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The subject matter has been based on three systematizations of experiences in teacher training through remote teaching, during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. They were developed in IES in Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. The objective has been to show the experiences implemented to build the teachers' pedagogical knowledge, from online teaching practices. The theoretical framework has been the theory of collaborative and developmental learning, according to L. S. Vigotski and his followers. The work methodology has been the systematization of experiences, according to Jara and others. The results of the Brazilian experience show how it is possible for students of the degree in pedagogy to acquire didactic knowledge and develop skills, through collaborative work in virtual rooms. The Ecuadorian experience shows the effectiveness of teaching focused on autonomous work, which is based on asynchronous activities. The results of the experience in Peru show how asynchronous accompaniment is an effective means for guidance and sustained feedback by the trainer, with an impact on the process of construction of a scientific text and on the productivity of the doctoral student in Education.

Professional growth of STEM teacher educators remains an underdeveloped topic in educational research. In the current study, STEM teacher educators representing six countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and USA completed a survey, which addressed teacher educators' professional trajectories, practices, and challenges they face to meet tenure requirements. This study utilized convergent mixed methods design applying survey research format and as such integrated both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Descriptive statistics and meaning coding of the survey and interviews allowed identification of emerging themes in professional practices. The main findings suggest that there are common trends as well as country specific professional practices across professional trajectories reported by participants. The study results reveal that the lack of support during the teacher-to-teacher educator transition period was a common feature across the countries. It was also evident among participants that their professional journey begins with an assumption that as teacher educators they should primarily excel in performing teaching tasks.

Through the historical analysis of Dienes' works and through the suggestions of activities, the objective of this text is to understand the movement of systematization of knowledge for teaching and to teach classification, ranking, and ordination through the use of logical blocks during the Modern Mathematics Movement (1960-1980), a time of transformations in the structure and teachings of mathematics characterized by the circulation of educational experiences, which recommended the use of logical blocks as facilitators in the materialization of abstract ideas. To assist in this study, we bring references mobilized in works from the Research Team in the History of Educational Sciences (ERHISE), from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Such references seek to historically understand the professional knowledge of teaching, objectified in legislation, programs, curriculum, decrees, among others with regard to the knowledge to teach and for teaching. The study suggests that one of the objectified knowledges in Brazilian programs, is the way to approach the logical-mathematical structures in a concrete way, that is, with the use of logical blocks to build and materialize knowledge referring to the logical structures of classification, ranking and ordination.

Enzymes are organic molecules known for their catalytic nature because they accelerate metabolic reactions in organisms. The study of enzyme functions and modes of action is essential to understand Biochemistry. This study aimed to analyse the acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity, as well as the enzymatic inhibition mechanism in practical classes. The enzyme was obtained from the cockroach ("Nauphoeta cinerea") head, an alternative model to the use of vertebrates in practical classes. For this study, practical classes were carried out in two undergraduate courses: Biology and Veterinary Medicine. It was observed the knowledge consolidation through the analysis of the answers given to the questionnaire. The students' enthusiasm to work with animals was evident. This fact led to a better understanding about the subject and more attractive classes.

The richness of Brazilian biodiversity translates into a valuable collection of molecules with biological properties that range from ecological functions to pharmacological properties. For over 25 years, the Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE) has conducted extensive investigations into the chemical entities of numerous plant and microorganism species, resulting in the discovery of over a thousand natural compounds spanning various chemical classes (such as shikimate derivatives, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and peptides). The research goals within the natural products field encompass phytochemical studies, investigations of endophytic fungi and marine organisms, biosynthetic studies, medicinal chemistry, and the development of innovative methodologies. This comprehensive review article aims to offer valuable insights into the multifaceted research endeavors conducted in NuBBE. In this way, accomplishments, perspectives, and opportunities for advancing natural products research in Brazil are highlighted, seeking to inspire and motivate other research groups in the field of natural products-especially those located in emerging countries with rich biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Desiccation tolerance (DT) is crucial for survival in arid environments, where organisms develop strategies in reproduction, maintenance and defence to cope with water scarcity. Therefore, investigating the relationship between reproduction and DT is essential to understand the ecology and adaptive strategies of species. This study explores the connection between the development of male and female gametangia in the moss Bryum argenteum and the decrease in DT during the progression of phenological phases in gametangia and protonema. Methods Samples collected from a dry tropical forest in Brazil were cultivated, cloned and subjected to desiccation. Subsequently, the physiological parameters of shoots and protonemata were analysed. Shoot and protonema regeneration were monitored for 28 d after the physiological analyses. Both phases were subjected to control and desiccation treatments. Key Results Significant effects of desiccation and sex on the physiological parameters and regeneration capacity of shoots and protonemata were found. Male shoots generally exhibited lower values of Fv/Fm (quantum efficiency of photosystem II) and ϕPSII (effective quantum yield of photosystem II), while females demonstrated higher values and better recovery after desiccation. Protonemata also showed variation in Fv/Fm over time and with sex, with no significant differences in ϕPSII between them. Desiccated male shoots had higher mortality rates and produced fewer new shoots. For females, the regeneration patterns varied between the desiccation-exposed groups and the control, with decreased shoot production, and some protonemata growing into filaments without forming shoots. Conclusion These findings improve our understanding of the ecological responses of bryophytes to desiccation stress and provide insights into their adaptive strategies in challenging environments, such as the possible rarity of males in dioicous moss populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the current practices of selecting cold storage preservation solutions in Brazil and their impact on delayed graft function (DGF) incidence and 1-year outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 3,134 brain-dead deceased donor kidney transplants performed between 2014 and 2015 in 18 Brazilian centers. The most commonly used preservation solution was Euro-collins (EC, 55.4%), followed by Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK, 30%) and Institut Georges Lopez (IGL-1, 14.6%). The incidence of DGF was 54.4%, with 11.7% of patients requiring dialysis for more than 14 days, indicating prolonged DGF. Upon adjusting for confounding variables, HTK demonstrated a significantly lower risk of DGF than EC (OR 0.7350.82500.926), as did IGL-1 (OR 0.6050.7120.837). Similar protective effects were observed for prolonged DGF when comparing HTK (OR 0.4780.5990.749) and IGL-1 (OR 0.4780.6810.749) against EC. No significant association was found between preservation solutions and 1-year death-censored graft survival. In conclusion, EC was the most frequently used cold storage perfusion solution, demonstrating a higher incidence and duration of DGF compared with HTK and IGL-1, but with no impact on 1-year graft survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Physical activity is recommended for recipients of a kidney transplant. However, ADHERE BRAZIL study found a high prevalence (69%) of physical inactivity in Brazilian recipients of a kidney transplant. To tackle this behavior, a broad analysis of barriers is needed. This study aimed to identify factors (patient and transplant center levels) associated with physical inactivity among recipients of a kidney transplant. Methods This was a subproject of the ADHERE BRAZIL study, a cross-sectional, multicenter study of 1105 recipients of a kidney transplant from 20 kidney transplant centers. Using a multistage sampling method, patients were proportionally and randomly selected. Applying the Brief Physical Activity Assessment questionnaire, patients were classified as physically active (≥150 min/wk) or physically inactive (<150 min/wk). On the basis of an ecological model, 34 factors associated with physical inactivity were analyzed by sequential logistic regression. Results At the patient level, physical inactivity was associated with smoking (odds ratio = 2.43; 95% CI = 0.97–6.06), obesity (odds ratio = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.26–2.55), peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.20–8.42), >3 posttransplant hospitalizations (odds ratio = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.17–2.13), family income of >1 reference salary ($248.28 per month; odds ratio = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.48–0.90), and student status (odds ratio = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.37–0.92). At the center level, the correlates were having exercise physiologists in the clinical team (odds ratio = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.46–0.64) and being monitored in a teaching hospital (undergraduate students) (odds ratio = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.01–2.13). Conclusions This study identified factors associated with physical inactivity after kidney transplantation that may guide future multilevel behavioral change interventions for physical activity. Impact In a multicenter sample of recipients of a kidney transplant with a prevalence of physical inactivity of 69%, we found associations between this behavior and patient- and center-level factors. At the patient level, the chance of physical inactivity was positively associated with smoking, obesity, and patient morbidity (peripheral vascular disease and hospitalization events after kidney transplantation). Conversely, a high family income and a student status negatively correlated with physical inactivity. At the center level, the presence of a dedicated professional to motivate physical activity resulted in a reduced chance of physical inactivity. A broad knowledge of barriers associated with physical inactivity can allow us to identify patients at a high risk of not adhering to the recommended levels of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

Introduction: Depressive syndrome (DS) is a common complication during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and is triggered by multiple organic/ genetic and environmental factors. Clinical and biochemical follow-up is essential for the early diagnosis and prognosis of DS. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii causes infectious damage to the fetus during parasite primary-infection. However, in long-term infections, pregnant women develop immune protection to protect the fetus, although they remain susceptible to pathological or inflammatory effects induced by T. gondii. This study aimed to investigate plasma inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant women seropositive and seronegative for T. gondii, with diagnoses of minor and moderate/severe DS. Methods: Pregnant women (n=45; age=18–39 years) were recruited during prenatal care at health centers in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants were asked to complete a socio-demographic questionnaire to be submitted to well-standardized DS scale calculators (Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Major Depressive Episode Module). Additionally, 4 mL of blood was collected for plasma neuroserpin, CCL2, IL-17A, and IL-33 analysis. Results: Pregnant volunteers with chronic T. gondii contact were all IgG+ (44%; n=21) and exhibited increased plasma IL-33, IL-17A, and neuroserpin levels, but not CCL2, compared to uninfected pregnant women. Using Beck’s depression inventory, we observed an increase in plasma IL-17A and IL-33 in women with T. gondii infeCction diagnosed with mild DS, whereas neuroserpin was associated with minor and moderate/severe DS. Discussion: Our data suggest a close relationship between DS in pregnant women with chronic T. gondii infection and neurological conditions, which may be partially mediated by plasma neuroserpin, IL-33, and IL-17A levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to survey and report on the empirical literature at the intersection of science education research in Latin American and previous studies addressing international research trends in this field. Reports on international trends in science education research indicate that authors from English-speaking countries are major contributors of publications. Despite the internationalization of the science education community, as represented by the publication of the work generated in non-English-speaking countries, research trends in science education in Latin America are uncommon in the literature. Therefore, it was deemed important to explore the scholarly productivity of science education researchers from Latin America to learn about the research orientations pursued by scholars from this region. Collective review findings are presented with respect to author's nationality, publication volume generated in each country, research type and topic, collaborative research, and areas for future research. Of the ten countries represented in this study, Brazilian authors were the most research active scholars followed by their colleagues from Venezuela, Mexico, and Argentina. The History, Philosophy and the Nature of Science (HPNOS) was the topic that most attracted the interest of Latin American science education researchers, and the Empirical Qualitative studies was the most frequent research type combination in the analyzed publications. Findings in this study suggest a relationship between investment power in Research and Development (R&D) and the scholarly productivity not only in science education but also in the scientific field in the countries of the region.

The integrative role that Evolutionary theory plays within Biology is recognised by most scientific authors, as well as in governmental education policies, including Brazilian policies. However, teaching and learning evolution seems problematic in many countries, and Brazil is among those. Many factors may affect teachers' and students' perceptions towards evolution, and studies can help to reveal those factors. We used a conceptual questionnaire, the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (MATE) instrument, and a Knowledge test to assess (1) the level of acceptance and understanding of 23 undergraduate Biology students nearing the end of their course, (2) other factors that could affect these levels, including course structure, and (3) the most difficult topics regarding evolutionary biology. The results of this study showed that the students, on average, had a 'Very High Acceptance' (89.91) and a 'Very Low Knowledge' (59.42%) of Evolutionary theory, and also indicated a moderate positive correlation between the two (r = 0.66, p = 0.001). The most difficult topics were related to the definition of evolution and dating techniques. We believe that the present study provides evidence for policymakers to reformulate current school and university curricula in order to improve the teachers' acceptance and understanding of evolution and other biological concepts, consequently, helping students reduce their misconceptions related to evolutionary biology.

Background: The capillary blood glucose monitoring program at home a challenge in primary health care. Therefore, it is fundamental to identify the glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus through HBA1c and to analyze its associated factors. Objective: To identify the glycemic profile of people with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) through HbA1c and analyze factors associated. Materials & methods: Cross-sectional study developed in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Secondary data from the electronic health record of people registered in the Primary Health Care system were used. A sample of 3181 participants was obtained. People with HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were considered to have adequate glycemic control. For people aged ≥ 55 years, a less stringent target, < 8.0% (64 mmol/mol), was also considered. The odds ratio was the measure of effect analyzed with their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Results: Adequate glycemic control with HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) was found in 44.8% of people and, when using the less rigid target, HbA1c < 8.0% (64 mmol/mol) for people aged ≥ 55 years-old, 70.6% had adequate glycemic control. Age and drug therapy were associated with adequate glycemic control (p < 0.001), which was more frequent among older people and those who used only metformin. Conclusion: The study shows that the achievement of adequate glycemic control is still a challenge, especially with regard to younger people and those who use insulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between dairy products consumption in adults and the likelihood of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been described, but more information on the adolescent population is needed. This nationally representative, cross-sectional school-based study aimed to describe the consumption of dairy products and their subtypes and to evaluate their association with prediabetes and T2DM in adolescents. The Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) includes adolescents aged 12–17 years. Dairy products consumption was evaluated by 24-h food recall. Associations with fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin resistance, as measured by homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), were evaluated by multivariate linear regression. Poisson regression was also used to assess the association between dairy products consumption and the combined prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic, nutritional, behavioural and anthropometrics. The final sample analysed consisted of 35 614 adolescents. Total intake of dairy products was inversely associated with fasting blood glucose levels after adjusting for all covariates (β = −0·452, 95 % CI −0·899, −0·005). The associations were stronger for overweight and obese adolescents. Findings were similar for full-fat dairy products and yogurt. Higher consumption of low-fat dairy products and cheese were associated with a 46 % (prevalence ratio, PR 1·46, 95 % CI 1·18, 1·80) and 33 % (PR 1·33, 95 % CI 1·14, 1·57) higher combined prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM, respectively. The total consumption of dairy products and full-fat dairy products was associated with a lower combined prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM, while the consumption of cheese and low-fat dairy products was associated with higher combined prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM in Brazilian adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Internacional de Educación para la Justicia Social is the property of Universidad Autonoma de Madrid 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: This study aims to explore how domestic entrepreneurs can benefit from the thriving global agribusiness by establishing themselves in agro-industrial segments that can best remunerate capital and labour. The ways in which domestic entrepreneurs in Brazil enter different segments of the agribusiness industry were assessed with specific attention to implications for the development of local agro-industrial capabilities. Methods: We assessed the current market share of domestic companies in relation to foreign multinationals in various segments of the sugar and ethanol supply chain in Brazil. Results: Foreign multinationals are market leaders in the fertilizers, machinery and trading segments (domestic companies market share is 20.3%, 33.3% and 42.9% in those segments respectively). However, Brazilian companies have achieved higher market share in segments such as plant breeding, sugarcane processing and farming (domestic market share is 93.2%, 67.4% and 75.5% respectively). Plant breeding, farming and trading benefit from governmental support in research, subsidized credits and market policies respectively. Conclusions: By investing in agro-industrial sectors developing countries can benefit from agribusiness expansion for their economic growth. Investments in science and technology and domestic regulatory actions can help to build country capabilities, although the impacts are sometimes limited to the agro-industrial sectors where domestic companies are more competitive. These lessons can help other developing countries to assess their opportunities and challenges for agro-industrial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family farmers' access to markets is key for rural development. This study seeks to assess to what extent short and long marketing channels promote or inhibit the commercial inclusion of family farmers. Methods: The research was conducted in the Brazilian state of Goiás through questionnaires and interviews with rural outreach agents and family farmers' leaders. Results: The results reveal that 31.28% of sampled farmers are not included in any marketing channel. High inclusion rates in long channels (such as commodity markets) are related to high inclusion rates in short channels (such as farmers' markets), with some regions having greater availability of marketing channels than other regions. Conclusions: The high participation of family farmers in long channels linked to the cattle supply chain and agricultural commodities is related to the low participation of this category in other channels. Such results provide lessons for public policies by demonstrating the need to encourage a greater diversity of both short and long channels to greater marketing opportunities for family farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Realising the benefits of systematic secondary fracture prevention requires supporting local sites to get started and becoming effective. We here describe the development, implementation and impact of a regional fracture liaison service (FLS) mentorship programme in Latin America that led to 64 FLS getting started and coverage of 17,205 patients. Introduction: Despite treatments and service models to deliver effective secondary fracture prevention, most patients are left untreated after a fragility fracture. To improve the capability to get FLS started and more effective, we describe the development, implementation and evaluation of an international programme to develop national communities of FLS mentors as part of the Capture the Fracture Partnership in Latin America. Methods: The IOF regional team and the University of Oxford developed the curriculum and associated resources for training mentors in setting up FLS, service improvement and mentorship. Mentors were selected during a preparatory meeting, trained using live online sessions followed by regular mentor-led post-training meetings. The programme was evaluated using a pre-training needs assessment and post-training evaluation based on Moore's outcomes. Results: The mentorship programme was initiated in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. The mentors were multidisciplinary, including orthopaedic surgery, rehabilitation, rheumatology, endocrinology, geriatrics, gynaecology and internal medicine. There was 100% participation in training sessions and reported satisfaction with the training. Since the initiation of the training programme, 22 FLS have been set up in Mexico, 30 in Brazil, 3 in Colombia and 9 in Argentina, in comparison with two in Chile and none in any other LATAM countries that were not involved in the mentorship programme. This equates to approximately 17,025 additional patients identified from 2019 to 2021 after initiation of mentorship. The mentors have engaged with 58 FLS for service development. Post-training activities include two published national best practice guidelines and other country-specific resources for FLS in the local language. Conclusion: Despite the COVID pandemic, the mentorship pillar of the Capture the Fracture Partnership has developed a community of FLS mentors with measurable improvement in national FLS provision. The programme is a potentially scalable platform to develop communities of mentors in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COQ7 encodes a hydroxylase responsible for the penultimate step of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) biosynthesis in mitochondria. CoQ10 is essential for multiple cellular functions, including mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, lipid metabolism, and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Mutations in COQ7 have been previously associated with primary CoQ10 deficiency, a clinically heterogeneous multisystemic mitochondrial disorder. We identified COQ7 biallelic variants in nine families diagnosed with distal hereditary motor neuropathy with upper neuron involvement, expending the clinical phenotype associated with defects in this gene. A recurrent p.Met1? change was identified in five families from Brazil with evidence of a founder effect. Fibroblasts isolated from patients revealed a substantial depletion of COQ7 protein levels, indicating protein instability leading to loss of enzyme function. High-performance liquid chromatography assay showed that fibroblasts from patients had reduced levels of CoQ10, and abnormal accumulation of the biosynthetic precursor DMQ10. Accordingly, fibroblasts from patients displayed significantly decreased oxygen consumption rates in patients, suggesting mitochondrial respiration deficiency. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons from patient fibroblasts showed significantly increased levels of extracellular neurofilament light protein, indicating axonal degeneration. Our findings indicate a molecular pathway involving CoQ10 biosynthesis deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with distal hereditary motor neuropathy. Further studies will be important to evaluate the potential benefits of CoQ10 supplementation in the clinical outcome of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By altering the abundance, diversity, and distribution of species—and their pathogens—globalization may inadvertently select for more virulent pathogens. In Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a hotspot of amphibian biodiversity, the global amphibian trade has facilitated the co-occurrence of previously isolated enzootic and panzootic lineages of the pathogenic amphibian-chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, 'Bd') and generated new virulent recombinant genotypes ('hybrids'). Epidemiological data indicate that amphibian declines are most severe in hybrid zones, suggesting that coinfections are causing more severe infections or selecting for higher virulence. We investigated how coinfections involving these genotypes shapes virulence and transmission. Overall, coinfection favored the more virulent and competitively superior panzootic genotype, despite dampening its transmission potential and overall virulence. However, for the least virulent and least competitive genotype, coinfection increased both overall virulence and transmission. Thus, by integrating experimental and epidemiological data, our results provide mechanistic insight into how globalization can select for, and propel, the emergence of introduced hypervirulent lineages, such as the globally distributed panzootic lineage of Bd. Integration of experimental and epidemiological data on chytrid infection in frogs reveals the effect of multi-strain coinfection on virulence and transmission of the pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining waste is a serious environmental problem in all countries where mining is carried out. Considering large amount of mining waste from the exploitation and processing of nickel laterites in Cuba and Brazil, the work takes as a hypothesis that, if it demonstrates the real possibility of using such waste as a partial substitute for aggregates in the production of asphalt concrete, the negative environmental impact caused by them in the places where they are deposited could be reduced. The objective of the work is, to demonstrate the suitability of mining waste from nickel and cobalt processing dams in the municipalities of Moa and Nicaro, in the province Holguín, Cuba. Such wastes come from Ammonium Carbonate Leaching and Pressurized Acid Leaching processes. The research methodology it has based on taking representative samples from the waste dams, their subsequent physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization, and the characterization of the aggregates and asphalt cement used in the mixtures under study. The design of the asphalt concrete mixtures was carried out using the Marshall method. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was made on the behavior of the asphalt concretes made with limestone and mining waste fillers investigated. It's demonstrated, from the results of the laboratory tests, that it is possible to manufacture asphalt concretes with the use of mining residues from the processing of nickel laterites from Moa and Nicaro, satisfactorily fulfilling the required technical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly affected kidney transplantation activities around the world, thus resulting in a substantial decrease in both deceased and living transplants. This study presents a COVID-19 overview from the perspective of the Brazilian kidney transplant program by comparing its differences or similarities with the situations observed in other countries. During the first year of the pandemic, there was a 40% reduction in the number of kidney transplants worldwide. A similar scenario was observed in Brazil, which has the world's largest public transplantation program. Beyond its effect on transplant activity, COVID-19 has influenced the outcomes of prevalent kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) because the prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs and comorbidities increase the susceptibility of such patients to severe disease and death. In the pre-vaccination era, almost two-thirds of KTRs required hospitalization, more than 20% required dialysis, and one-third was admitted to the intensive care unit. In the pre-vaccination period in Brazil, 15% and 21% of KTRs died within 28 and 90 days of COVID-19 diagnosis, respectively. Although high vaccination coverage rates have altered the COVID-19 landscape in many populations, persistently low immunogenicity rates following sequential vaccination shots and the absence of targeted treatments for severe cases continue to classify KTRs as highly vulnerable, thus warranting significant concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gait speed test has been widely used for evaluating low back pain. However, limited information is available on the factors that possibly influence the test results. This study aimed to investigate the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial, and physical factors on the gait speed of older women with acute low back pain. Methods: Sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial, and physical factors on the gait speed were evaluated in a convenience sample of olderwomen. Statistical analysis was performed usingmultiple regression analysis. Results: Four hundred and fifty-five older women (age: 68 ± 9) were included. Variables such as age, education, low back pain intensity, body mass index, comorbidities, depressive symptoms, fear of falling, anterior trunkmobility, and hand grip strength explained 18.8%of the gait speed test (R² = 0.188; p < .001). Conclusion: Age, education, low back pain intensity, body mass index, comorbidities, depressive symptoms, fear of falling, anterior trunkmobility, and handgrip strength were found to be associated with gait speed in olderwomenwith acute lowback pain. These variables can act independently or synergistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) contributes to a significant proportion of disease burden, disability, economic losses, and impact on need of treatment and health care in Brazil, but systematic information about its treatment coverage is scarce. This paper aims to estimate the gap in treatment coverage for MDD and identify key bottlenecks in obtaining adequate treatment among adult residents in the São Paulo Metropolitan area, Brazil. Methods: A representative face-to-face household survey was conducted among 2942 respondents aged 18+ years to assess 12-month MDD, characteristics of 12-month treatment received, and bottlenecks to deliver care through the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: Among those with MDD (n = 491), 164 (33.3% [SE, 1.9]) were seen in health services, with an overall 66.7% treatment gap, and only 25.2% [SE, 4.2] received effective treatment coverage, which represents 8.5% of those in need, with a 91.5% gap in adequate care (66.4% due to lack of utilization and 25.1% due to inadequate quality and adherence). Critical service bottlenecks identified were: use of psychotropic medication (12.2 percentage points drop), use of antidepressants (6.5), adequate medication control (6.8), receiving psychotherapy (19.8). Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating the huge treatment gaps for MDD in Brazil, considering not only overall coverage, but also identifying specific quality- and user-adjusted bottlenecks in delivering pharmacological and psychotherapeutic care. These results call for urgent combined actions focused in reducing effective treatment gaps within services utilization, as well as in reducing gaps in availability and accessibility of services, and acceptability of care for those in need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this review article is to determine, through a database, the level of the work climate of health personnel from public institutions in Latin America, generated through scientific publications from 2019 to 2022. The research is of descriptive quantitative character. A total of 1,069,976 articles found were obtained, leaving 12 articles through systematic purification as the final result. The results of this article show that, at the Latin American level, in eight of them (three from Mexico, two from Peru, two from Ecuador and one from Brazil) health professionals perceive an inadequate work environment, unlike the four remaining investigations (one from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Chile) that perceive an optimal work environment. And the factors that affect the work environment in health personnel as identified public servants are, in the first place, the remuneration factor, inadequate decision making, lack of leadership, lack of recognition and outstanding achievements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem functions are the product of the interaction between living and non‐living components, providing goods and services that satisfy the needs of humans and other organisms, directly or indirectly. Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) contribute to soil improvement through their feeding and reproductive behaviour by removing and burying faeces and thus participating in processes associated with nutrient cycling. Our aim was to investigate the structure of the community of beetles, biomass, and the ecosystem functions performed by them in maize plantations on five farms with GM maize, five with unmodified hybrids, and five with landrace (traditional) maize. We measured faecal removal, soil bioturbation, richness, abundance, and biomass of the dung beetle community. Arenas to quantify functions were installed to measure faeces' burial and the soil turned over by dung beetles. After measuring the functions, beetles were sampled with baited pitfall traps installed at the same sampling points. Ground cover was measured at all sites. Further, nesting houses were installed on each field to check for nesting inside the plantations. We recorded a total of 198 dung beetles belonging to 18 species. The lowest abundance occurred in GM maize plantations, and the highest abundance was found in conventional maize plantations. Dung beetle nesting activity was higher in landrace maize crops. Faeces removal and soil bioturbation had lower values in GM maize fields, mainly due to a decrease in large paracoprids (tunnelers), which are responsible for most ecosystem functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on policy monitoring and ministerial survival within coalition governments are usually conducted separately. In this study, we bring these topics together and argue that the strategy of coalition partners to oversee the implementation of one another's policies has surprising consequences on the duration of office‐holding ministers. Our main theoretical insight suggests that the degree to which ministers behave as faithful agents of the government depends on their expectations about their partners' monitoring behavior, such that when they expect to be under high scrutiny, they moderate their drifting behavior. Using evidence from legislative information requests on the activities of individual ministers over all multiparty cabinets formed in Brazil between 1995 and 2014, we demonstrate that: (1) greater policy monitoring by coalition partners is observed under more ideologically heterogeneous cabinets, and (2) more frequent policy‐monitoring efforts by coalition partners lead to a lower ministerial replacement within the government term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos 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 Brazilian Journal of Transplantation is the property of Brazilian Journal of Transplantation 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.)

Microbial diversity positively influences community resilience of the host microbiome. However, extinction risk factors such as habitat specialization, narrow environmental tolerances, and exposure to anthropogenic disturbance may homogenize host-associated microbial communities critical for stress responses including disease defense. In a dataset containing 43 threatened and 90 non-threatened amphibian species across two biodiversity hotspots (Brazil's Atlantic Forest and Madagascar), we found that threatened host species carried lower skin bacterial diversity, after accounting for key environmental and host factors. The consistency of our findings across continents suggests the broad scale at which low bacteriome diversity may compromise pathogen defenses in species already burdened with the threat of extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to report the experience in managing action research on hepatitis C investigation in the prison community in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The proposal was developed from March 2019 to March 2020, reaching 240 people to contain the spread of the disease through a survey, testing, and monitoring of positive cases. We adopted intersectoral action with articulation between Universities, Medical Society, Teaching Hospital, and State Secretariat for Justice and Public Security. Strategies for the management of action research are described: study settings and stakeholders, registration and formalization of the activity, application of tests, and management of reagent inmates. We identified difficulties regarding the accommodation of routines among the research team and the proper functioning of the penitentiary, which required extensive training between the parties and managerial articulations. We consider that the report collaborates with the organization of future research aimed at accessing this still invisible population, the prison community when it highlights the strategies adopted to conduct the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The São Francisco Valley region, in Brazil, has stood out as one of the largest fruit producers in Brazil, mainly in the production and marketing of table grapes for the national and international market. This research aims to analyze the distribution network of table grapes produced in the São Francisco Valley region and identify possible locations for installation of Distribution Centers (DCs) through simulation, using the AnyLogistix software, in one year. The study was applied in Uvas do Vale company, which is at the beginning of its operations and has no history of demand. With the help of the computational tool, the company's demand for the 100 largest Brazilian cities was estimated. Three possible scenarios were created for the distribution network through GreenField Analysis (GFA), establishing customers, DCs linked to them and their demands. The application of AnyLogistix contributes to the organization's strategic planning, and the C3 scenario is the most aligned with the company's goals and objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate the association between breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding at six months and the introduction of complementary feeding during the pre-pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic periods. Methods: Cohort study conducted with puerperal women and their newborns in the immediate postpartum period at a reference maternity hospital in Southern Brazil between 2018-2020. The COVID-19 pandemic period and the need to work outside the home during restricted circulation were the factors of exposure. The outcome evaluated was the weaning in the first six months (breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding) and the introduction of complementary feeding before the sixth month of life. Results: 547 puerperal women and their newborns were included. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a higher risk to weaning of exclusive breastfeeding up until six months (RR 1.16; 95%CI 1.03-1.31) and introducing complementary feeding early (RR 1.40; 95%CI 1.01-1.96). The need to work outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of not breastfeeding exclusively at the sixth month (RR 1.27; 95%CI 1.08-1.49). Conclusions: The difficulties of the pandemic did reflect negatively on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. The pandemic was a risk factor for the early weaning of exclusive breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary feeding. However, not having to work outside the home during the pandemic period was a protective factor for exclusive breastfeeding at six months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Íkala: Revista de Lenguaje y Cultura is the property of Universidad de Antioquia 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.)

Family farming produces most of the fresh food consumed in large urban centers. However, its success depends on a variety of public policies, which range from strengthening the means of production to supporting marketing channels. In this article, we conduct a careful bibliometric analysis of studies in the international literature that address "family farming, public policies, and socioeconomic development". The aim of the study is to identify and classify the public policies aimed at supporting family farming and socioeconomic development. We carried out a systematic literature review considering five international scientific journal databases using pairs of the keywords "public policies", "family farming" and "socioeconomic development". The resulting sample was a total of 625 articles, covering the period between 1984 and 2020. A bibliometric analysis of the first 50 articles selected by the Methodi Ordinatio tool was performed. For the final portfolio, 10 variables were analyzed to better assess and understand the current literature. Our analysis shows an increase in publications in the last five years, with articles from South America being more prevalent than those from other continents. Brazil being one of the key countries that has developed public policies aimed at family farming and rural socioeconomic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial models, in the form of latent response theories (ideal point estimation), have been widely used to study the voting behavior of judges in collegial courts. In some specific institutional contexts, building coherent testable hypotheses with conventional methodology is challenging. We set up a non-parametric method to identify the number and nature of the latent ideological traits allegedly orienting judicial voting behavior in the absence of prior information regarding the nature of their preferences. We draw information from explorative cluster analysis conducted on votes cast by judges in the decisions of the court to construct priors in the context of Item Response Theory. We concentrate on the Brazilian Supreme Court in the period 2009–2018. We primarily find that votes express a split which groups judges into two distinct clusters. On one side, we find judges appointed further back in time and with longer tenure on the bench; on the other side, we observe judges more recently appointed and with shorter experience. Judges are likely to respond to the presidential appointer and to elements related to their origin, university education, and career background (aside from the guidance of their own experience). Our study provides an original empirical approach that is not limited to the Brazilian Supreme Court, but is suitable to investigate judicial voting behavior when the nature of potential ideological drivers is debatable, controversial, or unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of markets in promoting rural development points to the need to identify the most relevant capital for the commercialization of family farm production. We seeks to verify the extent to which livelihood assets help family farmers commercialize their production through research among 125 family farmers settled in agricultural lands redistributed by the government during land reform, in the Federal District, Brazil. Data were collected in the field using a structured form in the Likert scale format and assessed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). We show that livelihoods have a positive and significant influence on commercialization, and that human and social capital are the major contributors to the commercialization of family farm production. Our findings show the need to reinforce public policies focused on training of farmers in market opportunities and the promotion of a collective organization aimed at fostering commercialization as a rural development strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao 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.)

The World Health Organization recommends conducting prevalence surveys to validate the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem by the year 2030. The recommendation specifies that the surveys should be directed to previous endemic poor rural areas. Brazil is an endemic country for trachoma and has experienced a large internal migration from the rural areas to the outskirts of the major cities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of trachoma in children aged 1 to 9 years old in two of the poorest municipalities on the outskirts of Sao Paulo to test the hypothesis of whether internal migration brought trachoma with it. A household survey was conducted between 2013 and 2014. The field teams went door-to-door to collect data on households with children of the selected age group and their members. The trachoma prevalence in this group was 1.5% (79/5,393). In the 10 to 19 years old group, the trachoma prevalence was significantly higher among girls 3.2% (47/1,448) than among boys 1.5% (20/1,361). This result adds evidence to the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem and will be included in the supporting material to validate its elimination in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the magnitude of COVID-19 and the increase in hospitalization cases for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), especially among patients with diabetes mellitus, it is essential to understand the epidemiological aspects inherent to the disease and the worsening of cases. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the survival of patients with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for SARS due to COVID-19 in different regions of Brazil. This is a longitudinal study, carried out based on data reported in the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System during the year 2020. The number of patients with diabetes mellitus among the hospitalized cases of SARS due to COVID-19 in the different regions of Brazil and the lethality rate among them were identified. A comparison of patient profiles of those who survived or did not survive and the Cox regression analysis were performed to evaluate the factors associated with shorter survival of patients. It was found that 51.4% of patients hospitalized with SARS due to COVID-19 had diabetes, and the case lethality rate among them was 45.0%. The Northeastern and Northern regions presented a higher proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus (56.5% and 54.3%, respectively) and a higher lethality rate (53.8% and 59.9%, respectively). The mean survival time of cases with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for SARS due to COVID-19 was estimated to be 35.7 days (0.5 days). A lower survival rate was observed among residents of the Northeastern and Northern regions with skin color reported as non-white, who required admission to Intensive Care Units and invasive mechanical ventilation, and presented respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, respiratory distress and an oxygen saturation lower than 95%. It is concluded that diabetes mellitus was responsible for the high occurrence and lethality, mainly in the Northeastern and Northern regions, among non-white patients and those with greater clinical severity, which reinforces the importance of taking measures aimed at supporting this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Texto & Contexto Enfermagem is the property of Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pos-Graduacao de Enfermagem 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 Revista Enfermagem Contemporânea is the property of Revista Enfermagem Contemporanea 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.)

Aims: Escobedia grandiflora is a root hemiparasite from Central and South America, and its orange roots are used as a phytomedicine and food coloring. Since root hemiparasites from South America have not been extensively investigated, here, in the first study conducted on a Latin American root hemiparasite species, we investigated how Escobedia grandiflora affects the structure and diversity of plant communities in four locations in southern Brazil, all belonging to the Atlantic Forest biome. Specifically, we asked if the presence of the hemiparasite would: (a) affect plant species composition; (b) influence the plant diversity; and (c) influence the percentage cover of dominant plant species. Location: Southern Brazil. Methods: We conducted a paired‐quadrat, i.e., with and without hemiparasite, observational study in four locations in southern Brazil. For each quadrat, species composition and percentage of the vegetative cover of each species were visually evaluated. Results: Species composition differed between quadrats with and without Escobedia grandiflora. Quadrats with Escobedia grandiflora showed higher species richness, Shannon´s diversity, and Pielou's evenness. These results varied also among functional groups. Furthermore, the percentage of dominant species decreased in the presence of Escobedia grandiflora. Conclusions: There is a clear association between the neotropical root hemiparasite Escobedia grandiflora and the grassland plant community structure. Higher plant diversity, dominance reduction, and changes in species composition are associated with the presence of this perennial hemiparasite. These findings were consistent among four grasslands with markedly different physiognomies. However, future manipulative experiments are necessary to fully disentangle the cause–effect relation between higher plant diversity and the presence of Escobedia grandiflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate associations between selected dietary concerns and eating practices and determine the association of these concerns/practices with demographic and socio-economic characteristics in a population from a large Brazilian city.Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. We investigated concerns regarding salt intake, the use of highly processed seasoning and the custom of reading the Na content on food labels. We also analysed concerns regarding the use of pesticides on food products and the practice of consuming organic foods. These variables were analysed according to sex, age group, schooling and income. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed for the estimation of prevalence ratios.Setting: Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil.Participants: The representative sample consisted of 1710 adults and seniors.Results: A total 62·3 % of the population were concerned with salt intake, 34·7 % did not use highly processed seasoning and 10·6 % checked the Na content on food labels; 27·5 % were concerned with pesticides and 26·5 % consumed organic foods. The practices analysed were associated with the respective concerns. Women and seniors had a better profile, except for reading Na content in both groups and the consumption of organic foods among seniors. The frequency of checking the Na content and consuming organic foods increased with the level of schooling. The higher income group had a better profile, except for concern with salt intake.Conclusions: Considerable social differences were found regarding the dietary practices, and the practices were associated with concerns. The present findings underscore the need for different dietary counseling strategies targeting specific groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A documentary review was carried out on the production and publication of research papers concerning the study of the variables Psychosocial Risk Factors at Work, and the Evaluation Methods and Instruments. The purpose of the bibliometric analysis proposed in this document is to know the main characteristics of the volume of publications registered in Scopus database during the period 2015-2020 in Latin American countries, achieving the identification of 144 publications. The information provided by this platform was organized by means of graphs and figures categorizing the information by Year of Publication, Country of Origin, Area of Knowledge and Type of Publication. Once these characteristics were described, a qualitative analysis was used to refer to the position of different authors in relation to the proposed topic. Among the main findings of this research, it is found that Brazil, with 64 publications, is the Latin American country with the highest production. The Area of Knowledge that made the greatest contribution to the construction of bibliographic material referring to the Psychosocial Risk Factors at Work and the Methods and Instruments of Evaluation was Medicine with 90 published documents, and the Type of Publication that was most used during the period indicated above was the Journal Article that represents 86% of the total scientific production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease and one of the main causes of blindness in people over 50 years old. The etiology and pathophysiology of AMD are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the rs1143627 variant allele of IL1B, which encodes Interleukin (IL)-1β, a key cytokine, mediates immune and inflammatory responses. Methods: A case–control study was conducted with 397 AMD patients and 402 controls in Brazil. IL1B genotyping was carried out with TaqMan® genotyping assay. Differences in IL1B allele frequencies and genotypes were evaluated between patients and controls and between wet and dry subgroups of AMD. Relationships between allele presence/genotype and disease risk are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Genotype proportions for the rs1143627 variant allele of IL1B were similar between AMD patients and controls (p =.21), with 84.38% of AMD patients and 79.60% of the controls carrying the variant allele. We observed a trend toward the variant allele being associated with AMD risk (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.95–2.03, p =.08), as well as a trend toward the variant allele being associated with increased risk for wet AMD in particular (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 0.96–1.56, p =.08). Conclusions: The rs1443627 variant was not associated with AMD risk in this Brazilian population sample. Larger studies are warranted to determine whether the trends observed in this study reflect a relationship between this variant and risk of AMD, especially wet AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When it comes to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil, one of the main targets of public health policies of surveillance is the control of domestic canine reservoirs of Leishmania infantum. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of the dog population and household environment for the maintenance of natural foci in the transmission to human and animal hosts in an endemic city for VL, Bauru, in Brazil. We collected 6,578 blood samples of dogs living in 3,916 households from Nov.2019 to Mar.2020 and applied geospatial models to predict the disease risk based on the canine population. We used Kernel density estimation, cluster analysis, geostatistics, and Generalized Additive Models (GAM). To validate our models, we used cross-validation and created a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We found an overall canine VL (CVL) seroprevalence of 5.6% for the sampled dogs, while for the households, the positivity rate was 8.7%. Odds ratios (OR) for CVL increased progressively according to the number of canines for >2 dogs (OR 2.70); households that already had CVL in the past increased the chances for CVL currently (OR 2.73); and the cases of CVL increase the chances for human VL cases (OR 1.16). Our models were statistically significant and demonstrated a spatial association between canine and human disease cases, mainly in VL foci that remain endemic. Although the Kernel density ratio map had the best performance (AUC = 82), all the models showed high risk in the city's northwest area. Canine population dynamics must be considered in public policies, and geospatial methods may help target priority areas and planning VL surveillance in low and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]