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The Lathrobium tahirai species group is reviewed and redefined based on detailed morphological examination of the type specimens and newly available materials from Japan. Six previously described species are redescribed and illustrated with additional taxonomically important characters: L. tahirai Y. Watanabe, 2001, L. kanayamaense Y. Watanabe, 2001, L. nikkoense Y. Watanabe, 2001, L. sinense Herman, 2003, L. krilioni Tikhomirova, 1976, and L. riozoi (Y. Watanabe, 1972) comb. nov. Moreover, L. inflatum Assing. 2013 syn. nov. is placed in synonymy with L. nikkoense. In addition, six new species of this species group from Japan are described and illustrated: L. koseii sp. nov. (Kyushu: Nagasaki Prefecture: Tsushima Is.), L. yatsugatakensesp. nov. (Honshu: Nagano Prefecture), L. hashizumeorum sp. nov. (Honshu: Nagano Prefecture), L. undulatumsp. nov. (Honshu: Nagano Prefecture), L. kainum sp. nov. (Honshu: Yamanashi Prefecture), and L. stomachiformesp. nov. (Honshu: Yamanashi Prefecture). A key to species of the L. tahirai group is provided.

This study examines representations of transgenerational trauma and healing strategies in Chika Unigwe's The Middle Daughter. The analysis of the novel pays critical attention to the intergenerational transmission of trauma within the mother-middle daughter relationship. Drawing on the tenets of Trauma Theory, the study reveals how silence, emotional repression, and culturally shaped parenting practices contribute to the psychological distress of the protagonist, Nani. Through a close investigation of characterization and events in the narrative, the paper shows how the often-overlooked role of the middle daughter affects emotional visibility and self-perception within the family, yielding to traumatic flashbacks. The analysis further demonstrates that unresolved maternal trauma and cultural expectations influence Nani's romantic and non-romantic relationships, shaping her vulnerability and internalized guilt. Finally, the study discusses Nani's path to healing, through narration, maternal agency, and personal autonomy, arguing that recovery begins with reclaiming one's story and voice. By closely reading the novel alongside the postulations of trauma scholars such as Judith Herman, Cathy Caruth, Marianne Hirsch, C. N. Van der Merwe, and Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, the research contributes to trauma studies in African literature by highlighting the psychological cost of inherited silence and the therapeutic import of emotional truth-telling.

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is a parenchyma-sparing alternative to standard resections for benign or low-grade lesions of the pancreatic neck. While it aims to preserve endocrine and exocrine function, it is associated with significant technical complexity and high rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). To analyze the CP at a single high-volume Brazilian center. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted. All patients undergoing CP at a single high-volume Brazilian center between January 2009 and December 2024 were included. Data on demographics, operative details, pathology, complications (International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery - ISGPS/Clavien-Dindo criteria), and long-term pancreatic function were collected. Twenty-two patients underwent CP (mean age 54 years, 72% female). The majority of lesions were cystic (50%) or neuroendocrine tumors (36.4%). The POPF rate was 86.4%, all Grade B, most managed conservatively via prolonged drainage. No Grade C fistulas, postoperative hemorrhages, or mortality occurred. Delayed gastric emptying occurred in 22.7%. After a median follow-up of 5.59 years, endocrine insufficiency developed in 9% of patients without prior diabetes (none insulin-dependent), and exocrine insufficiency in 13.6%. Only one locoregional recurrence was observed (isolated metastasis). This first Latin American series demonstrates that central pancreatectomy is a feasible and effective parenchyma-sparing procedure. It provides excellent long-term preservation of pancreatic function with low severe morbidity, despite high rates of manageable POPF. These outcomes support its role as a valuable surgical option for selected patients in experienced centers. A pancreatectomia central (PC) é uma alternativa poupadora de parênquima às ressecções padrão para lesões benignas ou de baixo grau do colo do pâncreas. Embora vise preservar a função endócrina e exócrina, está associada a complexidade técnica significativa e altas taxas de fístula pancreática pós-operatória (FPPO). Analisar o PC em um único centro brasileiro de alto volume. Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva de um banco de dados prospectivamente mantido. Todos os pacientes submetidos à PC em um único centro brasileiro de alto volume, entre janeiro de 2009 e dezembro de 2024, foram incluídos. Dados demográficos, detalhes operatórios, patologia, complicações (critérios ISGPS/Clavien-Dindo) e função pancreática de longo prazo foram coletados. Vinte e dois pacientes foram submetidos à PC (idade média de 54 anos, 72% do sexo feminino). A maioria das lesões era cística (50%) ou tumores neuroendócrinos (36,4%). A taxa de FPPO foi de 86,4%, todas do Grau B, sendo a maioria manejada de forma conservadora com drenagem prolongada. Não ocorreram fístulas Grau C, hemorragias pós-operatórias ou mortalidade. O esvaziamento gástrico retardado ocorreu em 22,7%. Após um seguimento mediano de 5,59 anos, a insuficiência endócrina desenvolveuse em 9% dos pacientes sem diabetes prévio (nenhum insulinodependente), e a insuficiência exócrina em 13,6%. Apenas uma recidiva locorregional foi observada (metástase isolada). Esta primeira série latino-americana demonstra que a pancreatectomia central é um procedimento poupador de parênquima viável e eficaz. Ela proporciona excelente preservação da função pancreática em longo prazo, com baixa morbidade grave, apesar das altas taxas de FPPO manejável. Esses resultados apoiam seu papel como uma opção cirúrgica valiosa para pacientes selecionados em centros experientes.

Extended reality (XR) technologies, encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), are increasingly used in endodontic education and practice. A gap exists regarding understanding of XR's applications and limitations among endodontic educators and practitioners. This narrative review aims to (A) explain the technical foundations of AR, VR, and MR systems; (B) review current applications of XR in endodontic education and clinical practice; (C) examine limitations and barriers to adoption; and (D) outline future directions. An overview of the technical foundations of XR was provided. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify papers on applications of XR in endodontics. After screening, 33 articles met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to full-text review. The main features of the studies were extracted, and a narrative summary was prepared. The review shows that XR technologies have been applied in endodontic education for training in visualisation of root canal anatomy, access cavity preparation, and microsurgical procedures, with most studies demonstrating improved comprehension and procedural accuracy. Haptic feedback systems and head-mounted displays enable realistic training that surpasses traditional methods of education. However, most applications remain educational, with few clinical studies involving real patients. Challenges include hardware costs, technical setup complexity, data security concerns and lack of standardisation. When thoughtfully implemented, XR has the potential to improve endodontic education, support clinical workflow and enhance the overall practice of endodontics. Coordinated efforts among clinicians, educators, engineers and regulators are needed to validate these technologies, develop practical implementation standards and integrate XR into routine endodontic education and care.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a progressive antibody-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by systemic immune complex deposition. A subset of SLE patients has elevated CD4+IL-9+ T cells as well as increased levels of secreted interleukin (IL)-9 and IL9 messenger RNA compared with healthy control subjects. However, because IL-9 can have both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in autoimmune disease, its function in SLE is unclear. We use the MRL/lpr murine model of SLE to demonstrate that IL-9 exhibits protective activity in the early stages of disease. Treatment of these mice with an IL-9 neutralizing antibody from 6 to 12 wk of age results in an expansion of immune cells, leading to exacerbation of disease. In contrast, treatment with anti-IL-9 from 6 to 18 wk of age does not significantly alter disease course compared with isotype control. Anti-IL-9 antibody treatment of these mice results in reduced systemic IL-2 levels, IL-9+ type 2 innate lymphoid cells, and regulatory T cells in the kidney, suggesting an IL-9-dependent suppressive cellular circuit similar to that observed in rheumatoid arthritis. Importantly, supplementation of IL-2 during IL-9 blockade recovers regulatory T cell numbers and limits disease. Together, these data demonstrate an IL-9-dependent suppressive circuit that is evident early in the development of SLE which may be amenable to manipulation to achieve a therapeutic benefit.

For more than two decades, enamel researchers have primarily used the keratin-14-Cre (Krt14-Cre) driver line to study ameloblast-specific molecular activities. Keratin-14 is expressed in multiple tissues apart from ameloblasts; thus, the use of Krt14-Cre to study post-birth events of amelogenesis has limitations. Therefore, to specifically study various gene functions during amelogenesis, we developed a novel Ambn-IRESCre mouse line that expresses Cre-recombinase only in ameloblastin-expressing cells. Cre RNA expression visualized by in situ hybridization closely matched Ambn RNA localization in Ambn-IRESCre+ incisors and molars. Using two reporter lines, namely, mTmG and LacZ, we confirmed robust Cre-mediated recombination in ameloblast. We used the Ambn-IRESCre+ mice as a platform to study conditional Smad4 gene silencing mirroring the Ambn gene expression profile. Smad4 is a transcription factor expressed in all cell types and inhibits epithelial cell proliferation, but its role in post-birth amelogenesis has not been studied due to neonatal lethal phenotype in K14Cre-Smad4 conditional knockout models. We examined the Ambn-IRESCre+/Smad4fl/fl mice at 8 weeks and found ameloblast dysmorphology, enamel hypomineralization, lack of rod-interrod structure, and enamel loss from the surface of the incisor in otherwise healthy and viable mice. Overall, the Ambn-IRESCre mouse model has been created to study amelogenesis and offers advantages over previously used Cre-recombinase models. Data collected from Ambn-IRESCre+/-/Smad4fl/fl mice demonstrate efficient targeting of Smad4 in ameloblast and support the utility of this model for studying gene function during enamel formation.

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Sensory innervation of developing organs is influenced by molecular cues secreted from surrounding tissues, yet the mechanisms coordinating this tissue-tissue communication are not well understood. Tooth innervation during root development provides a valuable model to investigate how local mesenchymal cues regulate axonal growth under physiological conditions, as innervation begins and progresses alongside tooth root formation. Here we identify the histone demethylase KDM6B, expressed in cranial neural crest-derived dental mesenchyme, as a critical extrinsic regulator of tooth sensory innervation. Loss of Kdm6b in dental mesenchyme severely impairs trigeminal axon entry and branching into the dental pulp, leading to tooth root development defects. Mechanistically, loss of Kdm6b reduces the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway antagonist Bambi in the dental mesenchyme by modulating H3K27me3 chromatin marks, causing overactivation of BMP signaling, which then directly suppresses the expression of nerve growth factor (Ngf). Compromised NGF activity thereby diminishes mesenchymal support for sensory axon extension during tooth root development. Haploinsufficiency of Ezh2, which antagonizes Kdm6b, or Bmpr1a, a key BMP receptor, partially rescues Ngf expression, sensory innervation, and tooth root development defects in Kdm6b mutants. Together, these findings reveal that epigenetic regulation within mesenchymal cells governs sensory innervation during organogenesis, uncovering important regulatory mechanisms that may inform future strategies for restoring innervation in tissue regenerative approaches.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) offers non-invasive assessments of neuron-oligodendrocyte coupling and neuroinflammation to monitor treatment response in multiple sclerosis (MS). To track changes in N-acetylaspartate and myo-inositol in relapsing MS (RMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS) patients treated with ocrelizumab over 2 years. Single-voxel MRS at 3T was acquired at baseline in 10 healthy controls (HCs), and weeks 0, 12, 24, 52, and 96 in MS participants at a single center. Baseline myo-inositol was higher in PPMS than RMS (p = 0.047) and HC (p = 0.001), and correlated with disability across both MS groups (r = 0.57, p = 0.0006). Following treatment with ocrelizumab, both RMS and PPMS demonstrated declines in myo-inositol over time, returning toward HC levels (RMS p = 0.016; PPMS p = 0.004). Conversely, N-acetylaspartate was not different between groups and remained stable over time. Ocrelizumab treatment is associated with declining myo-inositol levels measured by MRS in both RMS and PPMS. Myo-inositol offers a unique biomarker to track resolution of gliosis and reactive microglia with treatment. Furthermore, the relationship between a higher concentration of myo-inositol and greater disability across both MS subtypes at baseline supports the presence of "smouldering inflammation" as a disease process across the spectrum of MS. Sub-study of the Ocrelizumab Biomarker Outcome Evaluation (OBOE; ML29966) trial: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02688985.

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Aging tissues experience a gradual decline in perfusion and metabolic resilience due to complex interactions among extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, vascular dysfunction, and mitochondrial impairment. Stiffening of the ECM that results from collagen crosslinking, elastin loss, and basement membrane thickening reduces vascular compliance and impairs local angiogenesis. The consequent reduction in capillaries and diminished endothelial reactivity leads to ongoing or intermittent hypoxia, which triggers changes in transcriptomic and proteomic programs that inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and facilitate the production of reactive oxygen species. Under these conditions, mitochondria produce less ATP than is needed for homeostatic repair. This energetic breakdown triggers cellular senescence and inflammation, further increasing ECM stiffening, and thus creating a self-sustaining feedback loop that accelerates tissue aging and functional decline. Such a continuum from ECM stiffening to mitochondrial dysfunction may be considered a new therapeutic target for strategies aimed at maintaining vascular integrity, mitochondrial health, and cellular homeostasis during aging.

Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is an under-recognised cause of secondary osteoporosis, and skeletal fragility may be the only presenting feature, delaying diagnosis. We describe four adults referred to a tertiary endocrinology service for unexplained osteoporosis or low-trauma fractures, in whom systemic mastocytosis (SM) was identified during work-up. All had elevated basal serum tryptase (41.4-87.0 µg/L), bone-marrow biopsy showing atypical mast cells and the KIT D816V variant; cutaneous lesions were absent in every case. Three patients fulfilled WHO 2022 criteria for ISM. The fourth had coexistent JAK2 V617F-positive post-essential-thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis and was classified as SM with associated haematological neoplasm (SM-AHN); his mast cell clone (tryptase 43.7 µg/L; KIT D816V VAF 0.391%) behaved indolently and contributed clinically through osteoporosis alone, illustrating that an indolent mast cell component can be overlooked when a chronic myeloid neoplasm dominates the picture. Presentations ranged from an isolated low-energy L5 fracture in a 55-year-old man, to multiple vertebral compression fractures despite denosumab in a 71-year-old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism, to severe wasp-sting anaphylaxis in a 43-year-old man. After multidisciplinary review, all received intravenous zoledronic acid with vitamin D repletion; KIT-targeted therapy is under consideration in selected patients. Although causal inferences cannot be drawn from four retrospectively identified cases, the series illustrates how ISM may be missed in unexplained or treatment-refractory osteoporosis-particularly in younger men, those with prior severe anaphylaxis, and those fracturing on antiresorptive therapy-and supports combining basal serum tryptase with high-sensitivity peripheral-blood KIT D816V testing, in line with the WHO/ICC/AIM-ECNM 2022-2024 criteria. Prospective studies are needed.

Background/Objectives: Immunonutrition uses dietary bioactive compounds to support immune function while preserving systemic physiological balance. Donkey milk, bovine colostrum, and royal jelly contain complementary antimicrobial, immunoglobulin-rich, and immunoregulatory components, but their combined effects remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: A 6-week controlled study was conducted in female rabbits assigned to four groups (n = 15/group): vaccinated only (G1), immunonutraceutical only (G2), vaccination plus immunonutraceutical (G3), and pre-conditioned immunonutraceutical followed by vaccination and continued supplementation (G4). Serum total immunoglobulins and lysozyme were measured longitudinally. Biochemical indices were monitored throughout the study, and hematological parameters were evaluated at the final time point. Mixed-effects models, generalized estimating equations, principal component analysis, and correlation-based systems analyses were applied. Results: Supplementation significantly modulated both humoral and innate immune responses. The strongest terminal immunoglobulin response was observed in G4 (26.00 ± 5.80 mg/mL), whereas sustained lysozyme elevation was most pronounced in supplemented groups, particularly G3 (3.13 ± 0.44 ng/mL). Within-subject analysis demonstrated significant innate-adaptive immune coherence (p = 0.000006). Biochemical analyses showed coordinated metabolic adaptation without evidence of organ toxicity, and hematological findings indicated preserved inflammatory and hematopoietic stability. Conclusions: Multi-component immunonutraceutical supplementation modulated humoral and innate immune dynamics in a timing-dependent manner while maintaining biochemical and hematological safety. These findings support the potential of combined donkey milk, bovine colostrum, and royal jelly as functional ingredients for coordinated immune support.

Photoacoustic/ultrasound (PA/US) imaging can enable noninvasive periodontal diagnosis, but conventional probes are bulky and couple poorly, limiting access to posterior teeth. We developed a miniaturized dual-mode toothbrush-shaped transducer with a couplant sleeve for real-time PA/US imaging across the full human dentition. In vivo imaging of impacted third molars quantified gingival thickness and impaction angle. PA tests with methylene blue showed a 0.25 mM detection limit and 19.32% a relative standard deviation (RSD) across nine tubes, indicating uniform laser emission, enabling pocket-depth assessment without probing. Customized delay-and-sum beamforming improved resolution to 57±1.92 μm (axial) and 81±9.66 μm (lateral), significantly surpassing the default system.

Identifying suitable candidates for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is still challenging. Our aim is to leverage machine learning (ML) to predict survival and identify critical variables influencing outcomes in pediatric patients requiring venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO). This retrospective study used the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry to develop conventional ML algorithms and a transfer learning approach pretrained on the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. The study included 4,169 pediatric patients (aged < 19 years). Model performance was assessed through internal and external validation using independent 2024 data for external testing. Overall survival to discharge was 73.2%. The transfer learning model achieved the highest predictive performance on external validation (accuracy: 0.73). It demonstrated robust results for survivors (recall: 0.92, F1-score: 0.83), although mortality prediction was significantly lower (F1-score: 0.29) due to outcome imbalance. Respiratory rate, SaO2, SpO2, and patient height were the most influential predictors across models. Transfer learning demonstrates strong predictive capacity for survival in pediatric VV-ECMO. Although significant outcome imbalance currently hinders mortality prediction, this methodology identifies key clinical variables. Future research should focus on ML techniques resilient to imbalanced outcomes to develop reliable clinical decision-support tools.

Acute Care Surgery (ACS) surgeons care for a wide variety of life-threatening surgical conditions and have a high burden of night and weekend calls. Maintaining current knowledge of published literature is increasingly challenging. This study aims to describe motivations and methods used by ACS surgeons to stay current with published literature. We focused on how ACS surgeons acquire new information and apply it in practice, their views on the effectiveness, efficiency, and potential bias of their methods, and their perspectives regarding future knowledge acquisition methods. A prospective qualitative semi-structured interview study was performed. Informed consent was obtained from purposively recruited participants: ACS surgeons practicing in the United States. Interviews continued until theme saturation. Reflexive inductive thematic analysis was used to generate qualitative results. Thirteen interviews were conducted, averaging 27.3&#xa0;min each. Participant interviews revealed several motivations for remaining current with published literature: problem-based literature review, self-promotion, curiosity, job performance, and job satisfaction. Participants used various strategies to identify and access new literature, including academic and non-academic sources. Barriers included paywalls, time constraints, and information overload. Facilitators included user-friendly interfaces and working at an academic institution. Participants provided insights into their effectiveness, efficiency, and biases and were wary of artificial intelligence processes that may reinforce bias. Participants unanimously desired more efficient methods when asked how literature acquisition may improve in the future. ACS surgeons are motivated to stay current with published literature. Current barriers and facilitators were identified, and participants desired more efficient methods to stay current.

The electrochemical reduction of nitrate (ERN) to ammonia (NH3) has attracted increasing attention as a sustainable route for nitrogen recovery and green ammonia production, enabled by major advances in electrocatalyst design over the past decade. Two mechanistic pathways are generally well-recognized: direct electron transfer and a hydrogen radical (H*)-mediated mechanism. However, the latter remains difficult to quantify under practical electrochemical conditions, limiting mechanistic comparison across catalyst configurations. Herein, Ni/Co, Ni/Pt, and Ni/Pt/Co electrocatalysts were investigated to elucidate the interplay between direct and indirect ERN pathways. Quantitative electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements of H* under ERN-relevant conditions, combined with bulk electrolysis in the absence and presence of an H* scavenger, enabled direct correlation between H* availability and NH3 production. Ni/Co predominantly follows direct electron transfer, whereas Ni/Pt transitions to an H*-mediated regime above a threshold current density. In contrast, Ni/Pt/Co exhibits synergistic behavior in which both pathways coexist. Moreover, the H* role varies with electrocatalyst chemical composition, facilitating either NO3 - activation or NO2 - hydrogenation. These findings establish a quantitative framework for resolving H*-mediated contribution in ERN and provide mechanistic design principles applicable to other electrocatalytic hydrogenation reactions.

Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous Gram-positive bacterium responsible for listeriosis, a foodborne zoonotic disease affecting humans and animals. Although infection in immunocompetent individuals is often asymptomatic or limited to mild self-limiting gastroenteritis, Listeria monocytogenes may cause severe invasive disease in vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, neonates, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised patients. Although the incidence of listeriosis is relatively low compared with many other foodborne pathogens, the high hospitalization and mortality rates associated with clinical cases make this bacterium a major concern for food safety and public health. The evolutionary success of L. monocytogenes reflects the interaction between a conserved core genome and a dynamic accessory genome shaped by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), ecological selection, and expansion of specific clones. Transient intestinal carriage in humans and animals, potentially influenced by gut microbiome composition, creates ecological interfaces where plasmids, transposons, prophages, and integrative conjugative elements contribute to the exchange of antimicrobial resistance determinants, virulence factors, and stress tolerance systems. Virulence diversification is further influenced by the differential distribution of pathogenicity islands such as LIPI-1, LIPI-3, and LIPI-4 across specific clonal lineages. These evolutionary processes occur across interconnected farm, food-production, environmental, and clinical ecosystems consistent with the One Health framework. Advances in whole-genome sequencing have clarified lineage-specific gene flow, expansion of specific clones, and the dynamics of the resistome and mobilome in L. monocytogenes populations. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the mobile genetic elements and ecological interfaces that shape horizontal gene transfer in L. monocytogenes. Its novelty lies in integrating antimicrobial resistance, virulence-associated genomic islands, stress adaptation, and gut microbiome-mediated selection within a One Health and metapopulation framework. The main message of this review is that HGT should be interpreted as a context-dependent contributor to L. monocytogenes adaptation, acting together with clonal background, ecological selection, and mobile genetic elements.