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Seabirds exhibit physiological adaptations that allow them to forage in the marine environment and undertake long-distance migrations during non-reproductive periods. As a result, they face various natural and anthropogenic pressures, which can lead to extreme fatigue and even death. Stranded bodies that float in the sea can wash ashore, providing valuable ecological information. This study aimed to analyze seabird strandings along the south and southeast coasts of Brazil between 2016 and 2019, focusing on spatiotemporal and potential environmental and anthropogenic influences. Using data from the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project, we calculated ecological indices of abundance, richness, and diversity for the entire seabird community and separately by migratory behavior (resident, southern migratory, northern migratory). Statistical modeling revealed a strong decreasing trend in strandings from south to north, with higher events on the southern coast (Santa Catarina and Paraná) and lower on the southeast coast (São Paulo). Resident species and northern migratory species showed peak strandings in spring, while southern migratory peaked in winter. These spatial and temporal patterns reflected birds’ home ranges, reproductive cycles, and migratory behaviors. Environmental variables influenced strandings differently depending on species migration behavior and ecological indices, highlighting the role of oceanographic processes in carcass drift and the impact of climatic events on species mortality. This study is the first to demonstrate a spatiotemporal pattern of seabird strandings on the Brazilian coast, providing valuable insights into seabird dynamics in the Santos Basin and offering important data for conservation efforts.

Marine mammals are well adapted to their hyperosmotic environment. Several morphological and physiological adaptations for water conservation and salt excretion are known to be present in cetaceans, being responsible for regulating salt balance. However, most previous studies have focused on the unique renal physiology of marine mammals, but the molecular bases of these mechanisms remain poorly explored. Many genes have been identified to be involved in osmotic regulation, including the aquaporins. Considering that aquaporin genes were potentially subject to strong selective pressure, the aim of this study was to analyze the molecular evolution of seven aquaporin genes (AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, AQP4, AQP6, AQP7, and AQP9) comparing the lineages of cetaceans and terrestrial mammals. Our results demonstrated strong positive selection in cetacean-specific lineages acting only in the gene for AQP2 (amino acids 23, 83, 107,179, 180, 181, 182), whereas no selection was observed in terrestrial mammalian lineages. We also analyzed the changes in the 3D structure of the aquaporin 2 protein. Signs of strong positive selection in AQP2 sites 179, 180, 181, and 182 were unexpectedly identified only in the baiji lineage, which was the only river dolphin examined in this study. Positive selection in aquaporins AQP1 (45), AQP4 (74), AQP7 (342, 343, 356) was detected in cetaceans and artiodactyls, suggesting that these events are not related to maintaining water and electrolyte homeostasis in seawater. Our results suggest that the AQP2 gene might reflect different selective pressures in maintaining water balance in cetaceans, contributing to the passage from the terrestrial environment to the aquatic. Further studies are necessary, especially those including other freshwater dolphins, who exhibit osmoregulatory mechanisms different from those of marine cetaceans for the same essential task of maintaining serum electrolyte balance.

Strandings of marine mammals, seabirds, and marine turtles in coastal areas can provide valuable information on their ecology. However, gathering information by field teams often incur high costs and effort. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to detect stranded animals during beach monitoring programs. The study was carried out between 2016 and 2017 evaluating factors related to the UAV (height and camera angle) and the beach (morphology). Data obtained from the UAV was compared with the traditional method of in situ teams. A total of 120 aerial surveys were conducted on four beaches on the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Eighteen carcasses were recorded by both methods, traditional methodology and UAV. However, six other events were only recorded by in situ monitoring (traditional method) and one event recorded only by the UAV. The time interval between the beach monitoring by the two strategies is probably responsible for the differences. Despite obtaining high-quality aerial images and easily identifying strandings, the UAV cannot completely replace the traditional method due mainly to the impossibility to fly in adverse weather conditions such as high winds and rain. On the other hand, UAVs can complement the data collection information, with less consumption of fossil fuels and damage to the coastal environment.

Samples from individuals of the populations of Sotalia guianensis (Guiana) and Pontoporia blainvillei (Franciscana) dolphins living in the Babitonga Bay estuary (26° 28′ S/48° 50′ W), and samples from individuals of a second population of P. blainvillei from a nearshore area (26° 38′ S/48° 41′ W), were collected and analyzed along with their prey between 2000 and 2006, to determine the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios and to verify differences in their feeding ecology. No differences were found in the median ð15N values of Guiana (15.2‰) and Franciscana (15.9‰) dolphins living in Babitonga Bay, nor of nearshore Franciscana (15.0‰) individuals, suggesting no variation in the trophic level of these populations. However, the lack of more information on the isotopic compositions of their putative prey in the nearshore areas prevents the ability to draw definitive conclusions on this issue. The estuarine Franciscana and Guiana dolphin populations presented mean ð13C values of approximately −15.7‰, which were not statistically different from nearshore Franciscana individuals (−14.8‰). Based on stomach content analyses of these species from a previous study, it was reported that there was little overlap in the diet of estuarine Franciscanas and Guiana dolphins. However, based on the similarity of the ð13C values between these two species and of their putative prey, it appears that in fact there is an overlap in the diet of these two species. Based solely on stable isotope analysis, it was not possible to differentiate between estuarine and nearshore Franciscana populations, making it difficult to conclude whether captured nearshore specimens were indeed yearlong residents of these areas. Finally, this study suggests that Franciscana and Guiana dolphin populations are sharing the same resources, mostly L. brevis, D. rhombeus, and S. rastrifer. Therefore, the combination of resource sharing and commercial exploitation of their prey makes these two cetacean species vulnerable.

Clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus was detected in the South American sea lions found dead in Santa Catarina, Brazil, in October 2023. Whole genome sequencing and comparative phylogenetic analysis were conducted to investigate the origin, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potentials of the H5N1 viruses. The H5N1 viruses belonged to the genotype B3.2 of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus, which was identified in North America and disseminated to South America. They have acquired new amino acid substitutions related to mammalian host affinity. Our study provides insights into the genetic landscape of HPAI H5N1 viruses in Brazil, highlighting the continuous evolutionary processes contributing to their possible adaptation to mammalian hosts.

SIMMAM (Sistema de Apoio ao Monitoramento de Mamíferos Marinhos) has been available for marine mammal researchers and environmental agencies in Brazil since 2005. However, it had to be updated, to adapt to new standards and data sharing policies. SIMMAM 3.0 uses more modern technologies (PHP 7.4, Symfony 5.x, PostgreSQL 11.x, PostGIS 3.x, Leaflet 1.7) and is compliant to DarwinCore (DwC) standard and able to exchange data with other data portals that use it. Its database now holds more than 44000 marine mammal records and is an important tool in the decision-making process of Brazilian environmental agencies. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Footnotes * http://simmam.acad.univali.br/

Background Marine mammals are well adapted to their hyperosmotic environment. Several morphological and physiological adaptations for water conservation and salt excretion are known to be present in cetaceans, being responsible for regulating salt balance. However, most previous studies have focused on the unique renal physiology of marine mammals, but the molecular bases of these mechanisms remain poorly explored. Many genes have been identified to be involved in osmotic regulation, including the aquaporins. Considering that aquaporin genes were potentially subject to strong selective pressure, the aim of this study was to analyze the molecular evolution of seven aquaporin genes (AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, AQP4, AQP6, AQP7, and AQP9) comparing the lineages of cetaceans and terrestrial mammals. Results Our results demonstrated strong positive selection in cetacean-specific lineages acting only in the gene for AQP2 (amino acids 23, 83, 107,179, 180, 181, 182), whereas no selection was observed in terrestrial mammalian lineages. We also analyzed the changes in the 3D structure of the aquaporin 2 protein. Signs of strong positive selection in AQP2 sites 179, 180, 181, and 182 were unexpectedly identified only in the baiji lineage, which was the only river dolphin examined in this study. Positive selection in aquaporins AQP1 (45), AQP4 (74), AQP7 (342, 343, 356) was detected in cetaceans and artiodactyls, suggesting that these events are not related to maintaining water and electrolyte homeostasis in seawater. Conclusions Our results suggest that the AQP2 gene might reflect different selective pressures in maintaining water balance in cetaceans, contributing to the passage from the terrestrial environment to the aquatic. Further studies are necessary, especially those including other freshwater dolphins, who exhibit osmoregulatory mechanisms different from those of marine cetaceans for the same essential task of maintaining serum electrolyte balance.

A sinistralidade rodoviária tem apresentado grandes perdas para a humanidade. Por essa razão o estudo das causas de acidentes rodoviários é uma área que está em desenvolvimento, sendo particularmente importante em zona urbanas dado que atualmente é nessas zonas que ocorrem mais acidentes. No caso de Portugal, em 2012, cerca de 76% dos acidentes com vítimas e 50% das vítimas mortais ocorreram em meio urbano (ANSR, 2012). Tendo em conta que os acidentes rodoviários serão, num futuro próximo, uma das principais causas de morte a nível global, a gestão da segurança será um fator essencial para qualquer país. Neste contexto os Modelos de Previsão de Acidentes são fundamentais nos sistemas de gestão.O objetivo fulcral do presente estudo foi a identificação dos principais fatores que contribuem para ocorrência de acidentes de viação, através do desenvolvimento de modelos de previsão de acidentes, totais e apenas colisões envolvendo mortos e feridos, para as interseções de três ramos localizadas em zonas urbanas e periurbanas.O desenvolvimento do trabalho apoiou-se numa base de dados que contém 68 interseções de três ramos das Estradas Nacionais 14, 101 e 206 localizadas em zonas periurbanas e urbanas. Os dados nela contidos incluem os acidentes de viação, o tráfego e as características geométricas das interseções e segmentos limítrofes no período de 2008 a 2012. Relativamente às variáveis que compõem as características geométricas foram considerados três conjuntos: no primeiro conjunto as variáveis referentes à interseção, num segundo conjunto as variáveis resultantes da média de algumas variáveis geométricas da interseção e dos seus segmentos limítrofes, e por último o terceiro conjunto resultantes a diferença de algumas variáveis geométricas da interseção e dos seus segmentos limítrofes, que traduzem a consistência do traçado. Os modelos de previsão dos acidentes de viação foram desenvolvidos com o auxílio das técnicas de modelação dos Modelos Lineares Generalizados e de Zeros Inflacionados considerando as distribuições Binomial Negativa e Poisson e validados pela técnica da validação cruzada.Para a previsão de acidentes totais e das colisões, o modelo que apresentou o melhor resultado foi o Modelo Linear Generalizado Binomial Negativo, com variáveis explicativas representativas da consistência do traçado em ambos os casos. Desta forma, fica disponível uma ferramenta importante para fundamentação de intervenções nas infraestruturas com vista à melhoria da segurança rodoviária.

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that make use of the host metabolic machineries to meet their biosynthetic needs. Thus, identifying the host pathways essential for the virus replication may lead to potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The mechanisms and pathways explored by SARS-CoV-2 to support its replication within host cells are not fully known. Lipid droplets (LD) are organelles with major functions in lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis and intracellular transport, and have multiple roles in infections and inflammation. Here we described that monocytes from COVID-19 patients have an increased LD accumulation compared to SARS-CoV-2 negative donors. In vitro , SARS-CoV-2 infection were seen to modulate pathways of lipid synthesis and uptake as monitored by testing for CD36, SREBP-1, PPARγ, and DGAT-1 expression in monocytes and triggered LD formation in different human cell lines. LDs were found in close apposition with SARS-CoV-2 proteins and double-stranded (ds)-RNA in infected Vero cells. Electron microscopy (EM) analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero cells show viral particles colocalizing with LDs, suggestive that LDs might serve as an assembly platform. Pharmacological modulation of LD formation by inhibition of DGAT-1 with A922500 significantly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication as well as reduced production of mediators pro-inflammatory response. Taken together, we demonstrate the essential role of lipid metabolic reprograming and LD formation in SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis, opening new opportunities for therapeutic strategies to COVID-19.

Oropouche fever, an orthobunyavirus disease endemic in Brazilian Amazon, has caused many febrile epidemics. In 2024, an epidemic of Oropouche fever spread in Brazil, with more than 7930 cases reported between Jan 1 and Aug 31. Infections in pregnant people have suggested the possibility of negative fetal consequences, therefore we tested newborns with microcephaly for known congenital pathogens and Oropouche virus (OROV). In this case series, we assessed historical cases of infants born with microcephaly, arthrogryposis, and other congenital malformations without a confirmed cause and their mothers for potential OROV congenital infections. The study population consisted of infants born in Brazil with samples from 2015–21 and 2024. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from this case series were analysed for: syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, HIV, Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. Individuals that were negative for these pathogens were then tested for OROV. Pathogen testing included ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition testing for antibodies and RT-PCR for virus RNA. We tested 68 samples from 65 historical cases of congential malformations and three cases from 2024. All cases were from ten states in Brazil. Three historical cases tested positive for OROV and 62 historical cases tested negative. The three cases from 2024 all tested positive for OROV. Of the positive cases, five were female and one was male. Not all pathogens were tested for each case, and some did not have maternal samples available. One of the newborns (case 6) died aged 47 days and tissue samples were tested by real-time RT-PCR, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry assays. One other newborn died in 2016 but no post-mortem samples were available. OROV IgM was detected in five of five newborn CSF samples, and five of five newborn serum samples. Four of five maternal serum samples were positive for OROV IgM. One of four newborn CSF samples (case 6 at age 44 days) was OROV positive by real-time RT-quantitative PCR and 0 of four newborn serum samples were positive, as were 0 of three maternal serum samples. Case 6 had major tissue changes of the brain macroscopically and microscopically, including necrotic and apoptotic changes of neurons, microglia and astrocytes, vacuolisation, and tissue atrophy. OROV RNA was detected in brain, lungs, kidney, CSF, and pleural fluid; OROV antigens were found in CNS, liver, kidney, heart, and lung, mainly in neurons and microglia and also in endothelial cells, suggesting vasculitis. We detected OROV IgM in six of 68 newborns with microcephaly of unknown cause. One infant who died had OROV RNA and antigen in several tissues, including the brain. The possibility of OROV vertical transmission and potential fetal harm must be investigated with urgency. The evidence presented here does not completely confirm vertical transmission or congenital malformations due to OROV, but thorough case finding and detailed investigation of maternal or fetal OROV infection is a priority. Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente, and Ministry of Health and National Institute of Science and Technology for Emerging and Reemerging Viruses.