Northeastern Brazilian State Research Articles

Is there a zonation pattern in aquatic macrophytes communities in the aquatic environments of the Brazilian semiarid?

Communities of aquatic macrophytes are influenced by a series of biotic and abiotic factors that determine which species or life forms will colonize an aquatic environment. Different stretches may harbor a distinct macrophyte diversity within the same drainage basin in response to different local environmental conditions. Thus, we hypothesized a pattern of longitudinal zonation in macrophytes communities in the aquatic environments of the Brazilian semiarid. The study was carried out in the Apodi/Mossoro Hydrographic Basin, in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte State in northeastern Brazil. Four sampling campaigns were carried out in quarterly intervals along 23 sampling sites distributed from the headwaters to the estuarine region. In each sampling station, the presence of macrophytes was recorded and water variables were measured; in addition, water samples were also collected for analyses and plant material was collected for identification. The macrophytes community as a whole did not show a well-established gradient, although some life forms could be related to specific patterns. Some species, such as Ceratophyllum submersum L., were restricted to environmental conditions of low nutrient levels and high water transparency, while others, such as Ipomoea fistulosa Choisy, were widely distributed. The zonation pattern of aquatic macrophytes was determined by different characteristics of the environment, which ranged from nutrient-rich waters to stretches with high salinity, evidencing the adaptations of each ecological group.

Flora of Paraíba State, Brazil: Aechmea Ruiz & Pav. (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract: Aechmea is one of the largest genera of Bromeliaceae, having more than 250 species, and Brazil is its principal center of endemism. We taxonomically examined the species of Aechmea encountered in Paraíba State in northeastern Brazil. Our analyses were based on specimens collected during the present study, as well as examinations of local and regional herbaria collections. Eleven species were encountered to State: Aechmea aquilega, A. chrysocoma, A. costantinii, A. emmerichiae, A. eurycorymbus, A. fulgens, A. leptantha, A. mertensii, A. nudicaulis, A. patentissima, and A. werdermannii. Of those taxa, seven are endemic to northeastern Brazil and five are included within one of the threatened categories according to IUCN criteria, two of them being "endangered" and "critically endangered". We include here a key to the identification of the species, a list of the materials examined, commentaries concerning the taxonomic affinities of the species based on morphological characters, data concerning their geographic distributions, flowering, fruiting, inferences concerning their conservation statuses, as well as images and drawings indicating their principal characteristics.

Nurses' knowledge about Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy.

Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy (BSCL) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the almost complete absence of adipose tissue. Due to a strong founder effect that resulted in a higher prevalence of BSCL in Rio Grande do Norte (RN), a state in northeastern Brazil, it has been essential that health professionals develop knowledge about this disease. Nurses are often the first point of contact with patients during health care assistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge of these professionals about BSCL in two main hospitals in RN state. A questionnaire was applied to 199 nurses working in the Hospital Regional Mariano Coelho—HRMC (Regional Hospital Mariano Coelho), in Currais Novos–RN, and in the Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes—HUOL (University Hospital Onofre Lopes), in Natal–RN. This study showed that most nursing professionals do not know about the disease, although they have already received patients with BSCL in those hospitals. The nurses from HRMC and HUOL lacked knowledge of BSCL and the healthcare of these patients requires immediate improvement. Significant efforts are required to close the gap between current and needed practice patterns.

Functioning and Disability Profile of Children with Microcephaly Associated with Congenital Zika Virus Infection.

Introduction: The increase in the number of cases of microcephaly in Brazil and its association with the Zika virus (ZIKV) is a global public health problem. The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) model is a powerful tool and extremely relevant in managing disability. Objective: Describe the functioning profile of children with microcephaly associated with ZIKV in two states of northeastern Brazil. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sociodemographic characteristics, head circumference, and other clinical data were collected from medical charts, physical examinations, measuring instruments, and interviews with the children and their parents. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Brief Common ICF Core Set for cerebral palsy (CP) was used. Each ICF category was assigned a qualifier, which ranged from 0 to 4 (no problem, mild problem, moderate problem, severe problem, complete problem). For environmental factors, 0 represents no barrier and 4 represents complete barrier; +0, no facilitator and +4, complete facilitator. Results: A total of 34 children with microcephaly caused by ZIKV were recruited (18 girls and 16 boys) at four rehabilitation facilities in Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba states, Brazil. The average age of the participants was 21 months, monthly income was ≈USD 300.00, and head circumference z-scores ranged between 0.92 and −5.51. The functioning profile revealed complete disability in most of the body function categories (b). The activity and participation areas (d) were highly impacted, particularly in mobility-related categories. With respect to environmental factors (e), most of the sample reported a complete facilitator for the immediate family, friends, and health services, systems, and policies, as well as a complete barrier to societal attitudes. Conclusion: This is the first study that describes the functioning profile of children with microcephaly associated with ZIKV, using a tool based on the ICF in Brazil. Our findings reinforce the need to maximize health care and access to information, based on the ICF, for multiprofessional teams, administrators, family members, and children.

Landscapes and resistance in the African diaspora: Five centuries of palm oil on Bahia's Dendê Coast

This paper examines the long-term development of palm oil landscapes in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. In contrast to the agroindustrial monocultures that dominate global production, palm oil in Bahia emerges from a biodiverse cultural landscape constructed through five centuries of transatlantic socioecological exchange. Native to West Africa, African oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) diffused to the New World during colonial overseas expansion, becoming established in Bahia by the seventeenth century. There the palms helped form a complex cultural landscape that continues to supply local alimentary and spiritual demands for palm oil—an essential resource in many Afro-Brazilian cultural expressions. Extending approximately 70 km south of the capital Salvador, Bahia's traditional palm oil landscapes are now officially dubbed the Dendê Coast (Costa do Dendê), following the Kimbundu Bantu-inspired Afro-Brazilian term for palm oil. Historically colonial officials and elite Brazilians showed little interest in Bahia's palm oil economy, effectively conceding it to Afro-descendants until the mid-twentieth century. Since then, a series of modern development interventions have sought to transform the complex, biodiverse landscapes of the Dendê Coast into a legible oil palm monoculture based on an improved hybrid variety. Yet despite recurrent top-down efforts, emergent or “subspontaneous” groves and traditional polycultural landscapes continue to dominate land use in the region. Drawing on ethnography, landscape interpretations, archives, and geospatial analysis, this paper analyzes the historical development of Bahia's palm oil economy, recounting five centuries of socioecological changes on the Dendê Coast. The study integrates recent geographical treatments of the African diaspora with theories of complexity to comprehend the ongoing proliferation of Bahia's traditional palm oil landscapes despite top-down promotion of modern monocultures.

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum sichuanensis on Phaseolus lunatus in Brazil

The lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) is of cultural importance in the Northeast region of Brazil as source of income and food for the population. Among the diseases impacting lima bean production, anthracnose caused by the genus Colletotrichum is among the most prominent. In 2015, lima-bean leaves with typical symptoms of anthracnose were collected in five states of northeastern Brazil, including Pernambuco, Paraiba, Piaui, Ceara and Alagoas. The symptoms are characterized by reddish spots on the leaf blade and along the primary and secondary veins, resulting in wrinkled leaves. On pods and stems, the lesions are depressed and reddish with developmental acervuli. Small pieces of leaf tissue from the periphery of the lesions were surface disinfested (1 min in 70% alcohol, 2 min in 1% NaOCl, and rinsed with sterile water), plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Colonies that were morphologically similar to Colletotrichum spp. were transferred to PDA and preserved. In order to i...

Molecular and serological investigation of infectious diseases in captive and free-range crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous - Linnaeus, 1776) from northeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to detect DNA and antibodies anti-Leishmania spp., Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in captive and free-range crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) from northeastern Brazil. Twenty-five crab-eating foxes from different states of northeastern Brazil were sampled by this study. Blood samples were collected by cephalic or jugular vein punctures. The whole blood was submitted to PCR, and the sera samples to the serological analysis as follows: MAT for T. gondii, NAT for N. caninum, and ELISA for L. chagasi. The frequence of antibodies anti-T. gondii was 50% and 29.41% for free-range and captive wild canids, respectively. The frequence of antibodies anti-N. caninum observed by this study was 62.50% and 23.52% for free-range and captive wild canids, respectively. The frequence of antibodies anti-L. chagasi was 4.0% for captive wild canids. Co-infections cases were identified as follows: one captive wild canid seropositive for T. gondii and L. chagasi and two free-range animals seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum. All PCR assays performed were negative for the pathogens analyzed. This study describes the presence of antibodies anti-T. gondii, N. caninum e L. chagasi in wild canids from northeastern Brazil and highlights the necessity of further studies on infectious diseases in free-range and captive wild canids.

Spatial Analysis and Mortality Trends Associated with Hypertensive Diseases in the States and Regions of Brazil from 2010 to 2014

Abstract Background: Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) represents the most relevant worsening factor and one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: To analyze trends in the mortality rate associated with hypertensive diseases in Brazil from 2010 to 2014, for states as well as regions. Methods: An epidemiological study was performed from aggregate data obtained in populational strata. Cartographic data of the Brazilian territory in shapefile were provided by IBGE. Records of mortality associated with arterial hypertension were obtained in DATASUS, through notifications filtered by category I.10 of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The criterion of statistical significance was a two-tailed p-value < 0.05. Results: The increase in age was progressively associated with an increase in the mean number of deaths related to hypertensive diseases between the years 2010 and 2014. In the age groups between 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and 80 or more years, the mean and standard deviation for the mortality rate were, respectively: 15.11% (35.35); 24.14% (55.34); 35.07% (81.03) and 57.87% (139.08). The overall mortality rate per 10,000 inhabitants varied between the regions: north (1.25); northeast (2.69); center-west (2.06); southeast (2.48) and south (2.04). Conclusions: The mortality rate associated with hypertensive diseases was higher in the southeastern and northeastern states of Brazil, and remained stable between 2010 and 2014. Increased age and brown color were predictors of higher mortality.

User satisfaction on the health care provided by the primary health care program in a state in northeastern Brazil

User satisfaction on the health care provided by the primary health care program in a state in northeastern Brazil

Epidemiological overview of HIV/AIDS in pregnant women from a state of northeastern Brazil.

To learn the epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection in pregnant women. Descriptive study with quantitative approach. The study population was composed of pregnant women with HIV/AIDS residing in the state of Alagoas. Data were organized into variables and analyzed according to the measures of dispersion parameter relevant to the arithmetic mean and standard deviation (X ± S). Between 2007 and 2015, 773 cases of HIV/AIDS were recorded in pregnant women in Alagoas. The studied variables identified that most of these pregnant women were young, had low levels of education and faced socioeconomic vulnerability. It is necessary to include actions aimed at increasing the attention paid to women, once the assurance of full care and early diagnosis of HIV are important strategies to promote adequate treatment adherence and reduce the vertical transmission.

Epidemiological profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a Northeastern Brazilian state

Epidemiological profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a Northeastern Brazilian state

Dune fields in Jericoacoara: human intervention as a possible indicator of changes in the morphological dynamics

Coastal dunes play an important role in the sediment transport of the coastal zone. The morphology of the Jericoacoara National Park in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará consists of a headland covered by a mobile dune field consisting of large mobile barchans dune fields that migrate from east to west. These dunes are responsible for the bypass and transportation of essential sediments for the maintenance of the coastline without cumulative erosive effects. The present study focused on the morphodynamic evolution of these isolated mobile dunes through the recovery of multitemporal Landsat and QuickBird satellite images of the years between 1975 and 2010. The spatiotemporal analysis of the distribution and morphology of these dunes over this 35-year period revealed significant shifts in their area, perimeter, and movement patterns. It was possible to confirm that the flow of material and energy was linked to a process of continuous migration in the direction of the beach. The dynamics of the dune migration in the years following 2000 was established, indicates possible impacts on the morphology of the dunes resulting from the increase in tourism within the area. These changes were most significant between 2001 and 2005, possibly reflecting a anthropogenic impacts.

Campos de dunas em Jericoacoara: intervenções humanas como possível indicador de mudança na dinâmica morfológica

Coastal dunes play an important role in the sediment transport of the coastal zone. The morphology of the Jericoacoara National Park in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará consists of a headland covered by a mobile dune field consisting of large mobile barchans dune fields that migrate from east to west. These dunes are responsible for the bypass and transportation of essential sediments for the maintenance of the coastline without cumulative erosive effects. The present study focused on the morphodynamic evolution of these isolated mobile dunes through the recovery of multitemporal Landsat and QuickBird satellite images of the years between 1975 and 2010. The spatiotemporal analysis of the distribution and morphology of these dunes over this 35-year period revealed significant shifts in their area, perimeter, and movement patterns. It was possible to confirm that the flow of material and energy was linked to a process of continuous migration in the direction of the beach. The dynamics of the dune migration in the years following 2000 was established, indicates possible impacts on the morphology of the dunes resulting from the increase in tourism within the area. These changes were most significant between 2001 and 2005, possibly reflecting a anthropogenic impacts.

Differences in the structure of the bat community between a cloud forest refuge and a surrounding semi-arid Caatinga scrubland in the northeastern Brazil

The present study compared the structure of the bat communities in semi-arid Caatinga scrub and humid cloud forest habitats in the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe. A sampling effort of 185,790 h.m2 resulted in the capture of 157 bats representing 12 species in the Caatinga, and 259 individuals belonging to 14 species in the cloud forest. Overall, a total species richness of 18, although highly significant differences were recorded between habitats in the abundance of individuals. Glossophaga soricina was the most abundant species in the Caatinga, while Carollia perspicillata was the most abundant in the cloud forest. The Glossophaginae was the principal group in the Caatinga, and the Stenodermatinae in the cloud forest. Frugivores were the most abundant in the cloud forest, and many of these species appeared to be concentrated in this habitat during the dry season, dispersing into the Caatinga during the rainy season. Nectarivores were more abundant in the Caatinga during both seasons, indicating that, even during the dry season, this habitat provides an adequate resource base to support this guild. The present study of the Serra da Guia reinforces the importance of these enclaves of humid forest on the diversity and ecology of Caatinga bats.

First serologic evidence of human hantavirus infection in Alagoas State in Northeastern Brazil.

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is rare in Northeastern Brazil. Prospective surveillance was conducted over a two-year period in Alagoas State, Northeastern Brazil. The prevalence of anti-hantavirus N-antigen IgM and IgG in human serum samples was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing. High avidity IgG was found in nine of 476 serum samples tested (from 102 patients with clinical manifestations compatible with HCPS, 124 patients with leptospirosis, and 250 healthy rural workers). Serologic evidence of past hantavirus infection in residents of Alagoas State indicates that hantaviruses are present in northeastern Brazil, even in areas silent for HCPS.

Screening the Geographical Origin of Brazilian Wines According their Elemental Composition

Background: Multivariate statistical analyses were used to investigate the mineral contents of wines from the mid-São Francisco River valley, located between the northeastern Brazilian States of Bahia and Pernambuco, with those of wines from Rio Grande do Sul State. Methods: Ten elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results were applied to Principal Components Analysis PCA) and and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). Results: Considering the 28 wine samples analyzed, the elements Ca, Mg, K, and P were found in higher concentrations in the northeastern wines, with average contents of 71.6, 85.5, 632.9, and 191.2 mg L-1, respectively, and concentration ranges of 6.7-132.0, 53.7-120.7, 177.8-1071.9, and 79.5-376.1 mg L-1, respectively. Conversely, the elements Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn were found in lower concentrations in the northeastern wines, with average contents of 0.53, 0.19, 1.31, 1.47, 0.69, and 0.46 mg L-1, respectively, and concentration ranges of 0.17-1.28, 0.03-0.46, 0.26-2.34, 0.41-2.73, 0.29-1.59, and 0.06-0.95 mg L-1, respectively. Conclusion: Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed a natural distinction between the wines from the mid-Sao Francisco River valley and Rio Grande do Sul. Keywords: Brazilian wines, geographical origin, mineral contents, ICP-OES, PCA, HCA.

Ficus diamantina (Moraceae) a new species from high montane forests in north-east Brazil

A new species of fig tree endemic to the Chapada Diamantina in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, is described and illustrated. Ficus diamantina belongs to the Ficus sect. Americanae. The new species occurs sympatrically with Ficus clusiifolia and shows affinities with Ficus bahiensis from which it differs by the reddish color of young branches with epidermis flaking off, the tector and glandular trichomes on the lamina abaxial surface, the number of lateral veins, the divergence angle of basal pair of veins and the subsessile syconia. It occurs in high montane forests near Campos Rupestres (upland rocky fields) at altitudes up to 800 m.

Non-Volant mammals of a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Home of several endemic species, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest has been reduced to about 11-16% of its original area, and is currently considered to be one of the hotspots of global conservation. In the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe, the 900-hectare Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge was established in order to protect the regional fauna and flora. Mammals were surveyed in the Refuge on three days per month between June, 2011, and May, 2012, using a combination of sample methods. A total of 16 species representing 12 families were recorded, with the order Carnivora being the most common (seven species). Whereas three didelphimorph species were trapped, only one exotic rodent – Rattus norvegicus – was captured. Comparisons with surveys from other Atlantic Forest sites indicate an intermediate species richness in Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge and similar to that of other sites in the northern portion of the biome. Keywords: mammalian diversity, species richness, protected areas.

Keeping wild birds as pets in a semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte State, northeastern Brazil

There is a wide variety of wild birds in the semiarid region of Brazil. Some of these birds are frequently used by local populations in various ways, and the habit of keeping wild birds in cages as pets is very common. The objective of this study was to survey the birds kept as pets in a semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte state in northeastern Brazil. Field study was conducted from September 2009 to March 2010 in the districts of Caicó, São João do Sabugi, Serra Negra do Norte, and Timbaúba dos Batistas. A total of 101 individuals were interviewed, including 91 male respondents, with ages ranging 10–75 years. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews of local residents who kept wild birds as pets. Twenty-five species of wild birds kept as pets, belonging to seven families, were mentioned by the respondents. The family Thraupidae was the most represented, with 10 bird species. Sporophila albogularis, Paroaria dominicana and Icterus jamacaii had the highest use values, all of them species endemic to the Caatinga and Brazil. Capturing wild birds for caged keeping is an activity still practiced in the study area by local human populations, who prefer species endemic to Brazil.

The possible meanings of care: self-care and care-for-the-other

To understand and to reflect about care based on the experiences of managers, professionals and users of maternal and child health services. We developed an evaluative research with a qualitative approach in a Northeastern state of Brazil with extensive experience in the regionalization and implementation process of integrated health networks. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 68 subjects and direct observation of the maternal and child health services. We adopted the theoretical reference framework of Gadamer's hermeneutics to analyze the narratives. Some units of meaning were present, such as: perception and knowledge about oneself; exercise of autonomy; weaknesses in the provision of resources for the materialization of self-care; and difficulties in accessing health services and care practices. We perceive that care is dynamic, comprises various subjective aspects with respect to the singularities of the subjects and is related to the possibility of generating both individual and collective transformation. Care is built based on a movement among the subjects and between them and the social and health services. Thus, when we intend to take care, we need to consider this instead of focusing care solely on the technical support of health professionals.