Ticks and tick-borne diseases have spread since the mid-twentieth century largely due to major anthropogenic changes impacting natural ecosystems. The Coendou spinosus is a medium sized rodent found in the southeast of Brazil. There is little information about the presence and richness of ticks on porcupines. The objective of this study was to identified ticks collected from C. spinosus received at a triage center of wildlife in the city of São Paulo, from 1996 to 2025 (almost 30 years). Ticks from a total of 100 free-ranging porcupines were collected. A total of 223 ticks in various life stages were analyzed. Fifty-eight larvae, 17 nymphs, and 148 adults were identified. Of these, 89 were males and 59 were females. Some animals presented mixed infestations, with more than one tick species. The most prevalent species was Amblyomma longirostre, with samples from 86 animals, followed by A. parkeri (18 animals), A. dubitatum (1 animal), A. ovale (1 animal), A. sculptum (1 animal), and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (1 animal). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of Haemaphysalis juxtakochi parasitizing this porcupine species. Additionally, we highlight the observation of a male of A. longirostre attached to the porcupine's spine. Ticks are important vectors of several pathogens causing zoonotic diseases. This work contains information that can contribute to knowledge and conservation of porcupines, and to the development of environmental surveillance strategies.

Supernumerary teeth (ST) are developmental anomalies. However, factors associated with ST have not been extensively reported in the literature. The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with single supernumerary teeth (SST) and multiple supernumerary teeth (MST) in a non-syndromic Brazilian sample. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 305 non-syndromic patients with ST seen over a 10-year period at a paediatric oral surgery service in Southeast Brazil. The outcome variable was the classification of ST as SST or MST. Covariates included age, race, sex, morphology, location, position, eruption status, orientation, associated complications, and treatment modality of ST. The Mann-Whitney test, chi-squared test, and both simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 460 ST were identified among the 305 patients, with male predominance (68.2%). Mean age was 9.3years. Most patients had SST (62.2%) and 37.8% had MST. ST were primarily located in the maxilla (93.1%), with fewer cases in the mandible or both arches. MST were strongly associated with specific position, eruption, orientation, clinical complication, morphological, and treatment characteristics (p < 0.001). Tuberculate and supplemental ST, palatal positioning, and eruption status were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of MST. Moreover, MST were associated with a greater risk of adjacent tooth displacement and greater need for combined orthodontic treatment and extraction.

Summary The Tietê River is an anthropogenically disturbed urban water body polluted by a combination of untreated domestic sewage releasing (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution) and diffuse pollution that cross São Paulo State in Southeast of Brazil. Along its course, it presents contrasting sites showing elevated levels of nutrients and contaminants (eutrophic sites) and oligotrophic environments, in both water and sediments. In this study, we investigated how pollution influences the taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities in the Tietê River watershed, with the aim of understanding their role in pollutant transformation during downstream transport. Four sampling sites along a pollution gradient—from São Paulo city to a relatively pristine area near the river mouth—were evaluated. Results indicated that diversity differences were primarily linked to water quality, with higher diversity observed in less contaminated sites. Heterotrophic metabolism was more prominent in polluted regions, whereas photoautotrophic and lithotrophic microorganisms were more abundant in clean areas. Additionally, genes associated with the metabolism of aromatic compounds and virulence factors were more prevalent in environments with higher anthropogenic influence, suggesting a functional shift geared toward environmental adaptation and bioremediation. We propose that, in areas with high organic matter concentrations, microbial communities tend to adopt an r-strategy lifestyle, characterized by rapid growth and reproduction, while in oligotrophic, less polluted sites, more competitive k-strategists predominate. Although the following hypothesis was not extensively studied, the lower abundance of genes involved in secondary metabolic synthesis in eutrophic sites suggests that pollution may reduce the availability of novel species or traits relevant for biotechnological applications. Additionally, community shifts appear to be influenced by "conditionally rare taxa," which temporarily alter their activity and abundance in response to environmental constraints, playing a critical role in water self-purification processes. Overall, these findings offer new insights into the environmental factors driving self-purification in the Tietê River and shed light on the ecological mechanisms underpinning river resilience.

Managing scientific research in southeast Brazil: attributes and needs

Long-lived topography along rifted margins: Insights from Aparados da Serra escarpment, Southeast Brazil

Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) is a systematic approach that integrates quality into method design, ensuring robustness, fitness for purpose, and consistency throughout the lifecycle. This study aimed to assess the current scenario, benefits, and challenges of implementing AQbD in analytical method development within the pharmaceutical industry. The methodology included a questionnaire survey applied to pharmaceutical companies, complemented by insights from the literature to contextualize regulatory and scientific challenges. While AQbD offers a promising approach for developing robust methods, its full adoption faces technical, operational, and regulatory barriers. The survey found that although 88.3% of the responding companies are familiar with AQbD, only 50% have begun implementation, mainly in early stages with a focus on tools like design of experiments and risk assessment. Key AQbD components remain underutilized. The main barriers to implementation include a lack of technical resources, qualified personnel, cultural resistance, and unclear regulatory requirements. The literature indicates that AQbD has been widely applied. However, methodological inconsistencies persist. The comparative analysis revealed the alignment between literature and practice regarding benefits but also highlighted gaps in AQbD implementation. By identifying the specific challenges faced by regulated sectors, this study provides valuable insights for regulatory agencies to anticipate future needs, refine guidelines, and promote harmonized standards that ultimately strengthen analytical method quality and ensure consistent product quality throughout the lifecycle.

Numerous A and B subgroups can cause discrepancies between forward and reverse typing, weak reactivity or unexpected antibody patterns. This study aimed to identify the most prevalent ABO subgroups in a population of Southeast Brazil, characterize their serological profiles and evaluate their impact on ABO typing. Donor samples collected in São Paulo State, Brazil, were included in the study and classified into two groups according to predefined selection criteria. Group 1 comprised 27 samples with reduced or negative reactivity with anti-A1 lectin, selected from 225 donors with routine Group A typing. Group 2 comprised 33 samples selected over a 2-year period due to atypical ABO typing and subsequently subjected to complementary serological testing. All samples were molecularly characterized using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing. In Group 1, the predominant allele was ABO*A2.01, representing 10.2% of all type A donors. In Group 2, the most frequent variant allele was ABO*AW.09 (33%), followed by ABO*AW.31 (11%) and ABO*AEL.01 (11%). All these three subgroups were implicated in cases of ABO mistyping. B subgroups were identified in two samples and were associated with molecular changes in intron 1 (+5.8-kb site). Although ABO subgroups are uncommon, they occur in our population and directly affect blood typing. The results demonstrate the presence of clinically significant variants and highlight the need for vigilance in donor screening, including careful interpretation of typing results, the use of complementary serological testing and molecular analysis when necessary.

Abstract Background: Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), caused by pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in TP53, is a cancer predisposition syndrome that increases the risk for numerous cancer types in both children and adults. Many studies have shown that cancer rates can vary between races and ethnicities. For example, the 2024 Cancer Statistics published by the American Cancer Society reported the incidence for breast cancer to be highest for White individuals and lowest for Hispanic/Latino individuals. One LFS study showed East Asian individuals were more frequently diagnosed with gastric cancer compared to North Americans and Europeans. Other studies identified P/LP TP53 variants associated with specific populations, such as the South and Southeast Brazil founder variant, p.Arg337His. However, there lacks extensive research on the variable expressivity of cancers within the LFS population, based on genotype, race, and/or ethnicity. This study aims to describe the specific TP53 germline variants, cancer rates, and cancer types among individuals of different racial and ethnic groups diagnosed with LFS. Methods: A retrospective chart review of individuals with germline P/LP TP53 variants at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was completed. Data collected includes race, ethnicity, number of cancer diagnoses, cancer types, and location of the TP53 variant (exon and codon). Individuals with a suspected somatic TP53 variant were excluded from this study. Racial groupings included Asian, Black or African American, White, and Other/Unspecified. Ethnicity was categorized as Hispanic, Non-Hispanic, and Other/Unspecified. There were also six cancer type categories: adrenocortical carcinoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and non-core LFS cancers. Descriptive and statistical analyses, including chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests and pairwise comparisons, were performed using R software (v4.4.1). Results: Two hundred and fifty individuals with a confirmed P/LP TP53 variant were included in the analysis. Breast cancer was the most common cancer type diagnosed for all ethnic and racial groups, except Asian individuals, who most frequently had non-core LFS cancer diagnoses. There was a significant difference in the rate of breast cancer across racial groups (p = 0.037), with Black or African American individuals with LFS having the highest rate of breast cancer at 76.5%. Additionally, individuals who identified as Black or African American were 1.87 times more likely to develop breast cancer in comparison to those who identified as White. For cancer rates, most individuals in each racial and ethnic group were diagnosed with one primary cancer. Statistical analysis did not identify a significant difference in cancer rates across groups defined by race or ethnicity. Regarding the location of variants within the TP53 gene, there was a significant difference in the rate of variants in exon four (p = 0.021) and exon six (p = 0.016) across racial groups, with variants in exon four being more common in Asian individuals (33.3%) and variants in exon six being more common in Black or African American individuals (35.3%). Conclusion: This study highlights similarities in the rates and types of cancers seen across racial and ethnic groups within a cohort of individuals with LFS. However, this study also identified potential differences in the rates of breast cancer and variant location across racial populations within the cohort. The results of this study provide information that can lead to more personalized counseling for patients and train risk models to accurately predict cancer risk for individuals with LFS of differing races and ethnicities. Citation Format: H. Esplen, B. Arun, C. DiNardo, H. Abdel-Salam, K. Richardson, C. Peterson, J. Corredor. Evaluating Cancer Rates, Cancer Types, and Variant Hotspots Across Races and Ethnicities in Individuals with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS3-01-13.

Abstract Biological invasions can impact the dynamics of ecological processes. For primates of the genus Callithrix , congeneric introductions and hybridization are one of the greatest threats to native species. Three species of Callithrix have been recorded in Rio Doce State Park in south-east Brazil: the Endangered native buffy-tufted-ear marmoset Callithrix aurita and two introduced marmosets, the Geoffroy’s tufted-ear marmoset Callithrix geoffroyi and the black-pencilled marmoset Callithrix penicillata , but their relative abundance was unknown. We used the call playback method and adapted N-mixture models to estimate the abundance and of these marmosets in relation to canopy cover, tree circumference, tree density, number of lianas and epiphytes per tree, distances to nearest forest edge, road, tourist area and urban area, and detection probability in relation to survey effort, mean daily precipitation and temperature. We recorded 139 individuals (0.12 individuals/ha), all hybrids except for one C. aurita . Marmoset abundance was higher close to the forest edge, possibly as a result of the greater availability of food and shelter there. Detection probability was positively correlated with daily precipitation, most probably because marmosets foraged more actively when humidity was high. The situation in Rio Doce State Park is critical, with high hybridization levels and potential local extinction of C. aurita . We recommend that a management plan to conserve the remaining C. aurita is implemented urgently.

ABSTRACTBackgroundCandida (Candidozyma) auris is an emerging yeast that poses a significant global health threat due to its multidrug resistance and ability to cause healthcare‐associated outbreaks. Genomic surveillance is essential for monitoring spread, transmission and antifungal resistance.ObjectivesTo report the first identification and genomic characterisation of C. auris in the state of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil, and to investigate the genetic origin and diversity, resistance‐associated mutations, and potential transmission dynamics during a hospital outbreak.MethodsEight C. auris isolates were collected during a hospital outbreak in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, including clinical samples from patients and environmental samples from surfaces in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Epidemiological investigation, whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenomic analyses were conducted to determine circulating clade, genetic diversity, outbreak origin and the presence of antifungal resistance mutations.ResultsAll isolates were classified as clade IV and exhibited high genomic similarity to strains previously reported in northern Colombia (Caribbean coast). One isolate carried the ERG11 Y132F mutation, associated with fluconazole resistance, but this mutation was absent in another isolate from the same patient collected 1 day earlier, indicating mixed fungal populations. Environmental isolates clustered tightly with clinical strains, supporting surface‐mediated transmission in the ICU.ConclusionsThis study describes the introduction and local spread of clade IV C. auris in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The findings underscore the critical role of genomic surveillance in identifying resistance mechanisms, tracing transmission pathways and guiding public health responses.

The Painel USP de Gêmeos (University of São Paulo Twin Panel) is, based at the Instituto de Psicologia da Universidade de São Paulo. It was formally established in 2017 to advance research on fundamental psychological processes through twin study designs. Our relatively new registry comprises a volunteer sample of 8839 twin individuals, 70% of whom live in Brazil's Southeast, the region with the highest twinning birth rate (10.64‰) of the country, within a national population of 213 million. Our collaborative research group has expanded to include partners from psychology, dentistry, and medicine at USP, as well as other Brazilian institutions, such as the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Universidade Federal da Bahia, and Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. We are advancing biobehavioral research in Brazil through innovative methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international partnerships. All twin participants contribute to multiple studies associated with four datasets employing the same hierarchical identification system for participants and families: the Biorepository, the Physiological and Physical Repository, the Behavioral Repository, and Fonoteca Cesar Ades (FOCA). Future directions include expanding our twin registry across the five regions of Brazil, our research partnerships, promoting genetic literacy, and fostering public engagement.

Abstract Intraspecific variation in plant traits, such as crop and fruit sizes, can affect frugivore attractiveness to individuals, ultimately influencing plant fitness. Different nutritional rewards offered by plants may attract different sets of seed dispersers, but we know little about how these differences can translate into dispersal effectiveness. Because seed dispersal interactions occur at the individual-level, downscaling from species to individual-based networks may help us link individual traits to plant fitness. Here, we tested whether crop and fruit sizes affected interactions between plant individuals and bird species using individual-based networks for two plant species offering contrasting nutritional rewards: the lipid-rich Xylopia aromatica and carbohydrate-rich Miconia rubiginosa . To this end, we sampled bird-fruit interactions in 10 individuals per plant species, representing a gradient of crop and fruit sizes in southeast Brazil. Then, we linked those traits to species-level network metrics, number of visits and quantitative effectiveness to examine their influence on seed dispersal. Miconia trees with larger fruit crops were more connected and attained higher quantitative effectiveness than trees with smaller fruit crops, whereas for Xylopia , trees producing larger fruits showed lower per capita fruit removal. Our findings suggest that traits that shape the selective pressures exerted by frugivores differ among plant species.

Extreme heat waves (HW) have intensified with climate change and represent a growing threat to cardiovascular health. Brazil, particularly the Southeast region, concentrates densely populated metropolitan areas and is highly vulnerable to the health impacts of rising temperatures. This study aimed to estimate excess mortality from cardiovascular causes associated with HW events in Southeast Brazil between 2014 and 2023. We conducted a time-series analysis using aggregated mortality data from the Brazilian Informatics Health Department and meteorological data from Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. HW intensity was classified via the Excess Heat Factor (EHF), and excess mortality was estimated using observed-to-expected ratios. Correlation analyses between temperature and mortality from hypertension and ischemic heart disease were performed. Eleven extreme HW were identified during the study period. Mortality from cardiovascular causes coincided with HW episodes, particularly among older adults and in the largest metropolitan areas. Results indicated excess deaths during specific events, with an unusual increase observed in the winter of 2022. The correlations between mean temperature and monthly mortality were weak or negative, reinforcing the need for robust indices such as the EHF to capture health impacts of extreme heat. HW events in Southeast Brazil were associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. The findings highlight extreme heat as a relevant public health risk and reinforce the need for early warning systems, targeted mitigation strategies, and policies for urban and occupational adaptation. These results demonstrate that HW significantly aggravates cardiovascular mortality in Brazil’s most populous region.

Abstract Recent observations and drilling campaigns have challenged the typical models for rifted margins by providing evidence for the existence of intermediate cases between the magmatic and amagmatic end‐members. In this contribution, we document the evolution of the Central Campos rifted margin, located in southeast Brazil, based on a combined interpretation of potential field, well, and high‐resolution seismic data. From the necking to the distal domain, we describe the geometries of low‐angle detachment faults and their associated domain‐bounding breakaways that led to the formation of metamorphic core‐complexes and exhumation of middle‐lower continental crust. We show that extension was accommodated by crustal‐scale faults but also accompanied by intense magmatic activity, evidencing a complex interaction between faults and magma. The distal margin exhibits seaward‐dipping reflectors that are interpreted to have been emplaced over exhumed and intruded lower crust, followed by the formation of a magmatic crust and a magmatic outer domain. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model for the tectono‐magmatic evolution of the Central Campos and summarize the main characteristics that frame it as a potential archetype for hybrid rifted margins.

ABSTRACTSpotted fever is a tick-borne rickettsiosis caused by several Rickettsia species—including R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, and others—with varying degrees of pathogenicity. Its nonspecific symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis such as dengue. This study investigated anti-R. rickettsii and R. parkeri antibodies in 152 patients with acute febrile illness who tested negative for dengue. Serological analysis using immunofluorescence assay found 29 reactive samples (19%) at a 1:64 dilution. Among them, 20.6% were male and 58.6% female, with an average age of 42.6 years. The average sample collection time totaled 14.6 days. Reactive samples included 13.1% for R. rickettsii and 5.9% for R. parkeri. These results suggest possible rickettsial infections in patients initially suspected of dengue.

This manuscript aims to analyze certain social technologies produced for inclusive education, registered in the Banco do Brasil Foundation Social Technologies Database. It is a qualitative exploratory and documentary investigation, whose object was the social technologies registered in the theme “education”, subtheme “social inclusion of people with disabilities”. The productions were characterized in a summary table and analyzed based on theoretical references of inclusive education. The study included 18 experiences, which dealt with different technologies, with a predominance of methodologies and products. Although there was reference to the five Brazilian regions, a predominance of the Brazilian Southeast region was observed. In the five categories of analysis listed, it was identified that the social technologies analyzed played a significant role in promoting the inclusion of subjects by providing innovative and accessible solutions for the respective groups for which they were intended. These technologies were designed to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities and their families, aiming to overcome challenges and promote inclusive development. Finally, recognizing the challenges and difficulties, as presented in the productions analyzed, is essential to build increasingly robust, sustainable, and resilient solutions for inclusion.

Neotropical aquatic ecosystems harbor a rich diversity of endemic species, many critically threatened by anthropic activities, such as the aeglid crabs. Hemolymph cell morphology and viability analyses offer diagnostic tools for evaluating the biological condition of species subjected to environmental stressors. This study investigates apoptotic cell ratios in freshwater crabs of the genus Aegla, exposed to anthropic impact. Hemocyte morphology and apoptosis levels were assessed in Aegla spp. collected from streams with different levels of disturbance across Brazil's southeast region. Water quality parameters were measured alongside concentrations of metals and surfactants. Sites exhibiting the lowest water quality presented significantly elevated apoptotic cell ratios. The integration of hemolymph analyses with environmental assessments revealed potential correlations between biotic and abiotic factors, offering an understanding of the relationship between immune status and ecological conditions in aeglid species. This integrative approach provides a valuable framework for informing conservation strategies for these freshwater organisms.

Accurate flood susceptibility modeling is critical for effective disaster risk management, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions exposed to extreme precipitation. This study applies machine learning models to map flood susceptibility across the São Paulo Metropolitan Region (SPMR), Brazil, and integrates Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques to improve model transparency and interpretability. Among the tested models, Random Forest achieved the highest predictive performance (F1-score: 71.14%), outperforming XGBoost (64.86%), LightGBM (64.77%), and artificial neural networks (38.36%). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) identified valley depth, land cover (CN_Grid), and geology as the most influential predictors, whereas vegetation indices such as NDVI and NDMI exhibited low explanatory power. Complementary use of Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) and counterfactual analysis enabled local-level interpretability, illustrating how specific environmental conditions influence flood risk. The susceptibility map revealed that 92% of the SPMR is classified as very low susceptibility, but localized high-risk zones exist, particularly in pasturelands, wetlands, and built-up areas. These findings emphasize that topographic and hydrological factors are the primary drivers of flood susceptibility, and that integrating XAI into flood modeling enhances both scientific insight and practical utility. The study demonstrates that interpretable ensemble models offer a reliable and transparent framework for urban flood risk assessment and spatially targeted mitigation planning in the context of climate adaptation.

To understand how genetic variation among varieties and stand density affect carbon (C), we assessed C stocks, fluxes, and partitioning in Pinus taeda L. plantations in Southeast Brazil. We measured the annual C balance in two consecutive years (from 7 to 9 years after planting) in four different clonal varieties with distinct crown structures (C1-medium, C2-broad, C3-narrow, and C4-broad) and an OP (open-pollinated) family. From age 7 to 8 years, the C balance was assessed for all five varieties at a stand density of 1894 trees ha− 1. From age 8 to 9 years, the C balance was assessed for three varieties (C2, C3, and OP) at two stand densities (low density (LD): 613 trees ha− 1 and high density (HD): 1894 trees ha− 1). At age 7–8, the total C stock (above- and belowground plus the litter layer) among varieties ranged from 168 Mg C ha− 1 (C3) to 186 Mg C m− 2 (C1), with the bole as the largest pool (68%). Aboveground net primary production (ANPP) ranged from 1.9 to 3.1 kg C m− 2 year− 1, and total belowground carbon flux (TBCF) from 2.0 to 2.9 kg C m− 2 year− 1. The partitioning of GPP (Gross Primary Production) to ANPP and TBCF reached a maximum value of 35% and 41%, respectively. At age 8–9 years, the C stock was greater in the HD stands than in the LD stands across all varieties. Overall, C stock reached between 103.5 and 184.6 Mg C ha− 1. ANPP under HD was 1.9 kg C m−² year−¹ compared with 0.62 kg C m−² year−¹ under LD. There were no significant differences in TBCF between the HD and LD stands. The partitioning of GPP to ANPP was lower and to TBCF was higher under LD compared with HD. Relationship between crown structure and the C stock, fluxes, and partitioning is not clear and should be used with caution for management prescriptions related to C sequestration. Also, no differences in the bole C stock and sequestration were found across varieties within the same planting density. Finally, the genetic variation among varieties and stand density significantly affected stand productivity, with stand density showing greater effect.

Socol is an artisanal meat product typical of Southeast Brazil. It is made from pork loin and ripened at room temperature. This work aimed to isolate, quantify, and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in Brazilian dry-cured loin (Socol) as well as evaluate their in vitro probiotic potential. LAB were found in high amounts, varying from 2.5 × 103 to 9.2 × 106 CFU g−1. Eleven isolated bacteria were identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time-Of-Flight/Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). Of these, six strains (Latilactobacillus brevis SFC1A, Latilactobacillus sakei SFC2A, Latilactobacillus curvatus SFC6A, Pediococcus acidilactici SFC9A, Latilactobacillus curvatus SFC11A, and Pediococcus pentosaceus SFC11B) were submitted to in vitro probiotic tests. All were tolerant to bile salts and five of them to artificial gastric juice, and were all sensitive to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin. L. brevis SFC1A and P. acidilactici SFC9A inhibited all tested pathogenic bacteria and showed the broadest in vitro probiotic activity. Thus, they would be recommended as starter cultures for the elaboration of novel fermented meat products and to compose a bank of indigenous bacteria, as well as contribute to preserving Socol microbiota.