Search Results (556)

A previous study in Pará, Northern Brazil, described a strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a unique genotype (SIT2517/T1) associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). To improve our understanding of MDR-TB transmission dynamics of these strains within this region, we performed phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST/gDST), 24-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU-VNTR) genotyping, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and geo-epidemiology analysis. Of the 28 SIT2517/T1 isolates, 19 (67.9%) could be genotyped by 24-loci MIRU-VNTR and 15 by WGS. All belonged to sublineage 4.1.1.3, distinct from other representative Lineage 4 isolates identified in Brazil. The MDR phenotype determined by pDST was confirmed by gDST, the latter also demonstrating the presence of additional mutations conferring pre-extensively drug-resistance (pre-XDR). Discrepancies between gDST and pDST were observed for pyrazinamide and fluoroquinolones. Thirteen out of 15 isolates analyzed by WGS were clustered when applying a 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) cutoff. The SIT2517/T1 isolates were distributed across the metropolitan regions of Belém and Collares municipalities, showing no geographic clustering. WGS-transmission network analysis revealed a high likelihood of direct transmission and the formation of two closely linked transmission chains. This study highlights the need to implement TB genomic surveillance in the Brazilian Amazon region. Full article

The increasing reliance on electric vehicle (EV) charging in buildings requires balancing the load from other building systems to support the new demand. This paper uses a study case in a Near-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) educational facility located in the Brazilian Amazon to verify how much the energy efficiency (EE) measures would improve the existing ratings of the building and supply the expansion of EV demand. A comprehensive building energy load and energy performance analysis were conducted in four steps, following the mandatory Brazilian requirements for EE in public buildings, using measured data, computer modeling, and thermoenergetic analyses using OpenStudio version 1.1.0 and EnergyPlus software version 9.4.0. First, the EE retrofit measures were proposed and evaluated, targeting the air conditioning and lighting systems. Subsequently, an equation was elaborated to indicate the maximum level of energy consumption that could be increased without compromising the building’s energy performance and NZEB classification. Finally, Open DSS software version 10.0.0.2 was used to simulate the increased availability of EV charging after the retrofit. With the proposed retrofit, the building improved the EE ratings by three levels, and the percentage of the NZEB rating increased by 33.28%. These measures also increased the EV charging load by 20%, maintaining the maximum EE level and the NZEB classification, although EV maximization reduced self-sufficiency by 9.78% compared to the retrofit-only scenario. Full article

For the first time, this work reports the seasonal influence on the chemical composition and antiradical capacity of Acmella oleracea floral essential oil, produced from a perennial herb of great nutritional and pharmacological importance in the Amazon region. The species was cultivated and the plantation was monitored from May to September 2022 between the rainy and dry seasons. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer, and subjected to the free radical inhibition assay using the DPPH method. The highest oil yield (1.61%) occurred in May (rainy season), and the lowest (0.68%) occurred in September (dry season). Despite the difference in the oil yield between the rainy and dry seasons, no significant correlation with weather conditions (p > 0.05) occurred. During the collection period, the class of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was predominant (16.35–46.01%). The main constituents of A. oleracea were E-caryophyllene (13.57–25.74%), caryophyllene oxide (0.88–31.72%), 1-pentadecene (5.42–16.58%), germacrene D (0.14–15.17%), and myrcene (1.08–11.99%), and a low concentration of its main bioactive spilanthol (0.66–5.2%) was also observed. The antiradical capacity was considered low, with inhibition of 7.96 to 7.53% of free radicals and a Trolox equivalence of 68.4 to 64.7 mg·ET/g. Although there were some changes in the levels of chemical components in A. oleracea essential oils, the species can be considered an alternative source of pharmacologically active compounds such as E-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, in addition to presenting amounts of other bioactive molecules. Full article

Western culture has assigned an essential role to productive activity in defining our lives. In Locke’s and Hegel’s thought, we see the model that became dominant in modern political philosophy: that of conceiving the subject as a result of, and only possible within, the triad of work–property–subject. Nowadays, this has reached the level of shaping the meaning of living, and our entire existences seem to be subjected to a concept of lives-as-work. Combining anthropology and philosophy, this article seeks to rethink subjectivation beyond the process of work and appropriation, delving into worldviews different from those of the West. Specifically, we will focus on the Yanomami form of life, a non-stratified indigenous people living in the Brazilian Amazon. We will analyze how the Yanomami prevent the process of subjectification by the objectification of one’s own work through a sort of anti-work and anti-property apparatus. This is achieved through specific techniques of underproduction, which constitute another approach to work, as well as through a completely different way of conceiving subjectivity. Furthermore, the Yanomami’s view of all entities as subjects endowed with intentionality appears as de-ontologizing the subject position and deactivating the dyads of subject/object and own/common. The result is a worldview where, with everyone being subjects—humans and non-humans, living and dead, entities and things of nature—no one can be dominus of anyone. Full article

Advances in diagnostic techniques coupled with ongoing environmental changes have resulted in intensified surveillance and monitoring of arbovirus circulation in the Amazon. This increased effort has resulted in increased detection of insect-specific viruses among hematophagous arthropods collected in the field. This study aimed to document the first isolation of Agua Salud alphavirus in mosquitoes collected within the Brazilian Amazon. Arthropods belonging to the family Culicidae were collected within a forest fragment located in the Environmental Protection Area of the metropolitan region of Belem. Subsequently, these specimens were meticulously identified to the species level. Afterward, the collected batches were macerated, and the resulting supernatant was then inoculated into C6/36 and Vero cell cultures to facilitate viral isolation. The presence of arboviruses within the inoculated cell cultures was determined through indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Furthermore, positive supernatant samples underwent nucleotide sequencing to precisely identify the viral strains present. Notably, a batch containing Culex (Melanoconion) mosquitoes was identified to be positive for the genus Alphavirus via indirect immunofluorescence. This study is the first report on insect-specific alphavirus isolation in Brazil and the first-ever description of Agua Salud alphavirus isolation within Amazon Forest remnants. Full article

The Atmospheric Dynamics Mission ADM-Aeolus was successfully launched in August 2018 by the European Space Agency (ESA). The Aeolus mission carried a single instrument, the first-ever Doppler wind lidar (DWL) in space, called Atmospheric LAser Doppler INstrument (ALADIN). Aeolus circled the Earth, providing vertical profiles of horizontal line-of-sight (HLOS) winds on a global scale. The Aeolus satellite’s measurements filled critical gaps in existing wind observations, particularly in remote regions such as the Brazilian Amazon. This area, characterized by dense rainforests and rich biodiversity, is essential for global climate dynamics. The weather patterns of the Amazon are influenced by atmospheric circulation driven by Hadley cells and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which are crucial for the distribution of moisture and heat from the equator to the subtropics. The data provided by Aeolus can significantly enhance our understanding of these complex atmospheric processes. In this long-term validation study, we used radiosonde data collected from three stations in the Brazilian Amazon (Cruzeiro do Sul, Porto Velho, and Rio Branco) as a reference to assess the accuracy of the Level 2B (L2B) Rayleigh-clear and Mie-cloudy wind products. Statistical validation was conducted by comparing Aeolus L2B wind products and radiosonde data covering the period from October 2018 to March 2023 for Cruzeiro do Sul and Porto Velho, and from October 2018 to December 2022 for Rio Branco. Considering all available collocated winds, including all stations, a Pearson’s coefficient $\left(r\right)$ of 0.73 was observed in Rayleigh-clear and 0.85 in Mie-cloudy wind products, revealing a strong correlation between Aeolus and radiosonde winds, suggesting that Aeolus wind products are reliable for capturing wind profiles in the studied region. The observed biases were −0.14 m/s for Rayleigh-clear and −0.40 m/s for Mie-cloudy, fulfilling the mission requirement of having absolute biases below 0.7 m/s. However, when analyzed annually, in 2022, the bias for Rayleigh-clear was −0.95 m/s, which did not meet the mission requirements. Full article

The genus Strumigenys is the third most diverse among ants, having been reviewed globally. Despite this comprehensive review, new species are frequently discovered in most biogeographic regions. Here, we describe two new species, Strumigenys itannae sp. nov. and Strumigenys xoko sp. nov., based on material collected in the Amazon and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Additionally, new records for S. castanea, S. metrix, and S. orchibia are provided, expanding the known distribution of these species. We discuss morphological variation in S. schulzi and provide biological notes that indicate some species within the schulzi group are arboreal inhabitants. We provided an identification key for the newly described species as an amendment to the identification key for the Neotropical Strumigenys. Full article

Mercury contamination from gold mining in the Amazon poses significant environmental and health threats to the biome and its local populations. The recent expansion of non-industrial mining areas has severely impacted territories occupied by traditional communities. To address the lack of sampling data in the region and better understand mercury dynamics, this study used the probabilistic model SERAFM to estimate the mercury distribution and bioaccumulation in fish. The analysis covered 8,259 sub-basins across three major Amazonian basins: the Branco, Tapajós and Xingu rivers. The findings revealed increasing downstream mercury levels, with notable accumulations in the main watercourses influenced by methylation processes and mining releases. The projected concentrations showed that an average of 27.47% of the sub-basins might not comply with Brazilian regulations, rising to 52.38% in the Branco and Tapajós river basins separately. The risk assessment of fish consumption based on the projections highlighted high mercury exposure levels among traditional communities, particularly indigenous populations, with an average of 49.79% facing an extremely high risk in the Branco and Tapajós river basins. This study demonstrated SERAFM’s capacity to fill information gaps in the Amazon while underscoring the need for enhanced data collection, culturally sensitive interventions and regulatory updates to mitigate mercury contamination in gold mining-affected areas. Full article

The construction industry is known to present various stress-inducing conditions for its workforce, especially for workers under different employment arrangements. This research aims to investigate the influence of employment status (permanent and temporary workers) on the perception of well-being at work (WBW). The study also aims to assess whether variables such as satisfaction, commitment, and involvement are statistically significant in evaluating construction workers’ WBW. The research was conducted at various construction sites located in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 376 responses were obtained using the Work Well-being Inventory (IBET-13) questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to understand the relationship between self-perceived well-being (dependent variable) by employees and employment status, satisfaction, commitment, and involvement at work (independent variables). The results suggest that the employment arrangement does not significantly impact the evaluation of well-being, indicating that other factors may mediate the relationship between WBW and mental health, as well as contribute to explaining this result, such as current legislation, occupational characteristics, and unique aspects of the Brazilian reality. The research findings can contribute to the development of strategies that promote a more sustainable and healthy construction environment for workers. Full article

The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and their integration into existing and future buildings bring new considerations for energy efficiency (EE) and balance when combined with renewable energy. However, for buildings with an energy efficiency label, such as Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) or Positive Energy Building (PEB), the introduction of EVs may result in the declassification of the EE label due to the additional energy required for the charging infrastructure. This underscores the increasing relevance of demand-side management techniques to effectively manage and utilize energy consumption and generation in buildings. This paper evaluates the influence of electric vehicle (EV) charging on NZEB/PEB-labeled buildings of the Brazilian Building Labeling Program (PBE Edifica). Utilizing on-site surveys, computational modeling, and thermos-energetic analysis with software tools such as OpenStudio v. 1.1.0 and EnergyPlus v. 9.4.0, an energy classification was conducted in a building in the city of Belem, State of Para, Brazil. Subsequently, power flow simulations employing probabilistic models and Monte Carlo approaches were executed in the OpenDSS software v. 10.0.0.2 to examine the impact of EV integration, both with and without the implementation of demand-side management techniques. Analyses using the labeling methodology demonstrated that the building has EE level C and NZEB self-sufficiency classification. The assessment of the impact of EV integration on the building’s total energy consumption in the base (current) scenario was carried out in two scenarios, with (2) and without (1) supply management. Scenario 01 generated a 69.28% increase in energy consumption, reducing the EE level to D and resulting in the loss of the NZEB class. Scenario 02 resulted in a smaller increase in energy consumption of 40.50%, and guaranteed the return of the NZEB class lost in scenario 1, but it was not enough to return the EE level to class C. The results highlight the need for immediate and comprehensive energy management strategies, as the findings show that the two scenarios present a difference of 41.55% in energy consumption. Nonetheless, these strategies are not enough if other consumption restrictions or energy efficiency measures are not applied to other building systems. Full article

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health concern, and one of its consequences in pregnant women is the potential occurrence of congenital syphilis due to Treponema pallidum infection. This study determined the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women undergoing prenatal care in a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Belém, Brazilian Amazon. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from clinical records of 611 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at a public health unit in 2019 and 2020. The reagent result for VDRL was used as an indicator of syphilis. Odds Ratio and chi-square tests were used to evaluate the association of information from pregnant women with syphilis. Results: The overall prevalence of syphilis was 5.2 % (32/611; 95 % CI: 3.5–7.0 %). Age under 23 years was identified as a risk factor for syphilis. Conclusions: The prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women in the outskirts of Belém is high, especially among younger women. There is an urgent need to intensify innovative sexual and reproductive health education initiatives and emphasize the importance of consistent practice of preventive measures against syphilis and other STIs in the Amazon region, especially in the young population. Full article

In 2018, an outbreak of human rabies caused by the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus hit the Brazilian Amazon Basin community of Melgaço, Brazil, resulting in the death of 10 people, 9 of them children. The incidence of rabies has been on the rise among populations in conditions of vulnerability in this ecosystem due to human expansion into sylvatic environments and limited access to public health services. To address this issue, in September 2019, a collaborative effort from national, local, and international institutions promoted and executed a pilot for pre-exposure prophylaxis of a population in high-risk areas for hematophagous bat-mediated rabies. This measure is usually only implemented in response to outbreaks. The pilot was conducted in Portel, in a nearby location to the previous outbreak, with the use of fluvial transportation, and 2987 individuals in 411 dwellings were successfully vaccinated. It established a methodology for pre-exposure prophylaxis for populations in conditions of vulnerability, identifying logistics and costs, as well as characterizing the target riverine population regarding risk factors associated with bites by hematophagous bats. This approach offers a proactive measure to prevent future outbreaks and provides valuable insights into how to address the issue of rabies in remote and difficult-to-reach areas. Full article

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 in quilombola communities in the state of Pará and investigate the possible sociodemographic risk factors associated with the infection, as well as to trace the occurrence of the familial transmission of the virus. A total of 310 individuals living in eight quilombos located in the state of Pará (northern Brazil) were investigated for the presence of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and positive samples were confirmed using Western blot and/or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Participants answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic aspects and risk factors for infection. Anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies were detected in two individuals (one man and one woman), for an overall seroprevalence of 0.65%. Both individuals belonged to the community of São José de Icatú. The search for intrafamilial infection identified two other infected women, which increased the general prevalence of HTLV-1 among the Icatú to 6.25% (4/64). Western blot and qPCR confirmed their HTLV-1 infection, and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the isolates were of the cosmopolitan subtype and transcontinental subgroup. Epidemiological investigation of the cases revealed that the three women, at some point in their lives, had a relationship with the infected male individual. HTLV-1 is transmitted silently between individuals in the community of São José de Icatú with a present or past family relationship, stressing the need for screening and laboratory diagnosis to prevent further dissemination of the virus and surveillance of disease emergence. Full article

The Brazilian market holds the second position globally in the beauty sector, poised to surpass the USD 50 billion mark in the upcoming years. Aesthetic procedures encompass a spectrum, ranging from non-invasive ones, such as drainage, radiofrequency, ultrasound, and cryolipolysis, to more invasive techniques, including fillers, botulinum toxin, microneedling, micropigmentation, carboxytherapy, and enzyme application. This wide array of treatments has yielded satisfactory cosmetic results for individuals who opt out of surgical procedures. However, despite being categorized as having low complexity, they still carry inherent risks. These risks are often exacerbated by the breach of the skin barrier, the exposure of organs and spaces, or the presence of implantable devices. Among the bacteria most isolated concerning this matter are non-tuberculous Mycobacteria. This study presents descriptive case reports involving three patients under the care of the Infectious Diseases Department at General Hospital of Roraima (HGR). These patients were diagnosed with Mycobacterium abscessus infections subsequent to undergoing enzyme application procedures. Although these cases involve the same microorganism, they exhibit varying degrees of severity, ranging from the development of locally nodular formations to a progression towards sepsis. These cases provide an opportunity to delve into the diagnostic subtleties and clinical implications of these infections while also prompting a critical evaluation of therapeutic strategies. Additionally, the report underscores the potential risks associated with routine aesthetic procedures. Full article

The Bos Taurus Papillomavirus, commonly known as bovine papillomavirus (BPV), can cause lesions in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in cattle and induce the formation of papillomas in organs such as the pharynx, esophagus, rumen and reticulum. GIT papillomas can lead to feeding and breathing distress. Moreover, the sample collection is challenging, which reduces the BPV diagnosis in these organs. BPV can cause exophytic nodular, cauliflower-like, flat, filiform or atypical-shape papillomas at the epidermis. Histologically, the papillomas demonstrate orthokeratotic/parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and koilocytosis and, currently, BPV comprises 45 described types. The aim of this study was to carry out the genetic characterization of BPV present in rumen neoplastic lesions of cattle raised extensively in the Western Amazon region, Brazil. A total of 100 papillomatous ruminal samples were collected from animals slaughtered in Ji-Paraná and Urupá municipalities from the Rondônia state, Brazil. The samples were submitted to PCR using the primer pair FAP59/FAP64 and sequenced by the Sanger method. Histopathological analysis was performed on 24 samples, which had enough material for this purpose. As a result, samples were histologically classified as fibropapilloma and squamous papilloma. Among the samples analyzed, it was possible to identify the BPVs 2, 13 (Delta PVs) and 44, with one sample classified as a putative new subtype of BPV44. The present study could identify BPV13 and 44 types in cattle rumen tissues from the Brazilian Amazon region for the first time. Full article