A new methodological contribution for the geodiversity assessment: applicability to Ceará State (Brazil)

The concept of geodiversity aggregates the abiotic elements of nature and promotes the geoconservation. The main objective of this work is to contribute to the upgrade of the method for the assessment and quantification of geodiversity proposed by Pereira et al. (2013). The method is based on the superposition of a regular grid of 12 × 12 km on different maps (lithology, geomorphology, soil, paleonthology, mineral and geological energy resources) at scales of 1:250,000 to 1:600,000. In addition to other up- grades, the water resources are regarded here as a new com- ponent to consider when quantifying geodiversity. The sum of these maps generated the quantitative Map of Geodiversity Indices and the Map of Geodiversity Assessment, ranging from very low to very high geodiversity. The analysis of the geodiversity map of the State of Ceará (Brazil) shows the applicability and advantage of this method, highlighting two regions with higher levels of geodiversity (Northwest and South) and another region with the lowest levels (Sertões Cearenses). The results also allowed the characterization of the State of Ceará concerning the individual components of the geodiversity, especially the water resources. Geodiversity indices and maps are comprehensive and user-friendly data in the territorial planning, considering the geodiversity either as a whole, or each of its components, especially the more sensi- tive such as fossil conservation, and water, mineral, and non- renewable energy resources management.The authors express their gratitude to the Brazilian research fostering institution "Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior" (CAPES) for awarding the Ciência Sem Fronteiras (CsF) PhD scholarship that enabled this work. This work was partially co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, based on COMPETE 2020 (Programa Operacional da Competitividade e Internacionalização), project ICT (UID/GEO/04683/ 2013) with reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007690 and national funds provided by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

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

Estimulação cerebral profunda na Doença de Parkinson: evidências de estudos de longa duração

A Doença de Parkinson (DP) é uma condição neurodegenerativa crônica que afeta principalmente idosos, mas pode ocorrer em adultos jovens. É a segunda doença neurodegenerativa mais comum, após o Alzheimer. A DP afeta 1% dos indivíduos acima de 60 anos em países industrializados. Sua causa envolve fatores genéticos e ambientais, como exposição a pesticidas e envelhecimento. A Estimulação Cerebral Profunda (DBS) é um tratamento que simula lesões cerebrais, melhorando sintomas motores e não motores. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar evidências de estudos sobre a eficácia da DBS no tratamento da DP. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática de estudos quantitativos que utiliza as bases de dados PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) para selecionar artigos científicos. Os estudos incluídos abrangem o período de 2013 a 2023 e estão em inglês, abordando a DBS no tratamento da DP. A DBS melhora diversos sintomas motores e não motores, resultando em uma melhor qualidade de vida para os pacientes. Tais benefícios são sustentados mesmo em estágios avançados da Doença de Parkinson, a qual consiste em fornecer pulsos de corrente elétrica a áreas cerebrais profundas através de eletrodos implantados cirurgicamente, geralmente quando a terapia medicamentosa já não é eficaz. Em um estudo com 82 pacientes, a terapia com DBS resultou em uma redução de ± 52% nos sintomas motores do UPDRS sob medicação antes da cirurgia. A melhora nos sintomas motores com a estimulação, em comparação com a ausência de estimulação e medicação, foi de ± 61% no primeiro ano e ± 39% de 8 a 15 anos após a cirurgia (antes da reprogramação). A medicação foi reduzida em ± 55% após 1 ano e ± 44% após 8 a 15 anos, com a maioria dos pacientes mostrando melhorias após a reprogramação. De acordo com as literaturas analisadas, a DBS é uma terapia eficaz para a DP. Enfatiza-se a importância da inovação contínua e dos novos estudos para explorar as facetas não investigadas desse campo. Com a abordagem dos aspectos clínicos, cirúrgicos, tecnológicos e científicos, destacam-se os benefícios, limitações e desafios a serem superados. Ademais, inovações tecnológicas na DBS, como a estimulação direcional, adaptativa e a telemedicina estão sendo exploradas. Em suma, este artigo fornece evidências sobre os benefícios da DBS na DP, ressaltando a necessidade de pesquisas adicionais para otimizar tal intervenção terapêutica e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes

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 understanding 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,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 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 underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities 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 organism 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 neglected 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 lost

Water resources assessment in the scope of geodiversity: applicability to the state of Ceará, Brazil

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências (Especialidade em Geologia)A inserção dos recursos hídricos como parte integrante do processo de quantificação e avaliação da geodiversidade foi pensada devido à sua importância socioeconômica e à intrínseca relação existente entre os elementos naturais abióticos que compõe a geodiversidade (rochas, fósseis, minerais, relevos, solos), e os diversos processos hídricos. Estes processos hídricos atuam e transformam esses elementos que, por sua vez, influenciam sobremaneira as relações do homem sobre os territórios e paisagens. Diante desta perspectiva de análise, centramos como objetivo principal deste trabalho, desenvolver metodologias de quantificação dos recursos hídricos e da geodiversidade para o Estado do Ceará- Brasil. A metodologia de avaliação dos recursos hídricos foi desenvolvida com base em metodologia de avaliação da geodiversidade e de seus vários componentes anteriormente proposta. Os métodos e técnicas de quantificação dos recursos hídricos tem como base os limites naturais das bacias hidrográficas e tem por objetivo servir de instrumento técnico-metodológico para a gestão e análise dos recursos hídricos em bacias hidrográficas. O método desenvolvido de avaliação da geodiversidade baseado na inserção de uma grid regular sobre mapas, permite avaliar de forma independente a diversidade litológica, geomorfológica, paleontológica, pedológica, de recursos minerais e energéticos e, como propomos, dos recursos hídricos. Com destaque especial ao nosso interesse nos recursos hídricos por ser este um elemento determinante para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico no Estado do Ceará, elaboramos um procedimento de avaliação que gera um indicador de quantificação que designamos por Potencial dos Recursos Hídricos (PRH). A partir deste indicador foi possível, além do resultado final do PRH, obter outros dados inéditos, como valores e mapa da média anual de precipitação, de hierarquias de rios, vazão específica e reservatórios hídricos superficiais do Estado do Ceará. Neste processo de quantificação destacamos a importância da dimensão das grids a serem aplicadas sobre os mapas. Para o cálculo do PRH salienta-se a vantagem do uso das sub-bacias, enquanto para o cálculo dos índices parciais da geodiversidade, as grids regulares devem ser adequadas à dimensão da área de trabalho, diferente para o nível de Estado (Ceará) e nível regional (Mesorregião Sul Cearense). A proposta das metodologias de quantificação do potencial dos recursos hídricos e da quantificação da geodiversidade aqui apresentadas, têm como principal função servir de instrumento técnico para o ordenamento e gestão territorial, incluindo a valorização e gestão de áreas com potencial de geoconservação. A classificação de áreas com base na geodiversidade aqui apresentadas, possibilita traçar planos estratégicos de ordenamento e gestão do território considerando a geodiversidade na sua totalidade, ou em particular cada um dos seus componentes com destaque para os recursos hídricos. .The insertion of water resources as an integral part of the process of geodiversity quantification and assessment was thought due to its socio-economic importance and the intrinsic relationship between abiotic natural elements that make up the geodiversity (rocks, fossils, minerals, reliefs and soil) and diverse water processes. These water process act and transform those elements, and which in turn, greatly influence the relations of human beings over the territories and landscapes. In vision of this analytical perspective, we focus as the main objective of this work, developing methodologies for quantifying water resources and geodiversity for the state of Ceará, Brazil. The methodology of assessment of water resources was developed based on the evaluation methodology of geodiversity and its various components previously proposed. The methods and quantification techniques of water resources is based on the natural watershed boundaries and aims to be used as a technical and methodological tool for the analysis and management of water resources in river basins. The method of assessment of geodiversity based on inserting a regular grid on maps, allows to evaluate independently, the lithological, geomorphological, paleontological, pedological, mineral and energy resources diversity and, as we propose, water resources diversity. With special attention to our interest in water because it is a determining factor for the socioeconomic development in the state of Ceará we developed an evaluation procedure that generates a measurement indicator we call the Potential of Water Resources (PRH). Using this indicator was possible, beyond the outcome of the PRH, get other unpublished data, such as values and map of annual rainfall average, hierarchies of rivers, specific flow rate, and surface water reservoirs of Ceará. In this method, we highlight the importance of the size of the grids to be applied on the maps. Calculating the PRH highlights the advantage of using the sub-basins, while for the calculation of the partial indices of geodiversity, regular grids should be appropriate to the size of the working area, different to the level of the State (Ceará) and regional level (South Ceará Mesoregion). These proposal of quantification of the potential of of water resources and the quantification of geodiversity presented herein, have the main function to provide a technical instrument for planning and land management, including recovery and management of areas with geoconservation potential. The rating of areas based on geodiversity makes it possible to trace strategies for planning and management of the territory considering the geodiversity in its entirety, or, in particular, each of its components with emphasis on water resources

High genomic variability in equine infectious anemia virus obtained from naturally infected horses in Pantanal, Brazil: an endemic region case

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (2014/13532-3).São Paulo State University. Institute for Biotechnology. Botucatu, SP, Brazil.Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri Federal University. Agrarian Sciences Institute. Unaí, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilSão Paulo State University. Institute for Biotechnology. Botucatu, SP, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Virology Laboratory. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.Mato Grosso Federal University. Virology and Rickettsiosis Laboratory. Cuiabá, GO, Brazil.Mato Grosso Federal University. Virology and Rickettsiosis Laboratory. Cuiabá, GO, Brazil.EMBRAPA Pantanal. Corumbá, MT, Brazil.São Paulo State University. Institute for Biotechnology. Botucatu, SP, Brazil.São Paulo State University. Institute for Biotechnology. Botucatu, SP, Brazil.Abstract: Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a persistent lentivirus that causes equine infectious anemia (EIA). In Brazil, EIAV is endemic in the Pantanal region, and euthanasia is not mandatory in this area. All of the complete genomic sequences from field viruses are from North America, Asia, and Europe, and only proviral genomic sequences are available. Sequences from Brazilian EIAV are currently available only for gag and LTR regions. Thus, the present study aimed for the first time to sequence the entire EIAV genomic RNA in naturally infected horses from an endemic area in Brazil. RNA in plasma from naturally infected horses was used for next-generation sequencing (NGS), and gaps were filled using Sanger sequencing methodology. Complete viral genomes of EIAV from two horses were obtained and annotated (Access Number: MN560970 and MN560971). Putative genes were analyzed and compared with previously described genes, showing conservation in gag and pol genes and high variations in LTR and env sequences. Amino acid changes were identified in the p26 protein, one of the most common targets used for diagnosis, and p26 molecular modelling showed surface amino acid alterations in some epitopes. Brazilian genome sequences presented 88.6% nucleotide identity with one another and 75.8 to 77.3% with main field strains, such as EIAV Liaoning, Wyoming, Ireland, and Italy isolates. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis suggested that this Brazilian strain comprises a separate monophyletic group. These results may help to better characterize EIAV and to overcome the challenges of diagnosing and controlling EIA in endemic region