The Art of Deception: Multiple Myeloma Imitating Spondyloarthritis - A

We at EJN are thrilled to introduce Dr. Christelle Baunez as the latest scientist for our series of Women in Neuroscience. We began this series to bring visibility and recognition to the superb women scientists working in our community (Helmreich et al., 2017). You can find all of the previous profiles at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1460-9568.women-in-science Christelle Baunez completed her PhD at the University of the Mediterranean in Marseille, focusing on interactions between glutamate and dopamine within the basal ganglia. During her post-doc at Cambridge University, she investigated the involvement of the subthalamic nucleus in non-motor functions, revealing its involvement in attention and inhibitory control. Baunez is a Director of Research at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the French National Center for Scientific Research. At Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT), a joint research unit of the CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, and leads one of INT’s 13 research teams, CoPhyBaG: Cognition and Physiopathology in the Basal Ganglia. She is a creative researcher with impressive depth and breadth, having lead research projects across rats, monkeys, and humans. Her prolific research has supported the European Journal of Neuroscience for over 2 decades (Lguensat et al., 2021; Breysse et al., 2021; Tremblay et al., 2017; Espinosa-Parilla et al., 2015; Baunez et al., 2007; Winstanley et al., 2005; Bacci et al., 2004; Darbaky et al., 2003; Baunez et al., 2001; Baunez and Robbins 1997).

The burgeoning electric vehicle industry has intensified the demand for high-energy Ni-Co-Mn (NCM) cathodes, yet their end-of-life management remains a critical environmental challenge. Here, we show that spent high-Ni NCM (LiNi₀.₉₂Co₀.₀₅Mn₀.₀₃O₂) can be directly up-cycled into robust urea-oxidation (UOR) catalysts. A facile solvent-only delamination converts discarded cathodes into printable inks; drop-casting onto carbon paper yields electrodes delivering ~50 mA cm⁻² at 1.50 V vs. RHE without binders or conductive additives. Operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction and online mass spectrometry reveal that K⁺ spontaneously intercalates into Li-deficient interlayers, expanding the (003) spacing from 4.72 Å to 7.1 Å and enabling an electrochemical–chemical (E–C) reaction mechanism in which Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ cycles are self-regenerated by urea oxidation. This lattice-engineered redox process stabilizes the layered framework and suppresses metal dissolution, ensuring > 24 h of continuous urea electrolysis. The work offers a circular-economy solution for battery waste while providing atomistic design principles for next-generation, earth-abundant environmental catalysts.

The grey wolf (Canis lupus L., 1758) exemplifies ecological resilience, surviving major climatic fluctuations since the Middle Pleistocene. Once the world’s most widely distributed mammal, its range has been drastically reduced by human-driven habitat loss, persecution, and competition for resources. Although globally listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the omission of climate change as a threat raises critical questions about long-term resilience. This study investigates the dietary flexibility of European grey wolves across interglacials using dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA). We compare modern Polish wolves with fossils from two contrasting British interglacials: the Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) and penultimate interglacial (MIS 7a–c). By integrating palaeodietary data with palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic evidence, we evaluate how past adaptive strategies may buffer wolves against future change. Results demonstrate deep-time dietary plasticity and recurrent behavioural shifts, suggesting that while the grey wolf is resilient, future warming winters may significantly reshape wolf diets in the mid-latitudes.

Introduction:ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a life-threatening emergency condition caused by the complete coronary artery blockage, accounting for 25–40% of myocardial infarctions worldwide, with higher incidence in low- and middle-income countries [1]. Prompt recognition and timely reperfusion, either with thrombolytic therapy or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are fundamental to the effective management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction [2,3]. Current guidelines recommend achieving reperfusion within 90–120 minutes of first medical contact in STEMI to optimize outcomes [4]. When these interventions are delayed, the resulting myocardial damage can lead to devastating complications, including arrhythmias, irreversible left ventricular dysfunction, ventricular thrombi, cardiogenic shock, and progression to end-stage heart failure [5,6]. Despite advances in pharmacologic and mechanical interventions, outcomes remain poor in patients who present late in the course of infarction [7].Early revascularization significantly improves survival and cardiac function, while also enhancing post-resuscitation hemodynamic stability, 24-hour survival, and neurological outcomes [8], missed or delayed presentations continue to challenge healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited or non-PCI-capable settings [9]. Sometimes in rare but life-threatening cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), especially when patients present late and develop severe complications from prolonged ischemia, even aggressive medical therapy and advanced mechanical circulatory support may fail to restore adequate heart function, making heart transplantation the only remaining life saving option [10].We present a compelling case of a patient who experienced a delayed presentation of anterior STEMI and subsequently developed refractory cardiogenic Shock and end stage heart failure. Despite optimal medical therapy and the use of multiple mechanical circulatory support modalities, including venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and Impella 5.5, the patient ultimately required orthotopic heart transplantation. This case underscores the life-altering consequences of delayed STEMI treatment. This case also demonstrates the crucial role of mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock [11].

Cholesterol is currently one of the main biomarkers for the assessment of cardiovascular diseases risk, with low-density and high-density lipoprotein measured in the global cardiovascular risk assessment. Nevertheless, the detection of these molecules still relies on traditional methods, which can be resource intensive. Research has been focusing on developing more rapid techniques for cholesterol detection, often emphasizing technologies suitable for point-of-care use to facilitate screening and diagnosis in decentralized or underserved settings. This review begins with an overview of cholesterol metabolism and biology, followed by an in-depth examination of the various sensor technologies reported in the literature for detecting cholesterol in its different forms, including free (non-esterified), esterified, and lipoprotein-bound, ranging from enzymatic to non-enzymatic approaches, such as molecularly imprinted polymers. The functioning mechanism, advantages, and limitations of each type of sensors are discussed, leading to the final recommendations. Enzymatic sensors could prove preferrable in the detection of free or esterified cholesterol, given their selectivity, while molecularly imprinted polymers seem to have the edge in the detection of lipoproteins, with different studies demonstrating their applicability in human serum.

Bony materials are biogenic composites of protein fibers and mineral that create hierarchical structures. In the case of teeth, dentin is the main component and similar to other bones, it contains porosity at multiple length scales. It is traversed by micron-sized hollow channels known as dentinal tubules, essential for temperature and pain sensation. Tubule density and thus porosity vary throughout the macroscopic 3D structure, with porosity increasing towards the pulp. The different densities in teeth are easily revealed non-destructively in 3D by X-ray imaging using computer tomography (CT). Yet elemental composition analysis is more difficult to obtain from within the cm-sized heterogeneous bulk material. We describe an approach of merging CT measurements of young, healthy, intact bovine teeth with micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) images of serially sectioned slices. Through the combination of multi-resolution CT measurements with elemental concentration quantification, gradients in density and element distributions such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) are revealed in 3D. While the main constituents (Ca and P) are homogeneously distributed in the structure, Zn concentration increases significantly and exponentially towards the pulp. We find an inverse association between dentin tissue density and Zn concentration localizing this element in or around tubules.

The anadromous hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is a commercially and ecologically important fish species distributed across the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the river systems of South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Despite its significance, the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of T. ilisha populations are poorly understood, particularly across the regions. This study provides the first comparative genetic analysis with extensive sampling of T. ilisha populations from Bangladesh and Iraq, utilizing mitochondrial DNA markers—Cytochrome c Oxidase I (COI) and Cytochrome b (CYTB)—to assess genetic variation, population connectivity, and evolutionary history. Genetic analyses of 278 COI and 268 CYTB sequences revealed significant inter-regional genetic differentiation, with Bangladeshi populations exhibiting higher genetic diversity, while Iraqi populations displayed extreme genetic homogeneity. Population structure analyses using analysis of molecular variance and F-statistics (Fst) demonstrated strong genetic differentiation between Bangladeshi and Iraqi populations, with inter-regional variation accounting for over 65% (COI) and 73% (CYTB) of the total genetic variation. Intra-regional differentiation was low among Bangladeshi populations, suggesting gene flow and a largely panmictic population structure, whereas Iraqi populations showed no significant genetic differentiation, indicating a single, genetically uniform stock. Haplotype network analyses supported inter-regional isolation and intra-regional connectivity, with no shared haplotypes between Bangladesh and Iraq. Neutrality tests (Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs) suggested recent demographic expansions in several Bangladeshi populations. Conversely, Iraqi population the Shatt al-Arab showed little sign of expansion. The results underscore the need for region-specific conservation measures. Preserving ecological integrity and sustainable fisheries management in Bangladesh and habitat degradation mitigation and restoration in Iraq are important to avoid further loss of genetic diversity. Future studies should integrate genomic analysis and environmental monitoring for T. ilisha across its distribution so that adaptive management practices can be developed.

Aim: To characterise the variability in concentrations of oral liquid medicines (OLMs) dispensed in primary care in England. Methods: Data detailing all liquid medicines dispensed in primary care in England from February 2019 to January 2020, stratified by age into children (<18 years) and adults (≥18 years), was obtained from the NHS Business Services Authority. For each drug licensing status, the number of prescription items and unique concentrations were examined. For each age group, the 30 drugs most commonly dispensed at multiple concentrations, representing over 50% of prescriptions, were analysed and summarised using descriptive statistics. Results: Of 44.2 million OLM prescription items, 42% were for children. Adjusted for relative sizes of the two populations, children were 2.5 times more likely to be dispensed an OLM than an adult. Children received 294 unique drugs and adults 319. Of the drugs dispensed, 51.4% and 49.2% were supplied in multiple concentrations to children (median 3; range 2- 13) and adults (median 3; range 2-11), respectively. 0.9% of prescription items dispensed to children were unlicensed, and 0.29% for adults, indicating that children were 3 times more likely to receive an unlicensed product. Conclusions: OLMs are widely used in adults and children, although an individual child is more likely to receive an OLM than an individual adult. The availability of multiple OLM concentrations per drug is common, for both licensed and unlicensed products. Rationalisation could be beneficial.

A brief introduction to the key scientists’ main contributions in the field. (The following part is suggested to be presented in the form of a timeline with a flexible format, which could be redesigned by the authors.) functionalization

A document by Gilbert Burckart. Click on the document to view its contents.

We report off-label monthly use of high-dose of long-acting intramuscular cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV= 600mg/900mg) administered preconceptionally and throughout pregnancy to a young woman with perinatally-acquired HIV, hematologic and cardiovascular comorbidities and class III obesity. Therapeutic drug monitoring for CAB and RPV were performed throughout the pregnancy and postpartum. At 7 weeks gestation, the plasma CAB and RPV C trough were 16 (2.58 mg/L) and 9 (0.11 mg/L) times above the respective protein adjusted (PA)-IC 90. From 7 to 32 weeks of gestation, plasma CAB and RPV C trough decreased to 1.28 mg/L and to 0.08 mg/L), respectively, but remained above PA-IC 90 and Q1 C trough for both drugs. After receiving two high-dose CAB/RPV injections 7 weeks postpartum, the plasma CAB and RPV C trough were 4.02 mg/L and 0.19 mg/L, 56% and 74% higher than at 7 weeks of gestation. Despite a transient decrease in cabotegravir (50%) and rilpivirine (27%) concentrations, plasma exposures remained above therapeutic thresholds. Undetectable viral load (<20 copies/mL) was maintained preconceptionally and throughout the pregnancy. Higher CAB and RPV exposures did not result in adverse maternal, pregnancy or infant safety outcomes. At seven weeks postpartum, CAB/RPV dosing was switched to standard bimonthly schedule. At 33 weeks postpartum, the patient remained undetectable on standard CAB/RPV bimonthly dose, though subsequent pregnancies might require long-acting CAB/RPV dosing adjustments. Our case of empiric use of high-dose CAB/RPV with monthly injections and therapeutic drug monitoring during pregnancy in a complex patient with class III obesity provides novel insights into pharmacokinetics of long-acting CAB/RPV.

A document by Faten hilwanjee. Click on the document to view its contents.

Per authors instructions, no abstract required Invited Editorial to: “Clinical Predictors of Recurrent Cavo-Tricuspid Isthmus Flutter After Catheter Ablation in Patients with D-Transposition of the Great Arteries” by Grubb A et al Manuscript ID: e5851195-dced-453d-b108-49d1103d67da

Title: Selection of the Most Appropriate Radiation Treatment Modality for Children’s Cancers: A Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS) Position Paper on the Ethical Utilization of Proton TherapyRunning Title: Ethical Utilization of Proton Therapy in Pediatric OncologyAuthors: Natia Esiashvili¹; Daniel J. Indelicato²; Anita Mahajan³; Jeannette Parkes⁴; Arnold C. Paulino⁵; Guillaume Beljoudi, ⁶; Ingrid Kristensen⁷; Anne Laprie⁸; Yasmin Lassen⁹; Pauline Njoki Njiraini¹⁰; Bilal Mazhar Qureshi¹¹; Beatriz Garcia Robles¹²; Klaus Seiersen¹³; Beate Timmermann¹⁴; Mark N. Gaze¹⁵Affiliations: ¹Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA ²Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA ³Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA ⁴Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa ⁵Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA ⁶ Department of Physics, Léon Bérard Cancer Center, Lyon, France. ⁷ Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. ⁸ Department of Radiation Oncology, Insitut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse, Oncopole Claudius Regaud, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France. ⁹Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark ¹⁰Department of Radiation Oncology, Nairobi, Kenya ¹¹Department of Radiation Oncology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan ¹²Department of Radiation Oncology, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico ¹³ Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. ¹⁴West German Proton Therapy Centre, Essen, Germany ¹⁵ Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.Corresponding Author: Natia Esiashvili, MD Professor of Radiation Oncology Emory University School of Medicine 1365 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA Email: [insert] | Phone: [insert]Word Count: 3619Figures/Tables: 3/1 Keywords: Pediatric radiation oncology; proton therapy; radiotherapy ethics; access to care; financial toxicity; health equity

Microbiota have emerged as fundamental regulators of host physiology, shaping both ecological interactions and evolutionary trajectories. Yet, the determinants of microbiota diversity and structure in wild populations—particularly the respective roles of host genetics and environmental context—are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated these influences in the freshwater snail Bulinus truncatus, a key intermediate host for human and animal Schistosoma parasites, using a multifactorial approach. We developed 31 new microsatellite markers to resolve population genetic structure across nine sites in Senegal. Metabarcoding methods were then employed to profile the bacterial microbiota of individual snails and to characterize environmental bacterial assemblages from each location via environmental DNA. Shell measurements and molecular diagnostics for trematode infection status were included to assess additional potential contributors. Employing multiple regression on distance matrices (MRM), we quantified how snail population genetics, site-specific environmental bacterial communities, spatial patterns, and infection status shape microbiota composition. Our analyses reveal that snail geographic distribution and population genetic structure drive the composition of Bulinus truncatus microbiota, with environmental bacterial communities exerting a weaker but still significant effect. In contrast, neither shell size nor trematode infection status impacted microbiota structure significantly. Notably, a considerable fraction of variation remains unexplained, indicating the likely involvement of other ecological or intrinsic factors. These results advance understanding of microbiota determinants in natural populations and underscore the intricate interplay between host genetics, environment, and microbial communities.

Plasmablastic lymphoma of bone in an adolescent boy: An unusual presentation of a rare pediatric malignancy

Background: Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) is a common reason for mares failing to establish pregnancy. Objective: Examine the hypothesis that advancing mare age and embryo donor status predispose to PBIE and compromise fertility. Study design: Retrospective analysis of the impact of mare age, breeding system (embryo donor versus broodmare) and semen type (chilled versus frozen-thawed) on the likelihood of PBIE and subsequent pregnancy/embryo recovery. Methods: Warmblood mares(n=769) inseminated during 1745 oestrous cycles were divided into three age categories (≤ 6, 7-13 and ≥ 14 years) and as embryo donors versus broodmares. PBIE was defined as the detection of >2 cm intrauterine fluid from the day after insemination. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the effect of mare age, breeding system, semen type, inseminated cycle number, ovulation induction, oestrus induction, reproductive status (barren, foaling, maiden), treatment for fluid accumulation (mostly oxytocin and/or uterine lavage) and time of year (month) on the incidence of PBIE and pregnancy/embryo recovery. Results: The likelihood of developing PBIE (27.6% of all cycles) was higher in older mares (≥ 14 years: odds ratio (OR) 7.81) and ET donors (OR 1.58) but reduced in foaling mares (OR 0.14) or when using frozen semen (OR 0.39). Pregnancy or embryo recovery was lower (OR 0.36) for frozen-thawed (39.6%) than chilled-transported (58.3%) semen, and in older mares (OR 0.6), but was improved by ovulation induction (OR 1.5) and not significantly affected by PBIE (p=0.2), suggesting that treatment was usually sufficient to mitigate the negative effects of PBIE. Main limitation: Retrospective data from multi-veterinarian clinic; mare status and pregnancy data missing from some cases. Conclusions: Advancing mare age increases the likelihood of PBIE and compromises fertility; although embryo donor status and chilled semen use increase the odds of PBIE, effects on fertility are minimized by simple treatments.