SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: The Second Southern Science Conference (SSCON 2024) represents a significant milestone in international scientific collaboration, bringing together researchers from twelve nations across multiple continents. The conference, held in Mendoza, Argentina, and co-hosted by the University of Vassouras in Brazil, marked both the 64th anniversary of Universidad de Mendoza and the 20th anniversary of Periódico Tchê Química, demonstrating the growing importance of cross-border academic partnerships. Aim: This study aimed to document and analyze the outcomes and impact of the Second Southern Science Conference, focusing on participation metrics, collaborative patterns, and institutional contributions while highlighting the significance of the hybrid format in facilitating global scientific dialogue. Methods: The analysis involved quantitative assessment of conference participation metrics, including the number of approved papers, author distributions, and institutional representation. The study examined participation patterns across countries and institutions, analyzing collaboration trends through statistical data visualization and comparative analysis of submission rates. Results: The conference achieved significant participation metrics with 65 approved papers and 242 contributing authors, averaging 4 authors per paper. The Universidad Nacional de Córdoba emerged as the leading institution, showcasing its 4 centuries legacy of academic excellence. The analysis revealed strong representation from Latin American institutions, with Brazil and Argentina leading in submissions. Most papers involved 2-5 collaborators, indicating effective research collaboration patterns. Over 500 people participated in the event through both in-person and virtual attendance options. Discussion: The hybrid format successfully facilitated broader international participation and knowledge exchange, which is particularly beneficial for addressing contemporary global challenges. The strong showing from Latin American institutions highlights the region's growing influence in international scientific discourse. The conference's interdisciplinary nature fostered new collaborative initiatives and research partnerships. Conclusions: The conference demonstrated the effectiveness of hybrid international scientific events in fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange. Areas for improvement were identified, including extended submission timelines and establishment of a permanent management committee. The success of this edition supports the planning of future iterations, with the next edition scheduled to be held in Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro.

Background: Infectious diseases are a global problem, the second human cause of death. Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria have been treated with a high degree of efficacy. However, even when the 20th century was considered the “golden age” of antibiotics, bacteria developed a different resistance mechanism to antibiotics. In 2017, the WHO issued an alert about 12 bacteria with an urgent need to develop new antibiotics. Aims: The aim of the present review is to analyze the current knowledge of the antibacterial activity of natural extract-based treatments against the pathogens listed by WHO. Methods: A systematic review of the literature in PubMed was performed to search for publications describing the use of natural extracts as antibiotics over bacteria. We focused on the Gram-Negative group. The exclusion criteria consisted of limiting papers on natural extracts tested over the bacteria culture related to eight selected bacteria, according to an alert issued by WHO in 2017, and seven plant extracts. Results: All the Gram-Negative bacteria listed in 2017 by WHO have been treated, with different degrees of advance, with some of the plant extracts and plant-based compounds reviewed. In general, the first approach is using inhibition disks applied over the bacterial biofilm in solid culture media. Discussion: While Salmonellae and P. aeruginosa have been extensively studied, over N. gonorrhoeae, A. baumannii have been tested with fewer natural extracts. Edible herbs are more often used, as well as artemisa and wine byproducts. In all cases, they are in the early stages of study, not being tested in patients at present. Conclusions: Plant extracts and plant-based compounds are effective as antibacterial, with minimal effects on the host cell. Furthermore, they are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and renewable.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common type of pathogen that causes Urinary tract infection disease. It can be presented as a pathogenic or non-pathogenic strain and found not only in the animal but also in the human intestine. This bacterium can cause opportunistic infection when the human host comprised of thalassemia patients or changes the healthy hemostatic flora. This study aimed to analyze the presence of bacteria in thalassemia patients with urinary tract infection. A total of 303 samples were collected during the period from August 2019 to January 2020 from thalassemia patients who suffered from urinary tract infection. The results showed that there were 6.9% of patients infected with E. coli, 2.6% of patients were infected with S. aureus, 0.7% with both Proteus and Klebsiella, while 89.1% of patients had a negative sample for bacteria. Also, the incidence of urinary tract infections in females is higher than in males. Besides, its occurrence in rural areas is higher than in city residents. Moreover, among 16 antibiotics tested to sensitize bacteria to antibiotics, Imipenem showed 100% efficacy on all isolated bacteria. In contrast, Netilmicin showed 80.1% efficacy, Gentamycin 80.1%, and Amikacin 76.2%. Ampicillin, Aztreonam, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid, Tetracycline, and Ticarcillin-Clavulanic Acid, did not show any effectiveness toward the bacteria while other antibiotics showed different activities. Furthermore, the isolated microbes from thalassemia patients were the highest resistance to antibiotics in comparison with other studies, and this antibiotic-resistant may be due to the weakening of the patient's immune status and frequent blood taking and the antibodies it contains.