bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the superalkali regime: ab initio analysis of FnMn
+1
+ cationic clusters (M = Li, Na, K; n = 1−7)
Authors: Srivastava Harshita , Srivastava Ambrish Kumar
Published: February 2025

Superalkalis with low ionization energies have properties mimicking those of alkali atoms, therefore serving as potentially useful elements for constructing innovative nanostructured materials. Ab initio techniques were successfully utilized for investigating entirely new classes of metallic superalkali cationic clusters, F
n
M
n

+1
+ cations (M = Li, Na and K and n = 1–7) using second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). We have demonstrated a connection between the core atoms and the structural characteristics of such clusters by analyzing the NBO charge, bond distances, and vertical electron affinity (EAv). The F
n
Li
n

+1
+, F
n
Na
n

+1
+, and F
n
K
n

+1
+ (n = 1–7) cations have exceptionally low vertical electron affinities under the range of 3.61–2.64 eV, 3.26–2.23 eV, and 2.84–2.08 eV, respectively, and consequently, they ought to be characterized as novel superalkali clusters.
The Double Black Box
Authors: Deeks Ashley S
Published: February 2025

This book addresses a pressing challenge posed by artificial intelligence: its use may weaken democratic accountability for consequential U.S. national security choices, including war. To ensure that those choices adhere to the public law values of rationality, legality, and accountability, we rely on Congress and the courts, as well as foreign allies, whistleblowers, and even U.S. technology companies. But their work is hindered by the classified, “black box” nature of the Executive’s national security decision-making. The rise of AI systems to enhance national security decision-making—or even make autonomous decisions—deepens this critique, because it is difficult to understand how AI algorithms, often described as “black boxes,” reach their conclusions. How can we be confident that these AI systems comport with our laws and values? The widespread use of AI inside the national security ecosystem renders U.S. national security choices even more opaque to the public, congressional overseers, U.S. allies, and even the officials making the decisions. This “double black box” raises critical challenges for democratic accountability. Because China is committed to becoming the world leader in AI and faces fewer legal and values-based constraints in its pursuit of military AI, democracies’ commitment to using AI in lawful and ethical ways will be tested. This book defines and explores the double black box phenomenon and then identifies ways that policymakers, military and intelligence officials, and lawyers in democratic states such as the United States can reap the advantages of advanced technologies without surrendering their public law values.
A Tangled Creation
Authors: Hess Carol A
Published: February 2025

The first version of El amor brujo was a pantomime with flamenco songs, one of several projects Falla undertook with the theatrical team Gregorio Martínez Sierra and his wife, María Martínez Sierra. (Unlike most Spanish women, María took her husband’s name.) A ghostwriter, María turned out numerous dramatic works, essays, and lyrics, all under Gregorio’s name and for which he took full credit. Among these works was El amor brujo. Besides writing the score, Falla suggested ideas for the storyline, resulting in a three-way creative process that would later prove impossible to unravel in terms of authors’ rights. As this chapter explains, during World War I international artists and intellectuals sojourned in neutral Spain, where they effectively revitalized Spanish cultural life, often to the consternation of more conservative Spanish critics. The premiere of El amor brujo, in 1915, was anything but successful. While some critics praised its authenticity, others attacked Falla’s score as Frenchified. Still others decried his mixing of classical music with flamenco, a popular genre they condemned as low class. These debates echoed the overall fractiousness of early twentieth-century Spain.
Ex-Ministers as Constitutional Judges
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: February 2025

The appointment of former politicians to constitutional courts is a global phenomenon. While ex-politician appointees may bring status, visibility, knowledge, and political awareness to the job, their previous roles may influence their assessment of the constitutionality of legislation. Ex-Ministers as Constitutional Judges sheds light on this practice in four of the world’s oldest and most established constitutional courts: Austria, France, Germany, and Italy.

Weaving together legal, political, sociological, and historical sources, including press articles, surveys, and interviews with constitutional judges and high-level personnel, the book provides the first comprehensive exploration of ex-politicians becoming constitutional court judges. It analyses the advantages and disadvantages such personalities bring to constitutional courts, as well as assessing what limitations supranational law may set for such participation. Whereas the participation of ex-ministers does not seem to have posed serious structural issues to constitutional courts so far, this volume posits that the risks have been underestimated. In this context, Ex-Ministers as Constitutional Judges ultimately suggests normative steps for minimizing such risks and for strengthening the independence and impartiality of constitutional courts in view of democratic and constitutional backsliding.
Introduction
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: February 2025

This chapter lays out the theoretical and material contours of the book. It links the importance of understanding the role of ex-ministers as constitutional judges in older academic debates between Hans Kelsen and Carl Schmitt as well as newer ones on the judicialization of politics in comparative constitutional law and comparative judicial politics. Moreover, it lays out how the relative academic silence on the issue may be treacherous, especially in view of illiberalism and constitutional/democratic backsliding and argues that—while the analysis is limited to the four constitutional courts of Austria, Italy, Germany, and France and excludes former parliamentarians and constitutional and supreme courts of other systems—this book’s observations may be relevant for such personalities and contexts as well.
A Diachronic Comparison of Constitutional Courts
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: February 2025

This chapter lays out the functioning of the four constitutional courts analysed in this book in a diachronic manner that details how these institutions function today and what relevant changes, for the purposes of this book, they have undergone since their creation. What emerges from this overview is that there are vast differences in the history, functioning, and competences of these bodies, besides the similarity of centralizing the constitutionality review of legislation, which is often referred to as the European model of constitutionality review. These similarities and differences have a bearing on better understanding how and why ex-ministers are nominated to constitutional courts and how they operate differently within that framework.
Ex-Ministers in Constitutional Courts
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: February 2025

This chapter describes and analyses in more detail the phenomenon of ex-ministers as constitutional judges in the four jurisdictions involved. Via a table indicating their names, time periods spent at the respective constitutional courts and as a minister, and a quantitative and descriptive assessment of the phenomenon, this chapter provides the basis for a qualitative and comparative analysis that adds context to the bare names and numbers. Overall, the practice of nominating or not nominating ex-ministers as constitutional judges remains stable over time, revealing a certain path-dependency per system. Where many ex-ministers have been named in the past, as in France, that trend continues. Where occasionally some were named in the past, as in Germany and Italy, that also did not change.
Supranational Requirements and Standards
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: February 2025

This chapter analyses the supranational standards developed mostly at the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) levels to consider which limitations supranational law sets or does not set to the participation of ex-ministers as constitutional judges. It argues that, especially with regard to the issue of (over- or mono-)politicization, EU law may increasingly have a say, especially if former politicians are the result of rule of law backsliding which makes constitutional courts look increasingly (over- or mono-)politicized, captured, and dependent. Moreover, international human rights law demonstrates how the potential risks are not just theoretical or practical but may amount to a violation of both binding and non-binding supranational requirements, the former mostly via the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on Article 6 (right to fair trial). The chapter concludes that the participation of ex-ministers on constitutional courts further problematizes certain issues, thus strengthening the idea that some reforms or adjustments may be necessary also from the supranational law perspective.
Who came to the rescue? Sources of informal support to older Europeans before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gonçalves Judite , Weaver France
Published: February 2025

Background/Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the provision of informal care in major ways. This study documents the prevalences of informal support with (instrumental) activities of daily living (IADL and ADL) before, during and after the pandemic, distinguishing between children, other relatives and friends/neighbours and focusing on individuals 50 years and older across 27 European countries.

Methods

This longitudinal analysis relies on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)’s Wave 8 (2019), two Corona surveys (2020 and 2021) and Wave 9 (2022). Linear probability models adjusted for individual fixed effects and time-varying confounders were used to estimate prevalences of informal support over time.

Results

During the pandemic, the prevalences of informal support with both IADL and ADL from all three groups of caregivers increased significantly (P < 0.01), to return to their pre-pandemic levels by 2022. For example, the adjusted likelihood of IADL help from children increased from 18.5% (2019) to 36.6% (2020) and 42.5% (2021), then dropped back to 19.7% in 2022. Friends and neighbours played a critical role, with the adjusted likelihood of IADL help going from 8.8% (2019) to 29.7% (2020), then down to 18% (2021) and 8.9% (2022).

Conclusions

Future emergency and disaster preparedness plans should contemplate the various sources of informal care, including support measures to non-relative caregivers, as those helpers may be able to rapidly respond to unexpected crisis.
Extended vs Inpatient Chemoprophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hinson Chandler , Sink Matthew , Buntic Rudolf F , Safa Bauback , Sammer Douglas M , Zhang Andrew Y , Pannucci Christopher , Odobescu Andrei
Published: February 2025

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant complication following deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. The optimal duration of chemoprophylaxis remains debated, with differing recommendations on short-term chemoprophylaxis (STC) versus long-term chemoprophylaxis (LTC) for VTE prevention. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of STC versus LTC in preventing VTE and hematoma in patients undergoing DIEP flap reconstruction. Four studies with a total of 1114 patients were included, with no significant differences in patient characteristics, including Caprini scores, between the STC and LTC groups. The pooled incidence of VTE was 1.83%, with 2.19% in the STC group and 1.33% in the LTC group, yielding a risk ratio (RR) of 1.42 for STC compared to LTC, though this was not statistically significant (p=0.62). The mean incidence of hematoma was 8.65%, with 8.32% in the STC group and 9.02% in the LTC group, resulting in an RR of 0.78 for STC compared to LTC, which was also not statistically significant (p=0.62). These findings suggest that extending chemoprophylaxis beyond hospitalization does not significantly reduce VTE incidence and underscores the importance of individualized risk-based anticoagulation strategies. Future studies are necessary to further refine guidelines for chemoprophylaxis duration in this population, balancing the risks of VTE and anticoagulation-related complications to optimize patient outcomes.
Modification of intracellular metabolism by expression of a C-terminal variant of phosphoribulokinase from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Nishiguchi Hiroki , Niide Teppei , Toya Yoshihiro , Shimizu Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

Phosphoribulokinase (PRK) is a key enzyme in the Calvin cycle of cyanobacteria required for CO2 fixation and enhancing intracellular PRK activity will contribute to altering the metabolic state. In Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, PRK activity is inhibited by the small protein CP12 and intramolecular disulfide bonds in its C-terminal loop. This study aimed to increase PRK activity by expressing a mutant PRK that inhibitory Cys residues (positions 229 and 235) in the C-terminal loop were replaced with Ser. The engineered strain showed increased PRK activity under photomixotrophic conditions. Metabolomic analysis revealed that this strain accumulates organic acids downstream of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acids cycle, highlighting its potential for producing chemicals using these metabolites as precursors. These findings suggest that preventing disulfide bond formation in the PRK C-terminal loop enhances its activity, providing a promising approach for metabolic engineering in cyanobacteria.
B-Lightning: using bait genes for marker gene hunting in single-cell data with complex heterogeneity
Authors: Shao Yiren , Gao Qi , Wang Liuyang , Li Dongmei , Nixon Andrew B , Chan Cliburn , Li Qi-Jing , Xie Jichun
Published: February 2025

In single-cell studies, cells can be characterized with multiple sources of heterogeneity (SOH) such as cell type, developmental stage, cell cycle phase, activation state, and so on. In some studies, many nuisance SOH are of no interest, but may confound the identification of the SOH of interest, and thus affect the accurate annotate the corresponding cell subpopulations. In this paper, we develop B-Lightning, a novel and robust method designed to identify marker genes and cell subpopulations corresponding to an SOH (e.g. cell activation status), isolating it from other SOH (e.g. cell type, cell cycle phase). B-Lightning uses an iterative approach to enrich a small set of trustworthy marker genes to more reliable marker genes and boost the signals of the SOH of interest. Multiple numerical and experimental studies showed that B-Lightning outperforms existing methods in terms of sensitivity and robustness in identifying marker genes. Moreover, it increases the power to differentiate cell subpopulations of interest from other heterogeneous cohorts. B-Lightning successfully identified new senescence markers in ciliated cells from human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung tissues, new T-cell memory and effector markers in the context of SARS-COV-2 infections, and their synchronized patterns that were previously neglected, new AD markers that can better differentiate AD severity, and new dendritic cell functioning markers with differential transcriptomics profiles across breast cancer subtypes. This paper highlights B-Lightning’s potential as a powerful tool for single-cell data analysis, particularly in complex data sets where SOH of interest are entangled with numerous nuisance factors.
ESPClust: Unsupervised identification of modifiers for the effect size profile in omics association studies
Authors: Pérez-Reche Francisco J , Cheetham Nathan J , Bowyer Ruth C E , Thompson Ellen J , Tettamanzi Francesca , Menni Cristina , Steves Claire J
Published: February 2025

Motivation

High-throughput omics technologies have revolutionised the identification of associations between individual traits and underlying biological characteristics, but still use ‘one effect-size fits all’ approaches. While covariates are often used, their potential as effect modifiers often remains unexplored.

Results

We propose ESPClust, a novel unsupervised method designed to identify covariates that modify the effect size of associations between sets of omics variables and outcomes. By extending the concept of moderators to encompass multiple exposures, ESPClust analyses the effect size profile (ESP) to identify regions in covariate space with different ESP, enabling the discovery of subpopulations with distinct associations. Applying ESPClust to synthetic data, insulin resistance and COVID-19 symptom manifestation, we demonstrate its versatility and ability to uncover nuanced effect size modifications that traditional analyses may overlook. By integrating information from multiple exposures, ESPClust identifies effect size modifiers in datasets that are too small for traditional univariate stratified analyses. This method provides a robust framework for understanding complex omics data and holds promise for personalised medicine.

Availability and Implementation

The source code ESPClust is available at https://github.com/fjpreche/ESPClust.git.

It can be installed via Python package repositories as `pip install ESPClust==1.1.0`.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Electrochemotherapy in metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: a review and technical update
Authors: Deschamps Frederic , Tselikas Lambros , Cazzato Roberto L , Facchini Giancarlo , Granata Vincenza , Bonnet Baptiste , D’Alessio Valeria , Fusco Roberta , Zanasi Alessandro , de Terlizzi Francesca , Gangi Afshin , de Baere Thierry , Mir Lluis M
Published: February 2025

This review aims to analyse the safety and clinical efficacy in terms of pain relief and local tumour control, in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression undergoing electrochemotherapy (ECT). Moreover, a recommendation detailing optimal electrodes insertion is proposed with the intent of improving treatment planning. Clinical studies published between 2015 and 2023 were included since this time window is consistent with recent developments in the field of ECT of spinal metastases. In the whole, 3 articles were included. Results showed that percutaneous image-guided ECT provides effective pain relief with limited procedure-related morbidity, along with local tumour control (complete response 28.5%, 38% partial response, 24% stable disease) at 3-month follow-up in the largest published series so far. In conclusion, ECT should integrate the armamentarium of therapies that are currently being proposed to patients with painful metastatic epidural disease.
Characterization of T-bet expressing B cells in lupus patients indicates a putative prognostic and therapeutic value of these cells for the disease
Authors: Sachinidis Athanasios , Trachana Maria , Taparkou Anna , Gavriilidis George , Vasileiou Vasileios , Keisaris Sofoklis , Verginis Panayotis , Adamichou Christina , Boumpas Dimitrios , Psomopoulos Fotis , Garyfallos Alexandros
Published: February 2025

Objective

To investigate whether T-bet+ B cells, as well as age-associated B cells/ABCs (CD19+CD21-CD11c+T-bet+) and double-negative B cells/DN (CD19+IgD-CD27- CXCR5-T-bet+), serve as prognostic and/or therapeutic tools for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans.

Methods

Flow cytometry was used for enumerating T-bet+ B cells and ABCs/DN subsets, found in the peripheral blood of 10 healthy donors and 22 active SLE patients. Whole blood assay cultures, combined with in vitro pharmacological treatments, were performed to evaluate the effects of hydroxychloroquine, anifrolumab and fasudil (a ROCK kinase inhibitor) on T-bet+ B cells’ percentage. Moreover, previously published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were used in a meta-analysis to allow characterization of genes and pathways associated with the biology of T-bet in B cells.

Results

T-bet+ B cells displayed an expansion in SLE patients [1.47 (1.9 – 0.7) vs 10.85 (37.4 – 3.6)]. Similarly, both ABCs and DN were found to be expanded. Interestingly, percentages of T-bet+ B cells positively correlated with patients’ SLEDAI scores (rs=0.55, p=0.007). Cell culture experiments conducted, revealed that all three agents tested can deplete T-bet+ B cells (without affecting the cell viability of lymphocytes, T cells and B cells). According to bioinformatics analyses, T-bet is highly expressed in two B cell clusters with pathogenic characteristics for SLE (designated as atypical memory B cells and activated naïve B cells). These clusters can be targeted for therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions

T-bet+ B cells can serve as a putative prognostic biomarker of lupus severity. Circumstantial data suggest that these cells may promote disease pathogenesis and may represent a novel therapeutic target.
CircRNAs increase during vascular cell differentiation and are biomarkers for vascular disease
Authors: Northoff Bernd H , Herbst Andreas , Wenk Catharina , Weindl Lena , Gäbel Gabor , Brezski Andre , Zarnack Kathi , Küpper Alina , Dimmeler Stefanie , Moretti Alessandra , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Engelhardt Stefan , Maegdefessel Lars , Boon Reinier , Doppler Stefanie , Dreßen Martina , Lahm Harald , Lange Rüdiger , Krane Markus , Krohn Knut , Kohlmaier Alexander , Holdt Lesca M , Teupser Daniel
Published: February 2025

Aims

The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and their regulation in health and disease are poorly understood. Here, we systematically investigated the temporally resolved transcriptomic expression of circRNAs during differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into vascular endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) and explored their potential as biomarkers for human vascular disease.

Methods and Results

Using high-throughput RNA sequencing and a de novo circRNA detection pipeline, we quantified the daily levels of 31,369 circRNAs in a two-week differentiation trajectory from human stem cells to proliferating mesoderm progenitors to quiescent, differentiated EC and SMC. We detected a significant global increase in RNA circularization, with 397 and 214 circRNAs upregulated > 2 fold (adjusted P < 0.05) in mature EC and SMC, compared with undifferentiated progenitor cells. This global increase in circRNAs was associated with upregulation of host genes and their promoters and a parallel downregulation of splicing factors. Underlying this switch, the proliferation-regulating transcription factor MYC decreased as vascular cells matured, and inhibition of MYC led to downregulation of splicing factors such as SRSF1 and SRSF2 and changes in vascular circRNA levels. Examining the identified circRNAs in arterial tissue samples and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients, we found that circRNA levels decreased in atherosclerotic disease, in contrast to their increase during iPSC maturation into EC and SMC. Using machine learning, we determined that a set of circRNAs derived from COL4A1, COL4A2, HSPG2, and YPEL2 discriminated atherosclerotic from healthy tissue with an AUC of 0.79. CircRNAs from HSPG2 and YPEL2 in blood PBMC samples detected atherosclerosis with an AUC of 0.73.

Conclusions

Time-resolved transcriptional profiling of linear and circular RNA species revealed that circRNAs provide granular molecular information for disease profiling. The identified circRNAs may serve as blood biomarkers for atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Obesity drives dysregulation in DC responses to viral infection
Authors: Woodcock A , Bergin R , Kedia-Mehta N , Foley Cathriona , Stephens John C , O’Shea D , Canavan M , Hogan A
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, with over 1 billion people worldwide living with obesity. It is associated with an increased risk of over 200 chronic co-morbidities, including an increased susceptibility to infection. Numerous studies have highlighted the dysfunction caused by obesity on a wide range of immune cell subsets, including dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are innate immune sentinels which bridge the innate and adaptive immune systems. DCs provide critical signals which instruct and shape the immune response. Our group has previously reported that DCs from people with obesity (PWO) display defective cytokine production, however the mechanisms underpinning these defects are unclear.

Methods

We investigated the functional responses of DCs using a murine-specific single-stranded RNA virus, Sendai virus (SeV), in mice on a standard diet and in a model of diet-induced obesity (DIO).

Results

Here, we demonstrate that GM-CSF cultured bone marrow-derived DCs (GM-DCs) from mice on a high fat diet (HFD) have reduced cytokine production following viral challenge. This was associated with a dysfunctional metabolism through reduced translation in the HFD GM-DCs.

Conclusion

We propose that obesity-mediated effects on DCs have downstream consequences on their ability to effectively mediate subsequent immune responses, especially during viral infection.
Assessment of activity and severity of inflammatory bowel disease in cross-sectional imaging techniques: a systematic review
Authors: Dal Buono Arianna , Faita Francesco , Armuzzi Alessandro , Jairath Vipul , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Danese Silvio , Allocca Mariangela
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Cross-sectional imaging techniques, including intestinal ultrasonography (IUS), computed tomography enterography (CTE), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), are increasingly used for the evaluation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We aimed to systematically review literature evidence on the assessment of disease activity, and/or severity through cross-sectional imaging in IBD patients, and to offer guidance on their most effective utilization.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus to identify citations pertaining to the assessment of disease activity and/or severity at cross-sectional imaging techniques compared to a reference standard (ie, other radiological techniques, endoscopy, histopathology, and surgery) in IBD patients published until December 2023.

Results

Overall, 179 papers published between 1990 and 2023 were included, with a total of 10 988 IBD patients (9304 Crohn’s disease [84.7%], 1206 ulcerative colitis [11.0%], 38 IBD-U [0.3%], 440 unspecified [4.0%]). Of the 179 studies, 39 investigated IUS, 22/179 CTE, and 101/179 MRE. In the remaining papers, 2 techniques were addressed together. In 81.6% of the papers, endoscopy (with or without histopathology) was used as a reference standard. All studies included evaluated disease activity, while just over half (100/179, 55.8%) also evaluated disease severity of the addressed cross-sectional methodology. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of IUS, MRE, and CTE compared to the reference standard were 60%-99%, 60%-100%, and 70%-99%, respectively.

Conclusions

All cross-sectional imaging techniques demonstrated moderate-to-good accuracy in assessing disease activity and severity of IBD. This finding highlights the potential, especially for MRE and IUS to be widely utilized in managing IBD in both clinical practice and clinical trials.
Accelerated structural valve deterioration in systemic sclerosis patients following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a case series
Authors: Avidan Yuval , Feld Joy , Aker Amir , Jaffe Ronen
Published: February 2025

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is marked by an excessive systemic accumulation of collagen. Recent literature implies that aortic stenosis is more prevalent in patients with SSc than previously thought. While there are limited feasibility studies on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in this population, the long-term outcomes remain uncertain.

Case summary

We report two cases of patients with SSc who developed early structural valve deterioration following TAVR, necessitating successful redo-TAVR procedures. Both patients exhibited extensive soft tissue calcinosis as a manifestation of their underlying condition.

Discussion

The fibrotic and calcific processes inherent to certain SSc subtypes could potentially adversely impact the durability and functionality of transcatheter aortic valves. Our observation highlights the need for vigilant post-procedural surveillance and individualized management strategies in this unique patient population. Further investigation into the mechanisms underlying valve degeneration in this patient subset is warranted. Nevertheless, redo-TAVR procedure appears to be a viable option.
Radical right populism and the media: evidence from the supply side and demand
side of political information in Germany
Authors: Stier Sebastian , Siegers Pascal , Breuer Johannes
Published: February 2025

Hostile stances towards journalists and perceptions of media bias have become cornerstones of populist radical right identity formation. Despite a lively scholarly and public debate about the relation between populism and the media, a comprehensive account of the supply side of political information—radical right populist parties’ (RRPPs) communication—and the demand side—citizens’ information selection—is still missing. Focusing on the RRPP Alternative for Germany (AfD), this paper first establishes that its Twitter communication features more negative media-related cues and links to hyperpartisan news websites compared with the other major German parties. Self-reported media use from two high-quality surveys as well as a passive web tracking allow us to comprehensively characterize the information selection of AfD supporters. In line with the party’s media-related cues, people identifying with the AfD used alternative online sources more frequently amid less exposure to public broadcasting than supporters of other parties. Beyond Germany, media-related party cues and selective exposure by citizens might play an even more critical role in more polarized societies. More generally, the identified individual-level heterogeneity in media exposure is a scope condition that research on the aggregated societal effects of media coverage, e.g. on immigration, needs to consider.
Microbial engineering for monocyclic aromatic compounds production
Authors: Hu Guipeng , Gao Cong , Li Xiaomin , song Wei , Wu Jing
Published: February 2025

Aromatic compounds serve pivotal roles in plant physiology and exhibit antioxidative and antimicrobial properties, leading to their widespread application, such as in food preservation and pharmaceuticals. However, direct plant extraction and petrochemical synthesis often struggle to meet current needs due to low yield or facing economic and environmental hurdles. In the past decades, systems metabolic engineering enabled eco-friendly production of various aromatic compounds, with some reaching industrial levels. In this review, we highlight monocyclic aromatic chemicals, which have relatively simple structures and are currently the primary focus of microbial synthesis research. We then discuss systems metabolic engineering at the enzyme, pathway, cellular, and bioprocess levels to improve the production of these chemicals. Finally, we overview the current limitations and potential resolution strategies, aiming to provide reference for future studies on the biosynthesis of aromatic products.
ZFIN updates to support zebrafish environmental exposure data
Authors: Bradford Yvonne M , Van Slyke Ceri E , Muyskens Jonathan B , Tseng Wei-Chia , Howe Douglas G , Fashena David , Martin Ryan , Paddock Holly , Pich Christian , Ramachandran Sridhar , Ruzicka Leyla , Singer Amy , Taylor Ryan , Westerfield Monte
Published: February 2025

The Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN, zfin.org) is the database resource for genetic, genomic, and phenotypic data from research using zebrafish, Danio rerio. ZFIN curates information about genetic perturbations, gene expression, phenotype, gene function, and human disease models from zebrafish research publications and makes these data available to researchers worldwide. Over the past 20 years, zebrafish have increasingly been used to investigate the effects of environmental exposures, becoming an ideal model to study toxicity, phenotypic outcomes, and gene-chemical interactions. Despite this, database resources supporting zebrafish toxicology and environmental exposure research are limited. To fill this gap, ZFIN has expanded functionality to incorporate and convey toxicology data better. ZFIN annotations for gene expression, phenotype, and human disease models include information about genotypes and experimental conditions used. One type of experimental condition the database captures is the application of chemicals to zebrafish. ZFIN annotates chemicals using the Chemical Entities of Biological Interest Ontology (ChEBI) along with the Zebrafish Experimental Conditions Ontology (ZECO) to denote route of exposure and other experimental conditions. These features allow researchers to search phenotypes and human disease models linked to chemicals more efficiently. Here, we discuss how experimental conditions are displayed on ZFIN web pages, the data displayed on chemical term pages, and how to search and download data associated with chemical exposure experiments.
Subsurface evolution of the seasonally frozen ground on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau from a perspective of seismic interferometry
Authors: Yu Chang , Wang Qing-Yu , Ma Jianxin , Yao Huajian
Published: February 2025

The Tibetan Plateau, a critical region influencing both local and global atmospheric circulation, climate dynamics, hydrology and terrestrial ecosystems, is undergoing climate-driven changes, including glacial retreat, permafrost thaw and groundwater changes. Despite its importance, implementing continuous and systematic observations has been challenging due to the area’s high altitude and extreme climate conditions. In this context, seismic interferometry emerges as a cost-effective method for the continuous monitoring of subsurface structural changes driven by environmental factors and internal geophysical processes. We investigate subsurface evolution using four years of seismic data from nine stations on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, by applying coda wave interferometry across multiple frequency bands. Our findings highlight seismic velocity changes within the frequency bands 5–10, 0.77–1.54, and 0.25–0.51 Hz, revealing depth-dependent seasonal and long-term changes. Near-surface and deeper strata exhibit similar seasonal patterns, with velocities increasing in winter and decreasing in summer driven by changes in hydrological processes, while intermediate ice-water phase strata show contrasting behaviour due to thermal elastic strain. Long-term trends suggest that the upper subsurface layer is affected by melting water and precipitation originating from Kunlun Mountains, whereas deeper layer reflect groundwater level variations influenced by climate change and human activities. This study provides insights into the environmental evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and its impact on managing local groundwater resources.
Segmentectomy for non-peripheral and peripheral small-sized non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Zhen , Dai Jie , Wang Yao , Yang Fujun , Li Zhaoxun , Wu Yimu , Bian Dongliang , Sun Fenghuan , Jiang Gening
Published: February 2025

OBJECTIVES

To compare the oncological outcomes of segmentectomy for non-peripheral versus peripheral small-sized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included patients with clinical stage IA1-A2 NSCLC who underwent segmentectomy. Patients were separated based on tumour distance index (DI, which was calculated as the ratio of the distance from the entrance of the segmental bronchus to the proximal tumour margin to the distance to the lobar pleura along the same line): non-peripheral group (DI ≤ 2/3) and peripheral group (DI > 2/3). Disease-free survival (DFS) and Overall survival (OS) were compared with log-rank tests.

RESULTS

850 patients were included, comprising 274 in the non-peripheral group and 576 in the peripheral group. Recurrence occurred in 68 patients (24 in the peripheral group and 44 in the non-peripheral group), and 56 patients died (22 in the peripheral group and 34 in the non-peripheral group). Log-rank tests showed no statistical differences in 5-year DFS (92.2% vs 91.2%) and 5-year OS (96.3% vs 93.6%) between two groups, but higher margin recurrence occurred in the non-peripheral group. Multivariable analysis revealed that age, tumour diameter, consolidation-to-tumour ratios (CTR), pathological subtype, and pathologic stage were independent risk factors for DFS. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with a non-peripheral solid NSCLC had a worse 5-year DFS (62.1% vs 76.3%) and a higher margin recurrence rate (13.2% vs 2.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Segmentectomy for small-sized non-peripheral NSCLC could gain a comparable outcome to the peripheral, but worse DFS and higher margin recurrence occurred in the non-peripheral solid NSCLC.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of nitroxoline against uropathogens isolated from China
Authors: Yi Xiaofei , Chen Xin , Lu Yanyan , Zhang Jianfeng , Chen Jinhong , Wang Minggui , Xu Xiaogang
Published: February 2025

Background and objectives

The antimicrobial nitroxoline is used in treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in some European countries. In vitro antimicrobial data on uropathogens from China are lacking. To investigate the activity of nitroxoline in vitro against uropathogens isolated from Chinese patients.

Methods

MICs of nitroxoline were determined using broth microdilution of 229 bacterial isolates of 10 species including Acinetobacter baumannii derived from urinary sample. The EUCAST susceptibility breakpoint for Escherichia coli (16 mg/L) was applied for all isolates. The MBC for A. baumannii (n = 34) was determined, with the MBC defined as the nitroxoline concentration at which a 99.9% reduction in the initial inoculum was observed. Time-kill curves of the two isolates of A. baumannii were tested over a 24 h period.

Results

Except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, most isolates were susceptible to nitroxoline. The MIC50/90 values of nitroxoline for E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were 4/8, 8/32 and 8/16 mg/L, respectively. Among the Gram-negative isolates, nitroxoline demonstrated a better inhibitory effect against A. baumannii with an MIC50/90 value of 2/2 mg/L. The MBC of A. baumannii was equal to the MIC or one dilution higher. The time-kill curves of A. baumannii displayed concentration-dependent killing.

Conclusions

Nitroxoline showed excellent in vitro activity against uropathogens isolated from China and may be a good option for uncomplicated UTIs caused by A. baumannii, which are more challenging and have few clinical options. Further in vivo efficacy studies are needed.
The antitrust meme: intelligent design and the invisible hand of antitrust
Authors: Polański Jan
Published: February 2025

The consumer welfare standard is a hotly debated issue in antitrust enforcement. Some present it as an obstacle that prevents antitrust from being more responsive to pressing social issues and non-economic interests. Others defend it. While polarized, those discussions often share a common feature: they are intelligent design narratives. Still, arguments have also been made that much of antitrust results from more evolutionary, uncoordinated adaptations. In consequence, antitrust might not be easily changed by political fiat. This article investigates such a more organic way of looking at antitrust and asks what it may mean for attempts to change antitrust. It identifies possible ‘workability’ factors steering decision-makers towards a specific shape of antitrust. It argues, however, that while evolutionary developments may have an impact on antitrust, the specific course of those evolutionary movements is affected by the subjectivity of decision-makers. This subjectivity can be influenced by the general climate of opinion, cultural capture, and narrative preference. The article concludes that ideology should not be discarded as a force impacting antitrust, and that workability together with subjectivity-affecting factors can be seen as producing ‘antitrust memes’—something that at a given time people know they should spread.
Stutzerimonas stutzeri culture enhances microbial community structure and tomato seedling growth in saline soil
Authors: Li Linmei , Xue Bowei , Yan Shangbo , Shen Hui , Yang Yang , Fan Yiran , Zhang Ruiyang , Shen Weishou , Gao Nan
Published: February 2025

Aims

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) improve microbial community structure, promote crop growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural soils; however, the effects of PGPR fermentation on the growth and salt tolerance of tomato plants remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the PGPR Stutzerimonas stutzeri NRCB010 on the microbial communities, tomato growth, and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in saline soil by performing a greenhouse pot experiment.

Methods and results

The experiment was conducted under two soil salt concentrations (0 and 3 g kg−1 NaCl) and three treatments (LSFJ broth, NRCB010 cells, and NRCB010 culture). Both salt stress and NRCB010 treatments significantly affected the physicochemical properties and microbial community structure of tomato rhizosphere soil. Treatment with 3 g kg−1 NaCl significantly reduced the shoot and root dry weights of the plants compared with those of the control plants. Application of NRCB010 cells as well as that of culture promoted the growth of tomato seedlings and alleviated salt stress. The copy number changes in the nosZⅠ gene on day 3 and amoA gene on day 25 demonstrated that NRCB010 cells significantly reduced soil N2O emissions when treated with 0 g kg−1 NaCl. Furthermore, soil physicochemical properties, plant biomass, and soil microbial diversity were correlated with each other.

Conclusions

The results emphasize the enormous potential of S. stutzeri NRCB010 culture to resist abiotic stress, promote crop growth, and improve the rhizosphere soil microenvironment; however, its ability to decrease N2O emissions is constrained by soil salinity.
New insights into Sistani intellectual culture under the Saffarids
Authors: Czarnuszewicz Marc
Published: February 2025

This article investigates patterns of scholarly patronage relating to Khalaf b. Aḥmad (r. 963–1003 ce, d. 1009), placing them in their broader Saffarid and regional contexts. Of the extant works we can link to Khalaf, a little studied medical text, the Kunnāsh, is arguably the single most insightful in exposing Khalaf as patron and in placing him in the context of earlier and later Saffarid and Sistani support for the medical sciences. The article argues that Khalaf being both an author of a work on dream interpretation and a patron of medical literature is not a combination unique to him. In fact, it fits rather well with the pattern of patronage activities of the Khwārazmshāhs in the early eleventh century. This study suggests that Eastern Iranian areas may have developed a greater degree of self-definition as intellectual centres of scholarship than previously acknowledged, and that this will have happened both through competition with one another and by retelling their legacies of past patronage.
Update for: New developments in systemic therapy for advanced biliary tract cancer
Authors: Morizane Chigusa , Ueno Makoto , Ikeda Masafumi , Okusaka Takuji , Ishii Hiroshi , Furuse Junji
Published: February 2025

Biliary tract cancer, carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts, carcinoma of the gallbladder, ampullary carcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are often identified at advanced stages. The standard therapy for advanced biliary tract cancer has been a combination of cytotoxic agents. Globally, gemcitabine plus cisplatin has been the standard first-line regimen, whereas gemcitabine plus cisplatin plus S-1 and gemcitabine plus S-1 have also been the standard regimens in Japan. Recently, treatment strategies have been updated. As first-line systemic therapy, the addition of an immune checkpoint inhibitor, such as durvalumab or pembrolizumab, to gemcitabine plus cisplatin has been shown to prolong overall survival compared with gemcitabine plus cisplatin. These combined immunotherapies are widely used in clinical practice as internationally standard first-line regimens. Regarding second-line treatment after a gemcitabine-based regimen, fluorouracil and folinic acid plus oxaliplatin have been the standard regimen. Additionally, FGFR2 fusion gene/rearrangement, mutations of IDH1/2, KRAS, and BRAF, and overexpression of HER2 are promising therapeutic targets for which the effectiveness of each targeted therapy has been reported, at this time, as a second-line or later treatment.
Molecular analysis of AmpC-producing Escherichia coli isolated from pediatric patients
Authors: Ogawa Eiki , Suzuki Masahiro , Sakurai Aki , Doi Yohei
Published: February 2025

AmpC-mediated cephalosporin resistance occurs in 1.0% to 3.3% of Escherichia coli isolates due to production of either plasmid-mediated AmpC (p-AmpC) or chromosomal AmpC (c-AmpC). Data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of AmpC-producing E. coli in pediatric patients are limited.

We analyzed E. coli clinical strains with resistance phenotype consistent with AmpC production isolated from patients at a pediatric hospital in Japan between 2015 and 2022. Sequence types, resistance genes, and relevant mutations were identified through whole genome sequencing. Promoter and attenuator regions of the chromosomal ampC gene were examined and the presence of plasmid-mediated ampC genes was determined.

Among 2,081 E. coli strains, 80 (3.8%) from 27 patients demonstrated the AmpC phenotype. The median patient age was 55 months, with 92.6% having underlying diseases, mainly renal and urinary tract abnormalities. Of the 27 strains, p-AmpC was found in 9 strains including 6 strains belonging to ST131, while c-AmpC was identified in 18 strains including 9 ST73 strains and 4 ST12 strains.

ST131 and ST73 were the major AmpC-E. coli lineages isolated from children with underlying diseases. Most ST131 strains harbored p-ampC, while all ST73 strains acquired cephalosporin resistance by c-AmpC production through promoter and attenuator mutations, suggesting the presence of both AmpC mechanisms in a lineage-specific manner in E. coli identified among hospitalized children.
The history of psychiatric classification and mental health statistics
Authors: Jones Kevin Matthew
Published: February 2025

The official collection of mental health data began in the nineteenth-century asylums of England, and debate around classification still rages today. Kevin Matthew Jones shares a fascinating exploration of the historical links between diagnosis and mental health statistics
Counting the true cost of war
Authors: Tai Xiao Hui
Published: February 2025

The devastating consequences of violent conflict are hard to establish due to insufficient data. But new data sources, such as that from mobile phones, can help the international community build a clearer picture, as Xiao Hui Tai explains
The 1.5°C global mean warming target: A climate change explainer
Authors: Stephenson David B , Garrett Andrew
Published: February 2025

What is the United Nations’ 1.5°C global mean warming target? In the first of an occasional series of explainers on the statistics and data underpinning our understanding of climate change, David B. Stephenson and Andrew Garrett answer some frequently asked questions. This first set of explainers focuses on the famous 1.5°C benchmark that is considered key to avoiding climate catastrophe.