Brazilian Journal of Science

From immutable identity to plastic architecture: Topological turning points in the human brain across the lifespan

2026-01-09T09:34:06-03:00

Brain network topology evolves nonlinearly across the lifespan, with turning points marking inflections in metrics like global efficiency and modularity, while connectome fingerprints capture individual stability. These features, when integrated, hold untapped potential for predicting cognitive and mental health trajectories, yet their interactive prognostic value remains underexplored amid rising neurodegenerative burdens. This study aimed to delineate individual variability in topological turning points and fingerprint stability, and then harness their synergies to forecast longitudinal outcomes, advancing precision neuroimaging for aging. In a cohort of 736 participants (ages 6–94), we identified four turning points via generalized additive models on diffusion MRI-derived networks. Fingerprint stability was quantified via intra-individual correlations (N = 150 longitudinal subsample). Predictive linear models (N = 150, 20-year follow-ups) integrated baseline fingerprints, turning point interactions, and genetic/environmental covariates to prognose cognitive/mental health declines. Turning points exhibited bimodal age distributions (e.g., global efficiency rank 1: 29.6 ± 18.7 years) with decreasing magnitudes and genetic-null correlations (r ≈ 0). Fingerprints showed high stability (0.907 ± 0.043), decaying across epochs (p = 0.002), and were heritably anchored (r = 0.809). Models achieved R² = 0.746 (cognitive) and 0.706 (mental health), driven by reserve × turning point interactions (β = -0.0055), stratifying high-risk accelerations (d = 0.115). We pioneer hybrid fingerprint-turning point frameworks, revealing epochal reconfiguration hotspots and archetype-based risk profiles, extending static Connectomics to dynamic, individualized chronometers. Topological turning points and fingerprints synergize as biographical scaffolds of brain health, demystifying heterogeneous aging. Deploy fingerprint-tailored screenings at turning point thresholds to preempt declines via targeted interventions.

Melaleuca quinquernervia leaf extract: Effect on growth performance and apparent digestibility of Japanese quails

2026-01-05T09:50:17-03:00

This research was undertaken to evaluate the influence of Melaleuca quinquernervia leaf extract on the growth performance and apparent digestibility of Japanese quails. Three hundred (300) two-week-old Japanese quails (mixed sex) were randomly distributed into four treatments with five replicates, each replicate consisting of 15 birds. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted in the 42-day trial. The treatment consists of: treatment 1, basal diet without M. quinquernervia extract; treatment 2, basal diet with M. quinquernervia extract at 2 mL per litre of water/day; treatment 3, basal diet with Melaleuca quinquernervia extract at 4 mL per litre of water/day; and treatment 4, basal diet with M. quinquernervia extract at 6 mL per litre of water/day. The basal diet was formulated according to the requirements of birds; feed and water were unrestrictedly served. Experimental results showed the major phyto-compounds in M. quinquernervia leaf extract by GC-MS were: α-copaene (607.3 mg g^-1), 1-Hexadecanol (85.17 mg g^-1), Humulene (78.31 mg g^-1), and γ-Terpinene-3-Carene (45.22 mg g^-1), respectively. Daily weight gain and daily feed intake improved (p < 0.05) among birds that received M. quinquernervia leaf extract compared to the control. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, and ash values, which varied from 71.19 – 89.17%, 69.08 – 78.91%, 36.12 – 40.92%, 49.96 – 59.11%, and 35.91 – 50.05%, respectively, were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the treatment. In conclusion, feeding quails with Melaleuca quinquernervia leaf extract exerts a beneficial effect on their performance, especially when administered up to 6 ml per litre of water/day without causing any detrimental effect on their health status.

Polymorphism of the NRAMP1 gene association with haematological and physiological parameters of chickens inoculated with attenuated Salmonella enteritidis

2026-01-05T11:09:02-03:00

Poultry production is plagued by many severe diseases, one of which is salmonellosis. Treatment of this disease with antibiotics often leads to the development of bacteria-resistant strains and the accumulation of antibiotic residue in food, hence the need to use a safer method of treatment. NRAMP1 is a candidate gene for natural immune response associated with Salmonella enteritidis. One hundred and twenty pure-breed progenies generated from Naked Neck, Fulani ecotype, and Sasso chickens were reared together from day old to 8 weeks. At 7 weeks, 10 birds were randomly selected from each genotype, and 2 mL of blood sample was obtained from each bird for laboratory analysis. The selected birds were inoculated with attenuated S. enteritidis at week 8, and thereafter, 2 mL of blood was obtained from each bird’s jugular vein for laboratory analysis. Data were collected on Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (HB), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), White Blood Cell (WBC), Neutrophils (N), Lymphocytes (L), Monocytes (M), Basophils (B), Eosinophils (E) and Platelet (PLT). The result revealed that genotype and inoculation of Salmonella had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on all the haematological parameters studied except for the Eosinophils (p > 0.05). Sasso chickens had Eosinophilis values before and after (0.00 ± 0.00 and 1.37 ± 0.65), NN (0.50 ± 0.50 and 1.50 ± 0.50), and FE (0.00 ± 0.00). The results of the analysis indicated that SNPs were positively associated with body weight, pulse rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and heat stress index of Sasso chickens. SNPs 1G>C, 2G>T, 6G>C, and 84 C>T associated better with PR, RR, and W, while 84 C>T and 145 C>T associated better with RT and HSI, respectively. Conclusively, there was a significant effect of genotype on all haematological parameters except eosinophils before and after inoculation. Naked Neck had the highest values in all parameters except for mean corpuscular haemoglobin and lymphocytes. Also, there is a significant association between exon 11 of the NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms and physiological and haematological parameters.

Application of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in soybean cultivation: a mini-review

2026-02-01T11:11:21-03:00

Brazilian agriculture plays a strategic role in the national economy, with Brazil standing out as one of the world’s leading soybean (Glycine max L.) producers. Despite its economic relevance, soybean productivity is constrained by several factors, including high production costs, dependence on non-renewable inputs, adverse climatic conditions, and particularly the low fertility of tropical soils, especially phosphorus (P) deficiency. In this context, the use of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) emerges as a sustainable alternative to enhance phosphorus availability and uptake by plants, thereby reducing dependence on chemical phosphate fertilizers. This study aims to review the scientific literature on the application of PSB in soybean cultivation, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, effects on phosphorus uptake, and impacts on plant growth and productivity.

Impacts of sleep disorders on the quality of life of children and adolescents

2026-01-21T20:40:27-03:00

Sleep is an essential physiological process for the proper physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children and adolescents. Sleep disorders, including insomnia, respiratory disturbances, and circadian rhythm dysregulation, are highly prevalent in this population and are associated with negative impacts on quality of life. To analyze factors associated with sleep disorders in children and adolescents and their effects on development and quality of life. This is an integrative literature review based on articles published between 2013 and 2025 in the SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases, using the descriptors “sleep,” “sleep disorders,” “insomnia,” “sleep apnea,” “child health,” and “adolescent.” Studies published in Portuguese, Spanish, or English were included, totaling ten selected articles, of which four were literature reviews, and four were observational studies. The main factors associated with sleep disorders were excessive use of electronic devices, unhealthy dietary habits, unfavorable school schedules, sociogeographic factors, and secondary conditions, such as ASD. Persistent sleep disorders were associated with cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, emotional compromise, and an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as asthma. Sleep disorders in children and adolescents have a multifactorial etiology and can significantly compromise quality of life and overall development. Preventive strategies and multidisciplinary interventions, combined with public health policies aimed at promoting healthy sleep, are essential to reduce their impact.