ERS/ATS Global Lung Function Initiative normal values and classifying severity based on z-scores instead of per cent predicted.

Among the most discussed issues in the field of pulmonary function testing are reference equations and standardised methods of interpreting pulmonary function test (PFT) results. The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) task force gathered information from multiple countries with diverse ethnicities to create a multi-ethnic reference formula suitable for a broad age range. Their first output was the GLI-2012 spirometry reference equations.

The conceptual potential of 'more-than-human care': A reflection with an artisanal fishing village in Brazil.

As dominant approaches to biodiversity loss and climate change continue to fail in mitigating current socio-environmental crises, scholars and activists are exploring novel conceptual frameworks to drive transformative change in conservation. Among these, more-than-human care has emerged as a concept at the intersection of feminist debates about care and post-humanist discussions around the more-than-human. Although more-than-human care is increasingly referenced in the literature, it remains sparsely situated in the Global South.

Nail Unit Melanoma: Uncommon Presentations to Keep in Mind.

Introduction: This article presents a case of nail unit melanoma (NUM), highlighting the unusual clinical presentations as those originating from the hyponychium. We discuss how dermoscopy is an essential tool for this pigmented lesion, and how the lack of a standardized guide for NUM underscores the importance of personalized approaches to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Case Presentation: A 72-year-old woman presented with a melanocytic lesion on her right second finger, characterized by a hyperpigmented macule with irregular borders and a heterogeneous distribution of pigment.

Comparative Effectiveness of Surgical Drainage Techniques and Postoperative Interventions for Reducing Complications: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This systematic review assessed the comparative effectiveness of surgical drainage techniques and postoperative interventions in reducing complications across various surgical fields. We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL, covering studies from January 2019 to September 2024. Ten randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria, focusing on human surgical patients and comparing outcomes such as seroma, hematoma, infection rates, and postoperative pain.

Winner-loser plant trait replacements in human-modified tropical forests.

Anthropogenic landscape modification may lead to the proliferation of a few species and the loss of many. Here we investigate mechanisms and functional consequences of this winner-loser replacement in six human-modified Amazonian and Atlantic Forest regions in Brazil using a causal inference framework. Combining floristic and functional trait data for 1,207 tree species across 271 forest plots, we find that forest loss consistently caused an increased dominance of low-density woods and small seeds dispersed by endozoochory (winner traits) and the loss of distinctive traits, such as extremely dense woods and large seeds dispersed by synzoochory (loser traits).

Scalable Bioreactor-based Suspension Approach to Generate Stem Cell-derived Islets From Healthy Donor-derived iPSCs.

Background: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer the potential to generate autologous iPSC-derived islets (iPSC islets), however, remain limited by scalability and product safety.

Methods: Herein, we report stagewise characterization of cells generated following a bioreactor-based differentiation protocol. Cell characteristics were assessed using flow cytometry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, patch clamping, functional assessment, and in vivo functional and immunohistochemistry evaluation.

Protocol for Comparing Benzodiazepine-Ketamine and Benzodiazepine-Fentanyl Sedation in Phacoemulsification (BEKEF): A Double-Blind Crossover Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial Study.

Background: Cataract surgery, particularly phacoemulsification, often requires sedation alongside topical anesthesia to manage patient anxiety and discomfort. This protocol proposes a study comparing the efficacy of ketamine and fentanyl, both combined with benzodiazepine, as sedation options for patients undergoing bilateral phacoemulsification.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial, at least 48 patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery will receive fentanyl with midazolam for one eye and ketamine with midazolam for the other.

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolon excision and cranial approach.

Background: Complete mesocolon excision (CME) and D3-lymphadenectomy concepts have gained popularity for the surgical treatment of right colon cancer in comparison to the conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (CLRH). The rationale of CME is to dissect the embryological planes between the mesenteric plane and the parietal fascia to remove the mesentery within a complete envelope of mesenteric fascia and visceral peritoneum that contains lymph nodes, the central vascular ligation, and adequate bowel length to remove involved pericolic lymph nodes in the longitudinal direction, having as the main goal to improve the oncological results. CME with D3-lymphadenectomy is challenge since involves the excision of the lymph adipose tissue covering the medial edge of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) (trunk of Gillot, TG), and the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GTH).

Anti-vitamin D antibodies.

Background: Low vitamin D levels are commonly observed in autoimmune diseases, suggesting a potential role in disease pathogenesis. The presence of anti-vitamin D antibodies may contribute to these deficiencies and influence autoimmune processes.

Objective: To review and analyze studies investigating the occurrence of anti-vitamin D antibodies in autoimmune diseases.

Is Sarcopenia Associated with Worse Outcomes Following Ventral Hernia Repair? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The concept of preoperative prehabilitation has garnered attention as a means to manage the comorbidities of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair (VHR). In this regard, some comorbidities have been studied as potential risk factors for postoperative complications following VHR, such as diabetes, immunosuppression, and smoking. However, evidence regarding the impact of sarcopenia, defined by reduced muscle mass and highly associated with frailty syndrome, remains a gap.

The Neotropical genus Lenkothrips (Thysanoptera: Heterothripidae): additions to the faunas of Argentina and Brazil with an updated key to species.

Lenkothrips is a Heterothripidae genus with five species known only from South America. These species breed exclusively on flowers and exhibit some degree of host specificity. In the present paper, we describe three further species from Argentina (L.

On some colorful bryozoans from Brazil: reevaluation of Aptonella violacea Canu & Bassler, 1928 and a new species of Cosciniopsis Canu & Bassler, 1927.

Gigantoporidae Bassler, 1935 is a cheilostome bryozoan family comprising five genera, including the colorful genus Cosciniopsis Canu & Bassler, 1927, considered a senior synonym of Aptonella Canu & Bassler, 1928. The taxonomy of Aptonella has historically been considered confusing due to the colored zooecia, which suggests an affinity with other genera such as the stomachetosellid Cycloperiella Canu & Bassler, 1923. Here, the type species of Aptonella, A.

A taxonomic review on the katydids of the genus Anthracites Redtenbacher, 1891 (Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini) from Mindanao, Philippines.

Anthracites Redtenbacher, 1891 is a genus of Agraeciini with 13 species, of which 11 are found in the Philippines. In the Philippines, seven species were described from Mindanao, the most among other main islands. Based on recently collected material from different parts of Mindanao, we describe two additional new species: Anthracites alatus Tan, Bahoy & Sabang sp.

Three new species of Capitellidae (Annelida) from France.

Sampling in shallow sediments of Bay of Biscay up to 70 m has yielded three undescribed capitellids. Mediomastus biscayensis sp. nov.

A new species of Ducetia (Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae) from Mindanao, Philippines based on bioacoustics, stridulatory file morphology and genetic data.

The Ducetia japonica species group consists of 11 species widely distributed in Asia and Australia. It includes a single species from the Philippines: Ducetia adspersa Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878. Previously synonymized under Ducetia japonica (Thunberg, 1815), this species was resurrected for its unique stridulatory file.

Sycetta papillata sp. nov. (Porifera, Calcarea): the first record of Sycetta to the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Sycetta is a poorly known genus of calcareous sponges, primarily distinguished by the presence of tubes (the choanocyte chambers) radially organized around the atrial cavity and completely separated from each other. These tubes, referred to as conical diverticula or more aptly as papillae, impart a distinctive appearance to the external morphology of the sponges. Herein, we present the description of Sycetta papillata sp.