ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate characteristics of the testicular parenchyma and vascular parameters of the pampiniform plexus obtained by ultrasound, semen quality parameters, and sperm freezability in Nellore bulls classified based on residual feed intake (RFI). Twenty-seven bulls (21.82±0.88 months of age) evaluated for feed efficiency were sampled for the study, including 15 with low RFI (−0.592±0.09 kg dry matter/day) and 12 with high RFI (0.792±0.10 kg dry matter/day). In ultrasound and Doppler assessment, the most efficient animals (low RFI) showed higher pulsatility and resistive indexes, as well as a tendency towards greater heterogeneity of the testicular parenchyma (0.625±0.032 vs. 0.508±0.032, 1.012±0.072 vs. 0.802±0.072, and 12.9±0.96 vs. 10.2±0.96, respectively, for low vs. high RFI). However, these animals tended to have lower peak diastolic velocity (5.19±0.50 for low RFI vs. 6.54±0.50 for high RFI). Analysis of fresh semen showed a lower percentage of minor defects in low RFI animals (2.67±1.19%) compared with high RFI animals (8.10±1.19%), without differences in the other parameters in fresh or thawed semen and after thermoresistance testing. Evaluation of flow cytometry parameters showed a higher quality of mitochondrial respiration in semen samples of low RFI animals (22.04±2.50%) compared with high RFI animals (12.29±2.71%). Therefore, although RFI exerts an effect on the Doppler parameters of the pampiniform plexus, it is not sufficient to affect the quality of fresh or thawed semen.

ABSTRACT Purpose: to identify studies related to ultrasound assessment of suction in infants. Methods: this research aims to investigate how the literature describes the use of ultrasound to assess suction in infants. It used the “Participants, Concept, and Context” strategy to define inclusion criteria, as follows: population, infants 1 to 180 days old; concept, assessment of suction; and context, ultrasound assessment. The search strategy will be used in the databases of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, and studies will be selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria established, independently, by two trained professionals. The article analysis protocol will consider the study year and design, the number of infants assessed, their ages, the suction assessment method, the ultrasound suction image acquisition method, and the ultrasound suction analysis method. Data will be presented in charts, narratives, and tables. Final Considerations: ultrasound has been described in the literature as an assessment instrument that enables the analysis of tongue movements during suction. This scoping review will describe ultrasound acquisition methods to assess suction.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar estudos relacionados à avaliação ultrassonográfica da função de sucção em lactentes. Métodos: esta pesquisa procura investigar como a literatura descreve o uso da ultrassonografia na avaliação da sucção dos lactentes. A estratégia Participantes, Conceito e Contexto foi utilizada para definir os critérios de inclusão, sendo a população avaliada de lactentes de um a 180 dias de vida; com o conceito investigado de avaliação da função de sucção; e o contexto investigado de avaliação ultrassonográfica. A estratégia de busca será realizada nas bases de dados eletrônicas MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science e Scopus e os estudos serão selecionados com base nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos por dois profissionais treinados, independentemente. O protocolo de análise dos artigos irá considerar ano do estudo, delineamento do estudo, número de bebês avaliados, idade, metodologia para avaliação da sucção, metodologia de aquisição de imagens ultrassonográficas da sucção e metodologia de análise ultrassonográfica da sucção. Os dados serão apresentados por meio de diagramas, narrativas e tabelas. Considerações Finais: a ultrassonografia vem sendo descrita na literatura como um instrumento de avaliação que permite a análise dos movimentos da língua durante a sucção. Esta revisão de escopo irá permitir a descrição dos métodos de aquisição da ultrassonografia na avaliação da sucção.

Abstract Objective to estimate the prevalence of anxiety in older adults and its association with different levels of functional disability in a small town in the state of Paraiba, Brazil. Method a cross-sectional analytical study was carried out of 233 randomly-selected older users of the Family Health Strategy program. Data were collected using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory. Results were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics adopting a significance level of p < 0.05. Results Overall, 48.1% of the participants had some degree of selfreported anxiety, with significantly higher levels among women (mean rank = 128.11; p = 0.002). An association was also found between severe anxiety level and severe disability level (p < 0.001). Conclusion the high prevalence of different degrees of geriatric anxiety and its association with severe functional disability indicates the coexistence of psychoemotional and motor alterations. These findings suggest the need to break the chain of underdiagnosis and strengthen the implementation of specialized interventions in the field of gerontology and geriatrics.

Resumo Objetivo estimar a ocorrência de ansiedade em pessoas idosas e sua associação com os diferentes padrões de incapacidade funcional em um município de pequeno porte do estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Método estudo transversal e analítico realizado com 233 idosos vinculados à Estratégia Saúde da Família e aleatoriamente selecionados. Os dados foram coletados por meio dos instrumentos World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 e o Inventário de Ansiedade Geriátrica, cuja análise foi subsidiada pela estatística descritiva e bivariada, considerando significância quando p<0,05. Resultados 48,1% dos idosos apresentaram algum nível de ansiedade autorreferida, com níveis significativamente maiores entre as mulheres (média dos postos = 128,11; p = 0,002). Também se constatou associação entre o padrão de ansiedade grave com o padrão de incapacidade grave (p < 0,001). Conclusão a elevada ocorrência de diferentes graus de ansiedade geriátrica e sua associação com a incapacidade funcional grave sinaliza a coexistência entre alterações psicoemocionais e motoras, sugerindo a necessidade de romper a cadeia do subdiagnóstico e fortalecer a implementação de intervenções especializadas no campo da gerontogeriatria.

ABSTRACT There is a need for greater knowledge about the medium- and long-term effects of prescribed fire management on soil in ecosystems prone to wildfires and more vulnerable to climate change. This study examined the short- and medium-term effects of prescribed fire on soil chemical properties and chemical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) in two positions of the landscape in a high-elevation grassland environment. The ecosystem is located in the mountain peaks of southeastern Brazil associated with the Atlantic Forest biome. Prescribed fire was conducted in 2017 to reduce understory vegetation and thus prevent potential severe wildfires. Soil samples were collected at the layers of 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.40 m, at eight composite sampling. The composite samples were collected on five different occasions: before the prescribed fire, and 10, 30, 90, and 240 days after the prescribed fire. Soil chemical properties, total organic carbon, labile C, and chemical fractionation of SOM were analyzed. All soil properties investigated were affected by the prescribed fire, with variations in landscape position, duration of effect, and soil layer. In the backslope area, the medium-term effect of fire was negative and induced soil degradation and induced soil degradation. In the footslope area, the system showed greater resilience to the effects of fire, as indicated by the recovery of the soil’s chemical properties. These results can help assess the suitability of controlled burning of vegetation for managing risks of fire in mountainous regions, such as high-elevation grasslands.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication during the postoperative period following liver transplantation. Occurrence of AKI in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is associated with increased mortality and higher costs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate occurrences of moderate or severe AKI among patients admitted to the ICU after liver transplantation and investigate characteristics associated with this complication. DESIGN AND SETTING: Single-center retrospective cohort study in a public hospital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Forty-nine patients admitted to the ICU between January 2015 and April 2017 were included. AKI was defined from a modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) score (i.e. based exclusively on serum creatinine levels). RESULTS: Eighteen patients (36.7%) developed AKI KDIGO 2 or 3; mostly KDIGO 3 (16 out of the 18 patients). Lactate level within the first six hours after ICU admission (odds ratio, OR: 1.3; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.021-1.717; P = 0.034) and blood transfusion requirement within the first week following transplantation (OR: 8.4; 95% CI: 1.687-41.824; P = 0.009) were independently associated with development of AKI. Patients with AKI KDIGO 2 or 3 underwent more renal replacement therapy (72.2% versus 3.2%; P < 0.01), had longer hospital stay (20 days versus 15 days; P = 0.001), higher in-hospital mortality (44.4% versus 6.5%; P < 0.01) and higher mortality rate after one year (44.4% versus 9.7%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Need for blood transfusion during ICU stay and hyperlactatemia within the first six postoperative hours after liver transplantation are independently associated with moderate or severe AKI. Developing AKI is apparently associated with poor outcomes.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar associações entre contexto de trabalho e manifestações clínicas da COVID-19 em profissionais de saúde. Métodos Estudo transversal, com profissionais de saúde do nordeste brasileiro, das categorias médica, enfermagem e fisioterapia de diferentes áreas de atuação. Foi enviado um questionário do Google Forms por meio de redes sociais reunindo variáveis demográficas, acadêmicas, do contexto de trabalho, manifestações clínicas e dados relacionados a realização de teste para COVID-19 (não foi especificado o teste realizado) e se o resultado confirmava infecção ativa ou presença de anticorpos (categorizado como positiva). Realizou-se teste de Qui-Quadrado de Pearson e análise multivariada de regressão logística binária, com teste de Qui-Quadrado de Wald, considerando p-value <0,05, Odds Ratio e Intervalo de Confiança de 95%. Resultados Aceitaram participar do estudo 1.354 profissionais. Destes, 324 referiram teste positivo para COVID-19, com prevalência de 23,9% (324/1.354). Evidenciou-se associação estatística entre manifestação de sintomas e resultado positivo (p=0,000). As características do contexto de trabalho relacionadas a número de empregos, cenário de prática, contato com pacientes críticos e emprego na capital foram as variáveis independentes associadas ao resultado positivo para COVID-19 (p<0,05). Identificou-se que 54,8% da variável dependente pode ser relacionada ao setor de trabalho, número de empregos, febre, perda de olfato e paladar. Conclusão Profissionais de saúde dos centros urbanos, contexto hospitalar, unidades de cuidados críticos e com mais de um emprego são mais acometidos pela COVID-19, tendo o resultado positivo do exame uma estreita relação com os sintomas de febre, perda de olfato e paladar característicos da doença.

Abstract Objective To analyze associations between work context and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in health professionals. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, with health professionals from the northeast of Brazil, from the medical, nursing and physiotherapy categories from different areas of expertise. A Google Forms questionnaire was sent through social networks, gathering demographic, academic, work context, clinical manifestations and data related to testing for COVID-19 (the test performed was not specified) and whether the result confirmed infection active or presence of antibodies (categorized as positive). Pearson’s chi-square test and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were performed, with Wald’s chi-square test, considering p-value <0.05, Odds Ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 1,354 professionals agreed to participate in the study. Of these, 324 reported a positive test for COVID-19, with a prevalence of 23.9% (324/1,354). There was a statistical association between symptom onset and positive result (p=0.000). The work context characteristics related to the number of jobs, practice setting, contact with critically ill patients and employment in the capital were the independent variables associated with a positive result for COVID-19 (p<0.05). It was identified that 54.8% of the dependent variable can be related to the work sector, number of jobs, fever, loss of smell and taste. Conclusion Health professionals from urban centers, hospitals, critical care units and those with more than one job are more affected by COVID-19, with the positive test result being closely related to the symptoms of fever, loss of smell and taste that are characteristic of the illness.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar asociaciones entre contexto de trabajo y manifestaciones clínicas de la COVID-19 en profesionales de salud. Métodos Estudio transversal, con profesionales de salud del nordeste brasileño, de las categorías médica, enfermería y fisioterapia de distintas áreas de actuación. Se envió un cuestionario del Google Forms a través de redes sociales que reúnen variables demográficas, académicas, del contexto de trabajo, manifestaciones clínicas y datos relacionados con la realización de pruebas de COVID-19 (no se especificó la prueba realizada) y si el resultado confirmaba la infección activa o la presencia de anticuerpos (categorizado como positiva). Se realizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado de Pearson y el análisis multivariado de regresión logística binaria, con prueba de chi-cuadrado de Wald, considerando p-value <0,05, Odds Ratio e Intervalo de Confianza del 95 %. Resultados 1.354 profesionales aceptaron participar del estudio. De estos, 324 refirieron prueba positiva de COVID-19, con una prevalencia de 23,9 % (324/1.354). Se evidenció una asociación estadística entre la manifestación de síntomas y el resultado positivo (p=0,000). Las características del contexto de trabajo relacionadas al número de empleos, escenario de práctica, contacto con pacientes críticos y empleo en la capital fueron las variables independientes asociadas al resultado positivo de COVID-19 (p<0,05). Se identificó que 54,8 % de la variable dependiente puede estar relacionada con el sector de trabajo, número de empleos, fiebre, pérdida de olfato y paladar. Conclusión Profesionales de salud de los centros urbanos, contexto hospitalario, unidades de cuidados críticos y con más de un empleo son los más afectados por la COVID-19, y tiene el resultado positivo del examen una estrecha relación con los síntomas de fiebre, pérdida de olfato y de paladar característicos de la enfermedad.

Abstract Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) has shown great biological heterogeneity, with a variable prognosis, and a short survival in some patients. In this light, the present study focused on the prognostic utility of circulating microparticles (MPs) and a Thrombin Generation (TG) Profile for thrombotic risk and disease progression in CLL patients. Circulating microparticles and TG were evaluated in 35 patients with CLL and 35 healthy individuals. For circulating microparticles, significant differences were observed among the following groups: MPs derived from endothelial cells (p = 0.002), B lymphocytes (p < 0.001), platelets (p = 0.003), and Tissue Factor MPs in monocytes (p < 0.001). In all cases, MP values were higher for the CLL group. When compared to the controls, CLL patients presented a decrease in TG, characterized by a reduced endogen thrombin potential (ETP) (p = 0.031). When the results were analyzed according to the Binet stage, as compared to the controls, the Binet B+C group also presented lower ETP values (p = 0.009). No significant differences were observed between the control and the Binet A groups or between the Binet A and the Binet B + C groups. Although hemostatic alterations may occur in patients with CLL, these parameters do not seem to be useful to indicate disease progression.

Abstract The present study evaluated 56 patients diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and a control group of 44 clinically healthy subjects with no previous history of leukemia. Genetic expressions of AKT and microRNAs were evaluated by quantitative PCR (qPCR). A significant increase in AKT gene expression in patients when compared to controls was observed (p = 0.017). When the patients were stratified according to Binet subgroups, a significant difference was observed between the subgroups, with this protein kinase appearing more expressed in the B+C subgroup (p = 0.013). Regarding miRNA expression, miR-let-7b and miR-26a were reduced in CLL patients, when compared to controls. However, no significant differences were observed in these microRNA expressions between the Binet subgroups (A versus B+C). By contrast, miR-21 to miR-27a oncogenes showed no expression difference between CLL patients and controls. AKT protein kinase is involved in the signaling cascade that occurs with BCR receptor activation, leading to increased lymphocyte survival and protection against the induction of cell death in CLL. Thus, increased AKT protein kinase expression and the reduction of miR-let-7b and miR-26a, both tumor suppressors, may explain increased lymphocyte survival in CLL patients and may be promising markers for the prognostic evaluation of this disease.

ABSTRACT The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a public health problem. The high level of HCV replication and its lack of post-transcriptional correction mechanisms results in the emergence of viral variants and the difficulty in determining polymorphisms and variants that contain the substitutions associated with resistance towards new antivirals. The main focus of this study was to map the NS5A and NS5B polymorphisms and resistance mutations to new antiviral drugs in HCV strains genotype 1 from patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Serum samples were collected from patients who underwent routine viral load tests at the Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Sao Paulo city, Brazil. A total of 698 and 853 samples were used for the characterization of NS5A and NS5B regions, respectively, which comprise the HCV genotypes 1a and 1b. The prevalence of resistance mutations found in the NS5A region was 6.4%, with Y93H, L31M, Q30R, and Y93N as the main resistance-associated substitutions (RAS). No NS5B-associated RAS was observed for any of the analyzed drugs. These findings support that the RAS test should be offered to individuals with poor response to double combination regimens prior to treatment initiation, thereby assisting strain vigilance and selection of effective treatment or retreatment options using DAA regimens.

ABSTRACT We described a MRSA bloodstream infection outbreak that was rapidly identified and controlled in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after implementation of a bundle of measures, including PCR-screening and HCW decolonization. We found 35% of healthcare workers(HCW) colonized with S. aureus by PCR, one of them that presented skin lesion positive for MSSA (same clone and spa type than two patients). Our findings raise the hypothesis that the outbreak could be related to HCW colonization.

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou analisar a tendência e a distribuição espacial da mortalidade de motociclistas em acidentes de transporte no estado de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico referente a todos os óbitos decorrentes de acidentes motociclísticos no estado no período 2001-2015. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). As taxas de mortalidade foram calculadas e estratificadas por sexo. Para a análise de tendência, foi empregado o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão. Calculou-se a Variação Percentual Anual (VPA). Significância de 5%. Para a análise espacial, aplicou-se modelagem bayesiana empírica local, estatística de Moran e estatística de varredura espacial. Foram registrados 1.458 óbitos de motociclistas no período estudado, sendo 91,3% homens. Três comportamentos temporais foram observados nessa população: crescimento (2001-2005), padrão estacionário (2005-2013) e declínio a partir de 2013. As maiores taxas foram observadas no agreste e sertão. Cinco aglomerados espaciais foram evidenciados no que se refere à mortalidade geral e masculina, todos situados no agreste e sertão alagoanos. A modelagem mostrou redução da mortalidade a partir de 2013 e a análise espacial evidenciou que o problema é mais grave no interior do estado.

Abstract The scope of this work was to analyze the trend and distribution of mortality among motorcyclists in traffic accidents in the State of Alagoas. It involved an ecological study relating to all deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents in the state in the period from 2001 to 2015. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (MIS). Mortality rates were calculated and stratified by gender. The joinpoint regression model was used for trend analysis and the Annual Percentage Variation (APV) was calculated with a significance rate of 5%. For the spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian modeling and Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics were applied. There were 1,458 deaths of motorcyclists in the period studied, 91.3% of which were men. Three temporal behaviors were observed in this population group: growth (2001-2005), stationary pattern (2005-2013) and decline from 2013 onwards. The highest rates were observed in the ‘agreste’ and ‘sertão’ regions of the state of Alagoas. Five spatial clusters were revealed with relation to general and male mortality, all located in the ‘agreste’ and ‘sertão’ hinterlands of Alagoas. The modeling showed a reduction of mortality from 2013 onwards and the spatial analysis revealed that the problem is more acute in the interior of the state.

ABSTRACT The plasmid-mediated colistin-resistance gene named mcr-1 has been recently described in different countries and it became a public health challenge. Of note, few studies have addressed the spread of Escherichia coli harboring the mcr-1 gene in both, community and hospital settings. A total of seven colistin-resistant E. coli carrying mcr-1, collected from 2016 to 2018, from community (n=4), healthcare-acquired infections (n=2) and colonization (n=1) were identified in three high complexity hospitals in Sao Paulo, Brazil. These colistin-resistant isolates were screened for mcr genes by PCR and all strains were submitted to Whole Genome Sequencing and the conjugation experiment. The seven strains belonged to seven distinct sequence types (ST744, ST131, ST69, ST48, ST354, ST57, ST10), and they differ regarding the resistance profiles. Transference of mcr-1 by conjugation to E. coli strain C600 was possible in five of the seven isolates. The mcr-1 gene was found in plasmid types IncX4 or IncI2. Three of the isolates have ESBL-encoding genes (blaCTX-M-2, n=2; blaCTX-M-8, n=1). We hereby report genetically distinct E. coli isolates, belonging to seven STs, harboring the mcr-1 gene, associated to community and healthcare-acquired infections, and colonization in patients from three hospitals in Sao Paulo. These findings point out for the potential spread of plasmid-mediated colistin-resistance mechanism in E. coli strains in Brazil.

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou analisar a tendência e a distribuição espacial da mortalidade de motociclistas em acidentes de transporte no estado de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico referente a todos os óbitos decorrentes de acidentes motociclísticos no estado no período 2001-2015. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). As taxas de mortalidade foram calculadas e estratificadas por sexo. Para a análise de tendência, foi empregado o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão. Calculou-se a Variação Percentual Anual (VPA). Significância de 5%. Para a análise espacial, aplicou-se modelagem bayesiana empírica local, estatística de Moran e estatística de varredura espacial. Foram registrados 1.458 óbitos de motociclistas no período estudado, sendo 91,3% homens. Três comportamentos temporais foram observados nessa população: crescimento (2001-2005), padrão estacionário (2005-2013) e declínio a partir de 2013. As maiores taxas foram observadas no agreste e sertão. Cinco aglomerados espaciais foram evidenciados no que se refere à mortalidade geral e masculina, todos situados no agreste e sertão alagoanos. A modelagem mostrou redução da mortalidade a partir de 2013 e a análise espacial evidenciou que o problema é mais grave no interior do estado.

Abstract The scope of this work was to analyze the trend and distribution of mortality among motorcyclists in traffic accidents in the State of Alagoas. It involved an ecological study relating to all deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents in the state in the period from 2001 to 2015. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (MIS). Mortality rates were calculated and stratified by gender. The joinpoint regression model was used for trend analysis and the Annual Percentage Variation (APV) was calculated with a significance rate of 5%. For the spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian modeling and Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics were applied. There were 1,458 deaths of motorcyclists in the period studied, 91.3% of which were men. Three temporal behaviors were observed in this population group: growth (2001-2005), stationary pattern (2005-2013) and decline from 2013 onwards. The highest rates were observed in the ‘agreste’ and ‘sertão’ regions of the state of Alagoas. Five spatial clusters were revealed with relation to general and male mortality, all located in the ‘agreste’ and ‘sertão’ hinterlands of Alagoas. The modeling showed a reduction of mortality from 2013 onwards and the spatial analysis revealed that the problem is more acute in the interior of the state.

Resumo: Elasmobrânquios apresentam os maiores declínios populacionais entre os vertebrados, sendo considerado um dos grupos com maior risco de extinção. O Litoral Amazônico Brasileiro (BAC) é considerado uma área prioritária para conservação de elasmobrânquios, pois várias espécies são endêmicas da região, e a maioria delas estão ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo fez uma análise cientométrica aplicando o método IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) para avaliar as tendências de pesquisas com elasmobrânquios no BAC nas últimas quatro décadas. Dez tendências de pesquisa foram identificadas, destacando-se “Biodiversidade”, “Reprodução”, “Ecologia trófica” e “Conservação”. Entretanto, a maioria das publicações encontradas é voltada para o conhecimento da diversidade e abundância das espécies na região, sendo o número de estudos voltados para a reprodução, alimentação e outros aspectos da biologia e ecologia de elasmobrânquios do BAC menos expressivo. Apesar da área de investigação “Conservação” ter se destacado na busca, a quantidade de informações relevantes para que medidas de manejo e conservação possam ser implementadas ainda é baixa. Por fim, apesar de seguir a tendência mundial de estudos com elasmobrânquios entre 2000 a 2010, as investigações sobre o BAC precisam avançar, especialmente considerando o baixo nível de informações básicas sobre a maioria das espécies (biologia e dinâmica populacional) e o conhecimento incompleto da composição específica das espécies de elasmobrânquios em toda a área, aspectos relevantes para a conservação e estudos mais aplicados e que contem com metodologias e tecnologias mais recentes.

Abstract: Elasmobranchs exhibit the biggest population declines among vertebrates, being considered one of the groups with the highest risk of extinction. The Brazilian Amazon Coast (BAC) is considered a priority area for elasmobranch conservation, as many species are endemic to the region, and most of them are threatened with extinction. The present study made a scientometric analysis using the IRAMUTEQ method (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) to evaluate the trends of research with elasmobranchs in BAC in the last four decades. Ten research trends were identified, highlighting “Biodiversity”, “Reproduction”, “Trophic Ecology” and “Conservation”. However, most of the publications found are aimed at understanding the diversity and abundance of species in the region, with the number of studies focused on reproduction, feeding and other aspects of the biology and ecology of elasmobranchs in the BAC being less expressive. Although the research area “Conservation” stood out in the search, the amount of relevant information so that management and conservation measures can be implemented is still low. Lastly, despite following the global trend of studies with elasmobranchs between 2000 and 2010, investigations into the BAC need to advance, especially considering the poor level of basic information on most species (Biology and population dynamics) and the incomplete knowledge of specific composition of elasmobranch species in the entire area, aspects relevant to conservation and more applied studies that rely on more recent methodologies and technologies.