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Mixotrophy, a physiological trait combining autotrophy and heterotrophy in one organism, significantly contributes to energy and matter transfer in aquatic ecosystems. However, understanding how environmental factors influence mixoplankton success across freshwater ecosystems has been uncertain. The grand écart hypothesis (GEH) posits that light and nutrient availability are key components of mixotrophs' niche, suggesting that ecosystem properties determine opposing gradients of light and nutrients, creating environmental filtering for mixotrophs. We hypothesized that ecosystem size, a property of lake ecosystems, mediates the prevalence of patterns and control mechanisms predicted by the GEH on mixoplankton relative biomass (MRB). Using data from 98 tropical lakes, we demonstrated that lake size mediates the inverse relationship between light and nutrient availability across ecosystems. Larger lakes have more light but low nutrients, while smaller lakes have more nutrients but greater shading. Light availability better explains MRB in small lakes, and nutrients better explain MRB in large lakes, with MRB values being higher in small lakes, with secondary influence from zooplankton herbivory. Our results validate the GEH as a significant framework for explaining patterns and control mechanisms of mixoplankton across tropical lakes. This study highlights the significance of lake size as an ecosystem property that generates opposing light and nutrient gradients, further emphasizing its importance for understanding mechanisms regulating freshwater phytoplankton community structure and functioning. Integrating lake size within the conceptual framework of the GEH could aid in explaining mixoplankton success over macroecological scales.

Schistosoma mansoni , an intravascular parasitic worm and the causative agent of schistosomiasis, relies on its tegument (outer layer) for survival and host interaction. This study explored the morphology and mechanical properties of S. mansoni tegument using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Notably, we employed the PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PF-QNM) mode in air, enabling simultaneous acquisition of 3D topography and mechanical property contrasts (adhesion, elastic modulus). Additionally, nanoindentation (AFM contact mode) was performed on female worm tegument for elastic modulus measurement. Both techniques revealed an elastic modulus range of fractions or units of GPa for the tegument. Interestingly, mechanical property maps, particularly adhesion contrast, displayed a recurring pattern of light and dark bands. We also measured the depth of annular furrows on the female tegument, finding an average of 128 ± 10 nm. These findings establish AFM, particularly PF-QNM, as a valuable tool to characterize S. mansoni tegument properties, offering insights for future investigations into parasite biology and its response to immunological or pharmacological challenges.

We evaluate the seedling resistance to charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in ninety-seven Cucumis melo accessions, from different geographical origins and five F1 generations, derived from crosses of five accessions selected for their resistance. Artificial inoculations with the toothpick method, previously reported to be useful for predicting shoot resistance, were performed, and plants were scored using a scale of disease severity. The average disease severity was calculated for each accession and was used to cluster the accession in five reaction classes. The screening revealed that sources of natural resistance to this fungus are limited. However, seedlings of seven accessions of different botanic groups displayed a resistant response to the stem inoculation, one cantaloup from Israel, one conomon accession from Korea, two wild agrestis and one acidulus from Africa, and two dudaim accessions from Middle East. The response of the F1 progenies varied from susceptibility to high resistance, the latter in progenies from the two agrestis wild types. These results suggest differences in the genetic basis of the resistance in the different selected sources. The resistant accessions are suggested to be screened under field conditions to confirm the level of resistance at adult plant stage and under stressful conditions.

Despite the current increase in revisional bariatric surgery (RBS), data on the sustainability of weight loss remain unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess weight loss outcomes in adult patients undergoing RBS with follow-up > 2 years. Twenty-eight observational studies ( n  = 2213 patients) were included. The %TWL was 27.2 (95%CI = 23.7 to 30.6), and there was a drop in BMI of 10.2 kg/m 2 (95%CI =  − 11.6 to − 8.7). The %EWL was 54.8 (95%CI = 47.2 to 62.4) but with a high risk of publication bias (Egger’s test = 0.003). The overall quality of evidence was very low. Our data reinforce that current evidence on RBS is mainly based on low-quality observational studies, and further higher-quality studies are needed to support evidence-based practice. Graphical Abstract

A current environmental problem is the uncontrolled use of various pesticides that are harmful to the environment and public health. The herbicide 2,4-D is widely used, making it a vector of contamination for aquatic bodies, air, soil, and biomass. In recent decades, researchers have studied remediation of this compound in the environment. In this work, WO 3 and TiO 2 were supported on SBA-15 molecular sieve by the in situ anchoring (ISA) method, with different molar percentages of WO 3 in relation to the oxide content: X  = 25%, 50%, and 75%. The W-Ti-S ( X ) samples were characterized by XDR, XRF, Raman, FTIR, diffuse reflectance of UV-vis, and adsorption and desorption of N 2 . SBA-15 mesoporous structure was not destroyed even after the incorporation of the oxides. XRD analyses associated with Raman result found a predominance of the anatase phase for titanium oxide, and the FRX showed low incorporation of nanoparticles. Photocatalytic tests indicated that the catalytic activity depends on WO 3 and TiO 2 content, although all W-Ti-S ( X ) samples exhibited similar TOF value. The W-Ti-S (25) sample had the highest photocatalytic activity, 76% herbicide photodegradation under ultraviolet irradiation, at 270 min. The analysis of the catalytic cycles indicated that W-Ti-S (25) keeps out 70% of photocatalytic activity in the fourth catalytic cycle. In addition, the W-Ti-S (25) catalytic activity under direct sunlight irradiation was similar to that under artificial UV irradiation.

Most drugs are synthesized by human medicine both for the treatment of men and animals and are also produced to maintain their physical and chemical properties for a time sufficient to serve a therapeutic purpose in treatments of some kind of illness. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic synthetically obtained in 1987 and belongs to the family of fluoroquinolones and is currently prescribed in certain treatments. This work was developed with the objective of evaluating the adsorption of the ciprofloxacin antibiotic in solution on zinc oxide (ZnO) supported on SBA-15-type mesoporous silica. The results showed that the post-synthesis method is effective in impregnating zinc oxide in SBA-15 and its structure has not been damaged and has not lost its organization in the hexagonal 2D planes. The ZnO-SBA-15 (10%) sample adsorbed 69.10% of ciprofloxacin (25 mg/L) in 180 min. Freundlich adsorption model was observed with the correlation factor of R2 = 0.9999, for the adsorbent ZnO-SBA-15 (10%), which showed the best sample. The kinetics was classified as pseudo-second order, as well as the thermodynamic parameters were determined, showing that the process has a spontaneous nature and a value of ΔH° = 4.677 kJ/mol, evidencing that the process has the nature of physiosorption.

IntroductionUnderstanding the psychological meanings of a rigorous protocol for introducing a drug to patients is a challenge of emotional management for clinical professionals. Clozapine is an effective drug for patients with schizophrenia resistant to treatment with first and second-generation antipsychotics. This medication has agranulocytosis as an important side effect. The medication protocol requires frequent blood draws to monitor any effect on blood cells. Investigating patients’ emotional perceptions about the experience with this procedure was the triggering question of our study.ObjectivesTo interpret emotional/symbolic meanings attributed by patients with schizophrenia to the protocol of introduction of clozapine in follow-up at a specialized university service.MethodsClinical-qualitative design of Turato. Semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions in-depth were conducted face-to-face with participants using clozapine. Closed sample by the theoretical information saturation criterion described by Fontanella. Data were treated by Faria-Schutzer’s Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis, employing psychodynamic concepts of the theoretical framework of Medical Psychology.ResultsFrom the analysis of nine patients, three categories emerged: 1) “Anyway, I come here to stay alive”: frequent blood collections of the protocol seem to have a good impact on patient’s adherence to treatment; 2) To re-signify a psychiatric illness: the protocol reinforcing an embodiment of a medical diagnosis; 3) “It is a very big precaution”: the protocol as real and emotional support to deal with the possibility of serious side effects.ConclusionsAlthough blood collection is a repetitive experience for patients, such a routine does not mean that the procedure brings symbolizations that are more charged than the disease itself. Patients can benefit from the commitment to attend blood collection frequently, as it removes them from possible social isolation, allowing social interaction; it brings the perception of emotional security due to the commitment to the clinical team. These benefits can lead the patient to develop new meanings for their life condition. Future qualitative research can be conducted to study the meanings of medical protocols in other diagnostic situations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Background European cancer programmes and policies lack a unified health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment tool. The European oncology quality of life toolkit (EUonQoL-Kit) is a novel set of HRQoL questionnaires, co-designed with cancer patients and survivors, translated and culturally adapted into 31 European languages, and with both static and dynamic electronic administration modes. The main aim of this study is the psychometric assessment of the static version. Secondary aims include evaluating the EUonQoL-Kit acceptability, cross-validating the administration modes, exploring individual factors potentially affecting HRQoL and HRQoL inequalities between countries. Methods A sample of 4,500 participants, including three groups (active treatment, survivors, and palliative care) from 45 centres in 25 EU Member States and 7 associated countries, will be enrolled in a multicentre observational cross-sectional study. All participants will complete the static EUonQoL-Kit; three subsamples (each 10% of the total sample) will also respectively complete the following: a) dynamic EUonQoL-Kit, based on Item Response Theory (IRT)/Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), b) FACT-G and EQ-5L-5D, and c) static EUonQoL-Kit (re-test). Psychometric analyses will encompass exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (measurement model and structural validity), Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency), intraclass correlation coefficient (test–retest reliability), Pearson/Spearman correlation (concurrent validity), comparison of group scores (construct validity), and Differential Item Functioning (cross-country item equivalence). Secondary analyses will evaluate participant response time and rate, and static/dynamic score differences. Regression models will estimate associations between individual factors and HRQoL. Discussion The EUonQoL-Kit will serve to systematically incorporate patient perspectives into European cancer policies and to address HRQoL inequalities across Europe. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05947903, 2023–06-28.

Phenomenological relations linking thermodynamics and kinetic theory in condensed matter have been empirically verified in numerous systems, yet their theoretical derivation from first principles remains an open question. One such relation is the so-called “excess-entropy scaling”. Do N-body gravitational systems exhibit a similar relation? We provide an affirmative response to this question, albeit with some limitations. Our analysis relies on a well-established thermodynamical quasi-equilibrium model for the cosmological N-body problem, along with an appropriate diffusion model for gravitational interactions. By identifying a scaling region, we were able to estimate diffusion coefficients directly from observational two-particle correlation functions or counts-in-cells distributions in large-scale structures. Intriguingly, the phenomenon of excess-entropy scaling manifests primarily during the nonlinear, asymptotic clustering phase preceding a potential thermodynamic phase transition.