Enhancing iron biogeochemical cycling for canga ecosystem restoration: insights from microbial stimuli.

Introduction: The microbial-induced restoration of ferruginous crusts (canga), which partially cover iron deposits and host unique ecosystems, is a promising alternative for reducing the environmental impacts of the iron mining industry. Methods: To investigate the potential of microbial action to accelerate the reduction and oxidation of iron in substrates rich in hematite and goethite, four different microbial treatments (water only as a control - W; culture medium only - MO; medium + microbial consortium - MI; medium + microbial consortium + soluble iron - MIC) were periodically applied to induce iron dissolution and subsequent precipitation. Except for W, all the treatments resulted in the formation of biocemented blocks. Results: MO and MI treatments resulted in significant goethite dissolution, followed by precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides and an iron sulfate phase, due to iron oxidation, in addition to the preservation of microfossils. In the MIC treatment, biofilms were identified, but with few mineralogical changes in the iron-rich particles, indicating less iron cycling compared to the MO or MI treatment. Regarding microbial diversity, iron-reducing families, such as Enterobacteriaceae, were found in all microbially treated substrates. Discussion: However, the presence of Bacillaceae indicates the importance of fermentative bacteria in accelerating the dissolution of iron minerals. The acceleration of iron cycling was also promoted by microorganisms that couple nitrate reduction with Fe(II) oxidation. These findings demonstrate a sustainable and streamlined opportunity for restoration in mining areas.

Insights into Antarctic microbiomes: diversity patterns for terrestrial and marine habitats.

Microorganisms in Antarctica are recognized for having crucial roles in ecosystems functioning and biogeochemical cycles. To explore the diversity and composition of microbial communities through different terrestrial and marine Antarctic habitats, we analyze 16S rRNA sequence datasets from fumarole and marine sediments, soil, snow and seawater environments. We obtained measures of alpha- and beta-diversities, as well as we have identified the core microbiome and the indicator microbial taxa of a particular habitat. Our results showed a unique microbial community structure according to each habitat, including specific taxa composing each microbiome. Marine sediments harbored the highest microbial diversity among the analyzed habitats. In the fumarole sediments, the core microbiome was composed mainly of thermophiles and hyperthermophilic Archaea, while in the majority of soil samples Archaea was absent. In the seawater samples, the core microbiome was mainly composed by cultured and uncultured orders usually identified on Antarctic pelagic ecosystems. Snow samples exhibited common taxa previously described for habitats of the Antarctic Peninsula, which suggests long-distance dispersal processes occurring from the Peninsula to the Continent. This study contributes as a baseline for further efforts on evaluating the microbial responses to environmental conditions and future changes.

Evaluation of Mpox Knowledge, Stigma, and Willingness to Vaccinate for Mpox: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Among Sexual and Gender Minorities.

BACKGROUND: The 2022 multicountry mpox outbreak positioned the condition as a public health emergency of international concern. By May 2023, Brazil ranked second globally in the cumulative number of mpox cases and deaths. The higher incidence of mpox among gay and other men who have sex with men in the current mpox outbreak deepens the stigma and discrimination against sexual and gender minorities (SGM). This might worsen the structural barriers impacting access to health services, which ultimately leads to undertesting and underreporting of cases. There are no data available on mpox knowledge and stigma in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate mpox knowledge, stigma, and willingness to vaccinate for mpox among SGM, and to describe sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics according to self-reported mpox diagnosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional, internet-based survey was conducted in a convenience sample of adults (aged >18 years) living in Brazil recruited through advertisements on dating apps, social media, referral institutions for infectious diseases websites, and mass media (October-November 2022). We compared participants' characteristics according to self-reported mpox diagnosis using chi-square test or Fisher exact test for qualitative variables and Kruskal-Wallis test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: We enrolled 6236 participants: 5685 (91.2%) were cisgender men; 6032 (96.7%) were gay, bisexual, or pansexual; 3877 (62.2%) were White; 4902 (78.7%) had tertiary education; and 4070 (65.2%) reported low or middle income. Most participants (n=5258, 84.4%) agreed or strongly agreed that "LGBTQIA+ individuals are being discriminated and stigmatized due to mpox." Mpox awareness was 96.9% (n=6044), and 5008 (95.1%) were willing to get vaccinated for mpox. Overall, 324 (5.2%) reported an mpox diagnosis. Among these, 318 (98.1%) reported lesions, 178 (56%) local pain, and 316 (99.4%) sought health care. Among participants not reporting a diagnosis, 288 (4.9%) had a suspicious lesion, but only 158 (54.9%) of these had sought health care. Compared to participants with no diagnosis, those reporting an mpox diagnosis were younger (P<.001), reported more sex partners (P<.001), and changes in sexual behavior after mpox onset (P=.002). Moreover, participants diagnosed with mpox reported more frequently being tested for HIV in the prior 3 months (P<.001), living with HIV (P<.001), currently using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (P<.001), and previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to high mpox knowledge and willingness to vaccinate among SGM in Brazil. Participants self-reporting mpox diagnosis more frequently reported to be living with HIV, STI diagnosis, and current pre-exposure prophylaxis use, highlighting the importance of an mpox assessment that includes comprehensive sexual health screenings. Efforts to decrease stigma related to mpox among SGM are necessary to avoid mpox underdiagnosis.

Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir for HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Sexual and Gender Minorities: Protocol for an Implementation Study.

BACKGROUND: Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven efficacious in randomized controlled trials. Further research is critical to evaluate its effectiveness in real-world settings and identify effective implementation approaches, especially among young sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). OBJECTIVE: ImPrEP CAB Brasil is an implementation study aiming to generate critical evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of incorporating CAB-LA into the existing public health oral PrEP services in 6 Brazilian cities. It will also evaluate a mobile health (mHealth) education and decision support tool, digital injection appointment reminders, and the facilitators of and barriers to integrating CAB-LA into the existing services. METHODS: This type-2 hybrid implementation-effectiveness study includes formative work, qualitative assessments, and clinical steps 1 to 4. For formative work, we will use participatory design methods to develop an initial CAB-LA implementation package and process mapping at each site to facilitate optimal client flow. SGMs aged 18 to 30 years arriving at a study clinic interested in PrEP (naive) will be invited for step 1. Individuals who tested HIV negative will receive mHealth intervention and standard of care (SOC) counseling or SOC for PrEP choice (oral or CAB-LA). Participants interested in CAB-LA will be invited for step 2, and those with undetectable HIV viral load will receive same-day CAB-LA injection and will be randomized to receive digital appointment reminders or SOC. Clinical appointments and CAB-LA injection are scheduled after 1 month and every 2 months thereafter (25-month follow-up). Participants will be invited to a 1-year follow-up to step 3 if they decide to change to oral PrEP or discontinue CAB-LA and to step 4 if diagnosed with HIV during the study. Outcomes of interest include PrEP acceptability, choice, effectiveness, implementation, and feasibility. HIV incidence in the CAB-LA cohort (n=1200) will be compared with that in a similar oral PrEP cohort from the public health system. The effectiveness of the mHealth and digital interventions will be assessed using interrupted time series analysis and logistic mixed models, respectively. RESULTS: During the third and fourth quarters of 2022, we obtained regulatory approvals; programmed data entry and management systems; trained sites; and performed community consultancy and formative work. Study enrollment is programmed for the second quarter of 2023. CONCLUSIONS: ImPrEP CAB Brasil is the first study to evaluate CAB-LA PrEP implementation in Latin America, one of the regions where PrEP scale-up is most needed. This study will be fundamental to designing programmatic strategies for implementing and scaling up feasible, equitable, cost-effective, sustainable, and comprehensive alternatives for PrEP programs. It will also contribute to maximizing the impact of a public health approach to reducing HIV incidence among SGMs in Brazil and other countries in the Global South. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05515770; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05515770. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/44961.

Same-day initiation of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru (ImPrEP): a prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicentre implementation study.

BACKGROUND: Although gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women have the highest HIV burden in Latin America, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation is poor. We aimed to assess the feasibility of same-day oral PrEP delivery in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. METHODS: Implementation PrEP (ImPrEP) was a prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicentre PrEP implementation study conducted in Brazil (14 sites), Mexico (four sites), and Peru (ten sites). MSM and transgender women were eligible to participate if they were aged 18 years or older, HIV-negative, and reported one or more prespecified criteria. Enrolled participants received same-day initiation of daily oral PrEP (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [300 mg] coformulated with emtricitabine [200 mg]). Follow-up visits were scheduled at week 4 and quarterly thereafter. We used logistic regression models to identify factors associated with early loss to follow-up (not returning after enrolment), PrEP adherence (medication possession ratio ≥0·6), and long-term PrEP engagement (attending three or more visits within 52 weeks). This study is registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, U1111-1217-6021. FINDINGS: From Feb 6, 2018, to June 30, 2021, 9979 participants were screened and 9509 were enrolled (Brazil n=3928, Mexico n=3288, and Peru n=2293). 543 (5·7%) participants were transgender women, 8966 (94·3%) were cisgender men, and 2481 (26·1%) were aged 18-24 years. There were 12 185·25 person-years of follow-up. 795 (8·4%) of 9509 participants had early loss to follow-up, 6477 (68·1%) of 9509 were adherent to PrEP, and 5783 (70·3%) of 8225 had long-term PrEP engagement. Transgender women (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% CI 1·20-2·14), participants aged 18-24 years (1·80, 1·49-2·18), and participants with primary education (2·18, 1·29-3·68) had increased odds of early loss to follow-up. Transgender women (0·56, 0·46-0·70), participants aged 18-24 years (0·52, 0·46-0·58), and those with primary education (0·60, 0·40-0·91) had lower odds of PrEP adherence. Transgender women (0·56, 0·45-0·71), participants aged 18-24 years (0·56, 0·49-0·64), and those with secondary education (0·74, 0·68-0·86) had lower odds of long-term PrEP engagement. HIV incidence was 0·85 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0·70-1·03) and was higher for transgender women, participants from Peru, those aged 18-24 years, Black and mixed-race participants, and participants who were non-adherent to PrEP. INTERPRETATION: Same-day oral PrEP is feasible for MSM and transgender women in Latin America. Social and structural determinants of HIV vulnerability need to be addressed to fully achieve the benefits of PrEP. FUNDING: Unitaid, WHO, and Ministries of Health in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. TRANSLATIONS: For the Portuguese and Spanish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Deep-sea plastisphere: Long-term colonization by plastic-associated bacterial and archaeal communities in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Marine plastic pollution is a global concern because of continuous release into the oceans over the last several decades. Although recent studies have made efforts to characterize the so-called plastisphere, or microbial community inhabiting plastic substrates, it is not clear whether the plastisphere is defined as a core community or as a random attachment of microbial cells. Likewise, little is known about the influence of the deep-sea environment on the plastisphere. In our experimental study, we evaluated the microbial colonization on polypropylene pellets and two types of plastic bags: regular high density polyethylene (HDPE) and HDPE with the oxo-biodegradable additive BDA. Gravel was used as control. Samples were deployed at three sites at 3300 m depth in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and left for microbial colonization for 719 days. For microbial communities analysis, DNA was extracted from the biofilm on plastic and gravel substrates, and then the 16S rRNA was sequenced through the Illumina Miseq platform. Cultivation was performed to isolate strains from the plastic and gravel substrates. Substrate type strongly influenced the microbial composition and structure, while no difference between sites was detected. Although several taxa were shared among plastics, we observed some groups specific for each plastic substrate. These communities comprised taxa previously reported from both epipelagic zones and deep-sea benthic ecosystems. The core microbiome (microbial taxa shared by all plastic substrates) was exclusively composed by low abundance taxa, with some members well-described in the plastisphere and with known plastic-degradation capabilities. Additionally, we obtained bacterial strains that have been previously reported inhabiting plastic substrates and/or degrading hydrocarbon compounds, which corroborates our metabarcoding data and suggests the presence of microbial members potentially active and involved with degradation of these plastics in the deep sea.

High-resolution semi-automatic mapping based on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to capture geological structures.

Due to the recent technological progress, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), is an alternative for the high-resolution imaging of the terrestrial surface, helping map lineaments, essential structures on the stage of geological mapping. Therefore, this research aims to accomplish and to confirm the efficiency of the use of UAV high-resolution imaging for semi-automatic lineament mapping, in a shear zone in Guaçuí/ES. Orthomosaic was created from the UAV imaging, in which the LINE algorithm was used from Geomath PCI software for the semi-automatic mapping of lineaments. In addition, a manual lineament mapping was performed on the orthomosaic for comparison purposes, and a shaded relief image was made up of Azimuth 135° and Elevation 45°, from the SRTM data, followed by manual lineament mapping for a regional vision of the studied area. On the semi-automatic and manual extraction on the orthomosaic and shaded relief image, 61.30%, 61.63%, 57.38% of the lineaments, respectively, have NW-SE direction, showing a really strong correlation. Therefore, the semi-automatic mapping is extremely effective in terms of structural trends acquisition and can provide fine-scale data for the assessment of inaccessible areas.

Upper Eyelid Necrosis Secondary to Hordeolum: A Case Report.

We reported a case of upper eyelid necrosis initially misdiagnosed as a preseptal cellulitis following a hordeolum externum resulting in great damage to the upper eyelid (anterior lamella). The infection was successfully treated with surgical cleansing, drainage, and endovenous antibiotics. Early treatment may avoid severe complications such as eyelid deformity, systemic involvement, and blindness.

Asymbiotic nitrogen fixation in the phyllosphere of the Amazon forest: Changing nitrogen cycle paradigms.

Biological nitrogen fixation is a key process for the maintenance of natural ecosystems productivity. In tropical forests, the contribution of asymbiotic nitrogen fixation (ANF) to the nitrogen (N) input has been underestimated, even though few studies have shown that ANF may be as important as symbiotic nitrogen fixation in such environments. The inputs and abiotic modulators of ANF in the Amazon forest are not completely understood. Here, we determined ANF rates and estimated the N inputs from ANF in the phyllosphere, litter and rhizospheric soil of nine tree species in the Amazon forest over time, including an extreme drought period induced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Our data showed that ANF rates in the phyllosphere were 2.8- and 17.6-fold higher than in the litter and rhizospheric soil, respectively, and was highly dependent on tree taxon. Sampling time was the major factor modulating ANF in all forest compartments. At the driest period, ANF rates were approximately 1.8-fold and 13.1-fold higher than at periods with higher rainfall, before and after the extreme drought period, respectively. Tree species was a key modulator of ANF in the phyllosphere, as well as N and Vanadium concentrations. Carbon, molybdenum and vanadium concentrations were significant modulators of ANF in the litter. Based on ANF rates at the three sampling times, we estimated that the N input in the Amazon forest through ANF in the phyllosphere, litter and rhizospheric soil, was between 0.459 and 0.714 kg N ha-1 yr-1. Our results highlight the importance of ANF in the phyllosphere for the N input in the Amazon forest, and suggest that changes in the patterns of ANF driven by large scale climatic events may impact total N inputs and likely alter forest productivity.

Síndrome de Mõbius: significados na vida dos portadores / Mõbius syndrome: the meaning in the life of the carriers

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: A síndrome de Mõbius, evento raro, resulta de uma desordem neurológica que se caracteriza por paralisia congênita do sétimo par de nervos cranianos, acompanhada de mal formações límbicas e das demais estruturas orofaciais. Caracteriza-se clinicamente pela ausência de expressão facial e distúrbios da fala, principalmente. Tais alterações influenciam diretamente na vida social do portador. Trata-se de uma síndrome rara, por isso pouco estudada, sendo o aspecto emocional não abordado pela literatura atual. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o sentimento e o significado da síndrome na vida de seus portadores. MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados portadores da síndrome e, por meio do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, buscou-se avaliar o significado da síndrome. RESULTADOS: Evidenciou-se que, apesar das malformações e das dificuldades na fala, que impõem dificuldades no dia a dia, há adaptação por parte dos sindrômicos, que vivem normalmente. CONCLUSÃO: Os portadores da síndrome de Mõbius reconhecem as dificuldades impostas por sua condição, mas se adaptam bem a elas vivendo normalmente.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Moebius syndrome, a rare disorder, results from a neurological disorder that is characterized by congenital paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve accompanied by limbic and other orofacial structures malformations. It is clinically characterized by the absence of facial expression and speech disorders, especially. These changes directly influence the social life of the patient. This is a rare syndrome, so, little studied, and the emotional aspect not addressed by the current literature. The objective of this article was to identify the feeling and the meaning of the syndrome in the lives of their carriers. METHODS: Patients with the syndrome were interviewed and through the Collective Subject Discourse, we seek to assess the significance of this syndrome. RESULTS: The results showed that despite the defects and difficulties in speech, which imposes difficulties in day-to-day, there is adaptation by the syndromic, which normally live. CONCLUSION: Moebius syndrome carriers recognize the difficulties imposed by their condition, but they adapt well to living normally.

Cinza vegetal: características produtivas e teor de clorofila do capim-marandu / Vegetable ash: productive characteristics and chlorophyll in palisadegrass

O uso de cinza vegetal na agropecuária é uma prática que auxilia no manejo da fertilidade do solo, além de proporcionar destino ao resíduo sólido, o que contribui para preservação ambiental. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da cinza vegetal na produção e teor de clorofila do capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em doses de cinza vegetal: 0,00; 0,75; 1,50; 2,25; 3,00 e 3,75 g dm-3. Foram realizados dois cortes na parte aérea das plantas, sendo o primeiro 30 dias após o transplantio e o segundo 33 dias após o primeiro corte. As variáveis avaliadas foram: massa de parte aérea, de lâminas foliares, de colmo+bainha, de raízes, bem como a relação massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca de raízes, eficiência no uso de cinza vegetal e o teor de clorofila (determinação indireta pela leitura SPAD). No primeiro crescimento a produção do capim-marandu respondeu linearmente até a dose de cinza vegetal de 3,75 g dm-3. No segundo crescimento a maior produção do capim-marandu ocorreu entre as doses de cinza vegetal de 3,11 a 3,54 g dm-3. A cinza vegetal aumenta a produção e o teor de clorofila do capim-marandu.

The use of vegetable ash farming is practice that assists in the management of soil fertility, and provide target the solid residue, which contributes to environmental preservation. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of vegetable ash in production and chlorophyll content of the palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of doses of vegetable ash: 0.00, 0.75, 1.50, 2.25, 3.00 and 3.75 g dm-3. There were two cuts on the shoot, the first 30 days after transplanting and the second 33 days after the first cut. The variables evaluated were: shoot mass, leaf lamina, stem+sheath, root, and the ratio of shoot dry mass and root biomass, efficient use ash of plant and chlorophyll content (indirect determination by SPAD readings). At first growth the production of palisadegrass responded linearly to the dose of vegetal ash of 3.75 g dm-3. The second growth the largest production palisadegrass occurred between doses of ash from 3.11 to 3.54 g dm-3. The vegetable ash increases production and chlorophyll of palisadegrass.

Renal parenchyma developmental plasticity in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni, whose mothers were malnourished during lactation.

Effects of maternal malnutrition during lactation on the kidneys in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Kidneys from programmed infected mice and their respective controls fed a normal diet (23% protein), a protein-restricted group (PR) (8% protein) and a caloric-restricted group (CR) (according to the PR group intake) evaluated by biometry, morphometry and histopathology. Both PR and CR groups showed a reduction in the number of glomeruli when compared with the control group (CR: -29% vs C; PR: -41% vs C; p<0.05) as well as infected mice (ICR: -32% vs IC; IPR: -47% vs IC; p<0.05). Among infected mice, ICR group showed higher kidney weights (+18% vs IC and +12% vs IPR; p<0.01). The ICR and IPR groups showed largest perimeter and area when compared to the corresponding uninfected group (ICR vs CR: +26%; IPR vs PR: +21%, p<0.05) and area (ICR vs CR: +95%; IPR vs PR: +50%, p<0.05). The ICR group showed an increase of within Bowman (CR vs ICR: +56%, p<0.05), whereas Bowman's space was reduced (PR vs IPR, -61%; p<0.05). Conclude that malnutrition during lactation programmed the metabolic state of the host, resulting in the evolution of the histology of the renal parenchyma.

Expressed sequence tag analysis of the human pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast phase: identification of putative homologues of Candida albicans virulence and pathogenicity genes.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a thermodimorphic fungus, is the causative agent of the prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis. We present here a survey of expressed genes in the yeast pathogenic phase of P. brasiliensis. We obtained 13,490 expressed sequence tags from both 5' and 3' ends. Clustering analysis yielded the partial sequences of 4,692 expressed genes that were functionally classified by similarity to known genes. We have identified several Candida albicans virulence and pathogenicity homologues in P. brasiliensis. Furthermore, we have analyzed the expression of some of these genes during the dimorphic yeast-mycelium-yeast transition by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Clustering analysis of the mycelium-yeast transition revealed three groups: (i) RBT, hydrophobin, and isocitrate lyase; (ii) malate dehydrogenase, contigs Pb1067 and Pb1145, GPI, and alternative oxidase; and (iii) ubiquitin, delta-9-desaturase, HSP70, HSP82, and HSP104. The first two groups displayed high mRNA expression in the mycelial phase, whereas the third group showed higher mRNA expression in the yeast phase. Our results suggest the possible conservation of pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms among fungi, expand considerably gene identification in P. brasiliensis, and provide a broader basis for further progress in understanding its biological peculiarities.