The Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (Unesc) is a community university, located in the municipality of Criciúma, in the southern part of Santa Catarina, Brazil. It works through education, research and extension in different areas of knowledge. It was the first institution of higher education to be deployed in the southern state of Santa Catarina. The current dean of UNESC and Professor Dr. Gildo Volpato, and vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Marcio Antonio Fiori, elected in 2009 by the academic community.
Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized via controlled precipitation without thermal treatment using Fe2+/ Fe3+ ions (1:2 M ratio) precipitated in NH4OH at 75 degrees C. Comprehensive characterization revealed pure magnetite phase with 14.7 nm crystallite size (Scherrer equation), 60 m2/g specific surface area (BET), and superparamagnetic behavior (Hc = 15.5 Oe). Photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated through photo-Fenton process under UVA and visible radiation (10 W/m2) for methylene blue and rhodamine B degradation. Magnetite achieved 98 % methylene blue degradation under UVA and 93 % under visible light, maintaining 90 % efficiency after four stress test cycles. Rhodamine B showed 45 % degradation under UVA and 24 % under visible light. The superparamagnetic properties enabled efficient magnetic recovery and reuse without significant activity loss. This synthesis route provides a viable, energy-efficient approach for producing recoverable photocatalysts with sustained performance under repeated use cycles.
Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are both effective strategies for obesity management, but their comparative efficacy remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare weight loss outcomes between MBS and GLP-1 RA therapy in adults with obesity. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to September 22, 2025. Eligible studies included randomized and observational comparisons between MBS—specifically sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)—and GLP-1 RA therapy in adults with obesity. Pooled mean differences (MDs) for total weight loss (TWL) and body mass index (BMI) change were calculated using a DerSimonian–Laird random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I V2, and certainty of evidence was graded with GRADE. Five retrospective observational studies (n = 5,944; 3,489 MBS, 2,455 GLP-1 RA) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis showed significantly greater TWL in the MBS group (MD − 18.15
Pyroplastic deformation, defined as the loss of dimensional stability during firing, remains a critical challenge in porcelain tile manufacturing, particularly for large-format products requiring simultaneous densification and shape retention. Conventional studies have assessed the influence of alkaline and alkaline-earth oxides by adjusting fluxing raw materials such as feldspars; however, this strategy inevitably alters SiO2 and Al2O3 contents, masking the individual contributions of fluxing oxides. Here, we introduce a novel methodological approach based on engineered ceramic frits with compositionally controlled fluxing fractions, enabling to evaluate the effect of Na2O, K2O, CaO, and MgO oxides on pyroplasticity. By using optical fleximetry, X-ray diffractometry with Rietveld refinement, microstructural analysis, and physical characterization, we systematically quantified the roles of these oxides in liquid-phase formation, viscosity, densification, and dimensional stability. Among the tested formulations, composition C4.2 (61.4 wt% clays, 2.1 wt% talc, and 36.5 wt% frit F4) exhibited the most favorable balance, combining low water absorption (0.38 f 0.02%), moderated linear shrinkage (6.8 f 0.1%), high flexural strength (45 f 2 MPa), and reduced pyroplastic deformation index (7.8 f 0.2 & times; 10-5 cm- 1) when compared with an industrial reference (benchmark) formulation. These findings demonstrate that tailoring frit chemistry provides a mechanistic framework for resolving long-standing ambiguities regarding the isolated effect of alkaline and alkaline-earth oxides. Beyond mechanistic insight, this approach establishes a transferable design strategy that bridges oxide-level control with industrial translation, enabling the development of optimized, dimensionally stable porcelain tiles.
ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between the pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess (PUFA) index and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 5-year-old Brazilian children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study using data from the oral health survey SB Brasil 2023. A total of 7,198 children examined by trained teams were included. The exposure variable was the presence of clinical consequences of untreated caries in primary teeth, assessed by PUFA. OHRQoL was assessed using the SOHO-5 instrument for 5-year-olds. The analysis considered a complex sampling design, using Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and linear regression. Results: The prevalence of clinical consequences of untreated caries (PUFA≥1) was 41.1%, with a higher prevalence among Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous children compared to White children. Attending school (PR 0.69; 95%CI 0.53-0.90) and a family income above R$ 4,000.00 (PR 0.59; 95%CI 0.42-0.84) showed a protective effect. The North and Central-West regions had higher prevalence rates than the Southeast. and OHRQoL was worse among children of mixed race and indigenous descent compared to those of white skin color. Furthermore, children with dental caries had a 1.44-point higher OHRQoL score (β=1.44; 95%CI 1.01-1.86), which indicates a worse OHRQoL. Conclusion: The clinical consequences of untreated dental caries have a negative impact on the OHRQoL of Brazilian children, influenced by social and racial determinants. These findings reinforce the need for public policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities and expanding oral health promotion and prevention actions.
In this work, we report the first synthesis of the anti-leishmanial natural product uniflorol B. Uniflorol B is a chromanone metabolite first isolated from the Brazilian medicinal plant Calea uniflora Less. and possesses anti-leishmanial activity. We prepared uniflorol B, the E isomer of the natural product, through an 8-step approach featuring Kabbe condensation, regioselective ketone reduction and Morita-Baylis-Hillman elaboration of the side chain. We extended the methodology to four novel analogues and tested all compounds for their activity against various species of Leishmania. The most potent activity was seen with compound 22, with an IC50 of 64.8 µM against L. braziliensis.
