Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

COMPORTAMENTO DO CONSUMIDOR DE ALIMENTOS ORGÂNICOS

A better understanding of how consumers perceive the Attributes, Consequences (benefits), and Values ​​(A-C-V) concerning organic foods, is crucial for better positioning of companies about the market in which they operate. Thus, this work aims to select some articles, national and international, that made use of the Laddering technique to research consumers of organic foods. Also, an in-depth analysis of the content of these works will be carried out to identify some of the main aspects that reflect the A-C-V of the consumer of organic foods. Finally, a framework is proposed that aims to illustrate and contextualize the main thematic elements of this research (A-C-V) and their relationship with the Purchase Process Stages (EPC). As for the methodology, this is qualitative and exploratory research. The results of the study made it possible to verify the influence that the A-C-V triad can have on the consumer of organic foods in terms of their intention to buy, in making the purchase, and in the willingness to make future purchases. It was also possible to synthesize various aspects of organic foods and organize them in a framework. The proposed framework made it possible to verify interactions between variables, making it brighter the different ways that A-C-V can affect the EPC of organic food consumers.Entender melhor como os consumidores percebem os Atributos, Consequências (benefícios) e Valores (A-C-V) em relação aos alimentos orgânicos, é crucial para um melhor posicionamento das empresas em relação ao mercado que atua. Assim, esse trabalho visa selecionar alguns artigos, nacionais e internacionais, que fizeram uso da técnica Laddering para pesquisar os consumidores de alimentos orgânicos. Também, será realizado uma análise aprofundada do conteúdo desses trabalhos para identificar alguns dos principais aspectos que refletem os A-C-V do consumidor de alimentos orgânicos. Por fim, é proposto um framework que objetiva ilustrar e contextualizar os principais elementos temáticos dessa pesquisa (A-C-V) e suas relações com os Estágios do Processo de Compra (EPC). Quanto a metodologia, essa é uma pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória. Os resultados da pesquisa possibilitou verificar a influência que a tríade A-C-V pode ocasionar no consumidor de alimentos orgânicos quanto a sua intenção de comprar, na efetivação da compra e na disposição de realizar compras futuras. Também foi  possível sintetizar vários aspectos dos alimentos orgânicos e organiza-los em um framework . O framework proposto, possibilitou verificar interações entre as variáveis deixando mais claro as diversas formas que os A-C-V podem afetar os EPC dos consumidores de alimentos orgânicos

Consultas neurológicas e diagnósticos em um grande hospital universitário dedicado a COVID-19

Background: More than one-third of COVID-19 patients present neurological symptomsranging from anosmia to stroke and encephalopathy. Furthermore, pre-existingneurological conditions may require special treatment and may be associated with worseoutcomes. Notwithstanding, the role of neurologists in COVID-19 is probablyunderrecognized. Objective: The aim of this study was to report the reasons forrequesting neurological consultations by internists and intensivists in a COVID-19-dedicated hospital. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out at Hospital dasClínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, a 900-bedCOVID-19 dedicated center (including 300 intensive care unit beds). COVID-19 diagnosiswas confirmed by SARS-CoV-2-RT-PCR in nasal swabs. All inpatient neurologyconsultations between March 23rd and May 23rd, 2020 were analyzed. Neurologistsperformed the neurological exam, assessed all available data to diagnose theneurological condition, and requested additional tests deemed necessary. Difficultdiagnoses were established in consensus meetings. After diagnosis, neurologists wereinvolved in the treatment. Results: Neurological consultations were requested for 89 outof 1,208 (7.4%) inpatient COVID admissions during that period. Main neurologicaldiagnoses included: encephalopathy (44.4%), stroke (16.7%), previous neurologicaldiseases (9.0%), seizures (9.0%), neuromuscular disorders (5.6%), other acute brainlesions (3.4%), and other mild nonspecific symptoms (11.2%). Conclusions: Mostneurological consultations in a COVID-19-dedicated hospital were requested for severeconditions that could have an impact on the outcome. First-line doctors should be able torecognize neurological symptoms; neurologists are important members of the medicalteam in COVID-19 hospital care.Introdução: Mais de um terço dos pacientes com COVID-19 apresentam sintomasneurológicos que variam de anosmia a AVC e encefalopatia. Além disso, doençasneurológicas prévias podem exigir tratamento especial e estar associadas a pioresdesfechos. Não obstante, o papel dos neurologistas na COVID-19 é provavelmentepouco reconhecido. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar os motivos para solicitarconsultas neurológicas por clínicos e intensivistas em um hospital dedicado à COVID-19. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade deMedicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil, um centro dedicado à COVID-19 com900 leitos (incluindo 300 leitos para unidades de terapia intensiva). O diagnóstico deCOVID-19 foi confirmado por SARS-CoV-2-RT-PCR em swabs nasais. Todas asinterconsultas de neurologia hospitalar entre 23 de março e 23 de maio de 2020 foramanalisadas. Os neurologistas realizaram o exame neurológico, avaliaram todos os dadosdisponíveis para diagnosticar a patologia neurológica e solicitaram exames adicionaisconforme necessidade. Diagnósticos difíceis foram estabelecidos em reuniões deconsenso. Após o diagnóstico, os neurologistas participaram da condução dos casos.Resultados: Foram solicitadas consultas neurológicas para 89 de 1.208 (7,4%) empacientes internados por COVID-19 durante o período. Os principais diagnósticosneurológicos incluíram: encefalopatia (44,4%), acidente vascular cerebral (16,7%),doenças neurológicas prévias (9,0%), crises epilépticas (9,0%), transtornosneuromusculares (5,6%), outras lesões encefálicas agudas (3,4%) e outros sintomasleves inespecíficos (11,2%). Conclusões: A maioria das consultas neurológicas em umhospital dedicado à COVID-19 foi solicitada para condições graves que poderiam afetaro desfecho clínico. Os médicos na linha de frente devem ser capazes de reconhecersintomas neurológicos. Os neurologistas são membros importantes da equipe médica noatendimento hospitalar à COVID-19

COVID‑ 19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity in South America countries

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABThe COVID-19 pandemic triggered unparalleled political, economic, and social ramifcations, exacerbating global food insecurity (FI). To understand the overall impact of the pandemic and how diferent socio-economic groups were afected, we assessed prevalence and severity of FI in a sample of 18,997 households across seven countries in South America. We employed the Food Insecurity Experience Scale developed by the FAO. Our results showed that pre-pandemic, 4.5% of the sampled population across the entire continent faced Moderate FI, while 0.6% experienced severe FI. During the pandemic, Moderate FI increased to 16.9% (+12.4%), and Severe FI to 2.7% (+2.1%). By country, pre-pandemic households in Venezuela had the highest prevalence of Moderate FI (9.7%), with Peru experiencing the highest Severe FI frequency (1.1%). Peru had the greatest rise in Moderate (+23.9%) and Severe FI (+4.6%) during the pandemic. Low-income households, defned as those earning<2 minimum wages per month, were most susceptible to FI. Uruguayan low-income families exhibited the most signifcant rise (+40.4%) in Moderate FI, while those in Peru experienced an increase of+9.1% in Severe FI. This study measures the profound and far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FI in South America. Our fndings also emphasise the critical importance of implementing efective public policy interventions to improve resilience against future shocks. This would enable policymakers to develop targeted strategies that address the immediate challenges posed by pandemics as well as laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable food security landscape in the region

Knowledge on medical abortion among brazilian medical residents in gynecology and obstetrics

Medical or drug-induced abortion has been proven as an effective means for termination of pregnancy. However, training of providers in the use of misoprostol has been limited. The current article aims to identify the degree of knowledge on medical abortion among Brazilian medical residents in Gynecology and Obstetrics. A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed with residents regularly enrolled in residency programs in Gynecology and Obstetrics in 21 teaching hospitals. A self-responded questionnaire was used. Correct responses to each of the alternatives were identified, and a binary response variable (≥ P70, < P70) was defined by the 70th percentile of the number of questions on misoprostol. Four hundred and seven medical residents returned the questionnaire, of which 404 were completed and three were blank. The majority (56.3%) of the residents were 27 years or younger, females (81.1%), and single or not living with a partner (70%). Two-thirds (68.2%) were in the first or second year of residency. Only 40.8% of the participants answered 70% or more of the questions correctly. In the multivariate analysis, enrollment in the third year of residency or greater (OR = 2.18; 95%CI: 1.350-3.535) and having participated in treatment of a woman with induced or probably induced abortion (OR = 4.12; 95%CI: 1.761-9.621) were associated with better knowledge on the subject. Among Brazilian medical residents in Gynecology and Obstetrics, knowledge on medical abortion is very limited and poses an obstacle to proper care in cases of legal termination of pregnancy.O aborto medicamentoso ou farmacológico tem demonstrado ser um meio eficaz para a interrupção da gravidez. Entretanto, o treinamento de provedores no uso do misoprostol tem sido limitado. O presente artigo tem como objetivo identificar o grau de conhecimento dos médicos residentes em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia sobre aborto medicamentoso. Realizou-se um estudo transversal multicêntrico com residentes regularmente inscritos no programa de residência em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia de vinte e um hospitais de ensino. Foi utilizado um questionário de autorresposta. As respostas corretas a cada uma das alternativas foram identificadas e uma variável de resposta binária (≥ P70, < P70) foi definida pelo percentil 70 do número de perguntas sobre o misoprostol. Quatrocentos e sete médicos residentes devolveram o questionário, sendo que 404 estavam preenchidos e três em branco. A maioria (56,3%) dos residentes tinha até 27 anos de idade, era do sexo feminino (81,1%) e não vivia junto com um(a) companheiro(a) (70%). A maior proporção (68,2%) estava cursando o primeiro ou segundo ano da residência. Apenas 40,8% dos participantes acertaram 70% ou mais das afirmativas. Na análise múltipla, cursar o terceiro ano de residência ou superior (OR = 2,18; IC95%: 1,350-3,535) e ter participado do atendimento a uma mulher com abortamento induzido ou provavelmente induzido (OR = 4,12; IC95%: 1,761-9,621) mostraram-se associados a um maior conhecimento sobre o tema. Entre os médicos brasileiros residentes em Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, o conhecimento sobre o aborto medicamentoso é muito reduzido e constitui um obstáculo para o bom atendimento dos casos de interrupção legal da gestação.FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity in South American countries

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unparalleled political, economic, and social ramifications, exacerbating global food insecurity (FI). To understand the overall impact of the pandemic and how different socio-economic groups were affected, we assessed prevalence and severity of FI in a sample of 18,997 households across seven countries in South America. We employed the Food Insecurity Experience Scale developed by the FAO. Our results showed that pre-pandemic, 4.5% of the sampled population across the entire continent faced Moderate FI, while 0.6% experienced severe FI. During the pandemic, Moderate FI increased to 16.9% (+ 12.4%), and Severe FI to 2.7% (+ 2.1%). By country, pre-pandemic households in Venezuela had the highest prevalence of Moderate FI (9.7%), with Peru experiencing the highest Severe FI frequency (1.1%). Peru had the greatest rise in Moderate (+ 23.9%) and Severe FI (+ 4.6%) during the pandemic. Low-income households, defined as those earning < 2 minimum wages per month, were most susceptible to FI. Uruguayan low-income families exhibited the most significant rise (+ 40.4%) in Moderate FI, while those in Peru experienced an increase of + 9.1% in Severe FI. This study measures the profound and far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FI in South America. Our findings also emphasise the critical importance of implementing effective public policy interventions to improve resilience against future shocks. This would enable policymakers to develop targeted strategies that address the immediate challenges posed by pandemics as well as laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable food security landscape in the region

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection