State Of Acre Research Articles

Informal and popular healthcare subsystems in a remote rural municipality in the Brazilian Amazon region.

While Brazil has achieved a significantly higher coverage through primary care and improved health outcomes through the Family Health Strategy, rural areas still have worse indicators and several barriers to access primary healthcare units, which sometimes condition users to seek alternative answers outside the formal circuit. From the framework of medical anthropology, Arthur Kleinman indicates that the sociohistorical-cultural context also determines the search for health care, and not only by the conditions of access and availability of formal services. From this perspective, each health system would consist of three interrelated subsystems: the informal, the popular, and the professional subsystem, widely used in an overlapping and non-exclusive way, interacting according to an individual's needs. This study analyzes how informal and popular health subsystems are featured in a remote rural municipality in the Brazilian Amazon region. This is a single, exploratory, qualitative case study conducted in the remote rural municipality of Assis Brasil, in the state of Acre, Brazil. Data were collected with onsite visits to the municipality through semi-structured interviews with users, managers, and health professionals. Data thematic analysis was guided by categories inspired by Arthur Kleinman's framework and emerging in the field, focusing on the dimensions of the informal and popular subsystems. In the informal system, family, friends, and community seem to have broader roles in the field of care, underpinning the social support network to allow using health services. Also included in the informal system are NGOs, armed forces, and the church, acting complementarily to the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde). Two patterns of relationship with the popular system were identified: in complementarity with the formal system, with the specific or longitudinal use of its resources, and replacing formal practices. In the popular system, secular healing agents such as shamans, healers, prayers, and midwives, and the use of medicinal herbs and other natural resources, are part of the care scenario, especially among the traditional populations of the territory. Popular resources are sometimes activated mainly due to geographic and economic barriers, which prevent timely access to health services and contribute to the deterioration of conditions. The level of resistance of health professionals varied according to the substitutive or complementary nature that such care assumes in users' therapeutic trajectories. Complex policies and processes such as health care have been implemented nationwide, in general, with a poor understanding of the context and culture of rural communities. In this sense, understanding the dynamics between the subsystems can help identify more appropriate and sensitive strategies for the organization of health services, which respond to the population's needs from a broader perspective, especially in the context of rurality.

REGISTRO DE Frankliniella brevicaulis HOOD (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) EM BANANA COMPRIDA (CV. D’ANGOLA) NO ESTADO DO ACRE

Thrips are among the insects harmful to banana cultivation in Brazil, usually depreciating the external aspect of the fruits by the formation of spots or eruptions on their skin, as a result of their food. This work makes the first report of Frankliniella brevicaulis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in a commercial plantation of ‘banana comprida’ plantain (cv. D’Angola) in the state of Acre, Brazil. Due to the lack of information about the economic impacts and geographical distribution of this thrips species, research on this subject is strongly recommended in the State. Keywords: Amazon; Phytophagous insect; Terebrantia; Eruption thrips.

Paxiúba: Traditional Housing in the Western Amazon

This paper explores the traditional construction method of building with paxiúba (Socratea exorrhiza) in the Amazon—more specifically in the Brazilian state of Acre. This type of palm tree is native to Central and South America, and is commonly used in the construction of vernacular houses. Originally employed by local indigenous villages, paxiúba was popular not only because of the abundance of raw material, but also due to how easy it is to work. With the arrival of latex farmers to the Amazon in the early twentieth century, paxiúba started to be used in early non-indigenous settlements, becoming a construction material associated with the infrastructure of resource extraction in early stages of territorial occupation. Today few houses built of paxiúba remain in Acre. Despite changes in building material, newly built residences nonetheless retain the floor plans and construction methods inherited from traditional paxiúba houses, notwithstanding different spatial uses and settlement locations in dense, urbanized areas far from the isolated forests or farming settlements of their predecessors.

First record of helminths parasitizing Vanellus chilensis (Aves, Charadriiformes) in Acre state, southwestern Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT The southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis, is a bird frequently seen in most of Brazil. Although it is widely distributed in other Brazilian biomes, including some parts of the Brazilian Amazon, it has only been recorded in the western Amazonian state of Acre since 2000. We report the presence of intestinal parasites in individuals of V. chilensis from the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve in Acre through a coproparasitological analysis. Seven of the nine sampled individuals were parasitized. We observed larvae of Strongyloides sp. (28.5% of the samples), and eggs of Ascaridia sp. (28.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (14.2%), and Choanotaenia sp. (42.8%). These parasites are reported for the first time parasitizing V. chilensis in Brazil. The parasitized birds may act as reservoirs and were recorded in a peridomicile area, which may facilitate their contact with domestic birds.

Tequinho Geoglyph Site and Early Polychrome Horizon BC 500/300 - AD 300/500 in the Brazilian State of Acre

In Amazonian archaeological discussion the concept of tradition presupposes a keen connection between pottery styles and specific language groups. Multicultural traditions or transcultural adaptions are often pushed aside. Denise Schaan returned to the concept of horizon in order to explain a number of archaeological phenomena from a wide geographical and chronological perspective. Also in this study the concept of Polychrome Horizon is used, but it is divided between Early and Late Polychrome Horizons. At the same time an entirely new area, eastern Acre, and its archaeological sub-phase Tequinho, dated 50BC – AD200 with its polychrome pottery, are brought into the discussion.

Refining the Chronology and Occupation Dynamics of the Mound Villages of South-Eastern Acre, Brazil

This paper summarises recent test excavations at five Mound Village sites in the south-eastern sector of Acre state, Brazil, including Caboquinho, Boa Esperança, Tocantins, Dos Circulos IV and V. Radiocarbon dates obtained from the excavation of this site refine the chronology of this archaeological tradition. To improve the chronologies of the mound villages in Acre for which radiocarbon dates were available, we modelled them using Bayesian statistics. We conducted the analysis in ChronoModel, which is better suited for regional models. Bayesian modelling of new radiocarbon dates from basal contexts of nine sites in the region establish the beginning of this archaeological tradition at ~ AD 952-1216. Nine dates from ten construction phases at the Caboquinho site establish the longest sequence from ~ AD 1169-1309 to colonial times. The stratigraphy of the test units reported in this study confirms previous results indicating that mounds are the result of alternating construction and occupation episodes. Dates from the Dos Circulos IV Rectangular Mound Village ~ AD 1367-1451 indicates that Rectangular Villages are broadly contemporaneous with Circular Mound Villages. Single dates from three superimposed villages at Dos Circulos V suggest the succession of village construction. Overall, these preliminary results make a contribution to a better understanding of the timing of emergence and demise of Mound Village construction.

Breeding biology and biometrics of Myiozetetes c. cayanensis (Aves: Tyrannidae) in southwest Brazilian Amazonia with breeding season in Brazil

Our study provides information on the breeding and biometrics of Rusty-Margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis in southwest Brazilian Amazonia. Myiozetetes cayanensis is distributed from Central America until north of South America. We made observations on reproduction and captures of this species in a terra firme forest fragment in the state of Acre, between 1999 and 2020 and we evaluated the breeding season in Brazil through citizen science data. We monitored nine nests between 2012 and 2020, built at a mean height of 1.8 m above ground. Clutch size was two, three or four eggs, incubated for 15 days. We monitored the development of six nestlings: minimum hatch weight was 2 g and young fledged with a mean mass of ca. 25.5 g. The constant growth rate (K) of nestlings was 0.18 with a growth asymptote of 22.8 g. Daily survival rate was 90% and 100% during the incubation and nestling periods, respectively. The Mayfield success in the incubation and nestling periods was 20 and 100%, respectively. Apparent nesting success in the incubation and nestling periods was 46 and 100%, respectively. We recorded a minimum longevity of 2 years, nine months and 26 days. The subspecies M. c. cayanensis start to nest mainly between the dry and rainy season in Brazil, overlapping with the molt period in southwest Amazonia.

Fruit production and quality of sweet orange genotypes selected for the state of Acre, Brazil

The Acre State, Brazil, has edaphoclimatic conditions suitable for the cultivation of sweet orange trees; however, production is limited by the lack of genotypes adapted to the region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production and quality of sweet orange fruits grafted onto ‘Rangpur’ lime, in order to identify promising genotypes that could be used as a cultivar. The experiment was carried out between 2010 and 2012 in the experimental field of Embrapa, AC, Brazil, in a randomized block design, with 19 genotypes and local Aquiri cultivar. These were propagated by budding, originated from matrices propagated by seeds, and were selected from nine municipalities of Acre, Brazil. A total of 20 treatments with three replications were used in this study. The number of fruits per plant, production per plant, productivity, and fruit quality (fruit mass, longitudinal and transversal fruit diameter, peel thickness, juice yield, soluble solids, titratable acidity, quotient between soluble solids and titratable (ratio), and technological index) were evaluated. Joint analysis of variance and Scott-Knott tests were performed to compare means, as well as Pearson’s correlation and cluster tests, using the Ward method and Mahalanobis distance. The sweet orange genotypes 6, 8, 9, 52, and Aquiri cultivar presented the best productivity indicators, with average values ??above the national productivity. The isolated effect of the year factor showed a greater number of fruits, production per plant, and productivity in the 2010 harvest.

Remarkable diversity, new records and Leishmania detection in the sand fly fauna of an area of high endemicity for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Acre state, Brazilian Amazonian Forest

The species richness of Amazonian phlebotomines is considered to be one of the highest in the world. In the present study, we investigated the richness and diversity of phlebotomine fauna in Xapuri city, Acre state, Western Brazilian Amazonia, which is an area that is highly endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Sand fly collections were performed monthly from August 2013 to July 2015 (288 h total of sampling effort) in intradomiciliary, peridomiciliary, and forested environments of two localities. Collected females were dissected, microscopically examined for flagellates in their guts, and preserved in ethanol. A total of 21,197 specimens comprising 14 genera and 57 species were collected, and the majority of these were Nyssomyia, Psychodopygus, and Trichophoromyia genera. Three new records of phlebotomine species for Acre are presented here, including Brumptomyia brumpti, Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi, and for the first time in Brazil, Th. omagua. In Xapuri, the phlebotomine fauna of different ecotopes was varied in regard to abundance, diversity, and frequency, and they included proven and permissive vectors of Leishmania spp. The fauna discovered in the forested areas (57 species) was richer and more diverse than was that (33 species) identified in the peri‑ and intra-domiciles. The identification of Leishmania subgenera that were present in sand fly guts according to SSU rRNA sequences revealed ten and three species harboring Leishmania of subgenera Viannia and Leishmania (most likely Leishmania amazonensis), respectively. The presence of Leishmania (Leishmania) in sand flies are reported here for the first time in Acre. The presence of L. (Viannia) spp. in Brumptomyia sp. and Lutzomyia sherlocki. and the occurrence of mixed infections with Leishmania of both subgenera in Ps. lainsoni have been reported for the first time in Brazil. Taken together, data from previous studies and from the present study highlight the remarkable complexity of phlebotomine fauna that is possibly due to the well-preserved Xapuri forested areas sustaining vital economic activities of plant extraction and ecological tourism. Our findings also provide new insights into the ongoing adaptation of Trichophoromyia and Psychodopygus species to human habitats.

FOLLOW-UP OF DIABETIC PATIENTS UNDER A PRIMARY CARE PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF RIO BRANCO – ACRE - BRAZIL

Aims: Analyze the monitoring of patients with Diabetes Mellitus treated in the Family Health Strategy in the city Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil. Methods: The study is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional research with a quantitative approach. Held from January 2015 to December 2016, in 12 health units (Family Health Strategy - ESF), in the city of Rio Branco, Acre. For data collection, a simple random drawing of a Family Health Group from each Health segment was carried out. After the drawing, a Verification Form was applied, developed from the recommendations of the Ministry of Health for monitoring diabetic patients. Results: In the 306 records analyzed, there was a predominance of females (68%), with an average age of 61.6 (SD ± 13) years. As for the metabolic control variables, the most prevalent test was fasting blood glucose (85%), with an average of 211.6 mg / dl. Regarding the number of medical consultations per year, in 2015, 216 consultations were carried out, with 36.9% of patients having three or more consultations / year, this number rose to 253 in 2016, with more than 3 consultations/year (48.1%). Metformin was the most used medication (77.8%), followed by Glibenclamide (53.3%) and insulin (22%). Conclusions: FHS groups in the city of Rio Branco, Acre partially follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health in monitoring diabetic patients. The motives for that are yet to be evaluates, nevertheless it can have an unfavorable impact on their quality of life.

Soil classes and properties explain the occurrence and fruit production of Brazil nut

ABSTRACT Soil properties and classes can influence the occurrence of plants and the production of Brazil nut fruits and may have a different distribution between sites. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of plants’ occurrence, production of Brazil nut fruits, and spatial variability of the properties in different soil classes in two Brazil nut stand in the state of Acre, Brazil. The study was conducted in two plots in two native Brazil nut stand, Cachoeira (CP01 and CP02 – [...]

Babesia vogeli in dogs from Rio Branco, South-west Amazonia, Brazil

This is the first report of Babesia vogeli molecular detection in dogs from the state of Acre, northern Brazil. This study aimed to perform the molecular detection of Babesia vogeli in dogs in the municipality of Rio Branco, Acre. Blood samples were collected from 47 dogs presenting with clinical signs comparable to hemoparasitosis. These were dogs which were attended in veterinary clinics from Rio Branco municipality, Acre. Physical examinations, packed cell volume (PCV) determination, platelet number estimation, hemoparasite investigation in the blood (collected from the pinna and peripheral blood), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for piroplasm based on the 18S rRNA gene, were performed. One dog (1/47, 2.1%; CI 95%: 0.1-11.3%) tested positive to Babesia vogeli in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for piroplasms and the resulting sequence showed 100% identity with Babesia vogeli isolates deposited in GenBank®. Co-infection with Ehrlichia spp. was also observed by direct examination (via blood smear). The clinical and hematological alterations observed in the positive animal were anorexia, dehydration, white mucous membranes, anemia and thrombocytopenia.

The valuation of environmental services in the price formation of native rubber in Acre

The disarticulation of traditional extractionism in the 1960s led to serious socio-economic and environmental problems in the Amazon. The Extractive Reserves (RESEX) arose as a sustainable development alternative for the region. However, the unique challenges in extractive activities – such as native rubber – continue to result in difficulties with economic viability since the market fails to capture the environmental attributes of the forests. These failures may impact the maintenance of eco-systemic services. The payments for environmental services, such as the environmental certification, arise as a way to compensate those who carry out environmental services. The general aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental valuation in the price formation of the rubber productive chain in the state of Acre. We work with the methodology of price formation through trade margin indicators (Markup) and Effective Appropriation according to the structure of the market circuits of the rubber productive chain in the region. Our results indicate that the extractivists of the Chico Mendes RESEX obtained, in the period of 2018/2019, a level of remuneration for their environmental services which may lead to economic viability in rubber production. However, from the standpoint of maintenance of environmental services – as well as the maintenance of the families of the extractivists – that remuneration is still not enough for an effective environmental valuation.

Spatial study of the canine and feline anti-rabies vaccination coverage in Brazil / Estudo espacial da cobertura de vacinação anti-rábica de cães e gatos no Brasil

The vaccinal prophylaxis of dogs and cats is one of the measures contemplated by the National Immunization Program (PNI) from the Brazilian Ministry of Health as a strategy of rabies control. Despite the efforts for the control of rabies in Brazil, there are still cases of this disease in either animals and humans. This study presents the longitudinal analysis based on the secondary data regarding the coverage of the canine and feline anti-rabies vaccination campaigns that occurred in Brazil from 2012 to 2017. While in 2017 anti-rabies vaccination coverage was higher in the period of study, the worst vaccinal coverage rates were registered in 2012 and 2016. The region North was highlighted since it presented the best vaccine coverage rates during the period, specially the states of Acre, Amazonas and Rondônia, while the regions Northeast, Midwest and Southeast presented the worst rates. It was possible to observe that some municipalities significantly exceeded the recommended rates, which could indicate problems in the animal population estimative or in data consolidation of the vaccination coverage rates. Animal population estimative and data consolidation in a systematic way, will guarantee the health information system reliability and the evaluation of public policies aimed at rabies control.

Record of Conotelus luteicornis Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in passion fruit vine in Acre state, Brazil

The first record of Conotelus luteicornis Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) was made in a commercial passion fruit vine planting in the municipality of Senador Guiomard, Acre state, Brazil. The insects were found inside the flowers where larvae and adults feed, causing early abortion and, consequently, losses in production. Therefore, the first record of this species is made in the Brazilian Amazon. Researches related to damage level, population dynamics, prospecting for natural enemies, and control methods are strongly recommended since this nitidulid is an insect with high harmful potential to the passion fruit vine culture in the Amazon region.

Brucelose e tuberculose bovina em fazendas leiteiras no estado do Acre, Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the to evaluate the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds of Acre State, Brazil. The survey was performed on 487 lactating cows distributed across 27 farms in seven cities from June 2018 to February 2019. Farms were selected according to the following criteria: volume of milk production (150 L/day), distance to an urban perimeter (43 km), and time of dairy activity (12 years). For the diagnosis of brucellosis, buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) and complement fixation (CF) tests were used. Among the investigated animals, the occurrence rates for brucellosis and tuberculosis were 1.88% (9/487) and 1.23% (6/487), respectively; among the investigated farms, 11.11% (3/27) and 22.2% (6/27) had livestock diagnosed as positive for brucellosis and tuberculosis, respectively. The farms with tuberculosis-positive cattle possessed some common features with respect to herd size. These farms had considerable herd sizes, which were reared extensively in pastures shared with other susceptible or pathogen-carrying animals. In conclusion, the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds from Acre state is, in general, lower than that observed in other states of Brazil. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for developing strategies to control and eradicate both diseases to prevent eventual outbreaks and pathogen dissemination.

Beverage quality of Coffea canephora genotypes in the western Amazon, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the beverage quality of Coffea canephora genotypes in different environments of the western Amazon to assist plant selection and new cultivar development. To analyze beverage quality, samples of cherry coffee beans were collected separately for each genotype from clonal competition trials installed in the municipalities of Ouro Preto do Oeste, Alta Floresta do Oeste, Porto Velho, and Ariquemes in Rondônia State and Rio Branco in Acre State (Brazil). The beverage quality was assessed using the Robusta Cupping Protocol, which attribute to each genotype a score in a range from 0 to 100, highlighting nuances. Analysis of variance and principal components using reference points were used to quantify genotype x environment interaction (G x E). The analysis of variance indicated that genotypic and G x E interaction effects were significant (p < 0.01). By using a centroid dispersion method, we could identify four clones of low, eight of specific (to favorable or unfavorable environments), and seven of broad adaptability to the environments. The clones BRS 2314, 11, and 17 had average quality scores above 80 in all environments, with potential for specialty coffee production. The clones BRS 1216, BRS 3220, and BRS 3193 presented unstable behavior, with beans of higher quality in some of the evaluated environments. Such inconsistency in clone behavior is caused by unpredictable changes in plant performance in different environments. Our results indicate that both genotypic (clones) and G x E interaction effects are important for the expression of coffee beverage quality. However, the clones BRS 3213, BRS 3210, and BRS 2299 had less prominent nuances, with lower potential for specialty coffee production.

Management tools applied to milk quality in cattle farming in the Western Amazon

This study aimed to analyze the applicability of management tools such as SWOT matrix, GUT matrix, Brainstorming, PDCA, Ishikawa diagram, and 5W2H in improving milk quality in rural properties for family labor. The survey was conducted in 18 properties in the municipality of Senador Guiomard, State of Acre, Brazil, during the period from January to December 2019. The properties were divided into two groups (treatment group-TG and control group-CG) and the data obtained through a form with 255 questions for diagnosis and analysis (LQL-GO) for somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC) were tabulated in spreadsheets (Excel®) and subjected to statistical analysis by the Wilcoxon test. Nineteen weaknesses were obtained through the GUT matrix. The implementation of milking practices using tools obtained an average reduction of 31.4% for SCC and 63% for TBC in TG and a reduction of 39.3% for SCC and an increase of 33.7% for TBC in CG. Thus, the management tools applied to milk quality are capable of generating positive results (p < 0.05) in microbiological control, facilitating quick decision-making, aiming at the correction of weaknesses, and, consequently, an increase in profitability.

Impact of individual protected areas on deforestation and carbon emissions in Acre, Brazil

SummaryProtecting tropical forests from deforestation is important for mitigating both biodiversity loss and anthropogenic climate change. In Amazonia, a common approach to protected area (PA) impact studies has been to investigate differences among broad PA categories, such as strictly protected, sustainable use and indigenous areas, yet these may be insufficient for the management of PAs at local scales. We used a matching method to compare impacts and carbon emissions avoided during 2011–2016 of individual PAs in the state of Acre (Brazil). Although most PAs had a positive impact and effectively prevented forest loss, we observed substantial variation among them in terms of impacts, pressures and emissions during our study period. The impacts varied from 3.6% avoided to 15.6% induced forest loss compared to expected levels of deforestation estimated for each PA using the matching method. All but a few PAs helped avoid substantial amounts of emissions. Our results emphasize the need for more PA impact studies that compare multiple PAs at the individual level in Amazonia and beyond.

Community composition of tree and palm species following disturbance in a forest with bamboo in southwestern Amazonia, Brazil

AbstractAnthropogenic disturbances such as selective logging and forest fires can cause further degradation in tropical forests. Various authors have suggested that logging and fire in southwestern Amazonia can increase bamboo abundance and contribute to slowing succession, but few studies have addressed community‐composition patterns at either the local or the regional scale. We used a natural experiment with forest fire and post‐burn logging to analyze the effects of increased bamboo abundance on the community composition of trees and palms in Brazil's Acre state in southwestern Amazonia. Bamboo abundance was expressed by variables collected both by field sampling and from high‐resolution images using a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Disturbance in these forests was associated with a significant reduction in the number of crowns of emergent trees and palms and an increase in the canopy fraction occupied by bamboo. A significant negative relationship was observed between the canopy area occupied by bamboo and the number of tree and palm species, regardless of the level of disturbance. Bamboo density (culms m−2) and canopy area occupied by bamboo had significant effects on community composition, indicating that bamboo abundance is a key driver affecting the floristic composition of the forest.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.