From surface to caves: new species of Brandt, 1833 (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) from Colombia, with the description of the first troglobitic species.

Two new species of are described, from Cerro Bañaderos in Hatonuevo, La Guajira, and from Roca Madre Cave, Toluviejo, Sucre, both from the Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) areas of the Colombian Caribbean. The latter represent the first troglobitic species of the genus. Moreover, based on specimens from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Magdalena (type locality), is placed into and an identification key for all species of the genus is given.

Development of a Second-Generation, Chemical Probe for PIKfyve.

We optimized our highly potent and cell-active chemical probe for phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase (PIKfyve), SGC-PIKFYVE-1, resulting in compounds with improved potency and demonstrated stability. Use of an in-cell, kinome-wide selectivity panel allowed for confirmation of excellent in-cell selectivity of our lead compound, , and another promising analogue, . Evaluation of the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of these two compounds revealed that both are well tolerated systemically and orally bioavailable.

Regional Patellar Tendon Strain in the Short- and Long-term After ACL Reconstruction Using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) often involves harvesting a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft. How graft harvest affects tendon strain across the 3 distinct regions (medial, lateral, and central) is not known.

Purpose: To (1) quantify strain in the 3 regions of the patellar tendon during 60% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in 90° of knee flexion and (2) assess how effort level in 2 different knee joint angles (60° and 90°) impacts strain in the medial and lateral regions of the patellar tendon, in 2 cohorts of patients after ACLR using a BPTB autograft (one group <24 months after surgery and another group ≥24 months after surgery).

Cold waves in the Amazon rainforest and their ecological impact.

Cold waves crossing the Amazon rainforest are an extraordinary phenomenon likely to be affected by climate change. We here describe an extensive cold wave that occurred in June 2023 in Amazonian-Andean forests and compare environmental temperatures to experimentally measured thermal tolerances and their impact on lowland animal communities (insects and wild mammals). While we found strong reductions in activity abundance of all animal groups under the cold wave, tropical lowland animals showed thermal tolerance limits below the lowest environmental temperatures measured during the cold wave.

Comparative study of ergosterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol and their endoperoxides: Generation, identification, and impact in phospholipid membranes and melanoma cells.

Melanoma is an aggressive cancer that has attracted attention in recent years due to its high mortality rate of 80%. Damage caused by oxidative stress generated by radical (type I reaction) and singlet oxygen, O (type II reaction) oxidative reactions may induce cancer. Thus, studies that aim to unveil the mechanism that drives these oxidative damage processes become relevant.

Effects of transcranial photobiomodulation on fine motor skills in boccia para-athletes.

This study investigated the effects of transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) on para-athletes' manual dexterity and intralimbal coordination. Six para-athletes from a Boccia Team participated. t-PBM was administered using a LED helmet with 204 LEDs (660 and 850 nm) emitting 10 mW each, delivering 9 J/cm per LED during 15-min sessions three times a week.

Enhancing the Bothropic Antivenom through a Reverse Antivenomics Approach.

Antivenoms are the only effective treatment for snakebite envenomation and have saved countless lives over more than a century. Despite their value, antivenoms present risks of adverse reactions. Current formulations contain a fraction of nonspecific antibodies and serum proteins.

Fishers and First Responders: Oil Spill Safety Workshop Design and Evaluation.

Objectives: This paper describes the design and evaluation of a workshop created to develop safer disaster response strategies for fishing communities, using the 2019 Northeast Brazil Oil Spill as a starting point for community-engaged education.

Methods: The 3-day pilot workshop included presentations, structured discussions, and interactive activities with small-scale fishers (SSFs), university researchers, and representatives of local government agencies. The workshop was evaluated through a mixed-method approach that considered qualitative data from discussion groups, collectively built products, and content retention.

Results of the Latin American Pediatric Oncology Group (GALOP-2011) Trial for Patients With Localized Ewing Sarcoma: A Multicentric Study of Interval-Compressed Multiagent Chemotherapy.

Background: GALOP investigators developed a prospective cooperative protocol for localized Ewing sarcoma (ES) incorporating interval-compressed chemotherapy (VDC/IE, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide/ifosfamide and etoposide). After completing conventional treatment, patients were randomized to 1 year of metronomic chemotherapy (vinblastine and cyclophosphamide).

Methods: Phase III randomized prospective trial.

Effects of photobiomodulation therapy (660-nm laser) on median nerve function in Wistar rats.

This study investigates the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) with a 660-nm laser on nerve regeneration and muscle morphometry following median nerve axonotmesis in rats. Sixteen Wistar rats were divided into a control group and laser-treated group, with the latter receiving 10 applications of PBM (660 nm; 20 mW; 10 J/cm; 0.4 J; and 20 s) over 2 weeks.

Systematic Reviews on the Management of Xerostomia and Hyposalivation-An Umbrella Review.

Introduction: Dry mouth is moderately prevalent in the older population. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological alternatives have been assessed to manage its manifestation. This umbrella review synthesised the evidence on approaches to managing xerostomia and hyposalivation.

Frequency of consumption and factors associated with hookah use in Curitiba, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To analyze the consumption frequency and factors associated with hookah usage.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adults, hookah users, residing in the city of Curitiba. Hookah groups were contacted on social networking sites via an invitation that contained a link to the questionnaire, which comprised 21 questions covering demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, user profiles, use of cigarettes and alcohol, symptoms, and perceptions of the risks of hookah use.

Identifying key genes in cancer networks using persistent homology.

Identifying driver genes is crucial for understanding oncogenesis and developing targeted cancer therapies. Driver discovery methods using protein or pathway networks rely on traditional network science measures, focusing on nodes, edges, or community metrics. These methods can overlook the high-dimensional interactions that cancer genes have within cancer networks.

Is There Scientific Evidence on the Practice of Rib Resection or Remodeling for Body Contouring Purposes?-A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Rib resection and remodeling have gained attention as cosmetic procedures to enhance body contours, particularly waist-to-hip ratio. Historically, rib resection has been used for medical reasons; however, plastic surgeons have recently adopted it for aesthetic purposes. However, concerns remain regarding the safety and effectiveness of the procedure, particularly due to the potential for complications, such as pneumothorax, chronic pain, and impaired respiratory function.

Carbon nanotubes stabilized in chitosan sponge (CNT-CS) as a new alternative clean-up sorbent for pesticide multiresidue determination in eggplants using QuEChERS and UHPLC-MS/MS.

The continuous development and application of pesticides in agriculture require robust multiresidue detection methods to guarantee food safety. This study introduces a novel method for multiresidue determination of pesticides in eggplants using the QuEChERS procedure, incorporating a clean-up step using carbon nanotubes stabilized in chitosan sponge (CNT-CS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for analysis. Upon identifying the optimal extraction conditions, various sorbents were assessed for their efficacy in the dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE).

The association of origin and environmental conditions with performance in professional IRONMAN triathletes.

We have (i) little knowledge about where the fastest professional IRONMAN triathletes originate from and where the fastest races take place and (ii) we have no knowledge of the optimal weather conditions for an IRONMAN triathlon. The aims of the present study were, therefore, (i) to investigate the origin and the fastest IRONMAN race courses for professional triathletes and (ii) to evaluate the best environmental conditions (i.e.

Reproductive effects of the insecticide acephate on a springtail and an enchytraeid in a subtropical soil.

The widespread use of acephate, a common insecticide, raises concerns about its potential impacts on nontarget soil organisms. This study investigated the chronic effects of acephate on the reproduction of two key soil fauna species, the springtail Folsomia candida and the enchytraeid Enchytraeus crypticus. We exposed these organisms to acephate in both natural Cambisol soil and tropical artificial soil (TAS) to assess potential impacts under different environmental conditions.

Improving full-arch implant scanning accuracy with a Meccano-like device for scan bodies splinting: A dental technique.

A long-term successful implant-supported prosthesis requires the creation of a passively fitting framework, based on an accurate intraoral digital implant scan. According to dental literature, splinted implant scan bodies (ISBs) provide higher intraoral scanning accuracy than non-splinted techniques. This technique presents a structured approach for splinting multi-unit abutment scan bodies (MUASBs) using customized manufactured devices to facilitate the recording of definitive intraoral implant scans.

Sodium Thiosulfate Treatment for Calciphylaxis: Is There an Optimal Duration of Therapy?

Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious disorder characterized by vascular calcification and occlusion of the microvessels in the dermis, subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral organs, and musculature. Studies have suggested that the major risk factors for developing calciphylaxis are chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Its diagnosis is clinical, and the treatment includes a multidisciplinary approach, although there are no clinical protocols based on randomized clinical trials.

Trends in Specific Family Refusals for Pediatric Organ and Tissue Donation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: When a family decides to donate the organs or tissues of their child with brain death, it is necessary to consider which organs or tissues will be donated. This phenomenon presents an ethical dilemma that is underexplored in the scientific literature, making it essential to examine this context to understand how refusals occur within donations.

Objective: To analyze the rates and trends of specific refusals for each organ and tissue from pediatric donors with brain death occurring between 2001 and 2020 in an Organ Procurement Organization in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.