BACKGROUND The five BRICS (Brazil, Russian, Indian, China, and South Africa) countries bear 49% of the world’s tuberculosis (TB) burden and they are committed to ending tuberculosis. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to map the scientific landscape related to TB research in BRICS countries. METHODS Were combined bibliometrics and social network analysis techniques to map the scientific publications related to TB produced by the BRICS. Was made a descriptive statistical data covering the full period of analysis (1993-2016) and the research networks were made for 2007-2016 (8,366 records). The bubble charts were generated by VantagePoint and the networks by the Gephi 0.9.1 software (Gephi Consortium 2010) from co-occurrence matrices produced in VantagePoint. The Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm provided the networks’ layout. FINDINGS During the period 1993-2016, there were 38,315 peer-reviewed, among them, there were 11,018 (28.7%) articles related by one or more authors in a BRICS: India 38.7%; China 23.8%; South Africa 21.1%; Brazil 13.0%; and Russia 4.5% (The total was greater than 100% because our criterion was all papers with at least one author in a BRICS). Among the BRICS, there was greater interaction between India and South Africa and organisations in India and China had the highest productivity; however, South African organisations had more interaction with countries outside the BRICS. Publications by and about BRICS generally covered all research areas, especially those in India and China covered all research areas, although Brazil and South Africa prioritised infectious diseases, microbiology, and the respiratory system. MAIN CONCLUSIONS An overview of BRICS scientific publications and interactions highlighted the necessity to develop a BRICS TB research plan to increase efforts and funding to ensure that basic science research successfully translates into products and policies to help end the TB epidemic.

A restinga de Praia das Neves ocupa uma extensa área (ca. 67 km2) no extremo sul do Estado do Espírito Santo (21°14′35.35″S e 40°56′48.68″W), limitada pelo Rio Itabapoana, na divisa com o Estado do Rio de Janeiro. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar e caracterizar as diferentes formações vegetais dessa restinga e sua flora associada, incluindo o reconhecimento dos habitats relacionados ao lagarto ameaçado de extinção Liolaemus lutzae Mertens, 1938. Excursões para caracterização da flora local foram realizadas em campanhas pontuais, entre os anos de 2008 e 2011, e o material botânico foi identificado e posteriormente depositado no Herbário RBR do Departamento de Botânica da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. A caracterização das diferentes formações encontradas baseou-se em observações locais e na bibliografia especializada, considerando aspectos físicos do ambiente, o hábito e a composição das espécies vegetais. A vegetação da restinga de Praia das Neves reúne sete formações florestais, arbustivas e herbáceas, distribuídas em geral em faixas paralelas a linha da costa. Foram registradas 167 espécies de plantas vasculares, reunidas em 58 famílias, ocorrendo nas diferentes formações. A grande maioria das espécies estudadas é exclusiva de uma única formação, enquanto que Allagoptera arenaria (guriri-da-praia) se destaca por ocorrer em quase todas as formações locais. A restinga de Praia das Neves mantém extensos trechos em bom estado de conservação, com espécies listadas como ameaçadas para a flora do Estado do Espírito Santo e com importantes remanescentes de formações costeiras no Estado. Embora sua maior extensão esteja contida em área privada, ações futuras devem assegurar a preservação da restinga local, com suas formações vegetais e a biota associada, conforme indica a legislação federal vigente.

The sandy coastal plains (restinga) of Praia das Neves occupies a large area (ca. 67 km2) in the southeastern state of Espírito Santo (21°14′35.35″ S and 40°56′48.68″ W), bordered by Itabapoana River on the boundary with the state of Rio de Janeiro. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the different types of plant communities and associated flora on that sandy coastal plain, including the recognition of the habitats related to the endangered lizardLiolaemus lutzae Mertens, 1938. Field trips to characterize the local flora were carried out on specific campaigns, between the years 2008 and 2011. The plants were identified and deposited in the RBR Herbarium of the Department of Botany at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. The communities' characterization was based on local observations and specialized bibliography, considering physical aspects of the environment, habit and composition of plant species. The sandy coastal plain of Praia das Neves brings together seven forest, shrub and herbaceous communities, usually distributed in ridges parallels to the shoreline. There have been recorded 167 species of vascular plants, grouped into 58 families, occurring in different communities. The majority of species occurs in a single community, while Allagoptera arenaria (guriri-da-praia) stands out for occurring in almost all local communities. The restinga of Praia das Neves maintains extensive areas in good environmental conditions, with some species cited in the red list of endangered species in the state of Espírito Santo, and also with important remnants of coastal communities. Although its greatest extension is within a private area, future actions should ensure the preservation of the local restinga, with its different communities and associated biota, according to the current federal legislation.

FUNDAMENTOS: A proteção solar efetiva é uma prática incomum entre os jovens, aumentando a probabilidade de queimaduras solares, insolações e cânceres de pele. Esse fato é mais significativo na Região Sul do Brasil, onde a prevalência da população branca é maior, sendo mais propensa aos danos causados pelo sol. OBJETIVOS: Estudar as práticas de exposição e proteção solar em estudantes do ensino médio da cidade de Carlos Barbosa, RS. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, envolvendo 775 estudantes matriculados no primeiro semestre de 2010, que tiveram o termo de consentimento assinado. Utilizou-se um questionário não identificável, autoaplicável, com perguntas abordando tópicos relacionados ao tema. Na análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher e o teste t-Student. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob o código 2010-115H. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos estudantes se expõem ao sol no horário mais crítico, permanecendo expostos por período superior a uma hora. Quinhentos e setenta e seis alunos (74,3%) referiram utilizar protetor solar, mas menos de 10,0% deles o fazem durante todos os meses do ano. As adolescentes são as que mais usam filtro solar (p < 0,001) e permanecem menos tempo expostas ao sol (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos estudantes de ensino médio de Carlos Barbosa tem hábitos inadequados de exposição e proteção solar, caracterizando comportamento de risco para doenças de pele. A existência de programas públicos de esclarecimento dos riscos à população e o subsídio de produtos para a proteção solar foram sugeridos por esses jovens.

BACKGROUND: Effective solar protection is an uncommon practice among young people, increasing the likelihood of sunburn, sunstroke and skin cancers. This fact is more significant in the south of Brazil, where the prevalence of white skinned population is larger, being more prone to sun damage. OBJECTIVES: To study the practices of sun exposure and sun protection in high school students from the city of Carlos Barbosa - RS. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 775 students, enrolled on the first half of 2010, who had signed the consent form. We used a non-identifiable, self-administered questionnaire, with questions about related topics. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square or Fisher exact and t-Student tests. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under the number 2010-115H. RESULTS: Most students are exposed to the sun at the more critical periods, remaining exposed for more than an hour. Five hundred and seventy-six students (74,3%) reported using sunscreen, but less than 10% did it during all months of the year. Female teenagers are most likely to use sunscreen (p <0.001) and to spend less time exposed to sunlight (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Most high school students from Carlos Barbosa had unsuitable sun exposure and sun protection habits, characterizing a high risk behavior for skin diseases. The existence of public programs for clarification of the risks to the population and the subsidization of sun protection products were suggested by these young people.