Cardiopulmonary Imaging Utilization and Findings among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Latin America: (From "RIMAC: Registry IMAging Cardiopulmonary among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in LATAM").

Objectives: Describe the use and findings of cardiopulmonary imaging-chest X-ray (cX-ray), echocardiography (cEcho), chest CT (cCT), lung ultrasound (LUS), and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI)-in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Latin America (LATAM). Background: There is a lack of information on the images used and their findings during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in LATAM. Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational study of COVID-19 inpatients, conducted from March to December 2020, from 12 high-complexity centers, in nine LATAM countries. Adults (>18 years) with at least one imaging modality performed, followed from admission until discharge and/or in-hospital death, were included. Results: We studied 1,435 hospitalized patients (64% males) with a median age of 58 years classified into three regions: Mexico (Mx), 262; Central America and Caribbean (CAC), 428; and South America (SAm), 745. More frequent comorbidities were overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. During hospitalization, 58% were admitted to the ICU. The in-hospital mortality was 28%, and it was highest in Mx (37%).The most frequent images performed were cCT (61%), mostly in Mx and SAm, and cX-ray (46%), significant in CAC. The cEcho was carried out in 18%, similarly among regions, and LUS was carried out in 7%, with a higher frequently in Mx. Abnormal findings on the cX-ray were peripheral or basal infiltrates, and in cCT abnormal findings were the ground glass infiltrates, more commonly in Mx. In LUS, interstitial syndrome was the most abnormal finding, predominantly in Mx and CAC.Renal failure was the most prevalent complication (20%), predominant in Mx and SAm. Heart failure developed in 13%, predominant in Mx and CAC. Lung thromboembolism was higher in Mx while myocardial infarction was in CAC.Logistic regression showed associations of abnormal imaging findings and their severity, with comorbidities, complications, and evolution. Conclusions: The use and findings of cardiopulmonary imaging in LATAM varied between regions and had a great impact on diagnosis and prognosis.

Análise de impacto orçamentário dos inibidores de PARP no tratamento de manutenção em primeira linha de pacientes com câncer de ovário avançado, gBRCA mutado, sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde suplementar brasileiro / Budget impact analysis of PARP inhibitors in the first line maintenance treatment of patients with advanced, gBRCA mutated, ovarian cancer, from the perspective of the Brazilian supplementary health system

Objetivo: O presente artigo visa disponibilizar aos gestores da saúde dados sobre o impacto orçamentário da incorporação dos inibidores de PARP (iPARPs) para o tratamento de primeira linha de manutenção de câncer de ovário avançado, gBRCA mutado, sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde suplementar. Métodos: Adotou-se o método epidemiológico, tendo como comparador a vigilância ativa em um horizonte temporal de cinco anos. Foram considerados apenas os custos de tratamento medicamentoso na análise, utilizando o pressuposto conservador de que os custos da vigilância ativa são nulos. Além disso, construiu-se uma análise de sensibilidade determinística. Resultados: O impacto orçamentário dos iPARPs na população-alvo em todo o sistema foi de R$ 78,1 milhões em cinco anos acumulados. A análise de sensibilidade apontou que o resultado doimpacto orçamentário varia de R$ 54,6 milhões a R$ 101,6 milhões. A taxa de difusão da tecnologia e os parâmetros epidemiológicos foram os que exerceram a maior influência na variabilidade dos resultados. Conclusão: Os dados sugerem que a incorporação dos iPARPs na população selecionada gera um impacto orçamentário gerenciável.

Objective: The objective was to calculate the budget impact of PARP inhibitors (iPARPs) incorporation for the first-line maintenance treatment of advanced mutated gBRCA ovarian cancer from the perspective of the supplementary health system. Methods: We adopted the epidemiological method, with active surveillance as the comparator in a time horizon of five years. We considered only drug treatment's cost, using a conservative approach in which the costs with active surveillance are null. In addition, we developed a deterministic sensitivity analysis. Results: The budget impact of iPARPs on the target population was R$ 78.1 million in five years. The sensitivity analysis showed that the result of the budget impact ranges from R$ 54.6 million to R$ 101.6 million. The market share evolution and the epidemiological parameters had the highest impact on the result's variability. Conclusion: These data suggest that the incorporation of iPARPs in the selected population generates a manageable budget impact

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and associated factors according to sex: A population-based survey in Salvador, Brazil.

Vaccination is a major strategy to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, information about factors associated with men and women intention to be vaccinated are scarce. To determine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and identify factors associated vaccine hesitancy according to sex, we performed a cross-sectional population-based random survey in Salvador, Brazil between Nov/2020-Jan/2021. Participants were interviewed to obtain data on intention to receive and pay for a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as on demographics, comorbidities, influenza vaccination history, previous diagnosis of COVID-19, and exposures and perception of COVID-19 risk. Among 2,521 participants, 2,053 (81.4%) reported willingness to use a COVID-19 vaccine and 468 (18.6%) hesitated to take it. Among those intending to get vaccinated, 1,400 (68.2%) would pay for the vaccine if necessary. Sex-stratified multivariable analysis found that men who were working and who had comorbidities were less likely to hesitate about using the vaccine. Among women, higher educational level and high perception of COVID-19 risk were associated with less vaccine hesitancy. In both groups, reporting influenza vaccination in 2020 reduced the chance of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. COVID-19 vaccine campaigns targeting to reduce vaccine hesitancy are urgently needed. These campaigns should consider gender differences in order to be successful.

Intrafloral Color Modularity in a Bee-Pollinated Orchid.

Flower color has been studied in different ecological levels of organization, from individuals to communities. However, it is unclear how color is structured at the intrafloral level. In bee-pollinated flowers, the unidirectional gradient in color purity and pollen mimicry are two common processes to explain intrafloral color patterns. Considering that floral traits are often integrated, usually reflecting evolutionary modules under pollinator-mediated selection, we hypothesize that such intrafloral color patterns are structured by intrafloral color modules as perceived by bee color vision system. Here, we studied the tropical bee-pollinated orchid Cattleya walkeriana, given its intrafloral color complexity and variation among individuals. Considering bee color vision, we investigated if intrafloral color modules arose among intrafloral patches (tip or base of the sepals, petals, and labellum). We expected a separate color module between the labellum patches (the main attractive structure in orchids) and petals and sepals. We measured the color reflectance and calculated the photoreceptor excitation, spectral purity, hue, and the chromatic contrast of the floral structures in the hexagon color model. Spectral purity (saturation) was higher in the labellum tip in comparison to petals and sepals, generating a unidirectional gradient. Labellum base presented a less saturated yellow UV-absorbing color, which may reflect a pollen mimicry strategy. C. walkeriana presented three intrafloral color modules corresponding to the color of petals and sepals, the color of the labellum tip, and the color of labellum base. These color modules were unrelated to the development of floral structures. Given the importance of intrafloral color patterns in bee attraction and guidance, our results suggest that intrafloral patterns could be the outcome of evolutionary color modularization under pollinator-mediated selection.

Genetic correlations and ecological networks shape coevolving mutualisms.

Ecological interactions shape the evolution of multiple species traits in populations. These traits are often linked to each other through genetic correlations, affecting how each trait evolves through selection imposed by interacting partners. Here, we integrate quantitative genetics, coevolutionary theory and network science to explore how trait correlations affect the coevolution of mutualistic species not only in pairs of species but also in species-rich networks across space. We show that genetic correlations may determine the pace of coevolutionary change, affect species abundances and fuel divergence among populations of the same species. However, this trait divergence promoted by genetic correlations is partially buffered by the nested structure of species-rich mutualisms. Our study, therefore, highlights how coevolution and its ecological consequences may result from conflicting processes at different levels of organisation, ranging from genes to communities.

Structural vulnerability of hospitals, cemeteries, and crematoriums of the city of São Paulo to COVID-19 / Vulnerabilidade estrutural dos hospitais e cemitérios e crematórios da cidade de São Paulo à COVID-19

This is the first report by the COVID19 Observatory - Group: Contagion Networks analyzing mortality data from the city of São Paulo. In this report, we integrated mortality data for the city of São Paulo between 04/02/2020 and 04/28/2020, with information on the flow of victims between hospitals and cemeteries/crematoriums. We included in our analyzes both confirmed and suspected deaths from COVID-19. The main objectives of this report were: (1) to describe the structure of the flow of victims between locations and (2) to suggest changes in the current flow based on geographical distances in order to avoid a potential overload of the mortuary system. We suggest that the city of São Paulo should plan for a potential overload of the mortuary system (that is, the number of burials), based on the presented results. Thus, our results reinforce the need to adopt specific planning for the management of the extraordinary number of victims of this pandemic. Our predictions are based on the structural analysis of the COVID-19 victim flow network, which shows several hotspots with high vulnerability to system overload. These hotspots concentrate with either the greatest number of deaths (hospital) or of burials (cemetery or crematorium), and therefore have high potential to become overwhelmed by receiving many bodies due to the increase in victims of the pandemic. We recommend special attention to be given to localities on the east side of São Paulo, which has both the most vulnerable hospitals in the city, and also houses cemeteries and crematoriums that have a central role in the network and / or are vulnerable. Based on our optimization analysis, we suggest logistical changes in the current flow of bodies from hospitals to cemeteries/crematoriums so as not to overload the funeral system and minimize transportation costs. In this sense, our results are potentially useful for improving the operational planning of the Municipality of São Paulo, ratifying or rectifying actions underway at the municipal level.

Este é o primeiro relatório do Observatório COVID19 - Grupo: Redes de Contágio analisando os dados de óbitos da cidade de São Paulo. Neste relatório, integramos os dados de óbitos da cidade de São Paulo entre os dias 02/04/2020 e 28/04/2020 com informações sobre o fluxo de vítimas entre os hospitais e os cemitérios e crematórios da cidade de São Paulo. Incluímos em nossas análises óbitos confirmados e óbitos suspeitos de COVID-19. Os principais objetivos deste relatório são: (1) descrever a estrutura do fluxo de vítimas entre localidades e (2) sugerir mudanças no fluxo com base em distâncias geográficas de maneira a evitar uma potencial sobrecarga do sistema funerário. Sugere-se à prefeitura da cidade de São Paulo que seja realizado um planejamento para uma potencial sobrecarga do sistema funerário (isto é, número de sepultamentos) da cidade de São Paulo com base nos resultados apresentados. Desta forma, nossos resultados reforçam a necessidade de ser adotado planejamento específico para a gestão dos casos extraordinários visualizados no contexto da pandemia. Esta previsão está baseada na análise estrutural da rede de fluxos de vítimas da COVID-19, que indica a concentração de vários locais com alta vulnerabilidade à sobrecarga do sistema. Tais locais concentram a maior quantidade de óbitos (hospitais) ou a maior concentração de sepultamentos (cemitérios ou crematórios) e tem portanto alto potencial de tornarem-se sobrecarregados por receberem muitos corpos devido ao aumento de vítimas da pandemia. Recomenda-se especial atenção à localidades da zona leste de São Paulo, que apresenta os hospitais mais vulneráveis da cidade e abriga cemitérios e crematórios que possuem papel central na rede e/ou encontram-se vulneráveis. Com base em nossa análise de otimização, sugerimos mudanças logísticas no atual fluxo de corpos de hospitais para cemitérios/crematórios de modo a não sobrecarregar o sistema funerário e minimizar os custos de transporte. Neste sentido, nossos resultados são potencialmente úteis ao aperfeiçoamento do planejamento operacional da Prefeitura Municipal de São Paulo, ratificando ou retificando ações em curso no âmbito municipal.

Vulnerability of micro-regions within Northeast Brazil to the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic / Vulnerabilidade das microrregiões do Nordeste brasileiro à pandemia do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2)

Report from "Observatório COVID19 - Grupo: Redes de Contágio ­ Laboratório de Estudos de Defesa" for the Northeast Region of Brazil. We combined data on confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as reported by public authorities by 02/04 and structural analyses of road transport networks within and between the nine States of Northeast Brazil to predict the potential influence of the 187 micro-regions on the geographic propagation of the pandemic.  

Este é o primeiro relatório do Observatório COVID1920 - Grupo: Redes de Contágio ­ Laboratório de Estudos de Defesa para a região Nordeste do Brasil. Combinamos dados de casos confirmados do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2) para o Nordeste, conforme disponível até o dia 02/04, com análises estruturais da rede de rotas rodoviárias intra e interestaduais para estimarmos a vulnerabilidade e potencial influência das microrregiões nordestinas na propagação da doença.

Vulnerability of the micro-regions of the South of Brazil to the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic / Vulnerabilidade das microrregiões da Região Sul do Brasil à pandemia do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2)

This is the first report of the 'Observatório COVID191 - Grupo: Redes de Contágio ­ Laboratório de Estudos de Defesa' for the South region of Brazil. We have combined data of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) for the South available up to 17/04/2020, with structural analyses of road networks, from within and between states, to estimate the vulnerability and potential influence of the South micro-regions to propagate the disease.

Este é o primeiro relatório do Observatório COVID19 - Grupo: Redes de Contágio ­ Laboratório de Estudos de Defesa para a região Sul do Brasil. Combinamos dados de casos confirmados do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2) para o Sul, disponíveis até o dia 17/04/2020, com análises estruturais da rede de rotas rodoviárias intra e interestaduais para estimarmos a vulnerabilidade e potencial influência das microrregiões sulinas na propagação da doença.

Impacto orçamentário para o Sistema Único de Saúde da incorporação do infliximabe biossimilar no tratamento de artrite reumatóide / Budgetary impact of the incorporation of biosimilar infliximab in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis from the perspective of the Brazilian Public Health System

A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória crônica, autoimune, que afeta as articulações, podendo produzir sintomas sistêmicos. O infliximabe é um medicamento biológico incorporado no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) para o tratamento da AR, que teve um biossimilar aprovado em 2015. Além do biossimilar, existe um produto derivado de uma Parceria de Desenvolvimento Produtivo (PDP). Este estudo estimou o impacto orçamentário da incorporação do infliximabe biossimilar no tratamento da AR no SUS. O impacto orçamentário da incorporação do produto da PDP foi contemplado como um dos objetivos secundários. As estimativas foram calculadas pelo método de demanda aferida para um horizonte temporal de cinco anos. Foram estimadas duas estratégias de uso: (A) apenas casos novos de AR recebendo o infliximabe inovador utilizarão o biossimilar (ou o produto da PDP) e (B) tanto os casos novos como 50% daqueles já em uso do infliximabe inovador utilizarão o biossimilar (idem). As projeções da população com AR foram realizadas a partir dos dados presentes no Datasus e da "quota de mercado"1 do infliximabe. Adicionalmente, foram realizadas análises de sensibilidade univariadas, considerando uma difusão progressiva dos dois produtos e de pior e melhor cenário. A incorporação do infliximabe biossimilar e do produto de PDP para casos novos (estratégia A) implicariam em economias de -R$ 284.430.468,79 e -R$ 366.194.377,69, respectivamente, em cinco anos. Esses valores representariam reduções de 19% e 24%, respectivamente, nos gastos em saúde de infliximabe para o tratamento de AR. Na estratégia B, onde também são considerados parte dos pacientes em terapia de manutenção as economias geradas seriam de -R$ 419.006.071,14 para o biossimilar e -R$ 539.455.804,86 para o produto da PDP. Na análise de sensibilidade por difusão progressiva, as economias reduzem se a -R$ 178.544.332,95 (estratégia A) e -R$ 263.639.280,49 (estratégia B) para o biossimilar e -R$ 229.869.645,03 (estratégia A) e -R$ 339.426.443 (estratégia B). Na análise de melhor cenário, os resultados apontaram para economias de -R$ 1.011.789.713,83 e -R$ 1.222.955.301,30 para o biossimilar e produto da PDP, respectivamente. Já no pior cenário, as estimativas mostram que a introdução das tecnologias analisadas produziria um ônus ao sistema de saúde de R$ 8.552.019,91 (para o biossimilar) e R$ 5.366.519,91 para o produto da PDP. A incorporação do produto biossimilar no tratamento da AR proporcionaria redução dos gastos, tornando possível uma alocação de recursos mais eficiente para o tratamento dessa doença.

Rheumatoid arthritis (AR) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease that affects the joints, but also may produce systemic symptoms. Infliximab is a biologic drug incorporated into the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) for the treatment of AR, which had a biosimilar approved in 2015. In Brazil, in addition to biosimilar, there is a product derived from a public-private partnership (PDP). This study aimed to estimate the budgetary impact of the incorporation of biosimilar infliximab in the treatment of AR in SUS. The budgetary impact of the incorporation of the PDP product was considered as one of the secondary objectives. Estimates were calculated using a measured demand approach over a five-year time horizon. Two strategies of utilization was estimated for the biosimilar product or PDP: (A) only new cases that would receive the innovative infliximab will use the biosimilar (or the PDP product) and (B) both new cases and 50% of those already in use of the innovative infliximab will use biosimilar (idem). The projections of the AR population were based on data from Datasus and the "market share" of infliximab. In addition, univariate sensitivity analyzes were performed, considering the progressive diffusion and analyses of "best-case scenario" and "worst-case scenario". The incorporation of biosimilar infliximab and PDP product for new cases (strategy A) would save -R$ 284,430,468.79 and -R$ 366,194,377.69, respectively, in five years. These values would represent reductions of 19% and 24%, respectively, in the health expenditures of infliximab for the treatment of AR. In strategy B, where part of the maintenance therapy patients were also considered, the savings would be -R$ 419,006,071.14 for biosimilar and -R$ 539,455,804.86 for the PDP product. For both drugs, the practiced price was the parameter with the greatest impact on the cost savings estimates, both in strategy A and B. In the sensitivity analysis by progressive diffusion the savings would decrease to -R$ 178,544,332.95 (strategy A) and -R $ 263,639,280.49 (strategy B) for biosimilar and -R $ 229,869,645.03 (strategy A) and -R$ 339,426,443 (Strategy B). In the analysis of best-case scenario, the results showed savings of -R$ 1,011,789,713.83 and -R$ 1,222,955,301.30 for biosimilar and PDP products, respectively. On the other hand, in the worst-case scenario the introduction of the analyzed technologies would result in a health system burden of R$ 8,552,019.91 for the biosimilar and R$ 5,366,519.91 for the PDP product. The incorporation of the biosimilar product in the treatment of AR would reduce the health care expenditures for this treatment, allowing the budget manger to allocate resources more efficiently for the treatment of AR.

Incorporation of new medicines by the National Commission for Incorporation of Technologies, 2012 to June 2016. / Incorporação de novos medicamentos pela Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias do SUS, 2012 a junho de 2016.

The National Commission for incorporation of Health Technologies (CONITEC), established in 2011, advises the Ministry of Health in decisions related to the incorporation, exclusion or change of medicines, products and procedures in the Unified Health System (SUS).The study investigated the decision-making process, profile of demands and incorporation of new medicines in the SUS from January/2012 to June/2016, based on data available on the CONITEC website. All submissions were evaluated and characterized by technology and applicant type. The incorporations were analyzed according to the Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical classification, International Classification of Disease of the clinical indication and active record in the National Health Surveillance Agency. In the period, 485 submissions were received, 92.2% concerning requests for incorporation and 62.1% for medicines, of which 93 (30.1%) received a favorable recommendation for incorporation. Domestic demands were more successful than externally originated ones. Six unregistered drugs were incorporated. Infectious and parasitic diseases and musculoskeletal diseases constituted the main clinical indications. The recommendation of incorporation occurred mainly based on the additional clinical benefits and low budget impact.

Incorporação de novos medicamentos pela Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias do SUS, 2012 a junho de 2016 / Incorporation of new medicines by the National Commission for Incorporation of Technologies, 2012 to June 2016

Resumo A Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias em Saúde (Conitec), instituída em 2011, assessora o Ministério da Saúde nas decisões relacionadas à incorporação, exclusão ou alteração de novos medicamentos, produtos e procedimentos no Sistema Único de Saúde. O estudo investigou o processo de recomendação pela Conitec e o perfil das demandas e incorporações de medicamentos, de janeiro/2012 a junho/2016. A fonte de dados baseou-se nos registros disponíveis no site da Conitec. Demandas foram classificadas pelos tipos de submissão, de tecnologia e demandante. Medicamentos incorporados foram analisados segundo as classificações Anatômico-Terapêutica-Química e Internacional de Doença (CID) da indicação clínica, e presença de registro na Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Foram recebidas 485 submissões, 92,2% relativas a pedidos de incorporação e 62,1% para medicamentos, dos quais 93 (30,1%) com recomendação favorável à incorporação. Demandas internas obtiveram maior sucesso que as originadas externamente. Seis medicamentos sem registro foram incorporados. Doenças infecto-parasitárias e osteomusculares foram as principais indicações clínicas. Benefícios clínicos adicionais e baixo impacto orçamentário foram as principais justificativas de recomendação.

Abstract The National Commission for incorporation of Health Technologies (CONITEC), established in 2011, advises the Ministry of Health in decisions related to the incorporation, exclusion or change of medicines, products and procedures in the Unified Health System (SUS).The study investigated the decision-making process, profile of demands and incorporation of new medicines in the SUS from January/2012 to June/2016, based on data available on the CONITEC website. All submissions were evaluated and characterized by technology and applicant type. The incorporations were analyzed according to the Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical classification, International Classification of Disease of the clinical indication and active record in the National Health Surveillance Agency. In the period, 485 submissions were received, 92.2% concerning requests for incorporation and 62.1% for medicines, of which 93 (30.1%) received a favorable recommendation for incorporation. Domestic demands were more successful than externally originated ones. Six unregistered drugs were incorporated. Infectious and parasitic diseases and musculoskeletal diseases constituted the main clinical indications. The recommendation of incorporation occurred mainly based on the additional clinical benefits and low budget impact.

Análise comparativa de duas formações vegetacionais e de seu ecótono, Miranda - MS / Comparative analysis of two vegetation types and its ecotone, Miranda - MS

O Pantanal é constituído por diferentes formações vegetacionais, entre elas o Paratudal e a Mata Ciliar. Este trabalho objetivou analisar comparativamente essas duas formações, e o ecótono entre elas, quanto à diversidade e similaridade. O estudo foi desenvolvido na região do Passo do Lontra, às margens do rio Miranda, MS. Foram estabelecidas cinco parcelas de 10 x 10m em cada área e nelas todos osindivíduos acima de 1m de altura foram contados e identificados. Foram registrados 913 indivíduos, distribuídos em 70 taxa, dos quais 60 foram identificados em nível de espécie. O índice de diversidade de Shannon (H’) foi 2,715 com equidade de Pielou (J’) de 0,806 no Paratudal; 3,010 e 0,835 na Mata Ciliar; e 2,739 e 0,797 no ecótono, respectivamente. Esses resultados demonstram maior diversidade na Mata Ciliar, como esperado, já que as condições do ambiente do Paratudal são mais seletivas. A similaridade florística entre o Paratudal e a Mata Ciliar, de acordo com o índice de Sorensen, foi de 0,2o que distingue ambos os ambientes. Portanto, este trabalho evidencia a distinção entre Mata Ciliar e Paratudal, bem como os valores intermediários do ecótono.

The Pantanal consists of different vegetation types, including the Paratudal, a monodominat floodablesavanna, and Riparian vegetation. This study aimed to analyze diversity and similarity in samples of these two vegetations, and its ecotone. The study was developed in the region of Passo do Lontra, at the Miranda river margins. Five plots 10 x 10m, were allocated in each area, where all individuals above 1m height were counted and identified. Nine hundred and thirteen individuals were registered, distributed in 70 taxa, of which 60 were identified in species level. The Shannon diversity index (H’) was 2.715 with Pielou Eveness (J’) of 0.806 in Paratudal, 3.010 and 0.835 in Riparian vegetation, and 2.739 and 0.797 in ecotone, respectively. These results show highest diversity in the Riparian vegetation, as expected, since the Paratudal’s ambient conditions are more restrictive. The floristic similarity between the Paratudal and the Riparian vegetation, according to the Sorensen index, was of 0.2, what distinguishboth environments. Therefore, this study evidences the distinction among Riparian vegetation and Paratudal, as well the existence of an intermediary values with ecotone.