Southern Region Of Brazil Research Articles

Environmental performance of laying poultry in na intensive and automated system in Southern Brazil

Eggs are an animal protein of high nutritional value and is considered an alternative source to red meat. It is accessible to all social extracts. In addition, substantial demand growth is expected in the coming decades, which requires a significant increase in production volume. Consequently, there is a question of how these eggs will be produced. The current production systems must meet demands related to environmental sustainability, ensuring food security in terms of production volume and product safety. Thus, this study assesses the environmental performance of intensive and automated egg production in conventional cages in the southern region of Brazil. The data that comprise the inventory were modeled from data collected on a farm between 2017 and 2018. We conducted the assessment using the methodology of life cycle analysis (LCA) and the software Open LCA v. 1.7.4. The functional unit (FU) used was one ton of eggs (equivalent to 17,873 units), and the results were allocated financially. The impact attribution method was CML 2002; the database was Ecoinvent v. 3.4. The impact categories evaluated were acidification, with a total impact of 6.47 kg SO2-eq/FU, eutrophication, with a result of 4.17 kg PO4-eq/FU, and a carbon footprint of 1,411.85 CO2-eq/FU. We conclude that the environmental externalities of egg production in Brazil’s southern region are similar to those reported by other studies worldwide. The production phase is responsible for about 85% of the environmental impacts in the categories evaluated. The feeding of birds contributes to the largest share of impacts.

Ensemble hindcasting of winds and waves for the coastal and oceanic region of Southern Brazil

When hindcasting wave fields of storm events with wave models, the quality of the results strongly depends on several factors such as the computational grid resolution and the accuracy of the atmospheric forcing. In an effort to minimize the uncertainties involved in this process, three ocean wave and surface wind ensemble hindcast systems were established using the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model and Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) with atmospheric data from ERA5 Ensemble of Data Assimilation (EDA) as well as deterministic high-resolution systems. We established three ensemble systems to tackle this: SWN-ERA5EDA using ERA5-EDA global reanalyses winds, SWN-WRFERA5 employing WRF downscaling of ERA5-EDA, and SWN-WRFPPar incorporating WRF multi-physics runs for dynamical downscaling. This study focuses on extreme events in southern Brazil during an austral winter, highlighting the importance of increasing the resolution of ocean wave and surface wind data to provide more accurate and reliable forecasts for coastal and marine activities. Our analyses revealed that atmospheric downscaling performed with WRF not only increased the ensemble spread by significant amounts but also enhanced the sharpness of the wave ensemble hindcast compared with those based solely on the ERA5 EDA. Specifically, for the Rio Grande buoy location, the significant wave height (Hs) from the SWN-WRFERA5 system showed an increase of 0.5 over SWN-ERA5, and Hs from the SWN-WRFPPar system increased by 0.6. Additionally, the wave peak period (Tp) for both SWN-WRFERA5 and SWN-WRFPPar systems experienced an increase of 1.2 compared to SWN-ERA5. Additionally, the ensemble produced with the WRF multi-physics approach captured peaks in the significant wave height registered by the buoy that were not reproduced by other ensemble systems, demonstrating an improvement in predictive accuracy, despite presenting a smaller correlation between spread and strong localized wave variations. Besides quantifying the hindcast error, the methodology presented in this work also offers a way to generate alternative and improved representations of past extreme events. This approach significantly contributes to our ability to sample recent climatic conditions and expand the dataset for statistical analyses, which is especially valuable for ocean and coastal engineering projects. This study underscores the critical role of enhancing computational and methodological approaches in wave modeling for better understanding and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events on coastal and oceanic regions.

Leishmania infantum detection in Nyssomyia neivai and dogs in Southern Brazil

BackgroundThe sand fly Nyssomyia neivai is one of the most abundant species in Southern Brazil. It is frequently found in areas that are foci of visceral leishmaniasis in the state of Santa Catarina, caused by Leishmania infantum. In this region, the main vector of L. infantum, Lutzomyia longipalpis, has not been detected. In the absence of L. longipalpis, this study aimed to identify the sand fly fauna and diagnose any potential Leishmania spp. infection in sand flies and in dogs in a region of Southern Brazil that experienced a recent canine visceral leishmaniasis outbreak.MethodsThis report includes a survey of the sand fly fauna at the Zoonosis Control Center of the Municipality of Tubarão (Santa Catarina, Brazil). Molecular tests were conducted to investigate Leishmania spp. natural infection in sand flies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In positive females, in addition to morphological identification, molecular analysis through DNA barcoding was performed to determine the sand fly species. Additionally, the dogs were tested for the presence of Leishmania spp. using a non-invasive technique for the collection of biological material, to be assessed by PCR.ResultsA total of 3419 sand flies, belonging to five genera, were collected. Nyssomyia neivai was the most abundant species (85.8%), followed by Migonemyia migonei (13.3%), Pintomyia fischeri (0.8%), Evandromyia edwardsi (< 0.1%), and species of the genus Brumptomyia. (0.1%). Out of the 509 non-engorged females analyzed by PCR, two (0.4%) carried L. infantum DNA. The naturally infected females were identified as Ny. neivai, in both morphological and molecular analysis. In addition, two out of 47 conjunctival swabs from dogs tested positive for L. infantum, yielding an infection rate of 4.2%.ConclusionsThese results confirm the presence of Ny. neivai naturally infected with L. infantum in an area where dogs were also infected by the parasite, suggesting its potential role as a vector in Southern Brazil.Graphical

Effect of soil drainage on Peruvian watergrass biochemical response and control by glyphosate

AbstractPeruvian watergrass (Luziola peruviana J.F. Gmel.) is a perennial weed often found in paddy fields in the southern region of Brazil. Its chemical control is performed mainly by herbicides such as glyphosate in burndown, whose efficacy depends on soil moisture. Under excess‐water soil conditions, glyphosate efficacy is reduced, probably due to reduced translocation and the involvement of photoassimilates partition. Furthermore, little is known about the stress tolerance of these plants subjected to water deficit. Based on that, we performed experiments to verify the effect of soil moisture on the biochemical parameters of Peruvian watergrass and glyphosate translocation to the stolon and roots. Total soluble sugars, sucrose, starch, and glyphosate concentrations in leaves, culms, roots, and glyphosate partitioning were quantified. The malondialdehyde content and the lipid peroxidation increased with the drainage. Under drainage conditions, superoxide production was higher in roots than leaves, while peroxide production was lower in roots than leaves. The electrolyte leakage increased with the drainage and glyphosate application. The total soluble sugar content varied in each organ with a significant increase in the culm 14 days after application in the draining treatment. Sucrose varied considerably and reached its maximum concentration at 21 days after herbicide application. The starch accumulation in the culm was 7 days after applying the highest glyphosate dose. The presence of glyphosate in the roots subjected to soil drainage indicates the movement of this herbicide. In conclusion, soil drainage profoundly impacts Peruvian watergrass physiology, increasing the photoassimilates and glyphosate translocation to the stolon and root. This explains why glyphosate efficacy is higher under drainage conditions.

Insight into quality of life: Understanding the experience of patients with cancer in southern Brazil's public healthcare system.

e23223 Background: This study explores the quality of life of individuals undergoing cancer treatment in the southern region of Brazil within the public healthcare system. Recognizing the potential negative impacts of both the disease and its treatment on patients' well-being, there is a pressing need to comprehensively assess their quality of life. The study aims to understand the challenges faced by these individuals in various well-being dimensions. Methods: Data collection occurred from August 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, approved by the Ethics and Research Committee (Opinion Number: 6,136,833). Quality of life was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form 36 (SF-36), a validated instrument comprising 11 questions. Inclusion criteria included individuals over 18, of any gender, residing in the southern region if the state of Espirito Santo, diagnosed with cancer, and receiving treatment at the public healthcare reference oncology center. Exclusion criteria encompassed those under 18, non-residents of southern region, lacking a cancer diagnosis and undergoing oncohematological treatments. Among 263 eligible participants, 21 were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria and 16 invited individuals chose not to participate, resulting in a final sample of 226 individuals. Results: The composition of the participant pool comprised 71.6% women and 28.4% men. The evaluation of quality of life utilized the SF-36 instrument, which explores various domains: Functional Capacity, Limitation due to Physical Aspects, Pain, General Health Status, Vitality, Social Aspects, Emotional Aspects, and Mental Health.Functional Capacity saw 44.20% facing significant difficulties, 32.80% experiencing mild difficulties, and 23% reporting no hindrance in daily activities. Physical limitations due to cancer treatment were reported by 61%, while 39% did not face such limitations. Most patients experienced some level of pain; only 24.20% were pain-free. General Health Status varied from excellent (9.10%) to very bad (2%). Vitality fluctuated, with 31% reporting vitality all the time. Regarding the social dimension, most individuals experience interference, while only 37% report no impact.Emotional aspects interfered with daily life for 59% of participants. Conclusions: This research indicates that both physical and emotional aspects are significantly affected in cancer patients from southern Espírito Santo. While physical limitations and pain are prevalent, emotional aspects, including manifestations of anxiety and depression, also play a substantial role in influencing daily life. Understanding these dimensions is vital for developing targeted interventions, especially for vulnerable individuals relying on Brazil's public healthcare system, to enhance the quality of life during cancer treatment.

Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients with and Without COVID-19 in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil.

The impact of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) on non-neutropenic critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU) has been demonstrated in recent decades. Furthermore, after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 associated with pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has become a major concern in ICUs. However, epidemiological data from different regions are scarce. We evaluated the prevalence and clinical-epidemiological data of IPA in patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) in the ICU ("severe COVID-19") and non-COVID ICU patients in MV of a tertiary hospital in the southern region of Brazil. Eighty-seven patients admitted between June 2020 and August 2022 were included; 31 with severe COVID-19. For the diagnosis of IPA or CAPA, algorithms including host factors and mycological criteria (positive culture for Aspergillus spp., immunoassay for galactomannan detection, and/or qPCR) were utilized. The overall incidence of IPA and CAPA in our ICU was 73 cases/1000 ICU hospitalizations. Aspergillosis occurred in 13% (4/31) of the COVID-19 patients, and in 16% (9/56) of the critically ill patients without COVID-19, with mortality rates of 75% (3/4) and 67% (6/9), respectively. Our results highlight the need for physicians enrolled in ICU care to be aware of aspergillosis and for more access of the patients to sensitive and robust diagnostic tests by biomarkers detection.

PARROT BORNAVIRUSES IN PSITTACINES KEPT IN CAPTIVITY IN THE STATE OF SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL.

Parrot bornaviruses are responsible for proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in psittacines. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and factors associated with Parrot bornaviruses infection in psittacines kept in captivity in a state in the southern region of Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 192 birds from two facilities (A and B) in 2019, using choanal, esophageal, and cloacal swabs and feathers, totaling 768 samples subjected to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), for the matrix (M) protein gene with a final product of 350 base pairs (bp). Genetic sequencing of three positive samples was performed by the Sanger method. In the study, the overall virus occurrence was 35.9% (69/192), with 40.4% (42/104) in Facility A and 30.7% (27/88) in Facility B. Sequencing analysis of the samples revealed the presence of Parrot bornavirus 2 (PaBV-2) in both facilities. Swab samples from the choanal (40/69), esophageal (30/69), cloacal (35/69), and feather (15/69) tested positive, facilitating the molecular diagnosis of Parrot bornaviruses. The results indicated that there is no single ideal sample type for antemortem molecular diagnosis of this virus. Simultaneously testing all four samples at the same time point yielded more diagnoses than testing any single sample among the four. Most of the 29 sampled psittacine species were native, and 46.9% of the birds (90/192) consisted of endangered species. Among the psittacines that tested positive, 88.4% (61/69) were clinically healthy, and 8.7% (6/69) exhibited clinical or behavioral signs, including behavioral changes, alterations in feathering, and changes in body score at the time of collection. This study showcases the application of minimally invasive sampling for diagnosing Parrot bornaviruses, enabling sample collection when the birds are restrained for clinical evaluation. This approach facilitates a prompt and effective antemortem diagnosis, thereby serving as an efficient screening method for parrots kept in captivity.

Assessment of extreme precipitation events in Brazil during 2023: Insights from CHIRPS and rain gauge data

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of extreme precipitation events that occurred during the year 2023 in Brazil, aiming to provide valuable insights into climate risks and support decision-making related to disaster prevention. Leveraging data from the Climate Hazard Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) and complementing it with observational data from the network gauges of the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters (Cemaden), the research focuses on assessing indices derived from rainfall data, notably days with precipitation exceeding 50 mm, and juxtaposes these events against historical averages from 1992 to 2022 to discern anomalies. Data are aggregated at the municipal level, considering the maximum value within each municipal domain. The results highlight the influence of the El Niño phenomenon in the Southern region of Brazil, especially in Rio Grande do Sul, underscoring the importance of considering global and local climatic factors in impact assessment. Additionally, specific analyses are presented for municipalities such as Petrópolis (RJ), Manaus (AM), and São Sebastião (SP), revealing trends and anomalies that warrant attention for adaptation measures and disaster risk reduction. The study concludes that 2023 served as an illustrative year for climate projections, emphasizing the urgency to advance mitigation actions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address future climate challenges.

A Systemic Approach to the Product Life Cycle for the Product Development Process in Agriculture

For a long time, a company’s Product Development Process (PDP) was seen as supporting the operations department, although PDP decisions and mistakes have a considerable impact on market performance. This is critical even in agriculture where bad habits and practices in the PDP can lead rural producers to great losses. Therefore, this research investigates the effect of the PDP on the market performance of rural products (bananas) in the southern region of Brazil, based on two analyses: (i) how sustainability practices support the PDP phases and (ii) how the phases of the Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) mediate sustainability practices and PDP phases. This study presents a quantitative analysis using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and hierarchical ordinary least squares (OLS) regression of data obtained from a survey of 110 rural producers who directly participate in the banana production and planning process in southern Brazil. Our results show that sustainability practices support the PDP, and we confirm that the product development and post-development phase has an effect on market performance. In addition, we identify that in the pre-development phase of the PDP, dealing with rural products (bananas), the maturity stage of the LCA mediates sustainability. In the PDP development phase, we conclude that rural families who develop economic and environmental practices with their products, which are in the market growth phase may have reduced results. As for the post-development phase of the PDP, we conclude that when companies invest in environmental and social practices, there is a complete mediation of the effect, where these practices lose strength if the product is in the introductory and maturity phases in the market. In an original matter, our study contributes to demonstrating the value of the product life cycle for the Product Development Process in agriculture using sustainability practices through a systemic approach, filling the gap in the literature due to a lack of integrated research on these areas seen.

Analysis of Solid Waste Treatment Practices in Footwear Factories

In this research, the practices adopted in two footwear industries, located in the southern region of Brazil, Vale do Sinos, to treat solid waste were investigated. Scientific literature, either national or international, converges on the perception of relevance of the environmental impact generated in this production chain, both due to the total volume of shoes that are manufactured and sold annually, and in view of the difficulties related to the disposal of footwear, at the end of its useful life. From this perspective, this study is justified and aims to identify and analyze, in the light of the reviewed scientific literature, which deals with waste from the footwear industry, the practices adopted in the treatment of solid waste in that economic sector. In order to achieve the objective, a case study strategy was carried out in two companies, using a qualitative approach, with the collection of empirical data through semi-structured interviews with organizational managers, indicated by the management of the organizations, in addition to documentary survey and participant observation systematic. The results showed that the two companies, one large and the second small, have a clear perception of the need to adopt sustainable practices and have already made several adjustments to the organizational system to promote alignment with sustainability principles. However, the actions and initiatives adopted to date show that the two organizations are still at an early stage of sustainability, especially in the solid waste treatment process.

Prevalence and Correlates of Health Risk Behaviors among University Students from a State in the Southern Region of Brazil.

Surveys conducted in different regions of the world show that the prevalence rates of health risk behaviors (HRBs) in university students are sometimes higher than those found in non-university populations. This study aims to identify the prevalence rates and demographic and academic environment correlates associated with HRBs among Brazilian university students. In a cross-sectional epidemiological study, a random sample of 5310 university students answered an online questionnaire, with demographic (sex, age, skin color, marital status, and paid work) and academic setting information (housing type, size of campus, year, and shift of study), as well as items clustered in four HRB domains: personal safety and violence, sexual behavior and contraception, addictive substance use, eating habits, physical activity, and sleep. The data were analyzed statistically using bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression. The highest prevalence rates occurred in HRBs clustered in the domain of eating habits, physical activity, and sleep (>60%), while HRBs for personal security and violence were less prevalent (<15%). From 15% to 35% of university students assumed HRBs regarding addictive substance use, and approximately 50% reported risky sexual behavior. The university students most susceptible to HRBs were men, aged ≥ 22 years, living far from their family, studying on larger campuses, attending night classes, and with two or more years of study at the university. The findings suggest that policies and interventions in the university context aimed at students' readiness to engage in a healthy lifestyle should target specific correlates associated with HRBs.

Dormancy dynamics and cold hardiness of apple trees grown in a mild winter region

In temperate fruit plants, climate is the main factor correlating changes in plant physiology, mainly those related to entry and exit from dormancy and cold hardiness. Acclimation to cold and its relationship with dormancy are still unknown in areas with a subtropical climate. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the dormancy dynamics and their interaction with the cold hardiness of different tissues of apple cultivars with different chilling requirements in two cultivation sites in a mild winter region in southern Brazil. The analyses were conducted from 2018 to 2022. The cultivars Gala, Fuji, and Eva were used in two environments with different altitudes. The dormancy dynamics were analyzed using the single-node cutting test, and the cold hardiness of the different tissues of each genotype was evaluated through electrolyte leakage in laboratory freezing tests. Cultivars Gala and Fuji had a greater depth of dormancy than Eva. Plants grown in orchards with higher chill accumulation had a greater depth of dormancy. Cold hardiness varied among cultivars, with the Eva cultivar having the lowest cold hardiness in mid-winter. The tissues (bud, bark, and wood) had different cold hardiness in early winter, with wood having the greatest cold hardiness, followed by bud and bark. As Eva did not go into deep dormancy, a superficial and short acclimation to cold was observed, in addition to rapid sprouting, even in winter. This condition predisposed it to cold damage to tissues in the pre-sprouting period. In this study, we found that maximum cold hardiness occurred after the end of the deep-endodormancy phase. Deacclimation of all cultivars occurred very quickly.

Precipitation patterns and their variability in the southern region of Brazil

Climate change is a long-term transformation of climate patterns, which can be natural or anthropogenic. Signs of climate change can manifest themselves in different ways: through the occurrence of extreme events, rising ocean levels, melting glaciers, among others. Negative impacts are produced by climate change and are one of humanity's biggest concerns, since its effects reach the entire planet with different consequences. Considering the need for actions aimed at contributing to the process of mitigating climate change, the importance of knowing changes in regional climate patterns is emphasized. This study aims to analyze changes in precipitation patterns over time in the southern region of Brazil, including variability, trends, anomalies, droughts and excess rainfall. Daily precipitation data from 1961 to 2020 were used, collected at 15 meteorological stations in the region. Various statistical analyzes were carried out, such as averages, maximum and minimum values, seasonal and annual anomalies, frequency distribution, Mann-Kendall trend tests and the Normalized Precipitation Index (SPI). The results indicate that climate change trends are positive in terms of increasing rainfall volumes, altering rainfall dispersion patterns (volume). In other words, rainfall is more irregular in terms of distribution throughout the seasons. The big highlight was Florianópolis -SC, which during the summer had the highest volume of rain among the meteorological stations studied.

Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of Salmonella spp. isolates in healthy poultry

ABSTRACT 1. Epidemiological surveillance of Salmonella spp. serves as a primary tool for maintaining the health of poultry flocks. Characterising circulating serotypes is crucial for implementing control and prevention measures. This study conducted phenotypic and molecular characterisation of S. enterica Pullorum, S. enterica Heidelberg, and S. enterica Corvalis isolated from broiler chickens during slaughtering. 2. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin, neomycin and norfloxacin. However, resistance rates exceeded 50% for ciprofloxacin and tiamulin, irrespective of the serotype. Approximately 64% of strains were classified as multidrug-resistant, with S. enterica Heidelberg strains exhibiting significantly higher overall resistance. The isolates demonstrated the ability to adhere and produce biofilm at a minimum of three temperatures, with S. enterica Pullorum capable of biofilm production at all temperatures encountered during poultry rearing. 3. Each strain possessed between two and seven different virulence-associated genes. Genetic similarity, as indicated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, exceeded 90% for all three serotypes and strains were classified in the R5 ribotype by PCR, regardless of serotype. Sequencing revealed high similarity among all strains, with homology ranging from 99.61 to 100% and all were classified to a single cluster. 4. The results suggested a clonal relationship among the strains, indicating the possible circulation of a unique clonal group of S. enterica Pullorum in the southern region of Brazil.

CLIMATE ELEMENTS AND FIRE HAZARD INDEXES IN SANTA CATARINA

Forest fires have caused significant environmental and economic damage over the years. In this context, efforts have been made to establish relationships between climate and control measures for fire occurrence. Assigning a fire danger index based on meteorological conditions is a way to provide tools for organizations responsible for forest fire prevention and combat. In this study, computational and statistical techniques were employed to analyze the performance of three fire hazard indices: the Monte Alegre Formula, the Altered Monte Alegre Formula, and the Ängstrom Risk Factor, for the state of Santa Catarina, located in the Southern region of Brazil. The study and validation period covered from 2010 to 2022, using variables such as precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed, and air temperature, with values obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), encompassing 23 meteorological gauges. These data were compared with fire detection records obtained from satellite imagery and provided by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). After analyzing the data using various statistical techniques, it became evident that both Monte Alegre Formulas exhibited a high accuracy rate for days with detected fire occurrences, with over 80% accuracy, compared to only around 35% for Ängstrom. Concerning the overall number of days computed, Ängstrom achieved a higher accuracy rate (approximately 85%), compared to values around 50% for both Monte Alegre Formulas.

Late Quaternary Araucaria forest and Campos (grasslands) vegetation dynamics inferred from a high-resolution pollen record from Lagoa Dourada in southern Brazil

Forest-grassland mosaics are ecosystems with sharp contrasts. Factors controlling their heterogeneity have interested researchers worldwide. To date, only few natural remains of these ecosystems exist, such as the Araucaria and Campos region in southern Brazil. Different paleoecological studies elucidate the vegetation and climate history of the region, documenting shifts between forests and grasslands since the Middle Holocene. However, uncertainty remains about whether system shifts were sudden or gradual and on the importance of driving factors and triggers such as climate, change and disturbance. We reconstruct the paleoecological history of the Araucaria forest-grassland mosaics in Paraná state in decadal to sub-decadal resolution during the Holocene. High resolution pollen analysis documents that in this region the expansion of woodlands occurred gradually while sedimentological analyses reveal stepwise shifts of the precipitation regime of the region. During the Early Holocene (10300-8300 cal yr BP), the landscape was characterized by grassland-dominated Campos vegetation, with sporadic occurrences of arboreal taxa. Araucaria angustifolia was present initially in small abundances. In the Mid-Holocene (8300-4000 cal BP), a transition to more humid conditions fostered the development of woodlands. The establishment of Araucaria angustifolia near the lake occurred around 7300 cal yr BP, together with a general expansion of woodlands. In the Late Holocene (4000-150 cal yr BP), Araucaria angustifolia became dominant within forest patches with a second stepwise expansion around 3300 cal yr BP. The onset of Euro-American land use during the last two centuries intensified erosion and altered species composition, reflected in sediment and pollen data. In addition, Lagoa Dourada documents vegetational changes that seem to coincide with the 8.2 ka event and the Little Ice Age.

Sustainability in Natural Grassland in the Brazilian Pampa Biome: Livestock Production with CO2 Absorption

The Brazilian Pampa biome has natural pastures that have been used for centuries for cattle grazing. This is considered a sustainable system because it combines the conservation of natural vegetation and high-quality meat production, protecting the biome from commercial agriculture’s advances. However, whether it is a source or a sink of carbon dioxide (CO2) has yet to be evaluated. Hence, this study aimed to quantify the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of the CO2 of a natural pasture of the Pampa biome used for livestock production. The experimental area is located in a subtropical region of southern Brazil, where eddy covariance (EC) measurements were conducted from 2015 to 2021 in a rotational cattle grazing system. The seven months of the warm season (September to March) were characterized as CO2 absorbers, while the five months of the cold season (April to August) were CO2 emitters. Throughout the six years and with complete data, the ecosystem was an absorber of atmospheric CO2, with an average value of −207.6 g C m−2 year−1. However, the significant interannual variability in NEE was observed, with cumulative values ranging from −82.0 to −385.3 g C m−2 year−1. The results suggest the coupling of climatic conditions to pasture management can be the factor that modulated the NEE interannual variability. The cattle raising system on the natural pastures of the Pampa absorbs CO2, which is further evidence of its sustainability and need for conservation.

Organic contamination and multi-biomarker assessment in watersheds of the southern Brazil: an integrated approach using fish from the Astyanax genus.

We aimed to examine the responses of pollution biomarkers in feral fish from Astyanax genus collected at three hydrographic regions in southern Brazil and the capacity of these tools to differentiate between various levels of contamination. To achieve this, levels of organochlorine pesticides (liver), as well as the biomarkers AChE (muscle and brain), TBARS (liver), and EROD (liver) were assessed. Collections were conducted in four municipalities (Alegrete, Caraá, Lavras, and Santa Vitória) during 1year, encompassing winter and summer. Fish from Alegrete were the most contaminated overall, but animals sampled in Caraá, and Lavras also displayed elevated levels of current-use pesticides. Elevated levels of endosulfans, DDTs, HCHs, and current-use pesticides were accompanied by elevated levels of TBARS in the liver. Conversely, fish from Santa Vitória exhibited the highest levels of PAHs, accompanied by elevated levels of EROD in the liver and reduced levels of AChE in muscle and brain. TBARS proved to be a reliable biomarker for assessing impacts arising from pesticide accumulation, while EROD and AChE served as valuable indicators of impacts resulting from PAHs accumulation. Ultimately, the results obtained in this study demonstrate the reliable use of the proposed biomarkers for tracking biological impacts stemming from aquatic pollution using feral Astyanax as biomonitoring species.

Epidemiological evolution of COVID-19: a three-year perspective on coping with the pandemic in the States of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná, Southern Region of Brazil

Introduction: The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2 and represents the agent responsible for a respiratory and metabolic disease with a high fatality rate, remaining a public health problem to this day. There has been an exacerbation of social inequalities experienced in Brazil and worldwide. Notably, the absence of a consolidated and universal healthcare system has contributed to the increased inequalities and survival opportunities for those affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and manifestation of COVID-19. The southern region has become the second region with the highest number of cases in Brazil. Objective: To avaluate the epidemiological outcomes of incidence, lethality, and mortality among the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná in the southern region of Brazil. Methods: An ecological time-series study was conducted using official secondary data on COVID-19 cases and deaths publicly disclosed by the health departments of the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná. Time series were constructed applying the Prais-Winsten regression model. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 14.0 software. Results: It was observed that for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the trends regarding incidence were increasing in 2020 and decreasing in 2021 (p&lt;0.05). Regarding mortality, it increased in 2020 and decreased in 2021 and 2022 (p&lt;0.05). When assessing lethality, a decreasing trend was observed for the entire period (p&lt;0.05). In relation to Paraná, incidence increased in 2020 and over the entire period, while it decreased in 2021 and 2022 (p&lt;0.05). Mortality was stationary in 2020 and decreased in 2021 and 2022 (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious public health problem in the states of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. Paraná presented a more severe epidemiological outcome compared to Rio Grande do Sul.

Spacial distribution and suitability for Panonychus ulmi (Tetranychidae) in Brazil

Predictive studies project the geographic distribution of species and can be used to infer climatic niches. However, only a few studies have been conducted on mites. This approach helps map areas with potential for the occurrence of endemic, threatened, or potentially invasive species. Panonychus ulmi (Tetranychidae) is of global economic importance, commonly associated with apple orchards and grapevines. Potential distribution modeling is used to predict areas with environmental suitability for the distribution of a species and/or group. Considering that predictive models on national or regional scales present better data reliability, the present study aimed to analyze the distribution of P. ulmi in Brazil through bioclimatic inferences. The presence of species, bioclimatic variables, and MaxEnt algorithm were used to define a predictive model. The median performance rate of the model was 0.992, indicating its robustness. The variable that made the greatest contribution to the model was the average temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11). The predictive model of the ecological niche indicated that the southern region of Brazil is environmentally favorable for the adaptation of this mite. The data obtained helped us understand the geographical distribution of P. ulmi in Brazil, and climatically suitable areas for its occurrence were inferred. We believe that this tool can offer indirect assistance to the agricultural sector, especially the producers of apples and grapes in Brazil regarding the presence of P. ulmi.