Instituto Federal da Bahia

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has gained increasing attention in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of quercetin as a photosensitizer for aPDT. In vitro assays were conducted to assess the cytotoxicity and the antibacterial activity of quercetin photoactivated with blue LED light. In in vivo assays, and intradermal infection model was conducted in mice to evaluate the quercetin antimicrobial activity and cytokine production. The in vitro experiments showed low compound toxicity and antimicrobial activity accompanied by the generation of singlet oxygen. BALB/c mice infected with MRSA and treated with quercetin exhibited a reduced bacterial load in the draining lymph nodes and decreased recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells at the infection site. In response to infection, a strong interaction between the cytokines IL-12 and TNF-α was observed in the groups treated with quercetin. These observations support quercetin's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential in infections with resistant strains of MRSA.

O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar a prevalência de toxicidade aguda em pacientes com câncer ginecológico submetidos a braquiterapia em um centro de tratamento oncológico de Santa Catarina. Caracteriza-se como um estudo transversal do tipo exploratório descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de registro eletrônico do serviço de referência oncológica. A população foi composta de forma censitária por pacientes diagnosticadas com câncer ginecológico que iniciaram e finalizaram a teleterapia seguida de braquiterapia de janeiro a dezembro de 2022. A população total consistiu em 90 mulheres, a principal toxicidade relatada foi a radiodermatite grau 0, seguida de disúria e diarreia. Foram observadas outras toxicidades no sistema gastrointestinal e geniturinário, como náusea, insônia, apetite diminuído, radiodermite grau I, fadiga, corrimento vaginal, fezes amolecidas e dor em baixo ventre. A identificação do perfil de toxicidades das mulheres em tratamento radioterápico auxilia nos cuidados e manejos da equipe multiprofissional.

A popularização da radiação ionizante destacou a necessidade de simuladores, chamados phantoms, para substituir testes em seres humanos e garantir práticas clínicas mais seguras. Com os avanços tecnológicos, os phantoms antropomórficos tornaram-se cada vez mais realistas, oferecendo uma melhor representação dos tecidos. No entanto, há uma crescente demanda por desenvolvimento de phantoms mais acessíveis e reproduzíveis. Este estudo explora o uso da impressão 3D para a criação de simuladores radiológicos, avaliando a atenuação radiográfica de diversos materiais de impressão 3D em comparação com estruturas anatômicas humanas. Foram testados PLA, PLA Stone, ABS e resina fotoestimulável, com as imagens radiográficas obtidas em um equipamento Konica Minolta Altus DR NS. Os resultados indicaram que a resina fotoestimulável se aproximou mais das propriedades radiográficas do tecido ósseo, mostrando-se o material mais adequado para simuladores antropomórficos de alta fidelidade. Embora o PLA e o PLA Stone tenham utilidade em simulações específicas, a resina foi superior, especialmente para simular estruturas ósseas. Pesquisas futuras devem explorar outros materiais e modalidades de imagem para aprimorar a validação de phantoms impressos em 3D.

Slope stabilization is essential for hazard management and plays a crucial role in preventing landslide events while also contributing to environmental protection. Effective protection of slopes is vital, as it not only ensures the safety of structures but also helps maintain the ecological balance in the surrounding areas. To address the challenges posed by steep slopes, soil bioengineering techniques are employed to mitigate surface water erosion and control the movement of soil masses. These techniques are particularly important in areas where the risk of erosion and landslides is heightened.The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of emerald grass rugs (Zoysia japonica) as Green Infraestructure (GI) in providing protection and stabilization for slopes based on investigation in experimental plots. The research was conducted on a steep 60% slope located at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco State in Recife, Brazil. The experimental plots were designed with an area of 10.35 m², featuring dimensions of 3.0 × 3.45 m, and were bordered by masonry walls to control the experimental conditions. At the lowest point of each experimental unit, a 100 mm drainage pipe was installed to collect runoff and sediments, ensuring proper storage in 500-liter PVC tanks. An automatic rainfall gauge was set up on-site, providing critical data for the study.Several treatments were implemented during the experiment: the first involved the installation of grass rugs with four replicates; the second treatment consisted of grass rugs with an underlying application of coconut powder as a bioretention layer, which had two replicates; and the final treatment served as a control, consisting of bare soil. The parameters evaluated throughout the study included rainfall, runoff, sediment loss, and erosion rates. The results indicated that for all rainfall events, the control plot exhibited a Runoff Coefficient of approximately 60%. In contrast, the grass rugs demonstrated a significantly lower coefficient of around 28%, while the grass rugs with coconut powder showed an impressive reduction to about 16%.When examining erosion specifically, the grass rugs proved to be highly effective, exhibiting approximately 500 times less soil loss compared to the bare soil control plot. Moreover, the addition of coconut powder beneath the grass rugs further enhanced their protective capabilities, resulting in nearly 1000 times less soil loss when compared to conditions of bare soil. These findings clearly highlight that vegetation cover associated to a bioretention layer plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of soil structure. Among the treatments tested, the arrangement of grass rugs combined with the underlying application of coconut powder was identified as the most efficient Nature-based Solution NbS method for slope stabilization and erosion control, demonstrating the potential benefits of integrating bioengineering practices into construction and environmental management strategies.

A pesquisa teve como foco analisar a relação entre a distribuição de equipamentos de densitometria óssea no Brasil e o perfil populacional, considerando o envelhecimento e a maior prevalência de osteoporose. O estudo justifica-se pela relevância do diagnóstico precoce para prevenção de fraturas e redução da morbimortalidade, além das desigualdades regionais na oferta de exames. O objetivo central foi verificar se a distribuição acompanha a demanda populacional, total e idosa (≥65 anos), e avaliar a cobertura pública. Tratou-se de um estudo analítico, documental, baseado em dados do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, com aplicação do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Os resultados demonstraram correlação positiva em todas as regiões, indicando que a disponibilidade tende a acompanhar o crescimento populacional, mas com disparidades regionais e entre os setores público e privado. O Sudeste apresentou maior adequação entre oferta e demanda, enquanto o Sul, apesar de concentrar idosos, mostrou fragilidades no acesso público. Nordeste e Norte dependeram mais do setor privado, e o Centro-Oeste revelou situação intermediária. Conclui-se que a cobertura não é equitativa, reforçando a necessidade de políticas públicas que priorizem a redistribuição dos equipamentos e o fortalecimento do setor público, garantindo diagnóstico precoce e qualidade de vida à população.

As patentes verdes correspondem a invenções depositadas em escritórios de propriedade industrial com o propósito de promover a sustentabilidade ambiental. O programa Patentes Verdes tem como finalidade contribuir no enfrentamento das mudanças climáticas, ao mesmo tempo em que busca acelerar os trâmites legais para a concessão desses registros. No Brasil, o Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) é o órgão responsável pelo depósito e pela concessão das patentes. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a evolução temporal dos depósitos de patentes verdes no INPI entre 2004 e 2011. A metodologia adotada baseia-se em uma abordagem qualitativa e descritiva, utilizando dados coletados no sítio do INPI, com o apoio de gráficos e tabelas. Os resultados revelam um crescimento exponencial a partir de 2008, com predominância de depositantes nacionais (58,2%) e concentração temática em energias alternativas. Conclui-se que o período analisado reflete uma fase embrionária da política de incentivo à inovação sustentável no Brasil, com desafios relacionados à internacionalização das capacidades tecnológicas verdes pelas instituições brasileiras. Palavras-chave: inovação; patentometria; propriedade intelectual; sustentabilidade; tecnologia ambiental. Abstract Green patents are inventions filed with industrial property offices with the purpose of promoting environmental sustainability. The Green Patents program aims to contribute to tackling climate change while also seeking to speed up the legal procedures for granting these registrations. In Brazil, the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) is the agency responsible for filing and granting patents. This study aims to analyze the temporal evolution of green patent filings at INPI between 2004 and 2011. The methodology adopted is based on a qualitative and descriptive approach, using data collected from the INPI website, supported by graphs and tables. The results reveal an exponential growth from 2008 onwards, with a predominance of national applicants (58.2%) and thematic concentration in alternative energy sources. It is concluded that the period analyzed reflects an embryonic phase of the policy to encourage sustainable innovation in Brazil, with challenges related to the internationalization of green technological capabilities by Brazilian institutions. Keywords: innovation; patentometry; intellectual property; sustainability; environmental technology. Resumen Las patentes verdes corresponden a invenciones presentadas en oficinas de propiedad industrial con el objetivo de promover la sostenibilidad ambiental. El programa de Patentes Verdes pretende contribuir a la lucha contra el cambio climático, al tiempo que busca acelerar los procedimientos legales para la concesión de estos registros. En Brasil, el Instituto Nacional de Propiedad Industrial (INPI) es el organismo responsable de presentar y conceder patentes. Este artículo pretende analizar la evolución temporal de las solicitudes de patentes verdes en el INPI entre 2004 y 2011. La metodología adoptada se basa en un enfoque cualitativo y descriptivo, utilizando datos recogidos en la web del INPI, con apoyo de gráficos y tablas. Los resultados revelan un crecimiento exponencial a partir de 2008, con una predominancia de depositantes nacionales (58,2%) y una concentración temática en energías alternativas. Se concluye que el periodo analizado refleja una fase embrionaria de la política para fomentar la innovación sostenible en Brasil, con desafíos relacionados con la internacionalización de las capacidades tecnológicas verdes por parte de las instituciones brasileñas. Palabras clave: innovación; patentometría; propiedad intelectual; sostenibilidad; tecnología ambiental.

Abstract This study quantified natural uranium and thorium concentrations in environmental matrices surrounding a uranium mining area in Brazil and evaluated the distribution of uranium and thorium radionuclides in ores, waters, and soils from the Cachoeira and Engenho mines. Distinct geochemical signatures were observed between the mines, with lower uranium-to-thorium ratios at Engenho. While thorium levels in ores were lower than commonly reported, elevated concentrations in aqueous samples suggest strong geological and hydrological controls. Agricultural soils showed moderately enhanced thorium, indicating limited mining influence.

Abstract Most wildlife species currently inhabit areas transformed by human activity, a hallmark of the Anthropocene. Habitat alterations caused by the creation of roads and other human-made infrastructures shape the spatial distribution of wildlife species and their interaction with the environment. While some sensitive species disappear, more tolerant ones thrive near humans. Therefore, a streamlined tool to quantify the tolerance of different species to human pressures is useful to conservation, in particular to identify more vulnerable species. Here, we present ecoTolerance, an open-source R package that calculates two complementary, continuous metrics: the Road Tolerance Index (RTI), derived from the distance of each occurrence record to the nearest road, and the Human-Footprint Tolerance Index (HFTI), based on the global human-footprint raster. This package is based on a workflow that includes separate functions and arguments to automate data cleaning, spatial thinning, distance extraction, species-level summarization and map generation. As an applied example of its use and application, we processed 3782 records of five species: Copaifera langsdorffii (1407 observations), Bradypus variegatus (724), Sylvilagus brasiliensis (274), Boana faber (1226), and Boana boans (151), revealing RTI values that ranged from 0.183 to 0.654 and HFTI values from 0.111 to 0.392. the values of the two indices varied according to the incidence of road kill, as well as the habitat preference of the particular species. These examples demonstrate that ecoTolerance facilitates a rapid and streamlined assessment of species tolerance and vulnerability, providing valuable insights with potential to inform conservation actions.

The growing demand for IoT applications in highly dynamic environments with multiple connected devices introduces significant scalability and low-latency challenges. In the context of software-defined networking (SDN) integrated with Edge environments, adopting machine learning (ML) techniques has emerged as a promising approach to meet these requirements. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that identifies and analyzes ML-based solutions applied to Software-Defined Internet of Things (SD-IoT) infrastructures in Edge environments, emphasizing improving low latency and scalability. Following established methodological best practices, we conducted the review, including a clear definition of research questions, well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a structured search protocol, and multiple scientific databases. Based on the analysis of selected studies, the main strategies employed to enhance network performance are categorized, along with the level of fidelity and complexity of the experimental environments used, and the realism and applicability of the proposed solutions are discussed. Furthermore, drawing from the context of the selected studies, the most recurrent ML approaches are presented—including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning methods—along with a discussion of their advantages and limitations in dynamic network scenarios. By compiling and organizing the contributions from the literature, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in applying ML to SD-IoT networks, shedding light on current trends, existing gaps, and research opportunities aimed at building more intelligent and adaptable solutions for IoT environments.