State Of Bahia Research Articles

Reconstructing the historical distribution and local extinction of the giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis in the Atlantic Forest of South America

Abstract Quantifying the distribution of an endangered species in space and time is crucial for planning management and conservation actions. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered South American mammal that is considered to be extinct in the Atlantic Forest biome. Historical records of P. brasiliensis were used to reconstruct its original distribution in the Atlantic Forest biome. Based on the historical records and ecological niche models, the original distribution and amount of habitat area lost for the species were estimated. The potential impacts of dams in planning reintroductions for the species were also assessed. Twenty‐six records of P. brasiliensis made between 1769 and 1999 were found. Most of the records are concentrated in the Paraná River basin. Only six records were based on voucher specimens and photographs. Areas in the southern (Paraná state, Brazil) and central (Bahia and Minas Gerais states, Brazil) Atlantic Forest were recovered as highly suitable for the species, even after considering the negative impact of dams. The ecological niche models suggested that P. brasiliensis formerly occupied an area of 909,257 km2 in the Atlantic Forest. The forested rivers, along the upper Paraná basin, in northern Argentina and southern Brazil were the last refugia of the species. Pelt trade was probably a major factor in the species' disappearance, which is evidenced by the fact that Brazilian stakeholders, in Atlantic Forest sites, restricted giant otter hunting as early as 1948. The results show that historical records and ecological niche models can be effectively combined and may guide in‐situ conservation actions by identifying potential areas for reintroductions.

Spatial scan statistics and identification of high-risk areas for COVID-19 in the state of Bahia, Brazil

Introduction: The number of COVID-19 cases in Brazil has increased substantially in all regions of the country. The North and Northeastern region of Brazil has been severely affected by COVID-19, with high mortality rates. The first case of COVID-19 in northeastern Brazil was confirmed in the state of Bahia. The state is also the largest in the region in terms of area and population size. The study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of incidence and mortality rates due to COVID-19 in the state of Bahia, Brazil.
 Methods: An observational study was carried out with COVID-19 data accumulated on May 16, 2020. Global and local Moran statistics and spatial scan statistics were used.
 Results: Between March 6, 2020 and May 16, 2020 there were 8,288 confirmed cases and 284 deaths (1.9/100,000) of COVID-19 in Bahia state. Over that time frame the incidence risk of disease was 55,7 (95%CI 54,1-58,2) per 100,000 individuals at risk. The mortality rate is 1.9 per 100,000 (95%CI 1,81-1.98). The spatial scan statistics identified five high-risk clusters for incidence rate, among which cluster 1 stood out, with 86 municipalities. This cluster accounts for 85.24% of all cases registered in the state, and it has a RR of 10.6.
 Conclusion: The study showed heterogeneous distribution of occurrence and death in Bahia, with areas of higher relative risk in the east and south. Actions to fight the disease in the state must take into account the risk areas identified in the study.
 Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; spatial analysis.

Expanding the knowledge on the diversity of the cavernicolous Styloniscidae Vandel, 1952 (Oniscidea, Synocheta) from Brazil, with descriptions of two new species from the semiarid karst regions.

Two new species of Pectenoniscus from two caves in karst areas of the Brazilian semiarid region are described. Pectenoniscuspankaru Campos-Filho, Torres & Bichuette, sp. nov. from Gruna do Govi cave, Serra do Ramalho karst area, state of Bahia, and Pectenoniscusfervens Campos-Filho, Taiti & Bichuette, sp. nov. from Toca Coroa do Frade cave, Barra Bonita karst area, state of Piauí. In addition, specimens of Cylindroniscusflaviae from Gruta da Tapagem (= Caverna do Diabo), Açungui karst area were also recorded. An updated diagnosis of Pectenoniscus and a distribution map of the species examined herein are given.

Pollen characterization of the bee flora from a Caatinga area of Northeast Brazil

Background: Plants and bees have coevolved throughout geological time, establishing a mutualistic relationship that results in feeding/resource obtention by bees and the reproductive success of angiosperms.
 Questions and Hypotheses: What is the floristic composition of the vegetation visited by bees in the Caatinga? How are pollen grains from Caatinga bee plant species characterized? Do pollen grains of bee plant species present characters that could be associated with the pollination process?
 Studied species: We studied the pollen grains of 45 bee plant species belonging to 41 genera and 23 angiosperm families. Among the studied species, 37 % are endemic to Brazil, and eight species are endemic to the Caatinga biome.
 Study site and dates: Apiary within the Caatinga biome, in the State of Bahia, Brazil. Climate warm semiarid. Fieldwork was carried out between August 2016 and June 2017.
 Methods: Plants in bloom and being visited by Apis mellifera were collected during biweekly field expeditions, herborized, identified, and deposited at the HUNEB herbarium. Pollen grains were acetolyzed, characterized, and microphotographed under light microscopy.
 Results: Forty-five bee plants were collected and classified according to field observations and specialized literature. Pollen morphology was variable, and nine species had their pollen morphology described for the first time. The apertures of the studied pollen grains were mainly tricolporate (44 %), pantoporate (15 %), and inaperturate (13 %), and exine ornamentation was mainly (micro)reticulate (46 %) and (micro)echinate (33 %).
 Conclusions: Our results suggest that bee plants present a set of palynological characters that may favor entomophily.
 
 
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Phylodynamics of Alagoas vesiculovirus in Brazil.

The vesicular stomatitis virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, genus Vesiculovirus. Four species (New Jersey, Indiana, Cocal, and Alagoas) are responsible for disease outbreaks in Western Hemisphere countries. In Brazil, the Alagoas virus is responsible for the main outbreaks of the disease, mainly in the states of the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast regions of the country. The present study aimed to perform the genetic characterization of 41 vesicular stomatitis virus samples. RNA was extracted using Trizol and used to amplify part of gene P. Amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method. The phylogenetic trees generated showed that Alagoas vesiculoviruses were positioned into three groups: group A formed by the first virus isolate; group B by isolates from states in the Northeast region; and group C by isolates from the states of Bahia, Goiás, and Tocantins. Their divergence to date has generated the formation of two genotypes evolving independently in regions that until the present study had little geographic overlap.

Social relations of gender in contexts of precarious water supply and their impacts on women in rural areas

A significant portion of the Brazilian population is excluded from easy access to water, especially in rural areas. Women play a fundamental role in terms of water resources in this context. Given the theoretical gaps on this subject, this study aims to analyse the social construction that determines the unequal division of domestic demands related to water supply between women and men in three rural areas studied for the development of the National Rural Sanitation Programme of Brazil: Barreiro Amarelo and Nova Esperança in the State of Bahia and Pontal do Buriti Settlement in the State of Goiás. The qualitative methodology, based on the principles of grounded theory, applies semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and thematic-categorical content analysis. The results indicate that the unequal dedication to water demands is based on sexist logic, determined by the sexual division of labour and influenced by the patriarchal culture. Thus, activities with less social prestige demanding daily dedication are women’s responsibility. There is evidence that improvements in water supply positively impact women’s lives, especially their health. Moreover, water policies should be interrelated with social and gender policies, reducing inequalities and improving women's quality of life.

Nutrient partition and nutritional efficiency of mango cv. Palmer as a function of plant age in São Francisco Valley, Brazil

Knowing the accumulation of nutrients in mango plants is essential for calibrating fertilization programs aiming to increase yield in nutritionally unbalanced orchards. The work aimed to evaluate mango nutritional efficiency through nutrient accumulation and partitioning in plants of Palmer cultivar grown in sand soils at São Francisco Valley, Northwest Brazil. Commercial orchards located in Bahia and Pernambuco States, Brazil, under semi-arid climate (BShw; 400-800 mm annual rainfall) had the vegetable biomass and nutrient contents in the mango compartments determined in 1, 2, 4, 7, and 12 years old plants, by evaluating four plants of each age from 20 sample units. The separated samples of the harvested trees originated the compartments roots, stems, thick twigs, thin twigs, leaves and fruits. Nutrient contents and plant dry matter per compartment were determined and plant nutrient accumulation evaluated. Biomass and fruits coefficient of biological utilization were calculated. There was increment in the accumulated content of macronutrients in the mango plants over the years, with superiority for N and K, for which there was a sharp increase as compared to the other macronutrients. Manganese and Fe were the most accumulated micronutrients in the plants over the years. The canopy of the mango Palmer plants is the compartment that accumulates more macro and micronutrients, and the partition within the canopy occurs in the sequence: leaf> thin twig> thick twig. Phosphorus and Mg, and Cu and B are the nutrients more efficient to generate plant biomass and fruit production in the mango Palmer orchards.

Epidemiological study of the bee stings in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil, from 2010 to 2019

Introduction: envenomation and deaths by bee stings have increased in all regions of Brazil. However, there are few epidemiological studies on them, especially in the states of northeastern Brazil. Objective: to determine the epidemiological characteristics of bee stings in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, from 2010 to 2019. Methodology: this is a descriptive and analytical epidemiological study conducted through a retrospective survey of secondary data provided by the database of the Notifiable Diseases Information System of the Ministry of Health. Results: between 2010 and 2019, a total of 7,979 cases were analyzed. Incidents were distributed in 356 municipalities, with the highest frequency in the regions of Agreste and Sertão da Bahia. Cases occurred in all months of the investigated years, with a greater occurrence in urban areas, affecting mainly adult men. The anatomical region of the body most affected by the sting was the head and most cases received medical care within 3 hours after the incident. Local manifestations were more frequent than systemic ones. The injuries were predominantly classified as mild and progressed to cure. Conclusions: the high number of cases and their extensive spatial distribution reveal that bee stings may be considered an emerging and neglected public health problem in the state of Bahia.

Introduction of ultra-processed foods and associated factors among children under six months of age in the Southwest of the state of Bahia, Brazil

The scope of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors with the introduction of ultra-processed food (UPF) among children under six months of age living in the southwest of Bahia state. This is an excerpt from a prospective cohort study conducted with pairs of mothers/babies. The introduction of UPF was defined by the intake of at least one UPF before the age of six months. Socioeconomic, maternal, paternal, gestational, and child-related information was gathered by the application of questionnaires. To analyze the factors associated with the outcome, Poisson regression was performed according to a hierarchical model. P-value<0.05 and 95% confidence interval are considered. A total of 300 mother/baby pairs were evaluated. Before 6 months, 31.3% of children have already received UPF. With greater introduction of cookies/biscuits (23.3%) and yogurt (14.3%). The introduction of UPF before six months of age was higher among families with lower income (p=0.038), lower maternal education (p=0.031), lower maternal (p=0.017) and paternal (p=0.013) age, among children who had cow's milk <6 months (p<0.001) and tea <30 days (p=0.005). The results demonstrate the need for interventions aimed at reducing the introduction of UPF, especially for low-income families, with less education and among younger parents.

Are there geogenic relationships for Lithium between geology, geochemical anomalies and low levels of violence in the region of Guanambi, State of Bahia, NE Brazil? / Existem relações geográficas para o Lítio entre geologia, anomalias geoquímicas e baixos níveis de violência na região de Guanambi, Estado da Bahia, NE do Brasil?

Lithium has been applied for therapeutic purposes in the treatment of mental health disorders, such as bipolar affective disease, in the prevention of behaviour changes, and may be related, to some extent, to the reduction of suicide and violence. In Brazil, the main occurrences of lithium are found in the east/northeast region. In the Guanambi domains, in south-central Bahia, until recently, there were no references to lithium occurrences. The geology of the region is characterized by the monzo-syenitic batholith of Guanambi and its associated late intrusions (2.05Ga), where important manifestations of a pneumatolithic character are described. There are also evaporitic levels, interspersed with carbonate members of the São Francisco Supergroup (Bambuí Group - 650Ma). The Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM) carried out an extensive geochemical survey, sampling and analysing water, sediments and soils. The geostatistical treatment and interpretation of these data revealed the existence of lithium anomalies in the Guanambi domains, in sites that spatially overlap the rocks of the Guanambi batholith and the carbonate rocks of the Bambuí Group. According to Atlas da Violência (2019), in Guanambi the homicide rate was 30.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, that is, it is lower than the average homicide rate in Brazil (31.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants), or the average rate in Bahia (48.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants). The relationships between lithium and health can be addressed by medical geochemistry. This article is relevant to the community of geoscientists and health planners, whose objective is to investigate the hypothesis put forward of the effective relationship between geogenic lithium levels and the homicide rate in these sites in the State of Bahia.

Coarazuphium bambui (Carabidae: Zuphiini), a new cave-dwelling beetle from the threatened region of Serra do Ramalho, Brazil.

To date, 20 species of obligate cave-dwelling beetles are known from Brazil, and 12 belong to the Coarazuphium genus. In this paper, we describe Coarazuphium bambui sp. n., from two specimens, one male and one female, collected in the Gruna Boca da Lapa cave located in the municipality of Feira da Mata (Bahia state, Brazil). The most striking difference between C. bambui and other species of the genus is the presence of three pairs of fixed setae posteriorly on the head, combined with the slightly elytral sinuosity. We also provide an updated key for species identification of the Coarazuphium genus. Finally, we highlight the importance of the Serra do Ramalho karst area for the conservation of troglobite diversity in the Brazilian context.

Climatic risk zoning for potential occurrence of cacao moniliasis disease in Northeastern Brazil under the influence of ENSO phases

Air temperature and relative humidity are the main drivers of many fungal diseases, such as moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri), which affects cocoa production worldwide. This disease occurs in some Latin American countries; however, it has not yet occurred in Brazil. Moniliasis could cause serious damage to the Brazilian cocoa production if present in the country. Therefore, to know the risks of moniliasis to cocoa production in the largest Brazilian producing region, in the state of Bahia, this study investigated the climatic favorability for the occurrence of this disease in this state, by defining and mapping the climatic risks and by assessing the influence of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases on it. Historical daily temperature and relative humidity data (1988–2018) from 28 weather stations of the national weather network in the state of Bahia were obtained. The risk index for cocoa moniliasis occurrence (RICM) was determined, based on the number of days five levels of favorability. Spatial interpolation of seasonal and annual RICM was done through a multiple linear regression method using latitude, longitude, and altitude as predictor variables. The maps showed a high spatial and temporal RICM variability in the state of Bahia, with the highest risk for moniliasis occurrence in the eastern part of the state, where most producing areas are located. The ENSO phase showed to influence cocoa moniliasis occurrence, with the years with a transition between El Niño and Neutral phases being the most critical for this disease in majority of assessed locations. These results show that cocoa producers in the state of Bahia, Brazil, should be concerned with moniliasis occurrence as a potential disease for their crops, mainly in the traditional producing regions and when ENSO is in a transition from El Niño to neutral.

Contributions of action research and use of active methodological approaches for the construction of a discipline in management

PurposeThe study aims to investigate how the action research contributes to the collective construction of a discipline in management. This issue was the motivation for the present study, which was developed from the experience of master's degree students attending the post-graduate program in management of an institution in the State of Bahia, Brazil.Design/methodology/approachThe overall objective of this study is to understand the method's effectiveness for this aim, whereas the specific objectives are to identify the commitment of the subjects in the activities proposed and to assess the effectiveness of the use of active methods in the discipline construction. The theoretical background is regarding digital education transformation, active teaching methods and action research. As for the qualitative perspective, the methodological approach of choice was that of participant observation (for data collection) and content analysis.FindingsIt was possible to highlight the awakening of critical sense and the effectiveness of action research in enhancing the protagonism of the master's degree students in the construction of their own knowledge.Originality/valueThis study not only contributes to the field of applied social sciences but also opens a precedent for the experience of collective construction of a discipline in another area of knowledge by means of action research. Another factor demonstrating the relevance of this study is the production of essays and articles by master's degree students in which active methodologies were related to themes of interest.

Morphological variation and genealogical discordance in Caatinga sand lizards Calyptommatus Rodrigues 1991 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) with the description of a new species.

In the last decades, a remarkable fauna of psammophilous and fossorial squamates was discovered in sandy habitats of the semiarid Caatinga of northeast Brazil. Despite the increasing accumulation of genetic data from this unique fauna, an incomplete knowledge of its diversity still hampers a better understanding of its origins and diversification. The fossorial lizard genus Calyptommatus (Gymnophthalmidae) is endemic to sandy habitats of the Caatinga, being currently represented by four allopatric species. In this study, we used morphological and molecular data to assess population-level variation in Calyptommatus. We found a new morphotype of Calyptommatus from the state of Bahia, Brazil, readily distinguished from congeners by the presence of a frontal scale. Morphological, nuDNA and geographic data support the recognition of a new species herein described as Calyptommatus frontalis sp. nov. Nevertheless, genetic data revealed mito-nuclear+morphology discordance, with populations with frontal scales distributed in three distantly related mtDNA clades, suggesting either potential historical and/or current introgressions or incomplete lineage sorting. Further data are needed to clarify the status of the two other mtDNA clades displaying a frontal scale.

Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic compounds in guarana (Paullinia cupana) seeds subjected to different drying processes

In this study, the levels of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxygenated derivatives (oxy-PAHs) were investigated in guarana seeds (Paullinia cupana) subjected to different drying methodologies. An innovative extraction method combined with a miniaturized dispersive solid-phase extraction cleanup procedure was developed for the determination of PACs concentration. Thirteen-eight guarana seed samples subjected to three different drying methodologies (sun drying, greenhouse drying, and alguidar furnace drying) were collected from different rural producers in the South Region of the State of Bahia, Brazil. Principal component analysis and diagnostic ratios were used to evaluate the correlation between samples and the PACs and the main sources of contamination. According to the results, the average concentration of PACs found in sun-dried, greenhouse-dried, and alguidar-dried ranged from 1.30 µg kg−1 (coronene) to 114 µg kg−1 (fluorene), from 0.48 µg kg−1 (dibenzo[a,h]anthracene) to 128 µg kg−1 (fluorene), and from 6.0 µg kg−1 (anthracene) to 422 µg kg−1 (phenanthrene). Oxy-PAHs, such as 1,4-NQ was detected predominantly in sun-dried and greenhouse-dried samples at concentrations ranging from 30.7 µg kg−1 to 83.9 µg kg−1. Low molecular weight PAHs, such as naphthalene, acenaphthylene, and fluorene were found in most of the samples independently of drying methodology. However, high molecular weight PAHs, including the carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene was found predominately in alguidar-dried samples in concentrations higher than 20 µg kg−1.

Temporal trend, space risk and factors associated with the occurrence of dengue in northeast Brazil, 2009-2018.

Dengue is an acute viral disease of major relevance and impact on public health, causing major epidemics around the world, especially in tropical regions. Here we aimed to analyse the temporal trend and spatial risk, as well as social vulnerability factors, associated with the occurrence of dengue in the state of Bahia, Brazil between 2009 and 2018. This is an ecological study carried out with all suspected cases of dengue in Bahia between 2009 and 2018. The data were obtained from the National Notifiable Diseases Information System, available on the website of the Health Department of the State of Bahia, and from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. We used the Joinpoint regression model, local empirical Bayesian model for smoothing, global and local Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics. The relationship between the dengue incidence rate and social determinants was tested using Moran's bivariate correlation. During the study period, 451847 probable dengue cases were registered in Bahia. A declining trend was observed in 39.28% (n=11) of the state's health regions and 60.71% (n=17) showed a stationary tendency. The spatiotemporal scanning statistic showed nine clusters of dengue occurrence. The largest cluster had a radius of 342.14km, consisting of 160 municipalities, 120094 cases (710.20 cases/100000 inhabitants) and a relative risk of 2.80. In the multivariate regression model, 11 variables showed a significant association: Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), SVI urban infrastructure, SVI human capital, MHDI longevity, MHDI education, proportion of people living in households with per capita income less than half the minimum wage (in 2010) and who spend more than 1h commuting, proportion of mothers who are heads of household who did not complete elementary school and with children <15y of age, activity rate of persons ages 10-14y and per capita income. In the analysis of the spatial distribution, areas of risk of disease transmission throughout the state were identified. These results can provide subsidies for the strategic planning of actions, as well as for the implementation of programs and/or public policies in order to control the incidence of dengue in the population.

A cosmopolitical education: Indigenous language revitalization among Tuxá people from Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT The Tuxá people from Rodelas, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, traditionally live at the São Francisco riverbanks. Because of their historical dwelling in the place, many more-than-human relations have been established, especially with their ancestors, supernatural beings known as encantados who continue to live in the land. Nowadays, Tuxá teachers, working on a specific school curriculum, are revitalizing Dzubukuá, a language that they currently master only to a certain extent and within ritual contexts. Strengthening the relations with the encantados due to their continuous political struggle to guarantee Indigenous rights, the Tuxá have been emboldening their engagement with Dzubukuá revitalization through both the ritual communication with encantados and the linguistic studies based on a colonial bilingual catechism written in Portuguese and Dzubukuá. Here I demonstrate how Tuxá’s understanding of territoriality, inhabited along with other cosmological entities, can offer a view of Indigenous knowledge, education, and resistance in Northeast Brazil.

Differentiated Primary Healthcare in the Pataxó Indigenous Communities in Bahia, Brazil: Polyphonic Ethnography of Healthcare Practices from an Intercultural Perspective

A lack of culturally appropriate healthcare is a common problem for colonial nations, and this can explain the different patterns of health in indigenous populations worldwide. Our study is the first ethnography realized with the neglected Pataxó indigenous people from the south of the state of Bahia, Brazil, that analyzes the representations and practices of “differentiated” public healthcare. The polysemic conceptualization and polymorphism of the healthcare practices highlight some spontaneous intercultural competences, particularly those of the indigenous professionals, within the hegemony of non-indigenous health knowledge and the lack of awareness of intercultural healthcare. Intercultural training and empowerment still remain a priority.

Hydraena bahiana sp. n., a new minute moss beetle (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae) from highlands of Northeast Brazil.

Hydraena (Hydraenopsis) bahiana sp. nov. is described from Bahia State, Northeast Brazil, based on three specimens collected in pools at the headwater of a stream, 1,705 m. asl. The new species belongs to the Hydraena scintillabella subgroup of the leechi group. Description and diagnostic characters are offered; habitus photographs and line drawings of both male and female genitalia are provided. Habitat and distributional data of the new species are also included.

Territory, neglected diseases and the action of community and endemic combat agents.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To characterize knowledge, practices, and professional experience of community health agents (ACS) and endemic combat agents (ACE) on leprosy and Chagas disease (DC), during participation in an integrated training workshop in the IntegraDTNs-Bahia project.METHODS Descriptive and exploratory case study, involving health agents and endemic combat agents participating in a training workshop on the shared role of these professionals in health care and surveillance processes. The project was developed in the municipalities of Anagé, Tremedal and Vitória da Conquista, in the southwestern State of Bahia, 2019–2020. A specific instrument was applied, with questions related to knowledge and practices of surveillance and care for leprosy and Chagas disease. Descriptive analysis of the data, in addition to consolidation of the lexical analysis, was performed.RESULTS Out of a total of 135 participants (107 ACS and 28 ACE), 80.7% of them have been working for at least 12 years, without previous participation in joint training processes. Only 17.9% of endemic combat agentes reported having participated in training on leprosy and none reported developing specific actions to control the disease. For Chagas disease, 36.4% of community health agents participated in training more than a decade before, while for 60.7% of endemic combat agents the last training was carried out in the last five years. The development of educational actions for Chagas disease was more frequent for endemic combat agents (64.3%). When asked about ways of recognizing diseases, the term “skin spots” was the most reported (38 times) for leprosy and, for Chagas disease, the term “I don’t know” (17 times).CONCLUSION Processes of health agents and endemic combat agents action in realities endemic for leprosy and Chagas disease in the interior of Bahia proved to be fragmented in the territories. For these diseases, the distance between surveillance and health care actions is reinforced, including in training processes. The importance of innovative permanent and integrated education actions is reiterated to actually promote changes in practices.