INTRODUCTIONThe toothbrush is the most commonly used tool for maintaining oral hygiene across all age groups.1 While injuries involving toothbrushes are rare, they can occasionally lead to severe, life-threatening impalement injuries in children, particularly those under the age of six.1,2 While these injuries are typically treatable without permanent consequences, prolonged foreign body presence can result in various complications. Common complications include fibrosis, abscess formation, and sinus tracts. Rare but potentially serious complications may arise, such as deep neck abscess, mediastinal emphysema, pneumatocele, or internal carotid artery thrombosis.2,3,4 Managing these cases poses significant challenges for dentists, primarily due to complex facial anatomy, parental anxiety and the child’s uncooperative behavior.1 This case report describes the management of a four-year-old girl who sustained an accidental toothbrush impalement in the left buccal mucosa following a traumatic fall.

IntroductionChlorine-based disinfectants or chlorine gas are commonly used as disinfectants in public drinking water and swimming pools. As strong oxidizing agents, large inhalations of chlorine gas in a short period can lead to systemic disease primarily characterized by acute respiratory injury, resulting in chlorine gas poisoning. Severe chlorine poisoning can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), posing a life-threatening risk[1]. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a resuscitation technique utilizing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support cardiopulmonary function, with its use in pediatric cardiac arrest cases gradually increasing in recent years[2]. This article reports a case of a child who, following chlorine poisoning, developed ARDS and experienced three episodes of cardiac arrest. Full recovery was achieved with ECPR support, with no significant residual complications.

IntroductionSolid papillary carcinoma (SPC) constitutes a rare variant of papillary breast neoplasms, accounting for fewer than 1% of cases, with nipple-confined in situ SPC representing an exceptionally uncommon presentation [1].This condition primarily affects elderly women, most frequently manifesting as nipple discharge (including bloody secretion) or palpable breast masses[2-3]. Previous studies have demonstrated that conventional imaging modalities, including breast ultrasonography and mammography, lack specificity for SPC diagnosis, making clinical identification challenging[4]. In contrast, breast MRI exhibits superior diagnostic specificity, with SPC characteristically demonstrating high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, suggesting possible mucin content - a feature rarely observed in other malignant breast tumors. Nevertheless, definitive diagnosis of SPC requires pathological confirmation, and preoperative core needle biopsy or intraoperative frozen section examination can provide critical histological evidence to guide surgical decision-making[5-6].SPC is pathologically characterized by predominantly intraductal solid expansile growth patterns associated with mucin production and neuroendocrine differentiation [7]. This low-grade tumor demonstrates fibrovascular cores and exhibits indolent biological behavior. The perivascular tumor cells typically arrange in palisading or pseudorosette formations, though some fibrovascular cores may be inconspicuous under microscopic examination. Histologically, the tumor cells show remarkable uniformity with minimal atypia and well-defined cell borders. The cellular morphology varies from oval to spindle-shaped or plasmacytoid, featuring eosinophilic, finely granular or clear cytoplasm. The nuclei display low to intermediate nuclear grade with rare mitotic figures. Intracellular and extracellular mucin deposition may be observed, occasionally forming acellular mucin pools[8-9].

Globally, large carnivores face significant threats and have lost substantial portions of their historical range. Among these, the family Hyaenidae is one of the most threatened groups of carnivores. The Brown Hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea), one of four hyaena species, has a global population estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals and the species is of conservation concern. Its population size in Mozambique remains unknown. Zinave National Park (Zinave) in Mozambique is undergoing recovery following the impacts of a prolonged civil war, which severely depleted its wildlife populations. Recently, however, the park has seen the return of large carnivores, both naturally (Spotted Hyaena; Crocuta crocuta, Leopard; Panthera pardus, and Lion; Panthera leo) and reintroduced (Spotted Hyaena and Leopard) inside the sanctuary. During September 2023 to September 2024, through the establishment of a permanent camera trap grid and the periodic placement of camera traps on carcasses to monitor scavenger activity, the first images of Brown Hyaenas were recorded in Zinave. This provides evidence of their presence in an area not previously considered within the species extant range. This study highlights the importance of long-term biodiversity monitoring, both inside and outside protected areas, using complementary methods such as active search efforts and camera trapping. These approaches are critical for documenting rare and cryptic species, species range shifts and generating essential data to guide effective conservation strategies.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a ubiquitous human γ-herpesvirus infecting over 90% of the global population, has been increasingly implicated as a key environmental trigger in the development of various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and others. EBV latent proteins (e.g., EBNA1, EBNA2, LMP1) mimic host antigens and dysregulate B and T cell responses, promoting autoreactivity. Novel therapeutics, including small-molecule latency disruptors, EBV-specific T cell therapies, and advanced B-cell depletion strategies, show promise in addressing EBV-driven autoimmunity. Understanding its pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic implications is critical for improving disease management. This review summarises EBV’s roles in autoimmunity through mechanisms including molecular mimicry, B-cell transformation, and immune dysregulation. It also examines emerging antiviral and immune-modulating strategies targeting EBV infection and latency.

White sharks undergo pronounced ecological and dietary shifts across ontogeny, and their teeth play a central role in mediating these changes. Understanding fine-scale tooth morphology can provide insights into how feeding strategies and, hence, dietary niches and ecological function evolve with age and size. These morphological changes underpin ontogenetic niche shifts, revealing how functional adaptations in dentition enable white sharks to exploit different prey resources throughout development. This study provides novel insights into the ontogenetic and positional variation in C. carcharias dentition, integrating both Elliptic Fourier Analysis (EFA) and traditional morphometric approaches. We reveal significant patterns of tooth morphology that vary with jaw position and ontogenetic stage, reflecting functional adaptations to changing dietary and biomechanical demands. A key ontogenetic shift was identified as teeth transitioned from narrow, cuspidate forms with accessory cusplets in juveniles to broader, serrated teeth in larger individuals. We found no significant differences in tooth morphology between sexes, aligning with known similarities in diet and body shape in the eastern Australian white shark population. Significant anterior-to-posterior variation in tooth form was observed within the jaw, with lateral teeth becoming more compressed and recurved, suggesting functional transitions in prey handling throughout the jaw. Additionally, we documented structural changes in jaw morphology at approximately 210 cm PCL, corresponding to broader teeth and increased bite capacity. These shifts likely reflect developmental milestones in feeding capability, supporting the transition from a solely piscivorous diet to the inclusion of marine mammal prey.

Plant positive single stranded RNA viruses induced vesicles are crucial for viral infection, replication, and spread. However, the mechanisms underlying negative single stranded RNA viruses induced vesicle biogenesis remain largely unknown. Here, a negative single stranded RNA virus, tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) which is a representative member of genus Orthotospovirus in the Tospoviridae family, was used as a model to investigate the mechanisms involving the interaction between the viral and the host plant proteins in vesicle formation and function. We reported that the nonstructural protein (NSm) of TSWV, could induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - derived pathological vesicle biogenesis. In addition, NSm might hijack the host immunity proteins of NtPOX1 (a peroxidase) and pathogenesis-related protein NtPR-4A to form a potential tetrameric protein complex with Sar1 (a small GTPase), which was crucial for NSm-induced vesicle biogenesis. The results also revealed that these ER-derived pathological vesicles provided sites for TSWV replication. These findings provide novel and robust insights for understanding the infection processes and mechanisms of plant negative single stranded RNA viruses.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown High-entropy oxides have garnered significant attention as a promising catalyst for lithium-sulfur batteries. However, their development has been hindered by intractable structures and unclear catalytic mechanisms. We conducted simultaneous structural engineering of high-entropy metal oxides nanoparticles embedded in 2D porous carbon sheets (HEO-C) across atomic, nano, and micro scales. In the prepared HEO nanoparticles, we observed and confirmed the presence of numerous ion vacancies, likely resulting from lattice distortions. The presence of these ionic vacancies can furnish supplementary edge adsorption and catalytic sites for lithium polysulfide conversion, and augmenting catalytic activity through modulation of the d-band center. Furthermore, the high entropy of HEO-C attributes in inducing the rapid dissociation and conversion of long-chain lithium polysulfides, improving redox kinetics. As a result, cells equipped with the HEO-C catalyst exhibited outstanding electrochemical rate performance, delivering 761 mAh g⁻¹ at 3 C, along with excellent cycling stability—retaining 80.44% capacity after 1000 cycles at 1 C. The high surface area of HEO-C facilitates the reduction of inactive components in the cell while preserving the catalytic activity, enhancing the potential for practical application. The assembled pouch cell with the HEO-C catalyst achieved a reversible capacity of 968 mAh g−1 and retained 81.33% of its capacity after 200 cycles at 0.1 C.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling feature of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) that results in a loss of automatic gait. Neuroimaging studies suggest that increased cortical involvement in gait is closely linked to a loss of automaticity. While non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), show promise in targeting cortical control mechanisms involved in FOG, their effectiveness is limited by an incomplete understanding of the underlying interactions between cortical control of gait and FOG. Recent studies have brought into question whether increased cortical control of gait in people with FOG is adaptive or maladaptive. Here, we present evidence and literature supporting these two opposing frameworks. One perspective suggests increased cortical involvement serves a compensatory, adaptive role, helping to overcome the loss of automatic gait and mitigate FOG episodes. In contrast, the alternative view suggests that increased cortical control is maladaptive, resulting from a disruption of automatic motor processes that may exacerbate gait impairments. To review these conceptual models, we examine neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation studies, pharmacological modulation, and physical therapy interventions in people with PD and FOG. We conclude that while the vast majority of studies have performed neuromodulation under the conceptual framework that increased cortical control is adaptive, there is limited evidence that this approach is in fact superior to the alternative framework. We encourage future studies to develop a causal, mechanistic understanding of how cortical control of gait impacts freezing behavior to advance the development of effective brain-based treatment strategies.

We aimed to test a neurocognitive model positing that auditory hallucinations arise from a hyperactive left temporoparietal cortex and a hypoactive left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Specifically, 104 healthy individuals completed a signal detection task that induces auditory false perceptions whilst receiving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). All participants were tested twice, once with real and once with sham tDCS. However, in half of the participants, the electrode montage mimicked the hypertemporal/hypofrontal model (anode over temporoparietal cortex, cathode over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). In the other half, electrodes were reversed as in treatments of auditory verbal hallucinations. We hypothesised that these montages would lead to increased and decreased rates of auditory false perceptions, respectively. Moreover, we expected that auditory false perceptions would be triggered more often when participants expected certain words (top-down effect) and when these words were masked by human noise (bottom-up effect). The results revealed robust top-down and bottom-up interactions, but they were neither modulated by electrode montage nor by whether real or sham tDCS was administered. The results thus support the notion that auditory-verbal hallucinations arise from an interaction of bottom-up and top-down processes but do not support the hypertemporal/hypofrontal model. Possible explanations for the lack of tDCS effects are discussed, including the idea that the tDCS electrodes might not have stimulated the targeted areas.

TITLEA Multisite Survey of Pediatric Respiratory Therapists regarding End-of-Life Care in Children To the Editor, Most pediatric deaths in developed countries occur in hospital settings within a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) where care is provided by coordinated interdisciplinary teams.1 Approximately two-thirds of those deaths occurring in the PICU follow a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining therapies.2 These decisions typically happen after multiple in-depth meetings between the medical team and the family/patient. Many units also have a debriefing process to focus on communication and emotional impact. Pediatric respiratory therapists (RT) are vital members of that interdisciplinary team, yet there is limited information on their roles and responsibilities surrounding end-of-life care. Publications are limited to adult end-of-life care in characterizing the experiences of RTs. Thus, much of what is understood is extrapolated from adult care research where end-of-life dynamics are quite different than pediatrics. Given the potential value of RT participation, the objective of this study is to describe the education, experiences and perceptions of RTs caring for pediatric patients at end-of-life to inform best practices that incorporate RT input most effectively and optimize their engagement as an integral member of the healthcare team. To best solicit this needed information, the survey broadly addressed three research questions: 1. Where (if anywhere) do pediatric RTs receive formal education on end-of-life care? 2. Are pediatric RTs participating in interdisciplinary pre-withdrawal meetings or post-withdrawal debriefings? 3. What is the RT’s comfort level with end-of-life care for a child?

Sustainable agriculture urgently requires innovative, pesticide-free strategies to mitigate herbivory and safeguard food security. Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation, with tunable intensity and cost-effectiveness, has emerged as a promising non-chemical method to enhance plant resistance, yet its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, using tea plant ( Camellia sinensis) and its major pest Ectropis obliqua as a model, we developed a multimodal framework that integrates AI-enhanced electronic nose technology for real-time volatile profiling with in situ hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy to characterize defense responses under precisely controlled UV-B treatments. This approach identified herbivore-induced volatiles—hexanal, (Z)-3-hexenol, octanal, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate—optimally induced at 1.2 kJ·m -2 UV-B and linked to insect deterrence. SRS imaging further revealed elevated jasmonic acid derivatives and L-phenylalanine, coupled with reduced protein levels and altered stomatal dynamics, all correlating with enhanced resistance. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses confirmed transcriptional regulation of these pathways. By bridging volatile detection, metabolic imaging, and molecular validation, this study pioneers a multimodal strategy that provides mechanistic insights into UV-B–mediated plant defense and highlights the potential of multimodal methodologies as powerful tools for developing sustainable, pesticide-free pest management solutions in precision agriculture.

Many mechanisms can lead to successful plant invasion, but their importance is often context dependent. One such mechanism is allelopathy: chemical inhibition of neighbouring plants. The importance of allelopathy may be mediated by soil microbiota and environmental conditions, and depend upon the species or functional group affected. To better understand how these factors alter allelopathy and competition, we conducted a combined field and greenhouse experiment focusing on absinthe (Artemisia absinthium). We experimentally introduced absinthe into native grassland via disturbances and collected soil from beneath these plants after three years. We then tested how invaded versus uninvaded field soil, within burned or unburned grassland, affected the performance of absinthe, two forbs (Achillea millefolium and Medicago sativa), and two grasses (Bromus inermis and Elymus lanceolatus) in a greenhouse competition experiment. We included activated carbon and soil sterilization treatments to test for allelopathic and microbial effects. Microbial inhibition, rather than allelopathy, drove competitive interactions. In uninvaded, unburned soil all species were inhibited and absinthe had no competitive effect. However, when absinthe was released from microbial inhibition by soil sterilization or prescribed fire, it suppressed other species. Microbial inhibition was also reduced for all species in invaded soil, suggesting suppression of pathogens by absinthe. Responses also varied between functional groups, with grasses being more vulnerable to microbial inhibition. Our findings highlight the complexity of invasion effects on soils and the potential for feedbacks on invasion outcomes. They also suggest that disturbance may facilitate invasion via effects on both plants and soil microbes.

Describing the natural history of endemic and endangered species is useful for developing effective conservation plans. Two important pieces of the natural history are the timing of reproduction and morphometrics. In this study, we estimate the reproductive season of Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae) based on a large database of observations and captures. We also provide the most extensive morphometric data base of males, females and subadult individuals for this species. Taking advantage of ecological modelling techniques, we estimated that the reproductive season of A. blancae most likely spans from February through late July with peak reproductive activity during early July. The reproductive activity is influenced by day length and precipitation. We also found that subadults are smaller than adults and females are smaller than males providing evidence for both, age and sexual size dimorphism. This study is the first attempt to provide important missing information about A. blancae that could help with understanding of population viability.

Background: Strangles, caused by Streptococcus equi, is an endemic disease of horses throughout the world. A vaccine against strangles, Strangvac, is available in Europe, but there are no published serological data following the revaccination of Sport horses. Objectives: To measure the antibody response of Sport horses to the components of Strangvac before and after third vaccination. Study Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Adult Sport horses were administered their third vaccination with Strangvac at 5 months (group 1, n=20) or 12 months (group 2, n=15) after second vaccination. Horses were monitored closely for adverse signs. Blood samples were collected from both groups immediately before and 14 days after third vaccination to quantify antibody responses by ELISA. Results: Transient signs of mild injection site swelling in 8.5 % horses for 2 days, and a temperature rise of ~0.8 oC in most horses for 1 day, occurred post-vaccination. Health status returned to normal within 48 hours. The antibody titres to the vaccine components were 3.34±0.31 and 3.14±0.29 before third vaccination and increased significantly to 3.90±0.29 and 3.90±0.17 after third vaccination in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.0001 for both groups). Main limitations: Data and samples from a matched unvaccinated control group were unavailable. Conclusions: Strangvac was safe and a revaccination program after 5 or 12 months was equally efficient for the vaccination of Sport horses.

The phyllosphere encompasses all above-ground plant surfaces, covering ~10 9 km 2 globally and hosting up to 10 26 microbial cells, yet its chemical ecology remains understudied compared to the rhizosphere. This review synthesizes recent advances in metabolite-mediated communication orchestrating phyllosphere microbiome assembly, function, and host feedback. Leaf structural traits, host immune genes, developmental stage, and fluctuating environmental drivers create spatiotemporal chemical niches that filter incoming microbes. We then examine four major classes of plant derived signals, including primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, phytohormones and volatile organic compounds, and we emphasize their dual roles. Microbial feedback occurs through phytohormone synthesis/catabolism, volatile and soluble effectors, and antimicrobial metabolites that collectively modulate plant immunity, growth, and stress tolerance while structuring inter-microbial competition. These bidirectional exchanges form a dynamic network where plants and microbes continuously negotiate cooperation and conflict under diurnal and seasonal oscillations. We outline translational prospects including probiotic foliar applications, metabolite priming, and breeding for beneficial consortia, while identifying key challenges in signal attribution, microbiota stabilization, and deciphering community-level crosstalk dynamics for sustainable crop protection.

Title: Low-Dose Intralymphatic Immunotherapy for Grass Pollen Allergy is Both Safe and Effective

Plants have evolved highly efficient strategies to maintain iron (Fe) homeostasis. In this study, we investigate the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis on the Fe-deficiency response and ionomic profile of tomato plants, as well as how Fe availability affects AM symbiosis. Fe deficiency and AM colonization both reduced shoot Fe concentrations, while root Fe concentrations increased in AM plants. Notably, Fe accumulated in cortical cells colonized by arbuscules, suggesting that in the Rhizophagus irregularis-tomato symbiosis, the fungus acts as a sink for Fe. We further show that Fe deficiency reduces expression of AM-related tomato genes ( SlEXO84, SlRAM1, SlAMT2.2 and SlPT4,) and of the fungal RiEF1α gene. These findings indicate that Fe availability is crucial for sustaining AM colonization and symbiotic functionality. Under Fe-limiting conditions, AM symbiosis enhances the Strategy I Fe acquisition pathway ( SlFRO1, SlIRT1), an effect not observed under Fe-sufficient conditions. The high Fe demand of AM symbiosis is supported by the reduced expression of the vacuolar Fe transporters SlVIT1 and SlVTL1 in mycorrhizal roots. Ionomic analysis reveals that AM colonization partially mitigates the alterations induced by Fe deficiency, underscoring the role of AM in buffering nutrient imbalances and maintaining a more stable ionomic profile under Fe stress.