Latest Edition Highlights (Issue 41)

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CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND DIETARY HABITS IN TRANSGENDER ADULTS RECEIVING HORMONE THERAPY

Background: Transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience health inequities that may increase cardiometabolic risk. Gender-affirming hormone therapy has been associated with changes in body composition, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular risk markers. However, limited evidence is available regarding dietary habits and cardiovascular risk profiles in transgender populations in Latin America. Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and cardioprotective food consumption among transgender adults receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy. Methods: A quantitative, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in transgender adults undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy in Mendoza, Argentina. Eighty-seven participants completed surveys regarding sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, nutritional counseling, and consumption of cardioprotective foods. We assessed anthropometric indicators and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular risk. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation, the chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A high prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors was identified, including overweight, sedentary behavior, smoking, and low intake of cardioprotective foods. More than half of the participants had never received nutritional counseling. No statistically significant differences were observed between transgender women and transgender men in the evaluated anthropometric and biochemical variables. Nevertheless, significant correlations were identified between body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and atherogenic lipid markers. Dietary quality showed limited associations with cardiovascular risk indicators, although higher dietary quality was positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels in transgender men. Conclusion: The study highlights the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in transgender individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy and emphasizes the importance of integrating nutritional assessment and cardiometabolic monitoring into comprehensive transgender healthcare. These findings support the need for inclusive nutritional interventions and longitudinal studies addressing cardiovascular health in transgender populations.
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PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOTOXIC QUALITY OF IRRIGATION WATER FOR THE TREES OF GENERAL SAN MARTÍN PARK, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Background: General San Martín Park, located in Mendoza, Argentina, is the city's most emblematic green infrastructure, designed in 1896 by architect Carlos Thays. The park plays a critical role in microclimate regulation, water conservation, and public health resilience. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of the water used for irrigation in the most important park of the city of Mendoza, the General San Martín Park, through a comprehensive series of analyses. Methods: This study assessed the physicochemical and biological quality of irrigation water in the park, focusing on parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, sulfates, and anthropogenic contaminants. Samples were collected at 20 points across the irrigation network during three periods (October 2024, April 2025, October 2025). Results: Indicate that irrigation water is generally of good quality, suitable for sustaining the park's forest mass. pH values remained within the optimal irrigation range (6.5–8.4), while nitrate levels were consistently below the 30 ppm threshold, with no nitrites detected. Hardness and alkalinity varied spatially, particularly near the Alto Godoy Water Treatment Plant, suggesting localized inputs of dissolved solids. Turbidity and conductivity strongly correlated with hardness, reflecting the influence of suspended and dissolved mineral content from runoff and seasonal hydrological dynamics of the Mendoza River. Importantly, we found no evidence of toxic anthropogenic contaminants such as heavy metals, cyanides, or petroleum derivatives. Discussion: Overall, the findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring. From a management perspective. These results establish a baseline of water quality indicators for the park. They provide essential input for long-term strategies in conservation, recreation, and environmental education, ensuring resilience against water scarcity and urban expansion. The study underscores the park's role as both a cultural heritage site and a living laboratory for sustainable urban ecology.
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SEVENTY YEARS OF THE BRAZILIAN FEDERAL COUNCIL OF CHEMISTRY (1956–2026): INSTITUTIONAL TRAJECTORY, PRESIDENCIES, AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE CHEMISTRY PROFESSION - EN

Background: In 2026, the CFQ/CRQ System turns 70 (Law No. 2,800/1956), overseeing a sector responsible for ~11% of industrial GDP, but it lacked a chronological reconstruction based on its own official primary records. Aim: To reconstruct the System's legal genesis, establish a documented official chronology of its presidencies, and discuss current regulatory challenges. Methods: Historiographical-descriptive documentary research based on normative sources and unprecedented access to the internal record "Galeria de Presidentes," provided by the CFQ Presidency Office in 2026. Results: Eight substantive presidencies and interim periods (1957–2026) were detailed, substantiating the interim exercise by Oscar Bergstron Lourenço (1963–1964) and Juvenal Dória's inauguration in 1964. The System now comprises 21 regional councils and over 230,000 registrants. The study identified under-documentation of Hebe Martelli's trajectory (the only female president) and an open divergence regarding the number of regional councils created in 1957. Discussion: Normative Resolution No. 36/1974 remains the milestone for professional attributions. Recent regulations revisit historical challenges, such as attributing competencies to hybrid curricula and establishing chemical safety as a public good, requiring anticipation of energy, materials, and digital transitions. Limitations: The chronology relies on institutional records that the authors did not independently audit against primary archives. Conclusions: Access to primary records consolidated the documentary memory of the System's seventy years, whose legacy lies in adapting the regulatory framework to technological transformations.
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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

    General information about this journal
  • Title: SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
  • Short Title: South. J. Sci.
  • ISSN: 2764-5959 (Online); ISSN: 2764-5967 (Print)
  • Universal Decimal Classification (UDC): 001
  • Review Process: Double-Blind Peer-Review
  • Accessibility: Platinum Open Access, NO-APCs.
  • Digital preservation: Portico
  • Frequency of Publication: biannual [2 issues per year]. Journal publication schedule
  • DOI: 10.48141/2764-5959
  • Website: https://www.sjofsciences.com/
  • Country: BRAZIL
  • Publisher: Mendoza University - Argentina | Araucária - Scientific Association (leaving).
  • Language of Publication: ENGLISH / PORTUGUESE* / SPANISH**
  • *Year the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Portuguese: 2020
  • *Year the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Spanish: 2026
  • First issue year: 1993
  • Free full text: Yes
  • Indexed in: Index Copernicus; Latindex, and I2OR.
  • Formerly known as the Southern Brazilian Journal of Chemistry (1993 to 2021).
  • Former ISSN: 2674-6891 (Online); Former ISSN: 0104-5431 (Print).
  • Website last update: 18/09/2026.

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EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CURCUMIN FROM TURMERIC RHIZOMES GROWN IN MÉRIDA, VENEZUELA

The extraction of naturally occurring compounds is one of the fastest-growing industries because of its benefits against its synthetic analogs. Environmental protection must require the use of natural products instead of chemicals to minimize pollution. Thus, this investigation studies the use of some natural product, as curcumin, as naturally occurring acid‐base indicators. Curcumin can be used as acid-base indicators since it was found that it possesses pH-dependent solubility. Curcumin, the major active component of turmeric, Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), is used as a spice in curry and as a coloring agent in yellow mustards, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and hair dyes. In this research, the main compound colored rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa) cultivated in Mérida, Venezuela, is extracted: Curcumin (C21H20O6) (1E,6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, in a yield of 3.42% after 8 hours of extraction using soxhlet extractor system with organic solvents (hexane and ethanol). The thin-layer chromatography and column performed separation and purification using a mobile phase, a mixture of chloroform-hexane 3:2. The dye was characterized by spectroscopic analysis of visible ultraviolet (UV-Vis) and infrared (IR), in addition to his studio in steering sensitivity as an acid-base indicator. This dye is useful as an acid-base indicator in strong acid-strong base volumes and did not require large amounts of it as it has high sensitivity. The results indicate that curcumin as an acid-base indicator allows the development of new standards in different chemistry fields that require this type of analysis.
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INQUIRY FOR SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR A DRILLING REGIME AT AN UPSLOPE ROCKY KNOLL OF LAWU ESTATE, WESTERN BYPASS, MINNA, NIGERIA

Background: A client requested that the study group help determine locations that would be suitable for a drilling regime at his lot, located at an upslope rocky knoll of Lawu Estate, Minna, Nigeria. Aim: The aim of this study is to carry out a purpose-specific survey to pinpoint the best locations in a built-up property at the upmarket Lawu Estate that would be suitable for a drilling regime targeted for household consumption. Methods: The study area was reconnoitered by the survey crew in order to georeference the locations that would be occupied for the vertical electrical sounding survey in the 30 m x 20 m lot. Owing to the extensive build-up at this lot, only a four-point traverse along the 30-metric dimension traverse of the frontage of the building was demarcated in the northeasterly direction, thereby limiting the desire of the survey crew to define an appropriate survey grid. The data-acquisition pattern at the 4 x 1 survey stations of the frontage-traverse of the lot followed the “traditional” sequence of Schlumberger array layout measurements, whence the survey crew progressed with current-electrode spacing either end of a survey point located at this frontage-traverse targeting a maximum survey depth of 100 m. Result: The acquired vertical electrical-sounding data set for this study was recorded on purpose-specific data sheets. Discussion: Based on empirical rules-of-thumb procedures for interpreting vertical electrical sounding data at the Nigerian Basement Complex geological province, “assured” groundwater location and “strongly aquiferous” location, deductive inferences were drawn with regards to only vertical electrical sounding Station 4. Conclusion: Thus, it is recommended that VES Station 4 be exploited in the planned drilling program of the client, especially since this survey point checks off 100 percent of the constraints imposed by the rules-of-thumb interpretation procedures.
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EFFECT OF MECHANICAL ACTIVATION ON THE POTASSIUM AVAILABILITY OF PHONOLITE ROCK

Background: Researchers are carried out to assess rocks containing potassium as an alternative source of fertilizers. These studies are important in reducing the external dependence of Brazil on this commodity. Phonolite is a rock of volcanic origin that has in its mineralogical composition the predominance of feldspar and has been potential to use as an alternative potassium source. The studied rock has 6% total-K but is unavailable to plants in natural rock. Aim: This project evaluated the effect of mechanical activation, wet and dry, on K availability for extractors different and its K leaching curves of phonolite from Poços de Caldas, MG, Brazil. Methods: Phonolite rock was subjected to mechanical activation for 30 and 60 min by wet and dry processes. Particle size distribution, XRD, and FTIR analyses characterized phonolite activated. These results were compared to the behavior of the rock with no activation. K availability (total; water-soluble; exchangeable, non-exchangeable, and structural) was determined in samples activated and no activation. K leaching curves were obtained by successive extractions with 0.01 mol L-1 citric acid and Mehlich-1 solutions to 1812 h and analyzed by FAAS. Results: The samples mechanical activation promoted a reduction in the intensity of the diffraction peaks. In the sample dry mechanical activation for 60 min, K released increased by 15% in relation to the no activation sample. K leaching curves were observed with similar behavior for the extractors and higher K availability after 235 h of total contact time. Discussion: Mechanical activation promoted a decrease in structural K and an increase in non-exchangeable K, released into the soil solution in the medium term. Since the mineralogical composition was not changed, the process action is more efficient in creating the structural defects suggested. K leaching curves corroborate these results, with a continuous and slow K released for a longer contact time. Conclusions: It was concluded that the phonolite activated by dry mechanical activation for 60 min increased K-released content compared with the wet process and ratified the possibility of the activated phonolite rock as a slow-release fertilizer.
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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

The SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES publishes articles in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Agriculture, and related interdisciplinary areas and is intended to fill a gap in terms of scientific information worldwide. All manuscripts can be published either in English or Portuguese, with tile, abstracts, and keywords in English. At present, there are NO PUBLICATION FEES. Editors will cover web hosting, open access, DOI number, and other service costs.

We have set high standards for the articles to be published by ensuring strong but fair refereeing by at least two reviewers. We hope that this Journal will provide a forum for disseminating high-quality research in chemistry and related areas and are open to any questions and suggestions. Starting in 2020, the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES will have two issues per year (June and December).

Thank you very much for choosing the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES to publish your paper!
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