Is Muscle Pain in Temporomandibular Disorder a Hyperactivity Problem? A Clinical, Thermographic, and Electromyographic Analysis.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to report clinical data on muscle pain in temporomandibular disorders using thermography, algometry, and surface electromyography (EMG). This was done to support or rule out the hypothesis that painful muscles are always related to muscular hyperactivity. This cross-sectional, analytical study included 50 participants who underwent clinical examination and evaluation of anterior temporal muscles and bilateral masseters using thermography, algometry, and EMG. The muscles with greater pain symptoms had hyporadiation and a lower temperature compared with both contralateral muscles and muscles in the asymptomatic group. There was no muscle hyperactivity at rest on EMG analysis; however, there was a greater capacity for muscle recruitment of these symptomatic muscles after a joint decompression test with cotton rolls, suggesting hypoactivity of the affected muscles in the symptomatic patient group. Muscle pain may be related to hypoactivity of the musculature when there is neurological inhibition of the recruitment of muscle fibers, and treatment must consider these neurophysiological alterations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

BRAF p.V600E Mutational Status Does Not Correlate with Biological Behavior in Conventional Ameloblastomas: A Disease-Free Survival Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of the MAPK pathway appears to exert a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ameloblastomas, since BRAF p.V600E has been reported in over 65% of the tumors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the BRAF p.V600E is related to biological behavior and disease-free survival in patients with conventional ameloblastomas. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study based on the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) recommendations. The study population consisted of individuals treated for conventional ameloblastomas. Clinical, imaging, histomorphological, immunohistochemical (Ki67 and CD138/syndecan-1), and molecular BRAF p.V600E mutation analyses were performed. Bivariate statistical analysis was performed through chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify predictors of disease-free survival, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Forty-one individuals were included, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15:1. BRAF p.V600E mutation was identified in 75.6% of the tumors. No association between the BRAF mutational status and other clinical, imaging, histomorphological, and immunohistochemical variables was observed. Only the initial treatment modality was significantly associated with a better prognosis in univariate (p = 0.008) and multivariate (p = 0.030) analyses, with a hazard ratio of 9.60 (95%IC = 1.24-73.89), favoring radical treatment. CONCLUSION: BRAF p.V600E mutation emerges as a prevalent molecular aberration in ameloblastomas. Nevertheless, it does not seem to significantly affect the tumor proliferative activity, CD138/syndecan-1-mediated cell adhesion, or disease-free survival outcomes.

It was not possible to detect BRAF V600E mutation in circulating cell-free DNA from patients with ameloblastoma: A diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma-based liquid biopsy for the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in circulating cell-free DNA from patients with ameloblastoma. METHODS: This is a prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted based on the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy recommendations. The index test was the plasma-based liquid biopsy, whereas the reference standard was the conventional tissue biopsy. The target condition was the detection of BRAF V600E mutation. The study population consisted of individuals with ameloblastoma recruited from three tertiary hospitals from Brazil. A negative control group composed of three individuals with confirmed wild-type BRAF lesions were included. The participants underwent plasma circulating cell-free DNA and tumor tissue DNA isolation, and both were submitted to using competitive allele-specific TaqMan™ real-time polymerase chain reaction technology mutation detection assays. Sensitivity and specificity measures and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Twelve patients with conventional ameloblastoma were included. BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 11/12 (91.66%) ameloblastoma tissue samples. However, the mutation was not detected in any of the plasma-based liquid biopsy circulating cell-free DNA samples in both ameloblastomas and negative control group. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma-based liquid biopsy for the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in circulating cell-free DNA was 0.0 and 1.0, respectively. The agreement between index test and reference standard results was 26.66%. CONCLUSION: Plasma-based liquid biopsy does not seem to be an accurate method for the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in circulating circulating cell-free DNA from patients with ameloblastoma, regardless of tumor size, anatomic location, recurrence status, and other clinicopathological features.

Multilayer microparticles for programmed sequential release of phenolic compounds from Eugenia stipitata: Stability and bioavailability.

A co-delivery system based on multilayer microparticles was developed and characterized for the sequential release of phenolic compounds (PCs) using different encapsulation processes (spray drying: SD and drying-chilling spray: SDC) and wall materials to improve the stability and bioavailability of PCs. Samples were characterized in terms of process yield (PY%), phenolic retention efficiency (PRE%), chemical structure and crystallinity (NMR, FTIR, DXR), thermal stability (DSC and FT-IR), anti-radical capacity (ORAC and ABTS) and in vitro digestion. PRE% of samples by SD were higher (p < 0.05) than SDC due to the formation of PCs from CRF (cará-roxo flour). NMR, FTIR, DXR confirmed the presence of key components and interactions for the formation of the advanced co-delivery system. The SDC particles showed crystalline regions by XRD and were stable at ∼47 °C. All samples showed good release of PC in the intestinal phase, and antiradical capacity that reached 23.66 µmol TE g-1.

Temporomandibular joint disorders in skeletal class II patients referred to orthognathic surgery: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in subjects with skeletal class II dentofacial deformity referred for orthognathic surgery, as well as to elucidate its association with sociodemographic and psychosocial features. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. The sample comprised class II skeletal patients referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery center in the Brazilian Northeast. RESULTS: Seventy-three subjects were enrolled and completed the data collection, which consisted of a physical examination according to Axis I of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and facial analysis. Women represented 82.2% of the sample. Among the assessed subjects, 68.5% were already undergoing orthodontic treatment, and the mean overjet of patients was 6.97 mm. The prevalence of TMD in this sample was 46.6%, with muscular disorders being the most common. Patients with an anteroposterior discrepancy greater than 7 mm showed a higher occurrence of TMD (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of TMD in skeletal class II patients referred for orthognathic surgery, especially in those with a pronounced overjet, being Group I (muscular disorders) and Group III (degenerative disorders) the most prevalent.

Access to dental services in an elder population of African descent in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated access to dental services and associated factors in a community of Quilombola older people. BACKGROUND: Quilombola populations are groups of individuals descended from black Africans subjected to slavery during part of Brazilian history. As marginalised and neglected individuals, they have high rates of negative indicators and require further attention to the social determinants that affect their health reality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in the Quilombola community of Castainho, in the Northeast region of Brazil. In this community, 34 older people aged between 65 and 74 resided. We collected self-report data on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, along with oral examinations by the researchers. The primary dependent variable was regular access to dental services. Statistical analysis used Fisher's exact test (P = .05). RESULTS: Among the 32 participants in the final sample, 18.8% (n = 6) reported accessing dental services in the previous 6 months. Self-declared individuals of mixed race, with positive self-assessment of oral health, and those who did not self-perceive the need for treatment had lower rates of regular access to dental services (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Use of dental services by older Quilombola people is low, and there are differences by ethnicity and individual perception of oral health.

Avaliação da fixação dos avanços maxilares pela técnica de osteotomia Le Fort I / Evaluación de la fijación de avances maxilar mediante la técnica de osteotomía Le Fort I / Evaluation of the fixation of maxillary advancements by the Le Fort I osteotomy technique

Introdução: A osteotomia Le Fort I possibilita a correção de deformidades dentofaciais que envolvem o terço médio da face. Para sua fixação, convencionou-se o emprego de quatro mini-placas nos pilares zigomático-maxilar e nasomaxilar. Propôs-se então, a dispensa da fixação do segmento posterior, surgindo questionamentos relacionados à capacidade biomecânica do sistema. Objetivos: Comparar o estresse biomecânico gerado em três meios distintos de fixação da osteotomia Le Fort I frente ao movimento de avanço sagital linear maxilar de 7mm. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa experimental laboratorial, utilizando-se da análise de elementos finitos como ferramenta analítica, a fim de constatar qual das técnicas sofrerá maior estresse biomecânico. Resultados: Constatou-se que o estresse biomecânico gerado é maior quando aplicado em 4 pontos do que quando aplicado em apenas 2 pontos. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos fornecem informações aos cirurgiões sobre a real necessidade do uso de fixação adicional de acordo com o método de fixação planejado. No entanto, deve ser interpretado de forma cautelosa, considerando-se as limitações deste estudo. Sendo assim, uma análise incipiente, que tem como intuito o fornecimento de evidência científica de grande significância.

Introducción: La osteotomía Le Fort I permite la corrección de deformidades dentofaciales que involucran el tercio medio de la cara. Para su fijación se acordó utilizar cuatro miniplacas en los pilares cigomaticomaxilar y nasomaxilar. Entonces se propuso prescindir de la fijación del segmento posterior, planteando interrogantes relacionados con la capacidad biomecánica del sistema. Objetivos: Comparar el estrés biomecánico generado en tres medios diferentes de fijación de la osteotomía Le Fort I frente a un movimiento de avance sagital lineal maxilar de 7mm. Metodología: Se trata de una investigación experimental de laboratorio, utilizando como herramienta analítica el análisis de elementos finitos, con el fin de comprobar cuál de las técnicas sufrirá un mayor estrés biomecánico. Resultados: Se encontró que el estrés biomecánico generado es mayor cuando se aplica en 4 puntos que cuando se aplica solo en 2 puntos. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos brindan información a los cirujanos sobre la necesidad real de utilizar fijación adicional de acuerdo al método de fijación planificado. Sin embargo, debe interpretarse con cautela, considerando las limitaciones de este estudio. Por tanto, un análisis incipiente, que pretende aportar evidencias científicas de gran trascendencia.

Introduction: The Le Fort I osteotomy allows the correction of dentofacial deformities involving the middle third of the face. For its fixation, it was agreed to use four mini plates on the zygomaticomaxillary and nasomaxillary pillars. It was then proposed to dispense with the fixation of the posterior segment, raising questions related to the biomechanical capacity of the system. Objectives: To compare the biomechanical stress generated in three different means of fixation of the Le Fort I osteotomy against a 7mm maxillary linear sagittal advancement movement. Methodology: This is an experimental laboratory research, using finite element analysis as an analytical tool, in order to verify which of the techniques will suffer greater biomechanical stress. Results: It was found that the biomechanical stress generated is greater when applied to 4 points than when applied to only 2 points. Conclusion: The results obtained provide information to surgeons about the real need to use additional fixation according to the planned fixation method. However, it should be interpreted with caution, considering the limitations of this study. Therefore, an incipient analysis, which aims to provide scientific evidence of great significance.

Exploring the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities in different soybean-maize management systems.

Soybean-maize are cultivated in different management systems, such as no-tillage and pastures, which presents potential to add organic residues, and it can potentially impacts the soil microbial community present in these systems. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of different soybean-maize management practices on the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities. Specifically, 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to investigate whether the use of pasture species in a fallowing system influences microbial communities in a soybean-maize rotation system, as compared to conventional tillage and no-tillage systems. The results indicate that the inclusion of the pasture species Urochloa brizantha in soybean-maize management systems leads to distinct responses within the soil microbial community. It was found that different soybean-maize management systems, particularly those with U. brizantha, affected the microbial community, likely due to the management applied to this pasture species. The system with 3 years of fallowing before soybean-maize showed the lowest microbial richness (∼2000 operational taxonomic units) and diversity index (∼6.0). Proteobacteria (∼30%), Acidobacteria (∼15%), and Verrucomicrobia (∼10%) were found to be the most abundant phyla in the soil under tropical native vegetation, while soils under cropland had an increased abundance of Firmicutes (∼30% to ∼50%) and Actinobacteria (∼30% to ∼35%). To summarize, this study identified the impacts of various soybean-maize management practices on the soil microbial community and emphasized the advantages of adding U. brizantha as a fallow species.

Does BRAF V600E mutation affect recurrence rate of ameloblastomas? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to critically evaluate the available data on the association of the BRAF V600E mutation and recurrence rate of ameloblastomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was registered in Prospero (CRD42020183645) and performed based on the PRISMA statement. A comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases was performed in order to answer the question "Does BRAF V600E mutation affect recurrence rate of ameloblastomas?" Methodological quality and risk of bias of the selected studies were assessed with JBI Critical Appraise Tool. Meta-analysis of quantitative data was conducted with RevMan 5.3 and Jamovi 2.3. RESULTS: The initial search identified 302 articles, and 21 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 855 subjects with ameloblastoma were included in the analysis. The pooled measures for frequency of BRAF V600E mutation was 65.30% (95% CI: 0.56-0.75; p < .001; I2 = 90.85%; τ = 0.205; p < .001), and the pooled recurrence rate was 25.30% (95% CI: 0.19-0.31; p < .001; I2 = 79.44%; τ = 0.118; p < .001). No differences in recurrence rate were observed between the BRAF V600E and wild type BRAF ameloblastomas, with a pooled Odds Ratio of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.56-1.54; p = .78; I2 = 31%; p = .09). CONCLUSIONS: BRAF V600E mutation is a frequent event in ameloblastomas, but does not increase nor reduce its recurrence rate, and thus have a limited value in predicting its prognosis.

Microbial communities in the rhizosphere of maize and cowpea respond differently to chromium contamination.

Chromium (Cr) contamination can affect microorganisms in the soil, but the response of the microbial community in the rhizosphere of plants grown in Cr-contaminated soils is poorly understood. Therefore, this study assessed the microbial community, by amplicon sequencing, in the rhizosphere of maize and cowpea growing in uncontaminated (∼6.0 mg kg-1 Cr) and Cr-contaminated soils (∼250 mg kg-1 Cr). Comparing Cr-contaminated and uncontaminated soils, the microbial community in the maize rhizosphere clustered separately, while the microbial community in the cowpea rhizosphere did not present clear clustering. The microbial richness ranged from ∼5000 (rhizosphere in Cr-contaminated soil) to ∼8000 OTUs (in uncontaminated soil). In the comparison of specific bacterial groups in the rhizosphere of maize, Firmicutes were enriched in Cr-contaminated soil, including Bacilli, Bacillales, and Paenibacillus. Cowpea rhizosphere showed a higher abundance of six microbial groups in Cr-contaminated soil, highlighting Rhizobiales, Pedomicrobium, and Gemmatimonadetes. The microbial community in both rhizospheres presented a similar proportion of specialists comparing uncontaminated (2.2 and 3.4% in the rhizosphere of maize and cowpea, respectively) and Cr-contaminated soils (1.8 and 3.2% in the rhizosphere of maize and cowpea, respectively). This study showed that each plant species drove differently the microbial community in the rhizosphere, with an important effect of Cr-contamination on the microbial community assembly.

Dietary polyphenols and their relationship to the modulation of non-communicable chronic diseases and epigenetic mechanisms: A mini-review.

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have been considered a global health problem, characterized as diseases of multiple factors, which are developed throughout life, and regardless of genetics as a risk factor of important relevance, the increase in mortality attributed to the disease to environmental factors and the lifestyle one leads. Although the reactive species (ROS/RNS) are necessary for several physiological processes, their overproduction is directly related to the pathogenesis and aggravation of NCDs. In contrast, dietary polyphenols have been widely associated with minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition to their antioxidant power, polyphenols have also drawn attention for being able to modulate both gene expression and modify epigenetic alterations, suggesting an essential involvement in the prevention and/or development of some pathologies. Therefore, this review briefly explained the mechanisms in the development of some NCDs, followed by a summary of some evidence related to the interaction of polyphenols in oxidative stress, as well as the modulation of epigenetic mechanisms involved in the management of NCDs.

Agravos de saúde bucal na população quilombola brasileira: uma revisão de escopo

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Delinear o panorama atual acerca dos agravos de saúde bucal da população quilombola no Brasil. Métodos. Uma busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct e SciELO, além de busca manual no Google Scholar, sem restrições de período. Foram incluídos artigos publicados em inglês, português ou espanhol descrevendo pesquisas realizadas no Brasil sobre saúde bucal em indivíduos que se autodeclararam quilombolas de comunidades reconhecidas pelo poder público. Analisou-se ainda a qualidade da evidência nos estudos incluídos. Resultados. Foram selecionados 14 estudos, todos com desenho transversal e classificados como nível IV de evidência científica (evidência proveniente de estudos descritivos ou estudos com abordagem qualita- tiva), ou seja, qualidade moderada-baixa. Seis estudos foram desenvolvidos na região Nordeste do Brasil e nove foram publicados entre 2016 e 2021. Sobre os agravos de saúde bucal, houve alta frequência de cárie dentária e altos índices de experiência da doença. O edentulismo e a doença periodontal também foram frequentes, afetando indivíduos jovens, adultos e idosos. Conclusão. Foi alta a prevalência de cárie dentária, edentulismo e doenças periodontais descrita na literatura sobre quilombolas no Brasil, demonstrando a necessidade de melhorar a assistência odontológica nesse grupo populacional.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe the current scenario of oral health in quilombola communities in Brazil. Methods. A search was performed in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and SciELO, without date limits. Articles published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were included if they described research performed in Brazil to investigate oral health in individuals self- declared as belonging to officially recognized quilombola communities. The quality of evidence of included studies was analyzed. Results. Fourteen studies were selected for inclusion, all with cross-sectional design and classified as level IV scientific evidence (evidence from descriptive studies or studies with a qualitative approach), i.e., moderate- low quality. Six were developed in the Northeast region of Brazil and nine were published between 2016 and 2021. Regarding oral health problems, a high frequency was detected for dental caries, with high indices of disease experience. Edentulism and periodontal disease were also frequent, affecting youth, adults, and older individuals. Conclusion. A high prevalence of dental caries, edentulism, and periodontal disease was observed, suppor- ting the need to improve dental care in this population group.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir el panorama actual de los trastornos de salud bucodental de la población quilombola de Brasil. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct y SciELO, además de una búsqueda manual en Google Scholar, sin restricciones del período. Se incluyeron artículos publicados en español, inglés o portugués descriptivos de investigaciones realizadas en Brasil sobre la salud bucodental de personas que se autode- nominan quilombolas pertenecientes a comunidades reconocidas por el poder público. También se analizó la calidad de la evidencia científica de los estudios incluidos. Resultados. Se seleccionaron 14 estudios, todos con un diseño transversal y clasificados en el nivel IV de evidencia científica (evidencia proveniente de estudios descriptivos o estudios con un enfoque cualitativo), es decir, de mediana y baja calidad. Se realizaron seis estudios en la región nordeste de Brasil y se publi- caron nueve en el período 2016-2021. En cuanto a los trastornos de salud bucodental, se observó una alta frecuencia de caries dental y altas tasas de prevalencia de esa enfermedad. El edentulismo y la enfermedad periodontal también fueron frecuentes y afectaron a jóvenes, adultos y personas mayores. Conclusión. Se observó una alta prevalencia de caries dental, edentulismo y enfermedades periodontales descritas en la literatura científica sobre la población quilombola de Brasil, lo que demuestra la necesidad de mejorar la atención dental prestada a ese grupo de la población.

Industrial Soft Sensor Optimized by Improved PSO: A Deep Representation-Learning Approach.

Soft sensors based on deep learning approaches are growing in popularity due to their ability to extract high-level features from training, improving soft sensors' performance. In the training process of such a deep model, the set of hyperparameters is critical to archive generalization and reliability. However, choosing the training hyperparameters is a complex task. Usually, a random approach defines the set of hyperparameters, which may not be adequate regarding the high number of sets and the soft sensing purposes. This work proposes the RB-PSOSAE, a Representation-Based Particle Swarm Optimization with a modified evaluation function to optimize the hyperparameter set of a Stacked AutoEncoder-based soft sensor. The evaluation function considers the mean square error (MSE) of validation and the representation of the features extracted through mutual information (MI) analysis in the pre-training step. By doing this, the RB-PSOSAE computes hyperparameters capable of supporting the training process to generate models with improved generalization and relevant hidden features. As a result, the proposed method can generate more than 16.4% improvement in RMSE compared to another standard PSO-based method and, in some cases, more than 50% improvement compared to traditional methods applied to the same real-world nonlinear industrial process. Thus, the results demonstrate better prediction performance than traditional and state-of-the-art methods.

Characterization of Buritirana (Mauritiella armata) Fruits from the Brazilian Cerrado: Biometric and Physicochemical Attributes, Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential.

The buritirana is a little-explored species of the Arecaceae family. The biometric and physicochemical characteristics, nutritional and chemical composition and antioxidant and antibacterial potential of the buritirana fruit fractions were evaluated here for the first time. The fruits presented an oblong shape. The pulp represented 16.58% of the whole-fruit weight (10.07 g). The moisture, ash and soluble fiber contents were similar for the whole fraction without seed (WS) and pulp. Although the total carbohydrate content was the same for seed and peel (23.24 g·100 g-1), the seed showed higher protein and insoluble fiber contents. Except for glucose (1256.63 mg·100 g-1), the seed showed the highest concentrations of mono-, di- and oligosaccharides. Mineral content ranged from 0.43 to 800 mg·100 g-1 in all fractions. The peel fraction showed the highest content of vitamin C. The physicochemical results indicate the pulp and WS fraction have potential for the production of fruit-derived food products. Protocatechuic and quinic acids and epicatechin/catechin were found in all fractions. The assay antioxidant capacity DPPH, phenolic content and total flavonoids were higher in the pulp; TEAC and ORACHF values were lower in the seed. Volatile organic compounds were not identified, and the fractions did not show antibacterial activity.

Macroorganisms fouled in marine anthropogenic litter (rafting) arround a tropical bay in the Southwest Atlantic.

The presence of floating marine anthropogenic litter in marine environments increase the possibility of transportation of fouling organisms using these substrates as a vector, mainly for those species with close affinities to artificial substrates. The objectives were to qualitatively and quantitatively report anthropogenic litter and its associated fouling groups arround Ilha Grande Bay (IGB). Litter was collected, classified and examined for the presence of fouling organisms on beaches located at two different levels of wave exposure during rainy and dry seasons. The types of litter do not differ among beaches, and the highest density and cover of fouling were reported on exposed beaches due the currents, winds, and storm waves. Bryozoans, barnacles, polychaetes, and mollusks were the most frequent fouling groups observed in litter and represents a potential vector for the dispersion of species in the IGB and adjacent coastal areas.

Ecosystem functions in different physiognomies of Cerrado through the Rapid Ecosystem Function Assessment (REFA).

The assessment of ecosystem functions in Cerrado is important to implement practices of conservation. Recently, a 'rapid ecosystem function assessment' (REFA) for measuring ecosystem functions has been proposed and tested as a suitable method. Thus, this study aimed to assess the proxies of ecosystem functions of three physiognomies of Cerrado through REFA. This method was applied in three different preserved physiognomies of Cerrado from Northeastern, Brazil, namely: Campo Graminoide (CG), Cerrado Stricto Sensu (CSS), and Cerradão (CD). All proxies for the selected ecosystem functions differed between sites and seasons. The above- and belowground primary productivity and microbial biomass C were higher in CD than in CSS and CG. The above- and belowground secondary productivity and decomposition were higher and similar in CD and CSS as compared to CG. The principal component analysis explained 89.8% of the data variation and clustered the majority of ecosystem functions with CD, in both seasons and CSS in the wet season. The proxies of ecosystem functions measured through REFA showed differences between the physiognomies of Cerrado. Since each physiognomy of Cerrado presents different plant richness and diversity, and soil conditions, these characteristics contribute to influencing multiple ecosystem functions.