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Insects of the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) are often used to assess the conditions of aquatic environments, but few studies have examined the differences in these communities between riffles and pools. Our objective was to test whether riffles shelter greater richness and abundance of EPT, as well as to assess the sensitivity of these insects for detecting impacts from different land uses in streams in southeastern Brazil. Samples were collected in the dry season of 2012 with a Surber sampler in riffles and pools of nine streams (forest, pasture, and urban areas). Principal component analysis distinguished the streams according to different land uses as a function of percentage of plant cover and water oxygenation level and showed partial distinction between riffles and pools as a function of current speed and percentage of ultrafine sand. Detrended correspondence analysis indicated the distinction in EPT composition between riffles and pools, except in urban streams. The results of this study confirm the expected differences in the EPT fauna structure between riffles and pools, especially in forest and pasture environments. The individual metrics of riffle and pool assemblages showed significantly different responses to land use. Therefore, we suggest individual sampling of riffles and pools, since the metrics of these assemblages’ insects can differ between these habitats and influence the results of assessments in low-order streams.

Aim The objectives of this study were to evaluate which allometric measurements of Leptonema larvae are most suitable in order to develop mathematical equations to describe biomass relationships for the population of this taxon in a reference condition headwater stream. Methods We measured four body dimensions (body length, interocular distance, horizontal width of cephalic capsule and vertical width of the cephalic capsule) of 65 Leptonema larvae, which were collected in February 2022, in the Taboões spring, Serra do Rola Moça State Park, Minas Gerais, using a Surber sampler. For the determination of allometric measurements, each individual was photographed under a dissecting stereomicroscope (Leica M80) equipped with a digital camera. Each photographed specimen's length was measured using the Motic Image Plus 2.0 software. After measuring the linear body dimension and direct measurement of the biomass, we used these values to calculate the length-mass mathematical equations. To the equations use power models: DM = a Lb, where a/b are constants, DM is the dry mass, L is the linear body dimension. Results Among body dimensions of Leptonema larvae, body length showed the greatest range of variation, with values ranging from 4.03 to 25.28 mm, followed by head capsule vertical width (0.51 - 2.69 mm), head capsule horizontal width (0.55 - 2.22 mm) and interocular distance (0.24 - 1.88 mm). Our results show that body length provided the best-fitting equation for estimating biomass (R2 = 0.90). However, we observed a close fit between the other allometric measures, including high coefficients of determination, head capsule horizontal width (R2 = 0.85), interocular distance (R2 = 0.82), head capsule vertical width (R2 = 0.78). Conclusions These results will be useful in providing the best allometric measurement and equations to estimate the biomass of Leptonema larvae from the tropics. Resumo Objetivo Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar quais medidas alométricas do corpo das larvas de Leptonema são mais adequadas, a fim de desenvolver equações matemáticas para descrever as relações de biomassa para a população deste táxon em riachos de cabeceira. Métodos Foram medidas quatro dimensões corporais (comprimento corporal, distância interocular, largura horizontal da cápsula cefálica e largura vertical da cápsula cefálica) de 65 larvas de Leptonema, que foram coletadas no mês de fevereiro de 2022, no manancial Taboões, Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola Moça, Minas Gerais, utilizando amostrador Surber. Para a determinação das medidas alométricas, cada indivíduo foi fotografado em um estereomicroscópio dissecante (Leica M80) equipado com câmera digital. O comprimento de cada espécime foi medido usando o software Motic Image Plus 2.0. Após a medição da dimensão corporal linear e medição direta da biomassa, utilizamos esses valores para calcular equações comprimento-massa. Para às equações, usamos modelos de potência: DM = a Lb, onde a/b são constantes, DM é a massa seca, L é a dimensão corporal linear. Resultados O comprimento do corpo apresentou a maior variação, com valores variando de 4,03 a 25,28 mm, seguido pela largura vertical da cápsula cefálica (0,51 - 2,69 mm), largura horizontal da cápsula cefálica (0,55 - 2,22 mm) e distância interocular (0,24 - 1,88 mm). Nossos resultados mostram que o comprimento do corpo forneceu a equação de melhor ajuste para estimar a biomassa (R2 = 0,90). No entanto, observamos um ajuste próximo entre as demais medidas alométricas, retornando altos coeficientes de determinação, largura horizontal da cápsula cefálica (R2 = 0,85), distância interocular (R2 = 0,82), largura vertical da cápsula cefálica (R2= 0,78). Conclusões Esses resultados podem ser úteis para fornecer as melhores medidas alométricas e equações para estimar a biomassa de larvas de Leptonema de riachos tropicais.

Abstract Aim Our objective was to assess the extent to which reference sites within the Caraça Sanctuary protect surface water quality and physical habitat structure. We expected that outside the Sanctuary, human pressures—such as urbanization, untreated domestic sewage discharge, and riparian deforestation—would result in poorer water quality and altered physical habitat structure. We hypothesized that the Caraça Sanctuary maintains streams with high physical habitat integrity and water quality. Methods Data were collected from 28 stream sites, including assessments of 22 physical habitat attributes and 12 water quality parameters. In addition, land use and land cover in the upstream microbasins were analyzed, and a rapid assessment protocol was applied at each site to evaluate riparian vegetation and physical habitat diversity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the key variables explaining variation among sites and to distinguish those located within and outside the Sanctuary. Two PCA biplots were generated: one for the habitat structure data and another for the water quality data. Results The first two PCA axes explained 50% of the variability in physical habitat structure and 48% in water quality, with the latter most affected at sites near urban and mining areas. Conclusions The results indicate that the Caraça Sanctuary provides a valuable reference area for the upper Rio Doce basin.

The use of higher taxonomic levels or substitute groups for biomonitoring can be cost effective and allows more sites to be sampled. For this purpose, it is important to test the similarity of spatial patterns identified by analyses of data on the distribution of the different assemblages and/or the distinct taxonomic levels. In this study, we compared analyses based on groups of macroinvertebrates to test the potential effectiveness of using reduced taxonomic resolution (families) to distinguish streams under different degrees of conservation belonging to a single watershed, located in southeastern Brazil. We also evaluated the possibility of using presence-absence data of genera of Chironomidae and species of Oligochaeta for classification of streams. Finally, we chose a subset of insect genera with morphological structures that allow rapid taxonomic identification, and tested the concordance with the other groups of macroinvertebrates and with indicator taxa selected by indicator species analysis. Despite the small scale of the study, our results showed high values of concordance between the subset of insect genera (25 genera) and the indicator taxa, followed by the families of macroinvertebrates and Chironomidae genera. Besides this, our results indicate the possibility of using presence-absence data for genera of Chironomidae and species of Oligochaeta to differentiate streams subject to marked environmental alterations. Due to the influences of geographic context and spatial scale on the distribution of organisms, we suggest that the method described in this study be tested before it is applied in different catchments and regions. We believe reduced taxonomic resolution or subsets formed by only a few taxa can be used in biomonitoring protocols of small streams in order to produce reliable results in less time.

The replacement of native vegetation with monoculture eucalyptus plantations and the growing demand for water are strongly threatening the springs and, consequently, the fauna present. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of eucalyptus plantations on the taxonomic and functional structure of aquatic oligochaete assemblages in Neotropical springs, assessing if (1) the taxonomic and functional diversities of aquatic oligochaetes are related to each other and (2) the replacement of vegetation cover by eucalyptus monoculture alters the composition and functional parameters of aquatic oligochaetes. The study was conducted in 20 springs located on private properties where eucalyptus forestry is predominant, in the Paraíba do Sul River sub-basin, Brazil. A positive relationship was found between taxonomic and functional parameters. PERMANOVA found that springs located in forested areas had a different taxonomic composition of oligochaetes compared to springs in eucalyptus areas, and all generalized linear models (GLM) pointed to the area as significant. Our results help to understand the influence of eucalyptus monoculture on the taxonomic and functional structure of oligochaetes.

Hydropower dams and their reservoirs are major disturbances affecting riverine ecosystems worldwide. However, most existing knowledge comes from large hydropower systems. We evaluated the upstream and downstream effects of a small run-of-river hydropower dam on the functional structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in a Neotropical savanna river. We found that functional originality and divergence were significantly higher near the dam site. In contrast, functional dispersion was higher at free-flowing sites upstream and downstream of the dam. Sites near the dam had greater proportions of univoltine organisms with spherical and low-flexibility bodies. On the other hand, free-flowing sites had increased proportions of multivoltine organisms with flattened bodies and flexible. The macroinvertebrate assemblages at all sites were mainly homogeneous and composed functionally generalist taxa. This study enhances our understanding of the environmental effects of small run-of-river dams on benthic macroinvertebrates, emphasizing the usefulness of functional characteristics for those assessments.

The influence of substrate homogenization on the taxonomic structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages is well known worldwide. However, understanding the response thresholds of macroinvertebrate assemblages to a fine sediment deposition gradient is rarely reported for neotropical regions. Furthermore, most studies focus on taxonomic indicators, without considering the functional aspects of benthic macroinvertebrates. Therefore, we used taxonomic and functional analyses to assess the threshold responses of macroinvertebrate assemblages to fine sediments in 40 neotropical savanna streams in the hydrological unit of the Furnas hydropower reservoir. We found that stream locations with increased fine sediment supported lower taxonomic and functional composition, negatively selecting for the functional traits of gill respiration and flattened and streamlined body shape. In contrast, integument respiration and spherical body characterized macroinvertebrates positively associated with fine sediments. We also found that taxonomic (Shannon and Simpson indices) and functional (functional richness and functional evenness) indicators were sensitive to habitat homogenization resulting from increased fine sediments. We strongly recommend that energy companies monitor hydropower basins by identifying areas with accumulations of fine sediments, using the taxonomic and functional components of macroinvertebrates in the biomonitoring of neotropical streams. This information is of critical importance for future rehabilitation efforts to avoid siltation of tropical hydropower dams. Besides intense unplanned urbanization and agriculture, the climate crisis is predicted to increase intense tropical rains and sediment transport in headwater streams. Benthic structure and functional composition are early warning signals of environmental degradation and important indicators for long-term monitoring and rehabilitation investments worldwide.

The influence of substrate homogenization on the taxonomic structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages is well known worldwide. However, understanding the response thresholds of macroinvertebrate assemblages to a fine sediment deposition gradient is rarely reported for neotropical regions. Furthermore, most studies focus on taxonomic indicators, without considering the functional aspects of benthic macroinvertebrates. Therefore, we used taxonomic and functional analyses to assess the threshold responses of macroinvertebrate assemblages to fine sediments in 40 neotropical savanna streams in the hydrological unit of the Furnas hydropower reservoir. We found that stream locations with increased fine sediment supported lower taxonomic and functional composition, negatively selecting for the functional traits of gill respiration and flattened and streamlined body shape. In contrast, integument respiration and spherical body characterized macroinvertebrates positively associated with fine sediments. We also found that taxonomic (Shannon and Simpson indices) and functional (functional richness and functional evenness) indicators were sensitive to habitat homogenization resulting from increased fine sediments. We strongly recommend that energy companies monitor hydropower basins by identifying areas with accumulations of fine sediments, using the taxonomic and functional components of macroinvertebrates in the biomonitoring of neotropical streams. This information is of critical importance for future rehabilitation efforts to avoid siltation of tropical hydropower dams. Besides intense unplanned urbanization and agriculture, the climate crisis is predicted to increase intense tropical rains and sediment transport in headwater streams. Benthic structure and functional composition are early warning signals of environmental degradation and important indicators for long-term monitoring and rehabilitation investments worldwide.

Health literacy is a dynamic and multidimensional concept. Examining health literacy among higher education students and teachers is crucial for promoting informed health decisions and encouraging healthier behaviors. Our study aimed to measure health literacy among higher education students and teachers, assess the impact of sociodemographic variables, and compare health literacy levels between these groups. This study is a Portuguese Academic Health Literacy Network (RALS) project. Data were collected via a questionnaire, including the HLS-EU-Q16 and sociodemographic and health information-seeking behavior items. The statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The executive boards of the participating universities and polytechnic institutes were initially informed about the objectives of the study and the prior approval obtained from an ethics committee. We then requested that the institutions use their official email databases to distribute invitations to students and teachers to complete the online questionnaire. The sample consisted of 5,798 students and 1,823 teachers. The majority were women, with students predominantly aged 20-30 years and teachers mostly over 40 years. Compared with students, teachers presented higher health literacy levels (p < 0.001). Specifically, 45.0% of the students and 31.5% of the teachers had inadequate or problematic health literacy. Graduate students and PhD-holding teachers had superior literacy scores (p < 0.001). Economic sufficiency (highest OR: students 2.708; teachers 3.310) and self-health perception positively influenced health literacy (highest OR: students 1.974; teachers 2.284), whereas nonhealthy fields decreased the likelihood of positive health literacy (lowest OR: students 0.583; teachers 0.456). For students, age and educational level were significant factors for positive literacy levels, whereas for teachers, professional background in health was key. Sex and chronic disease presence were not significant for either group. The study highlights a meaningful portion of students with inadequate health literacy (45%). Socioeconomic factors, including education and economic resources, significantly influence health literacy. Additionally, involvement in health-related fields and better self-assessed health correlate with higher health literacy. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and training to enhance health literacy across the academic community.

The complete safety and efficacy of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) remain unclear in the literature and, to our knowledge, there are no current meta-analyses on phaco-ECP versus phacoemulsification alone to date. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing these two strategies through studies, assessing the effectiveness and safety of outcomes in a population with glaucoma. The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023482376). We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to December 2023. A random-effects model was used for all analyses due to heterogeneity. Review Manager 5.3 (Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Denmark) was used for statistical analysis. Finally, nine studies were included in this comprehensive review and a total of 5389 eyes were analyzed in our study. In comparison to the ECP and phacoemulsification group, those receiving phacoemulsification alone showed better results in best-corrected visual acuity (MD 0.09; CI 95% 0.03 to 0.16; I²=0%), but worse outcomes in intraocular pressure (IOP) (MD -1.49; 95% CI -2.29 to -0.68; I²=29%) and use medications (MD -0.75; 95% CI -0.94 to -0.56; I²=0%) in the last visit. Complication rates, both general and serious, were significantly different between the groups, indicating the potential impact of combined procedures on patient outcomes. Thus, combining ECP with phacoemulsification for glaucoma treatment showed sustained IOP reduction and decreased medication dependence. However, higher complication rates suggest careful consideration of risks. More extensive research with larger trials and longer follow-ups is needed to validate findings and address limitations, providing valuable insights into this treatment approach.