Midwestern Brazil Research Articles

Temporal trends in occupational accidents involving exposure to biological material in Brazil, 2010 to 2016.

Introduction:Accidents involving biological material are the main cause of occupational exposure among health care professionals.Objectives:To analyze trends in the number of accidents involving exposure to biological material among health care workers in Brazil, in the period of 2010 to 2016.Methods:This was an ecological study based on secondary data on occupational accidents involving biological material reported to the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação). The data were analyzed using descriptive methods, followed by a calculation of incidence rates per 1,000 workers per year. Lastly, trend analysis was performed using Prais-Winsten regression.Results:A total of 243,621 accidents involving exposure to biological materials were reported among health professionals in the study period. The highest incidence rate (16.74 accidents per 1,000 workers per year) was observed in 2014. Regional analyses showed that Midwestern, South and Southeast Brazil had higher incidence rates than other regions of the country. At the state level, the highest rates were observed in Roraima, Rio Grande do Norte, Alagoas, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina. National incidence rates of occupational accidents with exposure to biological material in health care workers had a stable trend over the study period.Conclusions:In Brazil, health care workers are disproportionately affected by occupational accidents with exposure to biological material. The present findings, together with other indicators, cast doubt on the stability of these figures over time.

Frequency of Giardia duodenalis infection and its genetic variability in dogs in Cuiabá, Midwest Brazil.

Giardia duodenalis, a unicellular, eukaryotic, and flagellated protozoan, presents two evolutionary forms in its life cycle, namely, trophozoites and cysts. It causes diarrhea in humans, dogs, cats, rodents, and ungulates. Despite being morphologically similar, the isolates of G. duodenalis are genetically diverse, affecting the stability and unanimity of taxonomic classification. Since different Giardia assemblages may occur within one isolate, multilocus genotyping is recommended for the genetic identification. To determine the frequency of G. duodenalis infections in domiciled dogs in Cuiabá Municipality (State of Mato Grosso, Midwestern Brazil) and characterize its genetic variability, fecal samples were collected from 147 dogs. Overall, 6.8% (10/147) of the samples presented cysts of G. duodenalis, which sequencing and genotypic characterization using tpi and gluD revealed assemblages C and A, genetic grouping of G. duodenalis. Only three samples amplified by tpi and one sample amplified by gluD. The risk factors age, gender, breed, diet and the presence of other dogs in the same house were not correlationated with giardiasis. The host-specific and zoonotic genotype warns of the risk of inter and intraspecies transmission and it provides, for the first time, information about genetic characterization of G. duodenalis isolates in dogs in Cuiabá, Midwest region of Brazil.

A new species of Ceratina (Ceratinula) Moure, 1941, with notes on the taxonomy and distribution of Ceratina (Ceratinula) manni Cockerell, 1912, and an identification key for species of this subgenus known from Brazil (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Ceratinini).

A new species of the small carpenter bee, genus Ceratina (Ceratinula) Moure, from the Cerrado Biome in midwestern Brazil is described and illustrated. Ceratina (Ceratinula) fioreseana Oliveira, sp. nov. is easily distinguished from its congeners by the size of the facial maculations and the honey-yellow color of the legs and antennal scape, which distinguish it especially from Ceratina (Ceratinula) manni Cockerell, 1912, the most similar species in terms of facial maculation patterns. The geographic records of C. manni, here interpreted as endemic to the semiarid Caatinga region in northeastern Brazil, are presented, with new records for the Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará and Bahia. A morphological description of both species is provided, including a comparison with the type specimen of C. manni from the state of Paraíba (Guarabira, formerly named Independencia). An identification key is provided for the described species of Ceratina (Ceratinula) recorded for Brazil according to Moure’s Catalogue of Neotropical Bees.

2020 - A TIME OF CRISIS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, PANDEMIC COVID-19 - TIME TO STRENGTHEN SCIENCE AND HOPE TO FACE LIFE - EDITORIAL

Two thousand twenty was an awkward and challenging year. Snatched up by a virus, All of a sudden, we saw ourselves working at home. We were physically away from some of the ones we love and from a daily life we were already used to. We have been living a different and introspective year, with social distance under isolation and solitude. At this time, we had the opportunity to withdraw and rethink our purposes, attitudes, values, and our place in the world. We have the chance to think about the meaning of life, look around and see the relationships we have established with one another, with my brotherhood, and with all living and non-living beings that inhabit this planet, our “Common Home”.It is difficult to think of something more challenging and able to test our resilience! This is not only from a personal point of view, but also from a social, economic and environmental point of view. That is why it is important to talk about resilience, discuss it, test it, prove it and approve it. Such resilience has made us face this Pandemic - COVID-19 and fight for our existence, fight for health, look for respect, welcome and solidarity.Many were the examples of people and companies that helped with donations, delivered masks, hospital equipment, food and so on across all places and cities. But the challenges went further. Many hospital beds and ICUs had to be installed. Health professionals, doctors, nurses and so many others were had to and still face this struggle. They are anonymous generals in their barracks who fought this War of Death for Life. Unfortunately, not everyone could be saved from COVID. The number of those who were treated and recovered in Brazil was 6,501.341 people and 44,169.851 patients worldwide, considering this year, 2020. But 2020 will be remembered as a catastrophe and calamity, because despite efforts many fell down. The causalities’ numbers was in Brazil 188,259 and 1,722.307 in the world. An invaluable loss of human life.We also had other losses such as economic, environmental and social, especially in health. Many will be left with afterpains and a weakened wellbeing as a result of this virus infection; thus, it will not be possible to evaluate the extent of this problem. Many people have gotten worse or developed psycho-emotional pathologies such as depression, panic, among them, and their quality of life has been permanently affected.Many challenges since we have been living under a restricted mobility around the world, which had never been witnessed. There were empty streets, closed shops, bus stations and airports without people for several months.It should be told that political crises, the science negationism, discriminatory acts, polarization regarding data and fake news have exacerbated this crisis. A lot of misinformation, attacks on the environment and a sever backtracking of environmental protection laws and regulations, dismantling of environmental policies, fire was set in Amazon and in Midwestern Brazil that have reached the highest levels in centuries. A relatively large group of Brazilian citizens and in other countries who said they did not believe on how risky Corona virus could be. They neither believe in press information nor insisted on crowding in bars, streets and beaches, as soon as these spaces were opened. We consider unthinkable and even irrational attitudes with scientific knowledge nowadays, since they put their lives and the population’s at risk. Future is the judge of all actions, therefore, the results will be known only tomorrow.The researchers who make up the International Research Network on Climate Resilient Development - RIPEDRC have not faded! They proposed themselves to overcome this challenge of seeking resilience and sustainability! So, with Faith in our life ideals and in a superior motivation that guides our steps and makes us overcome challenges, we have launched to public notices, investigated, questioned and disseminated knowledge supported by several projects, live lectures, events and workshops. They created programs, joint projects and online platforms were developed. In Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina Trinational Border region, the Western Paraná State University - UNIOESTE, was in charge or partner of many efforts, among which we highlight two experiences that RIPEDRC Network participants took part.

Phoretic mites (Rhinoseius spp.) in Apodiformes from Cerrado and Pantanal Biomes in midwestern Brazil.

Nasal mites are commonly found in hummingbirds (Apodiformes). In most cases, endoparasitic mites were reported to parasitize the respiratory system, particularly the anterior nasal chambers, larynx, trachea, lungs, and the air and conjunctival sacs. However, some mites are only carried by hummingbirds, because flowers serving as a nutrient source for these small mites, such as for Apodiformes, a tropical nectar-feeding in their natural habitat. From August 2012 to May 2014, humminbirds were captured using mist nets, and examined for the presence of nasal mites (identified according to specific keys) in the Pantanal, and Cerrado biomes, from the Mato Grosso state, midwestern Brazil. Overall, 76 Apodiform specimens, from the Trochilidae family were captured, and 20 female nasal mites, identified as being from the Rhinoseius genus, were collected from eight hosts (10.5%), of the following species: Amazilia fimbriata, Amazilia versicolor, Eupetonema macroura, and Thalurania furcata. The Rhinoseius spp. has been reported on, in many ecosystems in the Americas, including Brazil, however, this is the first report on Apodiformes from the Pantanal biome. Phoretic mites are not responsible for direct damage to the population of Apodiformes, as they are not pathogenic. However, they compete for food with hummingbirds and decrease the quantity of food available in the environment. They also affect the reproductive dynamics of plants, feed on pollen, and interfere with the intricacies of the biodiversity where they live.

Cross-sectional study of Leptospira spp. in commercial pig farms in the state of Goiás, Brazil.

Leptospirosis is an infectious, contagious disease highly important to the world pig industry, which causes reproductive loss in breeding herds. Endemic infections in a herd may produce little evidence of clinical disease despite resulting in economic losses. However, some epidemiological features of leptospirosis in midwestern Brazil, such as risk factors and prevalence of the disease, remain unclear. Therefore, this study focused on assessing the prevalence of the Leptospira spp. in intensive pig herds and associating its risk factors. A set of 900 blood samples, equally distributed between nursery, growing, and finishing pigs of 30 intensive farrow-to-finish farms, were analyzed using the microagglutination test (MAT), in order to detect anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies for 24 different Leptospira spp. serovars. An occurrence of 4.67% (55/342) seropositive samples were detected in fattening pigs. The variables associated with the disease occurrence were animals per square meter at fattening (OR 0.006, CI 95% 0.004-0.42, p = 0.0105) and pen division between growing and fattening pigs (OR 3.56, CI 95% 0.563-22.541, p = 0.185). Thus, the variables semi-hollow floor in the maternity (OR 16.66; CI 95%: 2.17-128.2 and p = 0.006) and animals per trough at fattening (OR: 0.08, CI 95% 0.009-0.87 and p = 0.025), observed in this study, highlight the importance of the fattening phase in the epidemiology of the disease, bringing information on risk factors involved in the occurrence and dissemination of leptospirosis in intensive pig herds.

Identification of cattle poisoning by Bifenthrin via earwax analysis by HS/GC-MS.

The use of pyrethroids has increased over recent years, and corresponds to a higher exposure of animals to pesticide residues in the environment and diet. Here, an outbreak of pyrethroid poisoning in beef cattle was reported occurring in Midwestern Brazil. After veterinary evaluation, it was observed that the bovines presented common pyrethroid intoxication symptoms. Aiming to identify the cattle poising by pyrethroid, earwax samples were collected from two groups: exposed and nonexposed animals from the same farm. Blind earwax analyses of the bovines were carried out using headspace/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS/GC-MS). The HS/GC-MS analysis detected the presence of bifenthrin in the earwax analysis of the exposed animals, confirmed by the comparison of its MS fragments with a bifenthrin standard, and also by its retention time relative to the internal standard. In summary, HS/GC-MS analysis of earwax emerges as a tool that can be used in the detection and monitoring of bifenthrin poisoning in cattle, as a useful veterinary diagnosis that ensures animal health and the safety of their products.

Cobalt deficiency in cattle and its impact on production

ABSTRACT: Two outbreaks of cobalt deficiency in beef cattle were diagnosed in Midwestern Brazil. We discuss the clinical, epidemiological, pathological features, therapeutic measures, and impact aspects of the production system associated with these outbreaks occurring outbreaks in two farms of extensive cattle raising-system in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Seven affected cattle were euthanized and necropsied. Tissues for histopathology and microelements dosage were secured. At Farm A, 3100 cattle of all ages got sick, and 396 died; at Farm B, 148 were affected, and 110 died. In both farms, cattle were fed the same mineral supplement. The main clinical signs were weight loss and weakness, even though a good supply of forage was available in the paddocks. Many cattle stop grazing and chew at tree barks, wood chips from fence posts, and bones. In addition to the deaths, there was a compromised growth, and the reproductive rates fell sharply. The necropsied cattle were thin, with rough hair coat and pale mucous membranes. The liver was diffusely orange and showed a lobular pattern. The bone marrow was gelatinous and diffusely yellow. Histological changes included hemosiderosis in the liver and spleen, hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, and myeloid and erythroid hypoplasia of the bone marrow. In the white matter of four cattle’s brains, the myelin sheath was markedly distended (spongy degeneration). Proliferative parasitic abomasitis was observed in three cattle. The presumptive diagnosis was based on the association of the clinical picture, the necropsy findings, and the ruling out of other possible causes. The diagnosis was confirmed by the favorable response to treatment with cobalt and vitamin B12 orally and by mineral supplementation.

Insect-specific viruses and arboviruses in adult male culicids from Midwestern Brazil.

Viruses were identified from male anthropophilic mosquitoes from Mato Grosso (MT) State, Midwest Brazil from February 2017 to January 2018. Mosquitoes tested included Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (1139 males; 84 pools), Culex quinquefasciatus (9426 males; 179 pools), Culex sp. (3 males; 3 pools) and Psorophora albigenu (1 male; 1 pool) collected from four cities of MT. Pools were subjected to viral RNA extraction followed by RT-PCRs specific for ten flaviviruses, five alphaviruses and Simbu serogroup of orthobunyaviruses. Positive pools were passaged three times in VERO cells (alphavirus and orthobunyavirus) or C6/36 cells (flavivirus), with isolates confirmed through RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing. We detected pools positive for Ilhéus (1 pool), dengue serotype 4 (1), Mayaro (12), equine encephalitis virus (1) yellow fever (1), Oropouche (2), Zika (4) and chikungunya (12) viruses. High throughput sequencing of arbovirus positive pools identified 35 insect-specific viruses (ISVs) from the families Circoviridae (2), Parvoviridae (2), Totiviridae (1), Flaviviridae (1), Iflaviridae (2), Mesoniviridae (4), Nodaviridae (2), Luteoviridae (1), Phasmaviridae (1) Phenuiviridae (2), Rhabdoviridae (2), Orthomyxoviridae (1), Xinmoviridae (1), and unclassified Bunyavirales (1), unclassified Picornavirales (3), unclassified Riboviria (4) and taxon Negevirus (5). From these, five novel viruses were tentatively named Mojica circovirus, Kuia iflavirus, Muxirum negevirus, Lambada picorna-like virus and Tacuru picorna-like virus. Our findings underscore the diversity and wide geographical distribution of ISVs and arboviruses infecting male culicids.

Isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in the Midwestern Brazil revealed high genetic diversity and new genotypes

We aimed to describe the genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from domestic animals, wildlife and humans in the Midwestern Brazil. For this purpose, fragments of tissue samples (heart, brain and lung) from 35 dogs, four cats, 105 wildlife, and amniotic fluids from eight pregnant women were collected and submitted to mouse bioassay test. In a total, 22 isolates from nine dogs, one cat, ten wild animals and two women were obtained. The DNA was extracted from T. gondii isolates (lungs and brains of infected mice) and from “primary samples” (aliquots of tissue homogenate from wild animals and amniotic fluids from pregnant women) in order to screen using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting a repeated 529-base pairs fragment of the T. gondii genome. All positive PCR samples were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to report isolates of T. gondii from Leopardus pardalis, Crax fasciolata, and Dasyprocta azarae. Moreover, multilocus PCR-RFLP revealed 11 T. gondii RFLP genotypes, comprising nine previously described, including the archetypal lineage #2 type III (n = 1); two clonal Brazilian lineages, #6 type BrI (n = 1) and #8 type BrIII (n = 5); #14 (n = 2), #41 (n = 1), #108 (n = 1), #140 (n = 2), #166 (n = 4), #190 (n = 1), one potentially mixed, and two new described genotypes in two isolates. Our results confirmed the high diversity of T. gondii strains in Brazil, including identical genotypes circulating among humans, domestic dogs and wildlife.

Agricultural zoning as tool for expansion of cassava in climate change scenarios

Improvement of planting season and crop growth time, considering climatic and soil needs of plants, is important to increase cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Midwestern Brazil. Thus, we sought to develop an agricultural zoning for cassava cultivation in the Midwest of Brazil in different climate change scenarios. Mean air temperature and precipitation data from localities of the Midwest of Brazil were obtained from the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology (INMET). Clay (%) data from localities of the Midwest of Brazil were obtained from SoilGrids. Regions where the air temperature was within the range from 20 to 27 °C were considered climatically favorable for commercial exploitation of cassava, in addition to precipitation between 1000 and 1500 mm year−1, and clay content was less than ≤ 35%. Moreover, regions with air temperature below 16 °C and above 38 °C, precipitation below 1000 mm and above 1500 mm year−1, and clay content > 35% were considered unsuitable for cassava cultivation. Raster or matrix images, corresponding to mean annual air temperature, annual precipitation, and clay (soil), were superimposed to create cassava suitability classes, according to crop requirements. The climate change scenarios were established by changing the air temperature (°C) and rainfall (mm). The air temperature was increased by 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 °C as adopted by Pirttioja et al. (Clim Res 65:87–105, 2015). We changed in precipitation − 30, − 15, + 15, and 30% according to the future projections simulated by the IPCC (2014). Maps were made using geographic information systems. In the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, and Goias, mean precipitation was around 1200 to 4000 mm year−1. Northern Mato Grosso showed the highest annual precipitation, with values above 3500 mm. A large extension of the Midwest region of Brazil is climatically and soil favorable for cassava. The Midwest is a region with high rainfall, so we recommend planting in well-drained soils to avoid phytosanitary problems. Producers taking this care can plant cassava in 86.6% of the territory. The climate change scenarios demonstrated different Agriculture zonings for cassava in the Midwest of Brazil. With the increase in air temperature, greater marginal classes occurred, but cassava is resistant to this condition. But, this increase in temperature can reduce the cycle and consequently reduce production.

Molecular survey of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan that infects a wide range of vertebrate hosts; it has been reported to be the cause of severe illness or death in livestock worldwide, which leads to decreased performance and production losses, especially in young animals. This study investigated the presence of Cryptosporidium in calves from beef farms in the state of Mato Grosso, midwestern Brazil. For this purpose, fecal samples from 237 animals aged ? 45 days, raised in 20 rural properties were subjected to DNA extraction and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) targeting 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene followed by sequencing. Additionally, positive samples, previously identified as Cryptosporidium parvum by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene, were subsequently analyzed focusing the amplification and sequencing using nPCR of a fragment of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Of the 237 fecal samples analyzed by PCR (18S rRNA), 50 (21.1%) fecal samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., while 14 (70%) of the 20 properties had at least one positive animal. The following Cryptosporidium species were detected: C. bovis, C. parvum, and C. ryanae. Thereafter, two potentially zoonotic subtypes (IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1) of C. parvum were identified based on gp60 gene sequences. This study resulted in the detection of subtype IIaA16G3R1 for the first time in South America and showed a wide distribution of the protozoan in beef farms in the studied area of the State.

Ecological specialization and niche overlap of subterranean rodents inferred from DNA metabarcoding diet analysis.

Knowledge of how animal species use food resources available in the environment can increase our understanding of many ecological processes. However, obtaining this information using traditional methods is difficult for species feeding on a large variety of food items in highly diverse environments. We amplified the DNA of plants for 306 scat and 40 soil samples, and applied an environmental DNA metabarcoding approach to investigate food preferences, degree of diet specialization and diet overlap of seven herbivore rodent species of the genus Ctenomys distributed in southern and midwestern Brazil. The metabarcoding approach revealed that these species consume more than 60% of the plant families recovered in soil samples, indicating generalist feeding habits of ctenomyids. The family Poaceae was the most common food resource retrieved in scats of all species as well in soil samples. Niche overlap analysis indicated high overlap in the plant families and molecular operational taxonomic units consumed, mainly among the southern species. Interspecific differences in diet composition were influenced, among other factors, by the availability of resources in the environment. In addition, our results provide support for the hypothesis that the allopatric distributions of ctenomyids allow them to exploit the same range of resources when available, possibly because of the absence of interspecific competition.

Minimizing the Wallacean shortfall: a small sample reveals new occurrences of ground-dwelling spiders in native Cerrado and exotic pastures in the Midwestern Brazil

Spiders have gained wide acceptance in ecological studies as indicators of environmental quality because they show a strong preference for habitat type and pattern of land use. Knowledge of the spider community in Neotropical landscapes is still incipient. In order to decrease such lack of knowledge, this study provides information on the ground-dwelling spider assemblages in remnants of native Brazilian Cerrado (savanna woodlands) and in exotic pastures (Urochloa spp.; Poaceae). We collected the spiders in two remnants of native vegetation and in four exotic pastures using pitfall traps in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwestern Brazil. A total of 141 adults were captured, belonging to 11 families and 22 species of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae). Sixteen species were found in the exotic pastures, 10 in the Brazilian Cerrado, and only four were common to both habitats. We found higher species richness in exotic pastures when compared to Brazilian Cerrado. In addition, four spider species were reported for the first time in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul: Apopyllus silvestrii (Simon, 1905) (Gnaphosidae) sampled in exotic pastures, and Eilica rufithorax (Simon, 1893) (Gnaphosidae), Lycosa inornata Blackwall, 1862 (Lycosidae) and Oxyopes salticus (Hentz, 1845) (Oxyopidae) captured in the remnants of native vegetation. With these results, we minimize the Wallacean shortfall by increasing knowledge on distribution of spiders in remnants of native Cerrado and exotic pastures in the Midwestern Brazil. Moreover, we demonstrate that the ground-dwelling spider assemblage is rich and abundant in exotic pastures, a structurally poor and homogeneous habitat compared to the native vegetation of the Brazilian Cerrado. Then, our findings may aid in understanding the complexity of effects generated by mixed ecosystems on this group of predatory arthropods widely used as bioindicators of environmental and land use changes.

Knowledge and use of visual soil structure assessment methods in Brazil – A survey

The most recent data from FAO about agricultural production value indicate that Brazil generated about US$ 221.64 billion in agricultural products in 2016, occupying fourth place in the world ranking. However, crop yield is limited in some areas because of low-quality soils resulting from poor soil structure and intensive cropping. The soil structure can be assessed visually by different methods. Based on the information obtained using visual assessment methods, soil management techniques to maintain or improve soil structural quality can be proposed. A survey was conducted to evaluate knowledge and use of visual soil structure assessment methods among agricultural science and technology professionals in Brazil and to identify the best known and most used methods. The survey took the form of a virtual online questionnaire sent to 763 electronic addresses in all five regions of Brazil. Around 49 % of respondents did not know any of the methods listed and 70 % had never used the methods in studies, professional work or research. Knowledge and use of visual soil structure assessment methods in Brazil was limited to the university scientific community, mostly in Southeastern and Southern Brazil. There were fewer users in Midwestern, Northern and Northeastern Brazil, possibly because those regions developed their agriculture later or have limited access to research on soil science. Therefore, actions to increase knowledge and uptake of the methods and highlight their importance for society are necessary.

A new species of Gamasellodes Athias-Henriot (Mesostigmata: Ascidae) from Brazil and a key to the world species of the genus.

Gamasellodes lavafesii Castro, Azevedo Castilho sp. nov. is described based on the morphology of adult females collected from litter and soil in a transition region between Cerrado and Amazon Rainforest of Mato Grosso state and in the Caatinga biome of Alagoas state, respectively in midwestern and northeastern Brazil. A key for the separation of females of the 26 recognisable world species of Gamasellodes is provided.

Radiocarbon dating and integrative paleoecology (ẟ13C, stereomicrowear) of Eremotherium laurillardi (LUND, 1842) from midwest region of the Brazilian intertropical region

The knowledge on the Pleistocene biota that inhabited the Brazilian midwestern region is scarce and no data on the paleoecology of Eremotherium laurillardi from this region have been published so far. The main objective of this study is to provide information about the age and feeding ecology of that taxon from Goiás state and to compare the results with other localities from the Brazilian Intertropical Region (BIR). Carbon isotope and stereomicrowear analyses were performed in a molariform from the left maxilla found in Piranhas municipality. The results include a14C AMS dating of 32,390 ± 100 (34,705-33,947 cal yr BP), and a δ13C value of −8.99‰, which indicates a generalist diet (BA = 0.96) with similar proportions of C3 (pi = 57%) and C4 (pi = 43%) plants consumed. The stereomicrowear results also suggests a mixed diet, although the high values of scratches could be associated to the significant consumption of grasses. Coarse features on the orthodentine surface indicate possible ingestion of exogenous grit due to the behavior of foraging close to or at the ground. The generalist behavior corroborates previous studies from other localities of the BIR. E. laurillardi from midwestern Brazil possibly consumed higher proportions of shrub/tree foliage, whilst in northeastern Brazil it probably had a dominant diet of C4 herbaceous plants. The distinct feeding behavior is a consequence of different climatic and environmental conditions between these regions during late Pleistocene. Our integrative study was efficient to improve the understanding about the paleoecology of this emblematic ground sloth that inhabited midwest region of the BIR during the late Pleistocene, but additional work is needed for more detailed interpretations.

Primary gastric rupture in 20 horses from Midwestern Brazil: case report

ABSTRACT An 11-year (2007-2018) survey of epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings of horses with primary gastric rupture (PGR) was conducted. Twenty horses presented PGR, nine (45%) horses were clinically evaluated, eleven (55%) were sent dead, and all animals were necropsied. PGR contributed to a prevalence of 0.31% (9/2,868) of all equid attendances, 1.83% (9/491) of colic cases, and 4.1% (20/487) of all equid necropsies. Highly fermentable feed (n=7), gastric impaction (n=4), and perforating gastric ulcer (n=1) were the main causes of PGR; whilst eight horses presented idiopathic gastric rupture. Clinically evaluated horses were tachycardic, tachypneic, febrile, dehydrated, with increased abdominal tension, abnormal mucous membranes and reduced to absent intestinal borborygmi. Improper dietary management, such as the ingestion of low-quality roughage and highly fermentable feedstuffs were detected as the main factors associated with PGR in Midwestern Brazil. It is important to raise awareness in horse owners about proper feed management to minimize PGR.

Smicridea (Smicridea) nigripennis species group (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from Brazil: new species, new distributional records and an identification key

AbstractThree new species in the Smicridea (Smicridea) nigripennis species group are described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Serra da Mocidade National Park and Serra do Tepequém in the northern mountain range of Brazilian Amazonia, Roraima State, and in Rio Formosinho located in Cerrado biome of midwestern Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul State. Smicridea (Smicridea) mocidade Desidério & Rázuri‐Gonzales, sp. nov., Smicridea (Smicridea) santosi Desidério & Rázuri‐Gonzales, sp. nov. and Smicridea (Smicridea) tepequensis Desidério & Rázuri‐Gonzales, sp. nov. can be recognised mainly by the morphology of the phallic apparatus. New distributional records are provided for Smicridea (Smicridea) caatinga Alves et al., 2018, Smicridea (Smicridea) franciscana Rocha et al., 2016, Smicridea (Smicridea) mirnae Almeida & Flint, 2002 and Smicridea (Smicridea) palifera Flint, 1981. Smicridea (Smicridea) cornuta Flint, 1974 is recorded for the first time from Brazil. Additionally, a key to identify males of the 10 species in the Smicridea (Smicridea) nigripennis species group known from Brazil is provided.

Rules for grown soybean-maize cropping system in Midwestern Brazil: Food production and economic profits

Soybean-maize cropping system is highly dependent on climate condition, especially water deficit, across Brazil, affecting yield, food production and farmers profit. Based on that, the aim of this study was to evaluate the food production and economic viability for soybean and maize for single and soybean-maize off-season production system considering sowing dates, soil types and yield gaps in the Midwestern region. The yield was simulated using FAO-Zone agroecological model. Official yield statistics were used to validate the crop model and to estimate yield gap. We consider single soybean (SSc), single maize (SMc), and soybean-maize off-season systems (SMcs), simulating yield for 35 growing seasons (1981–2015) and six sowing dates (Oct. 01–Dec. 15 for single soybean and single maize; and Jan. 09–Mar. 26 for maize off-season, after soybean harvest). Total production was obtained in function of yield, yield gap, soil type and production intensity. Farmers profit was obtained based on net revenue using independent random function (5000 interactions) for yield, sales price and production costs. The SSc had the largest scenarios with positive net revenue, while SMcs had higher net revenue, reaching R$ 7400.00 ha−1, but with lowest risk for early sowing dates (soybean sowed in Oct. 01 and Oct. 15, and maize off-season in Jan. 09 and Jan. 24). The SMc had higher risk and lower food production in the region. The maximum gross energy production was 2663 billion MJ in SMcs sown soybean on Oct. 01. The SSc had a stable production of gross energy across the sowing dates, with values around 1900 billion MJ. The production of crude protein was similar among SMcs and SSc across sowing dates. The higher crude protein production occurred in the sowing date Oct. 15 for SMcs, with 33.9 billion kg, while SSc produced 32.9 billion kg. The highest net revenue was obtained for the SMcs in the early sowing dates. Nevertheless, the SMcs produced the highest amount of gross energy than single crop systems, but with a very similar crude protein level than SSc. Thus, farmers can be encouraged to grow SMcs to improve food production in early sowing dates. However, public incentive policies through insurance against water deficit can guarantee minimal economic returns and reduce production risks for maize off-season, especially when soybean was sowing late by delay at beginning of rain.