Bioaccumulation and human health risks of potentially toxic elements in fish species from the southeastern Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil.

Anthropogenic activities may have increased the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in fish from the southeastern Carajás Mineral Province in Brazil, which has not yet been studied. The objectives were to determine the quality parameters of surface water and bottom sediments, and to assess the bioaccumulation and risks of Al, Fe, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn in fish species from the southeastern Carajás Mineral Province. Water, sediments and fish species (Colossoma macropomum, Curimata cyprinoides, Geophagus sp., Leporinus trifasciatus, and Serrasalmus eigenmanni) were collected in 14 areas in the municipalities of Parauapebas, Marabá and Canaã dos Carajás, contemplating the Gelado Stream and the Parauapebas, Tapirapé and Itacaiúnas Rivers. Water samples were subjected to physicochemical analysis using a multiparameter meter. Concentrations of PTEs in all samples were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were calculated to study the sediment enrichment and contamination. Ecological and human health risk assessments were performed to determine the risks to the environment and population's health. EF and Igeo revealed that the sediments from the Parauapebas River and Gelado Stream are respectively enriched by Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb, and Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and V. The concentrations of Fe (1.67 mg L-1) and Mn (0.11 mg L-1) in water and the concentrations of Cr (>0.1 mg kg-1) and Pb (>2 mg kg-1) in fish were above the Brazilian legislation thresholds. The ecological risk assessment revealed considerable risk from Ni and moderate risk from multiple PTEs in sediments from the Gelado Stream. Human health risks were detected for Pb in all fish species and for Mo in L.trifasciatus. These results indicate that techniques for monitoring and controlling contamination must be implemented by the environmental agencies.

Racial disparity in excess mortality in Brazil during COVID-19 times.

We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess mortality by race/skin colour in Brazil, between epidemiological weeks 12 and 50 of 2020. We compared the 2020 point estimate and the expected point estimate applying 2019 mortality rates to the 2020 population. There was an excess of 187 002 deaths (+20.2%) compared to the expected. Excess mortality was 26.3% (23.3-29.3%) among blacks/browns compared to 15.1% (14.1-16.1%) among whites (58.9% of excess among black/browns). Age-standardized rates increased from 377 to 419/100 000 among blacks/browns compared to 328 to 398/100 000 in whites, resulting in 9% relative risk. Excess mortality in Brazil depicts a considerable gap, with increased mortality in all age groups in the black/brown population.

Copper mining in the eastern Amazon: an environmental perspective on potentially toxic elements.

Mining activity is of great economic and social importance; however, volumes of metallic ore tailings rich in potentially toxic elements (PTEs) may be produced. In this context, managing this environmental liability and assessing soil quality in areas close to mining activities are fundamental. This study aimed to compare the concentrations of PTEs-arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)-as well as the fertility and texture of Cu tailings and soils of native, urban and pasture areas surrounding a Cu mining complex in the eastern Amazon. The levels of PTEs were compared with soil prevention values, soil quality reference values, global average soil concentrations and average upper continental crust concentrations. The contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cdeg), potential ecological risk index (RI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. The levels of Co, Cu and Ni in the tailings area exceeded the prevention values, soil quality reference values and average upper continental crust concentrations; however, the tailings area was considered unpolluted according to PLI and RI and presented a low potential ecological risk. The high concentrations of PTEs are associated with the geological properties of the area, and the presence of PTEs-rich minerals supports these results. For the urban and pasture areas, none of the 11 PTEs analyzed exceeded the prevention values established by the Brazilian National Environment Council.

Changes in the quality of cause-of-death statistics in Brazil: garbage codes among registered deaths in 1996-2016.

BACKGROUND: Registered causes in vital statistics classified as garbage codes (GC) are considered indicators of quality of cause-of-death data. Our aim was to describe temporal changes in this quality in Brazil, and the leading GCs according to levels assembled for the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. We also assessed socioeconomic differences in the burden of different levels of GCs at a regional level. METHODS: We extracted data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System from 1996 to 2016. All three- and four-digit ICD-10 codes considered GC were selected and classified into four categories, according to the GBD study proposal. GC levels 1 and 2 are the most damaging unusable codes, or major GCs. Proportionate distribution of deaths by GC levels according selected variables were performed. Age-standardized mortality rates after correction of underreporting of deaths were calculated to investigate temporal relationships as was the linear association adjusted for completeness between GC rates in states and the Sociodemographic Index (SDI) from the GBD study, for 1996-2005 and 2006-2016. We classified Brazilian states into three classes of development by applying tertiles cutoffs in the SDI state-level estimates. RESULTS: Age-standardized mortality rates due to GCs in Brazil decreased from 1996 to 2016, particularly level 1 GCs. The most important GC groups were ill-defined causes (level 1) in 1996, and pneumonia unspecified (level 4) in 2016. At state level, there was a significant inverse association between SDI and the rate of level 1-2 GCs in 1996-2005, but both SDI and completeness had a non-expected significant direct association with levels 3-4. In 2006-2016, states with higher SDIs tended to have lower rates of all types of GCs. Mortality rates due to major GCs decreased in all three SDI classes in 1996-2016, but GC levels 3-4 decreased only in the high SDI category. States classified in the low or medium SDI groups were responsible for the most important decline of major GCs. CONCLUSION: Occurrence of major GCs are associated with socioeconomic determinants over time in Brazil. Their reduction with decreasing disparity in rates between socioeconomic groups indicates progress in reducing inequalities and strengthening cause-of-death statistics in the country.

Inequalities in infant mortality in Brazil at subnational levels in Brazil, 1990 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: In this study, infant mortality rate (IMR) inequalities are analyzed from 1990 to 2015 in different geographic scales. METHODS: The Ministry of Health (MoH) IMR estimates by Federative Units (FU) were compared to those obtained by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) group. In order to measure the inequalities of the IMR by FU, the ratios from highest to lowest from 1990 to 2015 were calculated. Maps were elaborated in 2000, 2010, and 2015 at the municipality level. To analyze the effect of income, IMR inequalities by GDP per capita were analyzed, comparing Brazil and the FU to other same-income level countries in 2015, and the IMR municipal estimates were analyzed by income deciles, in 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: IMR decreased from 47.1 to 13.4 per 1000 live births (LB) from 1990 to 2015, with an annual decrease rate of 4.9%. The decline was less pronounced for the early neonatal annual rate (3.5%). The Northeast region showed the most significant annual decline (6.2%). The IMR estimates carried out by the GBD were about 20% higher than those obtained by the MoH, but in terms of their inequalities, the ratio from the highest to the lowest IMR among the 27 FU decreased from 4 to 2, for both methods. The percentage of municipalities with IMR higher than 40 per 1000 LB decreased from 23% to 2%, between 2000 and 2015. Comparing the IMR distribution by income deciles, all inequality measures of the IMR decreased markedly from 2000 to 2010. CONCLUSION: The results showed a marked decrease in the IMR inequalities in Brazil, regardless of the geographic breakdown and the calculation method. Despite clear signs of progress in curbing infant mortality, there are still challenges in reducing its level, such as the concentration of deaths in the early neonatal period, and the specific increases of post neonatal mortality in 2016, after the recent cuts in social investments.

Monitoring the progress of health-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Brazilian states using the Global Burden of Disease indicators.

BACKGROUND: Measuring the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) has been the key to verifying the evolution of health indicators worldwide. We analyse subnational GBD data for Brazil in order to monitor the performance of the Brazilian states in the last 28 years on their progress towards meeting the health-related SDGs. METHODS: As part of the GBD study, we assessed the 41 health-related indicators from the SDGs in Brazil at the subnational level for all the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District from 1990 to 2017. The GBD group has rescaled all worldwide indicators from 0 to 100, assuming that for each one of them, the worst value among all countries and overtime is 0, and the best is 100. They also estimate the overall health-related SDG index as a function of all previously estimated health indicators and the SDI index (Socio-Demographic Index) as a function of per capita income, average schooling in the population aged 15 years or over, and total fertility rate under the age of 25 (TFU25). RESULTS: From 1990 to 2017, most subnational health-related SDGs, the SDG and SDI indexes improved considerable in most Brazilian states. The observed differences in SDG indicators within Brazilian states, including HIV incidence and health worker density, increased over time. In 2017, health-related indicators that achieved good results globally included the prevalence of child wasting, NTD, household air pollution, conflict mortality, skilled birth attendance, use of modern contraceptive methods, vaccine coverage, and health worker density, but poor results were observed for child overweight and homicide rates. The high rates of overweight, alcohol consumption, and smoking prevalence found in the historically richest regions (i.e., the South and Southeast), contrast with the high rates of tuberculosis, maternal, neonatal, and under-5 mortality and WASH-related mortality found in the poorer regions (i.e., the North and Northeast). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Brazil's health-related SDG indicators have substantially improved over the past 28 years. However, inequalities in health among the Brazilian states and regions remain noticeable negatively affecting the Brazilian population, which can contribute to Brazil not achieving the SDG 2030 targets.

Trends in prevalence and mortality burden attributable to smoking, Brazil and federated units, 1990 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: The present study sought to analyze smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable mortality estimates produced by the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study for Brazil, 26 states, and the Federal District. METHODS: Prevalence of current smokers from 1990 to 2017 by sex and age was estimated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression. Population-attributable fractions were calculated for different risk-outcome pairs to generate estimates of smoking-attributable mortality. A cohort analysis of smoking prevalence by birth-year cohort was performed to better understand temporal age patterns in smoking. Smoking-attributable mortality rates were described and analyzed by development at state levels, using the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Finally, a decomposition analysis was conducted to evaluate the contribution of different factors to the changes in the number of deaths attributable to smoking between 1990 and 2017. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2017, prevalence of smoking in the population (≥ 20 years old) decreased from 35.3 to 11.3% in Brazil. This downward trend was seen for both sexes and in all states, with a marked reduction in exposure to this risk factor in younger cohorts. Smoking-attributable mortality rates decreased by 57.8% (95% UI - 61.2, - 54.1) between 1990 and 2017. Overall, larger reductions were observed in states with higher SDI (Pearson correlation 0.637; p < 0.01). In Brazil, smoking remains responsible for a considerable amount of deaths, especially due to cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: Brazil has adopted a set of regulatory measures and implemented anti-tobacco policies that, along with improvements in socioeconomic conditions, have contributed to the results presented in the present study. Other regulatory measures need to be implemented to boost a reduction in smoking in order to reach the goals established in the scope of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The burden of disease among Brazilian older adults and the challenge for health policies: results of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is the world's fifth most populous nation, and is currently experimenting a fast demographic aging process in a context of scarce resources and social inequalities. To understand the health profile of older adults in Brazil is fundamental for planning public policies. METHODS: The estimates were derived from data obtained through the collaboration between the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation of the University of Washington. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics provided the population estimates. Data on causes of death came from the Mortality Information System. To calculate morbidity, population-based studies on the prevalence of diseases in Brazil were comprehensively searched, in addition to information obtained from national databases such as the Hospital Information System, the Outpatient Information System, and the Injury Information System. We presented the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 estimates among Brazilian older adults (60+ years old) for life expectancy at birth (LE), healthy life expectancy (HALE), cause-specific mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), from 2000 to 2017. RESULTS: LE at birth significantly increased from 71.3 years (95% UI to 70.9-71.8) to 75.2 years (95% UI 74.7-75.7). There was a trend of increasing HALE, from 62.2 years (95% UI 59.54-64.5) to 65.5 years (95% UI 62.6-68.0). The proportion of DALYs among older adults increased from 7.3 to 10.3%. Chronic noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death among middle aged and older adults, while Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause only among older adults. Mood disorders, musculoskeletal pain, and hearing or vision losses are among the leading causes of disability. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in LE and the decrease of the DALYs rates are probably results of the improvement of social conditions and health policies. However, the smaller increase of HALE than LE means that despite living more, people spend a substantial time of their old age with disability and illness. Preventable or potentially controllable diseases are responsible for most of the burden of disease among Brazilian older adults. Health investments are necessary to obtain longevity with quality of life in Brazil.

Trends in mortality due to non-communicable diseases in the Brazilian adult population: national and subnational estimates and projections for 2030.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring and reducing premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a global priority of Agenda 2030. This study aimed to describe the mortality trends and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to NCDs between 1990 and 2017 for Brazil and to project those for 2030 as well as the risk factors (RFs) attributed deaths according to estimates of the Global Burden of Disease Study. METHODS: We analyzed cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, neoplasms, and diabetes, and compared the mortality rates in 1990 and 2017 for all of Brazil and states. The study used the definition of premature mortality (30-69 years) that is used by the World Health Organization. The number of deaths, mortality rates, DALYs, and years of life lost (YLL) were used to compare 1990 and 2017. We analyzed the YLL for NCDs attributable to RFs. RESULTS: There was a reduction of 35.3% from 509.1 deaths/100,000 inhabitants (1990) to 329.6 deaths/100,000 inhabitants due to NCDs in 2017. The DALY rate decreased by 33.6%, and the YLL rate decreased by 36.0%. There were reductions in NCDs rates in all 27 states. The main RFs related to premature deaths by NCDs in 2017 among women were high body mass index (BMI), dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, and among men, dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, tobacco, and high BMI. Trends in mortality rates due to NCDs declined during the study period; however, after 2015, the curve reversed, and rates fluctuated and tended to increase. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlighted a decline in premature mortality rates from NCDs nationwide and in all states. There was a greater reduction in deaths from cardiovascular diseases, followed by respiratory diseases, and we observed a minor reduction for those from diabetes and neoplasms. The observed fluctuations in mortality rates over the last 3 years indicate that if no further action is taken, we may not achieve the NCD Sustainable Development Goals. These findings draw attention to the consequences of austerity measures in a socially unequal setting with great regional disparities in which the majority of the population is dependent on state social policies.

Association between firearms and mortality in Brazil, 1990 to 2017: a global burden of disease Brazil study.

BACKGROUND: Brazil leads the world in number of firearm deaths and ranks sixth by country in rate of firearm deaths per 100,000 people. This study aims to analyze trends in and burden of mortality by firearms, according to age and sex, for Brazil, and the association between these deaths and indicators of possession and carrying of weapons using data from the global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors study (GBD) 2017. METHODS: We used GBD 2017 estimates of mortality due to physical violence and self-harm from firearms for Brazil to analyze the association between deaths by firearms and explanatory variables. RESULTS: Deaths from firearms increased in Brazil from 25,819 in 1990 to 48,493 in 2017. Firearm mortality rates were higher among men and in the 20-24 age group; the rate was 20 times higher than for women in the same age group. Homicide rates increased during the study period, while mortality rates for suicides and accidental deaths decreased. The group of Brazilian federation units with the highest firearm collection rate (median = 7.5) showed reductions in the rate of total violent deaths by firearms. In contrast, the group with the lowest firearm collection rate (median = 2.0) showed an increase in firearm deaths from 2000 to 2017. An increase in the rate of voluntary return of firearms was associated with a reduction in mortality rates of unintentional firearm deaths (r = -0.364, p < 0.001). An increase in socio-demographic index (SDI) was associated with a reduction in all firearm death rates (r = -0.266, p = 0.008). An increase in the composite index of firearms seized or collected was associated with a reduction in rates of deaths by firearm in the subgroup of females, children, and the elderly (r = -0.269, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There was a change in the trend of firearms deaths after the beginning of the collection of weapons in 2004. Federation units that collected more guns have reduced rates of violent firearm deaths.

Chemical fractionation and bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in area of artisanal gold mining in the Amazon.

Artisanal mining may have modified the mobility, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Serra Pelada gold mine, eastern Amazon, Brazil, which has not yet been studied. The objectives were to perform chemical fractionation of barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), and to determine the bioaccessibility of these elements in soils and mining wastes collected in agriculture, forest, mining, and urban areas from the influence zone of the Serra Pelada gold mine. Pseudo total concentrations were obtained by acid digestion, chemical fractionation was performed using the Bureau Community of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction, oral bioaccessibility was obtained by the Simple Bioaccessibility Extraction Test (SBET) and lung bioaccessibility was obtained through Gamble's solution. The pseudo total concentrations indicated contamination by Ba, Cu and Ni. The sequential extraction revealed the predominance of all elements in the residual fraction. However, Ba is in high concentrations in the greater mobility forms, ranging from 166.36 to 1379.58 mg kg-1. Regardless of the area, Cr and Cu are more oral bioaccessible in the intestinal phase, and Zn in the gastric phase. Ba, Cr and Zn are not lung bioaccessible, while Cu, Ni and Pb are bioaccessible via inhalation. The PTEs studied deserve attention not only due to the high pseudo total concentrations found (which indicate potential risk), but also the concentrations in high mobility forms and bioaccessible fractions, especially in the areas of greatest anthropogenic occupation.

Geochemical background concentrations of potentially toxic elements in soils of the Carajás Mineral Province, southeast of the Amazonian Craton.

The objective of this study was to establish background concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils from the Carajás Mineral Province (CMP), southeastern Amazonian Craton. The PTEs Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, and Zn were digested in microwaves and quantified by optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The variability of physical-chemical and mineralogical attributes contributed to variation in PTE concentrations. High background concentrations of Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Ti, and V and, in particular, the PTE concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ba, and Co were greater than the prevention values defined by the Brazilian National Council of Environment. Soil quality reference values (QRVs) were greater than those determined for most Brazilian states and soils in the state of Pará. The high background concentrations and QRVs of PTEs show that the region is strongly influenced by the source material, rich in ferruginous deposits and other associated minerals. The results are an important tool for establishing soil quality standards and public policies for environmental protection in regions naturally PTE enriched.

Organic residues and biochar to immobilize potentially toxic elements in soil from a gold mine in the Amazon.

Waste from gold mining (Au) is a threat to the ecosystem and human health because it contains high levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Organic waste and biochar can be used to recover contaminated soils from mining areas because they have the potential to immobilize PTEs and improve soil fertility, enabling revegetation. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency with which organic residues and biochar immobilize PTEs in a multicontaminated soil of a small-scale Au mine in the state of Pará. The soil from a gold mining area was mixed with different proportions (v/v) of coffee ground residues (Bcoffee), Brazil nut tegument residues (BN), açai palm stone residues (A), and Brazil nuts biochar residues to determine which treatment is best for immobilizing PTEs. The treatments with the addition of BN and A resulted in low pH and high contents of organic matter (OM) and phosphor (P) The BN increased the available levels of Ba and reduced the available levels of Ni. The addition of coffee ground residues and biochar increased the uptake of Ba, Pb, and Ni in lettuce plants compared to treatments with BN and A. Plants grown with A showed higher dry matter yield and lower absorption and translocation of PTEs. Thus, the addition of BN and A residues in PTE phytostabilization programs in PTE-multicontaminated soils is a potential possibility.

Cause-specific mortality for 249 causes in Brazil and states during 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2015.

BACKGROUND: Reliable data on cause of death (COD) are fundamental for planning and resource allocation priorities. We used GBD 2015 estimates to examine levels and trends for the leading causes of death in Brazil from 1990 to 2015. METHODS: We describe the main analytical approaches focused on both overall and specific causes of death for Brazil and Brazilian states. RESULTS: There was an overall improvement in life expectancy at birth from 1990 to 2015, but with important heterogeneity among states. Reduced mortality due to diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, and other infectious diseases contributed the most for increasing life expectancy in most states from the North and Northeast regions. Reduced mortality due to cardiovascular diseases was the highest contributor in the South, Southeast, and Center West regions. However, among men, intentional injuries reduced life expectancy in 17 out of 27 states. Although age-standardized rates due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease declined over time, these remained the leading CODs in the country and states. In contrast, leading causes of premature mortality changed substantially - e.g., diarrheal diseases moved from 1st to 13th and then the 36th position in 1990, 2005, and 2015, respectively, while violence moved from 7th to 1st and to 2nd. Overall, the total age-standardized years of life lost (YLL) rate was reduced from 1990 to 2015, bringing the burden of premature deaths closer to expected rates given the country's Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In 1990, IHD, stroke, diarrhea, neonatal preterm birth complications, road injury, and violence had ratios higher than the expected, while in 2015 only violence was higher, overall and in all states, according to the SDI. CONCLUSIONS: A widespread reduction of mortality levels occurred in Brazil from 1990 to 2015, particularly among children under 5 years old. Major shifts in mortality rates took place among communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional disorders. The mortality profile has shifted to older ages with increases in non-communicable diseases as well as premature deaths due to violence. Policymakers should address health interventions accordingly.

Revision of Neotropical wolf spider genus Arctosa C.L. Koch, 1847 (Araneae: Lycosidae), with description of seven new species.

The genus Arctosa C.L. Koch is redescribed and diagnosed. Seven new species are described, four of them based on both sexes (A. conflicta sp. nov., A. costenola sp. nov., A. jibarosa sp. nov. and A. villa sp. nov.), two only on females (A. ayaymama sp. nov. and A. mineira sp. nov.), and one only on the male (A. pacaya sp. nov.). We also propose the transference of Arctosa humicola (Bertkau, 1880) and Arctosa fusca (Keyserling, 1877) to Trochosa C.L. Koch, 1847, and the new synonymy of Arctosa inconspicua (Bryant, 1948) with Trochosa humicola (Bertkau, 1880) comb. nov. Besides, Arctosa andina (Chamberlin, 1916) and Arctosa pugil (Bertkau, 1880) are transferred to Hogna Simon, 1885, and Arctosa aussereri (Keyserling, 1877) to Prolycosides Mello-Leito, 1942. Additionally, eight lycosid species are synonymized with Prolycosides aussereri: Schizocosa proletaria (Tullgren, 1905); Arctosa workmani (Strand, 1909); Hogna planithoracis (Mello-Leito, 1938); Hogna variolosa (Mello-Leito, 1941); Megarctosa melanostoma (Mello-Leito, 1941); Hippasosa huachoi (Mello-Leito, 1942); Pirata abalosi (Mello-Leito, 1942); and Pirata soukupi (Mello-Leito, 1942). We also transfer Trochosa tenebrosa Keyserling, 1877 to Arctosa. The males of Arctosa tenebrosa (Keyserling, 1877) comb. nov. and Trochosa humicola (Bertkau, 1880) comb. nov. are described for the first time.

Taxonomic revision of the jumping spider genus Tullgrenella Mello-Leito, 1941 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina).

This paper presents a taxonomic revision of the genus Tullgrenella Mello-Leito, 1941. Four new species are described: Tullgrenella aisenbergae Marta, sp. nov. (Brazil) (), T. legalissima Marta & Hagopin sp. nov. (Uruguay) (), T. galianoae Marta, sp. nov. (Brazil) () and T. sciosciae Marta & Bustamante sp. nov. (Brazil) (). The males of T. corrugata Galiano, 1981 and T. peniaflorensis Galiano, 1970, and the female of T. selenita Galiano, 1970 are described for the first time. An updated diagnosis for the genus is provided based on the detailed comparative morphological studies. In addition, we present a proposal and discussion about the species groups of Tullgrenella based on the putative synapomorphies as well as the updated distribution of the genus in South America.

Taxonomic review of the Andean crab spiders genus Coenypha Simon, 1895 (Thomisidae: Stephanopinae).

The genus Coenypha Simon, 1895 is composed of species distributed on the Southern Andean Region and Patagonia, and presents remarkable somatic morphologies, such as the flattened habitus, enlarged femora I, and a wide opisthosoma. Molecular and morphology-based phylogenies have revealed the close relationship of this genus with sympatric species previously assigned to Stephanopis O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869. Our recent cladistic analysis extended such preliminary results in recovering numerous morphological characters as synapomorphies of a well-supported clade, thus justifying the transfer of all species of 'Andean Stephanopis' to Coenypha. In the present work, we provide a taxonomic review of these species, update their diagnoses, descriptions and illustrate them through detailed photographs. New distribution records are presented, the male of C. antennata (Tullgren, 1902) is described for the first time, and two new species are described based on both sexes (Coenypha trapezium sp. nov. and Coenypha foliacea sp. nov.). Stephanopis exigua (Nicolet, 1849) is considered a nomen dubium. Stephanopis verrucosa (Nicolet, 1849), Thomisus spectrum Nicolet, 1849, and T. pubescens Nicolet, 1849 are synonymized with Coenypha nodosa (Nicolet, 1849). The synonymy of Thomisus nicoleti Roewer, 1951 (a replaced name for T. cinereus Nicolet, 1849 due to a homonymy) with Misumenops temibilis (Holmberg, 1876) is rejected, and considered together with Stephanopis spissa (Nicolet, 1849), Thomisus variabilis Nicolet, 1849 and Stephanopis maulliniana Mello-Leitão, 1951, synonyms of Coenypha ditissima (Nicolet, 1849); Stephanopis badia Keyserling, 1880 is transferred to Sidymella Strand, 1942.

Tidying things up: Tropicosa, a new Neotropical wolf spider genus (Araneae: Lycosidae: Lycosinae).

The new genus Tropicosa is proposed based on species of some controversial Neotropical genera of lycosids. These spiders present a longitudinal dark stripe over the sternum in both sexes, median apophysis sinuous, tegular lobe evidently sclerotized and the epigyne with median septum anteriorly expanded and with a parallel, triangular hood. We transfer Alopecosa moesta (Holmberg), Schizocosa chelifasciata (Mello-Leitão) and Lycosa thorelli (Keyserling) to Tropicosa gen. nov. and describe one new species, Tropicosa baguala sp. nov. Likewise, Arctosa bogotensis (Keyserling) is synonymized with Tropicosa thorelli (Keyserling) comb. nov., and Lycosa langei Mello-Leitão with T. chelifasciata (Mello-Leitão) comb. nov. based on examined types. All the four species proposed as members of Tropicosa gen. nov. have South American distribution.

The Spittlebug Mahanarva tristis as a Senior Synonymy of Four Neotropical Species of Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cercopidae), and Considerations About M. tristis Subspecies.

Mahanarva Distant, the neotropical spittlebug genus contains 48 species and many of them are only known from their original descriptions and one location. A group of species of this genus stand out due to their similarities and are studied here. Based on comparisons between 28 Mahanarva tristis (Fabricius) specimens and the original drawings of the other species, we demonstrate strong morphological similarities. Examinations of the tegmina showed a polymorphism with different dot and stripe patterns. Those patterns are not exclusive for one species and are found throughout the taxa. Again, studying the male genitals no species-specific characters can be found. Furthermore, differences of the parameres were explained by different angle positions of these genital plates which alter the resulting photos and drawings significantly. On the other hand, changes of the aedeagus can be explained due to its fragile structure and the resulting manipulations during handling. In addition, the overlapping known distribution of the taxa leads to the conclusion that the four species are in fact synonyms of M. tristis and that there is no evidence for the validity of the subspecies. We conclude that the New World spittlebug M. tristis is considered a senior synonym of Mahanarva fraseri (Distant) n. syn., Mahanarva mura (China & Myers) n. syn., Mahanarva raripila (Jacobi) n. syn., and Mahanarva trifissa (Jacobi) n. syn. Aside from that, there was no evidence for the validity of the M. tristis subspecies Mahanarva tristis guppyi (Urich) n. syn., Mahanarva tristis monagasi (Fennah) n. syn., Mahanarva tristis quadrimaculata (Fennah) n. syn., Mahanarva tristis suffusa (Walker) n. syn., and Mahanarva tristis walkeri (Lallemand) n. syn. Unfortunately, it was not possible to conclude the taxonomic state of Mahanarva tristis stalii (Lallemand) because there are no known specimens or types available. So, the subspecies is considered a species inquirenda.

Prevalence of adult smokers in Brazilian capitals according to socioeconomic deprivation.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of adult smokers in the 26 capitals and the Federal District according to the Brazilian Deprivation Index (Índice Brasileiro de Privação - IBP). METHODS: Dataset on smoking were obtained from the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases by Survey (Vigitel) system for the 26 capitals and the Federal District, in the period from 2010 to 2013. The IBP classifies the census sectors according to indicators such as: income less than ½ minimum wage, illiterate population and without sanitary sewage. In the North and Northeast regions, the census sectors were grouped into four categories (low, medium, high and very high deprivation) and in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions into three (low, medium and high deprivation). Prevalence estimates of adult smokers were obtained using the indirect estimation method in small areas. To calculate the prevalence ratios, Poisson models are used. RESULTS: The positive association between prevalence and deprivation of census sector categories was found in 16 (59.3%) of the 27 cities. In nine (33.3%) cities, the sectors with the greatest deprivation had a higher prevalence of smokers when compared to those with the least deprivation, and in two (7.4%) there were no differences. In Aracaju, Belém, Fortaleza, João Pessoa, Macapá and Salvador, the prevalence of adult smokers was three times higher in the group of sectors with greater deprivation compared to those with less deprivation. CONCLUSION: Sectors with greater social deprivation had a higher prevalence of smoking, compared with less deprivation, pointing to social inequalities.