Background Dysregulation of the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to poor outcomes in COVID-19. Neutrophils are key players in this response, displaying distinct functional profiles associated with disease severity. This study investigates how neutrophil phenotypes, and their mediators are modulated in severe COVID-19 following vaccination. Methods and Results We conducted an observational case-control study...

Low biochar rates (5 Mg ha −1 ) increased bacterial richness and diversity in degraded soil. Biochar origin controlled microbial assembly and niche specialization patterns. Sewage-sludge biochar favored stress-tolerant and metal-adapted bacterial taxa. Cashew bagasse biochar enhanced nitrogen cycling and chemoheterotrophic functions. Network complexity peaked at intermediate biochar doses and declined at high rates. Biochar ha...

Understanding the genetic regulation underlying host–microbiota interactions is key to elucidating how microbial communities influence host metabolism, immunity, and physiology. In this context, the main objective of this study was to integrate genomic, transcriptomic, and microbial data to identify shared regulatory variants, highlight key microbial taxa, and prioritize biological pathways related to lipid metabolism, immune...

While bats are known to harbor various viruses and bacteria, their role as hosts for hemoparasites has not been extensively studied. This research investigated the presence of ectoparasites and vector-borne pathogens—including Anaplasmataceae agents, hemoplasmas, apicomplexans, and kinetoplastids—in 74 Phyllostomidae bats sampled from an urban forest fragment in southeastern Brazil. Overall, 31.1% of the bats were infested wit...

Purpose The European Union has emphasized the reduction of inorganic fertilizer consumption and the expansion of organic farming as key strategies toward sustainability and a circular economy. However, the production of organic fertilizers does not necessarily result in lower environmental impacts compared to mineral fertilizers. This review aims to summarize Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on both mineral and bio-based fe...

The use of sewage sludge as biochar or compost in organomineral fertilizers has been investigated as an alternative to mineral fertilizers, as it can maintain crop yields, reduce environmental impacts, and improve soil quality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of organomineral fertilizers derived from sewage sludge and lignolytic compounds, formulated through different technologies, on the bioaccumulation...

Aim We evaluated how native vegetation cover influences the diversity of arachnid assemblages across multiple spatial scales in major Brazilian ecosystems. Location Brazil (Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, Cerrado savanna and Caatinga dry forest). Taxon Arachnida (Opiliones, Pseudoscorpiones and Scorpiones). Methods We sampled arachnids at 120 sites using active search and litter sifting. Native vegetation cover was quantified...

Otolith microchemistry analysis revealed that bycatch of European shads, allis shad Alosa alosa and twaite shad Alosa fallax , in western Iberian commercial fisheries removes individuals from a wide array of natal origins, with the most abundant source rivers suffering the heaviest losses. Spatial variation in bycatch risk was evident: Specific marine areas exhibited high natal origin diversity, reflecting complex dispersal. A...

The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWAO) is an important feeding and developmental area for loggerhead turtle ( Caretta caretta ). However, long-term patterns of resource use across life stages and sexes remain poorly understood for the species in this region. Here, we used stable isotope analysis (SIA) of sequential layers of carapace scutes to investigate resource use of loggerhead turtles in the SWAO across life stages and se...

Aim We investigate the distribution of dispersal modes — endozoochory (via animal ingestion), synzoochory (via animal seed accumulation) and anemochory (via wind)—and seed mass of woody plants across Brazilian ecosystems, testing whether their relative abundance in local plant communities could be predicted by climate, edaphic factors and dispersal agents (e.g., the main vectors moving seeds). We expected climate to be the mai...

The olfactory bulb (OB) is one of the earliest brain regions affected in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Its high metabolic rate, dopaminergic modulation, and connectivity with the cortical and limbic regions make it particularly vulnerable to early neuroinflammatory and oxidative processes. This study aimed to investigate whether the administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the OB induces...

Purpose of Review This paper reviews the current understanding of the potential for humans to enter a state of torpor/hibernation, and discusses the possibility of inducing torpor in astronauts for long-duration space travel, including some of the physiological, technological, and ethical considerations associated with its implementation. By exploring means to induce torpor in various human organoid systems, we hope such resea...