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During surveys in central Florida of the zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani, which manipulates the behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus, two distinct fungal morphotypes were discovered associated with and purportedly parasitic on O. camponoti-floridani. Based on a combination of unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement, we discovered that these morphotypes comprise two novel lineages of fungi. Here, we propose two new genera, Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces, each including a single species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae, respectively. We generated de novo draft genomes for both new species and performed morphological and multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. The macromorphology and incidence of both new species, Niveomyces coronatus and Torrubiellomyces zombiae, suggest that these fungi are mycoparasites since their growth is observed exclusively on O. camponoti-floridani mycelium, stalks and ascomata, causing evident degradation of their fungal hosts. This work provides a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycopathogens and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the Cu L3 edge, we measured the spin-wave dispersion along ⟨100⟩ and ⟨110⟩ in the undoped cuprate Ca2CuO2Cl2. The data yield a reliable estimate of the superexchange parameter J=135±4 meV using a classical spin-1/2 two-dimensional Heisenberg model with nearest-neighbor interactions and including quantum fluctuations. Including further exchange interactions increases the estimate to J=141 meV. The 40 meV dispersion between the magnetic Brillouin zone boundary points (1/2, 0) and (1/4, 1/4) indicates that next-nearest-neighbor interactions in this compound are intermediate between the values found in La2CuO4 and Sr2CuO2Cl2. Due to the low-Z elements composing Ca2CuO2Cl2, the present results may enable a reliable comparison with the predictions of quantum many-body calculations, which would improve our understanding of the role of magnetic excitations and of electronic correlations in cuprates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 ( FGFR1 ) mutations have been associated with poorer prognoses in pediatric central nervous system tumor patients. A recent study highlighted a link between FGFR1 mutations and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), demonstrating that all patients with an FGFR1 alteration experienced hemorrhage at some point during their course of treatment., Methods: The current study examined 50 out of 67 pediatric patients with low-grade gliomas (LGGs) who had genomic testing between 2011 and 2022 at our institution to determine whether a correlation exists between FGFR1 mutations and spontaneous ICH., Results: We found that of the 50 patients with genomic data, 7 (14%) experienced ICH, and an additional spontaneous hemorrhage was recorded; however, no genomic testing was performed for this case. Five of the seven patients (71.4%) had an FGFR1 modification. In our patient population, 6 expressed a detectable FGFR1 mutation (66.7% [4/6] had N546K alteration, 16.7% [1/6] FGFR1 exons duplication, and 16.7% [1/6] had a variant of unknown significance [VUS]). The patient with the FGFR1 VUS had no reported spontaneous hemorrhage. Statistical analysis found a significant association between FGFR1 and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage ( P -value = < .0001). In the patient population, all cases of PTPN11 alterations ( n  = 3) co-occurred with FGFR1 mutations., Conclusions: Our case series highlights this link between the FGFR1 mutation and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage in pediatric LGGs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest directly related to the content of this manuscript., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press, the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology.)

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer death in the word. Which aspects of research into CRC should be accorded the highest priority remains unclear, because relevant stakeholders, such as patients, nurses, and physicians, played hardly any part in the development of research projects. The goal in forming the CRC Priority-Setting Partnership (PSP) was to bring all relevant stakeholders together to identify and prioritize unresolved research questions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of CRC., Methods: The CRC PSP worked in cooperation with the British James Lind Alliance. An initial nationwide survey was conducted, and evidence uncertainties were collected, categorized, summarized, and compared with available evidence from the literature. The as-yet unresolved questions were (provisionally) ranked in a second national wide survey, and at a concluding consensus workshop all stakeholders came together to finalize the rankings in a nominal group process and compile a top 10 list., Results: In the first survey (34% patients, 51% healthcare professionals, 15% unknown), 1102 submissions were made. After exclusion of duplicates and previously resolved questions, 66 topics were then ranked in the second survey (56% patients, 39% healthcare professionals, 5% unknown). This interim ranking process revealed distinct differences between relatives and healthcare professionals. The final top 10 list compiled at the consensus workshop covers a wide area of research topics., Conclusion: All relevant stakeholders in the CRC PSP worked together to identify and prioritize the top 10 evidence uncertainties. The results give researchers and funding bodies the opportunity to address the most patient-relevant research projects. It is the first detailed description of a PSP in Germany, and the first PSP on CRC care worldwide., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Recommendations of evidence- and formally consensus-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) represent a valuable source of quality indicators (QIs). Nevertheless, a standardized methodological procedure for developing QIs in the context of CPGs does not yet exist in Germany for all CPGs. For this reason, a methodological standard for the guideline-based development of QIs (QI Standard) was developed based on a structured consensus process involving multiple key stakeholders., Methods: The proposed content of the QI Standard was derived from evidence, drawing upon results of reviews and qualitative studies, and considered German manuals for guideline-based QI development of two guideline programs. A multi-perspective consensus panel, broadly representing key stakeholders from the German healthcare system with expertise in CPGs and/or quality management, was nominated to vote on recommendations for guideline-based development of QIs. The iterative, structured consensus process included a two-stage online survey based on the Delphi method ("preliminary voting") and a moderated final stakeholder conference where all those recommendations were definitely included in the QI Standard that received approval of more than 75 % (consensus criterion) of the consensus panel., Results: Based on the agreed QI Standard, the QI development process starts with a criteria-based selection of "potential" QIs which - in case of adoption - are published in CPGs as "preliminary" QIs and can achieve the status "final" after successful testing. The QI Standard is composed of a total of 30 recommendations, which are allocated to six areas: A) preparatory work steps for the guideline-based recommendation of QIs, B) QI development group and cooperation with the CPG group, C) development of potential QIs, D) critical appraisal of potential QIs, E) formal adoption and publication as well as F) piloting/testing of preliminary QIs and conversion into final QIs., Discussion: Before the QI Standard can be recommended for implementation in future CPGs, it should have been successfully tested in selected German CPG projects. In addition to methodological requirements for the QI development, it must be ensured that guideline groups have adequate resources for the implementation of the QI Standard., Conclusion: By using the QI Standard, scientifically sound and healthcare-relevant QIs can be expected., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Objective: To report our preliminary experience with a retroauricular hairline incision (RAHI) for excision of second branchial cleft cysts (SBCC) and to present a relevant literature review., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of two consecutive patients diagnosed with SBCC who underwent surgical removal via a RAHI. Relevant demographic, clinicopathological, and radiological data was recorded. A web-based search was conducted to identify relevant scientific literature on "retroauricular hairline incision /approach" in order to present a systematic review of current literature., Result: In both cases, the SBCC (6.0 cm and 3.8 cm) could be safely excised without major complications. One patient developed a temporary hypoesthesia of ear lobe. None of the patients had a postoperative infection, hematoma, spillage of cyst fluid, or necrosis of the skin flap. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome of the procedure (100%). The incisions healed well without any evidence of hair loss or keloid formation., Conclusion: In conclusion, the RAHI offers an excellent surgical outcome and cosmetic result with no proven increased risks to the patients who require surgical excision of a benign SBCC.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of voice restoration using office-based transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) to guide placement of the secondary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP)., Design: Retrospective chart review., Setting: Two tertiary care medical centers., Patients: The study included 39 patients who underwent the TNE-TEP procedure from January 2004 to December 2008., Main Outcome Measures: Clinical, demographic, and TE speech-related data were recorded to examine the ease, efficiency, complications, and speech-related outcomes., Results: Among 39 patients identified, the average age was 65 years (age range, 47-83 years), with 32 male (82%) and 7 female (16%) patients. Twenty-five patients (64%) underwent total laryngectomy; 8 (21%) underwent total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy; and 14 (36%) underwent microvascular flap reconstruction. The overall success rate of secondary TNE-assisted TEP placement was 97% (n = 38), with 1 unsuccessful attempt. There was no statistically significant correlation found between patients having undergone radiation therapy (either before or after oncologic resection) or a cricopharyngeal myotomy and successful TEP placement, type of reconstruction used to close the pharyngeal defect when compared with the difficulty in the placement of the TEP, development of complications associated with TEP placement, use of the TEP prosthesis, or speech intelligibility at the last follow-up visit. Thirty-one patients (79%) were still using their TEP prosthesis for speech at the last follow-up visit. Of the patients reviewed, 28 (72%) had understandable TE speech., Conclusions: In-office TNE-assisted TEP placement can safely be performed, with excellent speech outcomes. Reconstruction with musculocutaneous or microvascular free-tissue transfer did not limit our ability to place secondary TEPs with TNE.

Goals of Work: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and its effect on patients' ability to carry out daily life activities following moderately to highly emetogenic, first-cycle chemotherapy in routine practice in cancer centers of four different European countries., Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, nonrandomized, self-assessment study in 249 patients enrolled from cancer centers in Spain, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The study population consisted of 78% women, with a mean age of 54. Breast, lung, and ovarian cancers made up 75% of all cancers in the study. Patients received a mean of 2.0 chemotherapy agents and 2.5 antiemetic drugs., Main Results: A total of 450 emetic episodes experienced by 243 patients was recorded over 5 days following chemotherapy, with an average of 1.8 episodes per patient (range: 0-28). A higher percentage of patients (38%) suffered from delayed compared to acute emesis (13%). Between 42% and 52% of all patients suffered from nausea (visual analogue scale > or = 5 mm) on any one day, peaking at day 3. Using the Functional Living Index for Emesis (FLIE) questionnaire, 75% of patients with nausea and 50% with vomiting reported a negative impact of these conditions on performance of daily living., Conclusions: CINV remains a significant problem in routine practice, particularly in the delayed phase posttreatment. Overall, CINV had a negative impact on patients' daily life.