ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the present study is to evaluate the anatomy of the inferior hypogastric plexus, correlating it with urological pathologies, imaging exams and surgeries of the female pelvis, especially for treatment of endometriosis. Material and Methods We carried out a review about the anatomy of the inferior hypogastric plexus in the female pelvis. We analyzed papers published in the past 20 years in the databases of Pubmed, Embase and Scielo, and we included only papers in English and excluded case reports, editorials, and opinions of specialists. We also studied two human fixed female corpses and microsurgical dissection material with a stereoscopic magnifying glass with 2.5x magnification. Results Classical anatomical studies provide few details of the morphology of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) or the location and nature of the associated nerves. The fusion of pelvic splanchnic nerves, sacral splanchnic nerves, and superior hypogastric plexus together with visceral afferent fibers form the IHP. The surgeon’s precise knowledge of the anatomical relationship between the hypogastric nerve and the uterosacral ligament is essential to reduce the risk of complications and postoperative morbidity of patients surgically treated for deep infiltrative endometriosis involving the uterosacral ligament. Conclusion Accurate knowledge of the innervation of the female pelvis is of fundamental importance for prevention of possible injuries and voiding dysfunctions as well as the evacuation mechanism in the postoperative period. Imaging exams such as nuclear magnetic resonance are interesting tools for more accurate visualization of the distribution of the hypogastric plexus in the female pelvis.

Resumen Objetivo: El objetivo de la presente investigación es comprender el impacto del cuidado de la persona sospechosa o infectada por el SARS-CoV-2, en la calidad de vida y en los factores de riesgo psicosociales de los enfermeros e identificar asociaciones con sus características sociodemográficas. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio exploratorio-descriptivo a través de las escalas World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments - Bref y Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, con un total de 127 respuestas válidas. Los datos fueron trabajados en el SPSS, con recurso a la estadística descriptiva y al Crosstabs. Resultados principales: Los valores medios de la calidad de vida no alcanzaron los 70 puntos y se identificaron 22 factores de riesgo psicosociales en grado intermedio y elevado. Algunas características sociodemográficas parecen presentar asociación con estes resultados. Conclusión principal: Los enfermeros de la muestra se vieron afectados de manera significativa por la atención en el contexto de la pandemia.

Abstract Objective: The present investigation aims to understand the impact of providing care to people with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection on nurses' quality of life and psychosocial risk factors and to identify associations with their sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: An exploratory-descriptive study was carried out through the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments - Bref and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire scales, with a total of 127 valid responses. Data were processed in SPSS, using descriptive statistics and crosstabs. Results: The mean values of quality of life did not reach 70 points and 22 psychosocial risk factors were identified in intermediate and high degree. Some sociodemographic characteristics seem to be associated with these results. Conclusion: The nurses of the sample were significantly affected by the provision of care in the context of the pandemic.

RESUMO A intensificação da agropecuária na Amazônia ameaça a manutenção da biodiversidade, interfere na ciclagem da água e nos estoques de carbono, alterando os ciclos biogeoquímicos em escala local e regional. Recentemente, na Amazônia, políticas públicas têm sido criadas para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável, tal como observado com o Plano Nacional de Produção e uso do Biodiesel (PNPB) em 2005, e o Programa de Produção Sustentável de Óleo de Palma (PPSOP) em 2010, facilitando a entrada de alguns municípios do nordeste paraense na cadeia produtiva da palma de óleo (dendê - Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é quantificar a cobertura vegetal e o uso da terra para avaliar a qualidade ambiental do município de Mãe do Rio no Pará, para os anos de 2008 e 2016. A metodologia inclui revisão bibliográfica, análise espacial/temporal da cobertura e uso da terra e o Índice de Transformação Antrópica (ITA). Os resultados demonstram que as principais mudanças ocorridas em 2008 e 2016 são: i. o desmatamento contínuo das florestas primárias, enquanto a floresta secundária aumenta em área; ii. a expansão gradual dos dendezeiros sobre as áreas de agropecuária; iii. o aumento da área de solo exposto indica uma alta rotatividade do uso e cobertura da terra; iv. em 2008 e 2016, os índices são 7,56 e 7,64 respectivamente, considerados “potencialmente insustentáveis”, devido à continua supressão de floresta primária, degradada e campinaranas, favorecendo a perda da biodiversidade na região, condição que justifica o apoio à política da dendeicultura.

ABSTRACT The intensification of agriculture in the Amazon threatens the maintenance of biodiversity, interferes with water cycling and carbon stocks, altering biogeochemical cycles on a local and regional scale. Recently, in the Amazon, public policies have been created to promote sustainable development, as observed with the National Plan for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB) in 2005 and the Sustainable Palm Oil Production Program (PPSOP) in 2010, facilitating the entry of some municipalities in the northeast of Pará to the oil palm productive chain (oil palm - Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). Thus, the objective is to quantify the vegetation cover and land use to assess the environmental quality of the municipality of Mãe do Rio in Pará for the years 2008 and 2016. The methodology includes bibliographic review, spatial/temporal analysis of the coverage and use of land, and the Anthropic Transformation Index (ITA). The results show that the main changes that occurred in 2008 and 2016 are: i. the continuous deforestation of primary forests, while the secondary forest increases in area; ii. the gradual expansion of oil palm over agricultural areas; iii. the increase in the area of exposed soil indicates a high turnover in land use and coverage; iv. in 2008 and 2016, the indexes are 7.56 and 7.64 respectively, considered “potentially unsustainable,” due to the continuous suppression of primary, degraded and campinaranas forests, favoring the loss of biodiversity in the region, a condition that justifies support for oil palm.

Resumen: El comercio exterior es fundamental para los países, siendo un soporte principal en el crecimiento económico y desarrollo social. El sector florícola es una industria fuerte y dinámica, se considera un rubro importante generador de divisas en muchos países desarrollados y en vías de desarrollo. La investigación de este trabajo consiste en determinar el comportamiento del Sector Florícola sobre la Balanza Comercial Agropecuaria durante el período 2009 hasta marzo 2020, mediante análisis de datos históricos de dicho sector. La metodología es tipo descriptiva, longitudinal y cuantitativa utilizando una técnica de investigación documental y de observación para la recopilación de información y base de datos obtenidos en la página web del Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería y el Banco Central del Ecuador. Como resultado se determinó que el sector florícola aportó de manera positiva, en el primer trimestre del año 2020 con una participación de un 7.43%, generando grandes ingresos contribuyendo a la Balanza Comercial Agropecuaria, considerado un producto de gran ventaja competitiva.

Abstract: Foreign trade is fundamental for countries, being a main support for economic growth and social development. The floriculture sector is a strong and dynamic industry andis considered an important currency generator in many developed and developing countries. The research of this work consists of determining the behavior of the Floriculture Sector on the Agricultural Trade Balance during the period 2009 to March 2020, through analysis of historical data of this sector. The methodology is descriptive, longitudinal and quantitative using a documentary research technique and observation for the collection of information and database obtained from the MAGAP and the ECB web page. As a result, it was determined that the flower sector contributed positively in the first quarter of the year 2020 with a participation of 7.43%, generating large revenues contributing to the Agricultural Trade Balance, considered a product of great competitive advantage.

Abstract Although Rallidae is the most diverse family within Gruiformes, there is little information concerning the karyotype of the species in this group. In fact, Gallinula melanops, a species of Rallidae found in Brazil, is among the few species studied cytogenetically, but only with conventional staining and repetitive DNA mapping, showing 2n=80. Thus, in order to understand the karyotypic evolution and phylogeny of this group, the present study aimed to analyze the karyotype of G. melanops by classical and molecular cytogenetics, comparing the results with other species of Gruiformes. The results show that G. melanops has the same chromosome rearrangements as described in Gallinula chloropus (Clade Fulica), including fission of ancestral chromosomes 4 and 5 of Gallus gallus (GGA), beyond the fusion between two of segments resultants of the GGA4/GGA5, also fusions between the chromosomes GGA6/GGA7. Thus, despite the fact that some authors have suggested the inclusion of G. melanops in genus Porphyriops, our molecular cytogenetic results confirm its place in the Gallinula genus.

Abstract The spittlebugs Mahanarva spectabilis economically challenges cattle production of neotropical regions, due to its voracious feeding on tropical grasses. Here, we evaluated biochemical responses of the interaction between M. spectabilis and the widely cultivated tropical grasses Brachiaria spp. (i.e., brizantha and decumbens) and elephant grasses (cvs. Roxo de Botucatu and Pioneiro), regarding lipoxygenases, protease inhibitors, phytohormones, and proteolytic activities in the midgut of M. spectabilis. The M. spectabilis-infested grasses increased lipoxygenases activity, except for cv. Pioneiro. The levels of the phytohormones jasmonic and abscisic acids were similarly low in all genotypes and increased under herbivory. Furthermore, salicylic acid concentration was constitutively higher in Brachiaria sp., increasing only in spittlebug-infested B. decumbens. M. spectabilis infestations did not induce increases of protease inhibitors in any forage grass type. The trypsin activity remained unaltered, and the total proteolytic activity increased only in B. decumbens-fed insects. Our findings revealed that most forage grasses exposed to spittlebugs activate the lipoxygenases pathway, resulting in increased abscisic and jasmonic acids. However, greater amounts of these hormones do not induce protease inhibitory activity in response to spittlebug attack. This knowledge certainly helps to guide future projects aiming at reducing the impact of spittlebugs on forage production.

RESUMO A fragmentação florestal tem sido intensa na parte leste da Amazônia, afetando negativamente as populações silvestres. O desmatamento rápido nesta região intensifica a necessidade de entender como estas mudanças afetam as populações de espécies endêmicas e de implementar medidas de conservação de ecossistemas. Nós analisamos o nível de conexão que ainda existe entre os fragmentos florestais na Área de Endemismo Xingu, na Amazônia Oriental, e atribuímos prioridade de conservação aos fragmentos mais importantes para a manutenção da conectividade entre fragmentos. Analisamos estruturalmente a paisagem do Xingu usando a Análise Morfológica de Padrão Espacial e classificamos cada fragmento de acordo com sua importância usando um Índice de Conectividade. Nossos resultados indicam grande diferença no potencial de conservação ao longo da área de estudo. Apesar de que grande parte da área de estudo já possui algum tipo de proteção, futuras ações de conservação deveriam priorizar a conexão entre fragmentos de hábitat, para maximizar o potencial de dispersão e minimizar o isolamento genético de componentes da biodiversidade. Produzimos um mapa de áreas prioritárias para maximizar a conectividade. Essas áreas incluem fragmentos com grandes áreas-núcleo e fragmentos de alta qualidade que promovem conexão entre habitats que, conjuntamente, podem formar corredores cruciais para o fluxo gênico em uma região de alta diversidade biológica na Amazônia.

ABSTRACT Forest fragmentation has been intense in the eastern Amazon region, which has negatively affected wildlife populations. The speed of deforestation in this region underscores the urgent need to understand the effects of such changes on populations of endemic species, and to implement measures for ecosystem conservation. We analyzed the extent to which fragmented forests are still connected in the Xingu Area of Endemism, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, and assigned conservation priority to fragments most important for connectivity maintenance. We structurally classified the Xingu landscape using the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis and ranked each fragment according to its importance using an Index of Connectivity. Our data revealed important differences in conservation potential across the region. Although most of the study area already receives some degree of protection, future conservation actions should prioritize the connection of habitat fragments to maximize dispersal potential and minimize genetic isolation of biodiversity components. We produced a map of prioritary areas for connectivity maximization. These areas include fragments with large core areas and high-quality fragments that provide connection among habitats which, together, should maintain crucial corridors for gene flow in a biologically-rich region of the Amazon.

Abstract Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are one of the most enigmatic avian groups, and also among the most diverse, with approximately 360 recognized species in 106 genera, of which 43 are monotypic. This fact has generated considerable interest in the evolutionary biology of the hummingbirds, which is reflected in a number of DNA-based studies. However, only a few of them explored chromosomal data. Given this, the present study provides an analysis of the karyotypes of three species of Neotropical hummingbirds, Anthracothorax nigricollis (ANI), Campylopterus largipennis (CLA), and Hylocharis chrysura (HCH), in order to analyze the chromosomal processes associated with the evolution of the Trochilidae. The diploid number of ANI is 2n=80 chromosomes, while CLA and HCH have identical karyotypes, with 2n=78. Chromosome painting with Gallus gallus probes (GGA1-12) shows that the hummingbirds have a karyotype close to the proposed ancestral bird karyotype. Despite this, an informative rearrangement was detected: an in-tandem fusion between GGA7 and GGA9 found in CLA and HCH, but absent in ANI. A comparative analysis with the tree of life of the hummingbirds indicated that this fusion must have arisen following the divergence of a number of hummingbird species.

Abstract Despite the richness of species in the Hirudinidae family, little is known about the genome organization of swallows. The Progne tapera species presents genetic and morphological difference when compared to other members of the same genus. Hence, the aims of this study were to analyze the chromosomal evolution of three species Progne tapera, Progne chalybea and Pygochelidon cyanoleuca - by comparative chromosome painting using two sets of probes, Gallus gallus and Zenaida auriculata, in order to determine chromosome homologies and the relationship between these species. All karyotypes exhibited 76 chromosomes with similar morphology, except for the 5th, 6th and 7th chromosome pairs in P. cyanoleuca. Additionally, comparative chromosome painting demonstrated the same hybridization pattern in the two Progne, which was similar to the putative avian ancestral karyotype, except for the centric fission in the first pair, as found in other Passeriformes. Thus, these data display a close relationship between the Progne species. Although P. cyanoleuca demonstrated the same fission in the first pair of the ancestral syntenic (GGA1), it also showed an additional chromosomal rearrangement for this species, namely a fusion with a microchromosome in the seventh pair.

Resumo: Esse artigo discute a articulação entre gênero, educação técnico-profissional em Agropecuária e projetos de vida de moças e rapazes rurais dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do norte do Brasil e dos Centros de Formación Agrária do norte da Espanha. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo realizado com método misto. Utilizou-se como instrumento de pesquisa um questionário com 22 questões abertas e 12 questões fechadas que foram respondidas por 197 participantes (142 brasileiros e 55 espanhóis), sendo 130 rapazes e 67 moças. Para garantir a validez dos resultados, o processo de triangulação completou-se com entrevistas em profundidade a gestores educacionais (dois brasileiros e dois espanhóis) e dois jovens rurais. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados com procedimentos de estatística descritiva, enquanto os dados qualitativos foram categorizados seguindo o processo de codificação temática. Os resultados mostram uma vinculação entre a formação profissional técnica e os projetos de vida dos jovens estudantes, com uma forte diferença marcada por gêneros, e que a opção por uma formação agropecuária entre jovens brasileiros tem uma função instrumental de abrir possibilidades de acesso a outros cursos ou outras áreas de formação, enquanto os rapazes espanhóis estão mais claramente vinculados familiarmente com as atividades agrícolas.

Abstract: This paper aims to discuss the articulation among gender, technical-professional education in Agriculture and life projects of rural youth in the Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia in the north of Brazil and the Centros de Formación Agraria in the north of Spain. This is an exploratory-descriptive study, which was carried out by mixed methods. A questionnaire with 22 open and 12 closed questions was answered by 130 male and 67 female participants (142 Brazilians and 55 Spaniards). Furthermore, four in-depth interviews with school administrators (02 Brazilians and 02 Spaniards) and two with rural youngsters were carried out for data triangulation to verify and validate the gathered information. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics procedures, while qualitative data categorization followed the thematic coding process. The results show a link between technical vocational training and the life projects of young students, with a strong difference marked by gender, and the option for agricultural training among young Brazilians has an instrumental function of opening possibilities for access to other courses or other areas of training, while Spanish boys are more clearly familiarly related to agricultural activities.

Abstract Human activity has prompted a rapid decline in the forested areas of the Amazon, resulting in an increase in the number of isolated forest fragments. Belém is the smallest and most deforested area of endemism in the biome. Its high level of degradation translates into great biodiversity vulnerability and the need for urgent measures to address these changes. The aim of this research was to analyze connectivity among the Belém’s remaining forest fragments and to classify them according to their importance for population dispersal. We used morphological spatial pattern analysis to characterize landscape structure and the integral index of connectivity to defi ne the importance of forest fragments. From a structural perspective, 55.28% of the forested area was classifi ed as core, 16.88% as edge. From a functional perspective, few fragments were classifi ed as highly important. In general, larger fragments were more important for connectivity. The protected areas seem to not have considered the forest connectivity in their planning, although the designation of priority areas has valued this variable. This study provides an important theoretical outline for considering connectivity in the planning phase and represents a contribution to more detailed research on how to maintain biodiversity in the Belém Area of Endemism.

Abstract The order Charadriiformes comprises three major clades: Lari and Scolopaci as sister group to Charadrii. Until now, only three Charadriiformes species have been studied by chromosome painting: Larus argentatus (Lari), Burhinus oedicnemus and Vanellus chilensis (Charadrii). Hence, there is a lack of information concerning the third clade, Scolapaci. Based on this, and to gain a better understanding of karyotype evolution in the order Charadriiformes, we applied conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches in a species belonging to clade Scolopaci - the wattled jacana (Jacana jacana) - using Gallus gallus and Zenaida auriculata chromosome-specific probes. Cross-species evaluation of J. jacana chromosomes shows extensive genomic reshuffling within macrochromosomes during evolution, with multiple fission and fusion events, although the diploid number remains at high level (2n=82). Interestingly, this species does not have the GGA7-8 fusion, which was found in two representatives of Charadrii clade, reinforcing the idea that this fusion may be exclusive to the Charadrii clade. In addition, it is shown that the chromosome evolution in Charadriiformes is complex and resulted in species with typical and atypical karyotypes. The karyotypic features of Scolopaci are very different from those of Charadrii and Lari, indicating that after divergence, each suborder has undergone different chromosome rearrangements.

Abstract Improving rainfed wheat cultivation in central Brazil, where the Cerrado biome (Brazilian savanna) is predominant, remains a bottleneck for future increases in domestic wheat production. In the Cerrado, the limited water availability during the wheat-growing season is an obstacle to increase wheat yield. To address this issue, the physiological and molecular drought response of wheat and the environmental conditions of this region must be better understood. In this review, we characterized the impact of drought on rainfed wheat production in the Cerrado. Based on the peculiarities of this environment, we suggest that certain traits should be prioritized in selection. These traits and their molecular basis are important to raise wheat yields in the Cerrado and also to improve food security in Brazil, one of the top wheat-importing countries in the world.

Abstract Vitamin D exerts an immuno-modulatory activity on several immune system cells through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Herein, we verified that age and a therapeutic regimen containing protease inhibitors are associated with failures in antiretroviral therapies (ARVs). In addition, we assessed whether a VDR SNP (rs11568820: C allele and CC genotype) and GC (rs2228570-rs11568820) allelic combinations are associated with immunological failure (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest a possible role of VDR SNPs on immunological failure in HIV-1+ individuals undergoing regular ARVs.

Resumo Coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia são amplamente usados como modelos experimentais e representam uma parcela importante dos atendimentos em consultórios veterinários. A conformação músculo-esquelética dos coelhos torna frequente a ocorrência de lesões lombossacrais com comprometimento neural. Visando contribuir para a anatomia comparada e no entendimento destas lesões, foram estudadas por dissecção a origem e a distribuição dos nervos obturatórios de 30 cadáveres de coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia (15 machos e 15 fêmeas) fixados previamente em formaldeído a 10%. O nervo obturatório formou-se a partir dos ramos ventrais de L6 e L7 em 63,3% dos casos, de L5 e L6 em 13,4%, apenas de L7 em 13,4%, de L7 e S1 em 6,6% e de L6, L7 e S1 em 3,3%. O segmento espinhal que mais contribuiu para a formação do nervo foi L7 (86,6% dos nervos). Os nervos obturatórios emitiram em todos os animais, número variável de ramos para os músculos obturador interno, obturador externo, pectíneo, adutor e grácil. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as frequências da origem e de ramos musculares dos nervos obturatórios quando comparados sexo e antímeros.

Abstract New Zealand rabbits are widely used as experimental models and represent an important casuistic in veterinary practices. The musculoskeletal conformation of rabbits frequently leads to the occurrence of lumbosacral lesions with neural involvement. In order to contribute to the comparative anatomy and the understanding of these lesions, the origin and distribution of the obturator nerves of 30 New Zealand rabbits (15 males and 15 females) previously fixed in 10% formaldehyde were studied by dissection. The obturator nerves were originated from the ventral spinal branches of L6 and L7 in 63.3% of the cases, L5 and L6 in 13.4%, only L7 in 13.4%, L7 and S1 in 6.6 % and of L6, L7 and S1 in 3.3%. The spinal segment that most contributed to the formation of the nerve was L7 (86.6% of the nerves). The obturator nerves emitted in all the specimens, a variable number of branches for the internal obturator, external obturator, pectineum, adductor and gracilis muscles. No significant differences were observed between the frequencies of the origin and muscular branches of the obturator nerves when comparing sex and antimers.