Integrating policy, data and technology in pursuing effective management of ecosystem services.

With the growing concerns about the protection of ecosystem functions and services, governments have developed public policies and organizations have produced an awesome volume of digital data freely available through their websites. On the other hand, advances in data acquisition through remote sensed sources and processing through geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical tools, allowed an unprecedent capacity to manage ecosystems efficiently. However, the real-world scenario in that regard remains paradoxically challenging. The reasons can be many and diverse, but a strong candidate relates with the limited engagement among the interest parties that hampers bringing all these assets into action. The aim of the study is to demonstrate that management of ecosystem services can be significantly improved by integrating existing environmental policies with environmental big data and low-cost GIS and data processing tools. Using the Upper Rio das Velhas hydrographic basin located in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) as example, the study demonstrated how Principal Components Analysis based on a diversity of environmental variables assembled sub-basins into urban, agriculture, mining and heterogeneous profiles, directing management of ecosystem services to the most appropriate officially established conservation plans. The use of GIS tools, on the other hand, allowed narrowing the implementation of each plan to specific sub-basins. This optimized allocation of preferential management plans to priority areas was discussed for a number of conservation plans. A paradigmatic example was the so-called Conservation Use Potential (CUP) devoted to the protection of aquifer recharge (provision service) and control of water erosion (regulation service), as well as to the allocation of uses as function of soil capability (support service). In all cases, the efficiency gains in readiness for plans' implementation and economy of resources were prognosed as noteworthy.

CRISPR-prime editing, a versatile genetic tool to create specific mutations with a single nucleotide resolution in Leptospira.

Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira, is a global zoonosis responsible for more than one million human cases and 60,000 deaths annually. The disease also affects many domestic animal species. Historically, genetic manipulation of Leptospira has been difficult to perform, resulting in limited knowledge on pathogenic mechanisms of disease and the identification of virulence factors. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 and its variations have helped fill these gaps but the generation of knockout mutants remains challenging because double-strand breaks (DSBs) inflicted by Cas9 nuclease are lethal to Leptospira cells. The novel CRISPR prime editing (PE) strategy is the first precise genome-editing technology that allows deletions, insertions, and base substitutions without introducing DSBs. This revolutionary technique utilizes a nickase Cas9 that cleaves a single strand of DNA, coupled with an engineered reverse transcriptase and a modified single-guide RNA (termed prime editing guide RNA) containing an extended 3' end with the desired edits. We demonstrate the application of CRISPR-PE in both saprophytic and pathogenic Leptospira from multiple species and serovars by introducing deletions or insertions into target DNA with a remarkable precision of just one nucleotide. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability to genetically manipulate Leptospira borgpetersenii, a prevalent pathogenic species of humans, domestic cattle, and wildlife animals. Rapid plasmid loss by mutated strains in liquid culture allows for the generation of knockout strains without selective markers, which can be readily used to elucidate virulence factors and develop optimized bacterin and/or live vaccines against leptospirosis.IMPORTANCELeptospirosis is a geographically widespread bacterial zoonosis. Genetic manipulation of pathogenic Leptospira spp. has been laborious and difficult to perform, limiting our ability to understand how leptospires cause disease. The application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to Leptospira enhanced our ability to generate knockdown and knockout mutants; however, the latter remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the application of the CRISPR prime editing technique in Leptospira, allowing the generation of knockout mutants in several pathogenic species, with mutations comprising just a single nucleotide resolution. Notably, we generated a mutant in the Leptospira borgpetersenii background, a prevalent pathogenic species of humans and cattle. Our application of this method opens new avenues for studying pathogenic mechanisms of Leptospira and the identification of virulence factors across multiple species. These methods can also be used to facilitate the generation of marker-less knockout strains for updated and improved bacterin and/or live vaccines.

Carbon footprints of tailings dams' disasters: A study in the Brumadinho region (Brazil).

Tailings dams' breaks are environmental disasters with direct and intense degradation of soil. This study analyzed the impacts of B1 tailings dam rupture occurred in the Ribeirão Ferro-Carvão watershed (Brumadinho, Brazil) in January 25, 2019. Soil organic carbon (SOC) approached environmental degradation. The analysis encompassed wetlands (high-SOC pools) located in the so-called Zones of Decreasing Destructive Capacity (DCZ5 to DCZ1) defined along the Ferro-Carvão's stream bed and banks after the disaster. Remote sensed water indices were extracted from Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 satellite images spanning the 2017-2021 period and used to distinguish the wetlands from other land covers. The annual SOC was extracted from the MapBiomas repository inside and outside the DCZs in the same period, and assessed in the field in 2023. Before the dam collapse, the DCZs maintained stable levels of SOC, while afterwards they decreased substantially reaching minimum values in 2023. The reductions were abrupt: for example, in the DCZ3 the decrease was from 51.28 ton/ha in 2017 to 4.19 ton/ha in 2023. Besides, the SOC increased from DCZs located near to DCZs located farther from the dam site, a result attributed to differences in the percentages of clay and silt in the tailings, which also increased in the same direction. The Ferro-Carvão stream watershed as whole also experienced a slight reduction in the average SOC levels after the dam collapse, from nearly 43 ton/ha in 2017 to 38 ton/ha in 2021. This result was attributed to land use changes related with the management of tailings, namely opening of accesses to remove them from the stream valley, creation of spaces for temporary deposits, among others. Overall, the study highlighted the footprints of tailings dams' accidents on SOC, which affect not only the areas impacted with the mudflow but systemically the surrounding watersheds. This is noteworthy.

The Effects of Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Performance and Injury in the Lower Extremities: An Umbrella Review.

Due to their potential positive outcomes, hamstring eccentric exercises are becoming increasingly popular in training regimens. Among the various exercises, the Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) is the most common. Despite its popularity, there are still some doubts about its benefits and risks. So, the aim of this umbrella review was to summarize the effects of NHE on performance and injury prevention. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple e-databases, according to the P (injured and non-injured athletes or recreationally active or healthy individuals) I (NHE) C (no intervention, placebo, or other interventions) O (performance or injury) S (systematic reviews) model. The quality of the studies was accessed with the AMSTAR-2. From the 916 systematic reviews found, only 10 could be included. They encompassed 125 studies, enrolling 17,260 subjects. The results from the studies indicate that NHE interventions demonstrated positive effects on sprint performance, muscle activation, eccentric strength, and muscle architecture (fascicle length, muscle thickness, and pennation angle). Furthermore, NHE is effective in preventing hamstring injuries (up to 51%). In conclusion, NHE should be integrated in training (especially, in the warm-up phase) for both enhancing athletic performance and preventing hamstring injuries. For achieving more positive results, it is recommended that high-volume is followed by low-volume maintenance, targeting 48 reps/week.

Treatment Strategies And Outcomes Of Thoracic Aortic Blunt Injuries In Adults: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI) once had mortality rates up to 32%, but the advent of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has significantly improved outcomes. However, concerns persist regarding long-term devicerelated complications, device integrity in aging aortas, and the criteria for selecting patients for endovascular repair. We aimed to assess BTAI treatment strategies based on injury grade and their associated outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of MedLine and Scopus databases was conducted to identify original articles published after 2013, which provided information on injury characteristics, outcomes, secondary effects, and reinterventions following BTAI. We classified aortic injuries following the SVS Clinical Practice Guidelines. RESULTS: We included 28 studies involving 1888 BTAI patients, including 5 prospective studies. Most patients were under 45 years old (86.4%), and grade III injuries were the most common (901 patients), followed by grades I and II (307 and 291 patients, respectively). TEVAR was performed in 1458 patients, mainly with grade III and IV injuries (1040 patients). Approximately half of the grade I injuries (153 of 307) were treated with TEVAR. Thirty-day mortality rate was 11.2%, primarily due to associated injuries. Aortic-related deaths were reported in 21 studies, with an overall rate of 2.2%, but none occurred beyond the first 30 days. Partial or complete coverage of the left subclavian artery was performed in 522 patients, with 27.9% requiring immediate or delayed revascularization. Aortic reintervention rates were relatively low (3.9%). CONCLUSION: TEVAR effectively treats BTAI grades III and IV, with potential benefit for some grade II injuries with more aggressive early intervention. Despite SVS guidelines suggesting conservative management for grade I injuries, there is a substantial rate of intervention with positive outcomes and low mortality. Long-term follow-up data, extending up to almost 20 years, reveal the durability of grafts, aortic remodeling, and minimal reintervention and complications.

A method to describe attenuation of river contamination under peak flows: Can the public water supply from Paraopeba River finally return after the Brumadinho dam disaster?

Tailings dams' disasters begin a stage of river water contamination with no endpoint at first sight. But when the river was formerly used for public water supply and the use was suspended as consequence of a dam break, a time window for safe suspension lift must be anticipated to help water managers. The purpose of this study was to seek for that moment in the case of Brumadinho dam disaster which occurred in 2019 and injected millions of cubic meters of iron- and manganese-rich tailings into the Paraopeba River, leading to the suspension of public water supply to Belo Horizonte metropolitan region with this resource, until now. To accomplish the proposed goal, an assemblage of artificial intelligence and socio-economic development models were used to anticipate precipitation, river discharge and metal concentrations (iron, manganese) until 2033. Then, the ratios of metal concentrations between impacted and non-impacted sites were determined and values representing extreme events of river discharge were selected for further assessment. A ratio ≈1 generally indicates a similarity between impacted and non-impacted areas or, put another way, a return of impacted areas to a pre-rupture condition. Moreover, when the ratio is estimated under the influence of peak flows, then a value of ≈1 indicates a return to pre-rupture conditions under the most unfavorable hydrologic regimes, thus a safe return. So, the extreme ratios were plotted against time and fitted to a straight line with intercept-x representing the requested safe time. The results pointed to 6.57 years after the accident, while using iron as contaminant indicator, or 8.71 years when manganese was considered. Despite of being a relatively low-risk timeframe, the suspension lift should be implemented in phases and monitored for precaution of potential sporadic contamination events, while dredging of the tailings from impacted areas should continue and be accelerated.

The water cycle of small catchments impacted with tailings mudflows: A study in the Ferro-Carvão watershed after the breakup of B1 dam in Brumadinho.

The B1 tailings dam of Córrego do Feijão iron-ore mine owned by Vale, S.A. company collapsed in 25 January 2019 releasing to the Ferro-Carvão stream watershed (32.6 km2) as much as 11.7 Mm3 of mine waste. A major share (8.9 Mm3) has been deposited along the stream channel and margins forming a 2.7 km2 patch. The main purpose of this study was to question whether the tailings deposit impacted the local water cycle and how. Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model, the water balance components of 36 hydrologic response units (HRU) were calculated for pre- (S1) and post- (S2) B1 dam rupture scenarios represented by appropriate soil, land use and tailings cover. The results revealed an increase of evapotranspiration from S1 to S2, related to the sudden removal of vegetation from the stream valley and replacement with a blanket of mud, which raised the exposure of Earth's surface to sunlight and hence soil evaporation. For 11 HRU (10.3 km2) located around the tailings deposit, a decrease in lateral flow was observed, accompanied by an increase in percolation and a slight increase in groundwater flow. In this case, the water balance changes observed between S1 and S2 reflected a barrier effect imposed to the lateral flows by the tailings, which shifted the flows towards the vertical direction (percolation). Thus, the water followed an easier vertical route until reaching the shallow aquifer and being converted into groundwater flow. As per the modelling outcomes, the hydrologic impacts of B1 dam rupture are relevant because they affected 1/3 of Ferro-Carvão stream watershed, and hence claim for the complete removal of the tailings.

Assessing the uptake of incentivised physical health checks for people with serious mental illness: a cohort study in primary care.

BACKGROUND: People with serious mental illness are more likely to experience physical illnesses. The onset of many of these illnesses can be prevented if detected early. Physical health screening for people with serious mental illness is incentivised in primary care in England through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). GPs are paid to conduct annual physical health checks on patients with serious mental illness, including checks of body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, and alcohol consumption. AIM: To assess the impact of removing and reintroducing QOF financial incentives on uptake of three physical health checks (BMI, cholesterol, and alcohol consumption) for patients with serious mental illness. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study using UK primary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink between April 2011 and March 2020. METHOD: A difference-in-difference analysis was employed to compare differences in the uptake of physical health checks before and after the intervention, accounting for relevant observed and unobserved confounders. RESULTS: An immediate change was found in uptake after physical health checks were removed from, and after they were added back to, the QOF list. For BMI, cholesterol, and alcohol checks, the overall impact of removal was a reduction in uptake of 14.3, 6.8, and 11.9 percentage points, respectively. The reintroduction of BMI screening in the QOF increased the uptake by 10.2 percentage points. CONCLUSION: This analysis supports the hypothesis that QOF incentives lead to better uptake of physical health checks.

Cariprazine in the acute treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cariprazine has emerged as a promising augmenting treatment agent for unipolar depression and as a monotherapy option for bipolar depression. We evaluated cariprazine's efficacy in treating acute major depressive episodes in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and ScanMedicine. Study quality was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. Pairwise and dose-response meta-analyses were conducted with RStudio. Evidence quality was assessed with GRADE. RESULTS: Nine RCTs meeting inclusion criteria encompassed 4889 participants. Cariprazine, compared to placebo, significantly reduced the MADRS score (MD = -1.49, 95 % CI: -2.22 to -0.76) and demonstrated significantly higher response (RR = 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.12 to 1.30) and remission (RR = 1.19, 95 % CI: 1.06 to 1.34) rates. Subgroup analysis unveiled statistically significant reductions in MADRS score in MDD (MD = -1.15, 95 % CI: -2.04 to -0.26) and bipolar I disorder (BDI) (MD = -2.53, 95 % CI: -3.61 to -1.45), higher response rates for both MDD (RR = 1.19, 95 % CI: 1.08 to 1.31) and BDI (RR = 1.27, 95 % CI: 1.10 to 1.46), and higher remission rates only for BDI (RR = 1.41, 95 % CI: 1.24 to 1.60). A higher rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was observed. LIMITATIONS: Reliance solely on RCTs limits generalisability; strict criteria might not reflect real-world diversity. CONCLUSIONS: Cariprazine demonstrates efficacy in treating major depressive episodes, although variations exist between MDD and BDI and tolerability may be an issue.

Attenuation of water contamination in the Paraopeba River after the collapse of B1 tailings dam: Natural wash-off and dredging contributions.

Following the B1 dam collapse at Córrego do Feijão Mine, actions were taken to address environmental damage and enhance the quality of water in the Paraopeba River. Natural processes in the river involve gradual reduction of contamination through dispersion and downstream transportation of tailings-a slow, nature-driven process. Dredging, a human intervention, aimed to expedite recovery. Hence, this study aimed to explore dredging's role in reducing contamination in the impacted Paraopeba River zone. Analysis revealed a direct link between dredging and post-collapse turbidity, though recent trends suggest a lessening impact on pre-collapse conditions. Distinct seasonal variations were observed in iron and manganese concentrations, peaking during wet seasons and displaying notable upstream-downstream disparities. An analysis of ratios (downstream/upstream) was conducted to understand and even predict the return to pre-collapse conditions. Wet season averages for iron and manganese decreased by around 90 % over time, with standard deviations reducing by about 48 % and 58 %, respectively. In the dry season, the averages decreased by over 100 %, indicating water quality improvements surpassing pre-collapse levels. Standard deviations also decreased significantly, by approximately 67 % and 79 %, respectively. Employing an exponential decay model revealed that the contribution of dredging in the dry period is negligible, but in the wet period the contribution can be estimated at 28.6 % in the case of iron and 25 % in the case of manganese. While the models performed well based on extensive data, some limitations occur in estimating dredging contribution rates. The model's sensitivity might overlook influential factors, underscoring the importance of considering sediment nature and dredged area extent in understanding water quality dynamics. Despite these potential limitations, this investigation provides crucial insights into the intricate relationship between dredging and water quality in the Paraopeba River. These findings pave the way for future studies aimed at deeper exploration and more accurate assessments of this association.

Occupational Health-Related Problems among Portuguese Fitness Instructors.

BACKGROUND: The fitness sector has experienced significant expansion, with fitness instructors (FIs) playing a pivotal role. Given the demands of their profession, understanding their health profile is crucial. This study's purpose is to explore the prevalence of fitness instructors' occupational health-related problems. METHODS: A questionnaire covering sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related items was administered. Statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests, Spearman's rho correlations, and logistic regressions, were conducted. RESULTS: Fifty-nine FIs reported occupational health-related problems, with the majority occurring during instruction (66.1%), being muscular (32.2%), and knee (15.3%), the most common type and localization. Significant statistical differences were observed between injured and non-injured FIs, including sex (p = 0.012), years as an FI (p = 0.001), weekly days worked (p = 0.039), and daily hours worked (p = 0.013). Weak negative (-0.284 - -0.362) statistically significant correlations were found between health problems; weight; height; main activity; and FIs in the workplace. Logistic regressions identified significant models showing that having a sport/physical exercise background and practicing it regularly were less likely to report bursitis (OR 0.018; p = 0.020) and hip injuries (OR 0.026; p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of FIs reported occupational-related health problems, predominantly musculoskeletal injuries. Sociodemographic, personal, and occupational factors appear to influence the prevalence of these health problems.

A systematic analysis on the efficiency and sustainability of green facades and roofs.

In the modern urban space, green infrastructures have been gaining increasing relevance due to their positive impacts on sustainability issues, visual appeal, and the well-being of individuals. On the other hand, environmental sustainability has become mandatory in the agenda of governments and organizations. Thus, a systematic analysis on the efficiency and sustainability of green facades and roofs spanning key applications, benefits and implementation constraints is welcome. In this paper, we employed the PRISMA method to investigate how these matters were addressed in the recent literature, comprising articles published in scientific journals indexed to the SCOPUS database. Following the web search, selection, systematization, and analysis of that literature, it was revealed that the efficiency of green facades and roofs has been mostly associated with energy and thermal performance in buildings, which brings unequivocal multiple benefits (e.g., consumption savings, mitigation of urban heat island effects) despite of some barriers (e.g., installation and maintenance costs). Other discussions about green facades and roofs involved their valuable roles in stormwater management, considering their retention capacity, and in the treatment of wastewater for reuse in non-potable applications, considering their filtering capacity. It was also discovered the need to improve green infrastructures through the use of cleaner technologies and recycled materials, selection of plants that are appropriate for the local climate, and minimization of construction, transportation, disposal and maintenance costs. Efficiency and sustainability in these cases was prognosed to succeed if the costs were minimized throughout the entire life cycle, and complemented with incentive policies (e.g., tax reduction, agile administrative processes) and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams comprising designers, builders, municipality planners and the academic and market worlds.

Sediment source fingerprints of natural processes and anthropogenic pressures: A contribution to manage the Paraopeba River basin impacted by the B1 tailings dam collapse.

Understanding the origins of sediment transport in river systems is crucial for effective watershed management, especially after catastrophic events. This information is essential for the development of integrated strategies that guarantee water security in river basins. The present study aimed to investigate the rupture of the B1 tailings dam of the Córrego do Feijão mine, which drastically affected the Brumadinho region (Minas Gerais, Brazil). To address this issue, a confluence-based sediment fingerprinting approach was developed through the SedSAT model. Uncertainty was assessed through Monte Carlo simulations and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). Estimates of the overall average contributions of each tributary were quantified for each station and annually during the period 2019-2021. It was observed that the sampling point PT-09, closest to the dam breach, contributed to almost 80% of the Paraopeba River in 2019. Despite the dredging efforts, this percentage increased to 90% in 2020 due to the need to restore the highly degraded area. Additionally, the main tributaries contributing to sediment increase in the river are Manso River "TT-03" (almost 36%), associated with an area with a high percentage of urban land use, and Cedro stream "TT-07" (almost 71%), whose geology promotes erosion, leading to higher sediment concentration. Uncertainties arise from the limited number of available tracers, variations caused by dredging activities, and reduced data in 2020 due to the pandemic. Parameters such as land use, riparian vegetation degradation, downstream basin geology, and increased precipitation are key factors for successfully assessing tributary contributions to the Paraopeba River. The obtained results are promising for a preliminary analysis, allowing the quantification of key areas due to higher erosion and studying how this disaster affected the watershed. This information is crucial for improving decision-making, environmental governance, and the development of mitigating measures to ensure water security. This study is pioneering in evaluating this methodology in watersheds affected by environmental disasters, where restoration efforts are ongoing.

The secretome of macrophages has a differential impact on spinal cord injury recovery according to the polarization protocol.

Introduction: The inflammatory response after spinal cord injury (SCI) is an important contributor to secondary damage. Infiltrating macrophages can acquire a spectrum of activation states, however, the microenvironment at the SCI site favors macrophage polarization into a pro-inflammatory phenotype, which is one of the reasons why macrophage transplantation has failed. Methods: In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the macrophage secretome for SCI recovery. We investigated the effect of the secretome in vitro using peripheral and CNS-derived neurons and human neural stem cells. Moreover, we perform a pre-clinical trial using a SCI compression mice model and analyzed the recovery of motor, sensory and autonomic functions. Instead of transplanting the cells, we injected the paracrine factors and extracellular vesicles that they secrete, avoiding the loss of the phenotype of the transplanted cells due to local environmental cues. Results: We demonstrated that different macrophage phenotypes have a distinct effect on neuronal growth and survival, namely, the alternative activation with IL-10 and TGF-ß1 (M(IL-10+TGF-ß1)) promotes significant axonal regeneration. We also observed that systemic injection of soluble factors and extracellular vesicles derived from M(IL-10+TGF-ß1) macrophages promotes significant functional recovery after compressive SCI and leads to higher survival of spinal cord neurons. Additionally, the M(IL-10+TGF-ß1) secretome supported the recovery of bladder function and decreased microglial activation, astrogliosis and fibrotic scar in the spinal cord. Proteomic analysis of the M(IL-10+TGF-ß1)-derived secretome identified clusters of proteins involved in axon extension, dendritic spine maintenance, cell polarity establishment, and regulation of astrocytic activation. Discussion: Overall, our results demonstrated that macrophages-derived soluble factors and extracellular vesicles might be a promising therapy for SCI with possible clinical applications.

Beyond land use planning and ecosystem services assessment with the conservation use potential framework: A study in the Upper Rio das Velhas basin, Brazil.

Human actions can damage the ecosystems and affect the services depending on them, with ample detrimental consequences. In earlier studies, the Conservation Use Potential (PCU) framework proved useful in assessing the capacity for aquifer recharge, suitable land uses and resistance to erosion at the river basin scale. On the other hand, the joint analysis of PCU and land uses allowed identifying the adequacy of current uses in relation to suitability (natural uses) in various basins. This was especially useful from the management perspective in basins with environmental conflicts, where current uses differed from suitability, because the PCU indicated how and where the conflicts should be mitigated. Besides the use as management tool, the PCU has potential to shed light over environmental issues such as ecosystem services, but that was not tempted so far. The aim of this work was therefore to bridge that knowledge gap and frame the PCU's application from the standpoint of Ecosystem Services (ES) assessment. We demonstrated how the PCU could be used to improve provision (recharge), support (sustainable agriculture) and regulation (resistance to erosion) services in a specific basin with land use conflicts (the Upper Rio das Velhas basin, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil), through the planning of suitable uses. It was noted that the studied basin is mostly composed of Very Low, Low and Medium potentials. These classes occur because steep slopes, fragile soils and lithologies with high denudation potential and low nutrient supply dominate in the basin. On the other hand, urban sprawl has a negative impact on all ES, while maintaining agricultural areas with appropriate management can effectively regulate erosion. As per the current results, the premise of using the PCU as joint management-environmental tool was fully accomplished, and is recommended a basis for public policy design and implementation in Brazil and elsewhere.

Proteomic profiles of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strains JB197 and HB203 cultured at different temperatures.

Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease affecting humans, domestic, and wild animals. Leptospira are typically shed in the urine of reservoir hosts which persist in suitable environments where incidental host transmission occurs after direct contact with infected urine or contaminated environments. Interestingly, serologically identical L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strains JB197 and HB203 show divergent disease severity in the hamster model; JB197 causes severe acute infection while HB203 causes persistent chronic infection. Historically, serovar Hardjo was limited to culture at 29 °C, but utilization of HAN media allows propagation from host tissues at 37 °C. Here, the proteome of strains JB197 and HB203 were characterized after culture from experimentally challenged hamsters at 29 °C and 37 °C. Comparative analyses of JB197 and HB203 samples cultured at 29 °C yielded 425 significantly differentially expressed (DE) proteins, while strains at 37 °C yielded 613 DE proteins including prominent outer membrane proteins and known virulence factors. In agreement, membrane protein GO terms were identified by STRING network analyses along with numerous metabolic KEGG pathways consistent with condition differences. Within strain, JB197 cultured at 29 °C vs 37 °C identified 529 DE proteins, while HB203 identified 524 DE proteins. Investigating differential protein profiles provide insights into strain specific behaviors with implications for better understanding host-pathogen interactions, disease transmission, and response to environmental conditions which can contribute to vaccine development, diagnostic improvement, and ultimately leptospirosis control. SIGNIFICANCE: Leptospirosis is a devastating zoonotic disease affecting humans, wild and domestic animals around the globe. Different species and serovars of Leptospira can affect various animal host species differently; for instance, a serovar that is asymptomatic in the rat may cause severe disease in a dog or human. These differences in host response are not only found at the species and serovar level for Leptospira, but also at the strain level. A prime example comes from strains JB197 and HB203, both species L. borgpetersenii, both serovar Hardjo. Interestingly, JB197 causes a severe acute infection in the hamster while HB203 causes an asymptomatic chronic infection. Understanding these unique relationships between pathogen and host species is important, especially in the context of prevention technologies such as vaccine design, where the strain of Leptospira used as a bacterin might have different efficiencies in different hosts. In this study, proteomic profiles of strains JB197 and HB203 were analyzed, and results revealed diverse protein expression profiles of outer membrane proteins, as well as proteins functioning in motility and growth.

A framework model to integrate sources and pathways in the assessment of river water pollution.

Metal and nutrient pollution, soil erosion, and alterations in climate and hydrology are prevalent issues that impact the water quality of riverine systems. However, integrated approaches to assess and isolate causes and paths of river water pollution are scarce, especially in the case of watersheds impacted by multiple hazardous activities. Therefore, a framework model for investigating the multiple sources of river water pollution was developed. The chosen study area was the Paraopeba River basin located in the Minas Gerais, Brazil. Besides multiple agriculture, industrial, and urban pollution sources, this region was profoundly affected by the rupture of the B1 tailings dam (in January 2019) at the Córrego do Feijão mine, resulting in the release of metal-rich waste. Considering this situation, thirty-nine physicochemical and hydromorphological parameters were examined in the Paraopeba River basin, in the 2019-2023 period. The analysis involved various statistical techniques, including bivariate and multivariate methods such as correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and clustering. The Paraopeba River was mainly impacted by metal contamination resulting from the dam collapse, whereas nutrient contamination, mainly from urban and industrial discharges, predominantly affected its tributaries. Additionally, the elevated concentrations of aluminum, iron, nitrate, and sulfate in both main river and tributaries can be attributed to diffuse and point source pollution. In terms of hydromorphology and soil type, the interaction between woody vegetation and erosion-resistant soils, especially latosols, contributes to the stability of riverbanks in the main river. Meanwhile, in the tributaries, the presence of neosols and sparse vegetation in urbanized areas promoted riverbank erosion potentially amplifying pollution. While the study was conducted in a particular watershed, the findings are based on a methodology that can be applied universally. Hence, the insights on surface water quality from this research can be a valuable resource for researchers studying watersheds with diverse pollution sources.

Optimized reconstruction of the absorption spectra of kidney tissues from the spectra of tissue components using the least squares method.

With the objective of developing new methods to acquire diagnostic information, the reconstruction of the broadband absorption coefficient spectra (µa [λ]) of healthy and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma kidney tissues was performed. By performing a weighted sum of the absorption spectra of proteins, DNA, oxygenated, and deoxygenated hemoglobin, lipids, water, melanin, and lipofuscin, it was possible to obtain a good match of the experimental µa (λ) of both kidney conditions. The weights used in those reconstructions were estimated using the least squares method, and assuming a total water content of 77% in both kidney tissues, it was possible to calculate the concentrations of the other tissue components. It has been shown that with the development of cancer, the concentrations of proteins, DNA, oxygenated hemoglobin, lipids, and lipofuscin increase, and the concentration of melanin decreases. Future studies based on minimally invasive spectral measurements will allow cancer diagnosis using the proposed approach.

Dipyrone (Metamizole)-Induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a severe mucocutaneous hypersensitivity reaction primarily triggered by drugs, poses a low-incidence, high-mortality challenge. This report explores its clinical nuances and emphasizes supportive care as the mainstay of treatment. A 74-year-old female, burdened with a complex medical history, presented with a non-pruritic macular rash escalating to skin and oral mucosal involvement. A recent introduction of dipyrone (metamizole) implicated drug-induced SJS. Histopathological confirmation guided treatment involving supportive care, corticosteroids, and wound care, resulting in clinical improvement. The case underscores the significance of histopathological confirmation and thorough medication history in navigating SJS complexities, especially in patients with comorbidities like connective tissue disease. A successful multidisciplinary approach and the decision for post-discharge monitoring highlight the intricate management challenges. This case illuminates the intricate interplay of medication-induced hypersensitivity, comorbidities, and management challenges in SJS. Optimal outcomes require prompt diagnosis, trigger identification, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach, emphasizing ongoing research and clinical vigilance.