Brazilian State Research Articles

A new synonymy in the Lethaeini of the Neotropics (Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae), with new country records for Petissius spinipes (Stål)

ABSTRACT Lethaeini is a diverse tribe within Rhyparochromidae, with Lethaeus Dallas being the most speciose genus. This study is focused on the poorly documented Lethaeus lepidus White, the only species in the genus recorded from the Neotropics. Through a reexamination, this species is considered a new synonym of Petissius spinipes Stål. The examined material is sourced from recent field expeditions in natural areas in Brazil, as well as from entomological collections. In addition, the types of the described species were studied from high-definition photographs. The distribution of P. spinipes is updated, indicating that the species is widely distributed in the Neotropics, and filling a large geographic gap with many new locality records. Distribution map including the new records and high-definition illustrations of the species and diagnostic characters are provided. As a result of the findings presented, there are currently no documented representatives of the genus Lethaeus in the New World. With the previouly significant geographical gap between Argentina and Guyana, the 12 new Brazilian state records substantially amplify our undertanding into the species’ range. This emphasizes the indispensable role of entomological collections and the need for dedicaded sampling expeditions to enhance our undertanding of overlooked taxa, as is often the case for Rhyparochromidae.

Systematics of Pilielmis Hinton, 1971 (Coleoptera: Dryopoidea: Elmidae).

Pilielmis is a small genus of Neotropical Elmidae found in the Amazon basin and French Guiana, with distribution in five countries: Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Peru, and Venezuela. Currently, seven species of Pilielmis are known, six of which were described in the original description of the genus by Hinton (1971), and the most recent one was described by Polizei & Barclay (2019). In this paper, we review the genus Pilielmis based on the analysis of type-specimens and material collected in different regions of northern South America. A phylogenetic study was performed to hypothesize the relationship between all species of Pilielmis and to test the monophyly of this genus. For this purpose, 42 morphological characters of adults were investigated, among them some structures that were not illustrated and described in the original descriptions. As result, all seven previously known species were redescribed with standardized morphological information. Three new species were discovered in the examined material: Pilielmis baniwa sp. nov., Pilielmis muricula sp. nov., Pilielmis nheengatu sp. nov. A key for identification of the adults of Pilielmis is proposed and new records for Suriname, Peru, and some Brazilian states are presented. The phylogenetic analysis corroborated the monophyly of Pilielmis and presented phylogenetic information from characteristics not used before in the taxonomy of the genus, such as mouth parts and female ovipositor.

Hospitalizations for coronavirus disease 2019: an analysis of the occurrence waves

The pandemic has been characterized by several waves defined by viral strains responsible for the predominance of infections. We aimed to analyze the mean length of hospital stay for patients with COVID-19 during the first three waves of the pandemic and its distribution according to sociodemographic and clinical variables. This retrospective study used the notifications of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in a Brazilian state during the period of the three waves of the disease as the data source. There were 13,910 hospitalizations for confirmed COVID-19 cases. The first wave was the longest, with 4101 (29.5%) hospitalizations, while the third, although shorter, had a higher number of hospitalized patients (N = 6960). The average length of stay in the hospital in all waves was associated with age groups up to 60 years old., elementary, high school and higher education, residents of the periurban area Regarding the presence of comorbidities, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean number of days of hospitalization among patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and obesity (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has been distinctly revealed among the waves.

Emergence and dissemination of equine-like G3P[8] rotavirus A in Brazil between 2015 and 2021.

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis globally that is classically genotyped by its two immunodominant outer capsid proteins, VP7 (G-) and VP4 (P-). Recent evidence suggests that the reassortant equine-like G3P[8] strain played a substantial role in RVA transmission in Brazil since 2015. To understand its global emergence and dissemination in Brazilian territory, stool samples collected from 11 Brazilian states (n = 919) were genotyped by RT-qPCR and proceeded to sequence the VP7 gene (n = 102, 79 being newly generated) of the G3P[8] samples with pronounced viral loads. Our phylogenetic genotyping showed that G3P[8] became the dominant strain in Brazil between 2017 and 2020, with equine-like variants representing 75%-100% of VP7 samples in this period. A Bayesian discrete phylogeographic analysis strongly suggests that the equine-like G3P[8] strain originated in Asia during the early 2010s and subsequently spread to Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. Multiple introductions were detected in Brazil between 2014 and 2017, resulting in five national clusters. The reconstruction of the effective population size of the largest Brazilian cluster showed an expansion until 2017, followed by a plateau phase until 2019 and subsequent contraction. Our study also supports that most mutations fixed during equine-like G3P[8] evolution were synonymous, suggesting that adaptive evolution was not an important driving force during viral dissemination in humans, potentially increasing its susceptibility to acquired immunity. This research emphasizes the need for comprehensive rotavirus genomic surveillance that allows close monitoring of its ever-shifting composition and informs more effective public health policies.IMPORTANCEOur original article demonstrated the origin and spread in a short time of equine-like G3P[8] in Brazil and the world. Due to its segmented genome, it allows numerous mechanisms including genetic drift and reassortment contribute substantially to the genetic diversity of rotavirus. Although the effectiveness and increasing implementation of vaccination have not been questioned, a matter of concern is its impact on the emergence of escape mutants or even the spread of unusual strains of zoonotic transmission that could drive epidemic patterns worldwide. This research emphasizes the need for comprehensive rotavirus genomic surveillance, which could facilitate the formulation of public policies aimed at preventing and mitigating its transmission.

Open government data use: The Brazilian states and federal district cases.

This paper presents the results of an online survey and subsequent interviews investigating whether, how, and why public administrations of Brazilian states and the federal district (Federation Units) use open government data. According to the literature reviewed, the questions were categorized into four big groups: benefits, barriers, enablers, and drivers. The Survey method, based on a questionnaire followed by interviews, was used to collect and analyze data from the open data officers of 26 Brazilian Federation Units. The use of open government data is controversial as responses from the questionnaires and interviews do not match and raise questions about how well-represented each Federation Unit was. Evidence of open government data use was found. Among others, findings showed that political leadership committed to using open data facilitates and motivates public agents to use these data. Additionally, interviews indicated that the lack of human resources with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities to use open data is a relevant barrier to data use. Findings also revealed that open government data mainly support policy and decision-making processes. This research contributed to the open data and public administration fields. It portrays diverse realities of open government data use and institutionalization in Brazilian state and district public administrations. In addition, it provides lists of open government data use benefits, barriers, drivers, and enablers from the perspective of these administrations so that they can benchmark against each other and improve their OGD use. For academia, this research provides empirical evidence of the factors influencing public administrations' use of open government data at the subnational level in Brazil. Even though Brazil ranks high on OGD global assessments, few studies on its use and reuse in the public sector were identified. This is one of the first academic studies focusing on open government data use in the country. It also contributes by offering to the academic community two instruments, a questionnaire and an interview protocol, which can be applied to other public settings to expand this study's results or open new research paths by applying them to other contexts.

FIRST REPORT OF CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOR FREE-RANGING MANED SLOTH (BRADYPUS TORQUATUS), USING A COMBINATION OF KETAMINE AND MEDETOMIDINE.

The maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is an endemic and endangered species of two Brazilian states, with much unknown biological information needed to direct conservation actions. Other sloth species have been studied regarding anesthesia; however, there is a lack of anesthesia research for the maned sloth. Anesthetic data were collected from 12 free-range maned sloths that were immobilized for a field examination. Individuals were anesthetized using a combination of ketamine (4.0 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.03 mg/kg), and antagonized with atipamezole (0.1 mg/kg). Time to induction and recovery were recorded and compared with sex and age classes. After the induction and until antagonist administration, physiological parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) were recorded every 10 min during anesthesia and were statistically evaluated over time. Induction was fast (3.21 ± 0.76), but recovery was longer (113.3 ± 18) when compared to other studies. Induction and recovery times were not different across sex or age classes. Rectal temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation remained stable throughout the procedure. Respiratory rate significantly decreased over time, from 18.25 ± 7.03 to 13.17 ± 3.66 movements per minute. Our results indicate that the described combination of ketamine and medetomidine is a safe and effective choice for anesthesia of maned sloths.

A statistical analysis of COVID-19 mortality dynamics: Unraveling the interplay between vaccination trends, socioeconomic factors, and government interventions in Brazilian states

The main challenges in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil included socioeconomic inequality among different states and the lack of consensus on the measures implemented to contain and prevent the pandemic. This study analyzes the dynamics of COVID-19-related deaths in Brazilian states associated with the evolution of vaccination trends, socioeconomic factors, and government interventions through population mobility. By applying time series clustering techniques and regression modeling, the insights obtained show the commonalities and differences among the 27 Brazilian states and how the different vaccination temporal patterns, socioeconomic factors, and mobility rates correlated to the evolution of COVID-19 deaths.

A comprehensive dataset of environmentally contaminated sites in the state of São Paulo in Brazil

In the Brazilian state of São Paulo, contaminated sites (CSs) constitute threats to health, environment and socioeconomic situation of populations. Over the past two decades, the Environmental Agency of São Paulo (CETESB) has monitored these known CSs. This paper discusses the produced dataset through digitising the CETESB reports and making them accessible to the public in English. The dataset reports on qualitative aspects of contamination within the registered sites (e.g., contamination type and spread) and their management status. The data was extracted from CETESB reports using a machine-learning computer vision algorithm. It comprises two components: an optical character recognition (OCR) engine for text extraction and a convolutional neural network (CNN) image classifier to identify checked boxes. The digitisation was followed by harmonisation and quality assurance processes to ensure the consistency and validity of the data. Making this dataset accessible will allow future work on predictive analysis and decision-making and will inform the required policy-making to improve the management of the CSs in Brazil.

Affective relatedness, temporalities, and the politics of care in a medical South-South partnership

Abstract For more than 50 years, Cuba has been one of the most important players in the field of international medical care in the Global South. Between 2013 and 2018, Cuba sent nearly 18,000 Cuban health professionals to Brazil within the framework of the More Doctors Program to assist during the Brazilian public health care system's state of emergency. This article focuses on local encounters and emergent socialities between Cuban physicians and Brazilian patients and medical staff. Their sensitive moments of interaction—with their embodied, emplaced, and political dimensions of past and present—hold the possibility of a fragile intersubjectivity that creates its own temporal and affective dynamics, undermining, for a moment, the prevalent care regimes.

IDF23-0106 Profile of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in a Brazilian Amazonian State

IDF23-0106 Profile of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in a Brazilian Amazonian State

Exploratory study of the maternal-filial relationship among sheep: factors that impact the performance of lambs in a locally adapted Pantaneiro flock

ABSTRACT This paper reports on an exploratory study of maternal-filial relationships of Pantaneiro sheep naturalised to the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and focuses on the importance of the behaviour of ewes and lambs between parturition, first suckling and weight at weaning. The average duration of lambing was 18 min, and 65% of the sheep were lying down; 48.8% of the sheep tended their lambs 15–30 min before the first suckling, while 73% of lambs initiated contact with the mother through vocalisation 10 min after birth. The lambs’ birth weight was 4 ± 0.6 kg, and they were weaned at 42 days with an average weight of 12.9 ± 2.2 kg. To conclude, the data gathered during the study can help us better comprehend the adaptive traits of sheep that belong to the Pantaneiro genetic group.

Pathways of financial capital in the Brazilian agrarian space: elements for the debate on water conflicts in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Based on the reading of Moore (2015) and the concepts of neo-extractivism and land grabbing, this paper characterizes an emblematic form of the realization of capitalism in Latin America, particularly in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. As concrete expressions of land grabbing, the recently established Investment Funds in Agroindustrial Productive Chains (Fiagro) are discussed, and companies listed on the stock exchange directly linked to land speculation and/or monoculture are also presented. The geolocation is also revealed of the farms managed by Fiagro and their proximity to water conflicts in the state of Mato Grosso, together with a map presenting the geoenvironmental compartments of Mato Grosso and the indigenous lands. The objective is to discover clues on how – in response to the general movement of circulation and appreciation of capital on a global scale – the construction and operationalization of these renewed financial instruments may have a concrete impact on the existence of territories of peoples and communities that insist on operating with another logic.

ICMS Educação de Santa Catarina: Criação, Aplicação e Perspectivas

Based on the successful case in the state of Ceará, the Constitutional Amendment No. 108/2020 was promulgated, obligating Brazilian states, within two years of its promulgation, to approve laws that included criteria based on educational quality indices in municipal ICMS transfers, considering the socio-economic context of students. In this scenario, the crucial role of the State Court of Accounts of Santa Catarina and other entities in the development of this transfer methodology in the state of Santa Catarina is acknowledged, as approved by State Law No. 18489/2022. This article provides a detailed explanation of the key points of this transfer methodology and its application. Finally, it is expected that the promulgation of this law with the clarified ICMS Education methodology, as outlined in this article, along with the active and present role of professionals from the State Court of Accounts of Santa Catarina, will induce significant impacts on basic education in Santa Catarina.

Emergence of zoonotic sporotrichosis in Brazil: a genomic epidemiology study

Zoonotic sporotrichosis is a neglected fungal disease, whereby outbreaks are primarily driven by Sporothrix brasiliensis and linked to cat-to-human transmission. To understand the emergence and spread of sporotrichosis in Brazil, the epicentre of the current epidemic in South America, we aimed to conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to describe the genomic epidemiology. In this genomic epidemiology study, we included Sporothrix spp isolates from sporotrichosis cases from Brazil, Colombia, and the USA. We conducted WGS using Illumina NovaSeq on isolates collected by three laboratories in Brazil from humans and cats with sporotrichosis between 2013 and 2022. All isolates that were confirmed to be Sporothrix genus by internal transcribed spacer or beta-tubulin PCR sequencing were included in this study. We downloaded eight Sporothrix genome sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (six from Brazil, two from Colombia). Three Sporothrix spp genome sequences from the USA were generated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of this study. We did phylogenetic analyses and correlated geographical and temporal case distribution with genotypic features of Sporothrix spp isolates. 72 Sporothrix spp isolates from 55 human and 17 animal sporotrichosis cases were included: 67 (93%) were from Brazil, two (3%) from Colombia, and three (4%) from the USA. Cases spanned from 1999 to 2022. Most (61[85%]) isolates were S brasiliensis, and all were reported from Brazil. Ten (14%) were Sporothrix schenckii and were reported from Brazil, USA, and Colombia. For S schenckii isolates, two distinct clades were observed wherein isolates clustered by geography. For S brasiliensis isolates, five clades separated by more than 100 000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were observed. Among the five S brasiliensis clades, clades A and C contained isolates from both human and cat cases, and clade A contained isolates from six different states in Brazil. Compared with Sbrasiliensis isolates, larger genetic diversity was observed among S schenckii isolates from animal and human cases within a clade. Our results suggest that the ongoing epidemic driven by S brasiliensis in Brazil represents several, independent emergence events followed by animal-to-animal and animal-to human transmission within and between Brazilian states. These results describe how S brasiliensis can emerge and spread within a country. Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil; the São Paulo Research Foundation; Productivity in Research fellowships by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, and Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil.

Primer registro de Corydalus diasi Navás, 1915 (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) en el estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

The dobsonfly species Corydalus diasi Navás, 1915 is recorded from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil, for the first time, increasing its distribution to eight Brazilian states plus Federal District. Diagnostic characters, habitus photographs, and an informative distributional map of C. diasi are provided.

Life expectancy and death pattern associated with systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis in Brazil between 2000 and 2019.

to evaluate the main factors associated with mortality and determine the life expectancy of SLE patients between 2000 and 2019 years in Brazil. death data related to SLE available in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) (DATASUS) were evaluated in all Brazilian states. Three groups of death causes potentially associated from SLE were evaluated: cardiovascular and kidney diseases and infections. The main causes of death associated with SLE were infection and kidney disease. Most SLE patients died between 19 and 50 years of age. Deaths associated with kidney disease were proportionally higher than in the general population with progressive decrease during the period. Instead, there have been an increase in the proportion of deaths due to infections both in SLE and in the general population. SLE patients presented higher mortality compared to the general population matched for sex and age and the main causes associated with death were infection and kidney disease. Public health policies that promote early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of damage are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality in SLE patients.

Data quality review of the Brazilian nosocomial infections surveillance system

BackgroundSurveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is an essential component of hospital infection prevention and control systems. We aimed to assess the quality of the data compiled by the Brazilian HAI Surveillance System from pediatric (PICUs) and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), between 2012 and 2021. MethodsData Quality Review, including adherence, completeness, internal consistency, consistency over time, and consistency of population trend, were computed at both national and state levels based on quality metrics from World Health Organization Toolkit. Incidence rates (or incidence density) of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) were obtained from the Brazilian National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system. Data on sepsis-related mortality, spanning the period from 2012 to 2021, were extracted from the Brazilian National Health Service database (DATASUS). Additionally, correlations between sepsis-related mortality and incidence rates of VAP or CLABSI were calculated. ResultsThroughout the majority of the study period, adherence to VAP reporting remained below 75%, exhibiting a positive trend post-2016. Widespread outliers, as well as inconsistencies over time and in population trends, were evident across all 27 states. Only four states maintained consistent adherence levels above 75% for more than 8 years regarding HAI incidence rates. Notably, CLABSI in NICUs boasted the highest reporting adherence among all HAIs, with 148 periods out of 270 (54.8%) exhibiting reporting adherence surpassing 75%. Three states achieved commendable metrics for CLABSI in PICUs, while five states demonstrated favorable results for CLABSI in NICUs. ConclusionsWhile adherence to HAI report is improving among Brazilian states, an important room for improvement in the Brazilian NNIS exists. Additional efforts should be made by the Brazilian government to improve the reliability of HAI data, which could serve as valuable guidance for hospital infection prevention and control policies.

Feasibility of Energy Self-Sufficiency by Biomass Production in A Brazilian State

Objective: This study aims to analyze the potential of using industrial black liquor or black lye residue from the eucalyptus pulp and paper production process as an alternative source of energy, in order to alleviate the current energy crisis. Theoretical framework: The study is based on literature regarding energy generation from biomass, focusing on the utilization of black liquor residue in thermoelectric power generation. Therefore, the thermoelectric generation from black liquor or black lye, cellulose biomass residue as an alternative source in energy generation, characterizes an important electrical feedback path in pulp production processes, also generating surplus energy for the supply network, relief of demand in the face of the current energy crisis. Method: The methodology employed in this study entails applied research, that investigates energy generation from black liquor in integrated plants of eucalyptus forest biomass, in reforestation areas for pulp production. Results and conclusion: The results indicate that energy generation from black liquor is a viable alternative to mitigate the current energy crisis, contributing to regional sustainable development. Projections suggest that by 2024, 85% of bioenergy can will be generated from this source in in the micro-region of Brazil. Therefore, adequate planning brings great expectations for regional sustainable development. Implications of the research: The research contributes to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of energy generation from biomass, demonstrating the potential of black liquor residue as an alternative energy source. Originality/value: The research contributes to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of energy generation from biomass, demonstrating the potential of black liquor residue as an alternative energy source.

Impact of SumiLarv® 2MR on Aedes aegypti larvae: a multicenter study in Brazil

BackgroundAedes aegypti is associated with dengue, Zika, and chikungunya transmission. These arboviruses are responsible for national outbreaks with severe public health implications. Vector control is one of the tools used to prevent mosquito proliferation, and SumiLarv® 2MR is an alternative commercial product based on pyriproxyfen for larval/pupal control. In this study, the residual effectiveness of SumiLarv® 2MR in different regions of Brazil was evaluated in simulated field conditions.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter study across four Brazilian states—Amapá, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo—given the importance to the country’s climatic variances in the north, northeast, and southeast regions and their influence on product efficiency. The populations of Ae. aegypti from each location were held in an insectary. Third-instar larvae (L3) were added every 2 weeks to water containers with SumiLarv® 2MR discs in 250-, 500- and 1000-l containers in Amapá and Rio de Janeiro, and 100-l containers in Pernambuco and São Paulo, using concentrations of 0.04, 0.08, and 0.16 mg/l.ResultsAdult emergence inhibition over 420 days was observed in all tests conducted at a concentration of 0.16 mg/l; inhibition for 308–420 days was observed for 0.08 mg/l, and 224–420 days for 0.04 mg/l.ConclusionsSumilarv® 2MR residual activity demonstrated in this study suggests that this new pyriproxyfen formulation is a promising alternative for Aedes control, regardless of climatic variations and ideal concentration, since the SumiLarv® 2MR showed adult emergence inhibition of over 80% and residual activity greater than 6 months, a period longer than that recommended by the Ministry of Health of Brazil between product re-application in larval breeding sites.Graphical abstract

Survey of state laws banning the use of conventional plastic bags in Brazil and their similarities

Many countries have created laws limiting some plastic-based products, such as conventional bags, but Brazil does not have a federal law to this effect, leaving only state regulations. In this perspective, the study aimed to identify and analyze which Brazilian states have passed laws restricting the use of plastic bags, verifying their differences and similarities. The article was developed by mapping the state laws, categorizing them based on their respective texts for subsequent analysis using multivariate statistical methods. Only 12 of Brazil's 27 states have passed laws banning the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, half of which address the restrictions more broadly with at least two provisions, while the others are limited to just one. It was noted that some laws have more educational instruments to the detriment of others with more coercive measures. Therefore, it was observed that many states continue to show no concern about the impacts of this material, and there are significant differences between those that already exist.