Canine Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by several species of protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Leishmania braziliensis is the most prevalent species causing tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and Leishmania infantum is the main causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Dogs are the main reservoirs of L. infantum and can be infected with other Leishmania species; however, their role as a reservoir for these species is still poorly understood. There are few epidemiological studies characterising Leishmania at the species level in isolates from dogs in the state of RJ and analysing their geospatial distribution. This work aimed to perform the taxonomic characterisation of Leishmania isolates, obtained from 565 dogs diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 in a reference centre for infectious diseases in RJ, Brazil. Dogs with a positive parasitological diagnosis by invitro culture of different biological samples (intact skin, skin lesion, bone marrow, spleen, lymph node and others) were included. The characterisation of Leishmania species was carried out using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis technique. The dogs' home addresses were individually georeferenced. Thematic and heat maps were created in the QGIS software with cases and the distribution of characterised species. The dogs clinically evaluated (n = 236) were classified as asymptomatic (n = 93; 39.4%), oligosymptomatic (n = 92; 39%), or polysymptomatic (n = 51; 21.6%). A total of 518 Leishmania isolates from dogs were characterised by MLEE as L. infantum (n = 456; 88%) and L. braziliensis (n = 62; 12%), which were obtained by cultivating biological samples from different canine sites. Heat maps identified Barra Mansa as an area of intense VL transmission and Rio de Janeiro and Maricá as municipalities with intense TL transmission. This study contributed to the knowledge of the taxonomic characterisation and geospatial distribution of Leishmania species responsible for canine leishmaniasis in the state of RJ, considering the case series from a reference centre for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis in the state of RJ, Brazil.

Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is essential for conservation strategies, particularly among communities reliant on natural resources. This study assessed the LEK of artisanal fishers regarding seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 fishers from five coastal areas to evaluate their perceptions of seahorse biology and ecology. Results showed limited taxonomic knowledge, with most fishers unable to identify seahorses as fish and unaware of the presence of multiple species. However, accurate recognition of male pregnancy and concern for habitat degradation were common. Most seahorses were reportedly caught as bycatch and subsequently released. Fishers identified pollution as a major threat and suggested conservation actions. This study reveals gaps and strengths in fishers’ LEK and emphasizes the value of tailored environmental education to foster sustainable practices. It provides a novel contribution by linking LEK to seahorse conservation in an underrepresented tropical region.

Lime and gypsum are widely used to correct soil acidity and improve grain yields in Brazilian agricultural systems. However, limited information is available on their effectiveness and application practices in degraded sandy soils typical of older agricultural frontiers, such as those in Rio de Janeiro State. This study evaluated the effects of surface application versus the incorporation of lime and gypsum into the soil through tillage operations on soil chemical properties, nodulation, and grain yield of soybean cultivars grown in low-fertility Fluvisols. The experiment was conducted during the 2021/2022 growing season in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, using a strip-plot design with four soybean cultivars and two soil amendment placement strategies: surface application without tillage and incorporation through tillage. Soil chemical attributes, nodulation, nutrient uptake, and yield components were assessed. Incorporated application significantly increased soil pH, reduced Al3+ toxicity, and enhanced Ca2+, Mg2+, P, and K+ availability compared to surface application. Nodulation responses varied among cultivars, with incorporated treatments promoting up to 40% greater nodule biomass. Although primary root length was not affected, incorporation stimulated secondary root development and nutrient uptake, leading to approximately 50% higher pod number and grain yield. Overall, incorporating lime and gypsum through soil tillage was more effective than surface application in improving soil fertility, enhancing nodulation, and increasing soybean productivity under the conditions evaluated in this study. These findings suggest that lime and gypsum incorporation can represent an important management strategy for improving soybean production in degraded sandy soils.

Abstract The Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) is one of the most threatened, extensively studied, and biogeographically significant biomes in South America, and new species of mammals are still being described for this biodiversity hotspot. This study revises the diversity and taxonomy of BAF three-striped short-tailed mouse opossums formerly identified as Monodelphis iheringi and explores the biogeographic history of the group in the Atlantic Forest. An integrative approach—combining multiloci molecular phylogenetics and morphological comparisons—revealed a new species in Rio de Janeiro state, one of the most densely populated and well-studied regions of Southeastern Brazil. Compared to related three-striped mouse opossums (M. iheringi and M. americana), the new species is unique in having 3 longitudinal dorsal black stripes that extend from the tail to the eye region, short ventral hairs near the base of the tail that do not cover it, and an expanded anterior cingulid relative to the hypoconid. The species likely originated in the Pleistocene, coinciding with the dates of other mammal species endemic to the Coastal Lowlands of Rio de Janeiro. These findings emphasize the urgent need to protect forest fragments critical for biodiversity and underscore the importance of integrative taxonomy for understanding evolution and conservation.

Long-term trends in childhood mortality following the expansion of vaccination programs: a 60-year analysis from a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

The article proposes an analysis of the centrality of the municipality of Itaperuna in the Northwest Region of Rio de Janeiro State, taking as a reference point the monument installed at the roundabout leading into the city, called Praça dos Poderes. The text highlights tensions and contradictions both in the representation of centrality expressed in the monument and in its discursive foundation, anchored in memorialists from the region. The notion of centrality, which has accompanied Itaperuna's trajectory for over a century, refers to the process of formation and consolidation of the municipality at the end of the 19th century. At the same time, it is related to the contemporaneity of the monument at the roundabout, through the analysis of updated economic, demographic, and urban indicators.

Gripopterygidae comprises about 60 species in Brazil, most of which inhabit mountainous streams along the Atlantic coast. The genus Tupiperla includes 26 species, mainly occurring in mountainous streams of the Atlantic Forest. We present a checklist of Gripopterygidae from the Araras Biological Reserve (REBIO Araras), Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. We documented 15 species representing four genera. Three species are reported from Rio de Janeiro for the first time: Paragripopteryx blanda, P. delicata and P. intervalensis. Additionally, a new species, Tupiperla nessimiani, is described and illustrated based on male specimens collected in REBIO Araras. Tupiperla nessimiani is distinguished by the narrow extension of tergum 10 with divergent margins and a shallow apical incision, and by the elongate, rod-like paraprocts, bearing a dark, thorn-like subapical spine. This study contributes to reducing Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls in Brazilian Gripopterygidae.

Abstract This study documents an ecotoxicological evaluation of bottom sediments ( n = 21) from a tropical lagoon complex performed in the Itaipu-Piratininga system (Rio de Janeiro State), an impacted urban tropical estuary. To achieve this purpose, three lines of evidence were adopted: sediment characterization, metal contamination and toxicity to tropical species (bioassays with mussels Perna perna , tanaids Kalliapseudes schubartii , amphipods Tiburonella viscana , and microalgae Cylindrotheca closterium) . The sediments from Piratininga lagoon were muddier and more organically enriched than those from Itaipu lagoon, once only the last one is influenced by an active connection with the ocean. Sediment texture and organic matter played a crucial role in metal distribution, but contaminated river mouths and the canal connecting the lagoons presented elevated Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and P concentrations, which seem to be linked to domestic sewage discharges and other anthropic wastes. In addition, Pb and Mo hot spots were associated with an embayment area in Piratininga lagoon. Mussel embryo-larval development was 100% abnormal for all the samples. Although almost all the samples were toxic to tanaids and amphipods, tanaid mortality (mean ± SD = 76.4 ± 23.6%) was significantly higher than amphipod one (56.3 ± 20.4%). Inhibition of algae reproduction was the endpoint of lower concern (31.1 ± 26.5%). The toxicity was especially higher in river mouths and in the canal that connects the lagoons, being significantly correlated with sewage-related pollutants (Zn, Cu and P). Finally, although spatial variability of the toxicity has been explained by metal pollution along the lagoons, other toxicants should also be considered as stressors.

This article critically analyses the insertion of digital platforms in Brazilian public education, situating this process within the context of the transformations of contemporary capitalism and the advance of EdTechs on educational policies and their impacts on teaching work. With an emphasis on the state education network of Rio de Janeiro, the study adopts historical-dialectical materialism as its method and combines a literature review with empirical research conducted through semi-structured questionnaires applied to teachers in the Rio de Janeiro state school system, seeking to understand how platformization is reconfiguring working conditions in public schools. Results indicate that, although cloaked in the fetish of technological innovation, the platforms operate according to the logic of surveillance capitalism, as they convert data into economic assets and expand mechanisms for controlling, monitoring, and intensifying teaching activities. Teachers' responses reveal dissatisfaction with the training they are offered, increased bureaucratic burden, compulsory use of digital tools, and the perception that platformization reinforces the privatization of educational resources. These findings contradict the official discourse of modernization, showing that the incorporation of EdTechs has deepened processes of precariousness and erosion of pedagogical autonomy. In conclusion, platformization should be understood as a strategy for the commercialization of public education, requiring collective responses capable of addressing the advance of commodification and the reconfiguration of teaching work within public schools.

To report Oropouche virus (OROV) infections in asymptomatic blood donors who attended HEMORIO. The BIO-MANGUINHOS MAYV/OROV Molecular Kit was used to screen samples from asymptomatic blood donations collected in Recreio dos Bandeirantes (February 10, 2025) and Barra Mansa (April 29, 2025), both located in Rio de Janeiro State. The samples were subsequently sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses at the Evandro Chagas Institute (Pará State) for confirmatory molecular testing and genomic characterization using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). OROV RNA was detected in samples HRIO-1 and HRIO-3, with cycle threshold values of 39.58 and 28.99, respectively, in a pool of six plasma samples. HTS, using a probe-enrichment approach, enabled the recovery of one complete OROV genome from the HRIO-3 sample. Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering within the AMACRO II clade, forming a subclade with sequences from Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Pernambuco. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to detect and genomically characterize, through whole-genome sequencing, OROV RNA in an asymptomatic blood donor in Southeastern Brazil.

One of the main objectives of the “Program for the Assessment of the Sustainable Potential of Living Resources in the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone” (REVIZEE) was to produce a comprehensive inventory of benthic communities off the Brazilian coast. Holothuroid specimens collected at a depth of 246 m off the Rio de Janeiro state were donated for this study. Protankyra estevesi sp. nov. is described and illustrated herein based on morphological characters from a complete specimen and seven posterior fragments. The ossicles were examined using both optical and scanning electron microscopy. Micro-CT imaging was used to explore the calcareous ring elements in detail. The new species has eight long Polian vesicles. The main body wall ossicles consist of anchors and anchor plates, which are smaller anteriorly than posteriorly. Two types of anchor plates are found varying in size and shape. Posterior anchors are 1000 µm in size, and their arm serrations (up to 31) are occasionally discontinuous. Additional body wall ossicles include abundant C-shaped, round, and elongated miliary granules. The calcareous ring is composed of alternating five interradial and five radial pieces; dorsal pieces are shorter than ventral ones. In contrast, RIV and RV are wider than the other radials, each bearing two anterior processes, and the perforation is located in the muscle process. The new species was compared with 37 other congeners distributed worldwide. This is the first report of a deep-sea synaptid species in the southwestern Atlantic off Brazil. There is high potential for marine biodiversity investigations in the region and new species can be revealed not only in newly sampled deep-sea environments but also from studies based on material deposited in zoological collections.

In the city of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, there are approximately 17,000 people living with some form of disability.Despite being an important part of the community, many of them do not have the information they need to access the support, services, and benefits available in their environment.Today, information related to discounts in stores, specialized services, support programs, accessible spaces, or care institutions is scattered across different media such as social networks, or is not even shared publicly, as the information remains only with the entities that generate it.This lack of a centralized channel creates confusion and limits opportunities for social, economic, and cultural participation.When a person with a disability or their family seeks information, they often face complicated processes or procedures: asking in multiple places, relying on third parties for data, or physically going to spaces that may not be accessible.This causes unnecessary barriers, wasted time, frustration, and, in many cases, exclusion.The information exists, but it does not reach those who need it most in a timely manner.This is why there is a need to create an accessible, easy-to-use technological solution designed for everyone.A digital tool that brings together accurate information on support, services, benefits, and resources from different local institutions and establishments, allowing people with disabilities to make informed and autonomous decisions and access the various benefits on offer.This type of platform facilitates access to useful data, strengthening the sense of inclusion and belonging in the community.Connecting people with disabilities to the various appropriate resources is not only an information service, it is a step towards a more just society where technology can be used to promote equal opportunities, full participation, and the recognition that all people have the right to develop in a dignified manner and without barriers.

Macronyssid and spinturnicid mites are globally distributed ectoparasites of medical and veterinary relevance, with various species known to parasitize bats. Beyond their ecological importance, some macronyssid mites, such as Ornithonyssus bursa, are known to occasionally bite humans and cause dermatitis, highlighting the interface between wildlife, ectoparasites, and human habitats. Understanding the microorganisms harbored by bat-associated mites is therefore important from a One Health perspective, as these arthropods may act as bridge hosts for pathogens among bats, domestic animals, and humans. Although their role in pathogen transmission remains poorly understood, previous studies have reported bacterial agents in these mite groups. This study aimed to investigate the presence of several pathogens in macronyssid and spinturnicid mites collected from bats in Brazil. A total of 393 macronyssid and 210 spinturnicid mites parasitizing bats were analyzed through morphological and molecular approaches. Ehrlichia DNA was the only pathogen detected, found in 3.03% of macronyssid mites and 2.4% of spinturnicid mites from Rio de Janeiro State, previously described on bat-associated chigger mites. These findings underscore the need for further research into the ecological interactions between bats and their ectoparasites and the potential implications of these mites as vectors of zoonotic pathogens.

This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen fertilization and different types of planting material on the yield and fruit quality of pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus) cv. Smooth Cayenne under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Northern region of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, arranged in a factorial scheme with four nitrogen rates, six types of planting material, and two harvest seasons (winter and summer). Based on the results, it can be inferred that slips provided higher yields and heavier fruits, whereas plants derived from crowns and suckers showed lower productivity. Increasing nitrogen rates promoted greater fruit mass and length, higher pulp percentage, and increased production of vegetative propagules. Fruits harvested in the summer showed higher soluble solids content (15.5 °Brix), greater pulp and juice percentages, and lower titratable acidity, which are desirable characteristics for fresh consumption. Despite the seasonal differences, fruit mass ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 kg met commercial standards for both processing and domestic markets. The soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio (15.8) was below the ideal range for fresh consumption. The combination of appropriate planting material and nitrogen fertilization contributes to higher production efficiency, cost reduction, and improved fruit quality.

ABSTRACTCat-transmitted sporotrichosis is one of the fastest spreading zoonosis in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A retrospective study was conducted with analysis of incidence of human sporotrichosis complemented with spatial methodologies. Data from case reported to the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) from 2007 to 2023 were studied. Incidence, demographic variables, temporal, and spatial dynamics of this endemic disease were investigated. During 2007–2023, 15,401 cases of sporotrichosis were reported. Most cases (64.4%) occurred with women. The annual incidence from 2007 to 2023 was 5.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The incidence in 2016–2023 was 2.3 times higher than in 2007–2015. No significant differences were found regarding age between the two periods, but there were differences regarding gender: with a higher proportion of women in 2007–2015. The endemic is heterogenous with variations in time and space. Spatial analysis showed statistically significant clusters spread throughout Rio de Janeiro, in the periods of low incidence (2007–2015) and high incidence (2016–2023). In the period of high incidence, clusters were more numerous and had a greater range. In conclusion, the incidence levels and the proportion of affected territories increased over time. This study may contribute to understanding the dynamics of the endemic disease in the Rio de Janeiro State and guide control actions in places where they are most needed.

BACKGROUNDOropouche virus (OROV), an arbovirus endemic to the Amazon region, has recently expanded into non-endemic areas including Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.OBJECTIVETo characterise the spatio-temporal dynamics and ecological factors associated with OROV transmission in Rio de Janeiro during 2024-2025.METHODSWe analysed OROV case-associated ecological factors and performed a phylodynamic analysis on 40 viral genomes, comprising 35 new and five published sequences, sampled from 15 municipalities across the state during 2024-2025.FINDINGSOROV cases showed significant positive correlations with forest area (r = 0.50, p < 0.0001), banana harvest area (r = 0.39, p < 0.01), and cassava harvest area (r = 0.29, p < 0.05); but these factors were autocorrelated, suggesting a confounded relationship. We identified two OROV sub-clades circulating in the Rio de Janeiro State. The OROVRJ/ES sub-clade was likely introduced into the Southern Fluminense region around January 2024, spread primarily by short (> 2 km, 50% of events) and mid-distance movements (2-9 km; 30%) with a mean dispersal rate of 0.3 km/day, and seed outbreaks in Metropolitan and Northwest Fluminense regions in 2025. The OROVES-I clade was likely introduced into Central Fluminense and Coastal Lowlands regions, later spreading to the Northern Fluminense region.MAIN CONCLUSIONSFollowing its introduction in early 2024, OROV persisted in Rio de Janeiro State by spreading through short-distance movements among municipalities with high forest cover and agricultural areas. The sustained multi-year OROV transmission in the Atlantic Forest biome highlights the potential for establishment of endemic cycles beyond the Amazon region and the need for enhanced surveillance in extra-Amazonian areas, where OROV will evolve in a different ecosystem.

In Brazil, organochlorines pesticides (OCP) were used to combat vectors until the 2000s, and their residues are still present in environmental and biological matrices. Therefore, it is essential to assess the historical exposure of vector control workers (VCW). This article has two main objectives, to describe the validation of analytical methodology, and to assess simultaneous quantification of 26 analytes, between OCP and related transformation products, in blood plasma for VCW exposure levels. The occupational exposure of 127 VCW from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, to 26 analytes in blood plasma samples was evaluated using solid-phase extraction (SPE) for sample preparation and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The method performance met acceptance criteria according to Brazilian guideline showing linearity with correlation coefficients (R) between 0.936 and 0.994 in 0.2 to 15 ng mL-1 range; recovery between 93 to 105%; limit of detection (LOD) of 0.015 to 0.468 ng mL-1, and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.045 to 1.419 ng mL-1; precision with coefficients of variation &lt; 20%. VCW samples presented 52% dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane (DDT) isomers and related transformation products (0.15 to 8.22 ng mL-1), and 12% contained beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) residues (0.09 to 0.28 ng mL-1). It was possible to demonstrate high prevalence of VCW with residues, even after the cessation of exposure years ago.

The genus Sarcocystis comprises apicomplexan parasites associated with clinical manifestations, including reproductive and neurological disorders, in a wide range of domestic and wild animals. Infections by Sarcocystis spp. have been reported in birds on all continents except Antarctica. In this context, the present study reports two cases in which Sarcocystis spp. were identified at different developmental stages, endogenous and exogenous, in wild birds captured in Southeastern Brazil. Oocysts and sporocysts were detected in the feces of a roadside hawk Rupornis magnirostris, captured on Marambaia Island, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. In addition, bradyzoite cysts were observed in the muscle tissue of a rufous-bellied thrush Turdus rufiventris, captured in Itatiaia National Park. Accordingly, this study provides comments on the parasitic dynamics of Sarcocystis spp. in a wild environment and discusses the potential species involved in these host-parasite associations. For Sarcocystis sp. detected in the rufous-bellied thrush, based on evidence from previous studies, we strongly suggest that this species is Sarcocystis falcatula. In contrast, for Sarcocystis sp. detected from the roadside hawk, no specific species assignment can be made, as data on hawks acting as definitive hosts of Sarcocystis spp. in South America remain scarce. Although S. falcatula may involve Accipitriformes in its life cycle, members of this order are considered intermediate rather than definitive hosts for this species. Therefore, we present herein a survey of Sarcocystis spp. that involve Accipitriformes in their life cycles, including comparative data on sporocyst measurements for each species.

The COVID-19 pandemic's enforced social isolation significantly disrupted numerous economic activities, notably road transport. This period, dubbed "anthropause," provided a unique moment to study its effects on wildlife, specifically mammal roadkill patterns on Brazil's BR-101/North-RJ highway. This research assessed whether reduced vehicle traffic during the pandemic's first year impacted mammal roadkill rates. Monitoring was conducted monthly from March 2019 to February 2021, spanning pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, across four 10-km highway sections. Findings indicated a 45% decrease in mammal roadkills during the pandemic, especially in the third quadrimester (November-2020 to February-2021) of the pandemic period (W = 77; p = 0.027). Of the nine taxa examined, Didelphis aurita and Coendou spinosus experienced the most significant reductions in roadkill rate. No link was found between climatic conditions and roadkill frequency, yet a noteworthy correlation emerged between vehicle traffic volume and roadkill rates (r = 0.281; p = 0.005). Despite a temporary decline in traffic, varying roadkill rates across highway segments pointed to diverse responses from environmental and traffic variations. The study emphasizes that even modest reductions in traffic can significantly lower roadkill rates, supporting the idea that the anthropause positively influenced the reduction of road-induced mortality among Neotropical mammals.

Taxonomic knowledge is essential for assessing biodiversity. When combined with species&amp;rsquo; spatial distribution, it serves as a tool for understanding ecological and evolutionary processes. In this study in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, we associate the taxonomic diversity of shrub&amp;ndash;tree Leguminosae with species locations across an island continuum with different Atlantic Forest phytophysiognomies. A total of 428 specimens, representing 61 species, were recorded and mapped. Our survey identified areas requiring increased sampling effort and highlighted priority sites for conservation, based on diversity, taxonomic representation, and the presence of threatened species. The highest species richness and specimen abundance were concentrated below 500 m a.s.l., within Lowland and Submontane Dense Ombrophilous Forests. Notably, only four species were represented by more than 20 specimens, while nearly 50% of species had just two specimens in the island&amp;rsquo;s vegetation sampling.