Northern Region Of Brazil Research Articles

First report of Rhodnius amazonicus Almeida, Santos & Sposina, 1973 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) invading a dwelling in the state of Amapá, Brazil

Rhodnius amazonicus has been previously reported in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará, as well as in French Guiana. However, this is the first recorded presence of this species in Amapá, which is situated in the northern region of Brazil. The specimen was collected from a house in the rural area of the municipality of Porto Grande. Other triatomines, such as Panstrongylus geniculatus, Rhodnius pictipes, and Eratyrus mucronatus, were also found in the same locality in different houses. These species are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. Therefore, this report may contribute to understanding transmission in the state of Amapá, where new infections and outbreaks of Chagas disease have been recorded.

A SWOT Analysis of AWH Project Implementation in the Brazilian Amazon as Perceived by Affordable Housing Stakeholders

In Brazil, affordable housing programs aimed at low-income populations reach a limited number of people. In the northern region, conventional bricklaying is the preferred method of building affordable single-family houses, which are essentially sets of tiny houses on the outskirts of cities. Conventional bricklaying can damage the environment. This study, started in July 2019, aimed to understand the perception of using timber to build affordable houses by housing program stakeholders and determine why the beneficiaries of housing programs prefer brick houses to wooden houses in locations with building permits. We applied a SWOT analysis to a group of 60 individuals comprising government agents and wooden and brick house residents of cities located in the northern region of Brazil. Subsequently, we devised relevant strategies, validated by stakeholders involved in public policy, for the provision of wooden housing for low-income populations. We used R software to analyze the data, and the results showed that the beneficiaries of affordable housing programs were unaware of wooden architectural projects and their durability, despite the regional abundance of wood and its environmental benefits. We suggest using strategies based on the SWOT analysis and validated by a group of experts to include the Affordable Wooden Housing (AWH) Project in the National Rural Housing Program (PNHR) and Harvest Plan.

Study and evaluation of the oxidative stability of biodiesel commercialized in the Northern region of Brazil

This study sought to assess the panorama of the biodiesel issue in northern Brazil, referring to the physical chemical parameter of oxidative stability. Data were collected between the years 2020 and 2021 in the cities of Manaus and Porto Velho, through routine collections in the tanks of the distribution bases and analyzes carried out in the research and fuel testing laboratory (LAPEC) located at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM). The results showed the disparity of the oxidative stability of biodiesel with the current standard, placing it beyond the minimum specification, affecting its mixture with diesel S10, however diesel S500 still remained below the maximum limit determined by the National Petroleum Agency, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). Thus, investigations carried out on the action of diesel in its mixture with biodiesel, improving its oxidative stability, determined that the sulfur content represents a significant factor for this. Therefore, this work allowed prospecting the panorama of the quality of biodiesel in the northern region of the country, directing critical thinking towards the elucidation of the exposed bottlenecks.

Professional and Academic Perspectives of Pharmacy Students: A Cross Sectional-Study from Brazil

The study aims to assess the professional and academic expectations of pharmacy students of faculties that lives in the northern region of Brazil. Data were collected via a printed questionnaire. The number of students that answered the questionnaire was 600. Regards to academic life, 74.6% believe that faculties offer ideal opportunities. The most desired areas of activity were clinical and hospital pharmacies (45%) and commercial pharmacies (32.3%). Their salary expectations are higher than six national minimum wages. The profession is experiencing a period of enormous positive transformations. The study provides a general view of the several fields of work for pharmacy students to plan and conduct their professional activities to improve the health of the population.

First report of Biomphalaria tenagophila (d’Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda/Planorbidae) in Pará State, Amazon region of Brazil

IntroductionMollusks belonging to Biomphalaria genus are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. In the Pará State, Northern Region of Brazil, there are reports of B. glabrata, B. straminea, B. schrammi, B. occidentalis, and B. kuhniana occurrence. Here, we report for the first time the presence of B. tenagophila in Belém, capital of Pará state. MethodsA total of 79 mollusks were collected and examined to search for possible S. mansoni infection. The specific identification was made by morphological and molecular assays. ResultsNo specimens parasitized by trematode larvae were detected. For the first time the presence of B. tenagophila in Belém, capital of Pará state, was reported. ConclusionThe result increases the knowledge about Biomphalaria mollusks occurrence in the Amazon Region and specifically alerts on the possible role of B. tenagophila in schistosomiasis transmission in Belém.

Genomic Diversity of the Rarely Observed Genotype of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Central Asian (CAS) Lineage 3 from North Brazil.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) Central Asian Strain (CAS) Lineage 3 (L3) genotype is predominantly found in East-Africa, Central-Asia, Western-Asia, and South-Asia; however, a new spoligotyping CAS/SIT2545 was found in northern regions of Brazil. We aimed to characterize and describe the genetic diversity and perform a phylogenetic assessment of this novel genotype. We performed 24-MIRU-VNTR loci and Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of six Brazilian isolates previously spoligotyped. The libraries were prepared using a Nextera-XT kit and sequenced in a NextSeq 550 Illumina instrument. We performed lineage assignment and genomic characterization. From publicly available genomes of Mtb L3 and other lineages, we created a robust dataset to run the MTBSeq pipeline and perform a phylogenetic analysis. MIRU-VNTR and WGS confirmed CAS/SIT2545 belongs to L3. Out of 1691 genomes, 1350 (79.83%) passed in quality control (genomic coverage > 95%). Strain 431 differed in 52 single nucleotide variants (SNV), confirming it does not belong to the same transmission chain. The eight genomes from a global dataset clustered closer to Brazilian strains differed in >52 SNVs. We hypothesized L3 and L1 were introduced in Brazilian Northern in the same historical event; however, there is a need for additional studies exploring the genetic diversity of Mtb Brazilian Northern.

Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs TcI and TcIV in two outbreaks of orally-transmitted Chagas disease in the Northern region of Brazil

This study describes the laboratory investigation of two acute Chagas disease outbreaks that occurred in the riverside communities of Marimarituba and Cachoeira do Arua, in the Santarem municipality, Para State, located in the Northern region of Brazil, and occurred in March 2016 and August 2017, respectively. The generation of data regarding the diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites circulating in the Amazon region is key for understanding the emergence and expansion of Chagas disease. This study aimed to identify T. cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) involved in two outbreaks of acute Chagas disease (ACD) directly from the patient's biological sample. Nested and multiplex PCR targeting the 24Sα (rRNA) and mini-exon genes, respectively, were used to identify T. cruzi DTU in blood samples from patients diagnosed with ACD. The samples with positive cPCR were submitted for analysis for T. cruzi DTUs, which included 13 samples from the patients with ACD by oral transmission and two samples collected from two newborns of two women with ACD, from Marimarituba and Cachoeira do Arua. The samples were classified as T. cruzi TcIV, from Marimarituba's outbreak, and T. cruzi TcI, from Cachoeira do Arua's outbreak. The molecular identification of T. cruzi may increase understanding of the role of this parasite in Chagas disease's emergence within the Amazon region, contributing to the improvement of the management of this important, but also neglected, disease.

CONFIRMAÇÃO DA OCORRÊNCIA DA Panulirus laevicauda (LATREILLE, 1817) NO GRANDE SISTEMA DE RECIFES DA AMAZÔNIA, AMAPÁ, BRASIL

The spiny lobsters of the genus Panulirus White, 1847 are widely exploited and commercialized in northern and northeastern Brazilian coastal regions. One of the species, the smoothtail spiny lobster Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille, 1817) had its distribution demarcated from Amapá to Santa Catarina State, but it was dubiously recorded in northern coast from industrial fishing samples, without collected material or photographs for taxonomic identification. Based on this, we report the occurrence of P. laevicauda in the northern region of Brazil (Amapá State) through material collected. The male specimen was collected on November 07th, 2022, at the depth of 84.5m, during commercial fishery operations of the red snapper Lutjanus purpureus (Poey, 1866), at the area of the Great Amazon Reef System (GARS) (04°45’29.849”N; 050°39’41.567”W). The current record confirms the occurrence of the species in Northern Brazil and it is the first report for the GARS.

Amazonian Fruit Mari-Mari (Cassia leiandra Benth.): Identification of Flavonoids and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Properties

Mari-mari (Cassia leiandra Benth.) is an Amazonian native fruit that is highly appreciated in the northern region of Brazil, but there are few studies regarding its chemical composition and/or biological properties. A phytochemical study was conducted on the extracts of the pulp, peel and seeds; and their antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential were also determined. Methanol and acetone extracts from different fruit parts were subjected to total phenolic, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and FeIII reducing capacity (FRAP) assays. From the peel extracts, the engeletin and astilbin could also be isolated and characterized based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. A quantification using ultra-fast liquid chromatography of acetone dry crude extracts (DCE) of the peel showed that engeletin was the main compound (532.77 mg g-1 DCE). Astilbin content was also determined (131.53 mg g-1 DCE). The antibacterial and antiproliferative activities were evaluated and the methanol extract of the peel showed higher growth inhibition activity against all tested bacteria. Engeletin showed a relevant antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Acetone and methanol peel extracts exhibited a relevant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7), with no toxicity to the normal cell line (NIH/3T3).

Preconcebidos sobre ciência compartilhados por estudantes de escola pública rural

Abstract This article aims at discussing discursive representations of science shared by students from a 7th-grade class at a rural school in the Northern Region of Brazil. The research draws on discourse perspectives of language and Applied Linguistics-oriented science education studies based on theoretical assumptions of science teaching and literacy studies. Data consist of semi-structured interviews with nine students, all of which were transcribed and organised into discursive sequences pointing to enunciative patterns. Their utterances evoke two major discourses: a “dominant science discourse”, which represents science practices associated with the natural sciences and excludes the social sciences and language studies; and a “copying discourse”, which relates to typical school tasks, such as research tasks that assume students’ learning through information copying. The present analyses contribute to challenging naturalised discourses about science in basic education and eventually to fostering science education for and amongst the social actors at school. A critical approach to teaching (one based on various research practices) can help students find meaning in the instructional contents addressed in the various curricular activities.

Desafios da formação docente em cursos de Enfermagem no norte do Brasil na perspectiva da Educação Interprofissional

Abstract Study analyzing the challenges of training developed by teachers working in nursing courses in the Northern Region of Brazil, from the interprofessional education perspective. A descriptive, exploratory, qualitative research conducted in public universities in which twelve professors participated in a semi-structured interview. Content analysis was used, and five categories were selected: 1) Commitment to teaching and working with comprehensive care; 2) Improvement of teaching, research, and community extension from the perspective of interprofessional education; 3) Integrated action among health professionals; 4) Need for teaching development aligned to interprofessional education principles; 5) Continuing education in health as a strategy to induce interprofessional teaching and practice. Interprofessional education is a robust and complex field. Therefore, a teaching practice capable of undertaking innovative formative processes is key, inducing changes that positively impact training and work in health.

Retrospective molecular investigation of Mayaro and Oropouche viruses at the human-animal interface in West-central Brazil, 2016-2018.

Mayaro virus (MAYV, Togaviridae) and Oropouche orthobunyavirus (OROV, Peribunyaviridae) are emerging enzootic arboviruses in Latin America. Outbreaks of febrile illness associated with MAYV and OROV have been reported among humans mainly in the northern region of Brazil since the 1980s, and recent data suggest these viruses have circulated also in more populated areas of western Brazil. MAYV shares mosquito vectors with yellow fever virus and it has been historically detected during yellow fever epidemics. Aiming to investigate the transmission of OROV and MAYV at the human-animal interface during a yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika outbreaks in Brazil, we conducted a retrospective molecular investigation in 810 wild and domestic animals, 106 febrile patients, and 22.931 vectors collected from 2016 to 2018 in Cuiaba and Campo Grande metropolitan regions, western Brazil. All samples tested negative for OROV and MAYV RNA by RT-qPCR. Findings presented here suggest no active circulation of MAYV and OROV in the sampled hosts. Active surveillance and retrospective investigations are instrumental approaches for the detection of cryptic and subclinical activity of enzootic arboviruses and together serve as a warning system to implement appropriate actions to prevent outbreaks.

Characteristics and outcomes of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases in the Amazonian region of Brazil: a retrospective cohort

The northern region of Brazil is already vulnerable to other infectious diseases and it was no different in COVID-19. However, cardiovascular diseases still lead the causes of death. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the clinical predictors and outcome of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with and without CVD in this region of the Amazon. A retrospective cohort, referring to the notifications from January 1 to December 31, 2020, including cases confirmed by molecular testing. The study consisted of 9223 confirmed cases for COVID-19. Of these, 6011 (65.17%) did not have cardiovascular disease and 3212 (34.83%) had some cardiovascular disease. The significance of deaths was in the age group of < 1 to 59 CVD carriers (< 0.001). Predictor of mortality were invasive ventilation for patients with CVD, (OR 23,688 CI 18,180–30,866), followed by chronic kidney disease (OR 2442 CI 1568–3740), dyspnea (OR 2312 CI 1817–3941), respiratory distress (OR 1523 CI 1210–2919), cough (OR 1268 CI 1005–1599), Lower oxygen saturation 95% (OR 1281 CI 1039–1579), diabetes mellitus (OR 1267 CI 1050–1528) and age (OR 1051 CI 1044–1058). Carriers of CVD had a lower survival rate (< 0.0001). The order of the predictors of death differed among the non-carriers, as well as the high odds ratio in the predictors of CVD, only cough was an independent predictor. The age group under 59 years was associated with deaths. We also show the shorter survival in CVD carriers, as well as the higher cardiovascular morbidity rate than other studies in the literature.

First record of Eumops glaucinus (Wager, 1843) (Chiroptera, Molossidae) to the Brazilian state of Maranhão

The study provides the first record of Eumops glaucinus in the Maranhão state, located in the northern region of Brazil. The collected specimen was a non-lactating adult female, with grayish pelage, broad ears, smooth face, a well-developed and squarish tragus, and elongated snout. The combined analysis of the morphological and molecular data (COI, Cyt b, and rRNA 16S genes) confirmed the occurrence of E. glaucinus in the state of Maranhão. This record extends the known species range area by 660 km easternward from the closest locality, Belém, Pará.

Prediction and prevention of preeclampsia by physicians in Brazil: An original study.

Considering the worldwide importance of preeclampsia, especially in Brazil, the screening of pregnant women at greater risk of developing the disease and the application of preventive measures are essential. This study aimed to assess the medical performance in this context in Brazil. A survey was developed to quantify the number of physicians who prescribe acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and/or calcium for preeclampsia prevention. The survey was sent to all Brazilian obstetricians affiliated to the Brazilian Federation of OBGYN by email and WhatsApp. The survey remained opened for 6 months and included questions about the use of ASA and calcium, as well as about the use of a complementary test to predict preeclampsia. The sample consisted of 360 responding physicians and 100% coverage of responses from physicians from the five different regions of Brazil was obtained. The vast majority of respondents (94.72%) prescribe ASA to prevent preeclampsia, with 80.3% prescribing a dose of 100 mg/day. Calcium is prescribed by 83.9% of the respondents. The majority of the interviewed sample (58.6%) requests uterine artery Doppler imaging to predict preeclampsia and 31.7% do not request any additional test. When the analysis was performed by region, only the northern region differed from the other Brazilian regions regarding the use of ASA and calcium for preeclampsia prevention. While more than 90% of physicians in the other regions prescribe ASA, 40% in the northern region do not use it (p < 0.0001). Regarding calcium, 30% of physicians in northern Brazil do not use the drug for preeclampsia prevention, a percentage that also differs from the other regions where the medication is prescribed by 80 to 90% of physicians (p = 0.021). The vast majority of Brazilian physicians prescribe low-dose aspirin and calcium carbonate to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women. In addition to the identification of clinical risk factors, most doctors use Doppler of the uterine arteries as a predictive method. In the northern region of Brazil, physicians use aspirin and calcium less frequently for preventing preeclampsia compared to the rest of the country.

Genetic parameters and trends of growth traits in Nelore cattle raised in the Northern region of Brazil

The objective of this study was to estimate (co)variances and genetic parameters and to predict genetic trends for weight at 120 (W120), 210 (W210), 365 (W365), and 450 (W450) days of age in Nelore cattle raised in the northern region of Brazil. The database comprised records of 30,387 animals born between 2000 and 2013 in the Brazilian North. Estimates were calculated by the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method, in single- and multi-trait analyses in an animal model. Heritability as obtained using single- and multi-trait models for W120 (0.22 and 0.31), W210 (0.20 and 0.34), W365 (0.51 and 0.51), and W450 (0.49 and 0.51) indicated moderate to high magnitudes, with the possibility of genetic selection and incorporation into the herd. Genetic correlations between growth traits were favorable, ranging from 0.78 to 0.96. Genetic trends for W120 and W210 varied largely, from -0.31 to 4.68 and -0.53 to 7.62 kg/year, respectively. Smaller fluctuations were observed in genetic trends for W365 and W450, which ranged from -1.08 to 10.90 and -1.29 to 12.51 kg/year, respectively. Selection for W365 and W450 proved to be the criterion of choice for Nelore herds raised in the region; however, it may compromise adult performance because of higher costs and time for production. A thorough analysis of mattings is recommended to allow the selection of earlier-developing animals.

Assessing the influence of external factors on agricultural production in Brazil

This article uses 2017 Brazilian agricultural census data (aggregated at county level) to evaluate the impact of external factors on agricultural efficiency in Brazil. The external factors are defined as access to credit, participation in cooperatives, proportion of literacy, technical assistance, and environmental production practices. All variables are transformed as the log of the municipal (county) rank. The response variable is defined as the free disposal hull (FDH) conditional ratio and a one-inflated beta regression is estimated. The results show that in counties where the FDH ratio is equal to 1, cooperatives have the biggest impact on efficiency, and where the FDH ratio is not equal to 1, environmental practices, which are most often associated with technology, have the largest effect on efficiency. Finally, the regions that are expected to see the largest gains in efficiency with increases in external factors are the Northeastern and the Northern regions of Brazil.

The tendency of stunting among children under five in the Northern Region of Brazil, according to the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008-2017

ObjectiveTo analyze the temporal tendency of stunting prevalence among children under five years of age registered in the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN) in the Brazilian Northern Region, from 2008 to 2017. MethodsEcological time-series study with data from SISVAN. The annual variation rate for the prevalence of undernutrition, measured by the presence of stunting (low height-for-age index), was estimated for the Northern Region and for each of its states using the Prais-Winsten regression model with and without variable adjustment for SISVAN coverage to explore the relationship between these variables. ResultsThe Northern Region showed a tendency toward the reduction of chronic child stunting, with an annual variation of -5.30% (95%CI -9.64; -0.77) in the period studied. The states of Acre (-7.19%; 95%CI -12.31; -1.77), Pará (-4.86%; 95%CI -9.44; -0.03), and Tocantins (-6.22%; 95%CI -9.88; -2.41) showed a tendency to reduce the prevalence of stunting, while the other four states showed stability during the period. A strong negative correlation was found between SISVAN coverage and the prevalence of stunting in the states of Acre (beta: -0.725), Amazonas (beta: -0.874), Pará (beta: -0.841), and Tocantins (beta: -0.871), indicating that the increase in system coverage is associated with a reduction of stunting. ConclusionsThere is a tendency toward a reduction in the prevalence of stunting particularly in three states and in the North Region as a whole, from 2008 to 2017. The coverage by the system was associated with a reduction in the prevalence of child stunting in four states.

Application of Mathematical Models and Thermodynamic Properties in the Drying of Jambu Leaves

Jambu is a vegetable originally from the northern region of Brazil, has bioactive properties, being little explored by other regions, due to its high peresivity. And one of the methods to increase the shelf life of plant products is the removal of water. The objective of this work was to evaluate the drying kinetics of jambu leaf mass. Two treatments were carried out: The mass of fresh jambu leaves and the mass of fresh jambu leaves with the addition of drying foam, both submitted in an oven with forced air circulation at temperatures (50, 60 and 70 °C and thickness of 1.0 cm). The proximate composition of the materials was performed before and after drying. Twelve mathematical models were tested on drying kinetics data and thermodynamic properties were calculated. The parameters of the proximate composition for the mass of leaves and foam after drying were: Moisture content of (2 to 7%), ash content of (13 to 17%), protein content of (22 to 30%), lipids of (0.6 to 4%) and total titratable acidity (0.20 to 0.28%) of tartaric acid. The models that best fit the experimental data to describe the drying kinetics of jambu masses were: Wang &amp; Singh. The use of foam mat presented higher values of effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy and lower values of enthalpy and entropy, reducing the drying time.

BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE NORTH OF BRAZIL

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an infectious disease worldwide distributed, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, which affects cattle and other animals, including humans. In Brazil, BTB is endemic and causes economic losses by reducing the productivity of livestock and loss of carcasses in the slaughterhouses. Molecular epidemiology has been used as a tool for the investigation of M. bovis transmission and dynamic of this disease. Herein, we studied 99 samples of lymph nodes obtained from animals (with or without suggestive lesion) slaughtered in the Northern region of Brazil. We evaluated the presence of M. bovis through microscopy techniques, culture in Stonebrinck medium and molecular identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. In addition, two genotyping methods (Spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR) were used in order to identify the genotypic profile of these strains. Out of 99 retropharyngeal lymph nodes collected, only ten clinical samples were amplified using PCR technique, and were considered positive to M. bovis. These samples were further investigated using molecular analysis of the combination of spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR, and it was possible to identify eight different patterns. Only one spoligotype, majority among the samples tested (40%), had already been identified in the database (SIT523). Through the epidemiological identification of these strains, it is possible to investigate the dynamic transmission of the disease, which is an essential part of more specific and effective control of diseases such as tuberculosis.