We present novelties in Thismiaceae for the south of the Brazilian Amazon, resulting from botanical expeditions in the north of the Mato Grosso State. The occurrence of four species is recorded: Thismia hyalina; T. melanomitra; T. singeri and a species new to science: T. ribeiroi. These are the first records of the family Thismiaceae, as well as of the genus Thismia and these species for the Mato Grosso State. Thismia melanomitra is a new species for the flora of Brazil and T. singeri is the second record of the species for Brazil. In this study, we also describe and illustrate the new species Thismia ribeiroi.

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Background: Social networks can modulate physiological responses, protects against the detrimental consequences of prolonged stress, and enhance health outcomes. Family ties represent an essential source of social networks among older adults. However, the impact of family support on cognitive performance and the biological factors influencing that relationship is still unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between family support, cognitive performance and BDNF levels.Methods: Cross-sectional data from three-hundred, eight-six individuals aged on average 60 years enrolled in the Health, Wellbeing and Aging Study (SABE), a population-cohort study, were assessed for family support, community support and cognitive performance. Structural and functional family support was evaluated based on family size and interactions allied to scores in the Family APGAR questionnaire. Community assistance (received or provided) assessed the community support. Cognitive performance was determined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), verbal fluency (animals per minute) and backward digital span. Blood samples were obtained to determine BDNF levels.Results: Multivariate analysis showed that functional family support, but not structural, was associated with higher MMSE, verbal fluency and digit span scores, even controlling for potential cofounders (p < 0.001). Providing support to the community, rather than receiving support from others, was associated with better cognitive performance (p < 0.001). BDNF concentration was not associated with community support, family function, or cognitive performance.Conclusion: These findings suggest that emotional components of functional family and community support (e.g., loving and empathic relationship) may be more significant to cognitive health than size and frequency of social interactions.

O trabalho apresenta uma chave para identificação das espécies do gênero Aristolochia L. (Aristolochiaceae) do estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, além de descrições morfológicas para Aristolochia chiquitensis Duch., A. goudotii Duch. e A. hoehneana O.C.Schmidt consideradas novas ocorrências para o estado, sendo A. goudotii uma nova ocorrência também para o Brasil, além de comentários taxonômicos, fitogeográficos e fotografias detalhadas para as três espécies. O trabalho foi realizado entre fevereiro e maio de 2021, com materiais coletados nos municípios de Alta Floresta e Nova Bandeirantes, e análise de espécimes depositados no Herbário da Amazônia Meridional (HERBAM), coletados nos municípios de Colíder, Itaúba e Nova Canaã do Norte, extremo norte de Mato Grosso. O estudo morfológico foi realizado no Laboratório de Morfologia Vegetal localizado no HERBAM, da Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus de Alta Floresta, fazendo uso de estereomicroscópio e utensílios usuais. A identificação dos táxons, bem como a elaboração da chave dicotômica, foram realizadas por taxonomistas. O presente trabalho amplia de 22 para 25 espécies de Aristolochia em Mato Grosso, bem como, de 83 para 84 espécies no Brasil, demonstrando a importância das expedições de campo, das coleções botânicas, e dos estudos taxonômicos para o conhecimento da biodiversidade.