ABSTRACT Wood offers an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete, being sustainable and renewable. However, it also has drawbacks, such as sensitivity to environmental moisture. Moisture interaction, in particular, directly impacts the strength of timber beams and can lead to mould, making early detection of moisture uptake important. While commercial moisture metres exist, their measurements are typically local and do not represent the entire wooden component. The present study investigates the use of an acoustic emissions sensor – tested with two mounting methods – and a camera to detect moisture uptake in spruce samples. Experiments were carried out in a climate-controlled environment at 20°C/65% relative humidity. Two types of specimens were used: oven-dried samples, expected to absorb moisture, and pre-conditioned samples in norm climate to equilibrium moisture content, serving as references. To validate the results, a scale recorded weight changes at regular intervals. For the tested dry samples, a meaningful correlation was found between weight gain due to moisture uptake and changes in cross-sectional area ( R dried ¯ = 0.96 ). Additionally, a strong relationship emerged between acoustic emissions and moisture uptake, marked by increased acoustic base energy due to swelling of the specimens ( R dried ¯ = 0.88 ) and a plurality of crack events.

Demosponge classification is notoriously challenged by the paucity of informative morphological characters with sufficient complexity to discriminate between apomorphies and convergences. Molecular data, preferably from type material, helps shed light on phylogenetic relationships. In the following, we review, based on the results of DNA barcoding of type (and other) material, the classification of several demosponge species and genera with either eminent or previously uncertain classification. We report that the aster-bearing genus Leptosastra Topsent, 1904, is a poecilosclerid, unlike Clathria faviformis Lehnert & van Soest, 1996, which should be classified as Raspailiidae. The genus transfers of Eurypon laughlini Díaz, Alvarez & van Soest, 1987 to Prosuberites Topsent, and Leucophloeus lewisi Van Soest & Stentoft, 1988, to Axinyssa Lendenfeld are supported, unlike the transfer of Halichondria almae (Carballo, Uriz & García-Gómez, 1996) from Ciocalapata de Laubenfels. The new sequences are the first to be published in the new version of the Sponge Barcoding Database (SBDv2) of the Sponge Barcoding Project (www.spongebarcoding.org). Our findings underline the benefits of sequencing historic reference material, even if it is centuries old, and emphasises that type material should always be considered in answering systematic questions, particularly with challenging taxa such as sponges.

Multi-material DLP printing for denture materials: Investigation of surface characteristics, physico-mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility.

Evaluation of a novel viral nucleic acid extraction kit from a variety of clinical specimens.

Performance of smartphone cameras for measuring and analyzing dental shade: A systematic review.

The names published by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum represent the foundation of modern plant taxonomy. Despite their systematic value, very few of Linnaeus's original type specimens have been analyzed using current DNA sequencing technologies. Here, we performed high-throughput sequencing on Linnean and other type specimens of Ulva, a genus of ecological and commercial importance. Chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were assembled for Linnaeus's U. compressa, U. intestinalis, U. lanceolata, and U. linza as well as Kützing's Phycoseris smaragdina type specimens. Phylogenetic analyses of these data showed that the names U. compressa and U. intestinalis were correctly applied, but U. linza and U. lanceolata were misapplied. Ulva linza is the earliest available name for the European species currently called U. pseudocurvata. The correct name for the globally distributed species previously known as U. "linza" is Ulva smaragdina (Kützing) comb. nov. The names Ulva lanceolata, U. crispata, and Phycoseris olivacea do not represent distinct species, instead being heterotypic synonyms of U. compressa, and P. planifolia is a heterotypic synonym of U. intestinalis. These results demonstrate that genetic characterization of type material can unequivocally resolve longstanding taxonomic debates over scientific names.

Abstract Background The incidence and mortality of breast cancer (BC) in China are expected to rise to nearly 400,000 new cases and nearly 90,000 deaths annually by 2030, with TNBC accounting for 10-20%. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, pembrolizumab, are approved for treating early TNBC (PD-L1 CPS ≥20) in China. However, data on the profiles of PD-L1 expression in Chinese patients (pts) with early-stage TNBC remain limited. Objectives To determine the prevalence of PD-L1 expression in Chinese pts with early-stage TNBC and to assess its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods This observational, retrospective study, conducted across five centers in China, included female adult pts with early stage (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] IIA-IIIB) TNBC. Eligible pts had a biopsy or surgical specimen available for PD-L1 testing, and had received no prior systemic therapy for TNBC, with no treatment received within the past 3 years. Newly obtained specimens were defined as tissue collected ≤90 days prior to PD-L1 testing; archival specimens were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens collected by resection or core needle biopsy and were ≤3 years old. PD-L1 expression was evaluated at pathology laboratories of each hospital with the PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) 22C3 pharmDx assay (Agilent Technologies, CA, USA) performed on the Dako ASL48 platform. PD-L1 expression was reported as a combined positive score (CPS), whereby a score ≥1 was positive and <1 was negative. Data in medical records were used. For group comparisons (positive vs. negative), P values were calculated using a two-sided t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables, a two-sided Pearson’s Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test (if ≥25% cells had expected counts <5) for categorical variables, and a two-sided Wicoxon rank sum test for ordinal variables. 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Clopper-Pearson method. Results In total, 300 patients were included, of whom 296 had evaluable samples. The median age at diagnosis was 54 years; 181 pts (61%) were postmenopausal. The majority of pts (n=255; 86%) had no family history of TNBC; family history was present in 13 (4%) and unknown in 28 (9%). Archival tissue was used in 292 (99%) cases, while newly obtained tissue was used in 4 (1%); specimens included resections (215 pts [73%]) and biopsies (81 pts [27%]). PD-L1 positivity was observed in 81% of evaluable pts, with CPS scores distributed as follows: <1 in 56 (19%), 1-<10 in 106 (36%), 10-<20 in 48 (16%), and ≥20 in 86 (29%). Compared with CPS-negative pts, CPS-positive pts had a younger age at diagnosis (median [Q1-Q3], 53 [45-61] vs 58 [49-66] years; p=0.0192) and had higher Ki-67 expression (median [Q1-Q3] expression, 70% [60%-80%] vs. 50% [25%-70%]; p=0.0001). No statistically significant difference between CPS-positive and -negative groups was found in menopausal status (pre/postmenopausal), family history, primary tumor site (left/right/bilateral), grade (well/moderately/poorly differentiated), stage at initial diagnosis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status (0/1), specimen type (biopsy/resection), germline BRCA mutation (pathogenic/uncertain/benign). Conclusions This observational, retrospective study provides important data on the characteristics of pts with early stage TNBC in China, including the prevalence of PD-L1 expression, and its association with clinicopathological features. Citation Format: M. Shen, L. Liu, Y. Liu, S. Zhou, Y. Ding, D. Lin, R. Luo, H. Bu, J. Liu, J. Wang, L. Wang, Y. Liu, W. Yang. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression profiles of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in China: a retrospective observational study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS4-10-03.

Abstract We report a new species of stem ibis (Threskiornithidae) from the early Eocene Fossil Butte Member of the Green River Formation. Rhynchaeites mcfaddeni n. sp. is represented by an articulated partial skeleton and was a diminutive species, with an estimated body mass of under 300 g. The holotype specimen is preserved in an unusual manner, leaving the skull, presacral vertebral column, wings, and feet in approximate life position despite the loss of the trunk, pelvis, tail, and upper legs. This peculiar mode of preservation may represent a case of the “stick ‘n’ peel” model of preservation, by which a portion of a carcass becomes firmly adhered to the sediment by substances released during decay. Like other members of the stem ibis genus Rhynchaeites , Rhynchaeites mcfaddeni n. sp. lacks the dense pitting of the bill tip associated with abundant Herbst corpuscles, which is developed in extant ibises. However, the new species differs from all stem and crown ibises in possessing a sharply tapering beak tip, which suggests a unique mode of foraging, possibly including prying mollusks from their shells. Given that Rhynchaeites messelensis Wittich, 1898 is one of the most common birds in the prolific Messel deposits but Rhynchaeites mcfaddeni n. sp. is represented by a single specimen after more than 50 years of intense collecting in the Green River Formation, it is likely the two species had divergent foraging strategies, with the former perhaps feeding closer to the lake margin and the latter in streams. UUID: http://zoobank.org/60d25b3b-9c76-4553-99c4-a390d3a5548d

The species Archimylacris acadica Scudder, first described from Nova Scotia (Canada), is the type species of the genus Archimylacris and the family Archimylacridae. It is re-described based on historical drawings and a coeval new specimen from the same geographic area, the Maritimes Basin of eastern Canada from Robertson Point (Sunbury Creek Formation) in central New Brunswick. A precise diagnosis of the genus and the species and an emended diagnosis of the family Archimylacridae are given. This new specimen and the type specimen of Archimylacris lubnensis are proposed as reference specimens for the missing holotype of Archimylacris acadica. Paleobiogeographically and stratigraphically, archimylacrids appeared suddenly in the fossil record of the paralic Appalachian Basin with no evolutionary forerunners yet discovered; they became common in the paralic Variscan foreland basins in northern Europe. They are so far unknown from contemporaneous entomofaunas of Cathaysia, from the Angara biotic province, and from Gondwana.

Paragomphus Cowley, 1934 is a large palaeotropical dragonfly genus with four species previously described from Madagascar. The species identity of three of them requires confirmation, and only Paragomphus fritillarius (Selys, 1892) did not raise any taxonomical doubts. In this paper, a new species, Paragomphus sofiae sp. nov. from the Sofia River basin in lowlands of northern Madagascar, is described and compared to superficially very similar P. fritillarius. Identification of both species was possible only by comparing their hamules with the type specimens of P. fritillarius in the Selys' collection, because the literature contained neither illustrations nor detailed descriptions of its secondary genitalia. Regardless of the great similarity in the colour pattern, these species have turned out to be well-defined and differ by their notably distinct hamules and caudal appendages. They also seem to be spatially and ecologically separated: although both inhabit clearwater and sandy watercourses, P. sofiae has been recorded in open large, braided rivers so far and P. fritillarius in smaller rivers and streams. Considering the new knowledge of confusing interspecies similarity and species-specific hamules and cerci, all previous records of P. fritillarius require confirmation; the discovery of further species from the fritillarius-group is potentially possible.

Beclin-1 as an autophagy biomarker in colorectal cancer.

The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging in sputum-scarce and sputum-negative patients. Tongue swabs represent a promising non-invasive alternative specimen type that could overcome this diagnostic limitation. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) from tongue swabs in this clinically challenging population. In this study, We enrolled 625 sputum scarce individuals with presumptive TB from four Chinese TB hospitals. For each participant, paired tongue swab and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens were collected. Tongue swab specimens were analyzed using MTB-specific PCR assay, while BALF specimens underwent comprehensive evaluation using both microbiological reference standard (MRS) and Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Tongue swab testing demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy with 79.9% sensitivity (95% CI: 73.9-84.8) and 99.5% specificity (95% CI: 98.0-99.9) against the MRS, and 81.7% sensitivity (95% CI: 75.7-86.6) with 97.6% specificity (95% CI: 95.5-98.8) against Xpert MTB/RIF. Notably, simulation modeling revealed that when the proportion of sputum-scarce patients exceeded 10%, the tongue swab PCR strategy outperformed conventional sputum-only Xpert MTB/RIF testing in overall case detection rates. Tongue swab-based PCR represents a non-invasive, accurate, and highly specific diagnostic approach for tuberculosis, particularly in sputum-scarce or sputum-negative individuals. While this study demonstrates its superior performance in such populations, further optimization of sampling protocols and molecular assays is needed to improve detection sensitivity in cases with low bacillary loads. Integrating tongue swab testing into routine TB diagnostic algorithms could enhance case detection, strengthen drug resistance surveillance, and contribute to reducing transmission.

ABSTRACT Reliable chemical analysis is essential for provenance estimation in archaeology, yet valuable iron artifacts (e.g., iron products) are often unsuitable for destructive testing. In contrast, iron slag and iron sand (a potential raw material) often allow for destructive analysis. This study investigated suitable sample preparation methods for energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF), a nondestructive, rapid, and cost‐effective analytical technique, applied to furnace slag, tapping slag, and iron sand. Three specimen types—unprepared samples, loose powder, and pressed powder pellets—representing three different preparation methods were compared using their EDXRF‐obtained quantitative values and relative standard deviations. The results showed that unprepared samples produced inconsistent values, whereas loose powder and pressed powder pellets yielded similar. Additionally, only a minimal amount of loose powder and three to five measurements were sufficient to obtain accurate and representative data. Overall, preparing samples as loose powder emerged as the most practical, simple, and time‐efficient method for EDXRF analysis, providing a reliable approach for provenance estimation in archaeological studies where multiple samples must be analyzed.

A new species of dragonfly, Lyriothemis keralensis sp. n. is described from the coastal plains adjoining the Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India, based on a male holotype (IBC-CD161) and a female paratype (IBC-CD310) (type specimens are deposited in the Biodiversity Lab Research Collections, currently held at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru). This taxon was hitherto misidentified as L. acigastra (Selys, 1878) from which it differs in having leaner abdomen, and differently shaped secondary genitalia and caudal appendages. Information on its biology and ecology are provided.

Background/Objectives: Rapid pathogen identification is essential to optimize antimicrobial therapy and improve patient outcomes, particularly in severe infections. Syndromic molecular diagnostics have been introduced to overcome the limitations of conventional culture-based methods. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and real-life implementation of BioFire® FilmArray® syndromic panels compared with routine microbiological diagnostics. Methods: A total of 955 clinical specimens collected between 2022 and June 2025 were retrospectively analyzed, including positive blood cultures (n = 400), lower respiratory tract samples (n = 309), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 158) and stool specimens (n = 88). FilmArray® BCID2, Pneumonia Plus, Meningitis/Encephalitis and Gastrointestinal panels were performed on the Biofire Fimarray® instrument according to clinical indication and compared with conventional culture-based identification and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: Overall diagnostic concordance between BioFire® FilmArray® syndromic panels and conventional methods was high across all specimen types, with the highest positive percent agreement (PPA) observed for bloodstream infections (97.7%) and gastrointestinal pathogens (100%). In respiratory samples, the Pneumonia Plus panel detected a considerable number of microorganisms that could not be identified by culture, including viral pathogens and fastidious bacteria. Molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance markers showed excellent concordance with phenotypic profiles, with 100% agreement for CTX-M, carbapenemases (KPC, NDM, OXA-48-like, IMP), and vanA/B, while lower concordance was observed for mecA/C in staphylococci. In parallel, semi-quantitative bacterial loads provided by the Pneumonia Plus panel showed a strong essential agreement with culture-based quantification (97.4%, ±1 log10). Across all panels, syndromic testing significantly reduced diagnostic turnaround time. Conclusions: Syndromic molecular panels provide rapid and reliable simultaneous detection of pathogens, as well as early resistance marker detection, thereby supporting timely antimicrobial optimization and stewardship when integrated with conventional microbiological diagnostics.

The geniculate coralline algal genus Corallina L. (Rhodophyta, Corallinales) presents longstanding challenges in taxonomy and nomenclature. Recent studies have uncovered previously unrecognised diversity within the genus, highlighting the importance of revisiting historical names and type specimens. In this study, we resolve the taxonomic identity of Corallina armata through DNA sequencing of the rbc L and COI gene regions and designate an epitype to stabilise its nomenclature. Phylogenetic analyses consistently grouped Corallina sequences into species-specific clades across both markers. Using population genetic approaches, single nucleotide polymorphism data revealed clear genetic separation of C. armata from related species, supported by hierarchical clustering, based on genetic distance and principal component analysis of allele frequencies. A pairwise permutational analysis of variance confirmed significant genetic differentiation amongst species (p < 0.05). To support broader taxonomic efforts and utilised in this study, we developed modular universal rbc L primer suites for macroalgae, which performed well in silico across the GenBank database, indicating strong potential for international application (inclusive of some microalgae). Taxonomic identification results from the short-read sequences for rbc L (Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta) and COI showed both primer sets enabled species-level identification, although the rbc L primer sets captured less genetic variation than COI. Nonetheless, each gene revealed distinct interspecific relationships, underscoring the value of multi-locus approaches for robust species delimitation in future barcoding and metabarcoding studies.

Summary As part of ongoing taxonomic studies on Brazilian Apocynaceae and floristic inventories in the state of Bahia, Brazil, we describe and illustrate a new species of Asclepiadoideae. Ditassa scholaris Rapini & Giul. sp. nov. is named in honour of Jorge Fontella Pereira, who dedicated most of his life to studying the “Asclepiadaceae” (now Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae), and described over 90 new species, made 95 new combinations and even more synonyms within the group. The new species is known only from the type specimen within the Caatinga dominion, collected in a northern fragment of the Espinhaço range with an Extent of Occurrence of no more than 10,000 km 2 . It is threatened by anthropogenic pressure and climate changes and is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable [VU B1ab(i,ii,iii) + D2]. Ditassa scholaris is vegetatively similar to Metastelma giuliettianum Fontella, mainly because of the ovate leaves and the hirsute indumentum covering branches and leaves. Its flowers resemble those of Ditassa glaziovii E.Fourn., particularly due to its double corona, with lobes fused at the base and an internally digitiform segment. However, the erect habit of D. scholaris differentiates it from these twining species. Erect growth has evolved independently in several lineages within the Metastelmatinae core group, predominantly comprising twining plants. We provide a key to distinguish D. scholaris from the other erect species of Metastelmatinae in the Caatinga dominion.

Based on re-examinations of the type specimens, Philonotis capilliformis is rejected as the previously proposed synonymy of P. falcata and is reevaluated as a new synonym of P. turneriana. Ditrichopsis wui is proposed as a new synonym of Voitia nivalis. Additionally, two noteworthy moss species, Cynodontium tenellum, and Neckera oligocarpa, are confirmed as new to China. Atrichum longifolium and Hedwigia sinica have been newly discovered in Xizang, China, and the endangered moss Diphyscium lorifolium has been newly found in Zhejiang Province, eastern China.

Aeglaexpansa was described from an exoskeleton by Jara (1992). The type specimen (holotype) of the species was obtained from the hamlet of La Leonera, approximately six km east of the town of Hualqui in the Biobío region of Chile. Since this find, no further biological information has been generated on this species, and it was even thought to have become Extinct in the Wild. By systematic sampling in the commune (district) of Hualqui, we were able to find populations of A.expansa in many of the district’s rivers. In this work, we present the first biological information on the species and assess its phylogenetic position within the genus Aegla.

Pisinnocaris subconigera was first described as a rare, small euarthropod from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota, southwestern China. The taxonomic validity of this species was later challenged due to the lack of essential morphological details to differentiate it from Fuxianhuia protensa, especially from the juvenile perspective. Here, we examined the holotype and additional specimens of P. subconigera with multiple imaging techniques, such as microscope optical imaging, micro-CT scanning and computer-based 3D rendering, and revealed the previously unknown ventral organization of P. subconigera. New findings include four short prothoracic segments each bearing a pair of biramous appendages, four opisthothoracic segments each with four pairs of appendages, and four limbless abdominal segments. Both the small and large individuals exhibit unique and consistent morphological characteristics, indicating that P. subconigera does not represent the larval or juvenile form of any fuxianhuiid as previously proposed. Combined with phylogenetic analyses, our study suggests that P. subconigera remians as a valid member of the early Cambrian fuxianhuiids.