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The genus Cerradoa (type species Cerradoa palmaea) was established in 1978 by Hennen and Ono and named after the Brazilian Cerrado biome. The holotype collected in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil, belonged to the first rust fungus reported on palms (Arecaceae). For decades, the status of Cerradoa as a distinct genus has been regarded as doubtful, representing a synonym of Edythea (Uropyxidaceae) starting with the second edition of the Illustrated Genera of Rust Fungi in 1983. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses, as well as our morphological investigations, allowed us to reject this synonymy, leading to the reinstatement of Cerradoa within the Pucciniaceae. Cerradoa, together with morphologically similar genera such as the newly established Pseudocerradoa with two species (Ps. paullula and Ps. rhaphidophorae) infecting araceous hosts, the fern rust Desmella, and also P. engleriana, could not be assigned to any of the seven identified major lineages within the Pucciniaceae. Edythea, instead of being maintained as a member of the Uropyxidaceae, was herein placed in Pucciniaceae, shown phylogenetically in close relationship to Cumminsiella mirabilissima, both infecting the Berberidaceae. Additionally, our extensive phylogenetic analyses add guidance for future taxonomic revisions in the highly polyphyletic genus Puccinia and other established taxa within the family Pucciniaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megacoelomyces (type species: Megacoelomyces sanchezii), an ascomycete asexual morph infecting Myrcia fenzliana (Myrtaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado, is described as a new genus in the Phaeosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota), based on multilocus phylogeny (three nuclear ribosomal DNA and two protein-coding genes) in addition to morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and ecological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladosterigma clavariellum has been treated as a basidiomycete since its first description by Spegazzini in 1886 as Microcera clavariella. After further morphological studies, between 1919 and 2011, it remained among the basidiomycetes, most recently as incertae sedis in the order Cryptobasidiales. Our studies, based on light and scanning electron microscopy, supported by multilocus phylogenetic analyses—second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), small subunit (18S), large subunit (28S), and nuclear internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) of the nuclear rDNA sequences, and mitochondrial rDNA small subunit (mtSSU)—finally determined the phylogenetic placement of Cladosterigma as the first nonlichenicolous mycoparasitic member of the Gomphillaceae within the Graphidales, an ascomycete order previously composed predominantly of lichen-forming fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nutraceutical interventions supporting microbiota and eliciting clinical improvements in metabolic diseases have grown significantly. Chronic stress, gut dysbiosis, and metainflammation have emerged as key factors intertwined with sleep disorders, consequently exacerbating the decline in quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effects of two nutraceutical formulations containing prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), yeast β-glucans), minerals (Mg, Se, Zn), and the herbal medicine Silybum marianum L. Gaertn., Asteraceae (Milk thistle or Silymarin). These formulations, namely NSupple (without silymarin) and NSupple_Silybum (with silymarin) were tested over 180 days in overweight/obese volunteers from Brazil's southeastern region. We accessed fecal gut microbiota by partial 16S rRNA sequences; cytokines expression by CBA; anthropometrics, quality of life and sleep, as well as metabolic and hormonal parameters, at baseline (T0) and 180 days (T180) post-supplementation. Results demonstrated gut microbiota reshaping at phyla, genera, and species level post-supplementation. The Bacteroidetes phylum, Bacteroides, and Prevotella genera were positively modulated especially in the NSupple_Silybum group. Gut microbiota modulation was associated with improved sleep patterns, quality-of-life perception, cytokines expression, and anthropometric parameters post-supplementation. Our findings suggest that the nutraceutical blends positively enhance cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers. Particularly, NSupple_Silybum modulated microbiota composition, underscoring its potential significance in ameliorating metabolic dysregulation. Clinical trial registry number: NCT04810572. 23/03/2021., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Cryptococcosis is a global invasive mycosis associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the northern region of Brazil, this disease is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans genotype VNI and Cryptococcus gattii genotype VGII. However, few environmental studies have been conducted in this large tropical area., Aims: This study was performed to isolate, genotype, and determine the frequency of cryptococcal agents in environmental samples near Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil., Methods: A total of 970 environmental samples (290 from soil, 290 from decaying plants, 5 from insects, 280 from the Negro river, and 105 from small streams within the city of Manaus) were collected and plated on Niger seed agar. In addition, 20 sub-cultures obtained from each positive sample were analyzed by PCR-RFLP (URA5) and PCR for genotyping and determination of mating type., Results: Six samples were positive for isolates from the C. gattii species complex. Of those, three samples were from Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve and three were from the Negro river. All isolates were C. gattii genotype VGII (mating type MATα)., Conclusion: Genotype VGII proved to be the most important genotype found in the environmental samples. The genotype VGII has been described as one of the most virulent and less susceptible to antifungals and responsible for important outbreaks. This is the first study to demonstrate isolation of C. gattii (VGII) from the Negro river.

The stilt-legged fly genus Micropeza contains 82 valid species. Currently 10 species are recorded in Brazil. Here we describe a new species, M. dactyloptera sp. nov., based on 108 specimens (55 males and 53 females) from the States of Goiás, Paraná, and Distrito Federal, Brazil.

Caluromys is considered to be one of the most ancient genera of extant marsupials and is positioned among the basal taxa of the family Didelphidae. At least two species occur in Brazil, C. philander and C. lanatus, both of which have 2n = 14 chromosomes. For the first time, we present evidence of an intrapopulation polymorphism of the sexual chromosome pair in C. philander females from the Central Amazon region. Detailed cytogenetic results of animals from three localities on the Amazon region were analyzed using classical cytogenetics (NOR, C-Band and G-Band) and molecular techniques (18S rDNA and telomere probes). Similar to other conspecific individuals, the diploid number of these animals is 2n = 14, and their fundamental number is 24, with NOR present on the 6th autosomal pair. The X chromosome presented variation detectable by G banding, suggesting a pericentric inversion.

The aim of this paper is to discuss some actions that made possible the eradication of smallpox in Brazil, considering the main contexts and policies adopted for the disease between 1920 and 1970, assuming as contrast educational measures in the field of health and establishing a discussion on the educational content of the programs adopted. It can be observed that, during this period, the setting of the health policies and the creation of state agencies that target specific diseases and actions, which in the case of the smallpox, only occurred in the 1960s, when the National Campaign against the Smallpox and the National Campaign for Eradication of Smallpox were created. Health education and the relations with these institutions were of fundamental importance to the dissemination and implementation of state actions that allowed the expansion of the vaccinal coverage with acceptance of its use by the population and the range of control and eradication of the disease.