Harmer, Tanya y Alfredo Riquelme Segovia (eds.). 2014. Chile y la Guerra Fría global. Santiago de Chile: RIL Editores [324 pp.].

La obra reseñada constituye un aporte fundamental para comprender distintos procesos políticos y sociales de la historia de Chile durante el siglo XX, en el marco de la Guerra Fría. Para ello, se compone de variados estudios que consideran diferentes perspectivas y focos de análisis sobre temas relevantes, siendo un esfuerzo novedoso y de alta calidad, pues promueven una visión integradora de los fenómenos ocurridos en Chile, a través de las relaciones e interacciones entre múltiples actores ..

Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for the Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs in Biological and Clinical Samples

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi has been classified into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), designated as TcI–TcVI. In order to effectively use this standardized nomenclature, a reproducible genotyping strategy is imperative. Several typing schemes have been developed with variable levels of complexity, selectivity and analytical sensitivity. Most of them can be only applied to cultured stocks. In this context, we aimed to develop a multiplex Real-Time PCR method to identify the six T. cruzi DTUs using TaqMan probes (MTq-PCR).Methods/Principal Findings: The MTq-PCR has been evaluated in 39 cultured stocks and 307 biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients from different geographical regions and transmission cycles in comparison with a multi-locus conventional PCR algorithm. The MTq-PCR was inclusive for laboratory stocks and natural isolates and sensitive for direct typing of different biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients with acute, congenital infection or Chagas reactivation. The first round SL-IR MTq-PCR detected 1 fg DNA/reaction tube of TcI, TcII and TcIII and 1 pg DNA/reaction tube of TcIV, TcV and TcVI reference strains. The MTq-PCR was able to characterize DTUs in 83% of triatomine and 96% of reservoir samples that had been typed by conventional PCR methods. Regarding clinical samples, 100% of those derived from acute infected patients, 62.5% from congenitally infected children and 50% from patients with clinical reactivation could be genotyped. Sensitivity for direct typing of blood samples from chronic Chagas disease patients (32.8% from asymptomatic and 22.2% from symptomatic patients) and mixed infections was lower than that of the conventional PCR algorithm.Conclusions/Significance: Typing is resolved after a single or a second round of Real-Time PCR, depending on the DTU. This format reduces carryover contamination and is amenable to quantification, automation and kit production.This work received financial support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Argentina [PICT 2011-0207 to AGS] and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Argentina (CONICET) [PIP 112 2011-010-0974 to AGS]. Work related to evaluation of biological samples was partially sponsored by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) [Small Grants Program PAHO-TDR]; the Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi, Geneva, Switzerland), Wellcome Trust (London, United Kingdom), SANOFI-AVENTIS (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and the National Council for Science and Technology in Mexico (CONACYT) [FONSEC 161405 to JMR]

La crisis del sistema democrático: las elecciones presidenciales y los proyectos políticos excluyentes. Chile 1958 – 1973

Isabel Torres Dujisin, La crisis del sistema democrático: las elecciones presidencialesy los proyectos políticos excluyentes. Chile 1958 – 1973, EditorialUniversitaria, Santiago, 2014, 421 páginas

La discusión cívica y moralizadora en el discurso anticomunista de la derecha conservadora chilena, 1932-1938

The article proposes to analyze how the conservative right grounded its anticommunist discourse between the end of the Socialist Republic (1932) and the triumph of the Popular Front (1938) in Chile, a period characterized by political organization of the left. It explains the way in which the conservatives employed the political strategy of fear in order to develop the main axes of their political discourse. After analyzing political documents and press items of a conservative tendency, it deduces four aspects that were present in the construction of the anticommunist discourse of the conservatives: 1) the crisis and the defense of the historical project; 2) the defense of authority and discipline for institutional stability; 3) the moral recomposition of the citizens; and 4) the defense of the hierarchy, liberty and the unequal nature of the citizens