Southern Brazil Research Articles

Comparison of the Performance of Commercially Available Quantitative Viral Load Assays Using Clinical Samples from Patients from Regions Where Distinct HIV-1 Subtypes Co-Circulate: Potential Implications for Patient Management.

HIV RNA plasma viral load (VL) is the standard surrogate marker to monitor response to antiretroviral treatment (ART). We compared the linearity, repeatability, and concordance of six commercially available HIV RNA VL platforms using clinical samples from patients from Brazilian sites where different HIV-1 subtypes co-circulate. A total of 150 plasma samples from each city were collected in Curitiba, Southern Brazil (subtype C), São Paulo (subtype B), and Santos (BF recombinants), Southeast Brazil. Platforms were VERSANT® Siemens HIV RNA 1.0 (kPCR); VERSANT® Siemens HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA); Abbott Real-Time HIV-1; NucliSens EasyQ® HIV-1 v2.0 Biomerieux; COBAS® TaqMan®, Roche; and artus HIV Virus-1 RT-PCR, QIAGEN. OptiQuant HIV-1 RNA quantification panel was used to compare VL linearity, using samples containing 50, 500,5,000, 50,000, 500,000, and 5,000,000 HIV copies/mL. HIV RNA panels with subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G, H, circulating recombinant form (CRF)1, and CRF2 were utilized. A high degree of linearity and repeatability was demonstrated for all platforms. When compared with a subtype B reference sample, 17 of 54 (31.48%) samples diverged by more than 0.5 log10 copies/mL. Except for the Roche platform, all platforms underestimated subtype C VLs. A total of 743 (82.6%) valid results were obtained with samples from São Paulo, 707 (78.6%) from Santos, and 673 (74.8%) from Curitiba (São Paulo vs. Santos, p = .03; São Paulo vs. Curitiba, p = .00006; Santos vs. Curitiba, p = .06). The number of discordant samples between different methodologies when VL was undetectable in one method and detectable in the other ranged from 1.25% (Abbot vs. Siemens) to 44.8% (Abbott vs. Biomerieux). Finding samples with undetectable VL in one method and a high VL in another might have important individual and public health consequences. Standardization of VL measurements, particularly for non-B subtypes infections, especially subtype C, is necessary to maximize the individual and public health benefits of ART globally.

Arterial hypertension in the era of obesity bias: the impact of obesity status on pharmacological treatment intensification in patients with diabetes

Abstract Background Obesity is recognized as a significant risk factor for several chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Despite the growing healthcare needs of individuals with obesity, they often encounter obesity bias, potentially impacting the quality of medical care they receive. Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the impact of obesity on the appropriateness of antihypertensive treatment decisions in individuals with concurrent diabetes and hypertension. Methods In this multicenter cross-sectional study, patients with type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension who were receiving outpatient care across four centers in Southern Brazil were enrolled. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their Body Mass Index (BMI): eutrophic (BMI <25.0 kg/m²) and patients with obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²). The primary outcome evaluated was the difference in pharmacological treatment decisions for hypertension between groups, considering individualized hypertension targets from American Diabetes Association (ADA), European Society of Hypertension (ESH), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Analysis was conducted on whether patients failed to receive necessary treatment intensification, comparing groups through multivariable logistic regression. Results The study comprised 204 individuals with type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension, including 53 eutrophic and 151 patients with obesity. It was observed that patients with obesity more frequently fail to receive appropriate treatment intensification when compared to eutrophic individuals. This finding was statistically significant across the hypertension targets set by the ESH (adjusted Odds Ratio [OR] 2.03 [95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.08-3.83], p = 0.022), ESC (adjusted OR 1.94 [95% CI 1.03-3.65], p = 0.035), and ADA (adjusted OR 2.01 [95% CI 1.07-3.79], p = 0.021). Conclusion The study indicates that obesity may contribute to disparities in the management of hypertension, suggesting a link between obesity status and therapeutic inertia in treating arterial hypertension among these patients.

Drought Resistance of Cover Crops and Grain Crops in Oxisols in Southern Brazil

Drought Resistance of Cover Crops and Grain Crops in Oxisols in Southern Brazil

CHILD FEEDING BEHAVIOUR, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, AND FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY AMONG PRESCHOOLERS IN A SOCIALLY VULNERABLE AREA

Food insecurity (FI) can directly impact children’s eating behaviour and nutritional status, potentially leading to long-term health issues. This study aimed to examine the relationship between children’s eating behaviour, nutritional status, and FI among preschoolers in a socially vulnerable area of a municipality in Southern Brazil. A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted involving children aged 2 to 5 who were beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). Data were collected using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Nutritional status was classified using height-for-age and BMI-for-age indices. The study comprised 90 children, with 59.0% experiencing food insecurity. Girls exhibited a higher average score of disordered eating behaviour compared to boys, indicating a stronger interest in food. Nutritional status analysis revealed a high prevalence of overweight risk (43.30%), particularly among boys. A significant association was observed between BMI-for-age (eutrophy) and food insecurity (p=0.003). The majority of eutrophic children also experience food insecurity. There is a need to carry out research on similar topics in order to support the development of public policies on food and nutritional security.

Biometric Parameters and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) as a Function of Lime and Phosphogypsum Reapplication

ABSTRACT The effects of lime and phosphogypsum (GY) on wheat (Triticum aestivum) nutrition are well documented. However, little is known about the influence of these soil amendments on biometric parameters or yield components. This study investigated the effects of lime and GY on wheat crops grown at cation base saturation (BS) levels of 44%, 70%, and 90%, achieved by surface application or soil incorporation of lime. Two additional treatments were included: surface liming to 70% combined with a standard rate of GY (3.71 Mg ha−1) or twice the recommended GY rate (7.42 Mg ha−1). The experiment was conducted during two crop seasons in Southern Brazil. The treatments did not influence dry biomass partitioning between spikes, stems, and leaves and total. In one season, liming increased flag leaf area, which was strongly associated with grain yield. Regardless of the rate, application method, and combined use of GY, liming increased the number of grains per spike in both seasons, which was the variable that most influenced wheat yield. Liming also increased spike length and the number of spikelets per spike in the 2018 season. No benefits were seen when lime was applied by soil incorporation, BS was raised to 90%, or liming was combined with GY application. The results showed a positive effect of liming on wheat yield components that are associated with grain yield.

Geometric Evaluation of an Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter Device Using Representative Regular Waves of the Sea State Found in Tramandaí, Brazil

Aiming to contribute to studies related to the generation of electrical energy from renewable sources, this study carried out a geometric investigation of an oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter (WEC) device. The structure of this device consists of a hydropneumatic chamber and an air duct, where a turbine is coupled to an electrical energy generator. When waves hit the device, the air inside it is pressurized and depressurized, causing the air to flow through the duct, activating the turbine. In this sense, the present study used the constructal design method to evaluate the influence of the ratio between the height and length of the hydropneumatic chamber (H1/L) on the mean available hydropneumatic power (PH(RMS)). Fluent software was used to perform numerical simulations of representative regular waves from the sea state in the municipality of Tramandaí, southern Brazil, impacting the OWC. Thus, it was possible to identify the geometry that maximized the performance of the OWC WEC, with (H1/L)O=0.3430, yielding PH(RMS)=56.66 W. In contrast, the worst geometry was obtained with H1/L=0.1985, where PH(RMS)=28.19 W. Therefore, the best case is 101% more efficient than the worst one.

Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy Practices Towards Sustainability in Forest-Based Clusters: Case Studies in Southern Brazil

This study aimed to investigate how Industrial Symbiosis (IS) built around thermoelectric power plants (TPPs) located in forest-based clusters in the southern plateau region of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, can stimulate the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices. Data were collected to identify the presence of forest-based clusters and the purchase and sale of logs, processed wood, and forest residues from companies within the clusters, and to investigate CE practices using the ReSOLVE framework adopted in two TPPs, which used residues and black liquor as fuel. The results indicate that the nature of the forest-based activities enhances the formation of clusters, especially when TPPs use forest residues for energy production with IS intensified in this process. Brazil has 140 TTPs that use forest biomass with the capacity to generate 5.5 million wK. Three clusters were identified in the study region with purchase and sale, respectively, of logs (78.6 and 100%), processed wood (75 and 66.7%), and wood residues (45.5 and 83.3%) within the region. The case studies indicated the strong occurrence of CE practices in the cases analyzed that contribute to four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) proposed by the United Nations (7, 8, 9, and 12).

Climate-adaptative management strategies for soybean production under ENSO scenarios in Southern Brazil: An in-silico analysis of crop failure risk

CONTEXTSoybeans (Glycine max L.) are a crucial crop for global food security, and the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, plays a significant role. However, climate instability, particularly water stress (WS), is a major concern in this region, causing large interannual yield variability. OBJECTIVEThis study aims to address this issue using an in-silico approach to: i) characterize WS and spatial patterns and their frequency within ENSO events; and ii) explore climate-adaptative management strategies such as planting dates and maturity groups to mitigate the risk of crop failure and maximize seed yield and profits. METHODSCrop growth simulations were performed testing three soybean maturity groups (MG, 5.0, 5.8, and 6.4) and eight planting dates (from October 5th to January 20th) over 30 years at 187 locations in RS, Brazil, using APSIM Next Generation. Failure risk was calculated as the percentage of simulations that yielded less than the economic break-even soybean yield in a given scenario. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe simulated yields were clustered into four regions: Northeast, North, Central, and Southwest. Four WS seasonal patterns were then defined (no stress, early stress, late stress, and whole season stress). On average, WS reduced yields up to 2 Mg ha-1 (∼50 % relative to the maximum). WS varied among regions, with the SW experiencing more frequent and severe stress (up to 50 % of whole season stress during La Nina). ENSO events influenced WS frequency, with El Niño events associated with reduced stress and La Niña events to increased stress. The MG 5.0 resulted in a higher probability of failure risk in all regions. Early planting dates resulted in the highest yield variability (up to 5 Mg ha-1). Climate-adaptative management strategies, such as optimizing planting dates and maturity groups, resulted in a 15 % reduction in crop failure. SIGNIFICANCEOur findings provide valuable insights for developing targeted approaches to enhance soybean yield stability, thereby increasing the resilience of agriculture in the face of future climate uncertainties.

Optimizing municipal solid waste collection management through data mining: a case study in southern Brazil

Optimizing municipal solid waste collection management through data mining: a case study in southern Brazil

Unveiling the diversity of thaliaceans (Chordata, thaliacea) from the South Brazilian Bight and Southern Subtropical Shelf (22°-33°S)

Unveiling the diversity of thaliaceans (Chordata, thaliacea) from the South Brazilian Bight and Southern Subtropical Shelf (22°-33°S)

Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto genetic diversity from cystic fibrosis patients

We aimed to access the genetic diversity of Apergillus fumigatus strains obtained from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients from southern Brazil. A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates from respiratory clinical specimens were genotyped by microsatellite markers and azole resistance was evaluated by azole-agar screening. Twenty-seven isolates from twenty-seven patients showed a high genetic diversity, with the differentiation of 25 different genotypes (25 unique and one common to two isolates). All isolates were susceptible to the azoles tested. We believe that prospectively monitoring A. fumigatus genetic diversity is essential to identify interpatient transmission and outbreaks, as is the identification of resistant strains.

Update of the non-marine (terrestrial & freshwater) molluscs systematic inventory occurring in Santa Catarina State/ SC, Central Southern Brazil region

Introduction: The survey of the mollusc fauna (malacofauna) of a geopolitical region (State) is important from several aspects, reaching several important sectors of knowledge. So if all regions could do the same we would have within, a few years, expanded and completed the catalog of molluscs in Brazil, with much still to be added with regard to terrestrial and freshwater fauna. Objective: Updated general rеᴠiеw of the inventory of non-marine molluscs occurring in the Santa Catarina State/ SC, subtropical Central Southern portion of the Brazilian territory. Methodology: Organization of a occurring State species taxonomic checklist and their corresponding reference database, comprising the regional knowledge formally produced around the theme at least since the year 2003. Results and Conclusions: Confirmed and recorded regional total of 241 species (202 Gastropoda & 39 Bivalvia), among which at least 86 (79 Gastropoda & 7 Bivalvia) exhibit radicals synonymical (among others) changes recently reported through the global platform "MolluscaBase" and available literature of recent production, taxonomically included all in 95 genera (83 Gastropoda & 12 Bivalvia) and 40 families (35 Gastropoda & 5 Bivalvia), with aggregated additional information about their known biogeographical distribution in the territorial space of the State.

Records of the Invasive Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus microplus on Wild Hosts and of a Neotropical Tick, Amblyomma dubitatum, on Invasive Alien Mammals, Southern Brazil.

Invasive species threaten wildlife. We detected invasive ticks on wildlife and indigenous ticks on invasive mammals in southern Brazil. The invasive cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus was found on 12 native mammals and one invasive exotic (Axis axis). The Neotropical tick Amblyomma dubitatum was found on three invasive alien mammal species.

Knowledge and attitudes about dementia of primary care physicians in Southern Brazil

BackgroundPrimary Care Physicians have a central role in assisting individuals with dementia and evaluating their preparedness to care these patients is fundamental. Our aim is to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia of the Primary Care Physicians (PCP) in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Southern Brazil.MethodsWe collected sociodemographic data, volume of patients with dementia treated/referred and perception of difficulties in caring for these patients. A previously validated questionnaire was sent: "Quiz on Knowledge and Attitudes in Dementia".ResultsFrom March/2022 to June/2023, 296 PCP responded to the questionnaire. They were mostly women (52.7%, 156), with a median [IQR] age of 35 [29–44] years, mostly were White (82.1%, 243) and had 7 (4–16) years of experience as a physician. Less than half of the physicians performed cognitive screening (43.9%) and Mini Mental State Examination was the most screening (63.5%) test used. The mean percentage of correct answers in the Knowledge Quiz was 46.4%. In the attitude quiz, we identified 3 factors: 1) frankly positive attitudes; 2) perceive primary care as important but have a pessimistic attitude towards them; 3) see primary care as important for patient care.ConclusionKnowledge about dementia is low among PCP in RS; however, most have positive attitudes towards these patients or think primary care is important to these patient's care.

Prevalence of and potential risk factors for multiple resistance to acaricides in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks: A survey in the state of Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil.

The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Ixodida, Ixodidae) is responsible for significant economic losses in bovine production in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Control of this tick predominantly involves the use of chemical acaricides; however, their indiscriminate use has led to the selection of resistant populations. A survey on tick populations was conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, to assess the prevalence of multiple resistance to acaricides in cattle farms. Additionally, questionnaires were administered to identify potential risk factors associated with multiple resistance to acaricides. In total, 176 farms with a bovine population of ≥40 cattle were randomly assigned for tick sampling. The resistance to six acaricidal compounds was investigated by bioassays. A larval packet test was performed for amitraz, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, fipronil and ivermectin. Fluazuron was screened using an adult immersion test. Multiple resistance to acaricides (i.e., resistance to three or more compounds) was detected in 173 samples, representing 98% of the total samples. Among these samples, 125 (71%) showed resistance to all six compounds tested. Additionally, we classified the resistance intensity into four levels (I to IV) based on the quartile distribution of the bioassay data. Ten samples (6%) showed high and very high levels (III and IV) of resistance to all six compounds tested. Three variables were significantly associated with multiple resistance to the six acaricides tested: (i) use of injectable acaricides to control ticks, (ii) application of more than five acaricide treatments per year, and (iii) farms with larger herds (≥232 animals). These results regarding widespread resistance and the emergence of multiple resistance to acaricides ticks are alarming and highlight the significant challenge of tick control in southern Brazil.

Identifying prognostic hub genes and key pathways in pediatric adrenocortical tumors through RNA sequencing and Co-expression analysis

Pediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACTs), rare conditions with uncertain prognoses, have high incidence in southern and southeastern Brazil. Pediatric ACTs are highly heterogeneous, so establishing prognostic markers for these tumors is challenging. We have conducted transcriptomic analysis on 14 pediatric ACT samples and compared cases with favorable and unfavorable clinical outcomes to identify prognostically significant genes. This comparison showed 1257 differentially expressed genes in favorable and unfavorable cases. Among these genes, 15 out of 60 hub genes were significantly associated with five-year event-free survival (EFS), and 10 had significant diagnostic value for predicting ACT outcomes in an independent microarray dataset of pediatric adrenocortical carcinomas (GSE76019). Overexpression of N4BP2, HSPB6, JUN, APBB1IP, STK17B, CSNK1D, and KDM3A was associated with poorer EFS, whereas lower expression of ISCU, PTPR, PRKAB2, CD48, PRF1, ITGAL, KLK15, and HIST1H3J was associated with worse outcomes. Collectively, these findings underscore the prognostic significance of these hub genes and suggest that they play a potential role in pediatric ACT progression and are useful predictors of clinical outcomes.

Domestic cat hepadnavirus genotype B is present in Southern Brazil.

Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) (Orthohepadnavirus felisdomestici) is an emerging virus related to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) already reported in many countries. The molecular prevalence of DCH varies widely in the regions investigated so far. In the present work, we reported the presence of DCH in Brazil. Sixty cat serum samples tested by DCH presence using PCR and 1.67% (1/60) were positive, similar to the low positive molecular rates reported in United States and Japan. The DCH full-length genome was classified in genotype B, which is uncommon since this genotype was only reported once in Japan. The DCH-positive sample was obtained in a stray cat female apparently healthy, presenting ALT, AST, and ALKP normal values, and negative for FIV and FeLV. Due the low positivity rate detected, some factors as alteration in hepatic enzymes and FIV/FeLV infection could not be evaluated. Other works are necessary to statistically validate these observations in Brazil.

Nectar plants visited by hummingbirds in an urban area of southern Brazil

Nectar plants visited by hummingbirds in an urban area of southern Brazil

Microbiological Profile of the Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract of Suckling and Weaned Dairy Calves with Acute Respiratory Disease

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a significant global health issue in cattle farming, leading to substantial economic losses. This study analyzed the microbiological profiles of BRD outbreaks in nine dairy cattle herds in southern Brazil. We examined 36 biological samples, including 24 deep nasopharyngeal swabs (NS) and 12 lung tissue, from 29 suckling and 7 weaned heifer calves with acute BRD. PCR and RT-PCR techniques were used to partially amplify the genes of five viruses and four respiratory bacteria. A total of 8 different microorganisms, 4 viruses (bovine viral diarrhea virus, n = 5; bovine coronavirus, n = 3; bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, n = 3; and bovine parainfluenza virus 3, n = 2), and 4 bacteria (Pasteurella multocida, n = 16; Mycoplasma bovis, n = 8; Histophilus somni, n = 7; and Mannheimia haemolytica, n = 4) were identified in 29 (80.5%) samples. Seven samples (four lung tissue and three NS) were negative for all the microorganisms. Mixed infections were more common (62.1%) than single infections (37.9%). Bacterial nucleic acids were more commonly co-detected in NS than in lung tissue. Nucleic acids from a single pathogen were more frequently detected in lung tissues than in NS. M. bovis was the only bacterium detected in the lower respiratory tract. Understanding the microbiological profiles of the respiratory tracts of dairy calves with clinical signs of BRD is crucial for implementing effective biosecurity measures to prevent BRD in suckling and weaned dairy heifer calves.

"We didn't even have time to worry about our mental health." Long-term impact of the pandemic on nursing professionals' experiences.

Explore the experiences of nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact these experiences continue to have on their personal and professional lives. This qualitative study utilized interpretative phenomenological analysis with nine nursing professionals from southern Brazil. Two main themes and five subthemes were developed. The first theme, "Ongoing trauma response," had three subthemes: (a) Fear of dying and family dying, (b) Loneliness and isolation, and (c) My emotions don't matter. The second theme highlights the "Continued problems with the larger healthcare system" and is made up of two subthemes: (a) We are humans, not superheroes, and (b) We are still invisible. Symptoms of trauma response continued to be a significant challenge among nursing professionals even after the end of the pandemic. Recommendations for improving working conditions and making mental health services more readily available are discussed.