NEW GUIDELINES The Bioscience Journal is an interdisciplinary and open-access electronic journal that publishes scientific articles in the areas of Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences and Health Sciences. The Journal aims to publish original research articles and systematic reviews. From the beginning (i.e., since 2001), the Journal went through variable publication flows until 2008. From 2009 to 2020 the Journal adopted a bimonthly publication flow. In 2021, Bioscience Journal adopts a new layout and new guidelines, and now has a continuous publication flow, being open for new submissions throughout the year. The new guidelines are already available on the website, in the “About” section under "Submissions".
Effect of mini-screw positioning and quantity in a MARPE expander in a young adult cleft palate patient: a finite element study
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of mini-screw position and number in mini-screw-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) expanders in a patient with cleft lip and palate (CLP). A cone-beam computed tomography scan of a patient aged 17 years with bilateral complete CLP was used to construct six finite element models with MARPE expanders: three bone-borne and three tooth-bone-borne configurations, varying by mini-screw number (two or three) and position (anterior or posterior). Each expander was transversely activated to achieve 1.0 mm expansion. Equivalent elastic strain (µƐ) distributions were assessed in the maxillary palatal bone, dentoalveolar bone, and anchoring teeth. Deformation patterns in the palate and alveolar ridges (4,000 µƐ) were influenced by both mini-screw number and, more significantly, position. The presence of at least one mini-screw was critical for generating strain in the anterior palate. Expander arms produced notable strain at the insertion sites of banded anchoring teeth (100 µƐ). Mini-screw position appeared more influential than quantity in determining strain distribution. An anterior mini-screw was essential for inducing anterior palatal stress, while expander arms, regardless of mini-screw configuration, contributed to stress distribution across anchoring teeth and posterior alveolar ridges.
Copyright (c) 2026 Angela Maria Bautista Patiño, Nathalia de Oliveira Domingos, Douglas Teixeira da Silva, Ki Beom Kim, Carlos José Soares, Guilherme de Araujo Almeida https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effectiveness of Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens in sugarcane development
The use of bio-inputs has been highly effective in cultivating large crops. Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are referred to as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which act through both direct mechanisms, providing nutrients, and indirect mechanisms, such as biocontrol. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of bio- inputs based on A. brasilense and P. fluorescens in sugarcane development. These bio-inputs were produced in bioreactors in isolated and combined fermentation. The test was conducted in a plant growth chamber with controlled temperature, photoperiod, and humidity. Pots received a sugarcane bud, and the bio-inputs were applied. The treatments consisted of T1 = control, T2 = A. brasilense, T3 = P. fluorescens, T4 = A. brasilense + P. fluorescens (combined fermentation) 0 hours (shelf life), and T5 = A. brasilense + P. fluorescens (combined fermentation) 180 hours (shelf life). The biocontrol action of bio-inputs against phytopathogenic fungi, the influence on soil microbiota, and the development of sugar cane were evaluated. The strains did not show biocontrol activity. In terms of microbiological parameters, the study revealed a significant increase in microbial biomass and soil biological activity, confirming the importance of fertility and nutrient availability. Positively impacting plant development. Thus, bio-inputs based on Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens, isolated or by combined fermentation, improved soil quality, soil biological activity, and the availability of plant nutrients.
Agronomy/Soil Science/Soil microbiology/Mycorrhiza
Copyright (c) 2026 Lovely Santia Edouard, Anderson Alves dos Santos, Emanuele Storer Dias, Larissa de Assis Carretts, Fabiana Gisele da Silva Pinto, Leopoldo Sussumu Matsumoto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Adjuvant therapy in osteoradionecrosis management: case reports
Osteoradionecrosis is a chronic complication of head and neck radiotherapy. It is characterized by necrotic bone exposure in previously irradiated areas. The clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic bone exposure to severe infections and pathological fractures. We report the clinical outcomes of adjunctive therapies for osteoradionecrosis management. Three male patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis following head and neck radiotherapy underwent treatment with a weekly ozone therapy protocol that included ozonated water irrigation, gas infiltration, and topical ozonated oil application. One patient with severe disease required a combination of surgical debridement and platelet-rich fibrin membrane placement. All the patients demonstrated progressive epithelialization, infection control, and accelerated wound healing. These results suggest that ozone therapy is a valuable strategy for enhancing tissue regeneration and improving wound healing, whether used alone or in combination with surgical procedures and platelet-rich fibrin. Altogether, these findings reinforce the potential of multimodal approaches in the clinical management of osteoradionecrosis.
Osteoradionecrosis, Head and neck cancer, Ozone therapy, Platelet-rich fibrin, Adjuvant therapies, Case series
Dentistry, Oral Medicine, Oncology, Adjuvant Therapies
Laura Maria dos Santos Reis Rocha de Castro
Copyright (c) 2026 Laura Maria dos Santos Reis Rocha de Castro, Lívia Bonjardim Lima, Luiz Fernando Barbosa de Paulo, Antônio Pires da Silva Neto, Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira Soares https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of the sterility of new reciprocating endodontic files through microbiological culture
Sterility information on reciprocating endodontic instruments is often unclear on the packaging. This can make clinicians uncertain about the safe use of these instruments without prior sterilization. This study evaluated the sterility of different reciprocating file systems directly from their original packaging. Six instruments from five commercially available reciprocating systems (Reciproc® Blue, WaveOne® Gold, W File, X1 Blue MK Life, and AllPrime R Blue) were tested. Each file was aseptically removed from its packaging inside a laminar flow chamber and immediately placed into sterile glass vials containing 5 mL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium. A 0.25 mL aliquot from each vial was collected after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation and plated onto Petri dishes. Then, they were incubated for an additional 72 hours. To ensure methodological reliability, two instruments (one Reciproc® Blue and one AllPrime R Blue) were deliberately contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and served as positive controls. The presence of colony-forming units (CFUs) was assessed at 24-hour intervals throughout the experimental period. No bacterial growth was detected in any of the test groups at any time point, while CFUs consistently appeared in the positive controls. Considering the limitations of this study, reciprocating endodontic files, in their original manufacturer-sealed packaging and without prior clinical use, seem free of microbial contamination and are safe for immediate clinical application.
sterility of new reciprocating endodontic files
Copyright (c) 2026 Fabricio Victer Ribeiro, Walbert A. Vieira, Marcos Frozoni, Iris Nogueira Bincelli Seckler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Morphological characterization and genetic diversity based on the melon root system
Studies on plant root system architecture may yield valuable data for genetic improvement programs for developing cultivars that acquire water and nutrients more efficiently. This study used morphological descriptors to characterize the root system and evaluate genetic diversity among 30 melon accessions. A completely randomized experiment was conducted with 30 treatments and 5 replications. The plot consisted of one seedling. After seed germination, five seedlings were fixed in a dried growth medium for 12 days. Then, they were scanned and measured for primary root length and primary root neck diameter. Root hairs were visually evaluated. Finally, basal root angles were measured. The accessions diverged genetically regarding the root system morphological characteristics. The primary root neck diameter contributed the most to the dissimilarity between the accessions (43.06%). The A-50 accession stood out for the highest mean for morphological characteristics. It may represent a reference in genetic improvement programs to develop cultivars that acquire water and nutrients more efficiently.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nickson Fernandes de Oliveira Carvalho, Glauber Henrique de Sousa Nunes, José Hamilton Costa Filho, Ruth Mainá Penha da Silva, Adriano Ferreira Martins, Denilson Eduardo Silva Dantas, Francisco Linco de Souza Tomaz, Cintya Mikaelly Pereira Gaia Souza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Investigating microarchitectural characteristics of woven bone exposed to ionizing radiation: comparative analysis of two segmentation methods and their impact on trabecular measurements in an animal study
The study aimed to evaluate bone formation in surgical defects exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) and to compare two image segmentation methods: manual and standardized delimitation of the region-of-interest (ROI). Bone defects were created in the tibias of Wistar rats using a 2.3 mm trephine. After seven days, the animals were exposed to IR (30 Gy single dose). Two weeks later, the animals were euthanized, and their tibias were scanned using X-ray microtomography. ROI definition was performed by a single operator using two methods: (a) interactive segmentation, where the woven bone was manually outlined within the bone defect region, and (b) a standardized, predefined rectangular ROI. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number (Tb.N), bone surface (BS/BV), and fractal dimension (FD) were assessed for both segmentation methods. Significant differences were observed for BV/TV (p<0.001), Tb.N (p<0.001), and Tb.Sp (p<0.001), but not for Tb.Th (p=0.71), BS/BV (p=0.79), and FD (p=0.35). The manual method was approximately 3.5 times more time-consuming than the predefined ROI method (446.2±49.5 vs 131.2±38.8 s, p<0.001). None of the evaluated parameters showed significant differences when the IR was considered. Within the limitations of this study, the finding indicate that IR does not interfere with the bone repair process when delivered post-surgery. While manual segmentation is more time consuming, it retrieves greater bone volume and reveals differences in trabecular structure, showing more trabeculae number and less trabeculae separation in irradiated bone.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tássio Edno Atanásio Pitorro, Milena Suemi Irie, Clara de Oliveira Barbosa Bites, Gabriella Lopes de Rezende Barbosa, Gustavo Davi Rabelo, Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira Soares https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Epiphytic and endophytic bacteria for the control of Botrytis cinerea in vitro and in grape berries of cv. sauvignon blanc in southern Brazil
Botrytis bunch rot (BBR) in grapevines caused by Botrytis cinerea is a pre- and post-harvest disease that leads to significant losses in southern Brazil. This study aimed to assess the potential of epiphytic and endophytic bacteria to control B. cinerea in vitro and in vivo in the cv. Sauvignon Blanc (SB). B. cinerea and epiphytic and endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from the grape clusters and leaf phyllosphere (epiphytic and endophytic) of the SB variety, respectively. Four epiphytic and two endophytic isolates that showed the highest antibiosis indices in vitro and in vivo were identified using phenotyping and DNA sequencing. Treatments were carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with five replications, including (a) control, (b) B. cinerea, (c) commercial product (EcoshotÒ) with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, (d) epiphytic bacteria, and (e) endophytic bacteria. Among the 52 isolates, 4 epiphytic and 2 endophytic isolates showed the highest degree of inhibition and significantly inhibited the growth of B. cinerea. The UEP40, UEP43, UEN13, and UEN14 isolates yielded positive reactions for urea and indole. The epiphytic isolates UEP43 (identified as Serratia marcescens) and UEP51 (Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens) and the endophytic isolate UEN13 (Staphylococcus equorum) reduced the severity of BBR on detached grape berries by ~55% and 49% between 72 and 168 h after inoculation, respectively. These bacterial isolates are potential biocontrol agents against B. cinerea. However, more research is needed to confirm their efficacy in vineyards in southern Brazil.
Copyright (c) 2025 Claudemar Helmuth Herpich, Leocir José Welter, Glória Regina Botelho, Fábio Nascimento da Silva, Ricardo Trezzi Casa, Amauri Bogo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Multifunctional fluorescent Pseudomonas: effects on maize development and tools for their selection
Maize is one of the most cultivated cereals worldwide. Despite the low nutrient availability in the soil, high amounts of fertilizers are applied causing economic and environmental impacts. Then, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) as Fluorescent Pseudomonas can be utilized as an alternative. The present work aims to analyze the effect of Pseudomonas isolates on maize development and production and verify the relationship between growth mechanisms and IAA production. Sixteen Pseudomonas isolates were tested in vitro to produce IAA, ACC deaminase, siderophores, and solubilize Fe and Al phosphates. Three isolates (CBSAL02, CBSAL05, and CBSAL06) were selected for the field experiment, in which an A. brasilense inoculant was the control, generating five treatments with four replications. More than 50% of the isolates demonstrated the tested mechanisms. Only CBSAL05 did not produce siderophore or could fix N. Inoculations with A. brasilense and Pseudomonas isolates increased leaf N content among the selected isolates. The CBSAL06 isolate increased productivity, thus demonstrating the potential use as an inoculant.
Copyright (c) 2024 Gabriela Demeneck Belen, Vinicius Costa Cysneiros, Amanda Gonçalves Guimarães, Gloria Regina Botelho https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of behavioral responses to restraint stress in the house mouse (Mus musculus musculus) of wild origin
Stress is a fundamental concept for many areas of animal research. In laboratory rodents, exposure to various stressors results in immediate and postponed behavioral changes that can be measured with standard tests. Less is known about how wild rodents that have not undergone domestication respond to stressors in laboratory settings. This study was aimed at evaluating behavioral responses to restraint stress in male and female wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus musculus). One week after the end of three daily restraint sessions, alterations in mouse behavior were assessed in two tests. In the open field test, stressed mice (n = 23) entered the unprotected central zone less frequently (P < 0.05) and showed increased duration of self-grooming (P < 0.05) compared to controls (n = 23), indicating elevated anxiety. In the forced swim test, most mice (44 out of 46) displayed episodes of behavioral despair, but the influence of stress was insignificant. To characterize baseline performance of wild-derived mice, their behavior was compared to that of a laboratory strain. As compared to C57BL/6 males (n = 10), M. m. musculus males (n = 14) showed significantly greater exploratory activity in the open field and longer latency of the first immobility episode in the forced swim test (P < 0.001). Overall, these findings confirm ecological validity of the widely used animal model of restraint stress and may serve as a basis for future studies.
Copyright (c) 2024 Maria A. Klyuchnikova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Sex-related variations in the morphological structure of puma (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771) ear skin
The ear tissue of vulnerable felines, such as the puma, holds potential biological material for creating biobanks. However, skin composition can differ significantly between individuals of the of the same species and even between sexes, based on different environments. Therefore, identifying morphological similarities across these populations is crucial for developing accurate protocols. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the structure and composition of ear skin in both a male and a female puma using histological techniques. Histomorphometric analysis revealed a total thickness of 304.65 µm and 238.95 µm for the male and the female, respectively. The epidermis was notably thinner in the female compared to the male. Specifically, the thickness of the basal, spinous, and corneum layers in the female was 2.62 µm, 10.07 µm, and 3.15 µm, respectively, compared to 3.49 µm, 13.94 µm, and 3.66 µm in the male, respectively. Melanocytes, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts totaled 26, 24, and 50 cells in the male and 21, 25, and 54 cells in the female. Moreover, chondrocytes (male: n=33 and female: n=41) and perichondrium (male=13.99 µm and female=9.05 µm) were observed in the cartilage. These results demonstrate the histomorphometric differences and similarities between a male and a female puma, consistent with observation in other felines. This information is relevant for a targeted approach for establishing biobanks for this species.
Copyright (c) 2024 Gabriela Pereira de Oliveira Lira, Leonardo Vitorino Costa de Aquino, Samara Lima Olindo, Matheus Barbosa do Nascimento, Herlon Victor Rodrigues Silva, Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Remote sensing in the estimation of evapotranspiration of tomato cultivation for industrial processing
This study evaluated the performance of the SAFER and METRIC algorithms to estimate the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of irrigated tomato crops for industrial processing in the south-central region of Goiás, Brazil. The research was conducted in eight tomato-producing areas using center-pivot irrigation during the 2018 and 2019 harvests. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite images (temporal resolution of 16 days) helped estimate ETa through the SAFER e METRIC models compared with FAO methods, using the single crop coefficient (Kc) of the FAO-56/Embrapa and the soil water balance (BHS) method based on statistical indices. The analyzed algorithms presented spatiotemporal variations for ETa during the tomato crop cycle for industrial processing. The maximum evapotranspiration estimated by SAFER was 5.20 mm d-1, and by METRIC was 5.00 mm d-1. The algorithms were accurate compared with the standard methods, mainly the FAO using Embrapa’s Kc. The mean squared error was lower than 0.59 mm d-1 for SAFER and lower than 0.73 mm d-1 for METRIC. The ETa estimated by both models in the vegetative and fructification phases was lower than the mean absolute error of 0.24 mm d-1 compared with the standard methods. The SAFER model showed higher agreement with standard practices than the METRIC model, with an index between 0.64 and 0.99. This study demonstrated that algorithms may effectively estimate ETa in tomato crops for industrial processing in the analyzed region.
Copyright (c) 2025 Carolina Carvalho Rocha Sena, José Alves Júnior, João Mauricio Fernandes Souza, Adão Wagner Pego Evangelista, Rafael Battisti, Derblai Casaroli, Elson de Jesus Antunes Junior https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Increased resistance rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales isolated from blood cultures in Brazil
This study aimed to identify and evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales isolated from blood cultures of patients with suspected sepsis. This retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study was performed for four years (2015 to 2018) by accessing the medical records of patients diagnosed with bloodstream infections in two tertiary public hospitals in Brazil. Culture results and susceptibility tests of bacterial strains isolated from blood samples were analyzed. During four years, 2,263 blood culture exams were performed, and Enterobacterales were isolated in 694 (30.7%) samples. The disk approximation test detected ESBL production in 171 (24.6%) of the 694 isolated Enterobacterales (p<0.05), with 125 (73.1%) corresponding to Klebsiella spp., 28 (16.2%) to Escherichia coli, eight (4.6%) to Enterobacter spp., five (2.9%) to Serratia spp., three (1.7%) to Proteus spp., and two (1.2%) to Citrobacter spp. All tested antibiotics demonstrated low susceptibility (2.9% to 26.9%). The classes of monobactams, cephalosporins, and penicillin showed high resistance indices. The evaluated Enterobacterales isolates exhibited expressive antimicrobial resistance to drugs commonly used as empirical treatment in bloodstream infections. The findings reinforce the relevance of assessing the bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility profile, as it drives antibiotic therapy, potentially detecting multiresistance cases.
Cynthia Karolina Rodrigues do Nascimento
Copyright (c) 2024 Raí Emanuel da Silva, Nathanael dos Santos Alves, Cynthia Karolina Rodrigues do Nascimento, Raylane Meneses Marques dos Santos, Wellerson Lucas de Pinho Barreto, Jadiel Silva Reis Filho, Victor Brito Dantas Brito Dantas Martins, Erika Cecília Vallim Severino, Marcelo Costa Araújo, Miguel Araújo Rios Neto, Aline Dias Paiva, Kennio Ferreira-Paim, Fernanda Machado Fonseca https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Association of skin temperature, cumulative dose of radiation, and the diagnosis of radiodermatitis
Radiotherapy is one of the treatments of cancer, and radiodermatitis is one of the side effects, with a negative impact on the patient's quality of life, which can lead to limitation dose of radiation, delay in completion, or discontinuation of treatment. Recent studies show evidence that thermography can be useful in this context of radiodermatitis, as it is a technology that has been improved, there are still few studies showing thermal response and mapping of radiation dermatitis. This study analyzed the association between skin temperature, cumulative radiation dose, and the appearance of radiodermatitis. The research was carried out with 76 participants with skin, head or neck cancer and thermographic recording immediately before and after irradiation. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale was used to diagnose radiodermatitis. As the main results in our sample, 70% of the participants had some degree of radiodermatitis, and significant differences in skin temperature were observed when compared to participants without (32.88 °C) and with radiodermatitis (thermal difference in average temperature greater than 1.0 °C for both grade I and grade II radiodermatitis). The ideal time for thermographic evaluation would be after receiving the daily dose, where we found a moderate correlation (0.474) between the temperature of the affected side after irradiation and the pre-irradiation cumulative dose. Our results demonstrate that radiodermatitis change skin temperature and thermographic analysis can quantify. Finally, to improve early diagnosis, we recommend that scales be constructed with greater definitions for the classification of radiation toxicity, without overlapping symptoms, considering quantitative criteria.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dryelle Soster Iede Shiguihara, Leandra Ulbricht, Eduardo Borba Neves https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
In vitro photoautotrophic cultivation of Melocactus zehntneri: insights from allometric characteristics from germination to acclimatization
Melocactus zehntneri is a species of ornamental relevance suffering anthropogenic pressures, putting its preservation at risk. Thus, alternatives for propagating and conserving this species are needed. This study evaluated the effect of photoautotrophic cultivation of M. zehntneri to produce plants well acclimated to natural conditions. The seeds underwent different imbibition times before in vitro germination. Besides the growth room, a greenhouse hosted the photoautotrophic cultivation of seedlings. Vermiculite replaced agar in the culture medium. The imbibition pre-treatment in distilled water and the growth environments affected some parameters linked to germination. The greenhouse provided better characteristics for plants grown in vitro and for acclimatization than those kept in the growth room. Plants cultivated and acclimated ex vitro in a greenhouse photoautotrophic environment showed improved characteristics regarding ornamental significance.
Copyright (c) 2024 Joedna Alves Campos , Ane Marcela das Chagas Mendonça, Augusto Vinícius de Souza Nascimento, Geovane da Silva Dias , Luciano Coutinho Silva , Marlucia Cruz de Santana , Carlos Dias da Silva Júnior , Paulo Augusto Almeida Santos https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Psychotropic medication use among postgraduate students and associated factors
This study examined the prevalence and influencing factors of psychotropic medication use among 5,334 postgraduate students from across Brazil. It was a crosssectional and observational investigation, which collected electronic data through the REDCap platform over three months in 2022. The data analysis revealed several factors associated with psychotropic medication use, including psychological distress in the previous year, self-reported mental disorders, continuous medication use, pandemic related disruptions, a positive COVID-19 test, and illicit drug use during the pandemic. However, certain factors, such as living in the north or southeast regions and accessing psychological counseling before the pandemic, showed a protective association. These findings demonstrate that mental health policies that support and monitor students using psychotropic medications are crucial for enhancing well-being in postgraduate programs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nayara Paula Fernandes Martins Molina, Assis do Carmo Pereira Junior , Gabriela Di Donato, Leonardo Bigolin Jantsch , Riccardo Lacchini, Adriana Inocenti Miasso https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Occupational stress and compassion fatigue: a cross-sectional association study among nursing professionals
This study evaluated the association between occupational stress and compassion fatigue among Brazilian nurses working in a hospital setting. This study is a census-based, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational investigation conducted among 83 nurses from a medium-sized university hospital in the southernmost part of Brazil. Validated instruments were used to assess occupational stress (Work Stress Scale) and professional quality of life (Professional Quality of Life Scale – ProQoL-BR). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between occupational stress and compassion fatigue, while adjusting for sociodemographic and professional variables. The prevalence of compassion fatigue was 65.9%, while 34.9% of participants exhibited occupational stress. A 10% increase in the occupational stress score was associated with a 33% increase in the likelihood of developing compassion fatigue. This association was influenced by variables such as age, sex, and sleep duration. This study associated occupational stress with compassion fatigue among hospital nurses, particularly in more vulnerable subgroups, such as female, older, and sleep-deprived professionals. These findings underscore the need for institutional policies that promote occupational health and prevent psychosocial problems.
This study addresses critical issues in contemporary clinical practice, focusing on the mental health of hospital-based nurses, particularly regarding occupational stress and compassion fatigue.
Francisco Rosemiro Guimarães Ximenes Neto
Copyright (c) 2026 Luciano Garcia Lourenção, José Gustavo Monteiro Penha, Daniela Menezes Galvão, Francielle Garcia da Silva, Francisco Rosemiro Guimarães Ximenes Neto, Luiz Antônio Alves de Menezes Júnior https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spatial patterns of mortality from respiratory diseases and their relationship with socio-environmental indicators in Brazil
This study analyzes the spatial autocorrelation of mortality rates from respiratory diseases in Brazilian municipalities between 1999 and 2022, emphasizing associated socioeconomic and environmental factors, including GDP per capita, population density, urbanization index, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Statistical analyses related to the Global Moran’s I and Local Moran’s Index (LISA) were applied to identify spatial patterns of dependence, followed by Pearson correlation analysis. The results reveal a reduction in the global autocorrelation of mortality over time, with persistent high-risk clusters in the South and Southeast regions, especially among the elderly and groups with higher education levels, while the North and Northeast regions show greater vulnerability associated with low education, income, and urbanization. GHG emissions maintained distinct spatial patterns over the period, with CH₄ showing relative stability, whereas CO₂ and N₂O showed an increase in spatial autocorrelation in more recent years. The findings reinforce the importance of spatial analysis in identifying territorial health inequalities and provide support for integrated public policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting socio-environmental equity.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nícholas de Paula Nicomedes, Pedro Cesar Madureira de Godoy Camargo, Luis Armando de Oro Arenas, Liliane Moreira Nery, Leopoldo André Dutra Lusquino Filho, Darllan Collins da Cunha e Silva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of social capital and clinical factors on the oral health-related quality of life of vulnerable children and their families
This study assessed the impact of individual social capital and clinical variables on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of vulnerable children and their families. This cross-sectional observational study included children of both sexes and their parents or guardians. The OHRQoL was assessed using the Brazilian version of the ECOHIS questionnaire. Individual social capital was evaluated through participation in community, school, and religious activities. The criteria recommended by the WHO were used to analyze dental caries and malocclusion. Adjusted logistic regression models estimated the odds ratios at a 95% CI; the multiple regression model included variables with p < 0.20 in the individual analyses, and those with p ≤ 0.05 remained in the final model. Younger children with caries occurrence and lower social capital are 1.74 (95% CI: 1.13-2.68), 2.89 (95% CI: 1.88-4.45), and 3.69 (95% CI: 2.36-5.78) times more likely to experience a higher impact on OHRQoL (p < 0.05). Families of children with caries occurrence and lower social capital are 2.31 (95% CI: 1.52-3.50) and 3.56 (95% CI: 2.29-5.54) times more likely to experience a higher impact on OHRQoL (p < 0.05). Families of children with caries experience and lower social capital are 2.11 (95% CI: 1.40-3.19) and 3.55 (95% CI: 2.89-5.50) times more likely to show a higher impact on total OHRQoL (p < 0.05). Dental caries experience and lower individual social capital were associated with a higher impairment of the OHRQoL of children and their families in conditions of social vulnerability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Karolina Azevedo, Patricia Rafaela dos Santos, Caroline Nogueira de Moraes, Gabriell Bonifacio Borgato, Silvia A. S. Vedovello, Diego Patrik Alves Carneiro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Association between herbicides and sugarcane straw for controlling Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster in peanuts
Signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) is a common troublesome weed in peanut areas, and its control is essential. This study evaluated the efficacy of herbicides associated with harvested sugarcane residues in controlling U. decumbens. Herbicides were applied with or without sugarcane straw during U. decumbens pre-emergence (imazapic, imazethapyr + flumioxazin, diclosulam, s-metolachlor, clomazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + diuron, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin) and post-emergence (imazapic, imazethapyr, bentazon + imazamox, quizalofop-p-ethyl, clethodim, haloxyfop-p-methyl, fluazifop-p-butyl, propaquizafop, and glyphosate). Sugarcane residues reduced plant emergence (68%) and emergence speed (77%). Except for imazapic, every pre-emergent herbicide application without sugarcane straw promoted control levels higher than 90%. The highest U. decumbens control levels (over 95%) occurred mainly with clomazone, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin, regardless of the straw factor. Glyphosate and haloxyfop herbicides promoted the highest U. decumbens control levels, primarily reducing growth characteristics, followed by propaquizafop, quizalofop-p-ethyl, and fluazifop-p-butyl. The study concluded that sugarcane straw reduced U. decumbens emergence. Clomazone, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin herbicides applied during pre-emergence promoted the highest U. decumbens control levels, regardless of the presence or absence of sugarcane straw. All pre-emergence herbicide applications without sugarcane straw controlled U. decumbens satisfactorily, except for imazapic. Glyphosate and haloxyfop-p-methyl herbicides applied post-emergence provided the highest U. decumbens control levels, followed by propaquizafop, quizalofop-p-ethyl, and fluazifop-p-butyl, regardless of the presence of sugarcane straw.
Copyright (c) 2025 Augusto Guerreiro Fontoura Costa, André Nunes Silva, Valdinei Sofiatti, Pedro Luis da Costa Aguiar Alves https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Weed control efficiency and selectivity of pre-emergent herbicides for garlic crop
This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and selectivity of pyroxasulfone and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at garlic cv. Ito pre-emergence. The experiment was conducted in two commercial areas in Curitibanos/SC during 2021 and 2022, using a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of the pre-emergence application of: pyroxasulfone at rates of 75, 100, and 125 g ha-1; pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at rates of 60 + 40, 90 + 60, and 120 + 80 g ha-1; oxyfluorfen + flumioxazin (180 + 25 g ha-1); pendimethalin + flumioxazin (1820 or 1600 + 25 g ha-1); and pendimethalin alone (1820 or 1600 g ha-1). In addition, we included an untreated and a weed-free control. This study evaluated weed density, dry mass, phytotoxicity, and bulb yields. In 2021, no weeds were reported in the cultivation area, thus only herbicide selectivity for garlic was evaluated, with all the treatments being selective without reducing the yield of garlic. In 2022, ryegrass and wild radish were predominant weeds in the crop, but the treatments caused a greater reduction in the number of ryegrass plants compared to wild radish. The plots with a higher number of wild radish plants showed a greater accumulation of dry mass due to their rapid development and large size. The most effective herbicides against these species were pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at doses 60 + 40 and 120 + 80 g ha-1, and oxyfluorfen + flumioxazin, while also giving a high total and commercial yield. Therefore, pyroxasulfone and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin are selective treatments at garlic cv. Ito pre-emergence.
Copyright (c) 2025 Laura Bordignon, Alysson Dias Dalmas, James Florencio de Souza, Ricardo Pazinato, Antonio Mendes de Oliveira Neto, Naiara Guerra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Comparison of imaging methods for detection of simulated horizontal and oblique root fractures in a new study model
This study aimed to compare the accuracy of standard, mesially shifted, and distally shifted periapical radiography with that of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting oblique and horizontal root fractures. Nine teeth were randomly divided into the control, horizontal root fracture (HRF), and oblique root fracture (ORF) groups. Fractures were created without fragment separation using a perpendicular force and confirmed by transillumination. The imaging techniques included standard periapical radiography (SP), mesially shifted periapical radiography (MP), distally shifted periapical radiography (DP), and CBCT. Four postgraduate dental students evaluated the images for the presence or absence of fractures using a five-point scale. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated for each observer. CBCT demonstrated higher sensitivity and accuracy than radiographic methods. ROC curve values were significantly greater for CBCT than for MP (p=0.005). For horizontal fractures, the sensitivity (p=0.125), specificity (p=0.630), and accuracy (p=0.201) showed no significant differences; however, the ROC curve area (p=0.003), favored CBCT. The inter- and intraobserver agreements ranged from moderate to substantial (0.45–0.78). The study model effectively simulated challenging root fractures without fragment discontinuation, and CBCT performed significantly better in detecting oblique root fractures.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jessica Ferreira Rodrigues, Daniela Jemio Quevedo, Gabriella Lopes de Rezende Barbosa, Carlos José Soares, Meire Coelho Ferreira, Priscilla Soares https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Laypersons and dentists' perception of smile esthetics in spacing between maxillary central and lateral incisors teeth: a cross-sectional study
A smile is an important component of facial attractiveness. However, perceptions of gaps between adjacent teeth, known as diastema, may vary among different individuals and regions depending on cultural or other factors. This study aimed to evaluate perceptions of midline diastema and lateral diastema among individuals of different ages, genders, education levels, and occupations. A cross-sectional study based on a survey with manipulated pictures was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Islamic International Dental Hospital and College, Islamabad, Pakistan, from 1 March to 31 May 2020. The surveyed population included dentists and laypeople and comprised 198 (44.4%) men and 248 (55.6%) women with a mean age of 30.52±13.46 years. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, USA) for Microsoft Windows. The statistical hypothesis test and chi-square test were used to validate significant differences (p≤0.05). Of the 446 participants who completed the survey, 384 (86.09%) preferred a midline diastema of 0mm, and 320 (71.74%) preferred a lateral diastema of 0mm. Approximately 71.71% of the male and 83.6% of the female participants preferred a maxillary midline diastema of 0mm. A significantly (P≤0.05) greater percentage of dentists (91.12%) than laypeople (70.40%) rated a midline diastema of 0mm as most attractive. The negative perceptions of midline and lateral diastema appear to be related to their location and width. The participants rated a diastema of 0mm more attractive than a diastema of 1.5mm or 2mm.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdullah Alqarni, Muhammad Aamir Ghafoor Chaudhary, Muhammad Haseeb Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Imran Khalid, Shashit Shetty Bavabeedu, Shan Sainudeen, Mukhatar Ahmed Javali, Gotam Das, Abdul Ahad Ghaffar Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Agronomic performance of new arabica coffee cultivars in irrigated cultivation systems
The agronomic performance of Coffea arabica cultivars can vary depending on the production region, cultivation system, and adopted technologies. The Cerrado of Minas Gerais stands out in both the Brazilian and global coffee sectors for its high productivity and bean quality, supported by widespread mechanization and irrigation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of new C. arabica cultivars—focusing on productivity, yield, and grain size—under irrigated cultivation in the Cerrado, with the goal of identifying cultivars with superior adaptation and performance under controlled water management. Ten cultivars were assessed, including eight rust-resistant cultivars (Catiguá MG2, MGS Ametista, MGS Aranãs, MGS Paraíso 2, Paraíso MG H419-1, Pau Brasil MG1, MGS Catucaí Pioneira, and Sarchimor MG8840) and two rust-susceptible standards widely used in the region (Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144 and Topázio MG 1190). Evaluated traits included productivity, yield, and bean size (granulometry). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to explore correlations and cultivar clustering. Sarchimor MG8840, MGS Catucaí Pioneira, Topázio MG1190, and Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144 exhibited superior productivity and favorable bean size profiles, indicating good adaptation to irrigated conditions. In contrast, Paraíso MG H419-1 and Pau Brasil MG1 had smaller bean sizes. Uniform water availability throughout the crop cycle minimized yield differences, highlighting the role of controlled irrigation in optimizing coffee productivity. These findings contribute to informed cultivar selection for irrigated coffee systems in the Cerrado region.
Copyright (c) 2025 Isaias dos Santos Silva, Denis Henrique Silva Nadaleti Nadaleti, Cyntia Stephania dos Santos, Juliana Costa de Rezende, Cesar Elias Botelho Botelho https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of brewer’s spent yeast concentrations and application methods on Coffea arabica seedling development
Brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) contains Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a byproduct that may be used as a biofertilizer and plant growth promoter. Improving the understanding of the ideal BSY concentration and application method for coffee seedling development will enable more targeted application strategies. We hypothesized that a given BSY concentration and application method would improve the development of coffee seedlings by adding sources of organic matter containing yeast. This hypothesis was tested by assessing the development parameters of Coffea arabica var. Typica (Cramer variety) using different concentrations (0, 2.35, 4.71, 9.40, 11.75 x 108 S. cerevisiae cells mL-1) and two application methods (foliar-FA and soil-SA). Our analysis revealed that BSY foliar application was more efficient than soil application in improving coffee seedling development. Foliar application at 2.3 x 108 S. cerevisiae cells mL-1 increased fresh shoot weight (2.35 times), fresh root weight (4.22 times), dry shoot weight (2.23 times), and dry root weight (3.62 times) in coffee plants compared to the negative control (sterile solution). Our findings provide evidence of waste reuse as an alternative method for developing coffee seedlings through the addition of materials rich in organic matter and yeast. They also align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating strategies that support sustainable agriculture and circular economy practices.
Copyright (c) 2026 Everlaine Leopoldino Dias Silva, Jamilly Alves de Barros, Diogo Paes da Costa , Carlos Fragoso de Souza, Rachel Lyra Neves, Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior, Erika Valente de Medeiros https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Genetic diversity analysis and simple sequence repeat fingerprint construction of Acer truncatum bunge germplasm from udantara natural reserve, China
Acer truncatum Bunge is an ecologically and economically indigenous tree species in China, which is valued for ornamental, medicinal, and ecological contributions. As a major natural population of A. truncatum in China, the Udantara Natural Reserve harbors critical genetic resources for this species. To enhance genetic understanding and support conservation efforts, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of 104 A. truncatum germplasm from Udantara using 20 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Totally, 137 alleles were amplified, including 58.060 effective alleles. The average number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and Shannon’s information index (I) were 6.850, 2.903, 0.424, 0.591, and 1.182, respectively, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) of the markers ranged between 0.293–0.839, with an average of 0.548, indicating moderate-to-high informativeness. The structure analysis partitioned the germplasm into two distinct genetic groups (28 and 76 individuals, respectively). Additionally, five SSR primers were identified as sufficient for generating unique genetic fingerprints for all 104 germplasm. Based on these findings, we propose a dual conservation strategy that integrates in situ protection of natural habitats within Udantara and ex situ preservation through a nationwide germplasm repository. Further recommendations include expanding the genetic representation by collecting germplasm across China and developing novel variants via hybridization and selective introduction. This study provides foundational genetic insights and actionable strategies to safeguard the biodiversity of A. truncatum, ensuring its ecological resilience and sustainable utilization in China.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zhiping Wu, Xuefang Wang, Minghai Han, Chi Zhang, Jun Wang, Hasengaowa Bao https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Prevalence of red, orange, and green microbial complexes in periodontal pockets of chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
To verify the prevalence of specific microorganisms of red, green, and orange microbiological complexes in periodontal pockets of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis. This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. The search strategy included two independent reviewers who searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Lilacs databases in August 2024, using MeSH terms and keywords defined with the PICOS acronym. The studies included were cross-sectional and published from 2007-2017 in English. The risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed with the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies. Quantitative analysis with proportion meta-analysis was also performed. 4,737 studies were initially selected, and five were included. The study verified the prevalence of the green complex - Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (6.69%); the orange complex - Prevotella intermedia (16.85%) and Prevotella nigrescens (37.51%); and the red complex - Treponema denticola (29.11%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (49.45%), and Tannerella forsythia (56.37%), the most predominant microorganism. In the subgingival microbiota of CKD patients on hemodialysis, the red complex showed higher rates and prevalences, and Tannerella forsythia was the most common pathogen.
Copyright (c) 2025 Diego José Gambin, Jayne de Oliveira Manica, Daniela Dal Olmo Merib, Caroline Mirek, Felipe Gomes Dallepiane, Thais Mageste Duque, João Paulo De Carli, Micheline Sandini Trentin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics, orthodontic treatment needs, and self-esteem in amazonian adolescents
This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics on the quality of life associated with normative and subjective orthodontic treatment needs and the self-esteem of adolescents living in the Brazilian Amazon region. It is a cross-sectional observational study conducted with 212 adolescents of both sexes enrolled in public schools in Boca do Acre (Amazonas, Brazil). The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) assessed the psychosocial impact of malocclusion, and the Global Negative Self-Evaluation (GSE) scale evaluated the adolescents' self-esteem. The assessment of normative and subjective orthodontic treatment needs used the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), including its dental health (DHC) and aesthetic (AC) components. Initial descriptive analyses of the data used absolute and relative frequencies, medians, and interquartile ranges. Poisson regression models with robust variance estimators appraised the prevalence ratios - with respective confidence intervals (95% CI) - of the associations with the PIDAQ. The prevalence of adolescents needing normative orthodontic treatment (IOTN-DHC) was 76.4%, and the subjective orthodontic treatment need prevalence (IOTN-AC) was 9.0%. Adolescents with low self-esteem reported a more significant impact on dental aesthetics (PR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.14-1.36; p < 0.05). The study concluded that self-esteem and the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics on the quality of life of Amazonian adolescents are significantly associated.
Copyright (c) 2025 Diego Carneiro, Arnoldo Brasil Muniz Junior, Caroline Nogueira de Moraes, Stéfany de Lima Gomes, Carmem do Nascimento Barros, Heloisa Cristina Valdrighi, Mario Vedovello Filho, Silvia Amélia Scudeler Vedovello https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
In vitro allelopathic potential of Photinia × fraseri extracts on the seed germination of selected crop and weed species
In sustainable agriculture, allelopathy emerges as a promising strategy for eco-friendly weed management. This study provides a preliminary in vitro assessment of the allelopathic effects of aqueous flower and leaf extracts of Photinia × fraseri on the seed germination of selected crop (wheat, corn, lentil, lettuce) and weed (radish, purslane) species. The chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed using GC-MS, and germination assays were conducted at five concentrations: 1%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, corresponding to 0.5, 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50 mg ml−1, respectively. The results showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of germination in all tested species, with flower extracts exhibiting higher allelopathic effects than leaf extracts. Lettuce and radish seeds were the most sensitive, while corn and wheat were the least affected. Given that wild radish is a common agricultural weed, flower extract concentrations of 50% and above may represent potential candidates for bioherbicide development. These findings are an initial step toward understanding the allelopathic potential of P. × fraseri, and further in vivo pot and/or field studies are recommended to validate its practical applicability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gülce Bayhun, Nadim Yılmazer https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Success rate of endodontic treatment and quality of life of patients treated at a higher education institution: a decade-long retrospective study
Endodontic treatment aims to prevent or treat inflammatory and infectious processes involving the pulp and periradicular tissues. The main objective of this research was to clinically and radiographically evaluate the success rate of endodontic treatment and its impact on the quality of life of patients treated at the Dental School Clinic (CEO, in the Portuguese acronym) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG). Methods: A retrospective observational clinical study was developed, with data collected through a search in the medical records of Endodontics courses of the CEO/UFCG, interviews, and clinical and radiographic examinations. The sample consisted of patients treated between 2014 and 2023 who had completed endodontic treatment. The study included patients aged 18 or older with available medical record information. Results: The success rate of the endodontic treatments performed by dental students was 97%. The only case of endodontic treatment failure presented compromised healing (kidney disease) and a tooth with pulp necrosis and periapical lesion. The average oral health-related quality of life score was 5.0 points. The most frequent problems were mouth pain, discomfort when eating, and psychological discomfort (embarrassment or tension). Conclusions: The endodontic treatments performed at CEO/UFCG were satisfactory, with a success rate of 97%, and there was little negative impact from the oral disorder.
Copyright (c) 2025 Luiz Renato Paranhos, Narjara Gleydiely Costa de Araújo, Natália D'avila Rodrigues Pereira, Marcelo Antônio de Souza Silva, Yago Warles Silva Pereira, Maíra Ramalho Martins, Rui Barbosa de Brito Junior, Felipe de Souza Matos https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Mechanical and physical properties of dental floss: a comparative cost analysis
The aim of this study was to measure the mechanical and physical properties of 18 commercially available dental flosses produced by global and Brazilian manufacturing and to correlate these parameters with their cost. Eighteen dental flosses available were tested: Bianco Delicare, Colgate, Colgate Menta, Colgate Total, Dauf Oral Care, Hillo, Jade Pro, Johnson and Johnson Essencial, Johnson and Johnson Expansion Plus, Kess, Needs Oral Care, Oral Nexter, Oral-B Essential Floss, Oral-B Pro Saúde, Power Dent Classic Floss, Power Dent Classic Floss Extra Fino, Sanifill Clássico, and Sanifill Infinite. The maximum load (N) and elongation (mm) were measured using a universal testing machine (Instron EL3000). The dental floss width (µm) and filament diameter (µm) were measured using a scanning electron microscope. The cost of each dental floss was correlated with the mechanical and physical properties. The results showed that there was no correlation between the cost of the dental floss and the maximum load (R² = 0.04) or the filament diameter (R² = 0.08). There was a moderate negative correlation between the cost of dental floss and the capacity of elongation (R² = 0.46) and moderate positive correlation between the price and dental floss width (R² = 0.43). It can be concluded that the dental tapes generally cost more per meter and have the lowest elongation capacity. Dental flosses with low cost presented good values for maximum load and elongation, making them suitable for dental hygiene protocols in developing countries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Thiago Silva Peres, Izabela Batista Cordeiro, Ianca Daniele Oliveira de Jesus, Roberta de Oliveira Alves, Carlos José Soares, Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira Soares https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0