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Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome can alter the virus' fitness, leading to the emergence of variants of concern (VOC). In Brazil, the Gamma variant dominated the pandemic in the first half of 2021, and from June onwards, the first cases of Delta infection were documented. Here, we investigate the introduction and dispersal of the Delta variant in the RS state by sequencing 1077 SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from June to October 2021. Of these samples, 34.7% were identified as Gamma and 65.3% as Delta. Notably, 99.2% of Delta sequences were clustered within the 21J lineage, forming a significant Brazilian clade. The estimated clock rate was 5.97 × 10−4 substitutions per site per year. The Delta variant was first reported on 17 June in the Vinhedos Basalto microregion and rapidly spread, accounting for over 70% of cases within nine weeks. Despite this, the number of cases and deaths remained stable, possibly due to vaccination, prior infections, and the continued mandatory mask use. In conclusion, our study provides insights into the Delta variant circulating in the RS state, highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance for monitoring viral evolution, even when the impact of new variants may be less severe in a given region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hospital environment can be considered a high risk for the occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission outbreaks, either for health professionals who are directly involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of the disease, or for patients, for being in an environment more vulnerable to the acquisition of nosocomial infections. In this molecular epidemiology study, we aimed to analyze the occurrence and transmission dynamics of SARS‐CoV‐2 in outbreaks and local chains of transmission in a large tertiary teaching hospital in southern Brazil, in addition to verifying circulating strains and their epidemiological relation in the local context, from September 21, 2020 to October 5, 2021. Positive samples involved in COVID‐19 clusters or outbreaks were analyzed using clinical, epidemiological and genomic data. Different lineages and sublineages among patients in the same room were observed. Most patients had their first clinical manifestation, evidence of suspicion, and diagnostic confirmation within 7–14 days or >14 days after hospital admission. The patients who have contact with confirmed cases of COVID‐19 spent, on average, 6.28 days in the same environment until the positive test. There was a significant association between the outcome and the number of vaccine doses (p < 0.05), where those who received two doses presented a lower occurrence of death. There was a total replacement of variant of concern (VOC) Gamma by VOC Delta from August 2021 at the study site. Although the epidemiological analysis indicates nosocomial infections, through genomic sequencing, it was established that most of the hospital outbreaks had different origins. These findings highlight the utility of integrating epidemiological and genomic data to identify possible routes of viral entry and dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New viruses of the Picornavirales order have been discovered with the increase in the number of sequences obtained by high-throughput sequencing, as well as human stoolassociated RNA virus (husavirus [HuV]), found in human stool samples. However, there is much to be clarified about HuV. Its cellular host, evolutionary history, and other biological characteristics are still unknown. Therefore, samples collected from human beings and environmental samples in a watershed in Southern Brazil were processed for the metagenomic library. Upon metagenomic analysis, we identified a HuV (husavirus LMM_67754 OP019707) genome with 8,846 bp, which was reported for the first time in Southern Brazil. The new genome presents only 37% of nucleotide identity with Brazilian strains and more than 90% with genomes from China, Vietnam, Venezuela, and the Netherlands. The HuV phylogeny presents significant differences among genomes, probably because multiple introductions of the virus may have occurred. Many questions still need to be answered about HuV. Therefore, more sequences and studies on this virus are necessary to improve the comprehension of the unknown origin of Picornavirales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Brazil in February 2020, several preventive measures were taken by the population aiming to avoid severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection including the use of masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing then, these measures may have contributed to preventing infection also by other respiratory viruses. Our goal was to determine the frequencies of Influenza A and B viruses (FLUAV/FLUBV), human mastadenovirus C (HAdV‐C), Enterovirus 68 (EV‐68), and rhinovirus (RV) besides SARS‐CoV‐2 among hospitalized patients suspect of COVID‐19 with cases of acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) in the period of March to December 2020 and to detect possible coinfections among them. Nucleic acid detection was performed using reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) in respiratory samples using naso‐oropharyngeal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage. A total of 418 samples of the 987 analyzed (42.3%) were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, 16 (1.62%) samples were positive for FLUAV, no sample was positive for FLUBV or EV‐68, 67 (6.78%) samples were positive for HAdV‐C, 55 samples were positive for RV 1/2 (26.3%) and 37 for RV 2/2 (13.6%). Coinfections were also detected, including a triple coinfection with SARS‐CoV‐2, FLUAV, and HAdV‐C. In the present work, a very low frequency of FLUV was reported among hospitalized patients with ARDS compared to the past years, probably due to preventive measures taken to avoid COVID‐19 and the high influenza vaccination coverage in the region in which this study was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandy soils have low sulfur (S) supply capacity and a high potential for loss of the element by leaching. Therefore, it is fundamental to adopt intensive management in the use of S aiming to increase the availability of the element in the soil. This study evaluated the long-term (34 years) impact of soil tillage (CT, conventional tillage; NT, no-tillage) combined with three cropping systems (O/M, oat/maize; V/M, vetch/maize; O+V/M+C, oat+vetch/maize+cowpea), with (180 kg ha–1) or without nitrogen (N) fertilization for the maize crop, on the soil extractable S in a sandy clay loam Acrisol from Southern Brazil. Soil samples were taken from the 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm layers, and the extractable S was estimated by extraction with 500 mg L–1 of P. The largest soil extractable S in NT occurred with vetch, higher than the oat/maize system to 30 cm depth (11.1 and 7.3 mg dm–3, respectively). The extractable S in the surface layer (0–5 cm) in NT showed a strong relationship (R2 = 0.83) with SOC, increasing 0.85 mg dm–3 for each increment of 1 g kg–1 of SOC. In the absence of N, systems with legume cover crops cycled 1.7 and 2.0 times more S (17 and 22 kg ha–1 yr–1) than in the oat/maize (10 kg ha–1 yr–1). Nitrogen fertilization tripled S removal in grains (73 kg ha–1 O/M-0 to 236 kg ha–1 V/M-180) but did not negatively affect soil extractable S. The S input via formulated fertilization and atmospheric deposition (12.5 and 3.3 kg ha–1 yr–1, respectively) was enough to supply the S removal by maize. However, only in the most intensive and diverse systems was it possible to maintain S availability above the critical level. In sandy soils that naturally have low S supply capacity, it is possible to maintain adequate levels of extractable S when combining NT and legume cover crops that intensify the cycling of S and prevent the loss of nutrient by leaching. [Display omitted] • No-tillage and legume cover crops increased the extractable S in Acrisol. • N fertilization increases S removal in grains but did not negatively affect extractable S. • No-tillage and legume cover crops are necessary to decrease S leaching losses. • In sandy soils, legume cover crops maintain the extractable S above the critical level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple variants of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) have been constantly reported across the world. The B.1.1.28 lineage has been evolving in Brazil since February 2020 and originated the P.1 variant of concern (VOC), recently named as the Gamma variant by the newly WHO nomenclature proposal, and P.2 as a variant of interest (VOI). Here we describe an early case of P.1 primary infection in Southern Brazil in late November 2020, soon after the emergence of the variant in Manaus, Northern Brazil. The same male patient was reinfected by another B.1.1.28 variant, namely P.2, in March, 2021. The genomic analysis confirmed genetically significant differences between the two viruses recovered in both infections, the P.1 lineage in the first episode and P.2 in the reinfection. Due the very early detection of P.1, we have also investigated the circulation of P.1 in the same region by differential RT-qPCR, showing that this was an isolated case of P.1 at the time of detection, and this variant has disseminated and became prominent from late January to the end of March, 2021. SARS-CoV-2 recent reports of reinfection have raised critical questions on whether and how well a first infection protects against reinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga 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.)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the development of rural warehouses condominiums (or "condos") as new rural configurations in the Brazilian agribusiness from the perspective of the theory of collective action. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was complemented with multiple case studies based on interviews and direct observation. Content analysis was used to interpret the secondary and primary data. Findings: Rural warehouse condos can be characterized as a collective action which is a new business model in Brazilian agribusiness. This new initiative has several advantages: reduction of the warehouse deficit and other logistical bottlenecks; strategic commercialization of production; reduction of logistical costs; inclusion of smallholders in the economy and, consequently, the generation of income for smallholders and their participation in the market. Research limitations/implications: The study used a qualitative approach and findings and discussion are inherently interpretative. Social implications: Understanding the organization of rural warehouse condos supports the inclusion of smallholding farmers and income generation. This creates a social benefit through rural growth and economic development. Some constraints related to the lack of public policies, specific credit lines in financial institutions, the problem of non-regularized rural areas, lack of transparency and conflicts among the members can limit expansion. Originality/value: Rural warehouse condos are expanding mainly in the south region of Brazil, where smallholders are concentrated. In this new configuration, they can engage in an association to obtain several benefits, such as reduced logistics costs, better access to financing and increased bargaining power with suppliers. As this research dealt with a relatively new and poorly studied topic, it contributes to the development of new studies to map innovative warehousing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic contamination of beaches in the south of Brazil was assessed by detection of Escherichia coli , human mastadenovirus species C (HAdV-C) and F (HAdV-F) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). Sampling was carried out in October (2016), and in January, April and July (2017). Water, sediment, sea surface microlayer (SML), bivalves, and air sentinel samples were evaluated. Quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) was used to estimate the probability of swimmer infection. HAdV-C was present in 26% of the samples, for both qPCR and viral isolation. The highest rates of detection in genomic copies (GC) were in water (2.42E+10 GC/L), SML (2.08E+10 GC/L), sediment (3.82E+08 GC/g) and bivalves (3.91E+07 GC/g). QMRA estimated daily and annual risks with a maximum value (9.99E-01) in almost all of the samples. Viable HAdV-C was often detected in the SML, pointing that this is a source of infection for people bathing in these waters. • Bacterial and viral analyses showed contamination in beaches of Southern Brazil. • Water samples showed higher rates of positivity by qPCR. • Viral isolation was more sensitive for SML samples. • QMRA indicated high infection risks associated with exposure in these beaches. • The capacity of viral particle transfer among environmental matrices was evidenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public parks are leisure environments widely used by both, adults and children, often accompained by their pets. Soil contamination of these environments by enteric viruses and intestinal parasites occurs through these animals feces. The aim of this work was to detect Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPV-1) and different species of Mastadenovirus in soils samples from a park located in a medium-sized city in Brazil and evaluate the presence of helminth eggs and larvae in 18 points of a public park soil samples, as well as feces found on this site during six months. Parasitological analyzes were conducted through flotation and sedimentation techniques, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for viral detection. Of the 216 soil and 16 feces samples, 49% (106/216) and 12% (2/16) were positivefor nematodes larvae, respectively, through sedimentation techniques. Toxocara spp eggs were found in one soil sample and one feces sample, Trichuris spp eggs were found in only one feces sample and Hookworms eggs were found in four soil samples. After reconstruction work in the streets near the park, 30% (64/216) of the samples were positive for Human Mastadenovirus C (HAdV-C), 1.4% (3/216) for HAdV-E and 0.4% (1/216) for Canine Mastadenovirus A (CAdV-A). The parasitic forms found in this study have demonstrated that the contamination of the park’s soil pose a threat to human and animal health. This was the first study to report the presence of HAdVs and CAdVs in soil samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine Brazilian M. oryzae populations using 18 microsatellites. Fifty cultivars were sown in plastic trays for the pathotyping of 847 isolates. The DNA of 494 isolates was extracted and purified using the modified Doyle and Doyle method, the genetic structure was determined by the software Structure, and the actual number was selected from the prediction method based on the K values. Nei's genetic distance among the subpopulations was determined with the aid of the program Genetix, and the amova was performed with the program Arlequin. Out of 847 inoculated monosporic isolates, 528 infected their respective cultivars; of the 528 isolates pathotyped, there was a prevalence of group IA and pathotype IF-1, which was the most frequent pathotype in the rice production areas of Brazil. The Bayesian clustering analysis indicated that 19 was the optimal value of K; this value was the lowest standard deviation and log (ln K) closest to zero, which predicted the 494 isolates of M. oryzae that were selected for molecular studies to be grouped into 19 subpopulations. The AMOVA detected a 37.13% variability within the 19 subpopulations and 62.87% variability among the subpopulations. The polymorphic information content ( PIC) ranged from 0 to 0.756. Thirty three rare alleles were found distributed among 15 out of 19 subpopulations. The Margalef index ranged from 38.69 to 79.21 for all 18 analysed locus. The results indicated that the identification of different blast resistance genes must consider the composition of each subpopulation and that the identification is most effective when performed within a subpopulation and then between subpopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice blast management is heavily reliant on chemical control, and the rise of fungicide resistance is contingent on fitness costs. This study contrasts the responses of 322 blast isolates from southern (n = 224) and northern Brazil (n = 98) to fungicides in the Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI), Sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI), and Melanin biosynthesis inhibitor (MBI) groups, and associated epidemiological traits. Resistance was more prevalent in northern Brazil, where conditions are most conducive to blast. Northern populations displayed higher EC 50 for spore germination, faster mycelial growth rates, and higher rates of appressorium formation for fungicides in all chemical groups. Results were most striking for the QoI fungicide azoxystrobin. We examined possible fitness penalties and related in planta competitive abilities associated with the gain of azoxystrobin resistance. QoI-resistant (QoI-R) genotypes, carrying the G143A cytochrome b gene mutation, were found in 90% of the northern isolates. The EC 50 values of these QoI-R isolates exceeded 10 μg L−1. However, QoI-R isolates had a reduced number of conidia, longer latent period, reduced infection efficiency and aggressiveness, compared to the sensitive isolates. These impairments were reflected in a decrease of competitive ability in planta in the absence of azoxystrobin. Nevertheless, under continuous fungicide applications, the proportion of resistant and sensitive isolates in mixed cultures in planta remained constant after four generations. The results are valuable for managing strategies as the increase of resistance may hamper the competitive abilities of QoI-R mutants in the absence of the respective active ingredient. • Fungicide resistance is widespread in rice-derived isolates of P. oryzae from Brazil. • Fungicide resistance and the G143A mutation are more prevalent in northern Brazil. • Fitness penalties are associated with resistance to the QoI azoxystrobin. • Fitness costs of QoI-R isolates resulted in loss of competitiveness in planta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae has the potential to cause 100% grain yield loss. The objective of this investigation was to identify rhizobacteria showing potential for plant growth stimulation and resistance induction under greenhouse conditions. Bacterial isolates were collected from the rhizosphere of rice plants from soils of Amazon, PA. Soil application with rhizobacteria was done by drenching with bacterial cell suspension before inoculating with virulent isolate of M. oryzae. Mass screening of 148 isolates for growth promotion showed that 12.7% stimulated plant height, whereas 52.0% increased root length, total biomass and root biomass. Based on these growth promotion results, 18 isolates were further tested for in vitro inhibition of the pathogen and reduction of leaf blast severity (LBS) in greenhouse test. All isolates inhibited pathogen growth and reduced disease severity from 16% to 95%. The two isolates showing the greatest suppression of leaf blast (Rizo-46 and Rizo-55) were further tested in a subsequent greenhouse trial using three replications and three application methods (drenching the soil, 15 and 2days before inoculation with rice pathogen, and spraying 2days before inoculating with virulent isolate). The soil drenching with isolate Rizo-55, 15days prior to challenging with virulent isolate of M. oryzae reduced LBS by 90%, whereas Rizo-46 applied 2days before reduced LBS by 95%. The capacity to suppress leaf blast by isolates Rizo-46 and Rizo-55 varied according to the mode of application. Also, the enzymatic tests were conducted to quantitate the presence of proteins related to pathogenesis (PRPs) during induction process of resistance by rhizobacteria. The enzyme activity of peroxidase, β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase greatly increased, and the results are in accord with greenhouse tests in relation to leaf blast disease suppression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Annals of the Association of American Geographers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd 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.)

Copyright of Cuadernos de Desarrollo Rural is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana 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.)

Copyright of Análise is the property of EDIPUCRS - Editora Universitaria da PUCRS 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.)

Remote classification of land-use/land-cover (LULC) types in Brazil's Cerrado ecoregion is necessary because knowledge of Cerrado LULC is incomplete, sources of inaccuracy are unknown, and high-resolution data are required for the validation of moderate-resolution LULC maps. The aim of this research is to discriminate between Cerrado and agriculture using high-resolution Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery for the western region of Bahia state in northeastern Brazil. The Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithms were applied to a ∼3000 km2 subset, yielding comparable classification accuracies. The panchromatic band was reserved for validation. User's and producer's accuracies were highest for non-irrigated agriculture (∼94%) but lower for Cerrado Lato Sensu (89%). Classification errors likely resulted from spatial and spectral characteristics of particular classes (e.g. riparian forest and burned) and overestimation of other classes (e.g. Eucalyptus and water). Manual misinterpretation of validation data may have also led to lower reported classification accuracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant viruses with their gigantic genomes are among the most intriguing components of the virosphere. How these viruses attained such giant genomes remains unclear, despite considerable efforts to understand this phenomenon. Here, we describe the discovery of cedratvirus pambiensis, an amoebal giant virus isolated in Brazil. Although the virion morphology and replication cycle of c. pambiensis are very similar to those described for other cedratviruses, whole genome sequencing revealed the largest cedratvirus genome ever described, with 623,564 base pairs and 842 predicted protein-coding genes (among them, 76 ORFans). Genome analysis has revealed an unprecedented number of paralogous genes, with ~73% of the c. pambiensis genome being composed of genes with two or more copies. Large families of functionally diverse paralogous genes included up to >70 copies and were distributed across the genome. The in-depth investigation of the mechanisms and origins of gene duplications revealed that both tandem-like duplications and distal transfer of syntenic blocks of genes contributed to the c. pambiensis genomic expansion. Finally, a comprehensive genome analysis of viruses from all known giant virus families suggested that gene duplication is one of the key mechanisms underlying genomic gigantism across the phylum Nucleocytoviricota. The expansion of viral genomes through successive duplications followed by subfunctionalization and exaptation of the paralogous gene copies may promote the adaptation of giant viruses to a variety of niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Omicron genetic and epidemiological characteristics in Southern, Brazil. • Completely Omicron mutational data. • Gamma variant was completely displaced by Omicron in a short period of time. • First time identification of a new Omicron variant of concern: Omicron-L452R. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first identified in Botswana in November 2021. In a short period of time, this highly mutated variant replaced the previous dominant Delta variant, causing an exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, resulting in a new wave of pandemic. This current research article aims to analyze and summarize information about the genetic characteristics, amino acid mutations and epidemiological data providing scientific findings to enrich the SARS-CoV-2 knowledge. More importantly, we describe here, for the first time, the identification of a new Omicron variant of concern: Omicron-L452R in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne diseases are often related to consumption of contaminated food or water. Viral agents are important sources of contamination and frequently reported in food of animal origin. The goal of this study was to detect emerging enteric viruses in samples of industrialized foods of animal origin collected in establishments from southern of Brazil. In the analyzed samples, no Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genome was detected. However, 21.8% (21/96) of the samples were positive for Rotavirus (RVA) and 61.4% (59/96) for Adenovirus (AdV), including Human adenovirus-C (HAdV-C), Porcine adenovirus-3 (PAdV-3) and new type of porcine adenovirus PAdV-SVN1. In the present research, PAdV-SVN1 was detected in foods for the first time. The presence of these viruses may be related to poor hygiene in sites of food preparation, production or during handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Characterization of genetic diversity of DENV outbreak in South Brazil, 2022. • Seventy sequences were characterized as DENV-1 genotype V. • DENV-1 sequences were separated into two clades clusters in the L1 lineage. • Unique mutations have been described in each clade. Even though Brazil is a country where the dengue virus (DENV) is endemic, until recently, Southern states did not have significant viral circulation, such as Rio Grande do Sul (RS), and some municipalities were even considered dengue-free. During 2022, these places have shown a sharp increase in the incidence of the disease, apparently following a worldwide growth pattern. Therefore, in this study, we monitor and characterize the genetic diversity of DENV circulating in southern Brazil through next-generation sequencing during an outbreak in 2022. We generated 70 DENV-1 genome sequences, all characterized as genotype V, divided into two clade clusters in the L1 lineage. Furthermore, unique mutations have been described in each clade of L1 lineage. Our results are essential in managing outbreaks since these data provide important information during the emergence of DENV circulation in RS. Since the south of Brazil has a lower viral circulation when compared to other Brazilian states, RS still lacks data that can help in understanding the transmission, dissemination, and evolution of the dengue virus. Hence, genomic surveillance efforts are essential to increase the accuracy of preventive actions and to control viral dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Emergence, dispersion, and consolidation of the Delta variant in South Brazil. • Gamma variant was completely replaced by Delta variant in five months. • Most sequences generated were classified as AY.99.2, AY.99.2-like, and AY.101. The emergence of Variants of Concern (VOC) presenting an unusual number of new mutations is one of the most remarkable features of SARS-CoV-2. The Delta variant, since its appearance, replaced the VOC Gamma, which was responsible for the major COVID-19 wave in Brazil. In this study, we performed a Delta whole-genome sequencing of 183 samples as part of a major genomic surveillance study performed since the beginning of the pandemic. Here, we showed an emergence, widespread dispersion and consolidation of the Delta variant in Rio Grande do Sul State, completely replacing the Gamma variant in a four to five months period. Performing the phylogenetic and phylodynamic analysis, the majority of the sequences generated herein were classified as AY.99.2, AY.99.2-like and AY.101. AY.99.2 Delta-related lineage has been widely reported in Brazil and in the Americas as well. Altogether, our findings provided a mutational profile of the sequences and presented high substitutions per site in the root-to-tip phylogenetic tree, corroborating studies that show the high mutational rate of SARS-CoV-2 over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversified cropping systems can benefit plant growth and yield, but their impacts on K budget and legacy in no-till Oxisols are still poorly understood. This study, based on a long-term (19-years) field experiment, aimed to evaluate the effect of cropping system diversification as well as the proportion of maize in summer season on crop yields, and on soil K forms, use efficiency, budget, and legacy K in a subtropical Rhodic Hapludox under no-till in Southern Brazil. Five treatments were evaluated: two monocropping of maize and soybean in sucession to barley, and three crop rotations with 21%, 26% and 47% of maize in rotation with soybean in summer, combined with up to four winter crops (barley, wheat, canola, and oat). Soil (0–0.20 m) was sampled at the 19th year for determination of soil K forms, and all records of K fertilization and grain yields, as well as the initial soil analysis, were retrieved, and soil K accumulation, K budget, K usage efficiency, and K legacy were calculated. Across the 19-years and in comparison to monocropping, the diversification of cropping systems increased barley (33%) and maize (52%) yields, while a 10% increment was observed for soybean yield by increasing the proportion of maize in summer season from 0% to 47%. Increasing K input via fertilization as a consequence of the higher proportion of maize in summer was the main factor related to observed increment on potentially available K content in soil and on the potential use of legacy K from 6 to 10 years. Maximum K budget (−160 kg ha−1) and use efficiency (114 kg grains kg−1 K applied) were obtained by equating maize-soybean proportion (50/50%) in summer and diversifying winter crops. According to our findings, intercalating maize and soybean in summer and diversifying winter crops are the key for using K more efficiently in subtropical agriculture. • Cropping system diversification increases crops grain yield. • Equating maize-soybean proportion (50/50%) increment the K budget. • Diversifying crops is the key for using K more efficiently in subtropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the highest wave of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic occurred since the beginning of the pandemic in Brazil was registered in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Southern Brazil, considering the number of cases, deaths and hospitalization per day caused by COVID-19. In this study we described which lineages were circulating in the first quarter of 2021 in Southern Brazil to better understand the viral factors involved in the health crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the region, searching also for possible additional SARS-CoV-2 sequence mutations. A total of 70 positive SARS-CoV-2 samples collected between January 28th, 2021 until April 23rd, 2021, were selected to sequencing. Whole genome sequencing of 70 SARS-CoV-2 samples showed a predominance of Gamma lineage (67%, 47/70), followed by P.2 lineage (27%, 19/70) and B.1.1.28 (6%, 4/70). Two Gamma lineage consensus sequences presented a new S:D614A mutation. Newly mutations could be emerging due the quick SARS-CoV-2 spreading. Thus, the greater understanding about immune protection and variants vigilance is essential to the better management of the health SARS-CoV-2 crisis. • High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Gamma lineage and dominance over other variants through the recent wave in Southern Brazil. • Gamma lineage related with an increase of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. • New SARS-CoV-2 Gamma genomes showing an additional Spike D614A mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 52-year old man who was referred to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil to investigate a pancreatic cyst. It mentions that his endoscopic ultrasound revealed a cystic lesion. It adds that the case revealed the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in an unusual diagnosis.