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Well-fitting sockets are crucial for successful upper-limb prosthesis use, yet current digital socket design workflows are not standardized and demand considerable clinician effort. In this study, we introduce the Predictive Algorithm for Customized Transradial Socket Design (PACT), which generates socket models from a 3D limb scan. It works by retrieving the most similar limb–socket pair from a reference library of prosthetist-designed prosthetic sockets and applying isotropic and anisotropic scaling adjustments to match the input limb. To validate the algorithm, the PACT-predicted sockets for 19 participants were compared to their prosthetist-designed ones (the clinical “gold standard”) using the surface Euclidean (L2) distances, volume differences, and a 100-slice cross-sectional-area analysis. Localized discrepancies were mapped via signed-distance colorization and clustered with DBSCAN. PACT’s outputs differed from prosthetist designs by 2.11 ± 0.51 mm on the surface and 2.74 ± 2.56% in volume on average; slice-wise area differences were within ±10% for most of the socket length, with larger errors near the proximal trimline and distal tip. Recurrent localized discrepancies were found to be concentrated at the anterior-distal trimline (15/19 cases) and anterior–posterior compression (11/19 cases), indicating clear targets for rule-based or measurement-informed refinements. Subgroup patterns suggested an age-related bias (undersizing in pediatric, oversizing in adults). Overall, PACT quickly delivers (13.2 ± 0.7 s) a first-draft transradial socket within commonly cited clinical fit tolerances. Focus on specific regions, along with metadata such as tissue stiffness, age, and clinician-led measurements, can improve personalization and generalizability in future iterations of the PACT.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340831.].

Achieving proper socket fit is crucial for the effective use of a prosthesis. However, digital socket design lacks standardization and presents a steep learning curve for prosthetists. While research has focused on digital socket design for the lower-limb population, there is a research gap in upper-limb socket design. This study aimed to characterize the design (rectification) process for the transradial socket, specifically the three-quarter Northwestern-style design, towards the development of a more systematic, data-driven socket design approach. Fourteen (n = 14) pairs of unrectified and rectified plaster models were compared. Six common rectification zones were identified through shape analysis, with zones of plaster addition being the most prominent in terms of volume and surface area. A novel 3D vector mapping technique was employed, which revealed that most of the shape changes occurred in the anterior–posterior and proximal–distal directions. Overall, the interquartile range of each rectification zone demonstrated reasonable consistency in terms of volume, surface deviation, and 3D vector representation. The initial findings from this study support the potential for quantitively modelling the transradial socket design process. This opens the door for developing tools for categorizing and predicting socket designs across diverse populations through the application of techniques such as machine learning.

Well-fitting sockets are crucial for successful upper-limb prosthesis use, yet current digital socket design workflows are not standardized and demand considerable clinician effort. In this study, we introduce the Predictive Algorithm for Customized Transradial Socket Design (PACT), which generates socket models from a 3D limb scan. It works by retrieving the most similar limb-socket pair from a reference library of prosthetist-designed prosthetic sockets and applying isotropic and anisotropic scaling adjustments to match the input limb. To validate the algorithm, the PACT-predicted sockets for 19 participants were compared to their prosthetist-designed ones (the clinical \"gold standard\") using the surface Euclidean (L2) distances, volume differences, and a 100-slice cross-sectional-area analysis. Localized discrepancies were mapped via signed-distance colorization and clustered with DBSCAN. PACT's outputs differed from prosthetist designs by 2.11 ± 0.51 mm on the surface and 2.74 ± 2.56% in volume on average; slice-wise area differences were within ±10% for most of the socket length, with larger errors near the proximal trimline and distal tip. Recurrent localized discrepancies were found to be concentrated at the anterior-distal trimline (15/19 cases) and anterior-posterior compression (11/19 cases), indicating clear targets for rule-based or measurement-informed refinements. Subgroup patterns suggested an age-related bias (undersizing in pediatric, oversizing in adults). Overall, PACT quickly delivers (13.2 ± 0.7 s) a first-draft transradial socket within commonly cited clinical fit tolerances. Focus on specific regions, along with metadata such as tissue stiffness, age, and clinician-led measurements, can improve personalization and generalizability in future iterations of the PACT.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy and largely effects adolescents and young adults, with 60% of patients under the age of 25. There are multiple cell models of OS described in vitro that express the specific genetic alterations of the sarcoma. In the work reported here, multiple mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) modalities were employed to characterise two aggregated cellular models of OS models formed using the MG63 and SAOS-2 cell lines. Phenotyping of the metabolite activity within the two OS aggregoid models was achieved and a comparison of the metabolite data with OS human tissue samples revealed relevant fatty acid and phospholipid markers. Although, annotations of these species require MS/MS analysis for confident identification of the metabolites. From the putative assignments however, it was suggested that the MG63 aggregoids are an aggressive tumour model that exhibited metastatic-like potential. Alternatively, the SAOS-2 aggregoids are more mature osteoblast-like phenotype that expressed characteristics of cellular differentiation and bone development. It was determined the two OS aggregoid models shared similarities of metabolic behaviour with different regions of OS human tissues, specifically of the higher metastatic grade.

The coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has caused widespread and sustained disruption to healthcare, not only in the delivery of emergency care, but knock-on consequences have resulted in major delays to the delivery of elective care, including surgery. COVID-19 has accelerated novel pathways for delivering clinical services, many of which have an increased reliance on technology. COVID-19 has impacted care for patients with both hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism. The role of vitamin D in the prevention of severe COVID-19 infection has also been widely debated. Severe hypocalcemia can be precipitated by infection in patients with hypoparathyroidism. With this in mind, compliance with medical management, including calcium and vitamin D supplementation, is crucial. Technology in the form of text message reminders and smartphone apps may have a key role in ensuring this. Furthermore, clinicians should ensure that patients are educated on the symptoms of hypocalcemia and the steps needing to be taken should these symptoms be experienced. Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) should be educated on the symptoms of hypercalcemia, as well as the importance of remaining adequately hydrated. In addition, patients should be reassured that the postponement of parathyroidectomy is likely to have negligible impact on their condition; for those with symptomatic hypercalcemia, cinacalcet can be considered as an interim measure.

HOWEVER you look at it, the luck of a nation in the right place at the right time, or the opportunism of a team who capitalised on a heaven-sent chance to reach the last four of the World Cup, Croatia's 3-0 win last night was surely the end of an era for Germany, and not before time. In one corner, we had a cast of Actors (anagram) or a formation of Castro (ditto); in the other, a collective of Germans past their sell-by date and perhaps ultimately grateful to be put out of their misery. Indeed, long before the final whistle sounded on Berti Vogts' men, there was a sense of Old Father Time calling last orders on their efforts. The climax to an often turbulent, occasionally frantic encounter ensures that the Coupe de Monde has unearthed one genuine shock amid a semi-final line-up otherwise bordering on the predictable. But no matter that the odds will be on France overcoming a Croatian team who only entered international football seven years ago after the break- up of the old Eastern Bloc, here we have a classic tale of the unexpected in the Parisiennes' own backyard.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying species distributions and coexistence is essential to predict and prevent the impacts of global change, particularly in biodiversity hotspots. However, the effects of biotic interactions may be challenging to investigate at large spatial scales. Leveraging well-characterized Müllerian mimetic systems in Neotropical butterflies, we investigated spatial patterns of mutualistic mimetic interactions within and between two tribes of aposematic Nymphalid butterflies: the Heliconiini (Heliconiinae) and the Ithomiini (Danainae). Despite 85 My of independent evolutionary histories, many species share similar warning wing patterns across the Neotropics. In this study we show that both tribes form similar biodiversity hotspots with a high prevalence of rare species and mimetic patterns in the tropical Andes. However, we reveal a higher relative richness of heliconiine butterflies than ithomiines in the Amazon basin contrasting with the Andean concentration of ithomiine diversity. Despite this difference in broadscale diversity patterns, we also document large-scale spatial associations among phenotypically similar species within and between tribes, thereby providing new empirical evidence for Fritz Müller's historical model of mutualistic mimicry at a continental scale. Furthermore, comparative phylogenetic analyses suggest that co-mimetic species within and between tribes have converged towards similar climatic niches as a response to selection favoring co-occurrence. Our findings illustrate the strength of mutualistic interactions in shaping biodiversity patterns at continental scale and in supporting niche convergence even across millions of years of evolution. Critically, it also emphasizes the pervasive vulnerability of mimetic communities, bound by positive interactions, to disassembly induced by climate change.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.Footnotes* https://github.com/EddiePerochon/Heliconiini_Diversity* https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14765685* https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10906853* https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10903661* https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10903197