Influence of rainfall variability on bean production (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in a municipality of Brazilian semiarid

Brazilian semiarid region is marked by the constant incidence of droughts periods, which are climatic events responsible for great disorders for agricultural production, an activity traditionally based on subsistence agriculture. The study aimed at analyzing the evolution of bean production in the municipality of Itaporanga, Paraíba State, Brazil, between 2005-2015, associating these results with local rainfall. It was performed the Principal Component Analysis. Six years of the 11-year series presented a value of annual precipitation lower than the historical mean of the municipality (838 mm). The crop area with beans in the municipality ranged from 5,560 hectares in 2006 to 150 hectares in 2013. There were large variations in the amount of bean production, with values ranging from 2 to 1,985 tons. The PCA recorded a value of 92.4% of explanation in the first two axes and demonstrated a strong correlation between the analyzed variables with the precipitation. Confirming that proper pluviometric indexes are determining factors on bean production in Itaporanga, Paraíba State, Brazil

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND RISK OF DESERTIFICATION IN ALTO SERTÃO REGION, ALAGOAS STATE, BRAZIL

In this research, the authors evaluated the degree of degradation of the Caatinga biome in Sertão do São Francisco Microregion, Alagoas State, Brazil, by the association of these results with the aridity. We obtained a panorama of the desertification propensity in this area. From the aridity index (IA), the region was classified as having a semi-arid condition (0.2 ? IA <0.5). It was observed values of IA less than 0.50, characterizing an environment with high propensity to establish the state of desertification. From the collected data, we realized the state of degradation of the municipalities in study, all with percentage of anthropic areas greater than 60%. The municipality of Piranhas deserves highlight by the analysis of temporal evolution of the anthropized Caatinga area, with an increase of 44, 661 km² between 2002 and 2009, corresponding to an increase of 17.8% in only seven years. It leads to a scenario where 74.21% of the original Caatinga is in an anthropized state. The critical values of the aridity index, associated to high degree of anthropization may lead to the establishment of desertification process in the study area

Aplicação da pegada ecológica como indicador de sustentabilidade para análise da geração de resíduos sólidos urbanos

A sociedade moderna apresenta um modelo insustentável de consumo, que busca de modo constante crescer economicamente, visando à obtenção de maiores lucros, acima da capacidade limite dos recursos naturais, baseado em um sistema que promove grande geração de resíduos sólidos. Tal modelo tem propiciado uma série de impactos ambientais e vem trazendo consequências negativas para a população. Este trabalho propôs verificar a aplicabilidade de uma metodologia de pegada ecológica como ferramenta para avaliar a sustentabilidade, quanto ao montante total de resíduos sólidos urbanos produzidos em 11 municípios no estado de Alagoas. Os resultados indicaram que, em 2016, a área de estudo apresentou uma pegada ecológica per capita de 0,1925 hectare global. No município de Olho d’Água das Flores, a pegada ecológica total mostrou que em 2016 seria necessária uma área de 3.400 hectares globais para sustentar o atual sistema de geração de resíduos sólidos. A pesquisa tornou notória a preocupação acerca da temática, visto que o cenário para 2035 é ainda mais alarmante.

Avaliação do potencial moluscicida de extratos hidroalcoólicos do caule, folhas e frutos de Jatropha gossypiifolia Linnaeus, 1753 em Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818)

The action of extracts from the stem, leaves, and fruit of Jatropha gossypiifolia on Biomphalaria glabrata was studied by analyzing survival, feeding capacity and oviposition ability. The extracts were obtained by macerating the plant parts in 92% ethanol, which were then evaporated until a dry residue was obtained and phytochemically studied. The molluscicidal activity on B. glabrata was investigated using the procedures recommended by WHO (1965). The amount of food ingested and oviposition were measured during each experiment. The extract of leaves from J. gossypiifolia was shown to be a strong molluscicidal agent, causing 100% mortality of B. glabrata, even in the lowest concentration tested, of 25 ppm. Regarding the fruit extract, there was variation in the mortality, depending on the concentration used (100, 75, 50 and 25 ppm). The snails that were in contact with the fruit extract had significant reduction in feeding and number of embryos in comparison to the control. The stem extract did not present molluscicidal activity nor had any influence on the feeding and oviposition abilities of B. glabrata, in the concentrations tested. In conclusion, the extracts of leaves and fruits of J. gossypiifolia investigated in this work show molluscicidal effect and may be sources of useful compounds for the schistosomiasis control.Estudou-se a ação dos extratos do caule, folhas e frutos de Jatropha gossypiifolia (Pinhão-roxo) sobre Biomphalaria glabrata analisando a sobrevivência, capacidade alimentar e de oviposição. Os extratos foram obtidos pela maceração das partes do vegetal em álcool etílico 92%, evaporados até obter-se um resíduo seco e estudados fitoquimicamente. A atividade moluscicida em B. glabrata seguiu os procedimentos recomendados pela WHO (1965). A medida de quantidade de alimento ingerido e a oviposição foi realizada durante cada experimento. O extrato das folhas de J. gossypiifolia mostrou-se um forte agente moluscicida, promovendo 100% de mortalidade de B. glabrata mesmo na menor concentração testada, 25 ppm. Com o extrato dos frutos houve variação na mortalidade, de acordo com a concentração utilizada (100, 75, 50 e 25 ppm). Os caramujos em contato com o extrato dos frutos apresentaram quando comparado ao controle uma diminuição significativa nos comportamentos alimentares e de número de embriões. O extrato do caule não apresentou atividade moluscicida e nenhuma influência sobre a capacidade alimentar e de oviposição de B. glabrata nas concentrações testadas. Em conclusão, os extratos de folhas e frutos de J. gossypiifolia investigados neste trabalho apresentam efeito moluscicida e possivelmente podem ser fontes de compostos no controle da esquistossomose

POTENTIALITIES OF THE USE OF AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION

The mode of exploration of the Brazilian semiarid has followed since the colonization of Brazil, a model of exacerbated extraction of the natural resources. This model has led to the severe environmental degradation of this region and mainly of its main biome, the Caatinga. In this context, several farmers have sought new forms of production, with emphasis on Agroforestry Systems (SAFs). This system consists of combining trees, shrubs, agricultural crops and animals in the same area, seeking to maximize socioeconomic, cultural and environmental values, since they have the potential to enhance the production of environmental goods and services. Although this practice has been practiced for decades by farmers in the country, its study as a science is relatively recent, and its potentiality is still unknown by many. Several studies demonstrate the application of this technique in the semi-arid region, with results that show improvements in soil quality, improved nutrient cycling, biological nutrient fixation, improved income generation among small producers, among others. However, there is still a lack of incentive for government agencies to further disseminate this practice among farmers in this region, as well as information on the social, environmental and economic benefits of SAFs

Prostatectomia total para exérese de adenocarcinoma em cão: relato de caso

As neoplasias prostáticas são extremamente relevantes na rotina veterinária, visto que as afecções que acometem esse órgão, que é a única glândula sexual acessória do cão, têm um alto grau de malignidade e são localmente invasivas. A incidência de neoplasia prostática é baixa, sendo os animais de meia-idade a idosos (8 a 11 anos) mais predispostos. O diagnóstico definitivo é realizado através do exame histopatológico, entretanto o mesmo acontece muitas vezes de forma tardia, levando a um prognóstico de reservado a desfavorável. Devido à raridade da ocorrência desta neoplasia, sem o aparecimento de metástase, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo descrever a realização da prostatectomia total para exérese de adenocarcinoma em um paciente canino, da raça Maltês, com 10 anos de idade. O animal foi encaminhado para atendimento clínico apresentando incontinência urinária, polaquiu?ria, baixo grau de tenesmo e episódios de diarreia pastosa. Foram realizados exames complementares como hemograma, bioquímico (dosagem de triglicerídeos, colesterol total, alanina aminotransferase, fosfatase alcalina e creatinina), ultrassonografia abdominal, eletrocardiograma, ecocardiograma, tomografia computadorizada do tórax e abdômen e citologia. Após diagnóstico neoplásico, realizou-se a prostatectomia total para exérese do adenocarcinoma prostático, obtendo-se resultado satisfatório. Conclui-se que o procedimento cirúrgico empregado em questão é eficaz para o tratamento de neoplasia prostática em animais com diagnóstico precoce, sem indícios de metástase, no qual é possível realizar toda a ressecção tumoral

Erratum to: An ecological study of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the vicinity of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, Brazil

BACKGROUND: The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, located in Maranhão, Brazil, is a region of exceptional beauty and a popular tourist destination. The adjoining area has suffered from the impact of human activity and, consequently, has experienced outbreaks of leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the composition, abundance, species richness and seasonal distribution of sand flies in the region and to determine the constancy of the insect population. METHODS: The survey was conducted at three sites located in the municipalities of Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro between September 2012 and August 2013. Sampling was performed monthly using automatic light traps installed 1.5 m above the soil adjacent to 13 randomly selected rural dwellings. At each site, one trap was placed in the peridomicile near to animal enclosures and another (extradomicile) at 500 m from the peridomicile. RESULTS: A total of 4,474 individual sand flies were collected over the year with the highest abundance recorded during the rainy season (December to June). Nine species were collected: L. whitmani, L. longipalpis, L. lenti, L. sordellii, L. evandroi, L. flaviscutellata, L. wellcomei, L. termitophila and L. intermedia. Although peridomiciliary and extradomiciliary environments presented similar species richness, the Shannon diversity index was significantly lower in the former (H’ = 2.4) compared with the latter (H’ = 4.98). Lutzomyia whitmani and L. longipalpis were the most abundant species and were classified as constant (constancy index, CI = 100 %) along with L. lenti (CI = 58.3), L. evandroi (CI = 58.3) and L. sordellii (CI = 66.7). The remaining four species presented CI values between 25 and 50 % and were considered accessory. CONCLUSIONS: The present results confirm the present of L. whitmani and L. longipalpis in the peridomicile of houses in Lençóis National Park. The abundance of these species could explain, respectively, the endemicity of cutaneous leishmaniasis and sporadic cases of visceral leishmaniasis in the study area. However, in the case of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the presence of other sand fly vectors (in addition to L. whitmani) cannot be neglected. Finally, this study emphasizes the need for a more effective and permanent supervision to control the expansion of these vectors and leishmaniasis outbreaks

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