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Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that can cleanly and efficiently meet the growing energy demand. The presentwork describes the synthesis of nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) by the combustion method and their use with activated carbon (AC) to manufacture supercapacitors. In order to study the influence of composition on the electrochemical properties, supercapacitors with three different compositions were produced: Fe90 (90% CoFe2O4 and 10% AC), Fe50 (50% CoFe2O4 and 50% AC) and Fe10 (10% CoFe2O4 and 90% AC). Microstructural and morphological analyses were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltam-metry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), floating and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were performed. XRD, SEM, TEM and Raman results showed that the combustion method was effective for the production of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. SEM and Raman spectroscopy results showed that the AC has a porous structure and low crystallinity. According to CV, GCD and floating tests, all three supercapacitors presented excellent electrochemical stability. The Fe50 composition yielded the lowest equivalent series resistance, while the Fe10 composition yielded the highest capacitance. The results show that the combination of AC with CoFe2O4 is promising for the use in supercapacitors.

Background: Proponents of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty believe that it has potential advantages over a fixed-bearing design in terms of diminished wear and improved motion and/or function, but these advantages have not been demonstrated in a randomized clinical comparison to our knowledge. We conducted a patient-blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing cruciate-substituting total knee arthroplasties of the same design.Methods: Patients between the ages of sixty and eighty-five years were prospectively randomized to receive a cruciate-substituting rotating-platform design or a fixed-bearing design with an all-polyethylene tibial component. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics (mean age, 72.2 years; mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score, 2.7; mean body mass index, 31.8 kg/m(2)) or preoperative clinical or radiographic measures between the groups. Routine clinical and radiographic follow-up measures included the Knee Society score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) outcome measures.Results: The results of 312 arthroplasties (136 with an all-polyethylene tibial component and 176 rotating-platform designs) in 273 patients were analyzed at a minimum of two years (mean, forty-two months) postoperatively. Although there was significant improvement in both groups, there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the mean postoperative range of motion (110.9 degrees and 109.1 degrees, respectively; p = 0.21), the mean KSS clinical score (90.4 and 88.2 points; p = 0.168), or the mean KSS pain score (44.9 and 43.1 points; p = 0.108) at this follow-up point. There were ten revisions: seven because of infection, one because of patellar fracture, one because of instability, and one because of aseptic loosening.Conclusions: The two designs functioned equivalently at the time of early follow-up in this low-to-moderate-demand patient group. The rotating-platform design had no significant clinical advantage over the design with the all-polyethylene tibial component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two training strategies for improving essential newborn care in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: Eight hospitals were selected, divided into two groups of four, and paired by geographical, structural, and functional characteristics. Doctors and nurses working at hospitals in Group 1 were given a conventional 5-day training course. Those in Group 2 were given the same manual used by Group 1 but the training course was organized as self-directed learning, with the participants having 5 weeks to complete the course. Participants' knowledge was tested at baseline, immediately after the course, and 3-6 months later. Participants' practices were observed before training and 3-6 months after training during 20 births and by interviewing 20 mothers before discharge at each hospital. FINDINGS: Not all participants completed all of the tests. The scores on the tests of knowledge improved more among those in Group 2 than those in Group 1 when the answers were classified as right or wrong, but there was no difference between groups when a scoring method was used that classified answers as correct, partially correct, incorrect, or missing. Practices related to thermal control after birth improved among those in Group 2 after training but practices related to thermal control on the ward worsened. The promotion of breastfeeding improved in both groups. CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the two training strategies, although self-directed learning was cheaper than conventional training. Neither strategy brought about the expected improvements in the quality of care. Other interventions in addition to training may be needed to improve care.

Abstract Background MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) is a recessive, hereditary, colorectal cancer-predisposing syndrome caused by biallelic mutations in the MUTYH gene. Most MUTYH pathogenic variants are missense mutations, and until recently no gross genomic deletions had been described. Case Presentation We have identified a large deletion in the MUTYH gene: a > 4.2 kb deletion encompassing exons 4-16. This is the second description of this rearrangement, which has been recently described as the first large deletion in this gene. The clinically suspected MAP patient was homozygous for this mutation and presented with no amplification products for 14 exons of MUTYH on initial screening. Deletion breakpoints were refined to base pair level through array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis followed by sequencing. The identified breakpoints were located within intron 3 and 146 bp downstream of the 3' end of the gene, with the presence of an AluJr element adjacent to the distal breakpoint. The presence of a 2 bp insertion at the junction suggests the involvement of the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair mechanism, possibly facilitated by rearrangement-promoting elements. Examination of the MUTYH locus revealed a high Alu density that may make this region prone to rearrangements. Conclusion Large deletions are a possible mechanism for loss of function of the MUTYH gene, and investigation of such mutations may be important in identifying causative mutations in MAP patients.

Abstract Background Risk perception is considered a motivating factor for adopting preventive behaviors. This study aimed to verify the demographic characteristics and cancer family history that are predictors of risk perception and to verify if risk perception is a predictor of colonoscopy adherence. Methods Individuals with a family colorectal cancer history as indicated by a proband with cancer were interviewed by telephone. They responded to a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, colonoscopy history and four questions on risk perception. Tests of multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to identify associations between dependent and independent variables. Results The 117 participants belonged to 62 families and had a mean age of 45.2 years. The majority of these individuals were female (74.4%) and from families who met the Amsterdam Criteria (54.7%). The average risk perception was 47.6%, with a median of 50%. The average population perception of individual risk was 55.4%, with a median of 50%. Variables associated with a higher risk perception were age, gender, religion, school level, income, and death of a family member. The variable predicting colonoscopy was receiving medical information regarding risk (odds ratio OR 8.40). Conclusions We found that family cancer history characteristics (number of relatives with cancer, risk classification) are associated with adequate risk perception. Risk perception does not predict colonoscopy in this sample. The only variable that predicted colonoscopy was receiving medical information recommending screening.

Abstract Introduction Pseudotumor cerebri is an entity characterized by elevated intracranial pressure with normal cerebrospinal fluid and no structural abnormalities detected on brain MRI scans. Common secondary causes include endocrine pathologies. Hyperthyroidism is very rarely associated and only three case reports have been published so far. Case presentation We report the case of a 31-year-old Luso-African woman with clinical symptoms and laboratory confirmation of Graves' disease that presented as pseudotumor cerebri. Conclusion This is a rare form of presentation of Graves' disease and a rare cause of pseudotumor cerebri. It should be remembered that hyperthyroidism is a potential cause of pseudotumor cerebri.

Abstract Introduction Both neurosarcoidosis and central nervous system lymphoma can be very difficult to diagnose. We describe the case of a patient in whom neurosarcoidosis was strongly suspected, but who was eventually found to have lymphoma. We believe the case to be of interest and practical value to neurologists, oncologists and internists with an interest in inflammatory diseases. Case presentation A diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis was considered in a 49-year-old Caucasian man on the basis of the following symptoms and indications: a cough, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy confirmed by thoracic computed tomography, the development of an S1 radiculopathy, cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities (raised protein level), bilateral lung hilar and lachrymal gland uptake on a gallium scan, and erythema nodosum confirmed with skin biopsy. These were followed by the development of multiple cranial neuropathies, including seventh nerve palsy. Exhaustive further investigations yielded no evidence for an alternative diagnosis. Treatments with steroids, cyclophosphamide, intravenous immunoglobulin and finally infliximab were of no benefit. He eventually developed cutaneous nodules, a biopsy of which revealed lymphoma that proved resistant to therapy. Conclusion Constant diagnostic vigilance is required in disorders such as neurosarcoidosis.

Abstract Introduction Osteoclast-like giant cells have been noted in various malignant tumors, such as, carcinomas of pancreas and liver and leiomyosarcomas of non-cutaneous locations, such as, uterus and rectum. We were unable to find any reported case of a leiomyosarcoma of the skin where osteoclast-like giant cells were present in the tumor. Case presentation We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with a cutaneous leiomyosarcoma associated with osteoclast-like giant cells arising from the subcutaneous artery of the leg. The nature of the giant cells is discussed in light of the findings from the immunostaining as well as survey of the literature. Conclusion A rare case of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast-like giant cells is reported. The giant cells in the tumor appear to be reactive histiocytic cells.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study reporting the use of intraoperative computed tomography (CT) and image-guided navigation system for the placement of pedicle screws in pediatric compared with adult patients. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of open pedicle screw placement in pediatric patients using intraoperative CT and 3-dimensional (3D) image-guided navigation. Summary Of Background Data: Pedicle screws are widely used in children for the correction of spinal deformity. Navigation systems and intraoperative CT are now available as an adjunct to fluoroscopy and anatomic techniques for placing pedicle screws and verifying screw position. Methods: From 2007 to 2010, 984 pedicle screws were placed in a consecutive series cohort of 50 pediatric patients for spinal deformity correction with the use of intraoperative CT (O-arm, Medtronic, Inc, Louisville, CO) and a computerized navigation system (Stealth, Medtronic, Inc, Louisville, CO). The primary outcome measure for this study is redirection or removal of screw on the basis of the intraoperative CT imaging. During the study period, 1511 screws were placed in adult patients using the same image guidance system. Results: A total of 984 pedicle screws were implanted using real-time navigation, with a mean of 20 screws per patient (range: 2-34). On the basis of intraoperative CT, 35 screws (3.6%) were revised (27 redirected and 8 removed), representing a 96.4% accuracy rate. No patients returned to the operating room because of screw malposition.Of the 1511 screws placed in adult patients, 28 (1.8%) were revised intraoperatively for malposition on CT imaging, for an overall 98.2% accuracy rate. Screw revision thus was more common in the pediatric population (P = 0.008). However, the pediatric screw accuracy rate is significantly higher than the findings from a recent meta-analysis of predominantly nonnavigated screws in children, reporting a 94.9% accuracy rate (P = 0.03). Conclusion: We report 96.4% accuracy in pediatric pedicle screw placement using intraoperative CT and a 3D navigation system. This is similar to other reports and has better accuracy than a recent meta-analysis of nonnavigated screws in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN.: Human cadaveric study. OBJECTIVE.: The objective of the study was to determine the accuracy of intraoperative O-arm images in determining pedicle screw position using open dissection as the gold standard. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Pedicle screws are widely used in the treatment of various spinal disorders. Postoperative computed tomographic scans are the imaging gold standard to detect pedicle screw malposition. However, a second procedure is necessary if such malpositioned screws have to be revised. The O-arm is an intraoperative scanner that allows revision of a screw without having to return the patient to the operating room for a separate procedure. No previous studies have looked at the accuracy of intraoperative O-arm images in determining pedicle screw position. METHODS.: This factorial validation study utilized 9 cadavers in a comparison of intraoperative O-arm images and the dissection gold standard. Four hundred sixteen screws were inserted using 3-dimensional image (O-arm) guidance from C2 to S1. The screw positions were randomized into 3 groups: 'IN' (fully contained within the pedicle), 'OUT-lateral,' or 'OUT-medial.' After screw insertion, O-arm images were obtained and reviewed in a blinded fashion by 3 independent observers. Dissection identified the true position of the screws. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using dissection results as the gold standard. The interobserver reliability was also determined. RESULTS.: The overall accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, PPV, and NPV of O-arm images for the thoracic and lumbar spine were 73%, 76%, 71%, 74%, and 72%, respectively. Accuracy of surgeon perception in the cervical spine was significantly less than in the thoracic and lumbosacral spine. There was substantial interobserver agreement between the 3 readers. CONCLUSION.: Intraoperative O-arm images accurately detect significant pedicle screw violations in the thoracic and lumbosacral spine but are less accurate for the cervical spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN.: Human Cadaveric Experimental Study. OBJECTIVE.: To determine the validity of surgeon perception of pedicle screw position inserted using intraoperative three-dimensional (O-arm) image-guided screw insertion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: A surgeon's ability to detect pedicle wall violations intraoperatively is crucial for optimal pedicle screw placement. Accuracy of use of a probe or sound to assess pedicle breach is not optimal and may require experience. Intraoperative navigation has been shown to improve screw placement accuracy. It has not been shown, however, whether navigation in combination with screw tract palpation can further increase the surgeon's ability to detect a pedicle breach in pedicle screw placement in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. METHODS.: Four hundred eighteen screws were inserted using three-dimensional image guidance transpedicularly from C2 to S1 in 10 fresh frozen cadavers. Screw tracts were created using navigation and then probed. After probing, the surgeon stated whether he perceived that the screw would be in, out laterally, or out medially. After screw insertion for all the levels, open dissection was then performed to determine the actual pedicle screw position. The surgeon's perception of screw position was compared to the dissection results. RESULTS.: The overall specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the surgeon perception of pedicle screw position were 87%, 80%, 78% and 88%, respectively. Accuracy of surgeon perception of pedicle screw position was significantly less than in the cervical spine when compared with thoracic and lumbosacral spine. CONCLUSION.: Surgeon perception of a navigated pedicle screw position is accurate in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Detection of pedicle screw violations by surgeon perception in the cervical spine is less accurate and does not reliably lead to accurate screw placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A checklist of 33 polypore species (Hymenochaetales and Polyporales) from the Camanti-Marcapata Biological Corridor (CMBC) of Cusco, Peru, is provided with data about distribution in the Andes-Amazon region. More than 90% of polypore species reported herein are new records to the country.

The lack of synthesized information regarding biodiversity is a major problem among researchers, leading to a pervasive cycle where ecologists make field campaigns to collect information that already exists and yet has not been made available for a broader audience. This problem leads to long-lasting effects in public policies such as spending money multiple times to conduct similar studies in the same area. We aim to identify this knowledge gap by synthesizing information available regarding two Brazilian long-term biodiversity programs and the metadata generated by them. Using a unique dataset containing 1904 metadata, we identified patterns of metadata distribution and intensity of research conducted in Brazil, as well as where we should concentrate research efforts in the next decades. We found that the majority of metadata were about vertebrates, followed by plants, invertebrates, and fungi. Caatinga was the biome with least metadata, and that there's still a lack of information regarding all biomes in Brazil, with none of them being sufficiently sampled. We hope that these results will have implications for broader conservation and management guiding, as well as to funding allocation programs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Experiments in the human brain reveal switching between different activity patterns and functional network organization over time. Recently, multilayer modeling has been employed across multiple neurobiological levels (from spiking networks to brain regions) to unveil novel insights into the emergence and time evolution of synchrony patterns. We consider two layers with the top layer directly coupled to the bottom layer. When isolated, the bottom layer would remain in a specific stable pattern. However, in the presence of the top layer, the network exhibits spatiotemporal switching. The top layer in combination with the inter-layer coupling acts as a symmetry breaker, governing the bottom layer and restricting the number of allowed symmetry-induced patterns. This structure allows us to demonstrate the existence and stability of pattern states on the bottom layer, but most remarkably, it enables a simple mechanism for switching between patterns based on the unique symmetry-breaking role of the governing layer. We demonstrate that the symmetry breaker prevents complete synchronization in the bottom layer, a situation that would not be desirable in a normal functioning brain. We illustrate our findings using two layers of Hindmarsh-Rose (HR) oscillators, employing the Master Stability function approach in small networks to investigate the switching between patterns., (© 2024 Author(s). Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.)

Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is a therapeutic approach that minimizes the impacts of balance alterations by enhancing the central vestibular compensation mechanism. The present study investigates the effect of repeated balance exercises on the central vestibular compensation mechanism in a reserpine-induced progressive model of parkinsonism in aged rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned to three cohort experiments: Exp 1: repeated balance exercises (narrow beam test) - performed every 48 h during 20 days; Exp 2: balance exercises performed on the 0 th and 8 th days; Exp 3: balance exercises performed only on the 0 th and 20 th days. For each experiment, the animals were divided into two groups (n = 7 per group): CTL (vehicle) and RES (reserpine 0.1 mg/kg). The animals received 4 (exp. 2) or 10 (exp 1 and 3) s.c. injections (0.1 mg/kg), one every 48 h. The cohorts were evaluated using catalepsy and open field tests (0 th , 8 th and 20 th days). After completion of behavioral tests, the brains were analyzed for immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The RES group presented motor deficits in the catalepsy and open field tests on day 20, but not on day 8. There was no decrease in the number of TH neurons and terminals in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and dorsal striatum (DS) for animals from Exp. 2. However, a decrease was observed in the SNpc, VTA and striatum of animals from Exp 1 and Exp 3. In the balance beam test, the animals in the RES group showed a longer crossing time from day 8 to day 14 (Exp 1), on the 8 th day (Exp 2) and on the 20 th day (Exp. 3). This finding was correlated with a decrease in the number of ChAT immunoreactive cells in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPN) for the animals that performed the dynamic balance test only once (Exp. 2 and 3), but no reduction was observed in the animals that performed the test repeatedly (Epx. 1). Thus, it was possible to verify that repeated exposure of the animals to balance assessment tasks potentiated the performance of the central vestibular compensation mechanism in the animal model of parkinsonism., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Leadership is recognized as an essential competency in health care and science, being central for professionals to face health challenges. Few physicians feel prepared to serve as leaders in the health care environment, and few receive training in the leadership skills needed to be successful. Teaching leadership skills together with extensive, longitudinal, clinical education in an authentic and nurturing environment can effectively develop students for leadership in medicine. Studies on the subject still do not show the best way to implement it in medical education, and an updated review is necessary., Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the types of available evidence on the teaching of leadership skills in undergraduate courses in the health area, analyze them, determine knowledge gaps, and disseminate the research results., Methods: This is a scoping review that will consider studies on leadership skills in medical and health undergraduate courses. Primary studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese since 2019 will be considered. The search will be performed in 8 databases, and reference lists will be searched for additional studies. Duplicates will be removed, and 2 independent reviewers will examine the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the selected studies. Data extraction will be performed using a tool developed by the researchers., Results: The scoping review is currently in progress. The preliminary database search has been completed, yielding a total of 1213 articles across multiple databases. The next stages, including deduplication, title and abstract screening, and full-text review, are scheduled to be completed by December 2024. Data extraction and analysis are expected to be finalized by March 2025, with the final report anticipated to be ready for submission by June 2025., Conclusions: This scoping review on leadership in the medical curriculum can significantly contribute to the literature by organizing and synthesizing the available evidence on teaching leadership skills in undergraduate courses in the health area. Furthermore, by analyzing evidence and identifying knowledge gaps, the study can provide valuable insights to develop more efficient and comprehensive medical education programs, thus preparing students to take on leadership roles in the complex environment of health care., Trial Registration: Open Science Framework YEXKB; https://osf.io/yexkb., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/62810., (©Eliana Fazuoli Chubaci, Carlos Dario da Silva Costa, Martins Fideles dos Santos Neto, Emerson Roberto dos Santos, Ana Maria Rita Pedroso Vilela Torres de Carvalho Engel, Ana Caroline dos Santos Costa, Taisa Morete da Silva, Helena Landin Gonçalves Cristóvão, Alex Bertolazzo Quitério, Alba Regina de Abreu Lima, Vânia Maria Sabadoto Brienze, Fernando Nestor Fácio Jr, Júlio César André. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 22.10.2024.)

Background: Learning styles are biological and developmental configurations of personal characteristics that make the same teaching method effective for some and ineffective for others. Studies support a relationship between learning style and career choices in medicine, resulting in learning style patterns being observed in different residency programs, including in general surgery, from medical school to the last stages of training. The methodologies, populations, and contexts of the few studies pertinent to the matter are very different from one another, and a scoping review on this theme will enhance and organize what is already known., Objective: The goal of this study is to identify and map out data from studies on the learning styles of medical students, surgical residents, medical staff, and surgical teachers., Methods: The review will consider studies on the learning styles of medical students in a clinical cycle or internship, surgical residents with no restriction on year of residency, medical staff in general surgery, or general surgery's medical faculty. Primary studies published in English, with no specific time frame, will be considered. The search will be carried out in four databases, and reference lists will be searched for additional studies. Duplicates will be removed, and two independent reviewers will screen the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the selected studies. Data collection will be performed using a tool developed by the researchers. A results summary will be presented with figures, narratives, and tables. A quantitative and qualitative analysis will be carried out and further results will be shared., Results: The search was funded on September 25, 2023. Data collection was performed in the two following months. Of the 213 articles found, 135 were excluded due to duplication. The remaining 78 articles will have their titles and abstracts analyzed by three of the researchers independently to select those that meet the eligibility criteria. This data is expected to be published in the first semester of 2025., Conclusions: Conducting a scoping review is the best way to map what is known about a subject. Understanding how students, residents, staff, and even teachers prefer to learn surgery is key to staying up to date and knowing how to best educate those pursuing a surgical career., Trial Registration: Open Science Framework 75ku4; https://osf.io/75ku4., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/57229., (©Gabriela Gouvea Silva, Carlos Dario da Silva Costa, Bruno Cardoso Gonçalves, Luiz Vianney Cidrão Nunes, Emerson Roberto dos Santos, Sonia Maria Maciel Lopes, Alba Regina de Abreu Lima, Vânia Maria Sabadoto Brienze, Thaís Santana Gastardelo Bizotto, Júlio César André. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 11.10.2024.)

Objective: Quantitative chest computed tomography (qCT) methods are new tools that objectively measure parenchymal abnormalities and vascular features on CT images in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). We aimed to investigate whether the qCT measures are predictors of 5-year mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)., Methods: Patients diagnosed with SSc were retrospectively selected from 2011 to 2022. Patients should have had volumetric high-resolution CTs (HRCTs) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed at baseline and at 24 months of follow-up. The following parameters were evaluated in HRCTs using Computer-Aided Lung Informatics for Pathology Evaluation and Rating (CALIPER): ground glass opacities, reticular pattern, honeycombing, and pulmonary vascular volume. Factors associated with death were evaluated by Kaplan‒Meier survival curves and multivariate analysis models. Semiquantitative analysis of the HRCTs images was also performed., Results: Seventy-one patients were included (mean age, 54.2 years). Eleven patients (15.49%) died during the follow-up, and all patients had ILD. As shown by Kaplan‒Meier curves, survival was worse among patients with an ILD extent (ground glass opacities + reticular pattern + honeycombing) ≥ 6.32%, a reticular pattern ≥ 1.41% and a forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70% at baseline. The independent predictors of mortality by multivariate analysis were a higher reticular pattern (Exp 2.70, 95%CI 1.26-5.82) on qCT at baseline, younger age (Exp 0.906, 95%CI 0.826-0.995), and absolute FVC decline ≥ 5% at follow-up (Exp 15.01, 95%CI 1.90-118.5), but not baseline FVC. Patients with extensive disease (>20% extension) by semiquantitative analysis according to Goh's staging system had higher disease extension on qCT at baseline and follow-up., Conclusion: This study showed that the reticular pattern assessed by baseline qCT may be a useful tool in the clinical practice for assessing lung damage and predicting mortality in SSc., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Amorim et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

A new and threatened polypore species, Bondarzewia loguerciae , is described from the cloud forests of southern Brazil. It is characterized by single-pileate basidiomata that grow on dead branches and along living stems of standing trunks and present a context with dark lines and resinous tubes. When growing in axenic culture, this species also develops chlamydospores. We provide an illustrated morphological description and molecular analysis. Our specimens from Brazil form a monophyletic group among other species of the Southern Hemisphere. The conservation status of B. loguerciae is assessed and published as "Critically Endangered" based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature  (IUCN) criteria. Additionally, a key to the species is provided.

Herbivorous arthropods, such as mites and insects, host a variety of microorganisms that significantly influence their ecology and evolution. While insect viruses have been extensively studied, our understanding of the diversity and composition of mite viromes and the interactions with mite hosts remains limited. The Asian spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae), a major agricultural pest, has not yet been reported to harbor any viruses. Here, using publicly available RNA-Seq data, we identified and characterized three picorna-like viruses associated with T. truncatus: Tetranychus truncatus-associated iflavirus 1 (TtAIV-1), Tetranychus truncatus-associated picorna-like virus 1 (TtAV-1), and Tetranychus truncatus-associated picorna-like virus 2 (TtAV-2). TtAIV-1 has a typical Iflaviridae genome structure with a single ORF, representing the first iflavirus associated with the Tetranychus genus. TtAV-1 and TtAV-2 exhibit bicistronic arrangements similar to dicistroviruses and other picorna-like viruses, with complex secondary structures in their non-coding regions. Phylogenetic analysis places TtAIV-1 within Iflaviridae, possibly as a new species, while TtAV-1 and TtAV-2 form distinct clades within unclassified picorna-like viruses, suggesting new families within Picornavirales. We analyzed in silico the presence and abundance of these viruses in T. truncatus across four bioproject SRAs, mostly finding them co-associated, with viral reads reaching up to 30% of total reads. Their presence and abundance varied by mite treatment and origin, with no significant impact from Wolbachia infection or abamectin exposure, although TtAV-2 was absent in abamectin-treated mites. Temperature influenced virus abundance, and variations were observed among Chinese mite populations based on geography and host plant association. Our findings offer insights into picorna-like virus diversity and dynamics in T. truncatus, revealing potential roles in mite biology and suggesting applications for mite population control, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and food security., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pseudohydnum , commonly known as cat's tongue mushrooms, is a monophyletic assemblage within Auriculariales, which encompasses species with gelatinous basidiomata, spathulate, flabellate, or shell-shaped pileus, hydnoid hymenophore, globose to ellipsoidal basidiospores, and longitudinally cruciate-septate basidia. According to the available literature, 16 species have been described in Pseudohydnum , mostly represented in temperate-boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. However, the limited morphological, molecular, and ecological information, especially from the Southern Hemisphere ecosystems, does not presently allow a reliable assessment of its taxonomic boundaries nor provide a complete picture of the species diversity in the genus. In an ongoing effort to examine specimens collected in dense and mixed ombrophilous forest fragments (Atlantic Rainforest domain) from Southeastern and Southern Brazil, additional taxa assigned to Pseudohydnum were identified. Four new species are recognized based mostly on characters of the pileus surface, stipe, hymenium, and basidiospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode), partial nuc rDNA 28S, and partial RNA polymerase II largest subunit ( RPB1 ) sequences supported the description of these new taxa. Here, we propose Pseudohydnum brasiliense, P. brunneovelutinum, P. cupulisnymphae , and P. viridimontanum as new species. Morphological descriptions, line drawings, habitat photos, and comparisons with closely related taxa are provided. A dichotomous key for identification of currently known Southern Hemisphere Pseudohydnum species is presented.

In terrestrial forested ecosystems, fungi may interact with trees in at least three distinct ways: (i) associated with roots as symbionts; (ii) as pathogens in roots, trunks, leaves, flowers, and fruits; or (iii) decomposing dead tree tissues on soil or even on dead tissues in living trees. Distinguishing the latter two nutrition modes is rather difficult in Hymenochaetaceae (Basidiomycota) species. Herein, we have used an integrative approach of comparative genomics, stable isotopes, host tree association, and bioclimatic data to investigate the lifestyle ecology of the scarcely known neotropical genus Phellinotus , focusing on the unique species Phellinotus piptadeniae . This species is strongly associated with living Piptadenia gonoacantha (Fabaceae) trees in the Atlantic Forest domain on a relatively high precipitation gradient. Phylogenomics resolved P. piptadeniae in a clade that also includes both plant pathogens and typical wood saprotrophs. Furthermore, both genome-predicted Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZy) and stable isotopes (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) revealed a rather flexible lifestyle for the species. Altogether, our findings suggest that P. piptadeniae has been undergoing a pathotrophic specialization in a particular tree species while maintaining all the metabolic repertoire of a wood saprothroph., Importance: This is the first genomic description for Phellinotus piptadeniae . This basidiomycete is found across a broad range of climates and ecosystems in South America, including regions threatened by extensive agriculture. This fungus is also relevant considering its pathotrophic-saprotrophic association with Piptadenia goanocantha , which we began to understand with these new results that locate this species among biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In the present investigation, we employ a novel and meticulously structured database assembled by experts, encompassing macrofungi field-collected in Brazil, featuring upwards of 13,894 photographs representing 505 distinct species. The purpose of utilizing this database is twofold: firstly, to furnish training and validation for convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with the capacity for autonomous identification of macrofungal species; secondly, to develop a sophisticated mobile application replete with an advanced user interface. This interface is specifically crafted to acquire images, and, utilizing the image recognition capabilities afforded by the trained CNN, proffer potential identifications for the macrofungal species depicted therein. Such technological advancements democratize access to the Brazilian Funga, thereby enhancing public engagement and knowledge dissemination, and also facilitating contributions from the populace to the expanding body of knowledge concerning the conservation of macrofungal species of Brazil., Competing Interests: Aristóteles Góes-Neto is an Academic Editor for PeerJ., (© 2024 Chaves et al.)

Wasps are important parasitoids of stinkbugs and frequently exposed to various types of microorganisms through environmental contact and fecal-oral transmission route. Many parasitize stinkbug eggs and are commercially used in the field to control insect population. The parasitoid T. podisi is known for its high parasitism capacity and ability to target multiple species of stinkbugs. In this study we asked whether T. podisi exposed to eggs infected by a multispecies asymptomatic stinkbug virus, the Halyomorpha halys virus (HhV) would get infected. HhV is a geographically distributed multispecies iflavirus previously found to infect four stinkbug hosts, including three Brazilian species, Chinavia ubica, Euschistus heros and Diceraeus melacanthus, and T. posidi can parasitize all of them. As results, RT-PCR screening revealed positive samples for the HhV genome in two out of four tested pools of T. podisi, whereas the antigenome, indicative of replicative activity, was not detected. The wasps were raised in E. heros eggs that presented both the genome and the antigenome forms of the HhV genome. Subsequent RNA-deep sequencing of HhV positive T. podisi RNA pools yielded a complete genome of HhV with high coverage. Phylogenetic analysis positioned the isolate HhV-Tp (isolate Telenomus podisi) alongside with the stinkbug HhV. Analysis of transcriptomes from several hymenopteran species revealed HhV-Tp reads in four species. However, the transmission mechanism and the ecological significance of HhV remain elusive, warranting further studies to illuminate both the transmission process and its capacity for environmental propagation using T. podisi as a potential vector., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Fungal conservation is gaining momentum globally, but many challenges remain. To advance further, more data are needed on fungal diversity across space and time. Fundamental information regarding population sizes, trends, and geographic ranges is also critical to accurately assess the extinction risk of individual species. However, obtaining these data is particularly difficult for fungi due to their immense diversity, complex and problematic taxonomy, and cryptic nature. This paper explores how citizen science (CS) projects can be lever-aged to advance fungal conservation efforts. We present several examples of past and ongoing CS-based projects to record and monitor fungal diversity. These include projects that are part of broad collecting schemes, those that provide participants with targeted sampling methods, and those whereby participants collect environmental samples from which fungi can be obtained. We also examine challenges and solutions for how such projects can capture fungal diversity, estimate species absences, broaden participation, improve data curation, and translate resulting data into actionable conservation measures. Finally, we close the paper with a call for professional mycologists to engage with amateurs and local communities, presenting a framework to determine whether a given project would likely benefit from participation by citizen scientists., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

In this work, we describe a novel ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex, [Ru(phen) 2 (xant)](PF 6 ) (RXC), that can eliminate colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90. RXC exhibits potent cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines and primary cancer cells, causing apoptosis in HCT116 CRC cells, as observed by cell morphology, YO-PRO-1/PI staining, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarization, and PARP cleavage (Asp214). Additionally, RXC can downregulate the HSP90AA1 and HSP90B1 genes and the expression of HSP90 protein, as well as the expression levels of its downstream/client elements Akt1, Akt (pS473), mTOR (pS2448), 4EBP1 (pT36/pT45), GSK-3β (pS9), and NF-κB p65 (pS529), implying that these molecular chaperones can be molecular targets for RXC. Moreover, this compound inhibited clonogenic survival, the percentage of the CRC stem cell subpopulation, and colonosphere formation, indicating that RXC can eliminate CRC stem cells. RXC reduced cell migration and invasion, decreased vimentin and increased E-cadherin expression, and induced an autophagic process that appeared to be cytoprotective, as autophagy inhibitors enhanced RXC-induced cell death. In vivo studies showed that RXC inhibits tumor progression and experimental metastasis in mice with CRC HCT116 cell xenografts. Taken together, these results highlight the potential of the ruthenium complex RXC in CRC therapy with the ability to eliminate CRC stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Student assistance policies in higher education, in their various modalities, seek to reduce the dropout of a new profile of students, non-traditional, with socioeconomic weaknesses, promoting quality of life (QoL) and mental health during the university journey. In this context, the Student Social Support Center (C.A.S.A) promotes assistance to students who need personal and/or economic support., Objectives: To evaluate the QoL and the presence of minor mental disorders (MMD) in students from the 1st to the 4th year of medicine at a public college in Brazil, comparing C.A.S.A beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries., Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study with 283 students. SRQ-20 and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires were used, in addition to a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data., Results: The general average of QoL was regular in the four evaluated domains (physical, psychological, social relationships, environment) and 55.5% of the students have evidence of MMD, in which the QoL scores are lower in all domains. The environment domain, which discusses socioeconomic conditions, has the worst score among C.A.S.A beneficiaries and the best among C.A.S.A non-beneficiaries., Discussion: The data corroborate the fragile situation of mental health and QoL of medical students. The student assistance modality of the analyzed program possibly presents vulnerabilities in its performance since the environment domain, the one with the lowest score among the program beneficiaries, precisely encompasses financial resources, access to goods and leisure and the individual's physical environment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 dos Santos de Brito, Pereira, dos Santos, de Barros, Martinez, dos Santos, Brienze, de Abreu Lima, Bizotto and André.)

The objective of this study is to use DNA barcoding to link cystacanths and adults belonging to the acanthocephalans Corynosoma australe found in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean off the coast central from Peru. We sampled three species of commercial fish (Paralichthys adspersus (Steindachner), Paralabrax humeralis (Valenciennes), and Cheilodactylus variegatus (Valenciennes)) and two South American sea lions, Otaria byronia, stranded on the beaches of the city of Huacho and Barranca, Lima province. A total of 509 acanthocephalan larvae were found in the body cavity of 95 fish (prevalence 54.28%, total mean intensity 8.64). A total of 127 adult worms were found in the large intestine from two South American sea lions (P= 100%, MI= 63.5). A total of 203 larvae from P. humeralis were isolates (P=65.71%; MI= 8.83; MA=5.8), 235 (P=54.29%; MI= 12.37; MA= 6.71) from C. variegatus, and 71 (P=42.86%; MI= 4.73; MA= 2.03) from P. adspersus. All adult and larval specimens were morphologically identified as C. australe. They were generated cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequences of specimens and were compared with available data from GenBank. Molecular phylogenetic analysis supported our morphological identification, where the Peruvian isolates formed a clade with other isolates of C. australe from other countries of the American continent. Of the sequences obtained, two haplotypes were detected and were not identical with previous reports. Based on both DNA barcoding and morphological analyses, our finding represents the first molecular data of C. australe from Peru and the report of Cheilodactylus variegatus as a new paratenic host on the central coast, extending the knowledge and distribution range of this acanthocephalan in Southeastern Pacific Ocean., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TJDS) is a group of pathologies that affect the temporomandibular joint, mastication muscles, and attached structures, 1 of the leading causes of orofacial pain. Arthroscopy is a technique used as a method of treatment for TJSD. This was a retrospective cohort study, and data were collected from the medical records of patients with TJDS. The diagnosis of TJDS was established based on computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging tests, and clinical examination. All patients, who underwent arthroscopy, were operated on by the same surgeon in 2020. The variables analyzed in this study were: maximum mouth opening, laterality, and protrusion of patients undergoing arthroscopy at time intervals of 30, 90 days, and 6 months after surgery. Data from anamnesis of the medical records and findings on clinical examination were used to verify whether there was any correlation with good postoperative evolution. Afterward, these data were compared and submitted to statistical analysis (Wilcoxon (nonparametric and paired) and Mann-Whitney (nonparametric, unpaired) tests) to verify the degree of correlation between them. It could be concluded that in this sample, arthroscopy reduced the degree of pain in patients, increased mouth opening amplitude, and did not influence laterality and protrusion. The use of previous medication was correlated with a slight decrease in postoperative pain; patients who had undergone previous orthodontic treatment showed better results regarding maximum mouth opening without pain; patients who had previously felt pain on professional palpation had greater maximum mouth opening with and without pain after arthroscopy, and patients with noise at professional auscultation had greater maximum mouth opening without pain. Further studies should be conducted, with larger samples, associated with complementary exams (computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance) before and after arthroscopy., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Ophiocordyceps australis (Ascomycota, Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) is a classic entomopathogenic fungus that parasitizes ants (Hymenoptera, Ponerinae, Ponerini). Nonetheless, according to our results, this fungal species also exhibits a complete set of genes coding for plant cell wall degrading Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes), enabling a full endophytic stage and, consequently, its dual ability to both parasitize insects and live inside plant tissue. The main objective of our study was the sequencing and full characterization of the genome of the fungal strain of O. australis (CCMB661) and its predicted secretome. The assembled genome had a total length of 30.31 Mb, N50 of 92.624 bp, GC content of 46.36%, and 8,043 protein-coding genes, 175 of which encoded CAZymes. In addition, the primary genes encoding proteins and critical enzymes during the infection process and those responsible for the host-pathogen interaction have been identified, including proteases (Pr1, Pr4), aminopeptidases, chitinases (Cht2), adhesins, lectins, lipases, and behavioral manipulators, such as enterotoxins, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (PTPs), and Glycoside Hydrolases (GHs). Our findings indicate that the presence of genes coding for Mad2 and GHs in O. australis may facilitate the infection process in plants, suggesting interkingdom colonization. Furthermore, our study elucidated the pathogenicity mechanisms for this Ophiocordyceps species, which still is scarcely studied.

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) genes are both coded for and arranged along some viral genomes representing the entire virosphere and seem to play different biological functions during infection, other than transferring the correct amino acid to a growing peptide chain. Baculovirus genome description and annotation has focused mostly on protein-coding genes, microRNA, and homologous regions. Here we carried out a large-scale in silico search for putative tRNA genes in baculovirus genomes. Ninety-six of 257 baculovirus genomes analyzed was found to contain at least one putative tRNA gene. We found great diversity in primary and secondary structure, in location within the genome, in intron presence and size, and in anti-codon identity. In some cases, genes of tRNA-containing genomes were found to have a bias for the codons specified by the tRNAs present in such genomes. Moreover, analysis revealed that most of the putative tRNA genes possessed conserved motifs for tRNA type 2 promoters, including the A-box and B-box motifs with few mismatches from the eukaryotic canonical motifs. From publicly available small RNA deep sequencing datasets of baculovirus-infected insect cells, we found evidence that a putative Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus Gln-tRNA gene was transcribed and modified with the addition of the non-templated 3'-CCA tail found at the end of all tRNAs. Further research is needed to determine the expression and functionality of these viral tRNAs., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

By the peak of COVID-19 restrictions on April 8, 2020, up to 1.5 billion students across 188 countries were affected by the suspension of physical attendance in schools. Schools were among the first services to reopen as vaccination campaigns advanced. With the emergence of new variants and infection waves, the question now is to find safe protocols for the continuation of school activities. We need to understand how reliable these protocols are under different levels of vaccination coverage, as many countries have a meager fraction of their population vaccinated, including Uganda where the coverage is about 8%. We investigate the impact of face-to-face classes under different protocols and quantify the surplus number of infected individuals in a city. Using the infection transmission when schools were closed as a baseline, we assess the impact of physical school attendance in classrooms with poor air circulation. We find that (i) resuming school activities with people only wearing low-quality masks leads to a near fivefold city-wide increase in the number of cases even if all staff is vaccinated, (ii) resuming activities with students wearing good-quality masks and staff wearing N95s leads to about a threefold increase, (iii) combining high-quality masks and active monitoring, activities may be carried out safely even with low vaccination coverage. These results highlight the effectiveness of good mask-wearing. Compared to ICU costs, high-quality masks are inexpensive and can help curb the spreading. Classes can be carried out safely, provided the correct set of measures are implemented., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of (1) different levels of liquid supplementation (LS) based on molasses enriched with 32% (as fed; 45% on DM basis) crude protein (CP) on intake of Hemarthria altissima hay (LH), digestibility, and rumen fermentation, and (2) different levels of LS based on molasses enriched with 32% CP in the in vitro gas production in LH diets. In Exp. 1, twelve heifers and 12 adult male castrated and cannulated cattle were used. Treatments were allocated in a randomized block design, in four treatments: (CTL) access ad libitum to the LH; (SUP2) ad libitum access to LH and supplementation with 0.9 kg d−1; (SUP4) ad libitum access to LH and supplementation with 1.8 kg d−1 and; (SUP6) ad libitum access to LH with 2.7 kg d−1. In Exp. 2, treatments were carried out in a randomized block design with four different proportions of LH diet: (CTL) 100 LH, (SUP2) 85 LH and 15 LS, (SUP4) 70 LH and 30 LS, (SUP6) 55 LH and 45% LS. In Exp. 1, liquid molasses-based supplementation did not affect LH intake (p > 0.05). Molasses intake improved as the supply increased, not reducing the intake of LH. In Exp. 2, the addition of LS to the LH caused a change in the VFA profile, with an increase in propionate production in vitro.