Southwest Bahia State University

Bredemeyera Willd. comprises thirteen species from Mexico to Tropical America, all found in Brazil, with seven being endemic. Three species are popularly used: B. brevifolia (for kidney inflammation, influenza, diarrhoea, rheumatic pain, back pain, gastritis), B. floribunda (for skin infections, dysentery, rheumatism, hypertension, exhaustion, snake bites, expectorant, diuretic), and B. laurifolia (for uterus and ovary infections). This integrative review aims to list and compare the pharmacological actions and chemical substances identified in the literature concerning species of the genus, in order to find records of compounds and their pharmacological application relationships. Only B. brevifolia and B. floribunda underwent phytochemical survey, where fatty acids, xanthones, saponins and a flavonoid were identified. In this review, it was possible to verify the existence of promising studies in ethnobotany and phytochemistry for three species of the genus, which makes this review a valuable resource for guiding future studies on the subject.

Background Depression is a prevalent mental health condition among older adults, negatively impacting their quality of life and overall well-being. Physical exercise has been identified as a potential intervention for improving mental health in this population. Multicomponent training (MCT), which combines exercises targeting multiple physical capacities, is widely prescribed to older adults; however, its efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms (DS) remains unclear. Objectives This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of MCT on DS in older adults, assess the overall effectiveness of such interventions, and identify methodological and contextual factors that might influence outcomes. Methods We conducted a systematic search across six databases—PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science—for clinical trials evaluating MCT interventions in older adults with DS. Included studies used the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to assess outcomes. MCT was defined as a training program incorporating at least three distinct physical capacities (e.g., strength, endurance, balance, flexibility). Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model (Hedges’ g), and study quality was assessed using the TESTEX scale. Results Ten studies (n = 781) were included in the systematic review, with five studies (n = 305) included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed no significant overall effect of MCT on DS (g = −0.090; 95% CI = −0.448 to 0.269, p = 0.624). Methodological inconsistencies, lack of load control, and high variability in MCT composition across studies were noted. The median methodological quality was moderate (median TESTEX score = 7, IQR 7–8). Recent literature has emphasized the importance of protocol specificity and suggested that current MCT designs may not effectively address mental health outcomes. Conclusion MCT interventions did not show a significant effect on reducing DS in older adults. Given its frequent prescription in geriatric care, these findings challenge current assumptions about MCT’s mental health benefits. This message is crucial for clinicians and researchers, as small variations in protocol design may hinder consistency in outcomes. Further high-quality trials are needed to clarify MCT's potential role in mental health management among older adults.

Objective To verify the effectiveness of an educational intervention on the components of metabolic syndrome in adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods A non-randomized clinical trial included 51 adults (48.73±7.84 years old; 86.3% women) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (intervention group, n=26; control group, n=25). The intervention consisted of a multidisciplinary health promotion educational program over six months, structured in seven workshops led by nurses. The primary outcome was the improvement of metabolic syndrome components, and the secondary outcome was the reduction in the number of metabolic syndrome criteria assessed at two time points, baseline and after six months of monitoring. Results Compared to the control group, the educational program reduced glucose levels (p=0.001) and improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (p=0.001) in the intervention group participants at six months. A significant decrease in the mean metabolic syndrome score was observed in the intervention group, while the control group showed an increase (p=0.033). At the end of the study, 11.5% of the participants in the intervention group no longer met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Conclusion A nurse-led health promotion educational program was effective in improving glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels among adults with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as reducing the number of metabolic syndrome components in the participants.

Nowadays, we have witnessed countless families in which grandparents are called upon to be exclusive caregivers of their grandchildren, offering them, in addition to their affective, financial and emotional support, assistance in the schooling process. This study aimed to understand which were the main strategies and efforts of grandparents that influenced their grandchildren’s educational longevity until they joined university. The theoretical framework was based on discussions in the field of Sociology of Education and Intergenerational Relations, revealing the gap in research on the educational longevity of individuals from lower-income backgrounds raised by their grandparents. The research followed a qualitative approach and was mainly based on semi-structured interviews with four university students and their respective caregiver grandmothers, all belonging to these lower-income backgrounds. The results showed that, despite their low level of education, grandmothers were fundamental in maintaining domestic moral order and exerted a positive influence on the schooling process. They were involved in tasks such as time management, monitoring notebooks and report cards, attending school meetings and encouraging reading. We concluded that the grandmothers participating in the research were fundamental to the academic longevity of young university students, acting as a source of emotional and financial support and also creating a network of surveillance and care, which positively interfered in the schooling of their granddaughters. Keywords: Educational Longevity; Relationship Between Grandparents and Grandchildren; Guardian Grandparents; Higher Education

Nowadays, we have witnessed countless families in which grandparents are called upon to be exclusive caregivers of their grandchildren, offering them, in addition to their affective, financial and emotional support, assistance in the schooling process. This study aimed to understand which were the main strategies and efforts of grandparents that influenced their grandchildren’s educational longevity until they joined university. The theoretical framework was based on discussions in the field of Sociology of Education and Intergenerational Relations, revealing the gap in research on the educational longevity of individuals from lower-income backgrounds raised by their grandparents. The research followed a qualitative approach and was mainly based on semi-structured interviews with four university students and their respective caregiver grandmothers, all belonging to these lower-income backgrounds. The results showed that, despite their low level of education, grandmothers were fundamental in maintaining domestic moral order and exerted a positive influence on the schooling process. They were involved in tasks such as time management, monitoring notebooks and report cards, attending school meetings and encouraging reading. We concluded that the grandmothers participating in the research were fundamental to the academic longevity of young university students, acting as a source of emotional and financial support and also creating a network of surveillance and care, which positively interfered in the schooling of their granddaughters. Keywords: Educational Longevity; Relationship Between Grandparents and Grandchildren; Guardian Grandparents; Higher Education

Background and Purpose: Older adults are more susceptible to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to age-related changes in insulin secretion and signaling pathways. Given the multifactorial nature of metabolic disorders, the use of robust multivariate models is justified to explore associated risk factors. This study aimed to identify latent classes of metabolic profiles among older adults based on a cluster of variables associated with cardiovascular risk. Methods: The study included community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years or older residing in urban areas who participated in all three phases of data collection: questionnaires, clinical examinations, and blood sampling. Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied using dichotomized variables, with model selection based on criteria such as Akaike Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, G², log-likelihood value, and entropy estimation. Results: A total of 210 older adults were evaluated. Three latent classes were identified: low, moderate, and high metabolic risk. The high-risk class was characterized by a higher probability of altered HbA1c and triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index values (0.96), elevated fasting blood glucose, and a prior diagnosis of hypertension (0.87), as well as impaired homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and a prior diagnosis of T2DM (0.79). The moderate-risk class showed a greater likelihood of hypertension (0.87), altered TyG (0.87), and impaired HOMA-IR index (0.56). Conclusions: LCA proved to be a valuable tool in Public Health by enabling the identification of homogeneous subgroups within a heterogeneous population. These findings support the development of more targeted and effective preventive strategies based on specific metabolic risk profiles.

In this study, a new biosensor system was developed and optimized for the detection of the insecticides carbofuran and methyl parathion in drinking water using commercial DropSens electrodes. The electrode systems used were printed in ceramic, with platinum auxiliary electrode and silver reference electrode. The working electrode was modified with cobalt phthalocyanine as a redox mediator. The parameters of the working electrode, enzyme immobilization and ATChI substrate concentration were optimized. The biosensor created was used to identify carbamates and organophosphates in drinking water samples. Carbon was chosen as the main electrode, glutaraldehyde as the enzyme immobilization agent and the ideal concentration of ATChI was 100 mmol/L. The optimized biosensor showed a linearity range of 5-25 µg/L for carbofuran and 10-45 µg/L for methyl parathion. The detection values for carbofuran and methyl parathion were 0.210 µg/L and 0.292 µg/L, respectively, with quantification limits of 0.637 µg/L and 0.884 µg/L, respectively. In the tests carried out with water, the biosensor was able to recover between 9903% of the two insecticides. The results showed the effectiveness of this biosensor for detecting the insecticides carbofuran and methyl parathion.

The functional relationship between ecosystem biodiversity and its functioning enables the categorization of organisms into guilds based on resource utilization, allowing for the assessment of biological diversity in modified environments over temporal scales, such as forest plantations. The present study sought to compare the composition of ant trophic guilds associated with the understory of eucalyptus stands at various stages of succession, aiming to determine whether turnover in species composition occurs within these guilds. We employed the Winkler extractor to collect litter ants in fifteen eucalyptus stands, ranging in age from 1.5 to 10.3 years. Our findings revealed the presence of fifteen ant guilds. The guild of small arboreal ants with massive recruitment exhibited a decline in species richness as the understory matured, while the guild of specialized predatory cryptic myrmicines demonstrated an increase in species richness in older stands. Camponotus crassus Mayr and Wasmannia auropunctata Roger were more prevalent in younger understory stands, whereas Pheidole fallax Mayr was predominantly found in native vegetation. Ants can serve as indicators of environmental conditions in eucalyptus plantations and contribute to environmental certification efforts. Our results demonstrate that eucalyptus plantations with understory vegetation effectively support the conservation of ant species over time, providing habitat for diverse ant guilds that utilize the available resources in this environment and may act as a species source for the surrounding landscape.

Background Public engagement with science (PES) initiatives in health research that use big data to analyze social inequalities in health requires strategies and methods adapted to the contexts of countries in the Global South. This paper aims to examine how, in Brazil – a country with a strong tradition of social participation in research and public policymaking—two research projects from a center that utilizes administrative and real-world data incorporate inclusion and diversity as key elements to connect knowledge production with real-world challenges. Methods The study analyzes how two Cidacs research projects – one related to Primary Health Care (PHC) and the other to Data Interoperability—involved members of the public throughout their implementation. Both projects jointly engaged 18 participants, including community representatives, health professionals, and public sector managers. A case report approach is being employed in this paper to systematically document PES experiences based on a predefined script, covering context, methodology, activities, audiences, and ethical aspects. Data were collected through participant observation and listening during engagement activities, which facilitated dialogue between participants and researchers, as well as through follow-up questionnaires and subsequent discussions. This paper itself emerged from this collaborative process, including with some PES participants as co-authors. Results The participants' collaboration impacted the researchers' decisions, providing a closer understanding of the challenges faced by the participants in their daily work in relation to each of the research themes. Furthermore, these discussions resulted in the establishment of partnerships for new initiatives. The participants highlighted that, in addition to the opportunity to contribute to the development of scientific research, they acquired new knowledge from their contact with the research teams. Conclusions The diversity of social groups and the inclusion of different perspectives in research projects mobilized by PES have the potential to promote innovations in research processes and results, as well as have social impact. The potential for applicability of scientific information is expanded since it is more connected to the real world, and the participants themselves drive the dissemination process.

Sea-level changes during the Pleistocene and the geomorphological history have largely molded the intricate shaping of coastal drainages in Eastern South America. Therefore, freshwater fishes from this region are promising models to infer how riverine isolation and reconnections affected their genetic diversification and geographic distribution. In the present study, we provided a detailed cytogenomic analysis of Ancistrus multispinis and Ancistrus brevipinnis, including the physical mapping of repetitive DNA classes, to verify whether chromosome differentiation would be related to the split between two major watersheds in Southern Brazil. Both species of Ancistrus shared the same modal diploid number (2n=52) and karyotype formulae (14 metacentric, 8 submetacentric and 30 subtelo/acrocentric chromosomes), besides single and terminal 18S ribosomal cistrons, (CGG)10 microsatellite sequences interspersed with heterochromatin in nucleolar organizer regions and a dispersed content of (AC)15 and (GT)15 microsatellites. In turn, the patterns of heterochromatin distribution, number of (GAG)10 microsatellites and 5S rDNA clusters diverged between both taxa. Most likely, these microstructural differences were determined by independent evolutionary processes, strongly associated to the geographic isolation between watersheds. Furthermore, the mapping of repetitive DNAs revealed a dynamic reorganization of genomes of Ancistrus, being useful for the taxonomic disambiguation in this complex group of Neotropical fish.

In this paper, we investigate the influence of anti–symmetric tensor effects, which trigger the Lorentz symmetry breaking, on charged spherically symmetric black holes. Initially, we address an overview of the model, laying the groundwork for deriving solutions to black holes. With this, we analyze the horizons, critical orbits, and geodesics. We compute quasinormal modes and the time–domain solution with a particular emphasis on vectorial perturbations. In addition, we derive the Hawking temperature to perform the calculation of the remnant mass. Additionally, we estimate the lifetime of the black holes until they reach their final stage after the evaporation process. Finally, we explore the emission rate, the deflection angle and, we investigate the correlation between quasinormal modes and shadows.

Edentulism is a chronic and debilitating oral health condition linked to the onset of systemic diseases. This study aims to characterize oral health conditions and identify factors associated with edentulism among older adults in Aiquara-BA. Methods This is a cross-sectional, analytical, and epidemiological study. Data collection was conducted from February to April 2022, in two stages. First, trained interviewers administered a validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic, economic, health, and lifestyle factors directly in participants’ homes. In the second stage, a calibrated dental surgeon conducted caries diagnoses and assessed the need for and use of prostheses in a unit provided by the Municipal Health Department, using standardized procedures. Data were analyzed using statistical software, applying descriptive statistics and multiple Poisson regression. Results A total of 195 older adults, aged 60 years or older and residing in Aiquara, were included, with a mean age of 71.2 years (± 8.3), and 57.4% were female. The prevalence of caries was 100%, with a mean DMFT index of 27.8 (sd ± 6.1). Total edentulism prevalence was 63.4%, with 41.6% in the upper arch and 21.8% in the lower arch. Tongue coating was observed in 74.9% of participants, and 43.6% had unsatisfactory upper prosthesis conditions. In Aiquara-BA, edentulism was more prevalent among older adults aged ≥ 80 years (PR = 2.4), with a history of infarction (PR = 2.90) and osteoporosis (PR = 3.37). Conclusions The prevalence of edentulism is high among older adults in Aiquara-BA, particularly among those in older age groups and those with osteoporosis and a history of infarction.

Agriculture in semi-arid regions faces significant challenges due to water scarcity and soil salinity, conditions exacerbated by inadequate irrigation practices and high evaporation rates. African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis), a species valued for its high-quality wood, holds potential for cultivation in these regions, provided that appropriate management practices are adopted. This study investigated the leaf transpiration response of African mahogany seedlings subjected to seven levels of irrigation water salinity, ranging from 0.5 to 5 dS·m⁻¹, using drainage lysimeters in an experimental field in Bahia. Data collection included measurements of stomatal conductance and photosynthetically active radiation (Qleaf) over a four-month period. The results showed a significant reduction in transpiration with increasing salinity, particularly above 3.5 dS·m⁻¹. Regression analyses highlighted a negative correlation between electrical conductivity and leaf transpiration, demonstrating the impact of water quality on plant physiology. These findings underscore the potential of African mahogany for cultivation in semi-arid regions, provided that efficient management practices are implemented to promote sustainable water use and mitigate the effects of salinity.

Background Hand grip strength (HGS) may represent an epidemiologically relevant alternative as an initial screening tool for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. However, no study evaluated the performance capacity of HGS compared to other biomarkers in discriminating these conditions in adults. Objective The study aimed to evaluate the performance of HGS as discriminator of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, compared to urinary biomarkers of creatinine and potassium in 24 h for Brazilian adults. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Women (n = 5431) and men (n = 6351) aged 38–79 years who participated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA‐Brasil) at second follow‐up of the cohort (2012–2014). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated for men and women in different age groups to assess the performance of HGS as a discriminator of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, compared to the biomarkers of potassium and creatinine in urine in 24 h. The outcomes were classified based on the skeletal muscle mass index (BMI/height²) and fat percentage, estimated from the bioimpedance analysis data. Sensitivity, specificity and Brier score were calculated for each estimated HGS cut‐off point. Results It can be observed that 18.20% (15.51% women; 21.34% men) of the population showed a decline in skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia). Of this total, 11.61% (10.52% women; 12.89% men) presented the isolated outcome of sarcopenia and 6.59% (4.99% women; 8.45% men) of sarcopenic obesity. The HGS areas under the ROC Curve ranged from 0.54 (CI = 0.493–0.596) to 0.76 (CI = 0.650–0.878) according to sex and age group. HGS performance compared to biomarkers was significantly higher in virtually all strata and outcomes analysed. The cut‐off points that demonstrated greater accuracy and better performance in outcome discrimination were ≤ 42, ≤ 41, ≤ 38 and ≤ 36 kgf among males aged 38–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years and 65–79 years, respectively. For women in the same age groups, HGS cut‐offs were ≤ 26, ≤ 23, ≤ 23 and ≤ 21 kgf, respectively. Conclusions The results suggest that HGS is a good discriminator of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, capable of achieving superior or equal performance to muscle mass biomarkers, especially in middle‐aged adults.

The objective of this work was to optimize the application of an enzymatic blend produced by Aspergillus niger ATCC 1004 on the Pimenta dioica fruits for essential oil extraction. The enzyme blend was obtained from the fermentation of cocoa bean shells, an agro-industrial residue. The effects of the enzymatic pre-treatment on the extraction yield, the chemical composition of the oil through gas chromatography, and the fruit structure through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were assessed. A Doehlert design was used to optimize the process conditions, resulting in an extraction with 117 mL of enzyme during 77 min, which increased the extraction yield by 387.5%. The chemical composition was not altered, which proves that the enzyme blend preserves the quality of the essential oil extracted. The content of eugenol (70%), the major compound in the P. dioica essential oil, had a great increase in its concentration (560%). The enzyme activity analyses showed the presence of endoglucanase (0.4 U/mL), exoglucanase (0.25 U/mL), β-glucosidase (0.19 U/mL), and invertase (135.08 U/mL). The microscopy analyses revealed changes in the morphology of fruit surface due to the enzymatic action. These results demonstrate the great potential of using enzyme blends produced by filamentous fungi from agro-industrial residues for the essential oils extraction of interest for the pharmaceutical and food industries.