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The use of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in leguminous plants is a widespread approach, and the exploration of symbiotic bacteria that are efficient in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) continues to be explored. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of inoculation and coinoculation of mung bean plants with different combinations of Bradyrhizobium (B. elkanii BR 2003, B. pachyrhizi BR 3262, B. yuanmingense BR 3267, B. paxllaeri BR 10398 and B. icense BR 10399), Azospirillum baldaniorum (Sp245) and Bacillus pumilus (UFPEDA 472) on the contribution of biomass, the concentration of nitrogen (N) compounds and BNF. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions with pots containing washed and autoclaved sand. Mung bean seeds were inoculated or coinoculated (double or triple) with Bradyrhizobium, A. baldaniorum and/or Bacillus pumilus, and one absolute control (not inoculated) was used. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with 21 treatments harvested in two different periods (flowering and pod maturation). Inoculation and coinoculation positively influenced the number of nodules, shoot dry weight, N accumulated, total N content and inorganic and organic compounds (free ammonia, nitrate, ureides and leghemoglobin), indicating that there was efficiency in BNF and synergistic interaction between the bacteria used and the mung bean plants. Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium species and the combination of these strains with A. baldaniorum and Bacillus pumilus positively influenced N fixation and metabolism in mung bean plants, especially when B. elkanii BR 2003 and B. pachyrhizi BR 3262 were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils have an important task in maintaining vegetation cover and natural resources on Earth and are indispensable to societies. However, the accelerated soil erosion has become an environmental problem related to land settlement for agricultural practices and forestry and is linked to population growth. This study aimed to evaluate soil erosion in a watershed downstream of Parnaíba river, northwest of Piauí state, in the Brazilian Cerrado using geotechnology products and tools in order to understand the soil loss and map the potential erosion and actual erosion through qualitative and quantitative results to support the management and planning of the watershed in an effective and efficient way. As a modeling tool, this research used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The potential erosion ranged from very low to very high. The soil loss obtained by the integration of natural physical factors with land use (anthropic action) resulted in soil loss corresponding to the category slight (0–0.01 t.ha−1.year−1) to extremely high (>100 t.ha−1.year−1). The areas with the greatest soil loss were identified in land uses linked to pasture, exposed soil, and cultivated land. It was also possible to identify erosion features in the field, indicating the need to implement soil conservation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper puts forward the use of "low-cost/low-end" hydroxyapatite-based adsorbing materials prepared from Tambaqui fish cleaning residues (i.e., bones) by grinding and/or thermal annealing. The nature of raw materials and treatments practically resulted in a "zero-cost" adsorbent for atrazine pesticide and Co2+ ion remediation in an aqueous solution. Despite the distinctive character of the two contaminants, all adsorptions were found to follow pseudo-second order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm models. Pristine hydroxyapatite proved to be more effective in adsorbing atrazine at low concentrations due to interactions with collagen residues. Conversely, heat-treated materials demonstrated better adsorption performances for cobalt due to the removal of organic residues hindering access to the surface. On the other hand, lower adsorption affinities resulted into a faster and more efficient Co2+ release into water. The different behavior in terms of phosphate and cobalt release shown by the three hydroxyapatite-based absorbents can be exploited for differential liberation of targeted nutrients, with high seed germination rates. Considering circular economic principles, waste-derived hydroxyapatites may be potentially attractive for removing ionic species, minimizing water pollution stemming from heavy industry, and for their subsequent targeted release to edible plants, enhancing agricultural availability of mineral nutrients for soil fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is evolving rapidly worldwide. Data on the mobility level of patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU) are needed. Objective: To describe the mobility level of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and to address factors associated with mobility level at the time of ICU discharge. Methods: Single center, retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients admitted to the ICU with confirmed COVID-19 infection were analyzed. The mobility status was assessed by the Perme Score at admission and discharge from ICU with higher scores indicating higher mobility level. The Perme Mobility Index (PMI) was calculated [PMI = ΔPerme Score (ICU discharge–ICU admission)/ICU length of stay]. Based on the PMI, patients were divided into two groups: "Improved" (PMI > 0) and "Not improved" (PMI ≤ 0). Results: A total of 136 patients were included in this analysis. The hospital mortality rate was 16.2%. The Perme Score improved significantly when comparing ICU discharge with ICU admission [20.0 (7–28) points versus 7.0 (0–16) points; P < 0.001]. A total of 88 patients (64.7%) improved their mobility level during ICU stay, and the median PMI of these patients was 1.5 (0.6–3.4). Patients in the improved group had a lower duration of mechanical ventilation [10 (5–14) days versus 15 (8–24) days; P = 0.021], lower hospital length of stay [25 (12–37) days versus 30 (11–48) days; P < 0.001], and lower ICU and hospital mortality rate. Independent predictors for mobility level were lower age, lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, and not having received renal replacement therapy. Conclusion: Patients' mobility level was low at ICU admission; however, most patients improved their mobility level during ICU stay. Risk factors associated with the mobility level were age, comorbidities, and use of renal replacement therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereoid fungi are an artificial group with mostly effused-reflexed to stipitate basidiomata, smooth hymenophore, and hyaline spores. From recent surveys in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, and Cerrado, six specimens of this group had their identity tested with the nrITS and nrLSU sequences. Two of them were nested within the Lopharia s.s. clade and represent a new species L. erubescens, characterized by the dextrinoid reaction of the cystidia, and small basidia and spores. The other four were initially identified as Hjortstamia amethystea, but nested in the Phlebiopsis clade. Thus, we proposed the new combination, Phlebiopsis amethystea. We also provide keys to neotropical Lopharia s.l. and Phlebiopsis s.l. and allied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractLongitudinal mosquito surveys were carried out in southern Portugal from 2004 to 2007, in a wetland area (Comporta, District of Setúbal) and around the perimeter of a dam irrigation plant that created the largest artificial lake in Europe, 250 km2(Alqueva, Districts of Évora and Beja). Our aim was to study the diversity, abundance, and seasonal dynamics of mosquitoes, comparing these two different areas, to screen mosquitoes for West Nile Virus (WNV), an arboviral agent already detected in Portugal, because these areas are populated with abundant avian fauna. Monthly collections of adult mosquitoes were carried out by Centers for Disease Control light-traps with CO2and by indoor resting collections. Mosquitoes were identified and screened for arboviruses by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction directed toward amplification of a 217-bp fragment of the NS5 gene. Mosquito peak densities were observed in July–August in Comporta and May–June, with a plateau in July–October, in Alqueva. However, densities were far higher in Comporta area (220,821 specimens) than in Alqueva area (9442 specimens), with a clear difference in species distribution, as in Comporta the predominant species was Culex theileri(85%), followed by Aedes caspius(6%), Anopheles atroparvus(4%), and Culex pipiens sensu latu(s.l.) (3%), whereas in Alqueva the predominant species was Cx. pipienss.l. (56%), followed by An. atroparvus(18%), Cx. theileri(14%), and Culiseta longiareolata(9%). Female mosquitoes (8842 in 175 pools) of the species Ae. caspius, An. atroparvus, Culex mimeticus, Cx. pipiensSensu latu(s.l.), Cx. theileri, and Culex univittatuswere screened and found to be negative for WNV genomic RNA. Although there was no detection of WNV sequences in mosquitoes, vigilance should continue as the circulation of virus has been previously detected more than once in Portugal, in humans, animals, and mosquitoes, and in other surrounding Mediterranean countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue fever is a common infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and is a major burden in Brazil. In 2013, there were over 950,000 clinical cases and 201 deaths reported in Brazil. The state of São Paulo, which includes the city of São Paulo, has the highest number of cases in the country. The authors of the article are concerned that the co-circulation of multiple dengue serotypes in this densely populated area may lead to hyperendemicity, which could increase the risk of severe disease, particularly in children. The presence of all four serotypes in the same outbreak in São Paulo is a concerning finding that has also been seen in other countries, such as India. The authors emphasize the importance of long-term prevention and control measures to address this issue. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the author's views on the detection of various dengue serotypes which are increasing in the hyperendemicity in urban areas of Brazil. Brief information on terms including dengue fever and hyperendemicity are presented. Four serotypes of the fever that are discussed includes DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.