Bioscience Journal
Not a member yet
3143 research outputs found
Sort by
Agronomic performance of new arabica coffee cultivars in irrigated cultivation systems
Full text linkThe 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
Mechanical and physical properties of dental floss: a comparative cost analysis
Full text linkThe 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
Psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics, orthodontic treatment needs, and self-esteem in amazonian adolescents
Full text linkThis 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\u27 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
English
No full textThis research aimed to evaluate the impact of different treatment modalities, involving flower cluster thinning and plant growth regulators, on the fruit characteristics, antioxidant properties, and mineral composition of triploid ‘Cheonghyang’ grapes. The lengths of the inflorescences were adjusted to 5 cm or 6 cm immediately before full bloom. Subsequently, various plant growth regulator treatments were administered at full bloom to thinned flowers, including GA₃ at 100 ppm, GA₃ at 100 ppm combined with thidiazuron at 2.5 ppm or 5.0 ppm, and GA₃ at 100 ppm combined with CPPU at 2.5 ppm or 5.0 ppm. The treatment combining GA₃ (100 ppm) and CPPU (5.0 ppm) with 6 cm flower cluster thinning exhibited the highest cluster weight and berry firmness. These values surpass those obtained from the commonly used GA₃ (100 ppm) treatment in Korean vineyards. Although this treatment regimen showed a relative reduction in total soluble sugar content compared to the other treatments, it still resulted in berries with exceptional marketability. Furthermore, this treatment regimen displayed a superior accumulative effect on DPPH radical scavenging activity and mineral content, indicating a substantial contribution to functional enhancement. In summary, the combined application of flower cluster thinning and plant growth regulators presents a practical approach for augmenting the marketability of triploid ‘Cheonghyang’ grapes
Predictors of efficacy, tolerability and discontinuation of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): a meta-analysis and meta-regression
Full text linkNumerous patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are refractory to pharmacological treatment, and non-invasive brain neurostimulation has been investigated as another possibility for improving cognition. The performed meta-analysis and meta-regression verified predictors of efficacy, tolerability, and discontinuation of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for treating MCI or AD. The analyzed studies used the Mini-Mental State Exam, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or Alzheimer\u27s Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale scores as outcome measures. Databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science - primary collection) were searched, resulting in 12 published randomized and controlled trials. The risk of bias assessment was based on Cochrane Review recommendations, considering study characteristics. Other evaluated outcomes were the number of adverse effects (tolerability) and dropouts. Overall and anodal tDCS improved cognition compared to the sham protocol. Group comparisons did not show statistically significant differences for adverse effects and dropouts. Session duration was a response predictor, as stimulations of up to 20 minutes for ten days or more improved the outcome achievement. The AD diagnosis covariate also affected efficacy. The findings should be interpreted carefully in clinical practice because the stimulation effect may vary among subjects
Honey consumer\u27s perception: are brazilian consumers familiar with stingless bee honey?
Full text linkStingless bees have a fundamental important role in the economies and traditions of South America indigenous cultures. Are mainly responsible for the pollination of several plant species. This way, the aim was to identify if Brazilian consumers know stingless bee honey and its sensorial characteristics, what is the consumption of this, as well as to generate information to assist in the development of the productive chain of the specie. A closed structured questionnaire with 20 questions was used and the participants were invited via social media. Data were collected in November 2020. The statistical analyses were performed related to the description, characterization of the participants and frequencies. In addition to these,, multivariate analyzes, for word association and questionnaire responses were performed. It is clear that most participants have some confusion between the sensory and physical characteristics of honey from native stingless bees and Apis mellifera. This lack of knowledge of the product can cause problems both in the handling of honey for sale and for consumption. Another interference would be linked to the taste, when we highlight the acidity and less sweetness of this pot-honey, and the consumer can often deduce that the product is damaged or not from a good origin. There is little consumer awareness of the benefits and qualities of stingless honey. Many consumers are still unaware of the differences between breeding sites and characteristics of native stingless bees. Still, a large part of these associates the quality of this honey with the honey of Apis Mellifera
Kaempferol promotes wound-healing in diabetic rats through antibacterial and antioxidant effects, devoid of proliferative action
Full text linkThe investigation of novel phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens is gaining attention. The current study evaluated the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of kaempferol against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Its in-vivo efficacy in inhibiting these pathogens was determined using an excision wound model in nicotinamide-streptozocin- -induced diabetic rats. Kaempferol displayed an inhibitory effect against the tested bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. It also healed excision wounds at a 1% (w/w) concentration. An increase in antioxidant enzymes in wounded tissue was observed on kaempferol treatment. A reduction in the MRSA and P. aeruginosa counts in wounded tissue together with a reduced epithelization period was observed when compared to the infected control. A thicker epithelium, new capillaries, and a decrease in inflammatory cells were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Furthermore, an increase in collagen fibers and their deposition was observed by Masson’s trichrome staining. Kaempferol at 40 µM did not display any toxicity for human keratinocytes grown in media containing high glucose and it did not affect the expression of the pro-healing cytokines genes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-b-1 (TGFβ1). Kaempferol displayed antibacterial and antioxidant actions but did not increase the expression of proliferative genes
Investigation of the mutagenic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effect of bikaverin mycotoxin
Full text linkBikaverin is a reddish pigment produced by different fungi species (Mycogone jaapii, Verticillium agaricinum, Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Polyporus sulphureus), mainly of the Fusarium genus. Due to its pigment feature, bikaverin can be used as a dye in various fields in the industry. However, it is extremely important to study the mutagenic/genotoxic effects, cytotoxic effects and antimicrobial properties of bikaverin for application of industrial areas. In the study, the mutagenic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of bikaverin were investigated. The mutagenic effect of bikaverin was studied with the Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535 strains were used in the test. Five different doses of bikaverin (0.075, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 μg/plate) were tested against strains. It was determined that there was no mutagenic effect of bikaverin. The cytotoxicity of bikaverin was evaluated by MTT test on L929 fibroblast cell line. Bikaverin demonstrated no cytotoxic effect on L929 fibroblast cell line, according to cell viability calculations that showed >73% for all concentrations (1, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.075, 0.05, 0.025, 0.01, 0.005 and 0.001 μg/mL) examined. Bikaverin\u27s IC50 value was determined to be 1.79±0.51 g/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the bikaverin was evaluated by using the microdilution method. Bikaverin was found to have antimicrobial effects on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Candida krusei, as MIC values ranged from 1.25 -5 µg/ mL
Influence of game therapy on urinary incontinence patients: a systematic review
Full text linkThis study performed a systematic review of game therapy effects on urinary incontinence patients. Eleven databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, SciELO, LILACS, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane library, LIVIVO, OpenGrey, OpenThesis, and OATD) were used as research sources. The search was conducted in January 2021 with the following keywords: urinary incontinence, urinary stress incontinence, pelvic floor muscle, pelvic floor training, virtual reality, game therapy, virtual reality exposure, and virtual reality therapy. The review included only clinical studies using game therapy for treating urinary incontinence in women without restrictions on language, year, and publication status. Only three studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The extracted data comprised sample characteristics (the number of patients in each study and average age) and treatment characteristics (game type, associated therapies, treatment duration, evaluated objectives, and result-measuring methods). The methodological quality of the articles showed a low risk of bias. One-hour pad test values decreased in all studies, and ICIQ-SF scores reduced in two articles. One study reported treatment adherence (92%), and another showed neuropsychological index improvements. The reduction of urinary symptoms was similar between the group associating game therapy with treatment and the group using only conventional pelvic floor muscle training. Game therapy, as a resource of pelvic floor muscle training, seems beneficial to urinary incontinence, including decreased urinary symptoms, lower one-hour pad test scores, and neuropsychological index improvements
Morphometry of the infraorbital foramen in dentate and edentulous adult humans and its clinical relevance
Full text linkThe infraorbital foramen (IOF) serves as an important anatomical reference for infraorbital nerve block during different procedures. Its clinical and surgical relevance, associated with conflicting results in its anatomy description justifies the present study. Thus, this work aims to describe the IOF, qualitatively and quantitatively, and propose an accurate measurement to define its location. One hundred and seventy-four IOFs of dry skulls were analyzed and divided in dentate (DE) and edentulous (ED) groups. Distances were measured between the IOF and the margin of the alveolar arch of the maxilla (MAAM), the inferior orbital margin (IOM), the intermaxillary suture (IMS), the vertical plane of IOF. A new methodology was proposed to optimize the identification of IOF based on the IMS distance. Oval-shaped IOFs (n=81/174) with inferomedial orientation (n=104/174) and with a crest-shaped upper margin (n=163/174) constituted the norm for this sample. Distance between IOF and MAAM was 29.97 ± 4.09 mm, to IOM 7.27 ± 1.8 mm, and to IMS 35.09 ± 3.77 mm. ED individuals had IOF closer to MAAM (p=0.0124). The highest point of this methodology was the lack of statistical differences in the IMS distance in ED and DE specimens, making this method applicable for both. Therefore, to minimize iatrogenic injuries, clinicians and surgeons must consider the total or partial presence of teeth, the methodology established to find the IOF, its inferomedial orientation, and the prevalent crest on its superior margin