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This study evaluated the dispersion of arsenic (As) in the environment due to the use of contaminated groundwater for the irrigation of vegetables and chicken watering in two small farms located in a rural and urban zone in southeastern Brazil. ICP-AES was used to perform As determinations in groundwater, soil and vegetables samples while ICP-OES was used for chicken meat and offal. The As concentrations in the groundwater of the urban and rural farms were above the limit allowed (0.01 mg L−1) by Brazilian regulations (0.040 ± 0.019 and 0.017 ± 0.007 mg L−1, respectively), while the concentrations found in the soil for the same locations were below the limit allowed (15 mg kg−1) (1.071 ± 0.538 and 1.366 ± 0.141 mg kg−1, respectively). Vegetable samples were within the legal limits (0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 mg kg−1 for roots, leaves and fruits, respectively), with the exception of beet fruit (0.114 ± 0.031 mg kg−1) in the urban farm and cassava leaf (0.339 ± 0.374 mg kg−1) in the rural farm. As a general trend, roots accumulated more As compared to fruits and leaves, in that order. With the exception of chicken meat, liver and lung, all other offal analyzed (roe, gizzard, heart and skin) had As concentrations above 1.0 mg kg−1, the maximum allowed limit. The As concentration' ratio between the evaluated environmental compartments indicated that (1) irrigation acts as a point source of As for the farms; (2) the soil acts as an As accumulator compartment and (3) the plant roots act as a barrier to prevent As translocation to its aerial part. Since the highest As concentrations were found in the least consumed chicken offal, we can conclude that this does not pose a risk to the community in the surrounding study area, but they were warned about our data and its implications to their health. Article Highlights: As in groundwater showed a positive association with accumulated monthly rainfall. As levels in groundwater from both farms were above the legal limit. Soil was the environmental compartment that most accumulated arsenic. In vegetables, roots accumulated more As compared to fruits and leaves. Four out of seven chicken tissues analyzed had As levels above the legal limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kombucha is a drink prepared from sweetened black tea fermented using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). Its growing popularity is associated with its potential nutraceutical properties. This work aimed to investigate the scientific advances associated with kombucha and SCOBY through bibliometrics and a literature review. Scientific articles indexed on the Web of Science published until October 2023 were sought, and a subsequent data analysis was carried out using VOSviewer. There are records on kombucha since 1928, but there has been a massive increase in the last ten years. Its association with functional nutrition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was detected using a keyword co-occurrence map, thus its nutraceutical potential was confirmed. Nonetheless, the term SCOBY has recently been associated with bacterial cellulose production, given that it can be applied in diverse sectors, such as food, electronics, cosmetics and biomedical industries. SCOBY and kombucha are highlighted as products from the food industry, and arouse worldwide scientific and market interest due to their great potential which has not been thoroughly elucidated yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study intends to assess the metal pollution of a eutrophic coastal lagoon, analyzing the long-term and actual metal content in surface sediments, suspended particles, aquatic macrophyte and fish species, and the loads emitted from natural processes and anthropogenic sources, including the relative emission of domestic untreated sewage. Distribution indicated contamination of suspended particles with Cd and the predominance of Pb in the bioavailable form in surface sediments which may explain Cd and Pb contamination in fish. Domestic untreated sewage was an important source of Cu and due to the lagoon's management, this source may be increasing the metal content in the lagoon's surface sediments. Soil loss, atmospheric deposition and solid waste disposal also contributed to metal inputs to the lagoon. Extensive contamination has been prevented by the lagoon's management such as sandbar opening. Metal retention within the watershed soils reduce the effective metal transference and lagoon pollution. • Tropical coastal lagoon was threat by metal contamination. • Soil, atmospheric deposition, solid waste and sewage were the main metal sources. • Suspended particle and bottom sediment were pathways of Cd and Pb fish contamination. • Metal retention in soil reduced the extensive metal transference into the lagoon. • Extensive contamination has also been prevented by the lagoon's sandbar opening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishing is important as it generates employment, income, high-quality food and livelihoods for native communities in many parts of the world. However, when poorly managed, it can cause irreversible overfishing impacts on the ecology of communities. The present study aimed to construct models to estimate the presence probability of young specimens of Thunnus albacares , Thunnus obesus and Xiphias gladius in the Western Equatorial Tropical Atlantic Ocean (WETA) using oceanographic, temporal, and spatial variables. The data used were generated by monitoring the fishing operations of vessels of the pelagic longline fleet in the extreme northeast of Brazil. The Generalized Additive Model was used to estimate the effect of different factors and covariates (oceanographic, temporal, and spatial variables) on the juvenile probability of the presence of the species T. albacares , T. obesus and X. gladius. The capture of juveniles becomes graver in the results obtained annually, for T. albacares ranged between 12.4% and 50.5%, T. obesus ranging from 27.5% to 36.4% and X. gladius from 0% to 13.8% immatures. Models established indicated that water temperature, year, longitude, chlorophyll-a and the interactions between moon phases and latitude, as well as the interactions between quarters and latitude, are statistically significant, influencing the distribution of juveniles of these resources. More efforts and attention should be directed to investigating the distribution of juvenile presence in the WETA, mainly in the southern hemisphere. We want to initiate here a broad discussion and campaign for establishing studies aiming at the constant monitoring of juvenile levels captured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae have attracted interest as a potential feedstock for biodiesel and valuable co-products such as bioethanol and protein. However, production at a commercial scale is still costly in part due to a lack of knowledge of their biology which in turn limits our ability to increase their overall growth rate or alter their metabolism and composition through changes in culture conditions or genetic engineering. We therefore isolated ten strains of freshwater microalgae (Chlorophyta) and characterized them at the morphological, molecular and biochemical level under autotrophic conditions. Two Scenedesmus strains (BR003 and BR024) differed from others strains in respect to their fatty acid profile, with high levels of C16 and C18:1 and low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Interestingly, Chlamydomonas sp. BR020 and Chlorella vulgaris BR017 showed high levels of α-linolenic acid (C18:3), while BR017 also exhibited higher protein levels (14% of total dry weight), suggesting that these may be interesting strains to be used within the biorefinery concept. Furthermore, Monoraphidium sp. BR023 showed higher lipid content (29% of total dry weight), and transesterifiable fatty acid production (43.2 μg mg − 1 dry weight) and lower starch levels (164 μmol mg − 1 dry weight) while Chlamydomonas sp. BR020 exhibited the opposite trend. The results suggest that Scenedesmus bajacalifornicus BR024, Selenastrum capricornutum BR009 and Scenedesmus obliquus BR003 represent potential strains for biomass and biodiesel production, presenting 1.81, 1.73 and 2.14 mg mL − 1 dry weight of biomass, respectively, and 21.6, 16.4 and 17% of total dry weight of lipid, respectively. Additionally, the two Scenedesmus species showed the highest lipid productivity (23 mg L − 1 d − 1 and 24 mg L − 1 d − 1 ). Overall we were able to access a new source of microalgal biodiversity and perform a robust characterization of native tropical microalgae strains leading to the identification of strains with high potential for biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• To date, no study has been carried out on the diversity of Desmonostoc strains. • A large morphological and physiological diversity was found within Desmonostoc. • Photosynthetic parameters indicated that the Desmonostoc spp. were "shading" strains. • Desmonostoc spp. were abundant in freshwater environments. • Information is provided on the diversity of Desmonostoc strains from Brazilian biomes. Cyanobacteria (Phylum Cyanobacteriota) are Gram-negative bacteria capable of performing oxygenic photosynthesis. Although the taxonomic classification of cyanobacteria was for a long time based primarily on morphological characters, the application of other techniques (e.g. molecular phylogeny), especially in recent decades, has contributed to a better resolution of cyanobacteria systematics, leading to a revision of the phylum. Although Desmonostoc occurs as a new genus/cluster and some species have been described recently, relatively few studies have been carried out to elucidate its diversity, which encompasses strains from different ecological origins, or examine the application of new characterization tools. In this context, the present study investigated the diversity within Desmonostoc , based on morphological, molecular, metabolic, and physiological characteristics. Although the usage of physiological parameters is unusual for a polyphasic approach, they were efficient in the characterization performed here. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences put all studied strains (25) into the D1 cluster and indicated the emergence of novel sub-clusters. It was also possible to observe that nif D and nif H exhibited different evolutionary histories within the Desmonostoc strains. Collectively, metabolic and physiological data, coupled with the morphometric data, were in general, in good agreement with the separation based on the phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, the study provided important information on the diversity of Desmonostoc strains collected from different Brazilian biomes by revealing that they were cosmopolitan strains, acclimatized to low luminous intensities, with a large metabolic diversity and great biotechnological potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fundão Dam rupture released tons of iron ore tailings into the environment. This study analyzes the long-term impacts and provides a possible scenario of Doce River (DR) plume dispersion. For this, water and surface sediment were collected in November 2019 along three Brazilian states to determine metal concentrations and δ13C and δ15N compositions. The δ13C sediment values of the DR plume showed a dispersion pattern mainly to the north but also in areas closer to the south of the DR mouth. Furthermore, the most negative values of δ13C and δ15N were observed in mud, followed by suspended particulate matter, sediment and the dissolved fraction, indicating that geological matrices are involved in the transport of organic matter coupled to metals to the ocean and pointing to the DR as the main source of metals in the region. Thus, this study highlights the need for continuous studies to monitor the environmental and biological conditions in these areas. [Display omitted] • Doce river was affected by the dam failure 4 years ago. • The material transport continues to occur by sediment, SPM and dissolved fraction. • There is still metals enrichment from Doce River to the coastal areas. • The dispersion pattern of the Doce river plumes was from the mouth towards the north. • This data contributes to the monitoring of the Doce river and nearby regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen deficiency can increase the lipid content in certain microalgae species, including diatoms. However, the molecular and metabolic basis of such changes remains rather unclear. We analyzed strains of freshwater Nitzschia palea collected from a eutrophic pond and from an artificial rock. The habitats, differing in light and nutrient availability, lead to two metabolically distinct strains, BR006 and BR022. Differential accumulation of primary compounds, membrane lipid composition and fatty acid saturation were observed. Metabolic and biophysical analysis demonstrated differential sensitivity to N regimes: depleted, replete and saturated. Whereas N depletion leads to typical stress-related responses in both strains, including reduction of protein and photosynthesis, the response observed in BR006 is far more severe. Our results demonstrated that these strains developed distinct metabolic responses to N conditions. BR022 is able to maintain cellular homeostasis and slows down growth according to N availability. In contrast, BR006 maximizes growth rate even under N limitation, by triggering stress response, relocating carbon pool to lipid compounds and quickly reaching growth arrest after N exhaustion. We identified a relationship between habitat characteristics and metabolic responses, providing a metabolic perspective on ecological plasticity of N. palea, which helps it to survive a wide range of habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The cyanobacterial community from Brazilian mangrove ecosystems was examined using a culture-dependent method. Fifty cyanobacterial strains were isolated from soil, water and periphytic samples collected from Cardoso Island and Bertioga mangroves using specific cyanobacterial culture media. Unicellular, homocytous and heterocytous morphotypes were recovered, representing five orders, seven families and eight genera (Synechococcus, Cyanobium, Cyanobacterium, Chlorogloea, Leptolyngbya, Phormidium, Nostoc and Microchaete). All of these novel mangrove strains had their 16S rRNA gene sequenced and BLAST analysis revealed sequence identities ranging from 92.5 to 99.7% when they were compared with other strains available in GenBank. The results showed a high variability of the 16S rRNA gene sequences among the genotypes that was not associated with the morphologies observed. Phylogenetic analyses showed several branches formed exclusively by some of these novel 16S rRNA gene sequences. BLAST and phylogeny analyses allowed for the identification of Nodosilinea and Oxynema strains, genera already known to exhibit poor morphological diacritic traits. In addition, several Nostoc and Leptolyngbya morphotypes of the mangrove strains may represent new generic entities, as they were distantly affiliated with true genera clades. The presence of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, polyketide synthase, microcystin and saxitoxin genes were detected in 20.5%, 100%, 37.5% and 33.3%, respectively, of the 44 tested isolates. A total of 134 organic extracts obtained from 44 strains were tested against microorganisms, and 26% of the extracts showed some antimicrobial activity. This is the first polyphasic study of cultured cyanobacteria from Brazilian mangrove ecosystems using morphological, genetic and biological approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Brazilian Ministry of Social Development and Fight against Hunger (MDS) regularly promotes the evaluation of its social programs, such as those developed in the Reference Centers for Social Assistance (CRAS). Such evaluations make use of a web system that supports the collection and processing of information as well as the dissemination of its results to local, regional and central government officials through the so-called CRAS Census. A meta-evaluation of the CRAS 2008 Census was carried out based on criteria specified by the Joint Committee (1994), from which we elicited requirements that enabled improvements of the web system. The article reports new requirements elicited from the meta-evaluation of the CRAS 2008 Census, held in the period 2009-2010. The approach of meta-evaluation as an alternative source of requirements elicitation took into consideration results from evaluations of social programs in order to identify system problems without the usual need of intense interaction with users. This approach revealed opportunities for improvements in the evaluation process that led to the elicitation of requirements for the computerized system. Some of the elicited features were incorporated into the Census 2010 and others may be incorporated in future censuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ambiente e Água is the property of Revista Ambiente e Agua and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Recent studies have shown that being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of periodontitis. However, the literature offers an insufficient number of published reports regarding the effect of bariatric surgery on oral health. As such, the present study aims to determine the association between periodontal status and being overweight/obese in prebariatric and postbariatric surgery populations of Brazil. Methods: Three hundred forty-five participants between 18 and 60 years of age, from both sexes, were grouped according to prebariatric or postbariatric surgery and underwent a complete periodontal examination. Biologic, demographic, and behavioral variables were analyzed in a Poisson regression model. Results: Considering the timing of bariatric surgery, the sample was divided into three groups: PRE-OP (preoperative, n = 133), POS-OP1 (postoperative ≤6 months, n = 72), and POS-OP2 (post-surgery >6 months, n = 140). Regardless of the type of surgery (PRE-OP, POS-OP1, POS-OP2), the prevalence of periodontitis proved to be high (81.45%). There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of periodontitis among the PRE-OP, POS-OP1, and POS-OP2 groups (P= 0.040). In the Poisson regression model, after adjusting for biologic, demographic, and behavioral risk variables, only bleeding on probing remained significantly associated with the prevalence of periodontitis (P<0.001). Conclusion: Differences in periodontal condition were observed in individuals at different times of the bariatric surgery, showing a high prevalence of periodontitis in both preoperative and postoperative follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caderno Brasileiro de Ensino de Física is the property of Caderno Brasileiro de Ensino de Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Si is an essential nutrient for diatom growth. It is involved in frustule formation and is directly linked to the cell cycle. Despite numerous studies analyzing Si starvation in diatoms, the interaction between Si and central metabolism remains poorly understood. Accordingly, we analyzed the metabolite profiles of two freshwater strains of Nitzschia palea , BR006 and BR022 (a fast and a slow-growing strain, respectively), under different Si concentrations (0, 0.25, 1.25, and 5 mM) in different harvesting points. The strains exhibited similar metabolic responses under Si starvation, such as high pigment and total lipid, as well as high primary metabolite accumulation; only ornithine level was low in both strains in the Si-starved condition. However, the response of each strain differed under different Si concentrations. Triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in cells was inversely proportional to growth rate. Unlike BR006, slow-growing BR022 cells exhibited high TAG production even under high Si conditions. These results suggest that under optimal Si conditions, in the fast-growing BR006 strain, carbon from photosynthesis is directed toward new cell formation, while in the slow-growing BR022 cells, carbon is stored as TAG as a priority. • Silicon is associated with central metabolism. • Silicon starvation diminished ornithine production in diatoms. • The accumulation of triacylglycerol in N. palea is related to slow growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) biomagnification in fish food chains is a relevant subject due to the high fish consumption of the Amazonian population and the high toxicity of this metal. In the Amazon, floodplain lake hydrodynamics change considerably along the four seasons of the hydrological cycle (rising water, high water, falling water and low water), which can influence Hg bioaccumulation in fish. The main aim of this study was to evaluate if Hg biomagnification is influenced by seasonality in a floodplain lake (Puruzinho Lake) in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, the influence of food chain modeling on measurement of Hg biomagnification was tested. Hg concentrations and stable isotope signatures (carbon and nitrogen) were estimated in four species, Mylossoma duriventre (herbivorous), Prochilodus nigricans (detritivorous), Cichla pleiozona (piscivorous) and Serrasalmus rhombeus (piscivorous). The "trophic magnification slope" (TMS) of the food chain composed by the four species was calculated and compared among the four seasons. There was no significant seasonal variation in TMS among rising water, high water, falling water and low water seasons (p = 0.08), suggesting that Hg biomagnification does not change seasonally. However, there was significant variation in TMS among different food chain models. Lower TMS was observed in a food chain composed of detritivorous and piscivorous fish (0.20) in comparison with a food chain composed of the four species (0.26). The results indicate food chain modeling influences TMS results. • No significant seasonal variation in TMS in the floodplain lake; • Food chain modeling influenced TMS value; • Lower TMS was observed in detritivorous-piscivorous food chain model; • An herbivorous-piscivorous food chain can provide the highest TMS possible; • Total Hg concentration was negatively associated with δ13C; • Total Hg level in fish did show a major pattern of seasonal variation; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]