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São Paulo (SP), a densely inhabited state in southeast Brazil that contains the fourth most populated city in the world, recently experienced its largest yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak in decades. YFV does not normally circulate extensively in SP, so most people were unvaccinated when the outbreak began. Surveillance in non-human primates (NHPs) is important for determining the magnitude and geographic extent of an epizootic, thereby helping to evaluate the risk of YFV spillover to humans. Data from infected NHPs can give more accurate insights into YFV spread than when using data from human cases alone. To contextualise human cases, identify epizootic foci and uncover the rate and direction of YFV spread in SP, we generated and analysed virus genomic data and epizootic case data from NHP in SP. We report the occurrence of three spatiotemporally distinct phases of the outbreak in SP prior to February 2018. We generated 51 new virus genomes from YFV positive cases identified in 23 different municipalities in SP, mostly sampled from non-human primates between October 2016 and January 2018. Although we observe substantial heterogeneity in lineage dispersal velocities between phylogenetic branches, continuous phylogeographic analyses of generated YFV genomes suggest that YFV lineages spread in SP state at a mean rate of approximately 1km per day during all phases of the outbreak. Viral lineages from the first epizootic phase in northern SP subsequently dispersed towards the south of the state to cause the second and third epizootic phases there. This alters our understanding of how YFV was introduced into the densely populated south of SP state. Our results shed light on the sylvatic transmission of yellow fever in highly fragmented forested regions in SP state and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in sentinel species. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Background Since its first detection in the Caribbean in late 2013, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has affected 51 countries in the Americas. The CHIKV epidemic in the Americas was caused by the CHIKV-Asian genotype. In August 2014, local transmission of the CHIKV-Asian genotype was detected in the Brazilian Amazon region. However, a distinct lineage, the CHIKV-East-Central-South-America (ECSA)-genotype, was detected nearly simultaneously in Feira de Santana, Bahia state, northeast Brazil. The genomic diversity and the dynamics of CHIKV in the Brazilian Amazon region remains poorly understood despite its importance to better understand the epidemiological spread and public health impact of CHIKV in the country. Methodology/Principal Findings We report a large CHIKV outbreak (5,928 notified cases between August 2014 and August 2018) in Boa vista municipality, capital city of Roraima’s state, located in the Brazilian Amazon region. In just 48 hours, we generated 20 novel CHIKV-ECSA genomes from the Brazilian Amazon region using MinION portable genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that despite an early introduction of the Asian genotype in 2015 in Roraima, the large CHIKV outbreak in 2017 in Boa Vista was caused by an ECSA-lineage most likely introduced from northeastern Brazil. Epidemiological analyses suggest a basic reproductive number of R0 of 1.66, which translates in an estimated 39 (95% CI: 36 to 45) % of Roraima’s population infected with CHIKV-ECSA. Finally, we find a strong association between Google search activity and the local laboratory-confirmed CHIKV cases in Roraima. Conclusions/Significance This study highlights the potential of combining traditional surveillance with portable genome sequencing technologies and digital epidemiology to inform public health surveillance in the Amazon region. Our data reveal a large CHIKV-ECSA outbreak in Boa Vista, limited potential for future CHIKV outbreaks, and indicate a replacement of the Asian genotype by the ECSA genotype in the Amazon region.

Root growth is modulated by different factors, including phytohormones, transcription factors, and microRNAs (miRNAs). MicroRNA156 and its targets, the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) genes, define an age-dependent pathway that controls several developmental processes, including lateral root emergence. However, it remains unclear whether miR156-regulated SPLs control root meristem activity and root-derived de novo shoot regeneration. Here, we show that MIR156 and SPL genes have opposing expression patterns during the progression of primary root (PR) growth in Arabidopsis, suggesting that age cues may modulate root development. Plants with high miR156 levels display reduced meristem size, resulting in shorter primary root (PRs). Conversely, plants with reduced miR156 levels show higher meristem activity. Importantly, loss of function of SPL10 decreases meristem activity, while SPL10 de-repression increases it. Meristem activity is regulated by SPL10 probably through the reduction of cytokinin responses, via the modulation of type-B ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR1(ARR1) expression. We also show that SPL10 de-repression in the PRs abolishes de novo shoot regenerative capacity by attenuating cytokinin responses. Our results reveal a cooperative regulation of root meristem activity and root-derived de novo shoot regeneration by integrating age cues with cytokinin responses via miR156-targeted SPL10.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) aggregation increases the sustainability of the Electric Vehicles (EVs) market. For example, Fast Charging Stations (FCSs) associated with distributed generation and storage systems in a microgrid infrastructure may be beneficial in increasing self-consumption and peak-shaving strategies and mitigating impacts on the grid. However, microgrid sizing planning is a complex challenge, mainly due to numerous factors related to EV market growth and user behavior. This work defines a methodology focusing on sizing planning and analysis of microgrids for FCSs based on quantitative indices formulated according to the Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) concept, optimizing self-sufficiency and limiting impacts on the primary electrical grid. The methodology is applied to a real case study considering the growth of EVs in southern Brazil. The developed analyses demonstrate that the proposed microgrid meets the energy needs of the FCS and presents the best NZEB indexes within the considered study horizon. Additionally, representative profiles were characterized for different load and generation conditions, complementing the analyses. It was shown that the storage promotes a delay and reduction in the reverse peak power flow, further enhancing the NZEB indexes.

Technological development is key for national strategies to cope with the Paris Agreement’s goals. Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) aim to identify, prioritize, and diffuse climate change mitigation and/or adaptation technologies in developing countries. Their methodology includes a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework but, although many countries already conducted a TNA, literature lacks discussions on country-specific processes for a TNA, as it usually follows a one-size-fits-all approach. This paper provides empirical evidence on the importance of country-driven processes that help shaping international programmes into country-specific needs and capabilities. It presents lessons learned from a tailored process for identification, prioritization, and selection of mitigation technologies in the scope of a TNA project for Brazil, an exceptional case of a developing country with strong capacity in integrated assessment modelling (IAM) scenarios for guiding its climate strategies. A previous IAM scenario result allowed pre-selecting technologies in six key economic sectors, while other TNAs prioritized no more than three. This allowed the elaboration of an overall ranking from the MCDA, in contrast to sectoral rankings that are mostly employed in other countries’ TNAs. The overall ranking serves not only as a basis for the selection of priority technologies but also provides information on the integrated innovations framework for climate technologies in the country. Further specific findings of the tailored Brazilian TNA approach are discussed in the paper in order to call for the importance that a technology transfer project should not only be country-driven but also conducted through a country-specific process.

Brazil experienced a large dengue virus (DENV) epidemic in 2019, highlighting a continuous struggle with effective control and public health preparedness. Using Oxford Nanopore sequencing, we led field and classroom initiatives for the monitoring of DENV in Brazil, generating 227 novel genome sequences of DENV1-2 from 85 municipalities (2015–2019). This equated to an over 50% increase in the number of DENV genomes from Brazil available in public databases. Using both phylogenetic and epidemiological models we retrospectively reconstructed the recent transmission history of DENV1-2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed complex patterns of transmission, with both lineage co-circulation and replacement. We identified two lineages within the DENV2 BR-4 clade, for which we estimated the effective reproduction number and pattern of seasonality. Overall, the surveillance outputs and training initiative described here serve as a proof-of-concept for the utility of real-time portable sequencing for research and local capacity building in the genomic surveillance of emerging viruses. Here, the authors present results of the ZiBRA-2 project (https://www.zibra2project.org) which is an arbovirus surveillance project, across the Midwest of Brazil using a mobile genomics laboratory, combined with a genomic surveillance training program that targeted post-graduate students, laboratory technicians, and health practitioners in universities and laboratories.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes serious health-related infections, especially in intensive care units. The present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Riparin-B (Rip-B) alone and in association with norfloxacin against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii. For this, the minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by the microdilution method. For the evaluation of resistance-modulating activity, MIC values for antibiotics were determined in the presence or absence of subinhibitory concentrations of Rip-B or chlorpromazine (CPZ). The AdeABC-AdeRS efflux system genes from these isolates were detected by PCR. Docking studies were also carried out to evaluate the interaction of Riparin-B and the AdeABC-AdeRS efflux system. The study was conducted from 2017 to 2019. The results showed that Rip-B showed weak intrinsic activity against the strains tested. On the other hand, Rip-B was able to modulate norfloxacin’s response against A. baumannii strains that express efflux pump-mediated resistance. Docking studies provided projections of the interaction between Rip-B and EtBr with the AdeB protein, suggesting that Rip-B acts by competitive inhibition with the drug. Results found by in vitro and in silico assays suggest that Rip‐B, in combination with norfloxacin, has the potential to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant A. baumanni with efflux pump resistance.

Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de pais/cuidadores de pessoas com Síndrome de Down sobre qualidade de vida. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, que utilizou para coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada com 10 pais cuidadores de pessoas com Síndrome de Down. Para analisar os dados, recorreu-se a Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: observou-se que, os cuidadores são mães com idade acima de 30 anos, que se autodeclararam pardas, conviviam com um companheiro, praticavam algum tipo de atividade física e frequentaram alguma instituição de ensino. Além disso, possuíam como ocupação principal a função de cuidador. Os cuidadores relataram que o acesso ao lazer; à saúde; relações familiares; bem estar geral; material e direitos seriam os fatores que influenciam na qualidade de vida. Conclusão: concluiu-se que os pais cuidadores de pessoas com Síndrome de Down apresentaram diferentes concepções sobre a qualidade de vida.

Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de pais/cuidadores de pessoas com Síndrome de Down sobre qualidade de vida. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, que utilizou para coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada com 10 pais cuidadores de pessoas com Síndrome de Down. Para analisar os dados, recorreu-se a Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: observou-se que, os cuidadores são mães com idade acima de 30 anos, que se autodeclararam pardas, conviviam com um companheiro, praticavam algum tipo de atividade física e frequentaram alguma instituição de ensino. Além disso, possuíam como ocupação principal a função de cuidador. Os cuidadores relataram que o acesso ao lazer; à saúde; relações familiares; bem estar geral; material e direitos seriam os fatores que influenciam na qualidade de vida. Conclusão: concluiu-se que os pais cuidadores de pessoas com Síndrome de Down apresentaram diferentes concepções sobre a qualidade de vida.