Who has the Right to Urban Green Areas? Environmental Justice in a Brazilian Metropolis

Urban green areas are essential for the quality of life of people living in large cities. In Brazil, 84.7% of the population lives in cities; however, studies assessing urban tree cover distribution and population's accessibility to such spaces are scarce. We aim at assessing urban green areas’ distribution and accessibility in Rio de Janeiro City, according to places where people live in and to dominant economic classes in each neighborhood. In order to do so, 123 public areas larger than 5,000 m² were selected to the study, as well as the city's tree cover network. It was mainly done to analyze both tree vegetation distribution and afforestation rate per capita in each neighborhood in the city, and the profile of the population that has the greatest accessibility to herein selected green areas. In addition, the main aim of the present study is to analyze the likely contributions from tree cover to mitigate mean temperature increase in the city's neighborhoods. Based on the results, the white population, and the one with the highest income per capita, live in neighborhoods with milder temperatures, greater tree cover and closer to the selected areas. They potentially benefit more from ecosystem services than Black people and the low-income population. Finally, it is highlighted the need to find ways to achieve greater equity in the distribution of tree canopy coverage and accessibility to green areas.Urban green areas are essential for the quality of life of people living in large cities. In Brazil, 84.7% of the population lives in cities; however, studies assessing urban tree cover distribution and population's accessibility to such spaces are scarce. We aim at assessing urban green areas’ distribution and accessibility in Rio de Janeiro City, according to places where people live in and to dominant economic classes in each neighborhood. In order to do so, 123 public areas larger than 5,000 m² were selected to the study, as well as the city's tree cover network. It was mainly done to analyze both tree vegetation distribution and afforestation rate per capita in each neighborhood in the city, and the profile of the population that has the greatest accessibility to herein selected green areas. In addition, the main aim of the present study is to analyze the likely contributions from tree cover to mitigate mean temperature increase in the city's neighborhoods. Based on the results, the white population, and the one with the highest income per capita, live in neighborhoods with milder temperatures, greater tree cover and closer to the selected areas. They potentially benefit more from ecosystem services than Black people and the low-income population. Finally, it is highlighted the need to find ways to achieve greater equity in the distribution of tree canopy coverage and accessibility to green areas.As áreas verdes urbanas são essenciais para a qualidade de vida das pessoas que vivem nas grandes cidades. No Brasil, 84,7% da população vive em cidades; no entanto, são escassos os estudos que avaliam a distribuição da arborização urbana e o acesso da população a esses espaços. Objetiva-se avaliar a distribuição e acessibilidade das áreas verdes urbanas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, de acordo com os locais de moradia e as classes econômicas dominantes em cada bairro. Para tanto, foram selecionadas para o estudo 123 áreas públicas com área superior a 5.000 m², bem como a rede de cobertura arbórea da cidade. Isso foi feito para analisar a distribuição da vegetação arbórea e taxa de arborização per capita em cada bairro, bem como o perfil da população que tem maior acessibilidade às áreas verdes aqui selecionadas. Além disso, objetiva-se também analisar as prováveis contribuições da cobertura arbórea para mitigar o aumento da temperatura média nos bairros da cidade. Com base nos resultados, a população branca e de maior renda per capita vive em bairros com temperaturas mais amenas, maior arborização e mais próximos das áreas selecionadas. Eles potencialmente se beneficiam mais dos serviços ecossistêmicos do que as pessoas negras e a população de baixa renda. Por fim, destaca-se a necessidade de encontrar maneiras de alcançar maior equidade na distribuição da cobertura arbórea e na acessibilidade às áreas verdes

A seleção de áreas para conservação na Mata Atlântica Brasileira: revisão dos estudos voltados para priorização espacial

The Atlantic Forest (AF) has a history of uninterrupted environmental degradation which is the oldest and most continuous in Brazil. On the other hand, it was the AF biome where the first protected areas were demarcated in Brazil. The AF is broadly studied in the field of Biological Conservation. The methodologies for evaluating, selecting and prioritizing areas for allocating conservation strategies, in the context of the Systematic Planning for Conservation (SPC), have been developed since the year 2000. A bibliographic review of the research activity related to the SPC and the application of spatial prioritization methods for conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest was carried out here. In this research, twenty-one academic and two non-academic studies were surveyed. There is a tendency of the surveyed studies, mainly academic ones, to use specific taxonomic groups as species of terrestrial vertebrates as indicators of biodiversity. Low setback of studies that use the SPC and the methods for spatial prioritization for conservation in Brazilian AF in conservation actions is also observed in most studies that adopt these methodologies.El Bosque Atlántico (BA) tiene una historia ininterrumpida de degradación ambiental, la más antigua y continua de Brasil. Por otro lado, fue en este bioma donde se produjeron las primeras demarcaciones de áreas protegidas en Brasil. Se estudia BA también ampliamente en el campo de la biología de la conservación. Se han desarrollado las metodologías para la evaluación, selección y priorización de áreas para la asignación de estrategias de conservación, en el contexto de la Planificación Sistemática para la Conservación (PSC) desde el año 2000. Aquí se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la actividad de investigación relacionada a la PSC y la aplicación de métodos de priorización espacial para la conservación en el BA Brasileño. En esta investigación, se encuestaron veintiún estudios académicos y dos no académicos. Hay una tendencia de los estudios encuestados, principalmente académicos, a utilizar grupos taxonómicos específicos como especies de vertebrados terrestres como indicadores de biodiversidad. La baja reversión de los estudios que utilizan la PSC y los métodos de priorización espacial para la conservación en el BA Brasileño en acciones de conservación también se observa en la mayoría de los estudios que adoptan estas metodologías.A Mata Atlântica possui um histórico ininterrupto de degradação ambiental, o mais antigo e contínuo do Brasil. Por outro lado, foi nesse bioma que ocorreram as primeiras demarcações de áreas protegidas no Brasil. A MA é também muito estudada no âmbito da biologia da conservação. As metodologias para a avaliação, seleção e priorização de áreas para alocação de estratégias de conservação, no contexto do Planejamento Sistemático para Conservação (PSC), vêm sendo desenvolvidas a partir do ano 2000. Realizou-se aqui a revisão bibliográfica da atividade de pesquisa relacionada ao PSC e à aplicação de métodos de priorização espacial para conservação na MA Brasileira. Nessa buscaforam levantados seis estudos acadêmicos e dois não acadêmicos.. O único estudo que foi realizado com o objetivo de estabelecer áreas prioritárias para conservação de forma explicita para criação de unidades de conservação tem baixa implementação. A baixa reversão dos estudos que utilizam o PSC e os métodos para priorização espacial para conservação na MA Brasileira em ações de conservação é observada também na maior parte dos estudos que utilizam essas metodologias. Mudar essa situação é extremante importante e mais estudos utilizando o PSC, de forma mais engajada, são relevantes para resolver problemas de conservação na Mata Atlântica Brasileira

Overview of DNA Repair in Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Leishmania major

A wide variety of DNA lesions arise due to environmental agents, normal cellular metabolism, or intrinsic weaknesses in the chemical bonds of DNA. Diverse cellular mechanisms have evolved to maintain genome stability, including mechanisms to repair damaged DNA, to avoid the incorporation of modified nucleotides, and to tolerate lesions (translesion synthesis). Studies of the mechanisms related to DNA metabolism in trypanosomatids have been very limited. Together with recent experimental studies, the genome sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania major, three related pathogens with different life cycles and disease pathology, has revealed interesting features of the DNA repair mechanism in these protozoan parasites, which will be reviewed here

Simultaneous Papillary Carcinoma in Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Thyroid

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is a cystic expansion of a remnant of the thyroglossal duct tract. Carcinomas in the TDC are extremely rare and are usually an incidental finding after the Sistrunk procedure. In this report, an unusual case of a 36-year-old woman with concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in the TDC and on the thyroid gland is presented, followed by a discussion of the controversies surrounding the possible origins of a papillary carcinoma in the TDC, as well as the current management options

Aneurisma de artéria ilíaca em equinos

Background: Aneurysm is a dilation and a weakening of the vessel, usually 2 times higher than the normal diameter of thevessel. Considering the complexity of the definitive diagnosis of iliac artery aneurysm, it is necessary to use technology byimaging, aiming an early diagnosis. Thus, application of Doppler ultrasound allows the study of the horse’s vascular systemallowing various types of diagnoses among these members and vascularization for diagnosing thrombi in the abdominalaorta and mesenteric arteries in side verminotic aneurysm. The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of twocases of aneurysm involving the aortic-iliac diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound.Cases: The study describes two cases of the aneurism in horses diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound at the Veterinary Hos-pital of UPIS. The animals showed clinical signs of edema in the pelvic limb, with varied degree of lameness 3 to 4, pain and wound did not heal and septic arthritis. The final diagnosis was obtained by Doppler ultrasound. In case one, Doppler ultrasound analysis indicated high arterial distension and blood flow disorganized, suggesting aneurysm. The patient did not respond adequately to therapy and due to the severity of these changes, the euthanasia was performed for definitive diagnostic. On the other hand, in case two, in the imaging examination, it was diagnosed with a dilated aortic Iliac left four times larger than the right and disorganized blood flow suggesting aneurysm. As a result of diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis, it was decided to stop sports activities by the animal mainly due to the progressive increase of the aneurysm.Discussion: Between the two reported cases, one animal died with excessive extension of injury and in another it was possible to establish a palliative treatment being observed improvement in clinical symptomatology. The aneurysm was defined as a dilation of the artery, which may be congenital or acquired. In this case, it was not possible to define the main cause. However, their characteristics, visualized through ultrasound and necropsy corroborate to described in the literature, such as slow growth, achieve considerable volume may compress, displace and destroy neighboring structures. They also tend to increase in size until they break, causing bleeding. In the reports one and two it was found aneurysm verum, where in the animal of the report one was carried out euthanasia due to the rupture of the iliac artery. Surgical procedures are not usually indicated, due to the rapid evolution of the aneurysm culminating in hemorrhage and death of the patient. Ultrasound in these cases was also able to measure the extent of the lesion, to evaluate the blood flow and consequently the turbulence of blood. It is a disease with an unfavorable prognosis, by the progressive increase of the aneurysm or due to the possibility of aneurysm rupture. According to the results of this report can be concluded that Doppler ultrasound should be included in the routine practice of equine veterinary clinic, mainly in athletic horses to diagnose arterial lesions with complicated detection on clinical examination. The clinical symptomatology presented by the animals can be included in routine practice. The aneurysm of the iliac artery if was not diagnosed in time can cause death of the animal, however, if it was detected early, it can be established a palliative treatment extending the duration of animal life

Analysis of the composition and geographic distribution of the restinga avifauna of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Three patterns of distribution were recognized: wide south-American distribution (85,31 %), Atlantic Forest endemics (14%) and study area endemics (0,69%). The dominance of widely distributed elements, those found at more than two morphoclimatic domains, shows that the studied avifauna is composed by generalists species, which use a great variety of ambients. However, rather than being an avifauna originated from many biomes, the avifauna of the study area seems to be an Atlantic Forest avifauna. The strong influence of the Atlantic Forest avifaunal elements is confirmed by the presence of the endemics and by the comparison with some disturbed lowland Atlantic Forest areas, in Rio de Janeiro state. The community composition is distinguished by the dominance of the suborder Oscines and superfamily Tyrannoidea, defining an open areas avifauna. However, the similarity with lowland forests in Rio de Janeiro state shows that the Restinga avifauna is typicaly a forest edge one. The low specificity may be explained by the history of successive Restinga drowning during the Holocene and by the lack of geographical barriers with other Tropical Atlantic Domain formations.Foi feita uma análise da composição e da distribuição geográfica da avifauna residente nas restingas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram reconhecidos três padrões de distribuição: ampla distribuição sul-americana, táxons endêmicos da Mata Atlântica e táxons endêmicos da área de estudo, representados respectivamente por 85,31%, 14% e 0,69% dos táxons residentes. A preponderância de elementos de ampla distribuição, encontrados em mais de dois domínios morfoclimáticos, indica que a avifauna estudada é composta por generalistas, que podem utilizar uma grande gama de ambientes. No entanto, antes de ser uma avifauna oriunda de vários biomas, a avifauna das restingas fluminenses mostrou ser uma avifauna de Mata Atlântica. A forte influência de elementos da avifauna da Mata Atlântica é confirmada pela presença dos táxons endêmicos e pela comparação com algumas áreas de floresta atlântica alterada de baixada, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A composição da comunidade é marcada pela dominância de elementos da subordem Oscines e da superfamília Tyrannoidea, o que caracteriza uma avifauna de áreas abertas. A semelhança com as áreas de mata de baixada já citadas indica, no entanto, que a avifauna da Restinga é tipicamente de borda de mata, e não propriamente campestre. A baixa especificidade é explicada pela história de sucessivos afogamentos da Restinga ao longo do Holoceno e pela ausência de barreiras com outras formações dentro do Domínio Tropical Atlântico

Animais domésticos e o risco de zoonoses para a fauna silvestre na área de entorno do Parque Nacional da Tijuca

Domestic animals are potential carriers of pathogenic agents, endangering wildlife, a common threat in urban environments, such as Tijuca National Park (PNT) and its buffer zone, where they live in great numbers in the surrounding communities. The Rio de Janeiro's Botanical Garden (JBRJ), such as the PNT, is pressured by urbanization, harboring at the PNT's borders, a community known as Horto (CH), circumstances which brings wildlife, domestic animals and people closer. Pathogens can devastate wild populations, or, conversely, serve as an amplifier of infectious pathogens, circumventing controlactions of health, thus, it is essential to know the health conditions, maintenance and management characteristics of domestic animals around the protected areas, in order to plan wildlife protection actions. This study's objective is to identify the potential presence of infectious risk agents to wildlife, by estimating domestic animals residing there and an inventory of possible infectious agents. For this we used questionnaires having as informants CH residents and veterinarians of the area, as well as data from the JBRJ's Fauna Conservation Team that served as a support for the analyzes. Community animals were not represented in local clinics records of visits, with unvaccinated and neglected animals, especially cats. We consider that there is a risk to native fauna at various levels and specially, the risk of reemergence of feline rabies. From the obtained results we can understand characteristics and beliefs of the community, being able to structure strategies for adequacy of the situation and replication of the study in other communities.Los animales domésticos son potencialmente portadores de patógenos de riesgo para la fauna nativa, lo que constituye una amenaza constante en las zonas urbanas, como el Parque Nacional de Tijuca (PNT) y su zona de amortiguamiento, donde viven en grandes cantidades en las comunidades circundantes. Al igual que el PNT, el Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ) está bajo la presión de la urbanización, albergando, en la frontera con el PNT, una comunidad conocida como Horto (CH), una situación que reúne a la fauna nativa, los animales domésticos y el hombre. Es esencial conocer las características de salud, mantenimiento y manejo de los animales domésticos en las cercanías de las áreas protegidas para planificar acciones de protección contra la fauna silvestre, ya que los agentes etiológicos pueden devastar las poblaciones silvestres o, a la inversa, servir como un amplificador de patógenos infecciosos, reduciendo la eficiencia de las acciones de control de salud pública. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar la posible presencia de agentes infecciosos en riesgo para la fauna silvestre, haciendo una estimación de los animales domésticos domiciliados allí y un inventario de posibles agentes patógenos. Utilizamos cuestionarios con informantes que viven en CHe, veterinarios de la región y datos del Equipo de Conservación de Fauna del JBRJ, que sirvió de apoyo para los análisis. Los animales de la comunidad no están representados en los registros de visitas en las clínicas de la región, incluso hay animales no vacunados y descuidados, especialmente gatos. Consideramos que existe un riesgo para la fauna nativa en diferentes niveles y riesgo de resurgimiento de la rabia felina, principalmente. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, podemos entender las características y creencias de la comunidad, pudiendo estructurar estrategias para adaptar la situación y replicar el estudio en otras comunidades.  Animais domésticos são potencialmente portadores de patogenias de risco para fauna nativa, ameaça constante em áreas urbanas, como o Parque Nacional da Tijuca (PNT) e sua zona de amortecimento, onde vivem em grande número nas comunidades do entorno. Assim como o PNT, o Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ) sofre pressão da urbanização, abrigando, na fronteira com o PNT comunidade conhecida como Horto (CH), situação que aproxima fauna nativa, animais domésticos e homem. É imprescindível conhecer características de saúde, manutenção e manejo de animais domésticos no entorno das UCs para planejar ações protetivas à fauna silvestre, pois patogenias podem devastar populações silvestres, ou, em via inversa, servirem estas como amplificador de patogenias infecciosas, burlando ações de controle da saúde pública. O objetivo desse estudo é identificar presença potencial de agentes infecciosos de risco para fauna silvestre, realizando estimativa de animais domésticos ali domiciliados e inventário dos possíveis agentes infecciosos sanguíneos. Para tal utilizamos questionários tendo como informantes moradores da CHe Veterinários da região,além de dados da Equipe de Conservação da Fauna do JBRJ que serviram de apoio para as análises. Os animais da comunidade não se encontram representados nas clínicas da região, havendo animais não vacinados e negligenciados, principalmente entre gatos. Consideramos que existe risco para fauna nativa em diversos níveis e risco de reemergência de raiva felina, principalmente. A partir dos resultados obtidos podemos compreender características e crenças da comunidade, podendo estruturar estratégias para adequação da situação e replicação do estudo em outras comunidades

The effects of leaf traits on litter rainfall interception with consequences for runoff and soil conservation

During rainfall, plant litter interception regulates overland flow with an impact on water runoff generation and sediment displacement. Besides the rainfall characteristics, the effects of litter mass, thickness, storage and drainage properties on rainfall interception are reasonably well understood. In contrast, less is known about the influence of leaf traits, which we hypothesized to affect interception, soil hydrology and conservation via litter structure assembly. We measured the runoff and soil loss generation as determined by litter layer structural and hydraulic properties of 16 coexisting tropical woody species with wide-range morphological leaf traits in a rainfall simulator experiment. Our results show that litter produced by coexisting species can differ in precipitation interception, thereby influencing runoff and soil loss. This is because there is important interspecific variation in litter water storage and drainage, which are negatively affected by leaf area (LA). Leaf water repellency positively affected litter water storage. Moreover, LA also negatively affected litter layer density. Litter density, in turn, increased runoff, but decreased soil loss, possibly due to protection against splash erosion. These results can be used to predict the effects of plant traits on the soil water balance and soil integrity protection through ecohydrological interception by the litter layer. The next research steps will be to extend our model to multiple-species litter layers, and to validate and calibrate our model in different field situations in different ecosystems. Synthesis: We revealed the direct and indirect effects of species leaf size and hydraulic traits on litter rainfall interception, runoff and soil loss. We propose a new litter-soil ecohydrological model, by using structural equation models, which can be used as a tool to predict ecosystem functioning, and guide management and restoration actions with water and soil conservation targets