Social fund and infant mortality: Evidence from an anti-poverty policy in Northeast Brazil.

This paper evaluates the effects of a social fund that meets the needs of the poor in Northeast Brazil, the Fundos Estaduais de Combate e Erradicação da Pobreza (FECEP). The program could have improved infant health by reducing poverty and improving access to health care, sanitation, food, and housing. Using a difference-in-differences approach robust to heterogeneous treatment effects, we confirm that the program has effectively reduced poverty in treated areas. Furthermore, we document that this poverty reduction is associated with a significant decline in infant mortality. These findings provide consistent evidence that targeted public investments can improve living conditions in vulnerable regions.

Relationships of perception of health risks by use of pesticides: a man-environment look.

The use of agricultural pesticides is increasingly linked to public health problems and negative impacts on the environment. Furthermore, Brazilian environmental agencies lack protective actions. Our objective in this study was to analyze the process that leads to the perception of the risks associated with the use of pesticides in the riverside agricultural communities of the San Francisco Valley in northeastern Brazil. We conducted a qualitative literature review, applying the Constructivist Grounded Theory to the analysis of published scientific articles. The elements of the perception process that we identified are (1) the environment; (2) conditioning factors; (3) perception of the human body; (4) memory; (5) socio-cognitive processing; (6) automatic response; (7) decision-making process; and (8) behavior. Each of these elements and their relationships indicate the location of the causes of inadequate perception, and thus guide potential solutions.

Clinical and prognostic aspects of patients with the Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) from a cohort in Northeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is a rare inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) more frequent in women and Afro-descendants. No previous epidemiological or prognostic study has been conducted in the region of the state of Bahia, Brazilian Northeast. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and prognostic aspects in patients with NMOSD from a cohort in northeastern Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted with consecutive patients diagnosed with NMOSD. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics were described. The degree of disability was expressed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Worsening disability were analyzed through negative binomial regression adjusted for disease duration. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included, 72 (79.1%) female and 67 (73.6%) afro descendants. Mean age at onset was 36 (± 14) years and 73.3% were anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive. Isolated transverse myelitis (32.9%) and isolated optic neuritis (22.4%) were the most frequent initial clinical syndromes. After multivariate analysis, optic neuritis (RR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.23 - 0.88; p = 0.020) and dyslipidemia (RR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.20 - 0.83; p = 0.014) were associated with slower disease progression. Area postrema involvement (RR = 6.70; 95% CI = 3.31 - 13.54; p < 0.001) and age at onset (RR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.05; p = 0.003) were associated with faster disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: In the first clinical and prognostic study in northeastern Brazil, we identified area postrema involvement, age at onset, optic neuritis at fist syndrome and dyslipidemia as the main prognostic factors associated with disease progression.

The southernmost record and an update of the geographical range of the Atlantic chupare, Styracura schmardae (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes).

The present study established the southernmost distribution range for the Chupare stingray Styracura schmardae based on a specimen caught on the easternmost portion of Ceará State, northeastern Brazil. Identification was based on diagnostic morphological characters and molecular data (sequence of the mitochondrial DNA gene nd2; 1046 bp). This record expands the known distribution range for this species by more than 1200 km and confirms that S. schmardae is distributed in more than one biogeographical province. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There are few records of the Atlantic Chupare stingray for Brazil and most of them are associated with the Amazon River mouth. New records indicate that this species is also present in the South Atlantic portion of the Brazilian coast. Apparently having a low abundance throughout its range, these new records increase the range of occurrence of this species.

Seroepidemiological study of Caseous lymphadenitis in sheep from the Northeast region of Brazil using an indirect ELISA.

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of seropositivity Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in sheep in five states of northeastern Brazil, using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). Young and adult sheep of both sexes were used. Blood samples were collected from 2638 sheep from 223 herds across all states. For the i-ELISA, antigens produced from the strain of C. pseudotuberculosis BRM 029971, a bacterial isolate from the Northeast region of Brazil, were used. Sensitivity and specificity indexes were calculated for the validation of the test, using as reference 49 and 134 serum samples from sheep known to be positive and negative, respectively. The i-ELISA presented four false-negative and four false-positive results, showing a specificity of 97.01%, a sensitivity of 91.84%, and an accuracy of 95.63%. These results were calculated based on an optical density (OD) cutoff point = 0.138. Of the 2638 sheep tested, 996 (37.76%, 95% CI = 35.93-39.62%) were seropositive, and of the 223 evaluated herds, 210 (94.17%, 95% CI = 90.28-96.56%) seropositive. The i-ELISA showed adequate sensitivity and specificity, proving to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in sheep. Infection by C. pseudotuberculosis, determined by serology, is disseminated in the sheep herds in the states of Northeast Brazil. Thus, there is a need to implement effective control measures that prevent the spread of infectious agents.

Effects of meteo-oceanographic conditions on the weathering processes of oil spills in northeastern Brazil.

This paper presents the graphical results of the Lagrangian-model and the weathering processes associated with oil spills in the tropical South Atlantic, taking into account the meteorological and oceanographic conditions of the study region. The scenarios were created in the Brazilian-NE waters adjacent, with simulation times of 670 h, and densities of 35, 25, and 15API with volume of 1590 m3 were considered. The main results showed that the meteo-oceanographic characteristics of the study region influence the trajectories and weathering processes in the oil spill. The trajectories varied for each launch point and reached the continent severely in January and October. The associated weathering processes showed higher rates in September and lower rates in April, indicative of the influence of phenomena such as Intertropical Tropical Convergence Zone and warm pool in the South Atlantic region. Sea surface temperature and wind speed are key factors that correlate positively with these months.

The first species of Embioptera (Insecta) from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco: Brazil).

Pararhagadochir is a South American genus of Archembiidae that can be identified by its anterior margin of submentum strongly concave, caudal process of the 10th left hemitergite forked, with internal tip seemingly a hook and the external tip a flat lobe, both tips always shorter than the width of 10th left hemitergite. Six species are recorded in Brazil, being distributed in all regions. In this work, Pararhagadochir noronhensis sp. nov. is described from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.

Oil impact on the environment and aquatic organisms on the coasts of the states of Alagoas and Sergipe, Brazil - A preliminary evaluation.

The oil spill off the coast of the Brazilian Northeast region is one of the most significant global events regarding contamination and environmental impact in recent years. This work evaluates the effects of oil spills on the Northeast coasts between Alagoas and Sergipe states from October 2019 to January 2020. Analysis of some sampling points of seawater revealed the presence of Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cu in levels above the maximum concentration limits established by the Brazilian legislation. For water quality parameters, phosphorus, nitrite, and turbidity showed statistically different values. However, the chromatographic profiles of oil obtained from different beaches were quite similar. Seawater, fishes, and massunins (bivalve) presented the main polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, fluorene, and acenaphthalene. Therefore, the concentration of organic and inorganic contaminants determined in different environmental locations served as a subsidy to assess the effect of the preliminary oil spill on the Brazilian coast.

Occurrence and partitioning of antifouling booster biocides in sediments and porewaters from Brazilian Northeast.

Fouling organisms attach and grow on submerged surfaces causing several economic losses. Thus, biocides have been introduced in antifouling paints in order to avoid this phenomenon, but their widespread use became a global problem, mainly in ports, leisure and fishing boat harbors, since these substances can be highly toxic to non-target organisms. The occurrence and environmental behavior of antifouling biocides are especially unknown in some peculiar regions, such as Amazon areas. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate, for the first time, levels and the partitioning behavior of the antifouling organic biocides irgarol, diuron and also stable degradation products of dichlofluanid and diuron (DMSA and DCPMU, respectively) in sediments and porewaters from a high boat traffic area located in the Northeast of Brazil, a pre-Amazon region. Our results showed high concentrations of irgarol (<1.0-89.7 µg kg-1) and diuron (<5.0-55.2 µg kg-1) in sediments. In porewater, DCPMU (<0.03-0.67 µg L-1) and DMSA (<0.008-0.263 µg L-1) were the mainly substances detected. High Kd and Koc obtained for both irgarol and diuron showed a partitioning preference in the solid phase. This work represents one of the few registers of contamination by antifouling substances in Amazonian areas, despite their environmental relevance.

Review of Acangassuini Galileo Martins, 2001 (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), with description of a new genus and species, and description of two new species in the tribes Methiini Thomson, 1860 and Oemini Lacordaire, 1868.

Acangassuini is reviewed. Acangarana gen. nov. is described for A. santossilvai sp. nov. from Brazil. In addition, two species are newly described from Brazil: Methia flavomera sp. nov. (Methiini) and Stenoeme furca sp. nov. (Oemini).

LEAq - Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática "Prof. Claudio Gilberto Froehlich" and the task of facing the biodiversity knowledge deficits on Caddisflies (Trichoptera), Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT Insects are fundamental to biodiversity conservation in almost all ecosystems, and their population decline, and extinction directly result from environmental impacts. These facts are aggravated by the lack of knowledge of insect biodiversity, the so-called biodiversity deficits, especially the Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls. In freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity loss is higher among aquatic insects, and caddisflies comprise one of the most vulnerable orders. In this way, research focusing on describing new caddisfly species and understanding their distribution ranges will increase knowledge of caddisfly biodiversity. In the past 14 years, the team from the Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática "Prof. Dr. Claudio Gilberto Froehlich" (LEAq, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil) and collaborators have been addressing these issues, resulting in 55 described species of caddisflies. Taxa in other insect orders have also received attention and an additional 16 species have been described (eight mayflies, four stoneflies, four neuropteran spongillaflies, and antlions). Here, eight caddisfly species are described and illustrated (Atopsyche froehlichi sp. nov., Austrotinodes zeferina sp. nov., Cernotina kariri sp. nov., Neoathripsodes froehlichi sp. nov., Notalina claudiofroehlichi sp. nov., Oecetis marcus sp. nov., Phylloicus froehlichi sp. nov., and Polycentropus claudioi sp. nov.), five of them in honor of LEAq's patron. In addition, new distributional data are presented for 10 known species. A checklist of the caddisfly fauna of Bahia state is also presented, with 138 species, around 75% and 30% of them recorded and described by the LEAq team, respectively. Currently, for caddisflies, Bahia is the fifth most species-rich state in Brazil, and the first in the Brazilian Northeast region.

Unusual association between Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese, 1888) (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) and Parabuteo unicinctus (Temminck, 1824) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) in Paraíba state, Brazil

Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese, 1888), known as the tropical fowl mite, is a hematophagous mite of domestic and wild birds. This mite can bite humans accidentally, causing “gamasoidosis,” “avian-mite dermatitis,” or “bird-mite dermatitis” in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In Brazil, O. bursa was previously recorded parasitizing birds of the orders Charadriiformes Huxley, 1867, Columbiformes Latham, 1790, Galliformes Temminck, 1820, Passeriformes Linnaeus, 1758, Strigiformes Wagler, 1830, and Tinamiformes Huxley, 1872. Here, we provide a new association of O. bursa with Harris’s hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus (Temminck, 1824) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) and the first record of this mite species in the Paraíba State, Brazil.

Narrativas e políticas de um sertão e suas vidas severinas / Narrativies and policies of a wildness and their severinas lives

Como no histórico poema de João Cabral de Melo Neto, ainda hoje muitos severinos - maridos, pais, filhos e irmãos - saem do Nordeste brasileiro, motivados pelo sonho de prosperar na labuta e encontrar um sentido para suas existências, fugindo de um lugar de morte e indo em busca de outra vida. Considerando esses fluxos migratórios em sua forma sazonal, o presente texto é fruto de dissertação de mestrado que buscou problematizar os encontros dos moradores do semiárido do estado de Sergipe com as novidades e vicissitudes que o trabalho desses homens lhes propiciou e as alterações que produziu na vida do lugar e das pessoas. Para tanto, são apresentados fragmentos narrativos que buscam ilustrar alguns aspectos do cotidiano e dos processos sócio-históricos experimentados no lugar e pelas pessoas que nele moram ou moraram. Ademais, e especialmente, destaca-se a importância das mulheres severinas, que na sua potente capacidade de reinventar a vida em meio às adversidades, alargaram sua rede de sociabilidade.(AU)

As the historical text by João Cabral de Melo Neto, even today many severinos - husbands, fathers, sons and brothers - leave the Northeast, motivated by dreams of thriving in toil and find a meaning for their existence, fleeing from a place that feels like death and going in search of another life. This work aims to discuss the meetings of inhabitants of a village in the semi-arid region of Sergipe state with news and vicissitudes that the work of these men gives them and the changes it produces in the life of the place and people. To this end, narrative fragments are presented that demonstrate some aspects of the daily life and socio-historical processes of the village and the people who live or lived there. In addition, and especially highlights the importance of women, severinas, who in their powerful ability to reinvent their lives in the midst of adversity that migration establishes, it also benefits by extending its network of sociability.(AU)

Taxas de mortalidade por câncer corrigidas para os idosos dos estados do Nordeste brasileiro / Corrected cancer mortality rates for the elderly in the states of the Brazilian northeast

Resumo As estimativas das reais magnitudes da mortalidade no Nordeste têm enfrentado importantes entraves devido ao subregistro e aos problemas na qualidade das informações sobre as causas básicas de óbito. Teve-se como objetivo avaliar o impacto da redistribuição dos óbitos corrigidos pela Pesquisa de Busca Ativa e de códigos garbage nas taxas de mortalidade dos principais cânceres de idosos dos estados do Nordeste. Utilizou-se o método de Ledermann para redistribuir os óbitos. O número de óbitos antes e após a correção apresentou uma variação expressiva, com destaque para o câncer de mama cuja variação foi de 53,5%. Com os dados corrigidos, idosos com 80 anos ou mais apresentaram uma taxa de mortalidade por câncer de próstata 18 vezes maior que os de 60 a 64 anos. Foram observados níveis mais elevados de mortes por câncer de próstata para homens e câncer de mama para as mulheres em todos os estados do Nordeste. O câncer da traqueia, brônquios e pulmões e o câncer de estômago resultaram em níveis de distribuição diferentes segundo sexo, com taxas mais elevadas nos homens que nas mulheres. A correção dos dados de óbitos significou importantes acréscimos na quantidade de óbitos registrados. A metodologia adotada neste trabalho é de simples aplicação, factível de uso pelos gestores dos sistemas de informação.

Abstract Estimates of the true magnitude of mortality in the Brazilian northeast has been fraught with major obstacles due to underreporting and problems with the quality of information on the basic causes of death. The scope of this study was to evaluate the impact of the redistribution of deaths corrected by Active Search Research and Garbage codes on the mortality rates of the major types of cancer among the elderly in the northeastern states. The Ledermann method was used to reallocate the deaths. The number of deaths before and after the correction revealed a significant variation, especially the figures for breast cancer where the variation was 53.5%. With corrected data, the elderly aged 80 years or older had a prostate cancer death rate which was 18 times higher than those aged 60 to 64 years. Higher levels of prostate cancer deaths among men, and breast cancer among women, were observed in all of the northeastern states. Tracheal, bronchial, lung and stomach cancer resulted in different levels of distribution according to gender, with higher rates among men than among women. Correction of death data resulted in significant increases in the number of recorded deaths. The methodology adopted in this work was the simple application of feasible factual data by the information system managers.

Ocorrência e fatores de risco da infecção pelo vírus da língua azul em bovinos no Estado de Pernambuco / Occurrence and risk factors of the Bluetongue Virus infeccion in cattle in Pernambuco state, Brazil

Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar os aspectos epidemiológicos da infecção pelo Vírus da Língua Azul (VLA) em bovinos leiteiros na microrregião de Garanhuns, Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram coletadas 384 amostras de soro de bovinos fêmeas em idade reprodutiva, procedentes de 20 propriedades dos 19 municípios que compõem a região. As amostras foram testadas com a prova de imunodifusão em gel de agarose (IDGA) para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-VLA. Observou-se ocorrência de 71,3% (274/384; IC 95% - 66,5% - 75,7%) de animais positivos. Em 100% das propriedades houve ao menos um animal soropositivo. Os fatores de risco identificados foram: presença de áreas alagadas (OR=11,8; p=0,001), não realizar controle de insetos (OR=2,1; p=0,033), rebanho aberto (OR=2,1; p=0,001) e utilização de inseminação artificial (OR=8,8; p=0,003). Este é o primeiro registro de detecção de anticorpos anti-VLA em bovinos no Estado de Pernambuco. Conclui-se que a infecção pelo VLA ocorre em bovinos na área estudada e sugere-se que medidas de controle baseadas no manejo higiênico-sanitário e biosseguridade sejam implantadas para evitar a propagação do vírus, tais como: eliminação de áreas alagadiças; controle de insetos; utilizar sêmen na inseminação artificial com atestado sanitário; realizar exames sorológicos ao adquirir animais.(AU)

The objective of this study was to determine epidemiological aspects of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) infection on dairy cattle in the Garanhuns microregion, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Three hundred eighty-four (384) serum samples of female bovines of reproductive age were collected from 20 farms of the 19 municipalities that make up the region. Samples were tested with the agarose gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) for anti-VLA antibody screening. There were 71.3% (274/384, 95% CI - 66.5% - 75.7%) positive animals. In 100% of the farms there was at least one seropositive animal. The risk factors identified were: presence of flooded areas (OR=11.8, p=0.001), absence of insect control (OR=2.1, p=0.033), open herd (OR=2.1; p=0.001) and use of artificial insemination (OR=8.8, p=0.003). This is the first record of detection of anti-BTV antibodies in cattle in Pernambuco state. It is concluded that BTV infection occurs in cattle in the studied area, and it is suggested that control measures based on hygienic-sanitary management and biosecurity are in place to prevent the spread of the virus, such as elimination of wetlands; Insect control; semen used in artificial insemination with health certificate; Serological tests when acquiring animals.(AU)

Floristic characterization of Ibura national forest, Sergipe, Brazil / Caracterização florística da floresta nacional do Ibura, Sergipe, Brasil

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the floristic composition and dispersal syndromes of the Ibura National Forest and carry out an analysis of similarity with other floristic surveys in the state of Sergipe. For this purpose, bimonthly sampling was carried out from September 2012 to December 2014. Total of 328 species were recorded, of which 324 were angiosperms belonging to 82 families, followed by three species of ferns and lycophytes and one species of Gymnosperm. Sixty-seven new species were recorded for the state of Sergipe. The richest families in species were Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Malvaceae. Regarding the dispersal syndromes, the dominance of zoochoric dispersal was observed, followed by autochoric and anemochoric dispersal. Among the tree and shrub species, the zoochoric syndrome was predominant (70%), while herbaceous species showed predominance of autochoric species (49%), and climber species have a more equitable proportion among the syndromes (38% autochoric, 32% anemocoric and 30% zoochoric). The Ibura National Forest presented relatively low levels of similarity with other sites located in the Atlantic Forest, possibly influenced by its isolation and distance between fragments. As we found in the Ibura National Forest, the dominance of zoochoric species was also observed in other studies conducted in the Atlantic Forest. The results of this study indicate that the Ibura National Forest is refuge to a high diversity of plant species of the Atlantic Forest, being a fairly heterogeneous area, which is still understudied.

O objetivo deste estudo foi obter informações sobre a composição florística, as proporções entre as síndromes de dispersão das espécies ocorrentes na Floresta Nacional Ibura e realizar uma análise de similaridade com outros levantamentos florísticos no estado. Para isto, foi realizada uma amostragem bimestral a partir de setembro de 2012 a dezembro de 2014. Foram registradas 328 espécies, das quais 317 são Angiospermas pertencentes a 82 famílias, seguido de três espécies de samambaias e Licófitas e uma espécie de Gimnosperma. Sessenta e sete novas ocorrências foram registradas para o estado de Sergipe. As famílias mais ricas em espécies foram, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae e Malvaceae. Quanto às síndromes de dispersão, observou-se a dominância da dispersão zoocórica, seguida por autocórica e anemocórica. Entre as espécies arbóreas e arbustivas, houve a dominância da síndrome zoocórica (70%), em espécies herbáceas a síndrome autocórica (49%), e em espécies trepadeiras uma proporção mais equilibrada entre as síndromes (38% autocórica, 32% anemocorica e 30% zoocórica). A Floresta Nacional do Ibura apresentou níveis relativamente baixos de similaridade com outros sítios localizados na Mata Atlântica, possivelmente influênciados por isolamento e distância entre os fragmentos. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que a Floresta Nacional do Ibura é um refúgio de uma grande diversidade de espécies vegetais da Mata Atlântica, sendo uma área bastante heterogênea, que ainda é pouco estudada.

Análise da presença do fitoplâncton em bacia integrante do Projeto de Integração do Rio São Francisco, região semiárida, Nordeste brasileiro / Analysis of phytoplankton presence in an integral basin of the Integration Project of São Francisco River, semiarid region, Northeast Brazil

RESUMO Estudos taxonômicos do fitoplâncton são importantes ferramentas para advertir a qualidade da água, possibilitando o monitoramento das águas utilizadas para fins múltiplos. Assim, este trabalho visou estudar a composição e a distribuição fitoplanctônica em trechos da Bacia do Rio Piranhas-Açu, na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro, de 2010 a 2011, com 13 pontos amostrais, em rios e reservatórios. Foram identificados 81 táxons infragenéricos, os quais foram distribuídos em 9 classes: Cyanophyceae , Chlorophyceae , Bacillariophyceae , Trebouxiophyceae , Euglenophyceae , Coscinodiscophyceae , Zygnematophyceae , Mediophyceae e Klebsormidiophyceae . As divisões Chlorophyta e Cyanophyta foram as mais representativas, com 30 (37%) e 24 (30%) táxons, respectivamente. Contudo, elas estiveram dominantes durante o período de estudo. Em alguns pontos de amostragem, as cianobactérias apresentaram densidades com valores limites acima de 20.000 células/mL, e, portanto, necessitaram monitoramento semanal como disposto pela Portaria 2.914, de 12 de dezembro de 2011, do Ministério da Saúde. Dentre as espécies com alto índice de abundância, destacam-se aquelas potencialmente produtoras de toxinas, representadas por Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii , Pseudanabaena limnetica , Microcystis sp., Dolichospermum sp. e Oscillatoria sp. Os dados indicam um potencial risco à saúde da população beneficiada por essas águas.

ABSTRACT Phytoplankton taxonomic studies are important tools to analyze the quality of water, allowing the monitoring of waters used for multiple purposes. Thus, this work aimed at studying the formation and distribution of phytoplankton in stretches of the Piranhas-Açu River Basin, in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, from 2010 to 2011, with 13 sampling points in river and reservoirs. We identified 81 infrageneric taxa, distributed into 9 classes: Cyanophyceae , Chlorophyceae , Bacillariophyceae , Trebouxiophyceae , Euglenophyceae , Coscinodiscophyceae , Zygnematophyceae , Mediophyceae , and Klebsormidiophyceae . The Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta divisions were the most representative, with 30 (37%) and 24 (30%) taxa, respectively. However, the cyanobacteria were more seen throughout the study period. In some sampling points, they had limits above 20.000 cells/mL, requiring weekly monitoring as provided by Decree 2914 from December 12, 2011, of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The species with high abundance are those producing toxins, represented by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii , Pseudanabaena limnetic , Microcystis sp. Dolichospermum sp., and Oscillatoria sp. The data indicate a potential health risk to the population served by these waters.

Species richness in restinga vegetation on the eastern Maranhão State, Northeastern Brazil / Riqueza de espécies em uma restinga no leste do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil

The State of Maranhão comprises the second largest coastline in Brazil. Nonetheless, few floristic surveys on restinga vegetation have been performed in Northeastern Brazil. This study aimed to survey floristic in a restinga of Maranhão, and to assess its similarity to other restingas in the states of Pará and Piauí. Botanical specimens were sampled at Sítio Aguahy, in the municipality of São José de Ribamar, along the eastern coast of Maranhão between June/2012 and October/2013. Species identification and life forms classification followed the usual methods employed in floristic studies. Similarities in plant composition of six sites were estimated based on cluster analysis through Bray-Curtis distance. In the studied area, we found 116 phanerogamic species, 100 genera and 52 families; 19 species were new occurrences for the restinga of Maranhão. Families with largest number of species were Fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Rubiaceae, Poaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Combretaceae, and Eriocaulaceae, which comprised 49.2% of all sampled species. We identified 41 nanophanerophytes, 34 terophytes, 15 camephytes, ten microphanerophytes, six hemicryptophytes, and five lianas. Similarity analyses indicated greater affinity between the restinga flora from the states of Maranhão and Pará than that observed for the states of Maranhão and Piauí, suggesting that the process of species colonization in the former is more likely derived from the Amazon Forest. It is expected that these results may encourage future researchers to conduct further surveys in restinga areas of the Maranhão aiming to better understand the influence of neighboring vegetation on the colonization of the coastal areas of Maranhão.

O Estado do Maranhão possui o segundo maior litoral da costa brasileira. No entanto, poucos levantamentos florísticos foram realizados nas áreas de restinga no Nordeste do Brasil. O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento florístico em uma área de restinga no Maranhão e analisar a similaridade com a flora das restingas dos Estados do Pará e do Piauí. As coletas botânicas foram realizadas na restinga do Sítio Aguahy, município de São José de Ribamar, na porção oriental da Ilha do Maranhão, no período de junho de 2012 a outubro de 2013. A identificação das espécies e a classificação das formas de vida seguiu a metodologia usual em estudos florísticos. A similaridade foi realizada através de análise de cluster a partir da distância de Bray-Curtis, onde foram considerados seis estudos. Foram listadas 116 espécies fanerogâmicas, 100 gêneros e 52 famílias. Deste total, 19 espécies são apresentadas como novas ocorrências para o litoral do Maranhão. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Rubiaceae, Poaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Combretaceae e Eriocaulaceae, correspondendo a 49.2% das espécies encontradas. Quanto às formas de vida, foram identificados 41 nanofanerófitos, 34 terófitos, 15 caméfitos, 10 microfanerófitos, seis hemicriptófitos e cinco lianas. A análise de similaridade mostrou maior afinidade entre a flora da restinga do Maranhão e do Pará, do que com a flora do Piauí, sugerindo uma possível colonização da restinga estudada por espécies provenientes da floresta Amazônica. Espera-se que esses dados sejam vistos como um passo inicial para a realização de mais pesquisas nas demais restingas maranhenses para que, futuramente, proporcione a compreensão da influência da vegetação circunvizinha na colonização das áreas litorâneas do Maranhão.

Species diversity and seasonal variation in the composition of a bat community in the semi-arid brazilian caatinga / Diversidade de espécies e variação sazonal na composição da comunidade de morcegos na caatinga brasileira

The caatinga scrublands are relatively poorly-studied, and few data are available on the biome's chiropteran fauna. The present study focuses on the bat community of the arboreal caatinga of Serra da Guia. Bats were trapped in mist-nets on three new moon nights per month between October, 2008, and September, 2009. A total of 157 individuals were captured, representing 12 species. Species richness estimated by Jackknife1 was 14.8. Glossophaga soricina and Carollia perspicillata were by far the most common species, accounting for 56.7% of the specimens captured. Species diversity was 1.80, while equitability was 0.72. There was no significant seasonal difference in species diversity or evenness. However, the present study recorded a clear seasonal shift in community structure. The principal difference in species composition was related to the temporal distribution of the rarest forms ­ all of the seven rarest species were recorded exclusively in only one season (dry or wet). The nectarivorous bats predominated numerically both in the dry season as in rainy, while frugivores became prominent, in terms of both the number of species and individuals, during the wet season. The predominance of stenodermatine bats during the wet season almost certainly reflects the increased availability of resources for this group during this part of the year.

A caatinga é relativamente pobre em estudos e apresenta poucos dados sobre a quiropterofauna. O presente estudo foi focado na comunidade de morcegos numa caatinga arbórea na Serra da Guia. Os morcegos foram capturados em redes de neblina durante três noites de lua nova por mês entre outubro, 2008 e setembro 2009. Um total de 157 indivíduos foram capturados, representando 12 espécies. A riqueza de espécies estimada por Jackknife 1 foi 14,8. Glossophaga soricina e Carollia perspicillata foram as espécies mais comuns, representando 56,7% dos indivíduos capturados. A diversidade das espécies (H') foi 1,80, enquanto a equitabilidade foi 0,72. Não houve diferença sazonal significativa na diversidade e equitabilidade de espécies. No entanto, o presente estudo registrou uma clara mudança sazonal na estrutura da comunidade. A principal diferença na composição de espécies foi relacionada com a distribuição temporal das formas mais raras - todas as sete espécies mais raras foram registradas exclusivamente em apenas uma das duas estações (seca ou chuvosa). Os nectarívoros predominaram numericamente tanto na estação seca quanto na chuvosa, enquanto frugívoros tornaram-se proeminentes, tanto em termos de número de espécies e indivíduos, durante a estação chuvosa. A predominância de stenodermatineos durante a estação chuvosa provavelmente reflete o aumento da disponibilidade de recursos para esse grupo durante esta parte do ano.

Estudo comparativo da susceptibilidade de isolados clínicos de Cryptococcus neoformans (Sanfelice, 1895) frente a alguns antifúngicos de uso hospitalar e extratos vegetais obtidos de plantas medicinais da região semiárida sergipana / Comparative study of the susceptibility of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans (Sanfelice) against some antifungal agents of hospital use and plant extracts obtained from medicinal plants of the semiarid Sergipe region, Brazil

O uso de plantas medicinais no combate as micoses é uma prática comum nas comunidades rurais e, neste contexto, o objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar o perfil de sensibilidade de isolados clínicos de C. neoformans frente a extratos brutos aquosos e antifúngicos de uso hospitalar utilizando a técnica de difusão em disco. Esses produtos naturais foram obtidos de plantas medicinais popularmente utilizadas por comunidades do sertão sergipano. Foram analisados os extratos brutos aquosos de juazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro Mart.), catingueira (Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.), quixabeira (Bumelia sartorum Mart.) e jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril L.). Do juazeiro foi testado o extrato preparado a partir do infuso da entrecasca e da decocção da folha. Da catingueira foi utilizado o extrato preparado a partir do infuso das folhas. Da quixabeira o extrato utilizado foi preparado a partir da decocção da entrecasca e do jatobá maceração da entrecasca. Todos esses produtos naturais foram submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: exposição ou não a luz ultravioleta e autoclavagem (121ºC por 10minutos). Em paralelo as leveduras patogênicas foram testadas frente aos seguintes antifúngicos de uso hospitalar: anfotericina B, fluconazol, Itraconazol, Miconazol e cetoconazol. Todos os extratos brutos aquosos apresentaram ação antifúngica frente a todas as linhagens clínicas de Cryptococcus neoformans. O tratamento de submeter à autoclavagem e exposição à luz ultravioleta apresentaram melhores resultados de ação antifúngica. Sendo que o tratamento de autoclavar o extrato bruto aquoso prevaleceu estatisticamente com os melhores resultados. Outros estudos de atividade antimicrobiano são necessários para corroborar a ação antimicótica dos produtos natuais testados, como pro exemplo killer-time e fracionamento do teste de micodiluição. No teste de sensibilidade dos antifúngicos realizado foi demonstrado que as leveduras apresentaram resistência preocupante ao fluconazol e a itraconazol pelo método de difusão em disco. Para novos conhecimentos desse perfil de resistência há necessidade de testes de melhor acurácia, como por exemplo, microdiluição. Para tanto, deve-se padronizar os testes de sensibilidade quando há uso de produtos naturais oriundos de plantas medicinais, além de fornecer alternativas de uso aos pacientes cometidos por essa levedura com fornecimento de dados científicos que comprovem a ação dos produtos naturais e plantas medicinais de largo uso no sertão sergipano.

The use of medicinal plants to combat mycoses is a common practice in rural communities, and, in this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of clinical isolates of C. neoformans in relation to aqueous crude extracts and antifungal agents of hospital use using the disc diffusion technique. These natural products were obtained from medicinal plants popularly used empirically by backland communities in Sergipe, Brazil. The aqueous crude extracts of Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., Bumelia sartorum Mart. and Hymenaea courbaril L. were analyzed. From the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., we tested the extract prepared from the infusion of the inner bark and the decoction of the leaf. From the Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., the extract used was prepared from the infusion of the leaves. From Bumelia sartorum Mart., the extract used was prepared from the decoction of the bark, and from the Hymenaea courbaril L. we prepared the extract from the maceration of the inner bark. All these natural products were subjected to the following treatments: exposure to ultraviolet light or not and autoclaving (121°C for 10minutes). Amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, miconazole and ketoconazole were tested. All aqueous crude extracts showed antifungal activity against all clinical strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. The treatment that underwent autoclaving and exposure to ultraviolet light showed better results for antifungal action. The treatment with autoclaving of the aqueous crude extract statistically prevailed with the best results. There is the need to perform some treatments using these natural products based on the tested medicinal plants for better antifungal activity against this pathogenic yeast so they become more effective. In the antifungal susceptibility test performed, it was demonstrated that the yeast had worrying resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole by the disc diffusion method. FOr further knowledge on this resistance profile, there is the need of tests with greater accuracy, such as the microdilution test. To do so, susceptibility testing must be standardized when there is the use of natural products derived from medicinal plants, in addition to the provision of alternative uses by patients affected by this yeast, providing scientific data demonstrating the use and action of the natural products and medicinal plants of wide use in Sergipe, Brazil.