bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lorenz Fries on the defense of Avicenna, the prince of physicians: Addressed to the medics of Germany (1530)
Authors: Shoja Mohammadali M. , Tritsch Tara , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: April 2024

During the 14th century CE, a pivotal shift took place in the world of medicine as its epicenter transitioned from the Middle East to Europe. The emergence of the European Renaissance sparked skepticism regarding the significance of Avicenna's contributions to the advancement of medicine. This paper explores how the rise of secularization and the Renaissance in Europe marked significant cultural transformations, fostering the spread of literacy. These societal shifts influenced the trajectory of medical thought, and Avicenna's “Canon of Medicine” received both praise and condemnation amidst the evolving intellectual landscape. In this context, Lorenz Fries composed his “Defense of Avicenna,” a testament to his profound admiration for Avicenna's legacy. This paper presents an English translation of Fries' 1530 work, and introduces Fries and Avicenna's “Canon,” contextualizing Fries' defense within the broader rejection of Arab‐language medical texts in the 16th century. It also explores Avicenna's influence on European medicine and anatomy during the Renaissance and highlights the enduring relevance of his contributions to the annals of science. Fries' defense underscores Avicenna's methodological acumen and emphasizes the importance of a robust theoretical foundation in medical practice. Avicenna's integration of Aristotelianism with Platonism highlighted the necessity of a rigorous method informed by theory in medical analysis. Fries' defense remains relevant today, particularly in advocating for systematic medical analysis against subjective approaches. Avicenna's medical philosophy seems nested within a larger, hopeful attempt to resolve the tensions between science or naturalism and religion or spiritualism. The rejection of Avicenna reflects broader conflicts between Aristotelian and Neoplatonic traditions, suggesting a complex interplay of secularization and theological influences in shaping medical thought during the Renaissance.
Understanding the financial cost of cancer clinical trial participation
Authors: Williams Courtney P. , Deng Luqin , Caston Nicole E. , Gallagher Kathleen , Angove Rebekah , Pisu Maria , Azuero Andres , Arend Rebecca , Rocque Gabrielle B.
Published: April 2024

Background

Though financial hardship is a well‐documented adverse effect of standard‐of‐care cancer treatment, little is known about out‐of‐pocket costs and their impact on patients participating in cancer clinical trials. This study explored the financial effects of cancer clinical trial participation.

Methods

This cross‐sectional analysis used survey data collected in December 2022 and May 2023 from individuals with cancer previously served by Patient Advocate Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing social needs navigation and financial assistance to US adults with a chronic illness. Surveys included questions on cancer clinical trial participation, trial‐related financial hardship, and sociodemographic data. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using Cramer's V to estimate the in‐sample magnitude of association. Associations between trial‐related financial hardship and sociodemographics were estimated using adjusted relative risks (aRR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) from modified Poisson regression models with robust standard errors.

Results

Of 650 survey respondents, 18% (N = 118) reported ever participating in a cancer clinical trial. Of those, 47% (n = 55) reported financial hardship as a result of their trial participation. Respondents reporting trial‐related financial hardship were more often unemployed or disabled (58% vs. 43%; V = 0.15), Medicare enrolled (53% vs. 40%; V = 0.15), and traveled >1 h to their cancer provider (45% vs. 17%; V = 0.33) compared to respondents reporting no hardship. Respondents who experienced trial‐related financial hardship most often reported expenses from travel (reported by 71% of respondents), medical bills (58%), dining out (40%), or housing needs (40%). Modeling results indicated that respondents traveling >1 h vs. ≤30 min to their cancer provider had a 2.2× higher risk of financial hardship, even after adjusting for respondent race, income, employment, and insurance status (aRR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.8). Most respondents (53%) reported needing $200–$1000 per month to compensate for trial‐related expenses. Over half (51%) of respondents reported less willingness to participate in future clinical trials due to incurred financial hardship. Notably, of patients who did not participate in a cancer clinical trial (n = 532), 13% declined participation due to cost.

Conclusion

Cancer clinical trial‐related financial hardship, most often stemming from travel expenses, affected almost half of trial‐enrolled patients. Interventions are needed to reduce adverse financial participation effects and potentially improve cancer clinical trial participation.
Further Polycyclic Quinones of Micromonospora sp
Authors: Silva de Freitas Cesário Hozana Patricia , das Chagas Lima Pinto Francisco , Marques Canuto Kirley , Rocha Silveira Ediberto , Veras Wilke Diego , Gois Ferreira Elthon , Marques da Fonseca Aluísio , Alves de Vasconcelos Mayron , Teixeira Edson Holanda , Deusdênia Loiola Pessoa Otilia
Published: April 2024

The crude acetone extract of a marine Micromonospora sp. strain associated with Eudistoma vannnamei was fractioned with hexane and ethyl acetate. The crude extract and both soluble fractions were assayed against several bacteria strains. The new polycyclic quinones 12‐hydroxy‐9‐propyltetracene‐6,1‐dione (1), 5,12‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐9‐propyltetracene‐5,12‐dione (2), and 4,6‐dihydroxy‐3‐methoxycarbonyl‐ methyl‐6a‐(oxobutyl)‐5,12‐anthraquinone (3), along with the known 4,6‐dihydroxy‐3‐methoxycarbonyl‐methyl‐6a‐(oxo‐3‐methyl‐butyl)‐5,12‐anthraquinone (4) and 4,6‐dihydroxy‐3‐methoxycarbonyl‐methyl‐6a‐(oxopentyl)‐5,12‐anthraquinone (5) were isolated from the hexane‐soluble fraction, while from the active ethyl acetate fraction were isolated the known 4,6,11‐trihydroxy‐9‐propyltetracene‐5,12‐dione (6), 4‐methoxy‐9‐propyltetracene‐6,11‐dione (7), 7,8,9,10‐tetrahydro‐9‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy‐9‐propyltetracene‐6,11‐dione (8), and 10β‐carbomethoxy‐7,8,9,10‐tetrahydro‐4,6,7α,9α,11‐pentahydroxy‐9‐propyltetracene‐5,12‐dione (9). The structures of the new compounds were established by interpretation of HRMS and NMR techniques. A study of molecular docking was performed with the compounds from the active ethyl acetate fraction to correlate tentatively with the antimicrobial activity. Molecular docking, RMSD, RMSF, and MM‐GBSA evaluations were performed to investigate the inhibitory activity of 6–8 against the protein PDB‐codex 1MWT, being considered a promising target for studying drug development responsible for inhibiting replication of Staphylococcus aureus. Penicillin G was used as the standard inhibitory. Anthracyclinones 6–8 were the best hydrolase inhibitor with affinity energy −8.1 to −7.9 kcal/mol compared to penicillin G, which presented −6.9 kcal/mol. Both 8 and 7 present potent inhibitory effects against hydrolase through molecular dynamics simulation and exhibit favorable drug‐like properties, promising new hydrolase blockers to fight bacterial infections from Staphylococcus aureus.
Design, Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Protein Containing Thiotyrosine as an Active Site Residue
Authors: Bachelart Thomas , Kumar Shailesh , Jouin Alexis , Yousef Mo'ath , Kieffer Bruno , Torbeev Vladimir
Published: April 2024

Native chemical ligation is a key reaction in the toolbox of chemical methods for the synthesis of native and modified proteins. The catalysis of ligation is commonly performed by using small aryl‐thiol molecules added at high concentrations. In this work, we incorporated thiotyrosine, a non‐canonical amino acid containing an aryl‐thiol moiety, into a designed cyclic protein « sans queue ni tête ». Importantly, the protein environment reduced the pKa of the thiol group to 5.8–5.9, which is significantly lower than the previously reported value for thiotyrosine in a short peptide (pKa 6.4). Furthermore, we demonstrated the catalytic activity of this protein both as hydrolase and in native chemical ligation of peptides. These results will be useful for the development of efficient protein catalysts (enzymes) for protein synthesis and modification.
Denosumab‐induced autoimmune hepatitis: Case report
Authors: Alotaibi Jawaher J. , Albuqami Bushra , Alotaibi Wadha , Al Ghamdi Rawan M. , Alaskar Mohammed , Kuriry Hadi , Almasri Nasser
Published: April 2024

This report described a patient not known to have a hepatic disease, found to have a drug‐induced autoimmune hepatitis from denosumab. This is an unreported side effect, and here, we presented the possible predisposing factors and suggested monitoring parameters.
Tailored Two‐Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Water Electrolysis: Doping, Defect, Phase, and Heterostructure
Authors: Lim Ji Hyeon , Kim Kyeonghan , Kang Jong Hun , Kwon Ki Chang , Jang Ho Won
Published: April 2024

The demand for hydrogen production technology to replace fossil fuels and address the global climate crisis has become one of the most urgent tasks in the modern era. Among the promising breakthroughs, electrochemical water splitting using renewable energy sources offers a path to green hydrogen production that is both feasible and economically viable. However, the current state‐of‐the‐art catalysts for the water‐splitting reaction predominantly rely on scarce and costly noble metals, posing a significant challenge to the mass production of green hydrogen. In this context, two‐dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) have emerged as compelling candidates to replace noble metals, owing to their impressive reactivity and cost‐effectiveness. These TMD‐based electrocatalysts demonstrate exceptional reactivity at their active edge sites, while the basal planes remain catalytically inert. Several tailored strategies can activate these basal planes by modifying the chemical bonding nature and electronic band structure of the constituent atoms, thus enhancing the overall reactivity of TMDs. This review summarizes recent advancements in the modulation methodologies of 2D TMDs to enhance their water‐splitting reactivity. We highlight various chemical modification strategies, including heteroatom doping, defect‐engineering, and heterostructure formation, and provide insights into future research directions for the development of advanced 2D TMD‐based water‐splitting catalysts.
Cathode nanoarchitectonics with Na3VFe0.5Ti0.5(PO4)3: Overcoming the energy barriers of multielectron reactions for sodium‐ion batteries
Authors: Soundharrajan Vaiyapuri , Kim Sungjin , Nithiananth Subramanian , Alfaruqi Muhammad H. , Piao JunJi , Pham Duong Tung , Mathew Vinod , Han Sang A. , Kim Jung Ho , Kim Jaekook
Published: April 2024

High electrochemical stability and safety make Na+ superionic conductor (NASICON)‐class cathodes highly desirable for Na‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, their practical capacity is limited, leading to low specific energy. Furthermore, the low electrical conductivity combined with a decline in capacity upon prolonged cycling (>1000 cycles) related to the loss of active material‐carbon conducting contact regions contributes to moderate rate performance and cycling stability. The need for high specific energy cathodes that meet practical electrochemical requirements has prompted a search for new materials. Herein, we introduce a new carbon‐coated Na3VFe0.5Ti0.5(PO4)3 (NVFTP/C) material as a promising candidate in the NASICON family of cathodes for SIBs. With a high specific energy of ∼457 Wh kg−1 and a high Na+ insertion voltage of 3.0 V versus Na+/Na, this cathode can undergo a reversible single‐phase solid‐solution and two‐phase (de)sodiation evolution at 28 C (1 C = 174.7 mAh g−1) for up to 10,000 cycles. This study highlights the potential of utilizing low‐cost and highly efficient cathodes made from Earth‐abundant and harmless materials (Fe and Ti) with enriched Na+‐storage properties in practical SIBs.
Current Developments in Emerging Lanthanide‐Doped Persistent Luminescent Scintillators and Their Applications
Authors: Ye Huiru , Li Yantao , Chen Xukai , Du Weidong , Song Longfei , Chen Yu , Zhan Qiuqiang , Wei Wei
Published: April 2024

Lanthanide‐doped scintillators have the ability to convert the absorbed X‐ray irradiation into ultraviolet (UV), visible (Vis), or near‐infrared (NIR) light. Lanthanide‐doped scintillators with excellent persistent luminescence (PersL) are emerging as a new class of PersL materials recently. They have attracted great attention due to their unique “self‐luminescence” characteristic and potential applications. In this review, we comb through and focus on current developments of lanthanide‐doped persistent luminescent scintillators (PersLSs), including their PersL mechanism, synthetic methods, tuning of PersL properties (e. g. emission wavelength, intensity, and duration time), as well as their promising applications (e. g. information storage, encryption, anti‐counterfeiting, bio‐imaging, and photodynamic therapy). We hope this review will provide valuable guidance for the future development of PersLSs.
Fagopyrins from Buckwheat Flowers: Structural and Stereochemical Characterization Through Combined NMR/CD Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations
Authors: Galbusera Valerio , Lattuada Benedetta , Pinto Andrea , Barbiroli Alberto , Borgonovo Gigliola , Ragg Enzio M.
Published: April 2024

Fagopyrins are phenantroperylenequinones present in the flowers of Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat) endowed with photodynamic activity. It has been reported that fagopyrin extracts actually contain a complex mixture of closely related compounds, differing only on the nature of the perylenequinone substituents. We report our systematic and detailed study on the chemical composition of fagopyrin extracts by a combination of preparative and analytical techniques. The combined use of 1H‐NMR and CD spectroscopy was found to be particularly suited to fully characterize all stereochemical aspects of the extracted fagopyrins. For the first time nine isomers have been structurally characterized and their stereochemistry fully elucidated. The presence of two different heterocyclic ring substituents, two stereogenic centers and the inherent axial chirality of the aromatic system provides a complex stereochemical relationships among isomers, thus giving account of the high level of molecular multiplicity found in the extract.
Pyrene Functionalized Norbornadiene‐Quadricyclane Fluorescent Photoswitches: Characterization of their Spectral Properties and Application in Imaging of Amyloid Beta Plaques
Authors: Ghasemi Shima , Shamsabadi Monika , Olesund Axel , Najera Francisco , Erbs Hillers‐Bendtsen Andreas , Edhborg Fredrik , Aslam Adil S. , Larsson Wera , Wang Zhihang , Amombo Noa Francoise M. , Salthouse Rebecca Jane , Öhrström Lars , Hölzel Helen , Perez‐Inestrosa E. , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Hanrieder Jörg , Albinsson Bo , Dreos Ambra , Moth‐Poulsen Kasper
Published: April 2024

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of two fluorescent norbornadiene (NBD) photoswitches, each incorporating two conjugated pyrene units. Expanding on the limited repertoire of reported photoswitchable fluorescent NBDs, we explore their properties with a focus on applications in bioimaging of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. While the fluorescence emission of the NBD decreases upon photoisomerization, aligning with what has been previously reported, for the first time we observed luminescence after irradiation of the quadricyclane (QC) isomer. We deduce how the observed emission is induced by photoisomerization to the excited state of the parent isomer (NBD) which is then the emitting species. Thorough characterizations including NMR, UV‐Vis, fluorescence, X‐ray structural analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a comprehensive understanding of these systems. Notably, one NBD‐QC system exhibits exceptional durability. Additionally, these molecules serve as effective fluorescent stains targeting Aβ plaques in situ, with observed NBD/QC switching within the plaques. Molecular docking simulations explore NBD interactions with amyloid, unveiling novel binding modes. These insights mark a crucial advancement in the comprehension and design of future photochromic NBDs for bioimaging applications and beyond, emphasizing their potential in studying and addressing protein aggregates.
Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry‐Based Disaccharide Analysis of Glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Polewski Lukasz , Moon Eunjin , Zappe Andreas , Götze Michael , Szekeres Gergo Peter , Roth Christian , Pagel Kevin
Published: April 2024

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear and acidic polysaccharides. They are ubiquitous molecules, which are involved in a wide range of biological processes. Despite being structurally simple at first glance, with a repeating backbone of alternating hexuronic acid and hexosamine dimers, GAGs display a highly complex structure, which predominantly results from their heterogeneous sulfation patterns. The commonly applied method for compositional analysis of all GAGs is “disaccharide analysis.” In this process, GAGs are enzymatically depolymerized into disaccharides, derivatized with a fluorescent label, and then analysed through liquid chromatography. The limiting factor in the high throughput analysis of GAG disaccharides is the time‐consuming liquid chromatography. To address this limitation, we here utilized trapped ion mobility‐mass spectrometry (TIM‐MS) for the separation of isomeric GAG disaccharides, which reduces the measurement time from hours to a few minutes. A full set of disaccharides comprises twelve structures, with eight possessing isomers. Most disaccharides cannot be differentiated by TIM‐MS in underivatized form. Therefore, we developed chemical modifications to reduce sample complexity and enhance differentiability. Quantification is performed using stable isotope labelled standards, which are easily available due to the nature of the performed modifications.
Post‐Formation of Fused Pentagonal Structure on Fjord Region of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons under Hydrothermal Conditions
Authors: Hamaguchi Naoto , Kubota Takumi , Yamada Masaaki , Kimura Hikaru , Tsuji Hayato
Published: April 2024

This study explores the synthesis of cyclopenta‐fused polyaromatic hydrocarbons (CP‐PAHs) via Pt‐catalyzed cyclization in water, focusing on the formation of fused pentagonal rings within heavily fused PAH frameworks. Utilizing platinum catalysts at lower temperatures (200‐260 °C) in water, led to the successful synthesis of singly cyclized CP‐PAHs. The reaction conditions facilitated the mono‐cyclization of substrates such as dibenzo[g,p]chrysene and its isomers, yielding the desired products while suppressing the formation of bis‐cyclized compounds. The use of Fe2O3 as an additive in conjunction with PtO2 was effective to suppress hydrogenation of the substrates and products. The products exhibited a redshift in UV‐visible absorption and photoluminescence bands due to a decrease in the HOMO−LUMO energy gap. These findings highlight the potential of Pt‐catalyzed cyclization for the controlled synthesis of CP‐PAHs, with implications for various applications in materials science.
A Structure‐Activity Investigation of the Fungal Metabolite (−)‐TAN‐2483B: Inhibition of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase
Authors: McCone Jordan A. J. , Teesdale‐Spittle Paul H. , Flanagan Jack U. , Harvey Joanne E.
Published: April 2024

The natural product (−)‐TAN‐2483B is a fungal secondary metabolite which displays promising anti‐cancer and immunomodulatory activity. Our previous syntheses of (−)‐TAN‐2483B and sidechain analogues uncovered inhibitory activity against Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), an established drug target for various leukaemia and immunological diseases. A structure‐based computational study using ensemble docking and molecular dynamics was performed to determine plausible binding modes for (−)‐TAN‐2483B and analogues in the Btk binding site. These hypotheses guided the design of new analogues which were synthesised and their inhibitory activities determined, providing insights into the structural determinants of the furopyranone scaffold that confer both activity and selectivity for Btk. These findings offer new perspectives for generating optimised (−)‐TAN‐2483B‐based kinase inhibitors for the treatment of leukaemia and immunological diseases.
Modeling Enzymatic Cascade Reactions Immobilized in Plug‐Flow Reactors for Flow Biocatalysis
Authors: Paschalidis Leandros , Arana‐Peña Sara , Sieber Volker , Burger Jakob
Published: April 2024

Flow biocatalysis has emerged as a promising technology for the sustainable production of chemicals. Multiple immobilized enzymes are often used as biocatalysts to perform enzymatic cascade reactions in flow biocatalytic systems. When designing packed‐bed reactors with multiple immobilized enzymes, the enzymes are distributed in porous particles, and the porous particles are distributed in catalyst zones. A recently developed methodology is extended for selecting spatial immobilization distributions in batch reactors to packed‐bed reactors. Mechanistic models are used to compare the three most basic designs for a packed‐bed reactor, i.e., mixed individually immobilized enzymes, separated individually immobilized enzymes, and mixed co‐immobilized enzymes. For first‐order microkinetics, the design with co‐immobilized enzymes was found to always outperform the other two. Separating individually immobilized enzymes in two zones was proven to outperform mixing them in one zone for any positive order reaction kinetic.
Guidelines needed for the management of fear of cancer recurrence in adult survivors of cancer in the United States: A consensus statement
Authors: Hall Daniel L. , Wagner Lynne I. , Lebel Sophie , Smith Allan “Ben” , Bergerot Cristiane D. , Park Elyse R.
Published: April 2024

Fear of cancer recurrence remains unaddressed in guidelines for managing anxiety and depression in adult cancer survivors in the United States. To ensure comprehensive psychosocial care, guidelines are needed for the clinical management of fear of cancer recurrence, including recommendations for screening, referral, and treatment pathways.
Comparative Safety of Long‐Acting vs. Short‐Acting Erythropoiesis‐Stimulating Agents Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Desai Raj , Unigwe Ikenna , Riaz Munaza , Smith Steven M. , Shukla Ashutosh M. , Mohandas Rajesh , Jeon Nakyung , Park Haesuk
Published: April 2024

Both short‐acting (epoetin alfa or beta) and long‐acting (darbepoetin alfa or PEG‐epoetin) erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) are commonly prescribed for patients with kidney failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. We compared the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and of all‐cause mortality associated with receipt of short‐ vs. long‐acting ESAs. This retrospective cohort analysis included Medicare hemodialysis beneficiaries aged ≥ 18 years in the United States Renal Data System from January 2015 to December 2017. We included adults who survived > 90 days after initiating hemodialysis and received either short‐ or long‐acting ESAs. Outcomes were MACE (first occurrence of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular‐related mortality) and all‐cause mortality. After stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome. Of 68,607 patients (mean age: 65 years, 45% females), 33,658 (49%) received long‐acting ESAs and 34,949 (51%) received short‐acting ESAs. There was no difference in the risk of MACE associated with receipt of short‐ vs. long‐acting ESAs (HR: 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98–1.08)). However, long‐acting (vs. short‐acting) ESA receipt was associated with a lower risk of all‐cause mortality (HR: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87–0.96)). Compared with short‐acting ESAs, long‐acting ESAs were associated with a lower risk of all‐cause mortality, with no difference in the risk of MACE. Future studies with a longer follow‐up are needed to confirm these findings.
Phenotypic diversity for morpho‐agronomic traits in the US proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) core collection
Authors: Rajput Santosh G. , Khound Rituraj , Santra Dipak K.
Published: April 2024

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a short‐season annual crop known for high water‐use efficiency and drought tolerance. The low water requirement makes this ancient grain an excellent rotational crop for the winter wheat‐based dryland cropping system in the High Plains of the United States. The genetic base of the commonly grown US cultivars is very narrow. Assessment of proso millet germplasm for agronomic traits is essential for its efficient utilization in the genetic improvement of this crop. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the US proso millet germplasm based on nine important morpho‐agronomic traits and (2) classify the germplasm into clusters based on these morpho‐agronomic traits. A total of 77 genotypes from 24 different countries were evaluated in the field during 2014 and 2015 at Scottsbluff and Sidney, NE. The genotypes showed significant variations for all the traits across locations. Many traits showed genotype × environment interactions and were highly correlated. Several genotypes were identified as sources of desired traits, such as maturity, lodging, and grain shattering. The genotypes formed six clusters based on morpho‐agronomic data. Principal component analysis revealed that these nine traits explained maximum phenotypic variance and could be used as selection indices in proso millet breeding. This is the most comprehensive study of the US proso millet core collection based on morpho‐agronomic traits and would be useful for developing improved proso millet cultivars.
Nb2O5 memristive neurons‐based unsupervised learning network
Authors: Lu Zhenzhou , Zhu Qian , Shi Shuyu , Wang Kangtai , Liang Yan
Published: April 2024

Memristors exhibit potential applications in neuromorphic computing, because of their nanoscale and low power. Non‐volatile passive memristors usually behave as electronic synapses, while volatile locally active memristors can be used to construct artificial neurons. In this paper, we apply an Nb2O5 locally active memristor with the parasitic capacitance as a LIF neuron and analyze the possibility of generating spiking oscillations by the neuron through small signal equivalent circuits and the Hopf bifurcation method. By combining Nb2O5 memristive neurons with the voltage‐controlled non‐volatile memristive synapses, we construct an unsupervised learning network and classify 5 × 3 letter images and 5 × 5 number images. In particular, before building the hardware circuit, we predict the training time, recognition time, and recognition accuracy of the pattern recognition network through theoretical analysis, which guides the actual circuit experiment. Specifically, the training time of the network is related to the synaptic memristor resistance change rate, the recognition time of the network is related to the oscillation period of the Nb2O5 memristor, and whether the network can work properly is related to the parameters of Nb2O5 memristor and NMOS. The LTspice simulation results manifest that the proposed circuit can recognize different patterns and can be applied to the neural morphological system of pattern recognition.
Single‐cell transcriptomics reveal metastatic CLDN4+ cancer cells underlying the recurrence of malignant pleural effusion in patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaoshen , Wang Xuanhe , Wen Yaokai , Chen Shen , Zhou Caicun , Wu Fengying
Published: April 2024

Background

Recurrent malignant pleural effusion (MPE) resulting from non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is easily refractory to conventional therapeutics and lacks predictive markers. The cellular or genetic signatures of recurrent MPE still remain largely uncertain.

Methods

16 NSCLC patients with pleural effusions were recruited, followed by corresponding treatments based on primary tumours. Non‐recurrent or recurrent MPE was determined after 3–6 weeks of treatments. The status of MPE was verified by computer tomography (CT) and cytopathology, and the baseline pleural fluids were collected for single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq). Samples were then integrated and profiled. Cellular communications and trajectories were inferred by bioinformatic algorithms. Comparative analysis was conducted and the results were further validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a larger MPE cohort from the authors' centre (n = 64).

Results

The scRNA‐seq revealed that 33 590 cells were annotated as 7 major cell types and further characterized into 14 cell clusters precisely. The cell cluster C1, classified as Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM)+ metastatic cancer cell and correlated with activation of tight junction and adherence junction, was significantly enriched in the recurrent MPE group, in which Claudin‐4 (CLDN4) was identified. The subset cell cluster C3 of C1, which was enriched in recurrent MPE and demonstrated a phenotype of ameboidal‐type cell migration, also showed a markedly higher expression of CLDN4. Meanwhile, the expression of CLDN4 was positively correlated with E74 Like ETS Transcription Factor 3 (ELF3), EpCAM and Tumour Associated Calcium Signal Transducer 2 (TACSTD2), independent of driver‐gene status. CLDN4 was also found to be associated with the expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 Subunit Alpha (HIF1A) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA), and the cell cluster C1 was the major mediator in cellular communication of VEGFA signalling. In the extensive MPE cohort, a notably increased expression of CLDN4 in cells from pleural effusion among patients diagnosed with recurrent MPE was observed, compared with the non‐recurrent group, which was also associated with a trend towards worse overall survival (OS).

Conclusions

CLDN4 could be considered as a predictive marker of recurrent MPE among patients with advanced NSCLC. Further validation for its clinical value in cohorts with larger sample size and in‐depth mechanism studies on its biological function are warranted.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Translational Research and Health Equity: Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease as a Case Study
Authors: Majumder Mary A. , Fasipe Titilope
Published: April 2024

In August of 2023, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine published a timely report titled “Toward Equitable Innovation in Health and Medicine: A Framework.” Here, we review some of the key contributions of the report, focusing on two dimensions of equity: input equity and deployment equity. We then use the example of new gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) as a case study of input and deployment equity in translational research. The SCD case study illustrates the need for a kind of translational bioethics with deep understanding of lived experiences and clinical realities as well as a high degree of economic and policy sophistication.
Fitting individual‐based models of spatial population dynamics to long‐term monitoring data
Authors: Malchow Anne‐Kathleen , Fandos Guillermo , Kormann Urs G. , Grüebler Martin U. , Kéry Marc , Hartig Florian , Zurell Damaris
Published: April 2024

Generating spatial predictions of species distribution is a central task for research and policy. Currently, correlative species distribution models (cSDMs) are among the most widely used tools for this purpose. However, a fundamental assumption of cSDMs, that species distributions are in equilibrium with their environment, is rarely fulfilled in real data and limits the applicability of cSDMs for dynamic projections. Process‐based, dynamic SDMs (dSDMs) promise to overcome these limitations as they explicitly represent transient dynamics and enhance spatiotemporal transferability. Software tools for implementing dSDMs are becoming increasingly available, but their parameter estimation can be complex. Here, we test the feasibility of calibrating and validating a dSDM using long‐term monitoring data of Swiss red kites (Milvus milvus). This population has shown strong increases in abundance and a progressive range expansion over the last decades, indicating a nonequilibrium situation. We construct an individual‐based model using the RangeShiftR modeling platform and use Bayesian inference for model calibration. This allows the integration of heterogeneous data sources, such as parameter estimates from published literature and observational data from monitoring schemes, with a coherent assessment of parameter uncertainty. Our monitoring data encompass counts of breeding pairs at 267 sites across Switzerland over 22 years. We validate our model using a spatial‐block cross‐validation scheme and assess predictive performance with a rank‐correlation coefficient. Our model showed very good predictive accuracy of spatial projections and represented well the observed population dynamics over the last two decades. Results suggest that reproductive success was a key factor driving the observed range expansion. According to our model, the Swiss red kite population fills large parts of its current range but has potential for further increases in density. We demonstrate the practicality of data integration and validation for dSDMs using RangeShiftR. This approach can improve predictive performance compared to cSDMs. The workflow presented here can be adopted for any population for which some prior knowledge on demographic and dispersal parameters as well as spatiotemporal observations of abundance or presence/absence are available. The fitted model provides improved quantitative insights into the ecology of a species, which can greatly aid conservation and management efforts.
A case for integrating self‐compassion interventions targeting shame and self‐criticism into eating disorder treatment: Commentary on Paranjothy and Wade
Authors: Burnette C. Blair , Davis Heather A.
Published: April 2024

Paranjothy and Wade's (2024) meta‐analysis revealed that disordered eating was robustly and consistently associated with greater self‐criticism and lower self‐compassion across samples. It is well known that even evidence‐based treatments for eating disorders (EDs) do not produce long‐lasting effects for many patients. Additionally, it is unclear whether existing “mainstream” evidence‐based ED treatments effectively reduce shame and self‐criticism and increase self‐compassion, even when they intend to do so. In this commentary, we assert that Paranjothy and Wade's (2024) findings should inform the integration of self‐compassion interventions within ED treatment. We argue that shame, a related but distinct construct, should be strongly considered as a primary intervention target in ED interventions that seek to reduce self‐criticism and increase self‐compassion. We hypothesize that directly addressing shame and bolstering self‐compassion at the start of ED treatment may foster higher engagement and more durable effects. We introduce the potential for adjunctive self‐compassion interventions to reduce shame and self‐criticism, and enhance self‐compassion, alongside or within existing ED treatments. Because self‐criticism and shame are shared correlates of EDs and commonly co‐occurring psychopathology, we contend with the possibility that self‐compassion interventions may produce transdiagnostic effects. Shame, self‐criticism, and self‐compassion are important intervention targets to explore in future research.
Large deformation diffeomorphic mapping of 3D shape variation reveals two distinct mandible and head capsule morphs in Atta vollenweideri leaf‐cutter worker ants
Authors: Imirzian Natalie , Püffel Frederik , Roces Flavio , Labonte David
Published: April 2024

Ants are crucial ecosystem engineers, and their ecological success is facilitated by a division of labour among sterile “workers”. In some ant lineages, workers have undergone further morphological differentiation, resulting in differences in body size, shape, or both. Distinguishing between changes in size and shape is not trivial. Traditional approaches based on allometry reduce complex 3D shapes into simple linear, areal, or volume metrics; modern approaches using geometric morphometrics typically rely on landmarks, introducing observer bias and a trade‐off between effort and accuracy. Here, we use a landmark‐free method based on large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) to assess the co‐variation of size and 3D shape in the mandibles and head capsules of Atta vollenweideri leaf‐cutter ants, a species exhibiting extreme worker size‐variation. Body mass varied by more than two orders of magnitude, but a shape atlas created via LDDMM on μ‐CT‐derived 3D mesh files revealed only two distinct head capsule and mandibles shapes—one for the minims (body mass < 1 mg) and one for all other workers. We discuss the functional significance of the identified 3D shape variation, and its implications for the evolution of extreme polymorphism in Atta.
Sea stack plots: Replacing bar charts with histograms
Authors: Stuart Alice Dorothy , Ilić Maja , Simmons Benno I. , Sutherland William J.
Published: April 2024

Graphs in research articles can increase the comprehension of statistical data but may mislead readers if poorly designed. We propose a new plot type, the sea stack plot, which combines vertical histograms and summary statistics to represent large univariate datasets accurately, usefully, and efficiently. We compare five commonly used plot types (dot and whisker plots, boxplots, density plots, univariate scatter plots, and dot plots) to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses when representing distributions of data commonly observed in biological studies. We find the assessed plot types are either difficult to read at large sample sizes or have the potential to misrepresent certain distributions of data, showing the need for an improved method of data visualisation. We present an analysis of the plot types used in four ecology and conservation journals covering multiple areas of these research fields, finding widespread use of uninformative bar charts and dot and whisker plots (60% of all panels showing univariate data from multiple groups for the purpose of comparison). Some articles presented more informative figures by combining plot types (16% of panels), generally boxplots and a second layer such as a flat density plot, to better display the data. This shows an appetite for more effective plot types within conservation and ecology, which may further increase if accurate and user‐friendly plot types were made available. Finally, we describe sea stack plots and explain how they overcome the weaknesses associated with other alternatives to uninformative plots when used for large and/or unevenly distributed data. We provide a tool to create sea stack plots with our R package ‘seastackplot’, available through GitHub.
Citizen science mitigates the lack of distributional data on Nigerian birds
Authors: Tende Talatu , Iniunam Iniunam A. , Ivande Samuel T. , Awoyemi Adewale G. , Danmallam Bello A. , Ringim Abubakar S. , Bako Longji A. , Ramzy Fatima J. , Kazeh Nanchin W. , Izang Arin Izang , Kumdet Panshak S. , Ibrahim Joseph I. , Haruna M. Abubakar , Eyos Kevin , Iki Ezekiel D. , Chaskda Adams A. , Ottosson Ulf
Published: April 2024

Citizen science projects are expanding globally, with the African continent, particularly Nigeria, registering significant growth. Here, we document and analyse novel operations of the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NIBAP), 2015–2022. This project has employed the use of ornithologists, mainly trained at the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) located in Jos, Nigeria, and its 28 bird clubs established across Nigeria to enlist 827 bird enthusiasts that contribute regular and near real‐time data about bird distribution and relative abundance in the country. Interestingly, NiBAP has recorded about 75% of the bird species known from Nigeria in only about 50% of Nigeria's total surface area, including 39 nationally threatened species. The Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis, and Grey‐backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata were the most commonly recorded species, while Amurum Forest Reserve, Rennajj Fish Farm, and Obudu Cattle Ranch were the most surveyed sites during the period. Thus, our approach reveals how to increase involvement of nature enthusiasts, ornithologists, and a regional research institute to build local capacity and contribute rich information necessary to alleviate the lack of distributional data about Afrotropical avifauna. We strongly recommend our approach to boost other citizen science projects across Africa and beyond to address the huge lack of biodiversity data, create public awareness, and foster conservation education.
Synthesis and Application of Well‐Defined Fluoroalkyl Zinc Complexes
Authors: Zhang Cai
Published: April 2024

Fluoroalkyl groups play an irreplaceable role in the field of pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry due to their unique properties. Based on this, it is crucial to effectively introduce fluoroalkyl groups into target molecules. In this review, we describe the synthesis of well‐defined fluoroalkyl zinc complexes and their applications in the fluoroalkylation of compounds. Different from the reactivities of copper fluoroalkyl complexes, fluoroalkyl zinc complexes often needed to be combined with copper or nickel catalysts when participating in fluoroalkylation reactions. From the perspective of reaction mechanism, the transfer of trifluoromethyl from zinc complexes to copper catalysts formed the highly active trifluoromethyl copper reagents, which can be directly used for the fluoroalkylation. In most cases, the desired target products were provided with excellent yields.
Tailoring Li2CO3 configuration and orbital structure of CoS to improve catalytic activity and stability for Li‐CO2 batteries
Authors: Mao Rui , Liu Yingqi , Shu Pengfei , Lu Bingyi , Chen Biao , Chen Yanli , Song Yanze , Jia Yeyang , Zheng Zhiyang , Peng Qiong , Zhou Guangmin
Published: April 2024

The sluggish reaction kinetics has greatly hampered the development of reversible Li‐CO2 batteries. Especially during charge, high charge voltage and possible side reactions during Li2CO3 decomposition require both high activity and strong durability of catalysts. Herein, a strategy of introducing rich sulfur vacancies is proposed, which tailors the configuration of Li2CO3 and the orbital structure of CoS to realize the dual enhancement. The calculation results show that charge redistribution by sulfur vacancies on the catalyst stretches the adsorbed Li2CO3 and consequently facilitates its decomposition. Moreover, the induced vacancies lower the S 2p band center, promoting the electrochemical stability of sulfides. Therefore, Li‐CO2 batteries with sulfur vacancy‐rich CoS exhibit a low overpotential of 1.07 V after 400 h cycling, while batteries with pristine CoS have a short lifespan that the overpotential exceeds 1.75 V after cycling for 200 h. This study not only proposes a strategy to improve both catalytic activity and stability but also paves new avenues for designing advanced catalysts for Li‐CO2 batteries and beyond.

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A rare piedmont glaciation in the Mediterranean: Insights from cosmogenic 36Cl dating of Davraz hummocky moraine field (SW Türkiye)
Authors: Altınay Onur , Sarıkaya Mehmet Akif , Wilcken Klaus M.
Published: April 2024

Piedmont glaciers (lobes), typically found in high latitudes and large mountainous regions, extend from ice sheets and ice caps to lower altitudes. However, they can also occur, although less commonly, on mid‐latitude mountains. When these fan‐like glaciers retreat, they leave behind hummocky moraines scattered in a chaotic pattern. In this study, we have mapped one of these mid‐latitude sites and established a Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) glacial chronology on Mount Davraz, namely Davraz hummocky moraine field (37°46′00″N, 30°43′15″E). Our findings indicate that the glaciers in this area started receding from the early local Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) period (21.8 ± 2.4 ka) to the early Late‐glacial period (17.7 ± 2.2 ka), and eventually disappearing. The deglaciation of the Mt. Davraz palaeoglacier matches nearby mountains, supported by southerly winds as significant for regional glaciation. Our discoveries reveal a robust connection between southerly winds and nearby glaciation, contributing to our understanding of how climate influences glaciers. Likewise, the glacial timelines of the neighbouring mountains align with the glacial history of Mt. Davraz.
Riverine aquatic plants trap propagules and fine sediment: Implications for ecosystem engineering and management under contrasting land uses
Authors: McKendrick Scott Alexander , Burns Matthew James , Imberger Moss , Russell Kathryn Lesley , Greet Joe
Published: April 2024

Plants in streams act as physical ecosystem engineers, both influencing and responding to hydrogeomorphic processes such as fine sediment retention. Instream vegetation may also influence propagule dispersal and retention, shaping plant community dynamics. These plant‐sediment interactions may result in synergistic feedback promoting hydrogeomorphic complexity and biogeomorphic succession. However, the role of aquatic plants (submerged or mostly submerged) in trapping propagules, fine sediment and organic matter in degraded lowland streams is uncertain. In this study, we sampled sediment (≤5 cm depth) from eight streams ranging in land use from rural to urban, including within patches of aquatic vegetation and unvegetated locations. We conducted a propagule bank trial to identify the abundance and diversity of propagules and analysed the particle size and organic matter composition of the samples. A total of 8,365 seedlings from 113 plant species were recorded with a range of hydrological tolerances. Aquatic plants retained 56% more propagules and 32% more species, and marginal vegetation retained 250% more propagules and 48% more species, than open channel locations (the least retentive location). Similar patterns were found for fine sediment and organic matter retention. Propagule bank communities were different across land‐use types but not sampling locations. The trapping effect of aquatic vegetation diminished as catchments became more urbanised. This study provides evidence that aquatic plants retain more propagules and species, and fine sediment and organic matter than vegetation‐free channel locations. Improving aquatic vegetation in streams may be an important early step in restoring hydrogeomorphic complexity and propagule retention, and the facilitation of biogeomorphic succession in degraded streams. Unfortunately, heavily urbanised streams with flashy flow regimes are unlikely to benefit from this function unless catchment‐scale hydrology is addressed.