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We report the occurrence of an invasive alien species, palometa Serrasalmus maculatus, in the Patos Lagoon drainage. Primary occurrence data were based on three specimens captured and preserved as vouchers in scientific collections. Additionally, we searched for secondary records from unpublished scientific sources, public agencies reports and media news to find additional reports. We discussed the possible pathways of invasion, suggesting as the vector of introduction transpositions from the Uruguay River basin. Ecological implications for ichthyofauna, environmental impacts and risk of other events of invasion in the adjoining basins are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world in area and the fifth most populous. The Brazilian voluntary Bone Marrow Donor Registry is the third largest in terms of number of donors in the world, being a valuable source of HLA genetics to characterize the donor population of Brazil as well. The genetic background of the Brazilian population is quite heterogeneous, resulting from 5 centuries of admixture among Native Americans, Europeans and Africans, making the Brazilian population unique in terms of genetic ancestry. The unique characteristics of populations in different Brazilian regions make them an exciting focus for genetic diversity studies. Studies on HLA genetic diversity of Brazilian populations have been conducted since the late 1980s and, in this review, we highlight the main findings from studies carried out in Brazil based on classical HLA. In addition, we calculated the genetic distance from the molecular data of the studies included in this review in order to have a broader view of the HLA diversity in Brazilian populations. We emphasize that characterization of HLA diversity is not only important for transplantation programs, but can shed a light on ancestry, history and other demographic patterns with or without association with autoimmune disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of traps is extremely important in several types of ecological studies, and may assist in the capture of individuals in areas that are difficult to access. In the present study, we compared the effectiveness of wooden (Schramm) versus "Tomahawk" traps to capture Salvator merianae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) lizards. The study was conducted in Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Field data were collected from August 2013 to March 2015, during the reproductive period of the species. The study involved two types of baited traps: i) "Tomahawk", made of galvanized steel; and ii) Schramm, a wooden trap. The capture rate of the Schramm wooden traps was 1.63 individuals/ day, and of the "Tomahawk" was 0.36 individuals/day. These results are important for researchers working with large lizards and may help to increase sampling efficiency for these organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2000, the first outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was recognized in the Brazilian Amazon (Maranhao State). An epidemiologic study identified a 13.3% prevalence of hantavirus-specific immunoglobulin G. The analysis of risk factors suggests that persons are occupationally exposed to infected rodents in the crop fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, humpback whales migrate every winter to the Brazilian coast for breeding and calving in the Abrolhos Bank. This breeding stock represents the remnants of a larger population heavily exploited during the beginning of the 20th century. Despite its relevance to conservation efforts, the degree of current genetic variation and the migratory relationship with Antarctic feeding areas for this population are still largely unknown. To examine these questions, we sequenced ~400 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region from samples taken off the Brazilian coast (n = 171) and near the Antarctic Peninsula (n = 77). The genetic variability of the Brazilian humpback whale breeding population was high and similar to that found in other Southern Hemisphere breeding grounds. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the existence of a new mitochondrial clade that exists at low frequency among Southern Hemisphere populations. Direct comparison between the Brazilian and the Colombia breeding populations and the Antarctic Peninsula feeding population showed no genetic differentiation between this feeding region and the Colombian breeding area or between feeding Areas I and II near the Antarctic Peninsula. In contrast, these populations were genetically distinct from the Brazilian population. Two humpback whales sampled off South Georgia Islands, in the Scotia Sea, shared identical haplotypes to whales from Brazil. Our results, supported by photo-identification and satellite telemetry data, suggest that the main feeding area of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whale population is likely to be located near the South Georgia/South Sandwich Islands area and not in the Antarctic Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cases of hysteroscopic metroplasties for large septate, one performed at the time of oocyte retrieval, and the second at the time of curettage for early first trimester spontaneous pregnancy loss, are reported. The peculiarities of medical circumstances and surgical approaches are discussed. Each patient had an excellent post-surgical result and a successful pregnancy. The notion that the performance of hysteroscopic surgery in women presenting with supraphysiological serum oestradiol concentrations or an early miscarriage would increase intra-operative bleeding and post-operative complications respectively is challenged by this report. The authors emphasize that thorough counselling, meticulous planning, appropriate follicular phase timing and excellent surgical techniques remain the mainstay for success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The South America VLF Network (SAVNET) has been installed in April 2009, and is composed of eight tracking receivers spread over South America, in Brazil, Peru and Argentina, and the Antarctica Peninsula. SAVNET is monitoring the properties of subionospheric propagating waves that reveal changes of the electrical properties of the ionospheric diurnal D-region or nocturnal E-region. In this paper, we will show the ability of the diagnostic obtained by SAVNET to discuss the monitoring of the solar activity on short timescales related to ionization due to solar flares. The sensitivity of flare detection as a function of the solar activity level will be discussed. On longer timescales related to the solar cycle, SAVNET is also able to provide information on the solar Lyman-α radiation. Finally we show that the VLF technique is well suited to search for of seismic-electromagnetic effects, and to provide a genuine diagnostic of high-energy astrophysical phenomena. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rates varied among the states of Brazil during the course of the pandemics. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a critical component of the antigen presentation pathway. Individuals with different HLA genotypes may trigger different immune responses against pathogens, which could culminate in different COVID-19 responses. HLA genotypes are variable, especially in the highly admixed Brazilian population. In this ecological study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between HLA haplotypes and the different regional distribution of COVID-19 mortality in Brazil. HLA data was obtained from 4,148,713 individuals registered in The Brazilian Voluntary Bone Marrow Donors Registry. COVID-19 data was retrieved from epidemiological bulletins issued by State Health Secretariats via Brazil's Ministry of Health from February/2020 to July/2022. We found a positive significant correlation between the HLA-A*01~B*08~DRB1*03 haplotype and COVID-19 mortality rates when we analyzed data from 26 states and the Federal District. This result indicates that the HLA-A*01~B*08~DRB1*03 haplotype may represent an additional risk factor for dying due to COVID-19. This haplotype should be further studied in other populations for a better understanding of the variation in COVID-19 outcomes across the world.

In this work, we examined the action of two South American coralsnake (Micrurus corallinus and Micrurus dumerilii carinicauda) venoms on rat heart function in the absence and presence of treatment with Brazilian coralsnake antivenom (CAV) and varespladib (VPL), a potent phospholipase A 2 inhibitor. Anesthetized male Wistar rats were injected with saline (control) or a single dose of venom (1.5 mg/kg, i.m.) and monitored for alterations in echocardiographic parameters, serum CK-MB levels and cardiac histomorphology, the latter using a combination of fractal dimension and histopathological methods. Neither of the venoms caused cardiac functional alterations 2 h after venom injection; however, M. corallinus venom caused tachycardia 2 h after venom injection, with CAV (given i.p. at an antivenom:venom ratio of 1:1.5, v/w), VPL (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and CAV + VPL preventing this increase. Both venoms increased the cardiac lesional score and serum CK-MB levels compared to saline-treated rats, but only the combination of CAV + VPL prevented these alterations, although VPL alone was able to attenuate the increase in CK-MB caused by M. corallinus venom. Micrurus corallinus venom increased the heart fractal dimension measurement, but none of the treatments prevented this alteration. In conclusion, M. corallinus and M. d. carinicauda venoms caused no major cardiac functional alterations at the dose tested, although M. corallinus venom caused transient tachycardia. Both venoms caused some cardiac morphological damage, as indicated by histomorphological analyses and the increase in circulating CK-MB levels. These alterations were consistently attenuated by a combination of CAV and VPL., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

In this work, we reported the efficacy of a combination of Brazilian therapeutic coralsnake antivenom (CAV) and varespladib (phospholipase A 2 inhibitor - VPL) in partially neutralizing selected toxic effects of Micrurus dumerilii carinicauda coralsnake venom in rats. Venom caused local myonecrosis and systemic neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity within 2 h of injection. CAV and VPL administered separately failed to prevent most of these alterations. However, a combination of CAV plus VPL offered variable protection against venom-induced coagulation disturbances, leukocytosis, and renal-hepatic morphological alterations., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Three different species of hemoplasmas have been described in rodents, Mycoplasma coccoides, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemosphiggurus'. Additionally, potentially novel hemoplasma species have been detected in wild rodents from Brazil, including capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world and are well adapted to live within close proximity to humans, which increases the risk to spread of zoonotic pathogens. Herein, we investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas infecting free-ranging capybaras from southern Brazil. Blood samples and ticks from 17 capybaras were collected. Packed cell volume and total plasma protein were measured, DNA was extracted, and further screened by species-specific and pan-hemoplasma PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA gene of hemoplasmas. Sixteen out of 17 (94.12%; 95% CI: 73.02-98.95%) were anemic. Only one young female was hypoproteinemic. All capybaras were infested by adults and nymphs of Amblyomma dubitatum ticks. Using the PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene of M. coccoides, 13/17 (76.47%; 95% CI: 52.74-90.44%) capybaras were positive for hemoplasmas. When DNA samples were tested by the pan-hemoplasma PCR, 16/17 (94.12%; 95% CI: 73.02-98.95%) animals were positive. One out of 11 (9.09%) adult ticks salivary glands tested positive for hemoplasma by the pan-hemoplasma PCR assay. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S and 23S rRNA gene fragments confirmed that animals were infected by a novel hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. previously reported in capybaras from Brazil. Additionally, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 23S rRNA gene from three hemoplasma-positive capybaras samples from a previous study performed in midwestern Brazil also confirm our findings. Based on phylogenetic and Neighbor-Net network analysis of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes, the name 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochoerus' is proposed for this novel organism., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The major aim of this article was to estimate the demographic impact of European arrival and colonization over Native American populations from southern Brazil and Uruguay. We also compared the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic diversity, structure, and demography of Native American lineages present in current indigenous (Natives) and nonindigenous admixed (Admixed) populations to estimate the effective population size (N e ) of contemporary and ancestral (pre-Columbian) Native American populations., Methods: We retrieved published mtDNA sequences from Native (n = 396) and Admixed (n = 309) populations from southern Brazil, Uruguay, and surrounding areas. We conducted genetic diversity, structure, and demographic analyses. Finally, we used Approximate Bayesian Computation to estimate the N e for current Native, Admixed, and pre-Columbian Native American populations., Results: We found higher Native American mtDNA genetic diversity in admixed rather than in indigenous populations (131/309 vs 27/396 different haplotypes, respectively). Only Admixed populations maintained ancient signals of the Native American population expansion approximately 14 to 17 kya, which have decayed in Natives. Our N e estimates suggest that Natives represent only 0.33% (0.18%-1.19%) of the N e for ancestral pre-Columbian indigenous populations., Conclusions: Admixed populations represent an important genetic reservoir of Native American lineages, many of which are extinct in contemporary indigenous populations. In addition, the Native American lineages present in Admixed populations retain part of the past demographic history of Native Americans. The intensity of the reduction is congruent with historical accounts of strong indigenous depopulation during the colonization process., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.

Context: In the Americas, the main representatives of the family Elapidae are coral snakes of the genus Micrurus, of which 33 species are in Brazil. They are the smallest cause of venomous snakebite in Brazil. We analyzed literature reports of coral snake bites in Brazil from 1867 to 2014, and provide a brief review of case series and reports of coral snake bites in the Americas in general., Methods: Only reports with clinical descriptions of envenomation were included. The variables recorded included identification of the offending snake, patient's age, sex, bite site, clinical manifestations, treatment, including antivenom and anticholinesterase drugs, and general evolution of the cases. 30 published reports describing bites caused by Micrurus spp. in Brazil were identified and involved 194 distinct cases. Since no information on the clinical manifestations was available in 44 cases, the analysis was restricted to 25 reports (150 cases)., Results: Most patients were from southern (61.3%; primarily Santa Catarina state, 60%) and southeastern (20%) Brazil and were male (70.7%), with a median age of 27 years (interquartile interval = 18 to 40 years). The offending snakes were described in 59 cases (M. corallinus 36, M. frontalis 12, M. lemniscatus 5, M. hemprichi 2, M. filiformis 1, M. ibiboboca 1, M. spixii 1 and M. surinamensis 1); in 22 cases only the genus (Micrurus spp.) was reported. Of the 143 cases in which the bite site was recorded, most involved the hands (46.2%) and feet (26.6%). The main clinical features were local numbness/paresthesia (52.7%), local pain (48%), palpebral ptosis (33.3%), dizziness (26.7%), blurred vision (20.7%), weakness (20%), slight local edema (16%), erythema (16%), dysphagia (14.7%), dyspnea (11.3%), inability to walk (10.7%), myalgia (9.3%), salivation (8%) and respiratory failure (4.3%). Fang marks were described in 47.3% of cases and 14% of bites were classified as asymptomatic. A slight increase in total blood creatine kinase was reported in 3 children, suggesting mild myotoxicity. Therapeutic procedures included coral snake antivenom (77.3%), anticholinesterase drugs (6%), and mechanical ventilation (3.3%). Two patients reported in 1933 developed paralysis/respiratory failure and died 6 h and 17 h post-bite. Four more deaths probably caused by coral snakes were reported (2 in 1867, 1 in 1959, 1 in 1962), but no clinical information was available., Discussion: Neuromuscular blockade was the hallmark of systemic envenomation by Micrurus spp., with signs of myasthenia such as weakness and ptosis that may evolve to paralysis and respiratory failure. Local features, mainly numbness/paresthesia and pain, were frequently reported, with the pain being intense in some cases. Although myotoxicity has been detected in experimental studies with Micrurus spp. venoms, few human reports described laboratory findings compatible with myotoxicity., Conclusion: Most coral snake bites reported in Brazil were caused by M. corallinus and M. frontalis, with several patients showing signs of acute myasthenia. Serious complications such as paralysis with respiratory failure were observed but comparatively rare. The deaths occurred where respiratory support (mechanical ventilation) was unavailable when needed.

The Pampas is a biologically rich South American biome, but is poorly represented in phylogeographic studies. While the Pleistocene glacial cycles may have affected the evolutionary history of species distributed in forested biomes, little is known about their effects on the habitats that remained stable through glacial cycles. The South American Pampas have been covered by grasslands during both glacial and interglacial periods and therefore represent an interesting system to test whether the genetic structure in such environments is less pronounced. In this study, we sampled Pampean populations of Homonota uruguayensis from Southern Brazil and Uruguay to assess the tempo and mode of population divergence, using both morphological measurements and molecular markers. Our results indicate that, in spite of its narrow geographic distribution, populations of H. uruguayensis show high levels of genetic structure. We found four major well-supported mtDNA clades with strong geographic associations. Estimates of their divergence times fell between 3.16 and 1.82 million years before the present. Populations from the central portion of the species distribution, on the border between Uruguay and Brazil, have high genetic diversity and may have undergone a population expansion approximately 250,000 years before the present. The high degree of genetic structure is reflected in the analyses of morphological characters, and most individuals could be correctly assigned to their parental population based on morphology alone. Finally, we discuss the biogeographic and conservation implications of these findings.

The Americas were the last continents to be populated by humans, and their colonization represents a very interesting chapter in our species' evolution in which important issues are still contentious or largely unknown. One difficult topic concerns the details of the early peopling of Beringia, such as for how long it was colonized before people moved into the Americas and the demography of this occupation. A recent work using mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) data presented evidence for a so called "three-stage model" consisting of a very early expansion into Beringia followed by approximately 20,000 years of population stability before the final entry into the Americas. However, these results are in disagreement with other recent studies using similar data and methods. Here, we reanalyze their data to check the robustness of this model and test the ability of Native American mtDNA to discriminate details of the early colonization of Beringia. We apply the Bayesian Skyline Plot approach to recover the past demographic dynamic underpinning these events using different mtDNA data sets. Our results refute the specific details of the "three-stage model", since the early stage of expansion into Beringia followed by a long period of stasis could not be reproduced in any mtDNA data set cleaned from non-Native American haplotypes. Nevertheless, they are consistent with a moderate population bottleneck in Beringia associated with the Last Glacial Maximum followed by a strong population growth around 18,000 years ago as suggested by other recent studies. We suggest that this bottleneck erased the signals of ancient demographic history from recent Native American mtDNA pool, and conclude that the proposed early expansion and occupation of Beringia is an artifact caused by the misincorporation of non-Native American haplotypes.