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Abstract The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where urban regions experience higher temperatures than their rural counterparts, is a well-observed phenomenon with consequences such as health issues and increased energy consumption. In the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP), a dense urban zone with over 20 million inhabitants, the UHI effect is intensified due to rapid and unplanned urbanization. This research utilized meteorological data from MASP's weather stations and employed the k-means clustering algorithm to identify regions with pronounced UHI intensity. The study revealed four distinct clusters, with Cluster A exhibiting the most significant UHI effect. This effect was related with land use patterns, particularly the dominance of residential and commercial areas and a lack of green spaces. Seasonal variations in the UHI effect were also observed. The findings highlight the impact of urban development on localized climate change and provide valuable insights for urban planning and policy-making in MASP. Future studies could expand on these findings by including more variables and examining other global urban regions.

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients often exhibit a dyslipidemic sub-phenotype. Paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) is a serum glycoprotein associated with the high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C), and variability in PON1 activity depends on the PON1 genotypes. We investigated the influence of PON1c.192Q > R and PON1c.55L > M polymorphisms on PON1 activity and laboratory parameters and the association between PON1 activity and clinical manifestations in SCD patients. We recruited 350 individuals, including 154 SCD patients and 196 healthy volunteers, which comprised the control group. Laboratory parameters and molecular analyses were investigated from the participants' blood samples. We have found increased PON1 activity in SCD individuals compared to the control group. In addition, carriers of the variant genotype of each polymorphism presented lower PON1 activity. SCD individuals carrying the variant genotype of PON1c.55L > M polymorphism had lower platelet and reticulocyte counts, C-reactive protein, and aspartate aminotransferase levels; in addition to higher creatinine levels. SCD individuals carrying the variant genotype of PON1c.192Q > R polymorphism had lower triglyceride, VLDL-c, and indirect bilirubin levels. Furthermore, we observed an association between PON1 activity history of stroke and splenectomy. The present study confirmed the association between PON1c.192Q > R and PON1c.55L > M polymorphisms and PON1 activity, in addition to demonstrate their effects on markers of dislipidemia, hemolysis and inflammation, in SCD individuals. Moreover, data suggest PON1 activity as a potential biomarker related to stroke and splenectomy.

Resumo Neste estudo foi feita uma análise utilizando os dados de monitoramento da qualidade do ar para estações com ultrapassagens do padrão de ozônio, visando caracterizar a distribuição espacial e variação temporal deste poluente, nas principais regiões do Estado de São Paulo entre os anos de 2014 a 2019. O ozônio é um poluente secundário e depende da presença de seus precursores na atmosfera, os óxidos de nitrogênio e os compostos orgânicos voláteis. A Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP) apresenta o maior número de ultrapassagens do Padrão de Qualidade do Ar (PQAr), principalmente devido à maior emissão dos precursores, um total de 875 ultrapassagens de 2014 a 2019. O Interior apresenta 331 ultrapassagens e a Região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista (RMBS) 24 ultrapassagens no mesmo período. Os anos com mais ultrapassagens são 2014 e 2019 para a RMSP, no verão e na primavera, 2014 e 2017 para o Interior, principalmente na primavera, e 2014, 2015 e 2016 para a RMBS, principalmente no verão. Os picos de ultrapassagem estão associados a condições propícias para a formação do ozônio: baixa precipitação, baixa nebulosidade, alta temperatura e alta incidência de radiação solar. Uma possível alternativa sugere que diminuições nas emissões veiculares sejam consideradas.

Abstract The main features of low‐level jet (LLJ) in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (MRSP), Brazil, are assessed using rawinsondes carried out: (a) every 3‐hr during 10‐consecutive days in summer and winter field campaigns of the MCITY BRAZIL Project in 2013, (b) at 0900 and 2100 local time, from September 2009 to August 2013. These observations indicate that the LLJ is a typical feature of the MRSP, observed in 85% of the 20 days of the field‐campaigns and 77.6% of the 1,446 days of regular rawinsonde period. The fine temporal and spatial resolution soundings indicate that most of the LLJs occur during nighttime and early in the morning, with mean intensity of 8.5 ± 0.3 m s−1, height of 539 ± 26 m, and mostly (52.5%) from east and north. The coarse resolution soundings indicate the LLJ display a seasonal variation with maximum intensity in October (8.6 ± 0.3 m s−1) and a minimum in February (7.1 ± 0.2 m s−1), a maximum height in March (703 ± 151 m) and a minimum in June (577 ± 151 m). During MCITY campaigns about 76.4% of LLJ events show inertial oscillation and 35.3% of them are combined with sea breeze. Only 17.6% of LLJ events are associated with cold fronts and post‐frontal high pressure system. The urban heat island intensity, surface inversion layer strength, particulate matter 2.5 and carbon monoxide concentrations are negatively correlated with the LLJ intensity, suggesting the jet‐induced turbulent mixing may contribute to reduce them.

Pequenos produtores familiares são responsáveis por parte significativa da produção agrícola brasileira. Esses produtores podem ser beneficiados pela implantação de sensores meteorológicos e pela análise desses dados para apoiar decisões sobre o tratamento de seus cultivos. Uma variável importante para a qualidade dos produtos agrícolas é a quantidade de água disponível no solo durante o desenvolvimento dos cultivos. O presente trabalho desenvolveu e implantou um sistema de informação que utiliza sensores de baixo custo e plataformas gratuitas para geração e divulgação de dados meteorológicos. Os dados coletados são combinados com dados públicos de pluviosidade de uma estação na região e aplicados em um modelo de balanço hídrico. Este modelo apresenta indicadores de excedente e déficit hídrico que podem ser apresentados através de site na Internet, ou, de aplicativo para dispositivos móveis. Os resultados das variáveis medidas permitem um conhecimento mais aprofundado do microclima local. O produtor, tendo recebido a informação, pode usá-la como elemento para decisões sobre irrigação dos cultivos. Por isso, é importante a participação dos agricultores na produção da solução tecnológica. Verifica-se também a relevância do trabalho em equipes interdisciplinares para a criação de soluções tecnológicas que auxiliem o manejo sustentável do meio ambiente

Abstract Air pollution is associated to poor urban mobility conditions, as in the megacity of São Paulo. Three scenarios of policies of driving restrictions were simulated using the WRF/Chem model, to assess the impacts on ozone pollution and the consequences for environmental justice: urban toll, sustainable transition, and vehicle free zone. Results show that the urban toll leads to a decrease of 20 µg.m-3 in maximum 8-hour ozone averages and the prevention of six hours of exceedances of the air quality standard. Sustainable transition was the most promising scenario, with a decrease of 50 µg.m-3 and avoiding 22 hours of exceedances. The vehicle free zone did not show any advantages. For the implementation of adequate public transport systems, massive investments are required, in order to achieve better air quality with the greatest environmental justice possible, aiming towards the protection of human health along with a more democratic access to the urban spaces.

Abstract The main features of the urban boundary layer in the metropolitan region of São Paulo are estimated based on rawinsondes carried out (a) every 3 hr in two 10‐day field campaigns of the MCITY BRAZIL Project during the summer and winter of 2013 and (b) regularly once per day and continuously for 4 years from 2009 to 2013. On average, the boundary layer height showed a daytime maximum of 1476 ± 149 m in summer and 1122 ± 168 m in winter campaigns. The differences are related to seasonal variations in the (a) buoyancy flux at the surface, which was 30% larger in summer (4.7 ± 0.6 MJ m−2 day−1), and the (b) static stability of the free atmosphere, which was 15% smaller in summer (3.3 ± 0.1 K km−1). The average nighttime boundary layer height, estimated from equilibrium empirical expression, indicated maximum of 126 ± 13 m in summer and 122 ± 10 m in winter campaigns. The presence of a low‐level jet was identified in 80% of the field campaign nights, with intensity varying from 2.7 to 14 m s−1 and height ranging from 95 to 962 m. The nighttime residual‐mixing layer is well estimated using the air temperature gradient method and is a good indication of the maximum vertical evolution of the previous daytime boundary layer. The monthly average maximum boundary layer height varied from a minimum of 1,061 ± 77 m in September to maximum of 1,632 ± 96 m in May.

Background: Sepsis is an illness with a high morbidity for which no effective treatment exists. Its treatment has a high cost because it usually requires an intensive care unit and expensive antibiotics. The present study focus in the production of reactive oxygen species in the early stages of sepsis. This study aimed at investigating the production of reactive oxygen specie during the inflammatory response in patients with sepsis. Methods: Reactive oxygen specie production and insoluble myeloperoxidase obtained from fresh whole blood were measured by photon counting chemiluminescence in the blood of 18 septic patients and 12 healthy individuals. Modified red blood cells were evaluated by staining of blood smears. The production of reactive oxygen species by macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes put into contact with modified red blood cells were also assessed by photon counting chemiluminescence. Results: The appearance of oxidatively modified erythrocytes, which is an evidence of oxidative stress, was supported by the detection of reactive oxygen species and insoluble myeloperoxidase in the whole blood of all septic patients. Peroxynitrite was the main reactive oxygen species found in the whole blood. Oxidatively modified erythrocytes activated phagocytic cells in vitro, leading to the considerable production of free radicals. Conclusion: It was found that sepsis led to a high oxidative stress and to extensive modification of erythrocytes. It is proposed that a positive feedback mechanism, involving the activation of circulating leukocytes by these modified erythrocytes would maintain the pro-oxidative state even after the disappearance of bacteria. Keywords: Sepsis, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Modified erythrocytes

The observational data described here was collected between 28 February 2011 and 30 November 2015. The data analysis and interpretation were published in the article “Surface radiation balance and weather conditions on a non-glaciated coastal area in the Antarctic region” [1]. An instrumented tower located on the non-glaciated coastal area of the of the Brazilian Antarctic Comandante Ferraz Station, at King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula was used. It was collected data of air temperature and relative humidity, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, incident and reflected shortwave radiation, longwave radiation emitted by atmosphere and by surface, and net radiation with a sampling frequency of 0.1 Hz. The data was stored as 5-min averages and automatically transmitted to the Air-Sea Interaction Laboratory, at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The dataset is hosted in the Mendeley repository. Keywords: Surface radiation balance observational data, Surface wind and temperature observational data, Antarctic peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica

Abstract: The aim of this work was to determine factors associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites in schoolchildren in the municipality of Cambé, Paraná. A total of 1996 stool samples were collected between 2006 and 2009, using the methods of Hoffman, Pons and Janer, Faust and collaborators and the Kato-Katz. The prevalence was 23.2%. The parasites found were Entamoeba coli (10.4%); Endolimax nana (9.6%), Giardia lamblia (6.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0.3%), Trichuris trichiura (0.4%), Iodamoeba butschlii, Hymenolepis nana and hookworm infection (0.2%) and Ascaris lumbricoides and Schistosoma mansoni (0.1%). We found no statistically significant gender differences. The age, family income, mother's education level, consumption of untreated water, absence of sewage collection and contact with freshwater streams were associated with the presence of intestinal parasites. Although the highest prevalence of protozoa is commensal this is worrying as it indicates that the fecal-oral transmission is present in this population and may increase the transmission of pathogenic forms, since they share the same transmission routes. The identified cases of schistosomiasis were not autochthonous, but early diagnosis of this infection was important to avoid contamination of the environment.

The Environmental Agency of Sao Paulo has a large dataset of carbon monoxide measurements: 20 years of records in 18 automatic stations inside the metropolitan area. However, a thorough investigation on the time evolution of CO concentration tendency and cycles also considering spatial variability is lacking. The investigation consists of a trend line analysis, a periodogram analysis, a correlation between CO concentration and meteorological variables, and spatial distribution of CO concentration. Local and federal policies helped in decreasing CO concentrations and the highest decreasing rate was 0.7% per month. This tendency is lately stabilizing, since the vehicles fleet is increasing. CO most relevant cycles are annual and diurnal and a few series indicate a weekly cycle. Diurnal cycle shows two peaks, morning and evening rush hours, 1.2 and 1.1 ppm, respectively, in 2012. However, lately there is an extended evening peak (20 h to 23 h), related to changes in emission patterns. The spatial analysis showed that CO concentration has high spatial variability and is influenced by proximity to heavy traffic and vegetated areas. The present work indicates that several processes affect CO concentration and these results form a valuable basis for other studies involving air quality modeling, mitigation, and urban planning.

A coupled atmospheric-oceanic model was used to investigate whether there is a positive feedback between the coastal upwelling and the sea breeze at Cabo Frio - RJ (Brazil). Two experiments were performed to ascertain the influence of the sea breeze on the coastal upwelling: the first one used the coupled model forced with synoptic NE winds of 8 m s-1 and the sign of the sea breeze circulation was set by the atmospheric model; the second experiment used only the oceanic model with constant 8 m s-1 NE winds. Then, to study the influence of the coastal upwelling on the sea breeze, two more experiments were performed: one using a coastal upwelling representative SST initial field and the other one using a constant and homogeneous SST field of 26°C. Finally, two more experiments were conducted to verify the influence of the topography and the spatial distribution of the sea surface temperature on the previous results. The results showed that the sea breeze can intensify the coastal upwelling, but the coastal upwelling does not intensify the sea breeze circulation, suggesting that there is no positive feedback between these two phenomena at Cabo Frio.Um modelo acoplado atmosférico-oceânico foi usado para investigar se há retroalimentação positiva entre a ressurgência costeira e a brisa marítima em Cabo Frio - RJ (Brasil). Dois experimentos foram realizados para verificar a influência da brisa marítima na ressurgência costeira: o primeiro usou o modelo acoplado, forçado com vento de escala sinótica de NE e 8 m s-1, e o sinal da brisa foi dado pelo modelo atmosférico; o segundo utilizou apenas o modelo oceânico com vento constante de NE e 8 m s-1. A fim de estudar a influência da ressurgência costeira na brisa marítima, mais dois experimentos foram realizados com o modelo acoplado: um com um campo inicial de temperatura da superfície do mar (TSM), representativo da ocorrência de ressurgência costeira; e o outro com um campo constante e homogêneo de TSM de 26°C. Por fim, mais dois experimentos foram feitos para verificar a influência da topografia e da distribuição espacial da temperatura da superfície do mar nos resultados anteriores. Os resultados mostraram que a brisa pode intensificar a ressurgência, mas a ressurgência não intensifica a brisa, sugerindo não haver em Cabo Frio, retroalimentação positiva entre esses dois fenômenos.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical synthesized from L-arginine by different isoforms NO-synthases. NO possesses multiple and complex biological functions. NO is an important mediator of homeostasis, and changes in its generation or actions can contribute or not to pathological states. The knowledge of effects of NO has been not only important to our understanding of immune response, but also to new tools for research and treatment of various diseases. Knowing the importance of NO as inflammatory mediator in diverse infectious diseases, we decided to develop a revision that shows the participation/effect of this mediator in immune response induced against Giardia spp. Several studies already demonstrated the participation of NO with microbicidal and microbiostatic activity in giardiasis. On the other hand, some works report that Giardia spp. inhibit NO production by consuming the intermediate metabolite arginine. In fact, studies in vitro showed that G. lamblia infection of human intestinal epithelial cells had reduced NO production. This occurs due to limited offer of the crucial substrate arginine (essential aminoacid for NO production), consequently reducing NO production. Therefore, the balance between giardial arginine consumption and epithelial NO production could contribute to the variability of the duration and severity of infections by this ubiquitous parasite. Keywords: nitric oxide, immune system, giardiasis

The enteroparasitoses are responsible for high death rates, mainly indeveloping countries where population growth is not followed by improvement in the population’s standard of living. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of and the factors associated with enteroparasitosis in schoolchildren from Jataizinho, State ofParaná, Brazil. 264 fecal samples were analyzed by sedimentation in water, direct technique and Kato-Katz methods. The general prevalence of enteroparasitosis was of 68.2% (180/264). The most frequent protozoans were Endolimax nana (47.5%) and Entamoeba coli (23.1%). Already among the helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides (10.2%) and Trichuris trichiura (6.1%). There was a predominance of poliparasitism cases (50.5%) in relation to the monoparasitism (49.5%). Schistosoma mansoni eggs were found in four (1.5%) of theanalyzed samples. The main factor associated with intestinal parasitosis was related to the habit of bathing in rivers, streams or lakes (OR = 2.78; IC 95%; 1.32 – 5.92). According to the results obtained, sanitary education measures should be urgently implemented,emphasizing the risk of the habit of bathing in rivers and lakes, better personal hygiene habits and hygiene procedures for food.As enteroparasitoses são responsáveis por altos índices de morbidade principalmente nos países em desenvolvimento, onde o crescimentopopulacional não é acompanhado de melhoria das condições de vida da população. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência e os fatores associados às enteroparasitoses em escolares de Jataizinho, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Foram avaliadas 264 amostras de fezes pelos métodos de sedimentação espontânea, método direto e Kato-Katz. A prevalência geral de enteroparasitoses foi de 68,2% (180/264). Os protozoários de maior prevalência foram a Endolimax nana (47,5%) e a Entamoeba coli (23,5%). Já entre os helmintos foram o Ascarislumbricoides (10,2%) e o Trichuris trichiura (6,1%). Houve predominância de casos de poliparasitismo (50,5%) em relação aos de monoparasitismo (49,5%). Ovos de Schistosoma mansoni foram encontrados em quatro (1,5%) amostras analisadas. O principal fatorassociado às parasitoses intestinais foi o hábito de freqüentar rio, riacho ou lagoa (OR = 2,78; IC 95%; 1,32 – 5,92). De acordo com os resultados encontrados, medidas de educação sanitária devem ser implantadas com urgência, enfatizando o risco de freqüentar rios oulagos, melhores hábitos de higiene pessoal e higienização dos alimentos.

Glutathione is the major intracellular antioxidant thiol protecting mammalian cells against oxidative stress induced by oxygen- and nitrogen-derived reactive species. In trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione plays a central role in parasite protection against mammalian host defence systems by recycling trypanothione disulphide by the enzyme trypanothione reductase. Although Kinetoplastida parasites lack glutathione reductase, they maintain significant levels of glutathione. The aim of this study was to use Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase gene mutant clones and different Leishmania species to examine the role of these two individual thiol systems in the protection mechanism against S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), a nitrogen-derived reactive species donor. We found that the resistance to SNAP of different species of Leishmania was inversely correlated with their glutathione concentration but not with their total low-molecular weight thiol content (about 0.18 nmol/10(7) parasites, regardless Leishmania species). The glutathione concentration in L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.04 nmol/10(7) parasites, respectively. L. amazonensis, that have a higher level of glutathione, were less susceptible to SNAP (30 and 100 µM). The IC50 values of SNAP determined to L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 207.8, 188.5, 160.9, and 83 µM, respectively. We also observed that L. donovani mutants carrying only one trypanothione reductase allele had a decreased capacity to survive (~40%) in the presence of SNAP (30-150 µM). In conclusion, the present data suggest that both antioxidant systems, glutathione and trypanothione/trypanothione reductase, participate in protection of Leishmania against the toxic effect of nitrogen-derived reactive species.