa brasileira e os blocos internacionais / x

A análise do quadro atual das relações exteriores do Brasil, com respeito ao Mercosul e às negociações da Alca, exige também uma avaliação histórica. Nesse sentido deve-se recuperar as origens e a evolução das estratégias regionalistas da política externa brasileira na década de 90.

An analysis of the current state of Brazil's foreign policy relations with regard to Mercosul and FTAA negotiations requires a historical perspective, including an examination of the regional strategies of Brazil's foreign policy during the 1990's.