Excavations at Alcatrazes, the seat of Cape Verde’s short-lived second captaincy, have exposed a Portuguese colonial settlement, demonstrating continued occupation after the relocation of its official offices. The results include insights into early Luso-African practices and the presence of West African and local-made pottery, with environmental samples ‘clocking’ colonial introductions.

Understanding the population structure and genetic diversity of green turtles is crucial for effective conservation. This study investigated the occurrence, genetic composition, and potential origins of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, based on stranding data from 2010 to 2019. Analysis revealed that 87.36% of the population consisted of juveniles, primarily females with a curved carapace length (CCL) between 30 and 59.9 cm. Genetic analysis of the mtDNA control region (481 bp, n = 39) revealed eight haplotypes, with CM-A8 (48.7%) and CM-A5 (30.8%) being the most common. This may be related to the geographic position of the Potiguar Basin, located in the ‘corner’ of the South American continent. High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed, consistent with other Brazilian foraging grounds. Mixed stock analysis identified Ascension Island as the primary source population, followed by Guinea-Bissau and Surinam. The results highlight the importance of the Potiguar Basin as a foraging area for green turtles and emphasize the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to protect this vulnerable population.

The objective of this study was to assess the fermentation profile, chemical composition, aerobic stability and taxonomic diversity of corn grain silages rehydrated with water or cactus pear. Two rehydration methods were tested: corn grain silage rehydrated with water (CW) and corn grain silage rehydrated with cactus pear (CCP), each subjected to four opening times (30, 60, 90 and 120 days). The experiment employed a 2 × 4 factorial completely randomized design (two rehydration methods and four opening times) with four repetitions, units 32 experimental units. pH values were higher in water-rehydrated corn grain silage compared to cactus pear-rehydrated silage at 60 (average of 4.78 and 4.33) and 90 days (average of 4.33 and 3.83). For NH3-N, CW surpassed CCP at 30 days (average of 0.73% and 0.63%) and 60 days (average of 1.09% and 0.74%), respectively. Regarding rehydration, CCP had a higher dry matter (DM) content at 30 and 60 days, while CW showed the highest DM content at 90 and 120 days. Initially, the microbiota of CW and CCP treatments differed, primarily in the abundance of the Weissella genus, more abundant in CCP. However, from 30 to 120 days, microbiotas in all treatments became taxonomically similar, with no significant differences. Both silage experienced an increase in bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus. The use of cactus pear for rehydration in ensiling rehydrated corn grain is viable, showing superior results for fermentation profile and aerobic stability compared to water rehydration. It is recommended to open the silo after 60 days of fermentation.

Schrankiana are gastrointestinal parasites of anurans, distributed throughout Central and South America. Schrankiana formosula and Schrankiana inconspicata are some of the most commonly reported species parasitising anurans from Brazil, and the morphological differences between them are unclear. In the present study, we redescribed S. formosula based on a re-examination of type series and newly collected material from the frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus in the state of Amapá, Brazil. Additionally, we re-examined the type series of S. inconspicata, and propose it as a junior synonym of S. formosula. We provide detailed morphological and morphometric data with intraspecific variation analyses and new molecular data for S. formosula. In the present phylogeny, S. formosula formed a well-supported clade with Raillietnema sp. and Labeonema synodontisi. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and some morphological similarities, our findings support the hypothesis that Schrankiana is a member of the family Cosmocercidae, not Atractidae. Additionally, we provide the first ultrastructural descriptions of S. formosula, and establish the species' phylogenetic position from the Cosmocercidae.

Over the last few years, during the pandemic, the Brazilian population has suffered several problems, ranging from health to socioeconomic impacts. When we consider Brazilian science, there has been an undeniable scientific delay generated by the pandemic, especially in areas that are not related to the coronavirus. In this context, with the aim of fostering collaboration among researchers in the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases (DOHaD) and enhancing the potential for implementing public health strategies to prevent noncommunicable chronic diseases, the Brazilian Association of Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases (DOHaD Brazil) was established in 2020. In this narrative, we explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, focusing on its impacts on scientific research conducted in universities. Additionally, we underscore the significance of the DOHaD Brazil Association, particularly from the perspective of young researchers engaged in DOHaD research in Brazil.

The use of silvopastoral systems with tree legumes is a viable alternative to recover and develop pastures, as they add N to the system influencing pasture growth. This study hypothesized that the herbage and litter of signalgrass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf) is affected by legume trees in the pasture. Treatments were composed of (1) signalgrass + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.; (2) signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium Jacq.; and (3) signalgrass monoculture. The 3-year experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Tree legumes were planted in double rows (15 × 1 × 0.5 m), in 1 ha paddocks. Litter samples were taken in five distance points (0, 1.8, 3.7, 5.6 and 7.5 m) perpendicular to tree legume rows. Signalgrass was taller at longer distances from the trees (P < 0.05). Signalgrass height differed between treatments, with taller signalgrass found in pastures mixed with G. sepium (15.6 cm) compared to M. caesalpiniifolia (9 cm) (P < 0.05). Herbage N content decreased with increasing distance from tree rows (P < 0.05). Litter N content followed a similar pattern, ranging from 23 g/kg under the trees to 12 g/kg at 7.5 m away from tree rows. Signalgrass did not grow under the tree crown (0–1.8 m), especially when intercropped with M. caesalpiniifolia. The findings of this study suggest that the type of legume trees used in the silvopastoral system has the potential to modify the pattern of grass growth and content of N in pasture litter.

The study evaluated forage and livestock performance in different grazing systems over two years. Treatments were three contrasting grazing systems: (I) N-fertilized bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) in the summer overseeded during the winter by N-fertilized ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and oat (Avena sativa L.) (Grass + N); (II) unfertilized bahiagrass during the summer overseeded with ryegrass + oat and a blend of clovers (Trifolium spp.) in the winter (Grass + Clover); (III) unfertilized bahiagrass and rhizoma peanut (RP; Arachis glabrata Benth.) mixture during summer, overseeded during winter by ryegrass + oat + clovers mixture (Grass + Clover + RP). Average daily gain (ADG), gain per area (GPA), and stocking rate (SR) in the winter did not differ across treatments and averaged 0.87 kg/d (P = 0.940), 303 kg/ha, and 2.72 AU/ha. In the summer, Grass + Clover + RP had greater ADG than Grass + N (0.34 vs. 0.17 kg/d, respectively). During the summer, the GPA of Grass + Clover + RP was superior to Grass + N (257 vs. 129 kg/ha, respectively), with no difference in SR among treatments at 3.19 AU/ha. Over the entire year, ADG and GPA tended to be greater for Grass + Clover + RP. Annual SR differed between treatments, where Grass + N was greater (3.37 AU/ha) than the other treatments, which averaged 2.76 AU/ha. Integration of legumes into pasture systems in the summer and winter contributes to developing a sustainable grazing system, reducing N fertilizer use by 85% while tending to increase livestock productivity even though SR was decreased by 18%.

Leishmaniases affect 12 million people worldwide. They are caused by Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites transmitted to mammals by female phlebotomine flies. During the life cycle, promastigote forms of the parasite live in the gut of infected sandflies and convert into amastigotes inside the vertebrate macrophages. The parasite evades macrophage's microbicidal responses due to virulence factors that affect parasite phagocytosis, survival and/or proliferation. The interaction between Leishmania and macrophage molecules is essential to phagocytosis and parasite survival. Proteins containing leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) are common in several organisms, and these motifs are usually involved in protein–protein interactions. We have identified the LRR17 gene, which encodes a protein with 6 LRR domains, in the genomes of several Leishmania species. We show here that promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis overexpressing LaLRR17 are more infective in vitro. We produced recombinant LaLRR17 protein and identified macrophage 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) as a ligand for LaLRR17 employing affinity chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. We showed that GRP78 binds to LaLRR17 and that its blocking precludes the increase of infection conferred by LaLRR17. Our results are the first to report LRR17 gene and protein, and we hope they stimulate further studies on how this protein increases phagocytosis of Leishmania.

One of the prominent peculiarities of nanoparticles (NPs) is their ability to cross biological barriers. Therefore, the development of NPs with different properties has great therapeutic potential in the area of reproduction because the association of drugs, hormones and other compounds with NPs represents an alternative for delivering substances directly at a specific site and for treatment of reproductive problems. Additionally, lipid-based NPs can be taken up by the tissues of patients with ovarian failure, deep endometriosis, testicular dysfunctions, etc., opening up new perspectives for the treatment of these diseases. The development of nanomaterials with specific size, shape, ligand density and charge certainly will contribute to the next generation of therapies to solve fertility problems in humans. Therefore, this review discusses the potential of NPs to treat reproductive disorders, as well as to regulate the levels of the associated hormones. The possible limitations of the clinical use of NPs are also highlighted.

The sugarcane giant borer, Telchin licus licus, is an insect pest that causes significant losses in sugarcane crops and in the sugar-alcohol sector. Chemical and manual control methods are not effective. As an alternative, in the current study, we have screened Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins with high toxicity against this insect. Bioassays were conducted to determine the activity of four Cry toxins (Cry1A (a, b, and c) and Cry2Aa) against neonate T. licus licus larvae. Notably, the Cry1A family toxins had the lowest LC50 values, in which Cry1Ac presented 2.1-fold higher activity than Cry1Aa, 1.7-fold larger than Cry1Ab, and 9.7-fold larger than Cry2Aa toxins. In silico analyses were performed as a perspective to understand putative interactions between T. licus licus receptors and Cry1A toxins. The molecular dynamics and docking analyses for three putative aminopeptidase N (APN) receptors (TlAPN1, TlAPN3, and TlAPN4) revealed evidence for the amino acids that may be involved in the toxin–receptor interactions. Notably, the properties of Cry1Ac point to an interaction site that increases the toxin's affinity for the receptor and likely potentiate toxicity. The interacting amino acid residues predicted for Cry1Ac in this work are probably those shared by the other Cry1A toxins for the same region of APNs. Thus, the presented data extend the existing knowledge of the effects of Cry toxins on T. licus licus and should be considered in further development of transgenic sugarcane plants resistant to this major occurring insect pest in sugarcane fields.

Fifty years of deforestation in the Arc of Deforestation have put at risk species survival, ecosystem services and the stability of biogeochemical cycles in Amazonia, with global repercussions. In response, we need to understand the diversity, distribution and abundance of flagship species groups, such as primates, which can serve as umbrella species for broad biodiversity conservation strategies and help mitigate climate change. Here we identify the range, suitable habitat areas and population size of Vieira's titi monkey Plecturocebus vieirai and use it as an emblematic example to discuss biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in one of the largest deforestation frontiers. Our findings show that deforestation for agriculture and cattle-ranching expansion is the major threat to P. vieirai and is responsible for present (56%) and projected (14%) reductions in habitat area and population size. We also found that human-driven climate change affects the P. vieirai niche negatively, triggering habitat degradation and further population decline even inside protected areas. Primate watching can be a profitable alternative to forest exploitation on private, public or Indigenous lands in the Arc of Deforestation and is a way to shift the traditional, predatory extraction of natural resources from Amazonia towards sustainable land use based on biodiversity conservation at local, regional and global scales, local people's welfare and climate change mitigation. New models of land use and income generation are required to protect the unique natural and human heritages of the Arc of Deforestation and the life-supporting ecosystem services and products provided by Amazonia.

Few studies have focused on nutrient-deficient diets and associated pathobiological dynamics of body composition and intestinal barrier function. This study evaluated the impact of a nutrient-deficient diet on physical development and intestinal morphofunctional barrier in mice. C57BL/6 (21 days of age) mice were fed a Northeastern Brazil regional basic diet (RBD) or a control diet for 21 d. The animals were subjected to bioimpedance analysis, lactulose test, morphometric analysis and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR to evaluate tight junctions and intestinal transporters. RBD feeding significantly reduced weight (P < 0·05) from day 5, weight gain from day 3 and tail length from day 14. The intake of RBD reduced total body water, extracellular fluid, fat mass and fat-free mass from day 7 (P < 0·05). RBD induced changes in the jejunum, with an increase in the villus:crypt ratio on day 7, followed by reduction on days 14 and 21 (P < 0·05). Lactulose:mannitol ratio increased on day 14 (P < 0·05). Changes in intestinal barrier function on day 14 were associated with reductions in claudin-1 and occludin, and on day 21, there was a reduction in the levels of claudin-2 and occludin. SGLT-1 levels decreased on day 21. RBD compromises body composition and physical development with dynamic changes in intestinal barrier morphofunctional. RBD is associated with damage to intestinal permeability, reduced levels of claudin-1 and occludin transcripts and return of bowel function in a chronic period.

The present research aims to model, simulate and implement a new hybrid control approach based on a combination of proportional integral derivative (PID) Controller and Model Reference Adaptive Controller (MRAC), in which Lyapunov’s theory is used to ensure asymptotic stability to control a two degrees of freedom (DoF) manipulator driven by McKibben’s artificial pneumatic muscles. The MRAC controller works as a nonlinearity compensator and PID controller works during the transient period, as the MRAC performs poorly in this regime. This new approach is entitled Hybrid Model Reference Adaptive Controller (H-MRAC) and it has an unprecedented topological structure based on three terms. The feedforward term acts in disturbances rejection, the derivative term in oscillations damping and the feedback term acts in error convergence to zero. In this article, a control system dedicated to pneumatic manipulators was developed. As a result, proof of asymptotic convergence was performed for the proposed topological approach, which was validated on a two DoF manipulator. The proposed mechanism satisfactorily met the ISO/TS 15066 standard, and the position tracking obtained a global error of 37.69% and 51.01% smaller than found in the literature examples, entitled MRAC and A-PID, respectively, for simulations and 37.46% and 30.25% for experiments.

Population-based seroprevalence studies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in low- and middle-income countries are lacking. We investigated the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil, using rapid IgM−IgG antibody test and fluorescence immunoassay. The seroprevalence was 9.3% (95% CI 8.5–10.1), 10.2% (95% CI 9.2–11.3) for women and 7.9% (IC 95% 6.8–9.1) for men (P = 0.004). We found a decline in the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies according to age, but the differences were not statistically significant: 0–19 years (9.9%; 95% CI 7.8–12.5), 20–59 years (9.3%; 95% CI 8.4–10.3) and ≥60 years (9.0%; 95% CI 7.5–10.8) (P = 0.517). The metropolitan area had a higher seroprevalence (11.7%, 95% CI 10.3–13.2) than outside municipalities (8.0%, 95% CI 7.2–8.9) (P < 0.001). These findings highlight the importance of serosurveillance to estimate the real impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and thereby provide data to better understand the spread of the virus, as well as providing information to guide stay-at-home measures and other policies. In addition, these results may be useful as basic data to follow the progress of COVID-19 outbreak as social restriction initiatives start to be relaxed in Brazil.

Spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) is widely used in animal feed in semi-arid regions, due to the adaptive characteristics to such conditions and for having high levels of soluble carbohydrates. This research article describes the effect of replacing grain maize with spineless cactus in the diet of dairy goats on dry matter intake, water intake, milk yield, milk physicochemical characteristics and diet production costs. Eight multiparous Anglo Nubian goats were fed diets in which grain maize was replaced with spineless cactus at four levels (0, 33, 66, and 100%) in a double 4 × 4 Latin square design. Milk yield was measured and samples collected in the last three days of each period for physicochemical analysis and for determining nutrient intake. Diet production costs were also determined. Replacing maize with spineless cactus did not influence dry matter intake. Water intake via the drinker decreased linearly in response to the increasing levels of spineless cactus in the diet. The replacement of maize with spineless cactus did not change milk yield or physicochemical parameters. Total feed cost and the percentage of revenue losses from feed decreased with the replacement. Therefore, spineless cactus can fully replace grain maize in the diet of dairy goats, as it does not change dry matter intake or milk yield, but rather reduces feed costs and the drinking-water intake of goats.