Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: The Role of Immune-related Factors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) consists of concomitant chemoradiation or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus radical surgery (RS). This study analyzed the prognostic role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and PD-L1 expression in LACC patients, treated with NACT+RS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 37 LACC patients treated from December 2016 to September 2019. Patients were submitted to pelvic examination, biopsy and imaging. RESULTS: In 65% of cases, a nodal involvement was present at pre-treatment MRI. All cancers showed the presence of stromal TILs and PD-L1 staining of inflammatory cells. No significant correlations were found between clinicopathological parameters and the number of TILs and PDL-1 at baseline. After NACT, 29 patients (78%) were submitted to RS; 28% of patients showed pathological complete response, 62% partial response and 10% stable disease. Seven (24%) patients reported a positive node. Patients with high levels of stromal TILs and low NLR and PLR showed a significantly better response to NACT. No significant correlation was observed between PD-L1 expression and response to NACT. CONCLUSION: The number of TILs, the expression of PDL1, and NLR and PLR ratios correlate significantly with the response of LACC patients to NACT.

There and back again: More on the taxonomy of the crab spiders genus Epicadus (Thomisidae: Stephanopinae).

The Neotropical crab spider genera Tobias Simon, 1895 and Epicadus Simon, 1895 comprise species with remarkable somatic morphology and confounding taxonomic history. The results of our recent cladistic analysis corroborate and extend preceding taxonomic assumptions in showing that Tobias is a junior synonym of Epicadus. In the present paper the six species recently transferred from Tobias to Epicadus are redescribed. Two new species are described based on both males and females: Epicadus dimidiaster sp. nov. and Epicadus tigrinus sp. nov.; the male of Epicadus granulatus Banks, 1909 is described for the first time. The diagnosis of the genus is revised, an identification key is provided, and information on geographical distribution is updated. Epicadus now comprises eleven species.

On the males of the orb-weaving spiders Alpaida nigrofrenata (Simon, 1895), A. machala Levi, 1988, and A. cisneros Levi, 1988 (Araneae, Araneidae) and a new synonymy.

The araneid spider genus Alpaida O.P.-Cambridge, 1889 has, until now, 148 described species (WSC 2015). The males of A. nigrofrenata (Simon, 1895), A. machala Levi, 1988, and A. cisneros Levi, 1988 are described here for the first time. A. moka Levi, 1988, based on female specimens, is synonymized with A. xavantina Levi, 1988, based on the study of specimens of both sexes. I.L.F. de Magalhães (MACN) is thanked for reviewing an early revision of this manuscript. We also thank to M. Machado (PUCRS) for the pictures of A. moka, and M. Kolmann (University of Toronto) and A. Londoño Burbano (PUCRS) for review the English. We are grateful to G. Hormiga for helping to improve this manuscript. M.R.M. Poeta was financially supported by CAPES at PPG-Zoo, PUCRS.

Taxonomic notes on the crab spider genus Tobias Simon, 1895 (Araneae, Thomisidae, Stephanopinae).

The males of Tobias caudatus Mello-Leitão, 1929 and Tobias pustulosus Simon, 1929 are described for the first time, females are redescribed and both sexes are illustrated. New distribution records are presented for both species. Tobias monstruosus Mello-Leitão, 1929 is considered a junior synonym of T. pustulosus. The types of Tobias albovittatus Caporiacco, 1954, and Tobias gradiens Mello-Leitão, 1929 are lost, and Tobias albicans Mello-Leitão, 1929 and Tobias corticatus Mello-Leitão, 1917 are known only from poorly preserved specimens, thus they all are considered nomina dubia.

Primer registro de un regalo nupcial en Trechalea amazonica (Araneae, Lycosoidea, Trechaleidae) / New record of nuptial gift observed in Trechalea amazonica (Araneae, Lycosoidea, Trechaleidae)

Se presenta el primer registro de un regalo nupcial e Trechalea amazónica F. O. P.- Cambridge, 1903. Las observaciones se hicieron en el plantanal de Oriximiná, Pará, Brasil. Se encontraron dos machos en troncos de árboles cerca del agua, cada uno cargando en los quelíceros una presa pequeña envuelta en seda. Ésta es la segunda observación confirmada del comportamiento nuptial del regalo en la familia Trechaleidae, primero en el género trechalea Thorell, 1869, y más adelante adentro Paratrechatea Carico, 2005 del Brasil meridional. Esta nueva observación se podría utilizar en estudios filogenéticos y evolutivos para esta familia

the first of a nuptial gift in Trechalea amazonica F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1903, is herein presented. The observations were made in the Oriximiná, Pará, northem Brazil. Two males were found in tree trunks near the water, each holding in the chelicerae a small prey wrapped in silk. This is the second confirmed observation of the nuptial gift behavior in the family Trechaleidae, first in the genus trechalea Thorell, 1869, and later inParatrechalea Carico, 2005from southem Brazil. This new observation could be used phylogenetic and evolutionary studies for this poorly studies spider family

A new species of the wolf spider genus Arctosa (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Southern Brazil

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie del género Arctosa C. L. a Koch, 1848, en base a material procedente de Sapiranga, sur del Brasil. Los miembros de este género por lo general excavan refugios pequeños en los bordes arenosos de los lagos, sin embargo, esta nueva especie se encuentra debajo de rocas en los bordes de rios pequeños. Se puede encontrar hembras con ootecas y machos durante todo el año, aunque son más abundantes en el período del verano.

A new species of the wolf spider genus Arctosa C. L. Koch, 1847 is described and illustrated, based on material collected in Sapiranga, Southern Brazil. Members of Arctosa are known to build burrows in sandy lake shores, but this new species is found under the rocks on the margins of small streams. Females with eggsacs and males can be found all year, being more abundant in the summer period.