Resolving phytosterols in microalgae using offline two-dimensional reversed phase liquid chromatography-supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Sterols are unsaponifiable lipids resulting from plant metabolism that exhibit interesting bioactive properties. Microalgae are a major source of specific phytosterols, most of which are still not fully characterized. The similarity in sterol structures and the existence of positional isomers make the separation of phytosterols challenging. A method was developed based on an offline two-dimensional (2D) system, reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)/quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-ToF) mass spectrometry, for the identification of sterols in microalgae. Subsequent positive-mode MS/MS was used to confirm the identified phytosterols. The 2D chromatogram exhibited a pattern related to the positions of the double bonds, which were confirmed by standard injection, enabling structural elucidation. The analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction of two algae, namely Scenedesmus obliquus, a freshwater microalgae, and Padina pavonica, a marine macroalgae, highlighted the ability of the method to distinguish a large number of sterol isomers.

Aqueous phase recycling: impact on microalgal lipid accumulation and biomass quality.

The potential success of microalgal biofuels greatly depends on the sustainability of the chosen pathway to produce them. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising route to convert wet algal biomass into biocrude. Recycling the resulting HTL aqueous phase (AP) aims not only to recover nutrients from this effluent but also to use it as a substrate to close the photosynthetic loop and produce algal biomass again and process this biomass again into new biocrude. With that purpose, the response to AP recycling of five Chlorellaceae strains was monitored over five cultivation cycles. After four successive cycles of dynamic growth under nutrient-replete conditions, the microalgae were cultivated for a prolonged fifth cycle of 18 days in order to assess the impact of the AP on lipid and biomass accumulation under nutrient-limited conditions. Using AP as a substrate reduced the demand for external sources of N, S, and P while producing a significant amount of biomass (2.95-4.27 g/L) among the strains, with a lipid content ranging from 16 to 36%. However, the presence of the AP resulted in biomass with suboptimal properties, as it slowed down the accumulation of lipids and thus reduced the overall energy content of the biomass in all strains. Although Chlorella vulgaris NIES 227 did not have the best growth on AP, it did maintain the best lipid productivity of all the tested strains. Understanding the impact of AP on microalgal cultivation is essential for further optimizing biofuel production via the HTL process.

A reversible water-based electrostatic adhesive.

Commercial adhesives typically fall into two categories: structural or pressure sensitive. Structural glues rely on covalent bonds formed during curing and provide high tensile strength whilst pressure-sensitive adhesives use physical bonding to provide weaker adhesion, but with considerable convenience for the user. Here, a new class of adhesive is presented that is also reversible, with a bond strength intermediate between those of pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives. Complementary water-based formulations incorporating oppositely charged polyelectrolytes form electrostatic bonds that may be reversed through immersion in a low or high pH aqueous environment. This electrostatic adhesive has the advantageous property that it exhibits good adhesion to low-energy surfaces such as polypropylene. Furthermore, it is produced by the emulsion copolymerization of commodity materials, styrene and butyl acrylate, which makes it inexpensive and opens the possibility of industrial production. Bio-based materials have been also integrated into the formulations to further increase sustainability. Moreover, unlike other water-based glues, adhesion does not significantly degrade in humid environments. Because such electrostatic adhesives do not require mechanical detachment, they are appropriate for the large-scale recycling of, e.g., bottle labels or food packaging. The adhesive is also suitable for dismantling components in areas as varied as automotive parts and electronics.

Advances in Nonviral mRNA Delivery Materials and Their Application as Vaccines for Melanoma Therapy.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are promising platforms for cancer immunotherapy because of their potential to encode for a variety of tumor antigens, high tolerability, and capacity to induce strong antitumor immune responses. However, the clinical translation of mRNA cancer vaccines can be hindered by the inefficient delivery of mRNA in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of mRNA cancer vaccines by discussing their utility in treating melanoma. Specifically, we begin our review by describing the barriers that can impede mRNA delivery to target cells. We then review native mRNA structure and discuss various modification methods shown to enhance mRNA stability and transfection. Next, we outline the advantages and challenges of three nonviral carrier platforms (lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and lipopolyplexes) frequently used for mRNA delivery. Last, we summarize preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated nonviral mRNA vaccines for the treatment of melanoma. In writing this review, we aim to highlight innovative nonviral strategies designed to address mRNA delivery challenges while emphasizing the exciting potential of mRNA vaccines as next-generation therapies for the treatment of cancers.

Unveiling invasive insect threats to plant biodiversity: Leveraging eDNA metabarcoding and saturated salt trap solutions for biosurveillance.

The negative global impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on biodiversity are second only to habitat loss. eDNA metabarcoding allows for a faster and more comprehensive evaluation of community species composition, with a higher taxonomic resolution and less taxonomic expertise required than traditional morphological-based biosurveillance. These advantages have positioned eDNA metabarcoding as the standard method for molecular-based detection of invasive alien species, where fast and accurate detectability allows prompt responses to mitigate their adverse effects. Here, eDNA metabarcoding is used for biosurveillance of invasive alien species regulated by Canada in high-risk areas with four main objectives: i) validate the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding of salt trap solutions as a molecular technique for IAS detection, ii) compare detection from DNA extracts obtained from filter quarters versus whole filters, iii) benchmark two different bioinformatic pipelines (MetaWorks and mBRAVE), and iv) compare canopy and ground level trapping. eDNA from up to five IAS (Agrilus planipennis, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Lymantria dispar, Popillia japonica, and Trichoferus campestris) were successfully detected across years from 2017 to 2022 in southern Ontario, Canada, with successful morphological validation for all except Lymantria dispar and Trichoferus campestris. Analysis of filter quarters in contrast to whole filters was demonstrated to be insufficient for effective IAS detection in each sample. All IAS were detected in only one filter quarter, suggesting a patchy eDNA distribution on the filter. The MetaWorks and mBRAVE bioinformatics pipelines proved effective in identifying IAS, with MetaWorks yielding a higher success rate when comparing molecular and morphological identifications. Ground-level and canopy-level sampling showed differential IAS recovery rates based on the molecular detection, which also varied per collection year, with all found IAS detected at the canopy level in 2022 while only one (Lymantria dispar) in 2020. The present study ratifies the efficacy and importance of eDNA-based detection in a regulatory context and the utility of adding eDNA metabarcoding of saturated salt trap solutions, a critical tool for IAS detection.

A novel approach for direct detection of the IGH::CRLF2 gene fusion by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

BACKGROUND: High expression of the Cytokine Receptor-Like Factor 2 (CRLF2) gene has been observed in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia BCR-ABL1-like subtype. Currently, there is no commercial system available for the direct detection of the IGH::CRLF2 fusion by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), as there are for many other leukemia-related gene fusions. In an effort to verify the IGH::CRLF2 fusion, some researchers prepare home-grown FISH probes from bacterial artificial chromosome clones flanking the IGH and CRLF2 genes, which is the best alternative to confirm the fusion, however difficult to reproduce in most cytogenetic laboratories. RESULTS: For the direct observation of the IGH::CRLF2 gene fusion we designed a methodological approach requiring the two commercially available IGH and CRLF2 break-apart probes. CONCLUSIONS: Our methodological approach allows direct visualization of the IGH::CRLF2 gene fusion and has the potential to be used for identification of other gene fusions.

Microalgae adaptation as a strategy to recycle the aqueous phase from hydrothermal liquefaction.

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) produces bio-crude oil from wet algae along with an aqueous phase (AP). This effluent contains minerals that can be reused for cultivating new microalgae but whose utility remains limited due to the presence of inhibitors. Reduced photosynthetic performance, growth, and null lipid accumulation were observed in wild-type Chlorella vulgaris NIES 227 cultivated in AP (1/200). Adaptive laboratory evolution was studied by batch transfers and turbidostat mode. Both methods effectively counterbalanced AP toxicity and restored the fitness of the microalgae. After adaptation, a higher AP addition was achieved, from 1/600 to 1/200, without inhibition. As compared with the wild typein control medium (0.261 g/L/d), both adapted-strains maintained competitive productivity (0.310 and 0.258 g/L/d) of lipid-rich biomass (37 %-56 %). The improved tolerance of the adapted strains persisted after the removal of AP and under axenic conditions. Adaptive laboratory evolution is suggested for AP reutilization in the algae production process.

Adhesive Interfaces toward a Zero-Waste Industry.

This Feature Article evaluates ongoing efforts to adapt adhesives toward the goal of zero-waste living and suggests the most promising future directions. Adhesives are not always considered in zero-waste manufacturing because they represent only a small fraction of a product and offer no additional functionality. However, their presence restricts the reintegration of constituent parts into a circular economy, so a new generation of adhesives is required. Furthermore, their production often leads to harmful pollutants. Here, two main approaches toward addressing these problems are considered: first, the use of natural materials that replace petroleum-based polymers from which conventional adhesives are made and second, the production of dismantlable adhesives capable of debonding on demand with the application of an external stimulus. These approaches, either individually or combined, offer a new paradigm in zero-waste industrial production and consumer applications.

Biomechanical in silico evaluation of a 3D novel total hip implant with cemented fixation using finite elements.

This paper presents the biomechanical evaluation of a proposed replacement implant for a total hip arthroplasty considering both the effect of the material and using a numerical tool. The use of titanium, alumina, polycarbonate urethane (PCU), and nitride titanium allows the manufacture of a cemented hip prosthesis with better resistance to corrosion, greater biocompatibility, greater mechanical resistance for physiological conditions, and does not present plastic deformation. This article provides an analysis of biomaterials and adequate geometries for a total hip prosthesis, with the aim of finding the optimal model, thus avoiding complications such as loosening or fatigue that current models present. Ultimately, the proposed design of the prosthesis was modeled using finite elements, simulating the static loads to which the prosthesis is subjected and evaluating the chosen biomaterials. Clinical Relevance - Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects 20% of the population above 60 years of age, particularly the hip joint, which is why, in most cases, a total arthroplasty of the expressed joint is required. In this procedure, the hip is replaced with an implant, which failure is usually related with either geometrical conditions or selected materials. An exponential increase of 136% in the incidence of total hip arthroplasty is expected by 2030.

Biased Clonal Evolution in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia through Imbalances Affecting the der(17) but Not the der(15) Chromosome: Report of Two Cases.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the chromosomal translocation t(15;17)(q24;q21), raising two hybrid genes: PML::RARA and RARA::PML. There is a biased clonal evolution in APL since imbalances affecting the der(15) chromosome (the one that carries the transforming PML::RARA gene) have never been reported; instead, imbalances of the der(17), mainly in form of an ider(17)(q10), have been repeatedly documented. We here present two cases with APL who acquired an ider(17)(q10) as a secondary chromosomal change. The presence of the ider(17)(q10) implies several genomic consequences with potential to fuel tumor progression: (1) a duplication of the hybrid gene RARA::PML; (2) a cumulative haploinsufficiency for tumor suppressor genes located in the 17p arm; and (3) a cumulative triplosensitivity of genes located in 17q10→RARA::PML→15qter. Both our patients were treated following the PETHEMA LPA 2012 protocol with ATRA plus idarubicin and they have had a long event-free survival.

Fundamentos bioéticos que utilizan los comités de ética para la evaluación de investigaciones en seres humanos, en Antioquia / Bioethical Foundations Used by Ethics Committees for the Evaluation of Research on Human Beings, in Antioquia / Fundamentos bioéticos utilizados pelos comitês de ética para a avaliação da pesquisa em seres humanos, em Antioquia, Colômbia

Resumen: Los comités de ética de investigación (CEI) son grupos de carácter interdisciplinar encargados de la evaluación de proyectos de investigación en los cuales participan seres humanos directa o indirectamente. Los CEI tienen diferentes funciones, procedimientos y fundamentos, tanto nacionales como internacionales, bajo los cuales se rigen para llevar a cabo su función. El objetivo del proyecto es describir los fundamentos bioéticos que tienen en cuenta los CEI al momento de establecer los criterios de evaluación de un proyecto de investigación, para ello, se realizó una entrevista se-miestructurada (encuesta) a un integrante o al CEI en pleno. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una diferencia en la aplicación de los fundamentos, que en algunos casos depende de si el CEI está o no certificado. Se encontró que los CEI no usan los mismos fundamentos porque los desconocen, no les aplican o lo hacen parcialmente. Se concluye que todos los CEI aplican la Resolución 008430 de 1993 para la evaluación, sin embargo, son flexibles en su aplicación porque esta no abarca la diversidad y complejidad de las investigaciones actuales, por lo que es urgente su actualización.

Summary: Research ethics committees (REC) are interdisciplinary groups responsible for the evaluation of research projects in which human beings take part directly or indirectly. RECS have different functions, procedures, and basics, both national and international, under which they are governed to carry out their function. The aim of the project is to describe bioethical foundations that consider REC when establishing a research project evaluation criterion, for this, a semi-structured interview (survey) was carried out with a member or the REC in full. The results obtained show a difference in the application of the basics, which in some cases depends on whether REC is certified or not. It was found that RECS do not use the same grounds, because they are not known, they are not applicable or partially apply. It is concluded that all RECS apply Resolution 008430 of 1993 for evaluation, however, they are flexible in their application because they do not include the diversity and complexity of the current research, so it is urgent to update it.

Resumo: Os Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa (CEI, na sigla em espanhol) são grupos interdisciplinares responsáveis por avaliar projetos de pesquisa nos quais seres humanos participam direta ou indiretamente. Os CEI têm diferentes funções, procedimentos e fundamentos, nacionais e internacionais, sob as quais são governados para desempenhar sua função. O objetivo do projeto é descrever os fundamentos bioéticos que são levados em consideração pelos CEiquando eles estabelecem os critérios de avaliação de um projeto de pesquisa, para esse fim, foi realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada (enquete) com um integrante ou a todo o CEI. Os resultados obtidos mostram uma diferença na aplicação dos fundamentos, que em alguns casos varia se o CEI em questão for certificado ou não. Verificou-se que os CEI não usam os mesmos fundamentos porque não os conhecem, não os aplicam ou o fazem parcialmente. Conclui-se que todos os CEI aplicam a Resolução 008430 de 1993 para a avaliação, no entanto, eles são flexíveis em sua aplicação porque ela não abrange a diversidade e complexidade da pesquisa atual, por isso é urgente atualizá-la.

Clinical, trichoscopy, and light microscopic findings in hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: Report of 21 patients and a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a genetic condition typified by alterations in skin structures including sweat glands, hair, nails, and teeth. Hair findings in HED have been poorly characterized in larger series. OBJECTIVE: To characterize scalp and hair findings of patients with HED clinically and with trichoscopy and light microscopy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 21 pediatric HED patients was performed using available clinical and scalp dermatoscopic images, as well as pulled-hair samples for clinical evaluation, trichoscopic, and light microscopic analyses. RESULTS: Seventeen out of 21 patients (81%) were men. Twenty patients had straight hair. Sixteen patients had decreased hair density, 6 of whom had hair loss mainly in the temporal and occipital regions. Fourteen patients had hair whorls. On trichoscopy, we observed: single-hair follicular units (n = 19, 90%), scalp hyperpigmentation (n = 13, 62%), variable diameter of the hair shafts (n = 12, 57%), perifollicular scales (n = 8, 38%), scalp erythema (n = 8, 38%), and short curly pigtail hairs (n = 6, 29%). On light microscopy, findings included: hair shafts with irregular diameter (n = 7, 33%), heterogeneous hair color (n = 6, 29%), trichoptilosis (n = 2, 10%), and pili torti (n = 1, 5%). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, hair findings in HED were similar to those described in previous studies. However, we describe two new clinical and two trichoscopic findings: decreased hair density mainly in the temporal and occipital regions, oblique upwards occipital hair follicles orientation, angled hairs, and short curly pigtail hairs. These heterogeneous findings may reflect the multiple factors and signaling pathways that can be affected in these syndromes.

Caracterización y tipificación socioeconómica en productores de cultivos transitorios ubicados en Piedemonte y Altillanura plana / Characterising and socioeconomic classification of transitory crop producers working in the Piedmont area of Colombia's Eastern plains and flat high plains areas / Caracterização e classificação socioeconômica em produtores de culturas transitórias localizadas em Piedemonte e Altillanura plana

Resumen En este trabajo se realizó una tipificación y caracterización socioeconómica de los productores de cultivos transitorios de arroz, maíz y soya, mediante una encuesta estructurada realizada en el semestre 2019A en las zonas del Piedemonte Llanero y la Altillanura plana, complementada con información general de los gremios de la producción (Fenalce, Fedearroz) y Agrosavia, para mejorar y orientar las políticas institucionales y sectoriales acordes a las condiciones actuales de los productores. Se determinó un tamaño de muestra mediante muestreo estratificado con asignación proporcional, con un margen de error de 5% y un nivel de confianza del 95%, para un total de 85 productores, de los cuales 62 están ubicados en el Piedemonte y 23 en la Altillanura. La clasificación de los productores se realizó mediante dos técnicas multivariadas: análisis de correspondencia múltiple (ACM) y análisis de conglomerados jerárquico (AC), en grupos homogéneos, con dieciocho (18) variables sociales y económicas relacionadas con el sistema productivo. Los resultados permitieron generar cinco grupos de productores los cuales fueron tipificados y caracterizados en: 1) productores mayormente maiceros con niveles altos de ingreso y educación superior (n=18), 2) maiceros y soyeros con mayor uso de mano de obra familiar y dependencia financiera de casas comerciales (n=16), 3) mayormente soyeros con gran experiencia y edad (n=18), 4) mayormente arroceros con nivel básica primaria y con vías despavimentadas (n=27) y 5) maiceros y arroceros vinculados al SISBEN y con uso de los recursos de inversión propia (n=6).

Abstract This work involved the socioeconomic typing and characterisation of transitory rice, corn and soybean crop producers in the Piedmont area of Colombia's Eastern plains and flat high plains areas through a structured survey carried out during the 2019A semester. This was complemented by general information provided by the trade/producers' associations (Fenalce (cereal growers' association) and Fedearroz (rice growers' federation)) and the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (Agrosavia) to improve and guide institutional and sector policies according to the producers' current conditions. Sample size was determined by stratified sampling with proportional allocation (5% margin of error and 95% confidence level); this gave 85 producers, 62 of whom were located in the Piedmont area and 23 on the high plains. The producers were classified into homogeneous groups using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA) multivariate techniques, with eighteen production-system-related social and economic variables. The results led to typing and characterising five groups of producers: 1) those having high income and higher education levels (mainly corn farmers) (n=18), 2) corn and soybean farmers relying on greater use of family labour and being dependent on banks/financial institutions (n=16), 3) mostly older soy farmers having great experience (n=18), 4) mostly rice farmers having basic primary education and unpaved roads (n=27) and 5) corn and rice farmers linked to Colombia's system of identifying social programme beneficiaries (SISBEN) using their own investment resources (n=6).

Resumo Neste trabalho, foi realizada uma tipificação e caracterização socioeconômica dos produtores de culturas temporárias de arroz, milho e soja, por meio de uma pesquisa estruturada realizada no semestre de 2019A nas áreas do Piedemonte e Altillanura plana, complementada com informações gerais sobre as guildas de produção (Fenalce, Fedearroz) e Agrosavia, para melhorar e orientar as políticas institucionais e setoriais de acordo com as condições atuais dos produtores. O tamanho da amostra foi determinado através de amostragem estratificada com alocação proporcional, com margem de erro de 5% e nível de confiança de 95%, para um total de 85 produtores, dos quais 62 estão localizados no Piedemonte e 23 na Altillanura. Os produtores foram classificados usando duas técnicas multivariadas: análise de correspondência múltipla (ACM) e análise hierárquica de cluster (CA), em grupos homogêneos, com dezoito (18) variáveis sociais e econômicas relacionadas ao sistema de produção. Os resultados permitiram gerar cinco grupos de produtores que foram tipificados e caracterizados em: 1) produtores principalmente de milho com alto nível de renda e ensino superior (n = 18), 2) produtores de milho e soja com maior uso da mão-de-obra familiar e dependência financeira de casas comerciais (n = 16), 3) agricultores de soja com ampla experiência e idade (n = 18), 4) arrozeiros com nível primário básico e com estradas não pavimentadas (n = 27) e 5) produtores de milho e arroz vinculados ao SISBEN e utilizando recursos de investimento próprio (n=6).

BigBrain 3D atlas of cortical layers: Cortical and laminar thickness gradients diverge in sensory and motor cortices.

Histological atlases of the cerebral cortex, such as those made famous by Brodmann and von Economo, are invaluable for understanding human brain microstructure and its relationship with functional organization in the brain. However, these existing atlases are limited to small numbers of manually annotated samples from a single cerebral hemisphere, measured from 2D histological sections. We present the first whole-brain quantitative 3D laminar atlas of the human cerebral cortex. It was derived from a 3D histological atlas of the human brain at 20-micrometer isotropic resolution (BigBrain), using a convolutional neural network to segment, automatically, the cortical layers in both hemispheres. Our approach overcomes many of the historical challenges with measurement of histological thickness in 2D, and the resultant laminar atlas provides an unprecedented level of precision and detail. We utilized this BigBrain cortical atlas to test whether previously reported thickness gradients, as measured by MRI in sensory and motor processing cortices, were present in a histological atlas of cortical thickness and which cortical layers were contributing to these gradients. Cortical thickness increased across sensory processing hierarchies, primarily driven by layers III, V, and VI. In contrast, motor-frontal cortices showed the opposite pattern, with decreases in total and pyramidal layer thickness from motor to frontal association cortices. These findings illustrate how this laminar atlas will provide a link between single-neuron morphology, mesoscale cortical layering, macroscopic cortical thickness, and, ultimately, functional neuroanatomy.

fastMRI: A Publicly Available Raw k-Space and DICOM Dataset of Knee Images for Accelerated MR Image Reconstruction Using Machine Learning.

A publicly available dataset containing k-space data as well as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine image data of knee images for accelerated MR image reconstruction using machine learning is presented.

Successful evolution of morphea after hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antiviral agent treatment

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Successful evolution of morphea after hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antiviral agent treatment.

Hepatitis C virus infection has been associated with many dermatologic conditions such as lichen planus, porphyria cutanea tarda, and cryoglobulinemia. Recently, an association of HCV with systemic sclerosis has been reported. However, there are few reports of the association of localized scleroderma or morphea with Hepatitis C Virus infection. We describe the case of a 36 years old female patient suffering from prolonged morphea with difficult management, who was recently diagnosed of Hepatitis C Virus and received direct-acting antiviral agents treatment with Hepatitis C Virus clearance. Skin lesion faded away in a short period after successful therapy.

Diagnosis and management of linear scleroderma in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Linear scleroderma is the most common subtype of localized scleroderma (LoS) in children. It can be associated with extracutaneous manifestations and long-term sequelae. Thus, appropriate diagnosis and management are key to improve the prognosis. In this review, we summarize the most relevant recent publications for the diagnosis, evaluation of disease activity and adequate management of patients with linear scleroderma. RECENT FINDINGS: There are specific clinical features that indicate activity in LoS; dermoscopy and Wood's lamp may be useful. Summarizing, scoring methods seem to provide the most adequate assessment of LoS; but several biomarkers that correlate with activity have been studied: E-selectin and IL-2 receptor, CD34+ dermal dendritic cells and Th/Th1 immunophenotype with decreased T helper (Th2), T regulatory (Tregs), B and natural killer (NK) cells. Recent studies propose hydroxychloroquine monotherapy and tocilizumab as potential therapeutic options. SUMMARY: Clinical evaluation, both physical exam and history, is the most important aspect in diagnosing and assessing activity of linear scleroderma. Clinical scoring methods may be most useful for evaluation of activity; eventually, other biomarkers could be relevant in clinical practice. For most patients with linear scleroderma, the first choice of treatment is methotrexate, but physical therapy, plastic surgery and/or orthopedic management are key to improve residual limitations and quality of life. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/MOP/A35.