Contributions of human cultures to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

The expansion of globalized industrial societies is causing global warming, ecosystem degradation, and species and language extinctions worldwide. Mainstream conservation efforts still focus on nature protection strategies to revert this crisis, often overlooking the essential roles of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LC) in protecting biodiversity and ecosystems globally. Here we assess the scientific literature to identify relationships between biodiversity (including ecosystem diversity) and cultural diversity, and investigate how these connections may affect conservation outcomes in tropical lowland South America. Our assessment reveals a network of interactions and feedbacks between biodiversity and diverse IP&LC, suggesting interconnectedness and interdependencies from which multiple benefits to nature and societies emerge. We illustrate our findings with five case studies of successful conservation models, described as consolidated or promising 'social-ecological hope spots', that show how engagement with IP&LC of various cultures may be the best hope for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, particularly when aligned with science and technology. In light of these five inspiring cases, we argue that conservation science and policies need to recognize that protecting and promoting both biological and cultural diversities can provide additional co-benefits and solutions to maintain ecosystems resilient in the face of global changes.

Intentional creation of carbon-rich dark earth soils in the Amazon.

Fertile soil known as Amazonian dark earth is central to the debate over the size and ecological impact of ancient human populations in the Amazon. Dark earth is typically associated with human occupation, but it is uncertain whether it was created intentionally. Dark earth may also be a substantial carbon sink, but its spatial extent and carbon inventory are unknown. We demonstrate spatial and compositional similarities between ancient and modern dark earth and document modern Indigenous practices that enrich soil, which we use to propose a model for the formation of ancient dark earth. This comparison suggests that ancient Amazonians managed soil to improve fertility and increase crop productivity. These practices also sequestered and stored carbon in the soil for centuries, and we show that some ancient sites contain as much carbon as the above-ground rainforest biomass. Our results demonstrate the intentional creation of dark earth and highlight the value of Indigenous knowledge for sustainable rainforest management.

Phenotypic Variability in a Mexican Mestizo Family with Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukodystrophy and TREX1 Mutation p.V235Gfs*6.

BACKGROUND: Retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy (RVCL) is an adult-onset, autosomal dominant disease involving microvessels of the brain and eye resulting in central nervous system degeneration with visual disturbances, stroke, motor impairment, and cognitive decline. Frameshift mutations at the C-terminus of TREX1 gene are the molecular cause of this disorder. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to present the different clinical manifestations of RVCL in three-related patients and to investigate the presence of TREX1 mutation in the extended genealogy. METHODS: Multidisciplinary testing was performed in three related patients. Based on their family history, the study was extended to 34 relatives from the same small community. Neurological evaluation, sequencing of TREX1, and presymptomatic diagnosis were offered to all participants. RESULTS: The patients exhibited the heterozygous TREX1 mutation p.V235Gfs*6, but with phenotypic variability. In addition, 15 relatives were identified as pre-manifest mutation carriers. The remaining participants did not carry the mutation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the figrst report of a large Mexican genealogy with RVCL, where the same TREX1 mutation causes a variation in organ involvement and clinical progression. The early identification and follow-up of individuals at risk may help provide insights into the basis for this variability in presentation.

Hipertensão arterial em crianças e adolescentes

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica é uma doença crônica que muitas vezes se inicia na infância, podendo levar a graves consequências futuras, como doenças cardíacas, cerebrais, vasculares e renais. A maior parte das hipertensões na infância são do tipo primária ou essencial (onde não se encontram causas), no entanto, em crianças pequenas e recém-nascidos a maioria dos casos é secundária a alguma outra doença. Dentre as principais causas, podemos destacar as doenças do parênquima renal, do túbulo renal, renovasculares, endocrinológicas, cardíacas e algumas drogas. A proposta deste trabalho é uma revisão dos últimos artigos sobre hipertensão arterial em crianças e adolescentes, alertando o pediatra sobre a importância de aferir a pressão no consultório de maneira rotineira para um diagnóstico precoce da referida patologia, bem como orientá-lo da maneira correta de aferir a pressão arterial, classificar os hipertensos e aplicar a abordagem inicial. Tudo isso com o objetivo de evitar as complicações futuras

Hipertensão arterial em crianças e adolescentes / Hypertension in children and adolescents

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica é uma doença crônica que muitas vezes se inicia na infância, podendo levar a graves consequências futuras, como doenças cardíacas, cerebrais, vasculares e renais. A maior parte das hipertensões na infância são do tipo primária ou essencial (onde não se encontram causas), no entanto, em crianças pequenas e recém-nascidos a maioria dos casos é secundária a alguma outra doença. Dentre as principais causas, podemos destacar as doenças do parênquima renal, do túbulo renal, renovasculares, endocrinológicas, cardíacas e algumas drogas. A proposta deste trabalho é uma revisão dos últimos artigos sobre hipertensão arterial em crianças e adolescentes, alertando o pediatra sobre a importância de aferir a pressão no consultório de maneira rotineira para um diagnóstico precoce da referida patologia, bem como orientá-lo da maneira correta de aferir a pressão arterial, classificar os hipertensos e aplicar a abordagem inicial. Tudo isso com o objetivo de evitar as complicações futuras

Pre-Columbian urbanism, anthropogenic landscapes, and the future of the Amazon.

The archaeology of pre-Columbian polities in the Amazon River basin forces a reconsideration of early urbanism and long-term change in tropical forest landscapes. We describe settlement and land-use patterns of complex societies on the eve of European contact (after 1492) in the Upper Xingu region of the Brazilian Amazon. These societies were organized in articulated clusters, representing small independent polities, within a regional peer polity. These patterns constitute a "galactic" form of prehistoric urbanism, sharing features with small-scale urban polities in other areas. Understanding long-term change in coupled human-environment systems relating to these societies has implications for conservation and sustainable development, notably to control ecological degradation and maintain regional biodiversity.

Amazonia 1492: pristine forest or cultural parkland?

Archaeology and indigenous history of Native Amazonian peoples in the Upper Xingu region of Brazil reveal unexpectedly complex regional settlement patterns and large-scale transformations of local landscapes over the past millennium. Mapping and excavation of archaeological structures document pronounced human-induced alteration of the forest cover, particularly in relation to large, dense late-prehistoric settlements (circa 1200 to 1600 A.D.). The findings contribute to debates on human carrying capacity, population size and settlement patterns, anthropogenic impacts on the environment, and the importance of indigenous knowledge, as well as contributing to the pride of place of the native peoples in this part of the Amazon.

Inimigos fiéis: história, guerra e xamanismo na Amazônia / Enemies faithful: history, warfare and shamanism in the Amazon

Resultado de uma década de pesquisas entre os parakanãs, povo tupi-guarani do norte da Amazônia que preservou sua autonomia até o início dos anos 70, este livro reconstrói, com base na história oral, um século de existência desse grupo, desde sua cisão em dois blocos, acompanhando as transformações que ocorreram nos padrões de subsistência, nas relações de gênero e nas formas sociopolíticas de cada um deles. O autor realiza uma fina análise simbólica e estrutural centrada na guerra e no xamanismo indígenas, revisita temas como o canibalismo e a caça de troféus, o universo onírico do xamã e seus espíritos familiares, para falar de um mundo povoado de inimigos que cabe ao xamã e ao guerreiro tornar fiéis.