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Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution and is of significant importance for One Health due to its zoonotic potential. Although its presence in terrestrial environments is well documented, little is known about its circulation and genetic diversity in the marine ecosystem. This study investigated the occurrence of T. gondii in seabirds rescued from the southern coast of Brazil, focusing on bioassay and molecular characterization. Tissue samples (the heart, brain, liver, lung, and pectoral muscle) from 76 seabirds were received. Of these, 26 were from Larus dominicanus , one Macronectes giganteus , one Pachyptila vittata , five Phalacrocorax brasilianus , two Procellaria aequinoctialis , two Puffinus puffinus , 35 Spheniscus magellanicus , two Sterna hirundo , and two Sula leucogaster . The samples of each bird were processed in pool for peptic digestion. The product of each digestion was inoculated (1 mL/SC) into three mice per bioassay/bird. DNA was extracted for molecular characterization using the PCR–RFLP technique with markers SAG1 , 5′-SAG2 , 3′-SAG2 , Alt. SAG2 , SAG3 , BTUB , GRA6 , c22-8 , c29-2 , L358 , PK1 , and Apico . Brain cysts were detected in 16 bioassays. The ToxoDB #170 genotype was identified as an isolate of kelp gull ( Larus dominicanus ) while another bioassay from the same species did not match the database, suggesting a previously undescribed genotype. Infection occurred through ingestion of sporulated oocysts present in the environment or in fish, bivalves, and crustaceans, which have demonstrated parasitic bioaccumulation. This work highlights the dispersal and infection capacity of different classes of T. gondii hosts and the role of birds as environmental sentinels for marine contamination.

The Great Shearwater, Ardenna gravis , is the largest and most abundant species of procellarid seabirds in the South Atlantic. A specimen of this shearwater was found dead and parasitized by a hard tick on Cima Beach, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the tick’s identity as Ixodes uriae . Molecular screening for Rickettsiales and Piroplasmida was conducted, and all results were negative, suggesting no immediate health threats. This study reports the first occurrence of this hard tick species parasitizing A. gravis in southern Brazil, highlighting the ecological and epidemiological implications of this finding. This record contributes to the understanding of tick-host interactions in migratory seabirds and emphasizes the need for further research on the ecological roles and health implications of ectoparasites in these avian populations.

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.

Background APOE‐ε4 carriers and individuals with unfavorable social determinants of health (SDH) profiles have an increased risk for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, the modification effect of SDH on the associations of APOE‐ε4 with AD pathology or AD pathology with AD dementia symptoms is yet to be understood, particularly in low‐ to middle‐income countries where social disparities play an important role in AD burden and might interact with genetic variants. Method This cross‐sectional study used data from the Biobank for Aging Studies. Individuals aged 50 years or older and whose next of kin (NOK) had at least a weekly contact with the deceased were included. Other causes of dementia besides AD pathology were excluded (n = 196). Individuals were classified into APOE‐ε4 carriers (at least one ε4 allele) and non‐carriers. The individual's NOK provided information on SDH. AD neuropathological changes (ADNC) were evaluated following international criteria using the CERAD and Braak stagings. Clinical Dementia Rating ‐ Sum of Boxes (CDR‐SB) was used to assess the extent of AD symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to create an SDH general factor. Logistic and linear regressions were used to investigate the associations of APOE‐ε4 with AD pathology and AD pathology with AD symptoms, respectively. Interactions of the SDH factor with APOE‐ε4 and AD pathology were tested for both associations. SDH‐profile‐stratified (favorable vs unfavorable SDH profiles based on the SDH factor's median) analyses were conducted for significant interactions. Result In 1,021 individuals, the mean (SD) age was 74.2(12.6) years old, 51.2% were women, and 35.1% were Black/Brown. The association of APOE‐ε4 genotype with AD pathology was not modified by the SDH factor (p = 0.264), while the association of AD pathology with AD symptoms was modified by the SDH factor (p = 0.001). In stratified analysis, the association of AD pathology with AD symptoms was stronger in the unfavorable (β=8.42; 95%CI=7.44, 9.39; p <0.001) compared to the favorable SDH group (β=7.90; 95%CI=7.04, 8.77; p <0.001). Conclusion SDH did not modify the association between APOE‐ε4 and AD pathology, while it modified the expression of dementia in participants with AD pathology. This association was stronger in individuals with unfavorable compared to favorable SDH profile.

Xanthan is a highly relevant commercial microbial biopolymer. Its production occurs in two steps: the bacterium is cultivated in a nitrogen-rich medium for cell multiplication, and the obtained biomass is used as an inoculum for the polymer production phase. Different media compositions for cell growth were investigated, seeking to reduce or replace the peptone used in the standard medium. Peptone (P), yeast extract (YE), and rice parboiling water (RPW) concentration combinations were tested in cultivating Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni 101. A CRD 23 design, performed in a shaker, was used to assess the effects of independent variables on xanthan pruni microbial growth, N consumption, yield, viscosity, pseudoplasticity, and xanthan mineral content. After 24 h an increase in N was observed, without any significant impact on cell growth. Xanthan yield increased as a result of the alternative treatments, with P and YE influencing positively. However, T1, with the lowest levels of P, YE, and RPW increased viscosity and pseudoplasticity of xanthan pruni. RPW increased phosphorus, silicon, calcium, and magnesium, and P and YE increased potassium. These results indicate that partial replacement of P by RPW and YE is an economically viable and sustainable approach for the xanthan pruni production.

APOE-ε4 carriers and individuals with unfavorable social determinants of health (SDH) profiles have an increased risk for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, the modification effect of SDH on the associations of APOE-ε4 with AD pathology or AD pathology with AD dementia symptoms is yet to be understood, particularly in low- to middle-income countries where social disparities play an important role in AD burden and might interact with genetic variants. This cross-sectional study used data from the Biobank for Aging Studies. Individuals aged 50 years or older and whose next of kin (NOK) had at least a weekly contact with the deceased were included. Other causes of dementia besides AD pathology were excluded (n = 196). Individuals were classified into APOE-ε4 carriers (at least one ε4 allele) and non-carriers. The individual's NOK provided information on SDH. AD neuropathological changes (ADNC) were evaluated following international criteria using the CERAD and Braak stagings. Clinical Dementia Rating - Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) was used to assess the extent of AD symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to create an SDH general factor. Logistic and linear regressions were used to investigate the associations of APOE-ε4 with AD pathology and AD pathology with AD symptoms, respectively. Interactions of the SDH factor with APOE-ε4 and AD pathology were tested for both associations. SDH-profile-stratified (favorable vs unfavorable SDH profiles based on the SDH factor's median) analyses were conducted for significant interactions. In 1,021 individuals, the mean (SD) age was 74.2(12.6) years old, 51.2% were women, and 35.1% were Black/Brown. The association of APOE-ε4 genotype with AD pathology was not modified by the SDH factor (p = 0.264), while the association of AD pathology with AD symptoms was modified by the SDH factor (p = 0.001). In stratified analysis, the association of AD pathology with AD symptoms was stronger in the unfavorable (β=8.42; 95%CI=7.44, 9.39; p <0.001) compared to the favorable SDH group (β=7.90; 95%CI=7.04, 8.77; p <0.001). SDH did not modify the association between APOE-ε4 and AD pathology, while it modified the expression of dementia in participants with AD pathology. This association was stronger in individuals with unfavorable compared to favorable SDH profile.

Purpose - The interest paid on own capital can benefit companies in the Brazilian capital market as it can be considered a business expense and is, therefore, deductible as a corporate tax. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of interest on equity (IOE) on capital structure decisions. Design/methodology/approach - The initial sample consisted of 524 publicly traded companies from different industries in the Brazilian capital market that were listed on Bovespa. Companies in the finance, insurance and funds industries were excluded from the sample due to the unique features of these financial intermediaries. Some companies in the initial sample were excluded due to a lack of published data, inactivity during the sample period, etc. Thus, the paper excluded those companies that did not have valid observations or failed to publish them. The final sample included 370 companies and covered the nine-year period from 1998 through 2006. Findings - To this end, the authors identified the main determinants of capital structure and analyzed, through panel data, the relationship of IOE in addition to other determinants of capital structure, such as size, profitability, investment opportunities, risk, sales growth, real interest rate and real exchange rate, in corporate debt. The novel contribution of this study is the inclusion and analysis of the IOE in studies on the determination of capital structure of Brazilian companies. A new capital structure scenario was created when Law No. 9.249/95 required changes in legislation, ceasing the restatement of balance sheets and allowing companies to compensate their stockholders through IOE. Before this change, companies could only benefit from the tax benefits of debt, using debt capital. Now, they can also benefit from the use of equity because, by requiting equity through the IOE, deductions of income tax and social contributions on net income are allowed by tax law because the IOE may be considered a financial expense. Originality/value: The authors were not able to find any other publication of a similar study in a review of the extant empirical literature.