A globally synthesised and flagged bee occurrence dataset and cleaning workflow.

Species occurrence data are foundational for research, conservation, and science communication, but the limited availability and accessibility of reliable data represents a major obstacle, particularly for insects, which face mounting pressures. We present BeeBDC, a new R package, and a global bee occurrence dataset to address this issue. We combined >18.3 million bee occurrence records from multiple public repositories (GBIF, SCAN, iDigBio, USGS, ALA) and smaller datasets, then standardised, flagged, deduplicated, and cleaned the data using the reproducible BeeBDC R-workflow. Specifically, we harmonised species names (following established global taxonomy), country names, and collection dates and, we added record-level flags for a series of potential quality issues. These data are provided in two formats, "cleaned" and "flagged-but-uncleaned". The BeeBDC package with online documentation provides end users the ability to modify filtering parameters to address their research questions. By publishing reproducible R workflows and globally cleaned datasets, we can increase the accessibility and reliability of downstream analyses. This workflow can be implemented for other taxa to support research and conservation.

Bioconjugated liquid-like solid enhances characterization of solid tumor - chimeric antigen receptor T cell interactions.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success as an immunotherapy for hematological malignancies, and its potential for treating solid tumors is an active area of research. However, limited trafficking and mobility of T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) present challenges for CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors. To gain a better understanding of CAR T cell function in solid tumors, we subjected CD70-specific CAR T cells to a challenge by evaluating their immune trafficking and infiltration through a confined 3D microchannel network in a bio-conjugated liquid-like solid (LLS) medium. Our results demonstrated successful CAR T cell migration and anti-tumor activity against CD70-expressing glioblastoma and osteosarcoma tumors. Through comprehensive analysis of cytokines and chemokines, combined with in situ imaging, we elucidated that immune recruitment occurred via chemotaxis, and the effector-to-target ratio plays an important role in overall antitumor function. Furthermore, through single-cell collection and transcriptomic profiling, we identified differential gene expression among the immune subpopulations. Our findings provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of CAR T cell function in solid tumors, informing future research and development in this promising cancer treatment approach. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The use of specialized immune cells named CAR T cells to combat cancers has demonstrated remarkable success against blood cancers. However, this success is not replicated in solid tumors, such as brain or bone cancers, mainly due to the physical barriers of these solid tumors. Currently, preclinical technologies do not allow for reliable evaluation of tumor-immune cell interactions. To better study these specialized CAR T cells, we have developed an innovative in vitro three-dimensional model that promises to dissect the interactions between tumors and CAR T cells at the single-cell level. Our findings provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of CAR T cell function in solid tumors, informing future research and development in this promising cancer treatment approach.

Inverse Miniemulsion Enables the Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Controlled Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polymers.

We report the controlled synthesis of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polymers (Mn ≥ 106 g/mol) via continuous flow in a tubular reactor. At high monomer conversion, UHMW polymers in homogeneous batch polymerization exhibit high viscosities that pose challenges for employing continuous flow reactors. However, under heterogeneous inverse miniemulsion (IME) conditions, UHMW polymers can be produced within the dispersed phase, while the viscosity of the heterogeneous mixture remains approximately the same as the viscosity of the continuous phase. Conducting such IME polymerizations in flow results in a faster rate of polymerization compared to batch IME polymerizations while still providing excellent control over molecular weight up to 106 g/mol. Crucial emulsion parameters, such as particle size and stability under continuous flow conditions, were examined using dynamic light scattering. A range of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) and poly(4-acryloylmorpholine) polymers with molecular weights of 104-106 g/mol (D ≤ 1.31) were produced by this method using water-soluble trithiocarbonates as photoiniferters.

Deep-sea Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) collected during the TALUD cruises in western Mexico.

Deep-sea ophiuroids from western Mexico have been documented since 1899, but mostly by non-Mexican expeditions. TALUD is a Mexican project designed to study the deep-sea fauna from Mexico. As part of it, the present contribution provides for the first time detailed information about the taxonomy and distribution, as well as images, of deep-sea ophiuroids from western Mexico, representing a useful taxonomic identification tool for Ophiuroidea from the eastern Pacific. A total of 38 species of ophiuroid (35 identified at species level, one at genus level, and two as confer) were collected from 83 stations located at 123‒2,309 m depth. At a regional scale, several new species records are presented: six for western Baja California, five for western Baja California Sur, two for the Gulf of California, four for Jalisco, 14 for Colima, and five for Guerrero. Geographic (six) and bathymetric (seven) distribution ranges of species are extended. An updated list of deep-sea ophiuroids (61 species) from western Mexico is provided together with an identification key to species collected during this survey. In addition, nine records of deep-sea ophiuroids for the Mexican Pacific are unproven, doubtful or invalid. We corroborated the presence of Ophiacantha eurypoma and Ophiacantha pacifica in the study area and added Amphiura gymnogastra as the first record for Mexico. We propose to transfer Ophiacantha phragma to Ophiolimna on account of it having both granules and spines on the dorsal disc and striated arm plates. TALUD cruises collected 57 % of the total deep-sea species known to occur off Mexico, making it the most important survey of deep-sea Ophiuroidea carried out in western Mexico to date.

Three-Dimensional Bioconjugated Liquid-Like Solid (LLS) Enhance Characterization of Solid Tumor - Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell interactions.

Cancer immunotherapy offers lifesaving treatments for cancers, but the lack of reliable preclinical models that could enable the mechanistic studies of tumor-immune interactions hampers the identification of new therapeutic strategies. We hypothesized 3D confined microchannels, formed by interstitial space between bio-conjugated liquid-like solids (LLS), enable CAR T dynamic locomotion within an immunosuppressive TME to carry out anti-tumor function. Murine CD70-specific CAR T cells cocultured with the CD70-expressing glioblastoma and osteosarcoma demonstrated efficient trafficking, infiltration, and killing of cancer cells. The anti-tumor activity was clearly captured via longterm in situ imaging and supported by upregulation of cytokines and chemokines including IFNg, CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL4. Interestingly, target cancer cells, upon an immune attack, initiated an "immune escape" response by frantically invading the surrounding microenvironment. This phenomenon however was not observed for the wild-type tumor samples which remained intact and produced no relevant cytokine response. Single cells collection and transcriptomic profiling of CAR T cells at regions of interest revealed feasibility of identifying differential gene expression amongst the immune subpopulations. Complimentary 3D in vitro platforms are necessary to uncover cancer immune biology mechanisms, as emphasized by the significant roles of the TME and its heterogeneity.

mRNA challenge predicts brain cancer immunogenicity and response to checkpoint inhibitors.

To prospectively determine whether brain tumors will respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), we developed a novel mRNA vaccine as a viral mimic to elucidate cytokine release from brain cancer cells in vitro. Our results indicate that cytokine signatures following mRNA challenge differ substantially from ICI responsive versus non-responsive murine tumors. These findings allow for creation of a diagnostic assay to quickly assess brain tumor immunogenicity, allowing for informed treatment with ICI or lack thereof in poorly immunogenic settings.

3D In Vitro Platform for Cell and Explant Culture in Liquid-like Solids.

Existing 3D cell models and technologies have offered tools to elevate cell culture to a more physiologically relevant dimension. One mechanism to maintain cells cultured in 3D is by means of perfusion. However, existing perfusion technologies for cell culture require complex electronic components, intricate tubing networks, or specific laboratory protocols for each application. We have developed a cell culture platform that simply employs a pump-free suction device to enable controlled perfusion of cell culture media through a bed of granular microgels and removal of cell-secreted metabolic waste. We demonstrated the versatile application of the platform by culturing single cells and keeping tissue microexplants viable for an extended period. The human cardiomyocyte AC16 cell line cultured in our platform revealed rapid cellular spheroid formation after 48 h and ~90% viability by day 7. Notably, we were able to culture gut microexplants for more than 2 weeks as demonstrated by immunofluorescent viability assay and prolonged contractility.

Tumor mucoso apendicular / Appendiceal mucous tumor

Los tumores mucosos apendiculares tienen baja incidencia y comúnmente se diagnostican en el estudio anatomo-patólogico después de la apendicectomía. Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 41 años de edad, con un cuadro clínico de ocho meses de evolución, caracterizado por dolor abdominal de tipo opresivo, difuso y de gran intensidad en el hemiabdomen inferior, acompañado de náuseas. Después de cinco meses de iniciado este cuadro clínico, se evidenció una masa en la fosa iliaca derecha; el dolor se agudizó e intensificó, y las náuseas continuaron, por lo cual fue remitida al hospital. En los exámenes practicados se observó una masa quística compleja abdomino-pélvica de origen indeterminado, y la tomografía computadorizada de abdomen fue sugestiva de mucocele apendicular. Con estos hallazgos, se optó por el tratamiento quirúrgico por laparotomía, consistente en hemicolectomía derecha, con resección parcial de íleon, epiplectomía, histerectomía y salpigooforectomía bilateral.

The clinical manifestations of an appendicular mucous tumors are non specific. The vast majority are associated with complications of intrabdominal rupture causing acute abdomen, while the spectrum associated while the associated with extrinsic compression of adjacent organic structures is exceptional. We report a case of partial intestinal obstruction caused by an appendiceal mococele fistulized to the proximal ileum.

A literature review of the Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from the Pacific coast of Mexico / Revisión de literatura de Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) de las costas del Pacífico de México

Abstract Despite the important effort of knowing the Ophiuroidea diversity in the Mexican Pacific, some mistakes in the taxonomic nomenclature have pervaded through time. In order to clarify the latter, a checklist based on literature review of brittle stars from the Mexican Pacific is provided. We reviewed a total of 105 references that in total summarized 125 species of brittle stars from the Mexican Pacific (112) and the Gulf of California (97), belonging to two orders, 16 families and 50 genera. These records are higher than those reported on previous studies carried out in the area. México is the country with the highest number of brittle stars reported in the Tropical Eastern Pacific; this may be due to its exceptional oceanographic conditions, location and coastline extension. However, a total of 27 species reported in the literature were considered doubtful due to their general distributions and were not included in the checklist. Of the reported species, 35 have their type locality in the Mexican Pacific, corroborating the importance of the country in the Tropical Eastern Pacific in terms of Echinodermata diversity. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (Suppl. 2): 37-47. Epub 2015 June 01.

Resumen A pesar del importante esfuerzo en el conocimiento de la diversidad de ofiuroideos del Pacífico mexicano, algunos errores en la nomenclatura taxonómica han perseverado a través del tiempo. Con el objetivo de clarificar lo anterior, se provee una lista de especies de ofiuroideos del Pacífico Mexicano, basada en la revisión de literatura. Se revisó un total de 105 referencias que en total suman 125 especies pertenecientes a dos órdenes, 16 familias y 50 géneros de ofiuros del Pacífico Mexicano (112) y el Golfo de California (97). Estos reportes son mayores que otros estudios llevados a cabo en el área. México es el país con el mayor número de ofiuros reportados en el Pacífico Oriental Tropical; esto puede deberse a su excepcional condición oceanográfica, ubicación y extensión de línea de costa. Un total de 27 de las especies reportadas en la literatura fueron consideradas dudosas de acuerdo distribución geográfica por lo que no fueron incluidas en la lista. 35 especies poseen su localidad tipo en el Pacífico Mexicano, corroborando la importancia de México en el Pacífico Oriental Tropical en términos de diversidad de equinodermos.