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Studies on prognostic factors for patients undergoing surgery to treat solitary liver metastases originating from colorectal cancer (CRC) are limited. This study aimed to analyze significant prognostic factors associated with tumor recurrence and long-term survival after liver resection for solitary colorectal liver metastasis. Data from 230 patients with solitary liver metastases from CRC who received liver resection between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were accessed with the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression multivariate analysis identified independent variables associated with RFS and OS. Nomograms were developed to predict patient outcomes after surgery. The 3- and 5-year OS rates were 72.3% and 59.8%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year RFS rates were 40.0% and 27.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥ 70 years, resection margin width < 10 mm, initial N2 stage, hypoalbuminemia before surgery, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 3 after surgery as independent prognostic factors for OS. For RFS, initial N2 stage, hypoalbuminemia before surgery, NLR ≥ 3 after surgery, elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels after surgery, and CEA ratio (after/before liver resection) < 0.3 were identified as independent prognostic factors. This study demonstrated that initial N2 stage, hypoalbuminemia before liver resection, and NLR ≥ 3 after liver resection exert a significant association on the RFS and OS of patients undergoing surgery for solitary liver metastases from CRC. Thus, upfront chemotherapy, prompt postoperative chemotherapy, and intensive postoperative surveillance are mandatory for patients having these adverse factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of a large solitary lytic skull vault lesion in adults is a challenge due to variable aggressiveness and overlapping features. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the use of an imaging approach to narrow the differential diagnosis when a large solitary lytic skull vault lesion is encountered. The initial imaging assessment using computed tomography (CT) is invaluable in determining lesion aggressiveness based on bony margins and skull tables involvement. Further assessment with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) aids in soft tissue characterization. We present cases of large solitary lytic skull vault lesions in adults, emphasizing on salient and atypical imaging features, with pathological correlation for better understanding of the disease processes that underlie the imaging features. • Evaluation of solitary lytic skull vault lesion using a CT diagnostic algorithm is discussed. • The utility of MRI with DWI aids in characterization of the soft tissue component. • Imaging correlation with pathological features improves understanding of the disease processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Brain metastases commonly manifest in patients with cancer, with ∼20%–50% presenting with 1 intracranial lesion. Among patients with 1, small brain metastasis and controlled or absent extracranial disease, it remains unclear whether aggressive intracranial management using neurosurgical resection plus cavity stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT) rather than SRS/SRT alone is beneficial. In patients with controlled or absent extracranial disease and 1 brain metastasis ≤2 cm in size, we evaluated the effect of surgery plus SRS/SRT compared with SRS/SRT on oncologic outcomes, including overall survival. Methods We retrospectively identified 86 patients with controlled or absent extracranial disease and 1 brain metastasis ≤2 cm in size who had been treated from 2000 to 2015 at our institution. We examined differences in the rates of local and distant failure, use of salvage treatment, and other oncologic outcomes, including all-cause mortality. Results The baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 cohorts. The median follow-up period for the surviving patients was 38 months. On multivariable analysis , surgical resection plus cavity SRS/SRT was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.19–1.00; P = 0.05) compared with SRS/SRT alone. The 1- and 2-year rates of overall survival were 100% and 88% versus 74% and 52% for surgery plus cavity SRS/SRT versus SRS/SRT alone, respectively. Conclusions Aggressive, local therapy, including neurosurgical resection, might benefit patients with 1 brain metastasis in the context of controlled or absent systemic disease, even if the lesion in question is small. Further studies are needed to evaluate these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Angiokeratoma is a cutaneous disorder that can either occur as solitary or multiple lesions, localized or generalized form, and is usually associated with underlying systemic metabolic disorder. Oral angiokeratoma (OAK) is rare and it has been observed as a part of generalized cutaneous angiokeratomas, whereas solitary OAK without systemic or cutaneous involvement is extremely rare. In this report, a rare case of solitary OAK of the ventral surface of the tongue in a 9-year-old male patient is described. Clinical differential diagnosis included pyogenic granuloma, haemangioma, lymphangioma, haematoma, lesions of melanocytic origin and malignant melanoma. Excisional biopsy was performed followed by a proper histopathological analysis. A definitive diagnosis of solitary angiokeratoma of the tongue was made according to the clinical and histopathological findings. The patient underwent further systemic examinations, and the results were non contributory. Follow up for 12 months after surgical excision, the patient remained asymptomatic, with no evidence of recurrence. The presented case of solitary angiokeratoma of the tongue is a rare disease entity. Accurate diagnosis of OAK entails thorough history taking, clinical and physical examinations, coupled with histopathology to rule out other benign and malignant clinical differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, by employing two different simplest equation methods, the (2 + 1)-dimensional Zakharov–Kuznetsov (ZK) equation derived for describing weakly nonlinear ion-acoustic waves in the plasma is investigated. With the aid of the Bernoulli equation and the coupled Burgers’ equations, the electric field potential of ZK equation are formally obtained, which are presented as the new solitary and multi-soliton solutions. Meanwhile, the electric field and magnetic field can be accordingly obtained. In addition, the significant features of the variable coefficient and parameter are discovered. The results show that the solitary and multi-soliton solutions are precisely obtained and the efficiency of the methods is demonstrated. These new exact solutions will extend previous results and help to explain the features of nonlinear ion-acoustic waves in the plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the modified simplest equation method (SEM) is employed to handle the Gardner equation and Whitham-Broer-Kaup (WBK) equations, respectively. Five new solitary solutions are accordingly obtained. The paper proceeds step-by-step with increasing detail about derivation process, first illustrating the algorithm of the modified SEM, which the simplest equation and its exact solution are not pre-defined. Then, new solutions are used to illustrate the connection between the Gardner equation and WBK equations. In addition, new solutions are reconstructed as solutions for the VBEs, ALWEs, the dispersive long wave equations, and the modified KdV equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose higher-order approximation formulae recovering the surface elevation from the pressure at the bed and the background shear flow, for small-amplitude Stokes and solitary water waves. They offer improvements over the pressure transfer function and the hydrostatic approximation. The formulae compare reasonably well with the asymptotic approximations of the exact relation between the pressure at the bed and the surface wave in the zero vorticity case, but they incorporate the effects of vorticity through the solutions of the Rayleigh equation. Several examples are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastatic spread of malignant phaeochromocytoma is known to involve multiple organs including the axial skeleton. Its presentation as a solitary lesion in the long bones of the extremities is extremely rare. We report a unique case of solitary metastatic phaeochromocytoma presenting in the distal femur, 16 years after excision of primary abdominal tumor. A 60 year old female, operated for adrenal phaeochromocytoma 16 years back was detected to have a bone tumor in her left distal femur. Chest and abdominal CT evaluation including bone scintigraphy confirmed the lesion to be solitary. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left femur revealed the tumor to be of aggressive nature. It involved whole of the distal femoral metaphysis with bone destruction, soft tissue extension and an impending pathological fracture. The tumor was histopathologically confirmed to be phaeochromocytoma. Patient underwent wide surgical resection of the tumor along with simultaneous endoprosthetic reconstruction. Following surgery, rehabilitation was rapid and effortless with patient ambulating independently. She had pain free full range of knee movements and resumed her daily activity uneventfully. On 18 months follow up the patient had no recurrence or complications. Late and solitary skeletal metastasis of malignant phaeochromocytoma although rare, can occur in the distal femur mimicking a primary bone tumor. Wide surgical excision and simultaneous endoprosthetic reconstruction should be considered as a treatment option. This not only permits limb salvage and early rehabilitation, but also restores form and function of the limb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the incidence of central cartilage tumours (CCTs) in the femur and the impact of site (proximal, mid and distal thirds) on tumour grade. To compare study results with historically published data. Retrospective review of solitary CCTs arising in the femur over the past 13 years. Data collected included location (proximal, mid and distal thirds) and final diagnosis in terms of tumour grade based on imaging features ± histology. Case material collected from three bone tumour textbooks provided historical data. 430 solitary CCTs were included in the femur. 73% cases arose in the distal, 3.7% in the mid and 23% in the proximal femur. The ratio of "benign" (combining enchondroma and atypical cartilaginous tumour (ACT)) to higher grade chondrosarcoma (CS) was 11:1 in the distal, 1:1 in the mid and 1:1.5 in the proximal femur, the distribution of benign to malignant tumours being significantly different between the regions (F test, p < 0.05). Comparison with historical data showed a reversal of the benign (enchondroma) to malignant (ACT and higher grade CS) of 30%:70%–84%:16% in the current series. The site of origin of a CCT in the femur has an impact on final diagnosis with CS uncommon in the distal as compared with the mid and proximal femur. This is in contradistinction to historical data where the incidence of CS exceeded that of enchondroma at all sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Solitary neurofibroma originating from the external nose is extremely rare, and to our knowledge, only 3 cases have been reported so far in English literatures. It may originate from the ophthalmic (V1) and maxillary (V2) branches of the trigeminal nerve. Case report We present a rare case of solitary neurofibroma arising from the external nose, which was successfully removed by intranasal approach with intercartilaginous incision. Conclusion This case emphasizes two important points. First, we should keep in mind that this clinical entity is included in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses arising from the external nose. Second, we should choose the best surgical approach for complete removal with the maintenance of cosmetic appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Host age-dependent fitness of Diaeretiella rapae was studied on cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. When given a choice of nymphs of four different ages (1, 3, 5 and 7days), females showed a strong preference for oviposition in older nymphs, which were also the largest in the body size, and left the majority of younger nymphs unparasitised. More than 70% of offspring emerged from 5-day and 7-day old parasitised nymphs. Parasitoids develop faster in older hosts than in younger hosts. Development time of males was shorter than females in older hosts, but the development time of males and females was similar in younger hosts. The body size of adult D. rapae was positively correlated with the age of the hosts in which they developed. The sex ratio of offspring was found to be female-biased. A higher proportion of females emerged from older hosts. D. rapae females emerged from older hosts lived significantly longer. The potential fecundity of the females emerged from older (larger in body size) hosts was significantly greater than of those emerged from younger hosts with smaller bodies. Results suggest that D. rapae preferred older hosts to maximise the reproductive fitness gain. The oviposition strategy of D. rapae is discussed in the context of efficiency of this parasitoid in biological control programmes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Osteochondroma of the carpal is rare. We found only 1 case of osteochondroma of the trapezium in the literature. We present a case of a 52-year-old woman with an osteochondroma of the left trapezium and trapeziometacarpal arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Immunoreactive (ir) staining of the neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) was performed in the brains of Brandt''s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) and greater long-tailed hamsters (Tscherskia triton)—two species that differ remarkably in social behaviors. Social Brandt''s voles had higher densities of OT-ir cells in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and medial amygdala (MeA) as well as higher densities of AVP-ir cells in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) compared to solitary greater long-tailed hamsters. In contrast, the hamsters had higher densities of OT-ir cells in the anterior hypothalamus (AH) and LH and higher densities of AVP-ir cells in the MPOA than the voles. OT-ir and AVP-ir fibers were also found in many forebrain areas with subtle species differences. Given the roles of OT and AVP in the regulation of social behaviors in other rodent species, our data support the hypothesis that species-specific patterns of central OT and AVP pathways may underlie species differences in social behaviors. However, despite a higher density of OT-ir cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in females than in males in both species, no other sex differences were found in OT-ir or AVP-ir staining. These data failed to support our prediction that a sexually dimorphic pattern of neuropeptide staining in the brain is more apparent in Brandt''s voles than in greater long-tailed hamsters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A 40-year-old woman presented with a rapidly enlarging palpable thyroid mass. The patient underwent a total thyrodectomy. The tumor fulfilled the criteria of primary solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP), including cellular expression of the CD138 and lambda light chain antibodies. Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the thyroid occurs most commonly in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and must be distinguished from involvement of thyroid in multiple myeloma, inflammatory pseudotumor plasma cell variant, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and medullary carcinoma. The distinction is determined on the basis of histologic findings, immunohistochemical analysis, and other laboratory tests. Currently, no standard treatment exists for this entity. In this report, we discuss the differential diagnosis of SEP of the thyroid and the clinical features observed in this case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Infantile myofibromatosis is a rare tumor of childhood, which involves the head and neck region in 30% of cases. There are 3 different types: solitary, multicentric, and multicentric with visceral involvement. Herein we describe the case of a male infant with a solitary lesion in the parapharyngeal space and to our knowledge this is the first infantile myofibromatosis case in this location. Additionally, radiological and histopathological characteristics of infantile myofibromatosis are discussed in the light of the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Taste neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) not only send axons to the parabrachial nuclei (PbN), but also receive descending projections from gustatory nuclei in the forebrain in rodents. The parvicellular portion of the ventroposteromedial nucleus of the thalamus (VPMpc) receives projections from the bilateral PbN and transmits taste information to the gustatory cortex. Here, we examined the influence of bilateral stimulation of the VPMpc on taste-responsive neurons in the NST. Extracellular single unit activity was recorded from the urethane-anesthetized hamster. Taste responses were confirmed by delivery of four basic tastants to the anterior tongue. After identifying a taste neuron in the NST, the VPMpc was stimulated bilaterally. Thirty seven out of 83 neurons were orthodromically activated following VPMpc stimulation: 30 were excited and seven were inhibited. Among these cells, seven were excited and one was inhibited bilaterally. In addition, four NST neurons were antidromically invaded from the ipsilateral VPMpc. The effect of VPMpc activation on taste-driven responses was tested on 8 of 30 cells that were excited, and all seven cells that were inhibited by the VPMpc stimulation. The VPMpc stimulation enhanced responses to the effective taste stimuli or suppressed the taste-evoked activities in all eight and seven cells tested, respectively, parallel to the type of the inputs which they received from the VPMpc. These results suggest that a subset of taste neurons in the NST is under the influence from the bilateral VPMpc and that the VPMpc activation modulates taste responses of these cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present predator–prey models taking into account the individual behaviors of prey individuals and predators, which can use either grouped or solitary strategies. When prey individuals are grouped, they face less predation but have less access to the resource, which is shared with other individuals of the group. Groups of predators are more efficient to capture a prey than solitary ones. However, predators in groups must share captured prey with predators of their group. We study two models which differ in the way encounter rates are calculated. We present the effects of the different behavioral strategies on the overall dynamics of the predator–prey model. Next, we couple the fast theoretical game dynamics to a slow population dynamics model. We use aggregation methods to obtain the aggregated model. Such a model allow us to study the effects of the strategies selected by prey individuals and predators on the stability of the prey–predator system. Under some conditions, we show that, when aggregating, lonely preys can exclude cooperative predators. We also show how predators can coexist against aggregative preys, when changing strategy from solitary to cooperative. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Benign solitary neoplasms of the lung are relatively uncommon but nonetheless must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any solitary pulmonary lesion. Ironically, the advent of improved tomographic imaging and its increasingly broad clinical application have led to a greater recognition of benign solitary pulmonary lesions, presenting the surgeon with a complex management dilemma. Most benign lesions are relatively bland radiographically, making their differentiation from carcinoma difficult. Often, diagnostic certainty can only be achieved with complete resection. Fortunately, advances in minimally invasive thoracic surgery make this prospect less daunting for the patient and surgeon. This article reviews a subset of solitary lesions categorized as rare benign neoplasms from histologic, radiographic, and clinical points of view. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The sediment transport phenomenon is considered to be an important factor in improving coastline hydraulic performance. This research studied the effects of long waves as simulated solitary waves on the sediment transport to estimate the sediment transport rate in different coastal forest cover (CFC) densities. To examine how trees altered the wave characteristics, artificial trees were used experimentally to simulate the aligned and staggered configurations in totally 32 cover densities and 3 different wave heights. Results revealed that the CFC could averagely reduce the total sediment transport rate by up to 41.18% (in the densest case by 54% and 45% in staggered and aligned configurations, respectively, compared with the no-CFC case). The optimum density limit with maximum reduction effect was determined as 40–50% for the staggered and 70–80% for the aligned pattern. The configuration effects on the CFC efficiency were also investigated and showed the superiority of the zigzag configuration over the aligned arrangement. This study also used the laboratory data to develop two equations for calculating the sediment transport rate in the presence of coastal cover. • The coastal forest's effect on sediment transport was investigated under solitary wave influence using the experimental model. • The highest dense case of staggered configuration reduced the sediment transport rate by 54%. • The highest dense case of aligned configuration reduced the sediment transport rate by 45%. • The optimal density was obtained equal with 50% using the staggered arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a significant model of mathematical physics used to describe real-world problems, namely the Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov (NNV) system is studied and various versions of wave solutions are simultaneously explored. The NNV system is considered an essential model to the KdV hierarchy and is widely used to study the scalar nucleons associated with neutral scalar masons. Thus, the exact wave solutions are important to the associated researchers. To this aim, a robust approach named the generalized exponential rational function method (GERFM) is used to achieve this goal. With the aid of GERFM abundant new wave solutions are formally constructed. All generated solutions are constructed with distinct forms that are dependent on free parameters and determined by the self-form of the NNV system. Moreover, the free parameters play the main roles in the dispersive terms and the values of free parameters influence the physical properties of the traveling solitary and periodic waves to the NNV system directly. Finally, some 3D graphs of the generated solutions are provided to show the propagations of traveling waves. The performed results will have great potential applications to optical fibers, magneto-electrodynamics, the collision of heavy ions, and quantum mechanics. • The solitary wave solutions to the Nizhnik–Novikov–Veselov are considered. • All solutions are obtained via the generalized exponential rational function method. • The method is relatively straightforward to find exact solutions of other equations. • The acquired results are completely new and have not been introduced before. • The method can be easily adapted for solving other nonlinear problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue osteochondromas are rare benign tumors containing bone and cartilage that form in mesenchymal tissues with no connection to adjacent bone, cartilage, or periosteum. They mimic endochondral ossification and are usually encased in a fibrous tissue capsule. The occurrence of the tumor is extremely rare in the maxillofacial region. A case of soft tissue osteochondroma in the submandibular region of a 47-year-old man with a medical history of muscular dystrophy and schizophrenia is presented here. The tumor had been gradually growing for 11 years before the patient's presentation to our clinics. Radiographic and clinical examination revealed a radiopaque mass in soft tissue that extended from the left anteroinferior border of the mandible and with no connection to the mandibular periosteum. Treatment involved surgical excision. A diagnosis of soft tissue osteochondroma was established by histopathological examination. Previously, there have been only three reported cases of soft tissue osteochondroma in the maxillofacial region. The cause of this tumor is not clearly understood, with multiple hypotheses being proposed. Diagnosis usually involves radiology and histopathology, and the tumor is completely amenable to surgical excision. Extraskeletal osteochondroma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hard tissue lesions with no apparent connection to the underlying bone in the maxillofacial region. Although considered rare, clinical awareness about this tumor aids the practitioner in identifying, diagnosing and properly managing this tumor. There has been no report of recurrence or malignant transformation of the lesion. • Soft tissue osteochondroma are tumors encased in a fibrous connective tissue capsule with no hard tissue connection. • Extraskeletal osteochondromas are extremely rare in the maxillofacial region. • Surgical excision is the standard of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between CT radiomic features, pathological classification of pulmonary nodules, and evaluate the prediction effect of different stratified progressive radiomic models on the pathological classification of pulmonary nodules.Methods: Altogether, 189 patients pathologically confirmed with pulmonary nodules from July 2017 to August 2019 who had complete data were enrolled, including 71 patients with benign nodules, 51 with malignant non-invasive nodules, and 67 with invasive nodules. Three CT radiomic models were established respectively. Model 1 classified benign and malignant nodules (including malignant non-invasive and invasive nodules). Model 2 classified malignant non-invasive and invasive nodules. Model 3 classified benign, malignant non-invasive, and invasive nodules. High-throughput feature collection was carried out for all delineated regions of interest (ROIs), and the best models were established by screening features and classifiers using intelligent methods. ROC curves and areas under the curve (AUCs) were used to evaluate the prediction efficacy of the models by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, accuracies, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values.Results: Through Models 1, 2, and 3, we screened out 20, 2, and 20 radiomic features, respectively, and plotted the ROC curves. In the test group, the AUC values were 0.85, 0.89, and 0.84, respectively; the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 79.66 %, 70.42 %, 84.59 %, and 81.74 % and 67.57％ for Model 1, 88.06 %, 74.51 %, 82.2 %, 81.94 %, and 82.61 % for Model 2, and 71.34 %, 85.05 %, 70.37 %, 83.2 %, and 76.3 % for Model 3.Conclusion: The radiomic feature models based on CT images could well reflect the differences between benign nodules, malignant non-invasive nodules, and invasive nodules, and assist in their classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gregarious behaviour of large bodied herbivorous dinosaurs, such as ceratopsians, hadrosaurs and sauropods, has received much attention due to their iconic mass death assemblages (MDAs). Yet, social lifestyle of ankylosaurs, a highly specialized group of armoured herbivores that flourished predominantly during the Cretaceous Period, remains largely ambiguous. Whereas most ankylosaurs are found as isolated individuals, which may suggest a dominantly solitary lifestyle, the few examples of ankylosaur MDAs indicate that some members of this clade could have been gregarious. In this review, we assess taphonomic history, ontogenetic composition of the MDAs, defence system and other comparative anatomical attributes, and inferred habitat characteristics of ankylosaurs; aspects that may indicate and/or influence group formation in extant herbivores and can also be studied in fossils. We show that the ankylosaurian gross anatomy, such as their heavy armour, barrel-shaped body and usually stocky limbs, combined with the rarity of their MDAs and multiple parallel trackways, all suggest a solitary adult life with efficient anti-predator defence system, limited agility, and confined foraging range. However, characteristics of the known MDAs of Pinacosaurus , Gastonia , and the Iharkút nodosaurids evaluated in this study imply that at least some ankylosaurs formed groups. Nevertheless, we found no common and consistent set of features to explain why these particular ankylosaurs were gregarious. While inefficient anti-predator defence along with likely higher agility of juvenile Pinacosaurus living in open habitats could account for their gregarious behaviour, such ontogenetic, anatomical and habitat features are not combined either in Gastonia or in the Iharkút nodosaurid MDAs. Instead, members of each MDA likely had their own specific conditions driving them to form relatively small herds, indicating a more complex social structuring in ankylosaurs than previously acknowledged. Studying morphological and functional disparity within Ankylosauria may help explain the repertoire of their social behaviour. Our holistic approach shows that combining palaeontological and biological information is essential and can provide new insights into the behavioural ecology of long extinct vertebrates. • We use palaeontological and biological data to infer social lifestyle in ankylosaurs. • Six ankylosaurian mass death assemblages are known indicating gregarious lifestyle. • No common set of traits for gregariousness could be identified in these ankylosaurs. • Most likely a specific set of drivers led to group formation in each taxon. • This diversity indicates an unexpectedly complex social structuring in ankylosaurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Anastatus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is reported as the first chalcidoid wasp which parasitizes eggs of Lycorma delicatula, an invasive species spreading rapidly in South Korea. The wasp appears to be a solitary endoparasitoid. The present paper also describes its oviposition and host feeding behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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• Abundant solitary wave solutions to the bSK and variable-coefficient SK equations were extracted. • The trial function method along with the Hirota bilinear equations were employed to achieve the goal. • The dynamical behaviors of all generated solitary waves were performed in 3D figures. In this article, two different fifth-order nonlinear evolution equations (NLEEs), namely the (2+1)-dimensional bidirectional Sawada-Kotera (bSK) and the (2+1)-dimensional variable-coefficient Sawada-Kotera (SK) equations are investigated, whose generous exact solutions are formally generated, respectively. The paper proceeds step-by-step with increasing detail about derivation processes, first illustrating the algorithms of the proposed approach and then exploiting an even deeper connection between the derived solitary solutions with the assumed solution form. After applying a special trial function along with the related Hirota bilinear equations to handle these two cases a variety of traveling wave solutions are extracted, naturally including solitary wave and periodic wave ones. Moreover, via specifying values to the free parameters the physical explanations of the extracted solutions are depicted in detail. Particularly, the results indicate that free parameters can drastically influence the existence of solitary waves, their nature, profile, and stability. They are applicable to enrich the dynamical behavior of the associated nonlinear wave models. Finally, it is shown that the presented methodized resolution is straightforward and applicable to solve other NLEEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radical orchiectomy (RO) is the standard treatment for a testis cancer. Organ sparing surgery can be considered in the setting of a solitary functioning testis or bilateral tumors. It has also been suggested as an alternative to RO for small lesions. In this study we report our partial orchiectomy (PO) experience.Methods: We performed a retrospective review using our prospectively maintained database analyzing PO.Results: Between 1983 and 2018, 77 patients underwent PO. Mean age was 31.3 years (range 17-56). A lesion was palpable in 70 (90.9%) and median lesion size 14.1 mm (range 3-35 mm). Reasons for PO included ``small lesion" in 39 (50.6%); solitary functioning testis in 30 (39%); bilateral lesions in 6 (7.8%); or assumed benign lesion in 1 (1.3%). Median follow-up was 43.5 months (range 1-258). Lesion histology was benign in 25 (32.5%). A positive surgical margin was noted in 6 (7.8%) with none developing local or distant recurrence. Sixteen (20.8%) patients underwent salvage ipsilateral RO at a median of 3 months (range 0-46). Reasons for salvage RO included a radiologically detected lesion in 7, palpable lesion in 4, positive surgical margin in 3 and adverse pathology in 2 patients. Malignant histology was present in 12 (75%) of the salvage RO specimens. There were no reported Clavien-Dindo Grade 3 to 5 complications.Conclusion: Organ sparing surgery is a safe and feasible approach to small testis lesions. For the third with benign disease, and even those with malignant histology, a RO can be avoided in carefully selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals communicate with each other in aggregating for survival and adaptation. Solitary locusts show an olfactory transition from repulsion to attraction in aggregation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this transition is less well known. In this study, we explored differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) during locust aggregation and identified that a functional class of general metabolism encompassed the largest number of DETs among all analyzed gene classes. Within this functional class of general metabolism, oxidoreductase mediates synthesis of retinoic acid (RA) from vitamin A and other metabolites derived from carbohydrates. The expression levels of retinaldehyde hydroxylase 1 (raldh1) and retinoid X receptor (rxr) , which are two crucial genes for RA synthesis and signaling, were upregulated during 4 h of crowding. Knockdown of raldh1 and rxr by RNA interference (RNAi) in the brains resulted in the loss of olfactory attraction. Moreover, inhibition of RXR by RNAi resulted in downregulated expression of Gna14 , a member of the Gα subfamily that transduces signals in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways. Abrogating RXR signaling and Gna1 4 by RNAi knockdown inhibited the function of dopamine receptor 1 (DopR1) and octopamine receptor α1 (OctαR1) in modulating olfactory attraction. RXR signaling is essential for DopR1 and OctαR1 to mediate olfactory attraction. This study showed that RXR signaling mediates attraction by Gα signaling and confirmed a novel link between nuclear receptor RXR and the membrane receptor GPCRs in modulating olfactory attraction. Image 1 • Retinoid X receptor (RXR) and retinaldehyde hydroxylase 1(raldh1) mediate olfactory attraction. • RXR affects the expression level of Gna14 in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway. • The deficiency of RXR abrogates the roles of DopR1 and OctαR1 in the modulation of olfactory attraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report a huge ovarian solitary luteinized follicle cyst (SLFC) that contained 17 liters of fluid. Computed tomography scan revealed a 32×32×20cm right simple cystic ovarian mass without calcification or septation. The fluid was removed, and the collapsed unilocular cyst was examined pathologically. No solid or papillary areas were identified. The cyst wall lining was composed of multiple layers of luteinized cells of variable size and shape with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and focally enlarged, pleomorphic, and hyperchromatic nuclei. Nests of luteinized cells were embedded within the fibrous tissue of the cyst wall. These findings are characteristic of solitary luteinized follicle cyst of pregnancy. Even though less than 15 cysts of this kind have been recorded, one should consider this uncommon, benign, non-neoplastic cystic ovarian lesion in the differential diagnosis of other cystic ovarian lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Solitary neurofibroma is rare benign non-odontogenic tumour of the oral cavity [1]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has subdivided neurofibromas into two categories, dermal and plexiform. Dermal neurofibroma arises from single peripheral nerve while plexiform neurofibroma is associated with a multiple nerve bundle. Uncommon variant of neurofibroma is the diffuse neurofibroma which typically involves skin and subcutaneous tissue resulting in an enlargement of affected tissues. We present a case of neurofibroma of the floor of the mouth. A 23-year-old female complained of painless swelling in the left side of the floor of mouth, pouting in the left submandibular region since 3 years. Histological features were characteristics of neurofibroma. We review the clinical and pathological features of the neurofibromas arising from the floor of the mouth. Neurofibromas are immunosensitive for the S-100 proteins, indicating its neural origin. Treatment is surgical with excellent prognosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]