BACKGROUND There is interest in lingering non-specific symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, referred to as Long coronavirus disease 2019 (Long COVID-19). It remains unknown whether the risk of Long COVID-19 is associated with pre-existing comorbidities or initial COVID-19 severity, including infections due to new Omicron lineages which predominated in 2023. OBJECTIVES The aim of this case report was to characterize the clinical features of acute XBB.1.5 infection followed by Long COVID-19. METHODS We followed a 73-year old female resident of Rio de Janeiro with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 during acute infection and subsequent months. The SARS-CoV-2 lineage was determined by genome sequencing. FINDINGS The participant denied comorbidities and had completed a two-dose vaccination schedule followed by two booster doses eight months prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Primary infection by viral lineage XBB.1.5. was clinically mild, but the participant subsequently reported persistent fatigue. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This case demonstrates that Long COVID-19 may develop even after mild disease due to SARS-CoV-2 in fully vaccinated and boosted individuals without comorbidities. Continued monitoring of new SARS-CoV-2 lineages and associated clinical outcomes is warranted. Measures to prevent infection should continue to be implemented including development of new vaccines and antivirals effective against novel variants.

BACKGROUND The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants has become a major concern contributing to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. OBJECTIVES Here we describe the replacement of the Gamma variant of concern (VOC) with Delta in the western Brazilian Amazon. METHODS In this study, we analysed 540 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples determined by qualitative real-time RT-PCR selected in the state of Rondônia between June and December 2021. The positive cohort was sequenced through next-generation sequencing (NGS) and each sample was quantified using real-time RT-qPCR, the whole genome sequence was obtained, SARS-CoV-2 lineages were classified using the system Pango and the maximum likelihood (ML) method was used to conduct phylogenetic analyses. FINDINGS A total of 540 high-quality genomes were obtained, where the Delta VOC showed the highest prevalence making up 72%, with strain AY.43 being the most abundant, while the Gamma VOC was present in 28%, where the P.1 strain was the most frequent. In this study population, only 32.96% (178/540) had completed the vaccination schedule. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted the presence of Gamma and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 in RO. Furthermore, we observed the replacement of the Gamma VOC with the Delta VOC and its lineages.

ABSTRACT Background: Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) are recognized by their great biological diversity, but little is known about their temporal patterns, which may be crucial in a changing world. Here we aimed to characterize the SDTF dynamic patterns in floristic and structural changes, and also to evaluate shifts in dynamic rates and structural attributes such as richness, number of trees and biomass. Our hypothesis is that SDTF tree communities have their dynamic characterized by temporal fluctuations related to an instability pattern, in according to the already found for others tropical forests. For this we used a data of 42 400 m² plots in three fragments in the Brazilian Arboreal Caatinga, measured in 2005, 2010 and 2015. We evaluated temporal changes in richness, species composition, trees density, biomass and rates of tree mortality and recruitment; and also rates of biomass gain and loss. Results: We found a pattern of floristic composition stability, but with changes in structure and dynamics. There was a tree density decrease driven by constant mortality and by recruitment decrease, and biomass increase due to decrease in biomass loss and to increase in biomass gain. The biomass increase was main related to a small set of dominant species that are the most representative in the community dynamics. Conclusion: SDTF dynamics are related to stability in species composition, but with structural changes towards higher biomass stocks. The results are main related to community dynamics and to SDTF attributes such as climatic seasonality that drives the local ecological processes.

RESUMO Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a dinâmica, além das mudanças estruturais e florísticas em uma comunidade arbórea de Floresta Estacional Decidual, no Norte de Minas Gerais no intervalo de cinco anos. Em 2005, foram alocadas 10 parcelas de 20x20m. Os indivíduos com CAP ≥ 10 cm foram marcados com etiquetas numeradas e mensurados. Em 2010, no segundo inventário, foram incorporados os recrutas, registrados os mortos e remedidos os sobreviventes. Em 2005 foram registradas 46 espécies, e em 2010 foram 45 espécies. O índice de Shannon-Wienner (H’ = 2,62 nats ind-1 em 2005; H’ = 2,60 nats ind-1 em 2010) e a equabilidade de Pielou (J = 0,683 em 2005; J = 0,682 em 2010) não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Foram registrados ao todo 57 indivíduos mortos, com taxa de mortalidade média de 1,64% ano-1. Enquanto ocorreram 18 recrutas, apresentando taxa de recrutamento médio de 0,53% ano-1. Apesar da maior mortalidade, em comparação com o recrutamento, os resultados sugerem que a comunidade se manteve estável tanto em termos estruturais e de diversidade no intervalo considerado.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize the dynamics, structural changes and floristics of a Northern Minas Gerais Seasonally Deciduous Forest tree community, in a 5 year interval. In 2005, 10 (20 x 20m) plots were allocated. All trees (CBH ≥ 10 cm) were tagged and measured. A second census was carried out in 2010 in order to measure surviving, new recruits and dead trees. In 2005, 46 species were recorded, moving to 45 in 2010. No significant differences were found for Shannon - diversity (H’ = 2.62 nats ind-1 in 2005; H’ = 2.60 nats ind-1 in 2010) and Pielou eveness (J = 0.683 in 2005; J = 0.682 in 2010) in the interval. A total of 57 dead records (rate of 1.64% year-1) were found whereas 18 trees were recruited (rate of 0.53% year-1). Despite the higher mortality as compared to recruitment, the results suggest that the community remained stable in both structural and diversity terms in the interval considered.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar agrupamentos espaciais de rebanhos positivos para cisticercose bovina no Estado da Paraíba. O estado foi dividido em três grupos amostrais: estrato amostral 1 (mesorregião do Sertão), estrato amostral 2 (mesorregião da Borborema), e estrato amostral 3 (mesorregiões da Zona da Mata e Agreste), e 2.382 vacas com idade ≥ 24 meses foram amostradas a partir de 474 propriedades. O diagnóstico sorológico da cisticercose bovina foi inicialmente realizado pelo ELISA indireto, e as amostras de soro positivas foram confirmadas por immunoblot. Um rebanho foi considerado positivo para cisticercose se apresentasse pelo menos um animal positivo em rebanhos de até 29 fêmeas, e dois animais positivos em rebanhos com mais de 29 fêmeas. Os agrupamentos espaciais foram avaliados com o uso da metodologia k-vizinhos mais próximos de Cuzick-Edwards e estatística espacial de varredura. Um agrupamento significativo de rebanhos positivos foi detectado na parte sul da mesorregião da Borborema. Tendo em vista que os testes sorológicos para diagnóstico de cisticercose bovina não são amplamente disponíveis, bem como é comum na região a reposição e manutenção dos rebanhos por compra de animais, conclui-se que medidas de prevenção devem ser aplicadas em nível de rebanho.

Abstract The aim of this survey was to identify spatial clustering of bovine cysticercosis-positive herds in the state of Paraíba. The state was divided into three sampling groups: sampling stratum 1 (Sertão mesoregion), sampling stratum 2 (Borborema mesoregion) and sampling stratum 3 (Zona da Mata and Agreste mesoregions), and 2382 cows aging ≥ 24 months from 474 farms were sampled. Serological diagnoses of bovine cysticercosis were initially done by means of indirect ELISA, and positive serum samples were confirmed by a immunoblot test. Herds were deemed positive for cysticercosis if they presented at least one positive animal in herds of up to 29 females, and two positive animals in herds with more than 29 females. The spatial clustering was assessed using the Cuzick-Edwards k-nearest neighbor method and spatial scan statistics. A significant clustering of positive herds was detected in the southern part of the Borborema mesoregion. Given that serological tests for bovine cysticercosis are not widely available, and also that replacement and maintenance of herds through animal purchases is common in the region, it can be concluded that prevention measures should be applied at herd level.

A maior parte dos estudos envolvendo as Florestas Tropicais Sazonalmente Secas aborda questões fitogeográficas e conexões florísticas deste bioma disjunto. Porém, pouco se conhece a respeito das características estruturais da FTSS. Devido a esta lacuna existente na literatura, buscamos descrever a estrutura de um fragmento remanescente de FTSS em uma área ecotonal entre domínio do Cerrado e da Caatinga. Ocorreram no estudo grande número de espécies arbóreas, 79, e altos valores para os índices de diversidade e equabilidade (3,6 nats/indivíduos e 0,83, respectivamente). A distribuição diamétrica para os indivíduos que apresentaram maiores valores de cobertura e para a comunidade não resultou em padrão de J-reverso, o que indica adaptações ecológicas ao stress hídrico adotadas em diferentes estratégias de crescimento. Não houve formação de grupos florísticos, já que a alta fertilidade do solo da área de estudo configura um ambiente homogêneo. A característica da área de estudo detectada através da estrutura, associada a dados edáficos, nos permitiu vislumbrar sua importância em termos de conservação e reforçar a importância de estudos com este enfoque nas FTSS.

Most studies on Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTFs) investigate phytogeographic patterns and floristic connections of this disjunct biome. However, little is known about the structural characteristics of SDTFs. We aimed to describe the structure of a SDTF in an ecotonal area between the Cerrado and Caatinga domains. In total, 79 tree species were recorded, and high values of Shannon diversity index (3.6 nats/individual) and equability (0.83) were observed. The diameter distribution for the species with higher cover values and for the entire community did not exhibit a reverse-J shaped distribution, which indicates the occurrence of different growth strategies and ecological adaptations to water stress. The results did not indicate the formation of floristic groups, as the high soil fertility in the study area results in a homogeneous environment. The structural characteristics of the study area associated with the soil composition highlight its importance for conservation and emphasize the need for community structure studies in SDTFs.

Devido à heterogeneidade fitofisionômica da vegetação na região Norte Mineira, a estrutura e riqueza de seus remanescentes são consideravelmente variáveis, e, embora pouco conhecida, trata-se de uma região amplamente explorada economicamente. Objetivou-se, com este estudo, caracterizar a estrutura e florística de uma área de caatinga arbórea, localizada em Juvenília, Minas Gerais. Foram alocadas 20 parcelas de 20 × 20 m (400 m²) totalizando 0,8 há. Nelas foram mensurados todos os indivíduos com CAP (circunferência à altura do peito) > 10 cm. Para complementar a listagem florística do componente arbustivoarbóreo, foram realizadas quatro visitas para coleta de material botânico entre janeiro e dezembro de 2003. A composição florística foi representada por 64 espécies arbóreas, destas, 47 foram amostradas no levantamento fitossociológico. A diversidade da área foi de H' = 2,90 e J' = 0,76, com dominância das espécies Anadenanthera colubrina, Poincianella pluviosa e Myracrodruon urundeuva que apresentaram os maiores valores de Dominância: 26,3, 13,1 e 20,3%; Densidade: 11,2, 16,6 e 10,1%; Frequência: 6,2, 6,5 e 5,5% e Valor de Importância: 14,6, 12,1 e 12,0%, respectivamente. A distribuição diamétrica da comunidade tendeu à normalidade, com menor quantidade de indivíduos nas classes diamétricas menores e maiores. A comunidade estudada mostra padrões estruturais e florísticos semelhantes a outros remanescentes de florestas deciduais em bom estado de conservação, dentro e fora do bioma Caatinga, embora tenha sido evidenciada a presença de interferências antrópicas na área.

Due to the phytophysiognomic heterogeneity of the northern Minas Gerais region, the structure and richness of local vegetation remnants vary considerably, and regardless of the fact that the region is yet little known, it has been widely explored economically. The objective of this study is to characterize the structure and floristics of a fragment of Arboreous Caatinga located in Juvenília, Minas Gerais. Twenty 20 × 20m plots (400 m²) were allocated, to a total of 0.8 ha, and all individuals in them with a CAP (circumference at breast height) > 10 cm were recorded. To complement the floristic listing of shrub and tree components, four visits were undertaken to collect botanical material, between January and December 2003. The floristic composition was represented by 64 arboreous species, out of which 47 were sampled in the phytosociological survey. The local diversity was H' = 2.90 and J' = 0.76, with a dominance of species Anadenanthera colubrina, Poincianella pluviosa and Myracrodruon urundeuva, respectively with Dominance: 26.3%, 13.1% and 20.3%; Density: 11.2%, 16.6% and 10.1%; Frequency: 6.2%, 6.5% and 5.5% and Importance Value: 14.6%, 12.1% and 12.0%. The diameter distribution of the community tended to normality, with less individuals in smaller and larger diameter classes. The structural and floristic patterns of the community in question were found to be similar to other reasonably preserved remnants of deciduous forest, inside and outside the Caatinga biome, despite the evidence of local anthropic intervention.