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In the last decades, a number of studies based on historical records revealed the diversity loss in the oceans and human-induced changes to marine ecosystems. These studies have improved our understanding of the human impacts in the oceans. They also drew attention to the shifting baseline syndrome and the importance of assessing appropriate sources of data in order to build the most reliable environmental baseline. Here we amassed information from artisanal fishermen's local ecological knowledge, fisheries landing data and underwater visual census to assess the decline of fish species in Southeastern Brazil. Interviews with 214 fishermen from line, beach seine and spearfishing revealed a sharp decline in abundance of the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix, the groupers Epinephelus marginatus, Mycteroperca acutirostris, M. bonaci and M. microlepis, and large parrotfishes in the past six decades. Fisheries landing data from a 16-year period support the decline of bluefish as pointed by fishermen's local knowledge, while underwater visual census campaigns show reductions in groupers' abundance and a sharp population decline of the Brazilian endemic parrotfish Scarus trispinosus. Despite the marked decline of these fisheries, younger and less experienced fishermen recognized fewer species as overexploited and fishing sites as depleted than older and more experienced fishermen, indicating the occurrence of the shifting baseline syndrome. Here we show both the decline of multigear fisheries catches - combining anecdotal and scientific data - as well as changes in environmental perceptions over generations of fishermen. Managing ocean resources requires looking into the past, and into traditional knowledge, bringing historical baselines to the present and improving public awareness.

In the aftermath of 2019’ tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth, we assessed ground beetle communities of the Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Mozambique. The influence of habitat shelters, namely the buffering role of closed microhabitat conditions on Alpha diversity and community trait values during a long period of drought, was evaluated across the main habitat types of the park: miombo forests, mixed forests, transitional forests, and grasslands (open savannas). These habitat types comprised a distance gradient in relation to lake Urema, in the center of GNP. Miombo forests were farther from the lake while grasslands and transitional forests were in the floodplain area. Ground beetle communities were sampled using pitfall traps set up at 25 sites of each habitat type along an environmental gradient of tree canopy cover during the last twenty days of the dry season. Higher species richness of ground beetles was found in closed habitat shelters along the distance gradient to lake Urema. A higher functional diversity was also found along the canopy gradient, with larger sized and wingless species being more abundant in closed habitats than in open areas. This result highlights the crucial role of habitat closedness in the protection of sensitive ground beetles. In particular, the buffer effect of tree canopy and the protection of the understory plants and the litter layer was critical for the survival of hygrophilous species and will be key in conservation strategies to face climate aridification and habitat fragmentation.

Very elderly critically ill patients (ie, those older than 75 or 80 years) are an increasing population in intensive care units. However, patients with cancer have encompassed only a minority in epidemiological studies of very old critically-ill patients. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with hospital mortality in a cohort of patients aged 80 or older with cancer admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). This was a retrospective cohort study in 94 ICUs in Brazil. We included patients aged 80 years or older with active cancer who had an unplanned admission. We performed a mixed effect logistic regression model to identify variables independently associated with hospital mortality. Of 4604 included patients, 1807 (39.2%) died in hospital. Solid metastatic (OR = 2.46; CI 95%, 2.01-3.00), hematological cancer (OR = 2.32; CI 95%, 1.75-3.09), moderate/severe performance status impairment (OR = 1.59; CI 95%, 1.33-1.90) and use of vasopressors (OR = 4.74; CI 95%, 3.88-5.79), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.54; CI 95%, 1.25-1.89) and renal replacement (OR = 1.81; CI 95%, 1.29-2.55) therapy were independently associated with increased hospital mortality. Emergency surgical admissions were associated with lower mortality compared to medical admissions (OR = 0.71; CI 95%, 0.52-0.96). Hospital mortality rate in very elderly critically ill patients with cancer with unplanned ICU admissions are lower than expected a priori. Cancer characteristics, performance status impairment and acute organ dysfunctions are associated with increased mortality.

This study detected Anaplasma marginale in calvesusing blood smears and nested PCR (nPCR) and to compare the results with the clinical signs presented by calves on a dairy farm in the municipality of Castanhal, located northeast of the state Pará (1°07’19.1”S and 47°53’53.0”W), eastern Amazon. To this end, 192 blood samples were collected from 24 animals at 1-20, 21-41 and 42-60 days of age. Blood smears and nPCR with primers for the msp5 gene were performed. The prevalence of A. marginale was 61.5% (118/192) for the blood smear technique and nPCR (msp5). The manifestation of clinical signs of anaplasmosis also increased significantly over the course of the study (P < 0.0001), being lower in animals aged 1-20 days, but increasing among those aged 21-41 and 42-60 days. These signs were characterized by apathy, fever, weight loss, diarrhea, dehydration, and hypochromic mucous membranes. Regarding the evaluation of the diagnostic techniques, no significant difference was observed in the detection of A. marginale between the blood smear and nPCR (P = 0.995), but the agent’s rickets increased on Day 47 (P < 0.01) in both tests, thereby demonstrating a near-linear pattern of increase in rickets over the 60 days, with a consequent decrease in globular volume. This shows that of the 24 animals studied, 21 were infected at some point during the study period. Additionally, there was no significant difference between blood smears and nPCR, probably due to medium and high parasitemia, which were directly related to the clinical signs and decrease in globular volume. RESUMO: Objetivou-se, na construção deste trabalho, detectar Anaplasma marginale por meio do esfregaço sanguíneo e Nested PCR (nPCR) e comparar os resultados com os sinais clínicos apresentados pelos bezerros em uma propriedade leiteira localizada no município de Castanhal, região nordeste do estado do Pará (1°07’19,1”S e 47°53’53,0”W), Amazônia Oriental. Para isso, foram coletadas 192 amostras sanguíneas de 24 animais, divididos em três períodos: 1-20, 21-41 e 42-60 dias de idade. Foram realizados esfregaços sanguíneos e nPCR com iniciadores para o gene msp5. A prevalência de A. marginale foi de 61,46% (118/192) tanto para a técnica de esfregaço sanguíneo quanto para nPCR (msp5). A manifestação de sinais clínicos da anaplasmose também foi significativamente crescente ao longo do estudo (P < 0,0001), sendo menor em animais de 1 a 20 dias, mas expandindo-se entre os de 21 a 41 dias e 42 a 60 dias, esses sinais foram caracterizados por apatia, febre, perda de peso, diarreia, desidratação e mucosas hipocoradas. Quanto a avaliação das técnicas diagnósticas, não houve diferença significativa entre a detecção de A. marginale no esfregaço sanguíneo e na nPCR (P = 0,995), porém se observou aumento riquetsêmico do agente no 47º dia (P < 0,01) em ambos os testes, demonstrando, assim, um padrão de aumento da riquetsemia próximo ao linear ao longo dos 60 dias, com consequente diminuição do volume globular. Assim, demonstra-se que dos 24 animais estudados, 21 se infectaram em algum momento do período estudado, e não houve diferença significativa entre esfregaço sanguíneo e nPCR, em virtude, provavelmente, das parasitemias médias e altas, as quais estiveram diretamente relacionadas com os sinais clínicos e a diminuição do volume globular.

Microalgae biomass products are gaining popularity due to their diverse applications in various sectors. However, the costs associated with media ingredients and cell harvesting pose challenges to the scale-up of microalgae cultivation. This study evaluated the growth and nutrient removal efficiency (RE) of immobilized microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus in sodium alginate beads cultivated in swine manure-based wastewater compared to free cells. The main findings of this research include (i) immobilized cells outperformed free cells, showing approximately 2.3 times higher biomass production, especially at 10% effluent concentration; (ii) enhanced organic carbon removal was observed, with a significant 62% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (383.46–144.84 mg L−1) within 48 h for immobilized cells compared to 6% in free culture; (iii) both immobilized and free cells exhibited efficient removal of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, with high REs exceeding 99% for phosphorus. In addition, microscopic analysis confirmed successful cell dispersion within the alginate beads, ensuring efficient light and substrate transfer. Overall, the results highlight the potential of immobilization techniques and alternative media, such as biodigested swine manure, to enhance microalgal growth and nutrient RE, offering promising prospects for sustainable wastewater treatment processes.

P21 is a protein secreted by all forms of Trypanosoma cruzi ( T. cruzi ) with recognized biological activities determined in studies using the recombinant form of the protein. In our recent study, we found that the ablation of P21 gene decreased Y strain axenic epimastigotes multiplication and increased intracellular replication of amastigotes in HeLa cells infected with metacyclic trypomastigotes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of P21 in vitro using C2C12 cell lines infected with tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes (TCT) of wild-type and P21 knockout (TcP21 −/− ) Y strain, and in vivo using an experimental model of T. cruzi infection in BALB/c mice. Our in-vitro results showed a significant decrease in the host cell invasion rate by TcP21 −/− parasites as measured by Giemsa staining and cell count in bright light microscope. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed that TcP21 −/− parasites multiplied intracellularly to a higher extent than the scrambled parasites at 72h post-infection. In addition, we observed a higher egress of TcP21 −/− trypomastigotes from C2C12 cells at 144h and 168h post-infection. Mice infected with Y strain TcP21 −/− trypomastigotes displayed higher systemic parasitemia, heart tissue parasite burden, and several histopathological alterations in heart tissues compared to control animals infected with scrambled parasites. Therewith, we propose that P21 is important in the host–pathogen interaction during invasion, cell multiplication, and egress, and may be part of the mechanism that controls parasitism and promotes chronic infection without patent systemic parasitemia.

Objective. This research aimed to assess the intake of vitamin E and its relationship with lipid peroxidation markers and C-reactive protein levels in patients with flu symptoms and COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods. A cross-sectional study with 121 patients of both sexes assisted at two basic health units in the city of Teresina, Piauí, with COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, was performed between the 3rd and 7th days of flu symptoms. The global nutritional status and the measurement of waist circumference were assessed according to the World Health Organization recommendations. The dietary energy intake, macronutrients, and vitamin E consumption were assessed through the 24 hr food recall method. The malondialdehyde plasmatic concentration (MDA) was measured through the method of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was assessed through the oxidation speed of the o-dianisidine substrate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by a high-sensitivity immunoturbidimetry method. Results. The most common symptoms reported by the participants were sore throat, fever, and cough. Regarding the global nutritional status evaluation, the majority of the sample had overweight. The dietary intake of vitamin E was 100% inadequate and presented a mild correlation (r = 0.197) with MDA, a redox status marker. No correlation was observed among MPO, CRP, and the dietary intake of vitamin E. Conclusion. The dietary intake of vitamin E was related to MDA as the marker of redox status.

This study aimed to produce and characterize the microstructure and mechanical properties of dense polycrystalline bovine hydroxyapatite (DPBHA) bioceramics with 5% and 8% of TiO2 nanoparticles after final synthetization for future use in dental implants. Structural characterization was obtained from analyzes by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and relative density and apparent porosity. The mechanical characterization was performed by measuring the fracture toughness after three‐point flexural strength (FS) test. The microstructural characterization results showed no secondary phase formation and nonhomogeneous nanoparticle dispersion in HA matrix. DPBHA/Np8% (2.9 ± 0.09 g/cm3) exhibited significantly greater density than DPBHA (2.7 ± 0.03 g/cm3) (p = 0.011) and DPBHA/Np5% (2.7 ± 0.05 g/cm3) (p = 0.041). DPBHA (0.9%) had the smallest porosity followed by DPBHA/Np8% (3.4%). DPBHA/Np5% (4.5%) exhibited the greatest proportion of pores. Pure HA (51.7 ± 10.3 MPa) and DPBHA/Np8% (47.4 ± 6.4 MPa) had significant greater FS (p < 0.001) than DPBHA/Np5% (28.8 ± 3.1 MPa). DPBHA (0.43 ± 0.01 MPa m1/2) and DPBHA/Np8% (0.40 ± 0.06 MPa m1/2) presented greater KIc than DPBHA/Np5% (0.23 ± 0.02 MPa m1/2) (p < 0.003; p < 0.007). In conclusion, 8% TiO2 nanoparticle addition to this synthesis would be a promising HA blend, as mechanical properties were similar, and the relative density/apparent porosity showed superior results than those of the DPBHA. Bovine hydroxyapatite (HA) can facilitate the development of sustainable products. HA‐based ceramics can be considered a potential biomaterial for dental implants. TiO2 has been a viable alternative to improve mechanical parameters of materials.

Opossums are considered resistant to rabies. Nonhematophagous bats are reservoirs of rabies in urban areas of South America. We analyzed bats and opossums tested for rabies during 2021 in a highly urbanized city in Brazil to understand spillover in an urban setting. Wildlife surveillance is necessary to prevent rabies in humans and domestic animals.

Diets rich in omega-3 or -6 fatty acids will produce different profiles for cell membranes phospholipid constitutions. Omegas 3 and 6 are part of the diet and can modulate the inflammatory profile. We evaluated the effects of the oral absorption of fish oil, when associated with a lipid nanoemulsion in an experimental pulmonary inflammatory model. Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease associated with excessive extracellular matrix deposition. We determined to investigate the morphophysiological mechanisms in mice that were pretreated after induction with bleomycin (BLM). The pretreatment was for 21 days with saline solution, sunflower oil (SO), fish oil (FO), and fish oil nanoemulsion (NEW3). The animals received a daily dose of 50 mg/Kg of docosahexaenoic acid DHA and 10 mg/Kg eicosapentaenoic (EPA) (100 mg/Kg), represented by a daily dose of 40 µL of NEW3. The blank group was treated with the same amount daily (40 µL) during the 21 days of pretreatment. The animals were treated with SO and FO, 100 mg/Kg (containing 58 mg/Kg of polyunsaturated fats/higher% linoleic acid) and 100 mg/Kg (50 mg/Kg of DHA and 10 mg/Kg EPA), respectively. A single dose of 5 mg/mL (50 μL) bleomycin sulfate, by the intratracheal surgical method in BALB/cAnNTac (BALB/c). NEW3 significantly reduced fibrotic progression, which can be evidenced by the protection from loss of body mass, increase in respiratory incursions per minute, decreased spacing of alveolar septa, decreased severity of fibrosis, and changes in the respiratory system. NEW3 attenuated the inflammatory changes developed in the experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis, while group SO showed a significant increase in inflammatory changes. This concluded that the presented results demonstrated that is possible to positively modulate the immune and inflamamtory response to an external agressor, by changing the nutitional intake of specific fatty acids, such as omega-3 placed in fish oil. Moreover, these benefits can be improved by the nanoencapsulation of fish oil in lipid nanoemulsions.