Brazilian Journal of Science

Efficacy of Task-Oriented Interventions in Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Following Stroke: A Systematic Review

2025-07-01T09:17:25-03:00

A stroke can cause significant dysfunction of the upper limb, severely affecting performance in everyday occupations. The task-oriented approach is grounded in occupational therapy principles and emphasizes the use of meaningful occupations to promote functional recovery. This review examines the effectiveness of the task-oriented approach during occupational therapy rehabilitation of the upper extremity following stroke. A comprehensive search was conducted on English-language literature published between 2018 and 2023, utilizing the databases Medline, Scopus and Google Scholar, as a supplementary source. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, an intensive screening process led to the inclusion of 16 relevant articles in this review. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro Scale. A narrative synthesis was conducted to summarize and interpret the findings of the included studies, which consisted of controlled trials examining the effectiveness of task-oriented interventions delivered alone or in combination with other rehabilitative approaches. The task-oriented approach was studied alongside (a) assistive technology, (b) the Bobath method, (c) mirror therapy, (d) Botulinum Toxin injections, and (e) other therapeutic techniques. Findings indicate that these interventions effectively enhance motor function, self-perceived arm use, and performance in activities of daily living. Integrating task-oriented therapy with the aforementioned therapeutic techniques is effective in managing the hemiplegic upper extremity after stroke. This review supports the implementation of the task-oriented approach in upper limb stroke rehabilitation, either alone or combined with other approaches. Nevertheless, due to the high heterogeneity of the task-oriented interventions studied, further research is required to comprehensively assess their efficacy in upper limb rehabilitation.

Solidago species in grasslands of Paraguay and their relationship to hepatic photosensitivity in cattle

2025-07-01T09:17:27-03:00

Paraguayan livestock production uses forage grasses as a basic diet. Many species of weeds grow in these pastures, and some of them, like the Solidago genus, are toxic to the animals. This genus is reported to cause hepatic photosensitivity in cattle due to the toxic compound, saponins, contained mainly in the leaves. Saponins induce liver damage because they hamper the breakdown of photodynamic metabolites like phylloerythrin, formed from chlorophyll metabolism. Some species of Solidago are recognized in South America, but only two species are reported in Paraguay, and have been a cause of confusion in their identification and distribution due to the great morphological similarity they have. In the past, Solidago chilensis was the only species recorded in Paraguay and was related to causing hepatic photosensitivity in cattle. However, recent studies of the genus have demonstrated that Solidago microglossa is the dominant species of the genus Solidago in Paraguay, widely distributed across these grasslands. Therefore, the objective of this research is to define the dominant species of Solidago in Paraguay and as the primary cause behind photosensitive health disorders in cattle.

Influence of CuSO₄ application rates during the vegetative stage on agronomic characteristics of Glycine max (L.) Merrill

2025-07-01T09:17:27-03:00

Several micronutrients are essential for the development of agriculturally important crops, including copper (Cu). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of copper sulfate (CuSO₄), expressed as mg L^-1 of elemental Cu, on early-maturing soybean during the vegetative phase. Plant parameters such as shoot and root length, fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots, and Cu bioaccumulation (expressed in mg kg⁻¹) in roots and shoots were assessed. Eight Cu concentrations (0, 5, 15, 35, 85, 100, 125, and 600 mg L^-1) were prepared and applied directly into the planting furrow. A precocious soybean cultivar was used. Measurements were taken during the vegetative stage. Significant differences were observed at 100 and 125 mg L^-1 doses for root length and root dry mass. The highest Cu bioaccumulation in roots and shoots occurred at 125 mg L^-1, while concentrations above this threshold showed toxicity to the early-maturing soybean cultivar. The Cu source applied at varying doses influenced only root development parameters—specifically root length and root dry mass—as well as Cu content accumulated in both roots and shoots during the vegetative growth stage.

Influence of NiSO4 doses on agronomic and bioaccumulative parameters in maize (Zea mays) plants during the vegetative stage

2025-07-01T09:17:25-03:00

According to the list of essential micronutrients for agriculturally important plants, nickel (Ni) plays a key role in various physiological processes. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic and bioaccumulative parameters of Ni in shoot and root tissues of transgenic maize plants during the vegetative phase under different Ni concentrations. Concentrations ranging from 0 to 600 mg L^-1 of Ni, using NiSO₄·5H₂O as the source, were prepared and applied directly into the planting furrow at sowing of the transgenic maize hybrid Pioneer P3601 PWU. Standard cultural practices were carried out throughout the experimental period. Maize plants at the V7 stage were collected and analyzed for root and shoot length, fresh and dry biomass of roots and shoots, and Ni bioaccumulation in both tissues. The data showed that Ni doses affected shoot fresh mass, with a maximum of 0.82 g at 600 mg L^-1, and bioaccumulative content in shoots and especially in roots, reaching 1.92 and 29.31 mg kg^-1, respectively, at the same concentration. Ni doses influenced only shoot dry mass among the agronomic parameters, and the greatest bioaccumulative effect was observed in the roots of the transgenic maize hybrid Pioneer P3601 PWU.

In vitro fungicidal effect of the floral extract of Cattleya walkeriana (Gardner, 1839) (Orchidaceae)

2025-07-01T09:17:23-03:00

Some orchid groups have shown promising results regarding biological activity in inhibiting fungal growth. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of the hydroethanolic floral extract of Cattleya walkeriana against strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum acutatum, C. gloeosporioides, and Aspergillus spp. (A. flavus, A. niger, and A. fumigatus) at different concentrations through in vitro assays. The extract was prepared using a 70% (v/v) hydroethanolic solution and tested on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium inoculated with fungal strains. Results were expressed in millimeters (mm) of fungal growth inhibition (antibiosis) at concentrations of 100%, 80%, 50%, 10%, and 1.25% (v/v). The study demonstrated that higher concentrations (80% and 100%) of the hydroethanolic floral extract of Cattleya walkeriana exhibited strong antifungal activity against the tested fungal strains.