Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease endemic in five continents. It is a severe disease that may lead to death, and its early detection is important to avoid severe damage to affected individuals. Molecular methods to detect Leishmania are considered alternatives to overcome the limitations presented by conventional methods. The aim of this study was to develop multiplex PCR systems able to detect small amounts of target DNA of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis, and the gene coding for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD) in mammals, enabling quality evaluation of the sample simultaneously with detection of the specific target. The systems created for G3PD recognition were combined with detection systems for L. infantum and L. braziliensis to compose multiplex PCR systems for visceral (mVL) and cutaneous (mACL) leishmaniasis diagnosis. The multiplex PCR systems developed were assessed in blood samples from five different species of mammal reservoirs involved in the disease cycle in Brazil, and 96 and 52 human samples from patients with suspected visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), respectively. Three G3PD detection systems were created (G3PD1, G3PD2 and G3PD3) with different product sizes, G3PD2 was chosen for the formation of multiplex PCR systems. The two multiplex PCR systems (mVL and mACL) were reproducible in all species evaluated. Results of test samples (sensitivity, specificity and efficiency) suggest its use in routine diagnosis, research activities in medicine and veterinary medicine. Additionally, the systems designed to detect the G3PD gene are capable of combining with other targets used for molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases. Concerning leishmaniasis, the multiplex PCR systems can be used in epidemiological studies for the detection of new and classic reservoirs, which may contribute to the reliability of results and development of actions to control the disease.

In recent years, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique has significantly advanced towards expanding its use and versatility by working with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Data from the literature show that both methods present interesting characteristics for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. The benefits of qPCR in relation to conventional PCR include speed, reproducibility and quantitative ability. In addition to operational advantages, qPCR is more sensitive and reproducible and may replace conventional PCR in diagnostic routines. Regarding visceral leishmaniasis, the possibility of deployment of real-time PCR in highly complex diagnoses (reference services) in endemic areas will facilitate a swift and safe return for patients. Moreover, the use of a technique that possesses elevated diagnostic sensitivity, and can monitor therapy and prevent relapses promotes broader prospects for the disease control.

Com o objetivo de selecionar clones de cajueiro comum e avaliar a eficiência da metodologia do índice da soma de classificação no melhoramento da cultura foi instalado, em 1999, um experimento em área de produtor, no município de Beberibe, CE, no delineamento de blocos ao acaso com 40 clones, três repetições e cinco plantas por parcela, no espaçamento de 10 m x 10 m. Os clones foram avaliados, durante cinco anos, para altura de planta (m) e diâmetro da copa (m). A avaliação da produção de castanha (kg/planta/safra) foi feita em três safras. A maior produtividade de castanha foi para o clone Comum 30, com 885 kg.ha-1 e 1.117 kg.ha-1, respectivamente na primeira e segunda safra, enquanto que o clone Comum 21 se destacou no terceiro ano de produção com 1.299 kg.ha-1. Pela avaliação conjunta do porte das plantas, produção de castanha, performance fenotípica do clone e características tecnológicas da amêndoa, os clones Comum 18, Comum 21, Comum 28, Comum 30, Comum 31 e Comum 36 foram selecionados para teste em larga escala. A seleção de clones de cajueiro comum através do índice da soma de classificação revelou-se inapropriada quando comparada ao método em "tandem".

The objective of this work was to select clones of common cashew and to evaluate the efficiency of the rank index in the cashew improvement. The trial was set up in May 1999 using a randomized complete block design with 40 clones, 3 replications and 5 plants per plot, spaced in 10m x 10m. Plant height (m) and canopy diameter (m) were measured for five years. Nut yield control (kg/plant/year) was done for three years. The Common clone 30 showed the largest nut yield, 885 kg.ha-1 and 1.117 kg.ha-1 for the first and second year of evaluation, respectively. Considering the caracteristics plant vigour, nut yield and kernel quality used together as reference of population average, the clones Common 18, Common 21, Common 28, Common 30, Common 31 and Common 36 were selected as the most promising for test in wide scale and local commercial plantation. The selection of common cashew clones by rank index was inefficient in relation to the "tandem" method.

O principal problema da cajucultura no Brasil é a baixa produtividade dos pomares, atualmente menos de 220 kg ha-1,de castanha, razão pela qual a prioridade é a obtenção de novas cultivares. Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados da avaliação de 30 clones de cajueiro (incluindo quatro testemunhas), em regime de sequeiro, efetuada entre abril de 1990 e fevereiro de 1997, na Estação Experimental de Pacajus, CE, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e quatro plantas/parcela, com espaços de 7 x 7 m. Os resultados mostraram que os clones CAP 01, CAP 05 e CAP 12, com altura mais de 70% superior aos 2,4 m médios das testemunhas, são de porte intermediário entre os tipos comum e anãoprecoce. O diâmetro da copa dos clones CAP 10, CAP 06 e CAP 26 foi superior em mais de 63% aos 4,8 m médios das testemunhas; os clones CAP 02, CAP 07, CAP 24 e CAP 25 foram os de menor envergadura. A produção dos clones CAP 12, CAP 18 e CAP 26 foi, respectivamente, de 1.510, 1.281 e 1.262 kg ha-1 de castanhas, no quinto ano, ou seja, 175% maior do que a testemunha mais produtiva, e o CAP 12 e o CAP 18 foram os mais regulares quanto a este caráter. O peso da amêndoa variou de 1,9 a 3,2 g, com 16 clones apresentando amêndoas superiores a 2,5 g (as de maior preço no mercado internacional de nozes). Quatro clones apresentaram rendimento de amêndoa acima dos 28% da melhor testemunha (são obtidos 22% na indústria brasileira), e os clones CAP 11, CAP 06 e CAP 05 apresentaram menos de 2% de amêndoas quebradas. Os resultados apontaram os clones CAP 26 e CAP 06 como os mais promissores.

The main problem to Brazilian cashew growers is the orchard low productivity, presently below 220 kg ha-1 year-1 of nuts. For this reason, obtaining new selections is the main research goal. In this paper, the results of the evaluation of thirty rain-fed dwarf cashew clones (including four controls) carried out from April/1990 to February/1997 at the Estação Experimental, at Pacajus, CE, Brazil, are presented. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four replications and four plants per plot, spaced 7 m x 7 m. The results revealed that the clones CAP 01, CAP 05 and CAP 12 with 70% average higher than the controls (2.4 m) have a medium canopy size between the common type and the dwarf type. The canopy diameter of the clones CAP 10, CAP 06 and CAP 26 was 63% higher than the controls (4.8 m) and the clones CAP 02, CAP 07, CAP 24 and CAP 25 showed the lowest values for this trait. Nut yield of the clones CAP 12, CAP 18 and CAP 26 was, respectively, 1,510; 1,281 and 1,262 kg ha-1 at the fifth year, that is, 175% higher than that of the best control, and the clones CAP 12 and CAP 18 were the most regular among all clones during the evaluation period. The kernel weight ranged from 1.9 to 3.2 g and 16 clones presented kernel weighting more than 2.5 g which are the most valuable in the international market. Four clones presented kernel percentage (29.4% to 30.6%) higher than the best control (28.1%) which means 38% over the industrial average (22%), and the clones CAP 11, CAP 06, and CAP 05 had less than 2% of broken kernel. The results pointed out the CAP 06 and CAP 26 clones as the most promising ones.