A new semifossorial snake of the genus Arrhyton (Squamata: Dipsadidae) from eastern Cuba, with taxonomic comments on other species

The genus Arrhyton is endemic to Cuba, with eight currently known species. A new species, Arrhyton albicollum sp. nov., is described from the karst areas of Gibara, Holguín Province. The new species is closely related to A. redimitum, another eastern species, according to morphology and molecular phylogeny. It differs from all other species of the genus by having a conspicuous, white nuchal band, a contrasting black pattern on the head, a gray-colored body with faint stripes, and a high number of ventral and subcaudal scales. Additional comments on other species include new locality records and information on morphology and relationships.

Redescription of the paedomorphic goby Schindleria nigropunctata Fricke & El-Regal 2017 (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea

Schindler’s fishes (Schindleria) are extremely paedomorphic and only a few morphological characters are suitable for species delimitation of these tiny fishes. Three of these key morphological characters, the (i) origin of the dorsal fin relative to the anal fin, (ii) number of vertebrae and (iii) coloration, need reinterpretation in a recently described species, Schindleria nigropunctata. To avoid nomenclatorial problems S. nigropunctata is redescribed from the type material. This species is characterized by 16–17 dorsal fin rays, 16 pectoral fin rays, origin of the anal fin ventral to the 8th dorsal fin ray, 37–38 myomeres, a uniform greyish-white colored body (preserved) and a trunk without obvious pigmentation (no black pigment spots). The eyes are dark grey with a silvery cornea. Dorsally on the cornea are blackish melanophores arranged in a sickle-shaped pattern.

First report of a blue hue Schendylops (Geophilomorpha, Schendylidae), with a description of a new species from Southeastern Brazil

The first report of a blue colored body in schendylid specimens is presented based on a description of Schendylops turmalina sp. nov. recorded from Southeastern Brazil. The female holotype is described and illustrated, and the variations observed in male paratypes and in a juvenile male from the same locality are given. The new species is characterized by having adults with an uninterrupted series of sternal pore-fields, from the first to the penultimate leg-bearing segments, undivided on the anterior and posterior part of the body and divided into two sub-symmetrical areas in the middle region. This characteristic can also be observed in Schendylops tropicus, S. coscaroni, S. parahyhae, S. inquilinus, S. grismadoi and S. demelloi. However, in addition to the blue hue present between the first and ultimate leg-bearing segments, S. turmalina sp. nov. differs from all the aforementioned species in having the following unique characteristics: antennae less than 2.5 times the length of the cephalic plate in both male and female; posterior margin of mid-part of labrum near-straight; forcipular tarsungulum with the internal edge serrate; tarsus 2 of the ultimate pair of legs with an apical tubercle which has two pore-like sensilla and is surrounded by two larger sensilla.

Colored body images reveal the perceived intensity and distribution of pain in women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant taxanes: a prospective multi-method study of pain experiences

Background and aimsBreast cancer is the most prevalent adult cancer worldwide. A broader use of screening for early detection and adjuvant systemic therapy with chemotherapy has resulted in improved survival rates. Taxane-containing chemotherapy is one of the cornerstones of the treatment. However, taxane-containing chemotherapy may result in acute chemotherapy-induced nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Since this pain may be an additional burden for the patient both during and after taxane chemotherapy, it is important to rapidly discover and treat it. There is yet no gold standard for assessing taxane-induced pain. In the clinic, applying multiple methods for collecting information on pain may better describe the patients’ pain experiences. The aim was to document the pain during and after taxane through the contribution of different methods for collecting information on taxane-induced pain. Fifty-three women scheduled for adjuvant sequential chemotherapy at doses of ≥75 mg/m2of docetaxel and epirubicin were enrolled in the study.MethodsProspective pain assessments were done on a visual analog scale (VAS) before and during each cycle of treatment for about 5 months, and using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire’s (EORTC-QLQ-C30) two pain questions at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Participants scoring pain on the VAS >30 and undergoing an interview also colored their pain on a body image during treatment and at 12 months.ResultsSurprisingly widespread, intense pain was detected using a multi-method approach. The colored body image showed pain being perceived on 51% of the body surface area during treatment, and on 18% 12 months after inclusion. In general, the pain started and peaked in intensity after the first cycle of taxane. After Cycle 3, most women reported an increase in pain on the VAS. Some women continued to report some pain even during the epirubicin cycles. The VAS scores dropped after the last chemotherapy cycle, but not to the baseline level. At baseline, 3 months and 12 months after inclusion, the women who estimated VAS >30 reported higher levels of pain on the pain questions of the EORTC-QLQ-C30.ConclusionsThis study contributes information on how different pain assessment tools offer different information in the assessment of pain. The colored body image brings another dimension to pain diagnostics, providing additional information on the involved body areas and the pain intensities as experienced by the women. A multi-method approach to assessing pain offers many advantages. The timing of the assessment is important to properly assess pain.ImplicationsPain relief needs to be included in the chemotherapy treatment, with individual assessment and treatment of pain, in the same way as is done in chemotherapy-triggered nausea. There is a time window whereby the risk of pain development is at its highest within 24–48 h after receiving taxane chemotherapy. Proper attention to pain evaluation and treatment should be in focus during this time window.

Tachysurus spilotus, a new species of catfish from central Vietnam (Teleostei: Bagridae)

Tachysurus spilotus, a new species of catfish from central Vietnam, is described. It can be distinguished from congeners except T. argentivittatus, T. longispinalis, and T. virgatus in having a color pattern consisting of black longitudinal stripes on a pale body (vs. with a uniform-colored body with pale patches or transverse bands on a dark body, or with dark rectangular patches on a pale body). It differs from both T. argentivittatus and T. virgatus in snout shape and having gently convex (vs. straight) posterior edges of the caudal-fin lobes; and from T. longispinalis in having a shorter dorsalfin spine (ca. 27% SL vs. 15.1–19.0) and maxillary barbels (shorter, vs. longer than head). Tachysurus mica is shown here to be conspecific with—and a junior synonym of—T. argentivittatus.