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Singlet-Oxygen-Driven C(sp <sup>2</sup> )–P Bond Cleavage Enables Red-Light Uncaging of Phosphorus(V) Prodrugs on Gold Nanoclusters

Journal of the American Chemical Society Kenji Watanabe, Ikuru Takada, Riko Yamamoto et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c00254

Magnitude and determinants of delivery complications among women in selected hospitals of West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia: A multicentered cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE Teka Girma, Desalegn Wirtu, Gudina Egata Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346778

Background The occurrence of Complications during delivery is a significant contributor to the health of the mothers and neonates, particularly in low-resource settings like Ethiopia. Assessing the magnitude and factors associated with it is essential for improving obstetric outcomes and having a healthy family. This study aims to identify the magnitude of delivery complications and associated factors among pregnant women who gave birth at West Shoa Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 573 pregnant women who gave birth in the randomly selected hospitals, in West Shoa, from 1/7/2023–30/3/ 2024. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews and from the extraction of medical records. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with delivery complications, and variables with a p- p-value &lt;0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model, and the statistical significance was determined at a p-value &lt;0.05. Results The proportion of delivery complications was 30%(95%CI:26.4–33.9). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, depression increases with 1.5 times the odds of complication (AOR:1.5; 95% CI (1.06–1.6); P = 0.012). Maternal hemoglobin level was significantly associated with higher odds of delivery complications. Women with low haemoglobin had 6% lower odds of experiencing delivery complications compared with non-anaemic women (AOR:0.94; 95% CI (0.93–0.97); P = 0.01). Women with foetal malpresentation had significantly increased odds of experiencing delivery complications compared with cephalic presentation (AOR = 6.97, 95% CI:1.79–26.68); P = 0.001.HIV positive women exhibited a significantly lower risk of delivery complications compared to HIV negative women (AOR = 0.37;95% CI:0.19–0.72; P = 0.004). Conclusion Complications during deliveries are high in the study area, with depression during pregnancy, having, and foetal malpresentation identified as predictor variables. Interventions should focus on early screening and management of maternal anaemia and mental health, as well as enhanced antenatal surveillance for foetal presentation.

Investigating the ME/CFS experience through qualitative analysis of memorial entries

PLoS ONE Zoe Sirotiak, Hailey J. Amro Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0343374

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an impairing chronic condition characterized by exhaustion and worsening symptoms following exertion, often accompanied by pain, sleep issues, and cognitive issues. Historically, ME/CFS was not considered to be linked to mortality, however, more recent studies have questioned this assumption. The National Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Foundation maintains a memorial list consisting of deceased individuals who had ME/CFS. This secondary qualitative thematic analysis analyzed 505 entries on the National CFIDS Foundation memorial list, inductively developing a codebook from the publicly available memorial records. Two coders independently coded each entry before meeting to develop themes that incorporated the understanding of each coder. Themes emerged within four societal levels: systemic neglect and institutional failure; clinical neglect and failures; social disconnection and advocacy; and personal burden and quality of life. Describing systemic neglect and institutional failure, entries recounted a lack of acknowledgement by health, insurance, and disability authorities, as well as a lack of investment in research and treatment of ME/CFS at the federal level. Negative healthcare experiences included misdiagnosis and misattribution of symptoms, dismissal, inadequate knowledge and experience with treating ME/CFS, and the recommendation of unhelpful treatments. The disbelief and misattribution by acquaintances described in the entries contributed to feelings of social isolation, leading some to turn to advocacy work and support groups. Entries also described the individual impact of the condition, including functional impairments, the impact of symptoms, management strategies, financial stress, and mental health symptoms. Some deaths were directly and indirectly attributed to ME/CFS by individuals with ME/CFS and their acquaintances. This analysis provides a glimpse of the lived experience as well as death of individuals with ME/CFS through the lens of acquaintances of the deceased, emphasizing the substantial impact of the condition.

Single-cell atlas of gastric cancer reveals malignant epithelial evolution and regulatory reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment

PLoS ONE Xiulan Li, Mengqi Guo, Yunhan Wen et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347679

The inflammation–intestinal metaplasia (IM)–carcinoma cascade has been proposed as a framework for gastric cancer (GC) development, yet the cell-level heterogeneity and microenvironmental remodeling underlying this progression remain poorly characterized. Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptomic atlas by integrating scRNA-seq data from chronic gastritis (superficial, CGS), IM, cancer-adjacent, and tumor tissues through a unified analytical pipeline. Seven major cell lineages were resolved. Relative to CGS, IM and GC tissues exhibited a progressive contraction of epithelial compartments accompanied by expansion of immune and stromal populations. Copy number variation (CNV) inference identified two tumor-restricted malignant epithelial subgroups—one biased toward differentiation and the other enriched for inflammatory and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) signatures—as well as putative proto-malignant intermediates that coexisted with phenotypically normal epithelium. Cell–cell communication analysis indicated broadly augmented crosstalk between epithelial cells and T cells, myeloid cells, and fibroblasts, with prominent involvement of a CD44–extracellular matrix (ECM) axis. Pseudotime trajectory analysis placed malignant epithelium at late positions along gastric and pyloric mucosal cell differentiation backbones, coinciding with increasing CNV burden and enrichment of stem-like transcriptional programs. Gene regulatory network analysis revealed coordinated activity of lineage-specification modules (HNF4/CDX, NR1H4/ESRRA), proliferative regulons (MYC/TFDP1), and inflammatory/EMT-associated programs (FOSL1/REL/NF-κB). In independent cohorts, elevated expression of several malignant-epithelium-associated transcription factors—including HNF4A, KLF3, FOSL1, TCF7L2, BCL3, RELB, ONECUT2, and MAF—correlated with unfavorable overall survival. Collectively, these findings provide single-cell-resolution evidence consistent with the proposed three-stage model of gastric carcinogenesis and highlight candidate transcriptional regulators warranting further investigation as potential early-detection biomarkers.

Risk factors and outcomes of emerging Listeria monocytogenes infection in Pakistan: Insights from a tertiary care hospital

PLoS ONE Zara Nadeem, Iffat Khanum, Imran Ahmed et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346612

Background Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive rod responsible for listeriosis. It has emerged as a significant foodborne pathogen and has been implicated in numerous outbreaks worldwide often present with bacteremia and may progress to severe manifestations such as meningoencephalitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. Maternofetal infection is associated with worse pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess the risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of patients admitted with Listeria monocytogenes infection at a tertiary care Centre in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods A retrospective study was conducted over 7 years and included all patients with culture-proven listeriosis. Comorbid conditions, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results A total of 63 patients diagnosed with Listeria monocytogenes infection were included in the study. There was a female predominance (n = 44, 69.8%), with a median age of 53 (32.0, 67.0) years. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (n = 27, 42.9%). Among high-risk groups, 14 (22.6%) patients were pregnant, 10 (15.9%) were on immunosuppressive therapy, and another 10 (15.9%) were classified as elderly. The predominant presenting symptoms included fever (n = 47, 74.6%) and central nervous system involvement (n = 28, 44.4%), mainly meningoencephalitis. All patients received antibiotic therapy with either ampicillin or meropenem for a mean duration of 16.7 ± 8.4 days. The overall mortality rate was11.1%.(n = 7). Conclusion Listeriosis was observed not only in the elderly but also in middle-aged individuals with underlying risk factors, as well as in pregnant women.Improved environmental hygeine, early diagnosis, and timely treatment are essential to improving outcomes, particularly in pregnancy-related cases. Public education, healthcare provider training, and community-level preventive strategies are critical for effective management and control of listeriosis.

The Cambridge Questionnaire for Apathy and Impulsivity Traits (CamQUAIT): a novel assessment tool for frontotemporal lobar degeneration-related syndromes

PLoS ONE C. J. Lansdall, R. S. Williams, I. Coyle-Gilchrist et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345545

State of the Art Apathy and impulsivity are common in syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). They are associated with high carer distress and poor patient outcomes. There are limited treatment options and progress has been hindered by a lack of appropriate outcome measures. This study aimed to develop a carer-rated questionnaire oriented to people with syndromes associated with FTLD. Methodology Principal component and Rasch analysis were conducted on carer-, clinician- and patient-reported questionnaires and performance-based tests of behavioural change in the “Pick’s Disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Prevalence and Incidence” (PiPPIN) study. We identified two key components which informed subsequent item development for a novel scale which we call the Cambridge Questionnaire for Apathy and Impulsivity Traits (CamQUAIT). The resulting scale comprised two subscales assessing “motivation and support” (CamQUAIT-M) and “impulsivity and challenging behaviours” (CamQUAIT-C). An independent sample of 132 carers for people with FTLD-associated syndromes completed the CamQUAIT, along with a battery of existing measures. The CamQUAIT was reduced to 15 items following Rasch analysis. Results Both subscales showed good construct validity as assessed by high Person separation index (CamQUAIT-M = 0.9; CamQUAIT-C = 0.7) and Cronbach’s alpha (CamQUAIT-M = 0.9; CamQUAIT-C = 0.8). The subscales correlated moderately with each other (r = 0.376, p &lt; 0.001), and with existing measures of behavioural change. Conclusion The CamQUAIT is a targeted measurement tool to assess apathy, impulsivity, and related behavioural change in the context of FTLD-related syndromes. The scale demonstrates good measurement properties and is sensitive to group differences, providing a suitable outcome measure to evaluate novel symptomatic treatments.

Evaluation of large language models in medical examinations: A scoping review protocol

PLoS ONE Weiqi Wang, Baifeng Wang, Yan Zhu et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347539

Introduction Standardized medical examinations, used to assess trainee clinical competencies, provide a rigorous means to verify LLM accuracy and reliability in medical contexts. Although current evaluations use these exams to test LLMs’ clinical reasoning, significant performance variations occur across different clinical scenarios. Existing methods struggle to adapt to evolving research needs. This study synthesizes prior research on LLMs in medical exams, highlighting current limitations and proposing future research directions. Methods and analysis The formulation of the protocol was guided by the standards set forth in the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis . Following the establishment of precise inclusion/exclusion criteria and search strategies, we will execute systematic searches in the PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The method encompasses literature review, data extraction, analytical frameworks, and process mapping. By employing this method, researchers maintain methodological rigor during the entire research process. Ethics and dissemination This protocol describes a method for performing a scoping review. The investigation focuses on the organized synthesis and examination of previously published research. It does not include human/animal experimentation or sensitive data collection. Ethical approval is not required for this literature-based study.

Rab27b: A Modulator of Lysosomal Function and Alpha-Synuclein Clearance in Parkinson's Disease

Journal of Neuroscience Rafael A. Badell-Grau Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0917-25.2026

How survivors of intimate partner violence experience trauma-informed care: A scoping review

PLoS ONE Nancy Ross, Nicole Doria, Carol McNaughton et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334623

Intimate partner violence [IPV] represents a worldwide public health concern, with most survivors experiencing the profound effects of its trauma. Survivors’ experiences of trauma-informed programs and approaches, however, are largely unknown. This scoping review therefore aimed to comprehensively map the existing literature on survivors’ experiences of IPV related trauma-informed programs and approaches. Additionally, it sought to identify gaps in the literature and highlight recommendations for trauma-informed programs and approaches related to IPV. Databases were systematically searched to identify research studies; 2,841 studies were screened, and 20 studies met inclusion for full review. IPV related programs and approaches that included one or more of six trauma-informed principles [safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice, and choice; and/or cultural, historical, and gender issues] were considered. Through employing qualitative content analysis, it was found that these programs and approaches created program satisfaction as well as positive growth and change for survivors. These changes included improved communication skills, emotional and behavioural regulation, confidence and self-worth, and health and wellness. Program dissatisfactions, barriers to entry, and recommendations for future IPV trauma-informed programs were also found to be prevalent. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.

Engrams and Memory: My Scientific “Eras Tour”

Journal of Neuroscience Sheena A. Josselyn Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2315-25.2026

Memories are widely thought to be encoded by sparse populations of neurons, often referred to as engrams. My entry into this field began with a 2001 report in this journal showing that overexpression of the transcription factor CREB in the amygdala enhances fear memory in rats (Josselyn et al., 2001). Over the following two decades, work from my laboratory and others converged on a central idea: neurons compete for inclusion in an engram, and this competition is strongly influenced by their relative intrinsic excitability and recent activity. In this Progression article, I reflect on the scientific “eras” that shaped this view, tracing a path from early molecular manipulations of CREB (the Debut era) to more modern approaches that identify, image, and manipulate memory-relevant neuronal ensembles. Together, these studies suggest that memories are not written onto a blank neural slate but emerge from competitive interactions within preexisting neural circuits. By revisiting these discoveries through a personal lens (and with occasional inspiration from Taylor Swift's “Eras”), this article reflects on how our ideas about engrams evolved from pure speculation and theory to experimentally testable mechanisms.

Cultivation potential of the tropical carrageenophyte Eucheumatopsis isiformis (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta) from Yucatán, Mexico

PLoS ONE Monserrat López-Yllescas, Erika F. Vázquez-Delfín, Adrián Fagundo-Mollineda et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346826

The production of tropical red seaweeds, collectively referred to as eucheumatoids, has stagnated or declined over the past decade. This trend is primarily attributed to limited availability of high-quality planting material, increased incidence of diseases, and insufficient genetic exchange between cultivated stocks and wild populations. Consequently, enhancing species diversification in commercial seaweed farming through the controlled management of reproductive strategies remains a significant global challenge. Eucheumatopsis isiformis is a native eucheumatoid from the tropical Atlantic Ocean that contains a high proportion of iota-carrageenan with a kappa-iota-nu carrageenan hybrid structure and represents a promising candidate for diversification of commercial crops. This study reports the first successful induction of sporulation in this species, thereby expanding current knowledge of its reproductive phenology and supporting its potential cultivation from spores. Molecular analyses confirmed the identity of E. isiformis across the three morphotypes examined, which exhibited comparable carrageenan yields. Collectively, these findings establish a robust methodological foundation for the development of spore-based production systems for this species. Sporulation was successfully induced after 5 and 10 days of acclimatization, with the highest carpospore densities obtained under treatment with putrescine at 10 −3 M. Optimal spore development was observed at a light intensity of 40 µmol·m -2 ·s -1 . These findings highlight the potential for advancing the cultivation of E. isiformis through consolidation of selective breeding and domestication protocols, which may also be applicable to other eucheumatoid species.

Expression of Concern: Risk factors of progression to endometrial cancer in women with endometrial hyperplasia: A retrospective cohort study

PLoS ONE Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347720

In-hospital outcomes and hospital charges after robotic-assisted versus conventional total knee arthroplasty: A 2016–2022 Nationwide Inpatient Sample study

PLoS ONE David Maman, Yaniv Steinfeld, Yaron Berkovich Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346031

Background Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty has been adopted to enhance surgical precision, yet contemporary national evidence on clinical and economic outcomes remains limited. Objective To compare in-hospital complications, length of stay, and hospital charges between robotic-assisted and conventional total knee arthroplasty using recent nationwide data. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2016–2022. Adult elective primary knee arthroplasty admissions were identified; cases with revision procedures or documented coronavirus disease were excluded. Robotic-assisted and conventional procedures were compared after 1:1 propensity score matching on demographics, hospital factors, and comorbidities and year of admission (two cohorts of 173,565 patients each). Outcomes included length of stay, total hospital charges, and major in-hospital complications. Two-sided tests were used with a significance threshold of 0.05. Results The proportion of robotic-assisted procedures increased from 0.7% in 2016 to 14.9% in 2022. After matching, robotic-assisted surgery was associated with a shorter mean length of stay (1.9 vs 2.7 days; p &lt; 0.001) and lower rates of several complications. When expressed as relative risks (RR) (risk in conventional TKA divided by risk in robotic-assisted TKA), transfusion (RR 3.7), pneumonia (RR 3.0), pulmonary embolism (RR 2.6), prolonged ventilation (RR 2.1), and deep vein thrombosis (RR 1.8) were all higher in the conventional group (all p &lt; 0.01). Acute kidney injury was marginally more frequent with robotic assistance (relative risk 0.9; p = 0.03). Mean hospital charges were higher for robotic-assisted procedures (US$70,758 vs US$62,618; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions In a large, contemporary national cohort, robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty was associated with fewer in-hospital complications and shorter hospital stays than conventional surgery, while incurring higher hospital charges. These findings support a potential safety advantage for robotic assistance during the index admission and motivate further study of longer-term clinical and economic outcomes. Levels of Evidence: LEVEL III.

Endorsement of the 32-item Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative (COREQ) and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) by Chinese journals of nursing: A survey of editors and review of journal instructions for authors

PLoS ONE Li Zhao, Jian Zeng, Kaiyan Hu et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346938

Background To investigate the endorsement of the 32-item Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative (COREQ) and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) in the instructions for authors (IFA) of Chinese nursing journals. The awareness of Chinese editors of the COREQ and SRQR, together with their application and requirements for following the standards, were also investigated. These findings would assist as the endorsement, application, and promotion of the COREQ and SRQR in Chinese nursing journals, and improve the reporting quality of qualitative research in nursing. Methods Nursing journals were identified from the National Press and Publication Administration. The IFA and applications of the COREQ and SRQR were assessed. The editors of the journals were asked about their awareness of and demand for the COREQ checklist and SRQR standards, as well as their implementation at different stages of the publication process, including manuscript submission, editing, and peer review. Results A total of 29 nursing journals were included, and only 2 journals (6.9%, 2/29) mentioned the COREQ and SRQR in their IFA. Among the 24 surveyed editors, only 45.83% (11/24) and 33.33% (8/24) were aware of the COREQ and SRQR, respectively. None of the surveyed editors required authors to follow the COREQ/SRQR at the submission stage, editors to follow COREQ/SRQR in the journal editing and processing stage, and reviewers to use the COREQ/SRQR in the expert review stage. Conclusion Nursing journals in China endorsing the COREQ and SRQR constitute a small percentage of the total. In addition, both awareness and application of the COREQ and SRQR were poor among nursing journal editors. Therefore, we strongly recommend that the China Periodicals Association undertake measures to encourage and support the endorsement of biomedical research reporting guidelines in nursing journals. Also, the education and training of journal editors, researchers, and medical students on biomedical research reporting guidelines should be strengthened.

In search of novel PD1 inhibitor from natural products by high-throughput virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation

PLoS ONE Neha Sharma, Abhijit Debnath, Rupa Mazumder et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0339355

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents a significant oncological challenge. While immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have revolutionized the treatment of SCC, current monoclonal antibody approaches face limitations, including poor tissue penetration, high costs, and immune-related adverse events in patients. Most existing small-molecule efforts target PD-L1, leaving PD-1/PD-L2 interactions intact and enabling immune escape. This study represents the first systematic identification of natural product-derived direct PD-1 inhibitors, offering broader pathway blockade compared to PD-L1-selective approaches. While current therapeutic limitations highlight the need for alternative methods, this computational study lays a foundation for experimental validation and potential advancement of a drug development pipeline. Through integrated computational screening of 17,967 phytochemicals from the IMPPAT database, we employed consensus molecular docking across seven algorithms, 300-ns molecular dynamics simulations, density functional theory calculations, and comprehensive ADME profiling. IMPHY004834 (Mahuannin D) from Ephedra sinica emerged as a lead compound with exceptional free binding energy, forming stable interactions with key PD-1. Molecular dynamics analysis revealed remarkable stability with consistent RMSD, lowest RMSF, and sustained hydrogen bonding throughout the simulation. The biflavonoid structure exhibits a favorable HOMO-LUMO gap, indicating chemical stability, while ADME profiling confirms drug-like properties, albeit requiring parenteral administration due to low GI absorption. This work establishes the first evidence for Mahuannin D’s PD-1 inhibitory mechanism, which was previously known only for its cytotoxic effects. It provides a validated computational framework for discovering natural product-based immune checkpoint inhibitors with superior pathway coverage compared to existing PD-L1-selective therapeutics.

Screen Your Way Study Protocol: Embedding community driven models to increase cervical screening via HPV self-collection to improve cervical cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

PLoS ONE Lisa J. Whop, Louise E. Mitchell, Tamara L. Butler et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336004

In July 2022, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection became available as a choice to all participants in Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP). This policy change aims to facilitate equitable access to cervical screening; however, further evidence is needed to support its implementation and reach under-screened women and people with a cervix. This implementation study seeks to embed HPV self-collection into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and/or primary care organisations whose context is similar to that of an ACCHO. This will be achieved by co-designing, implementing, and evaluating models of care tailored to local needs. The aim is to increase cervical screening participation, particularly among under- and never-screened, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and people with a cervix. Ultimately the aim is to achieve equity in cervical cancer elimination. Screen Your Way will use a before-and-after study design to evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability and sustainability of implemented strategies on cervical screening participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and people with a cervix. The study will be guided by an Indigenist implementation research approach and will employ mixed methods. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Research Ethics Committee (REC-0092), Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales Ethics Committee (2078/23), Australian National University Human Research Ethics Committee (H/2023/1103), Northern Territory Department of Health and Menzies School of Health Research (HREC2023–4557), and Metro South Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2025/QMS/115155). Additional approvals will be obtained in accordance with the locally nominated governance protocols of each participating service. This may include approvals from ACCHO Boards, Community Juries, or other designated decision-making bodies. The research team will work closely with each service to ensure all required processes are respected and adhered to prior to commencing any research activities. Findings will be disseminated via workshops, reports, evidence briefs and resource creation to assist with the evidence-based scale up of self-collection in the ACCHO setting. Further dissemination will occur via conferences and peer-reviewed publications in partnership with the Screen Your Way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Caucus.

Understanding how the informed consent process influences the decision to participate in an adaptive platform trial: A scoping review

PLoS ONE Nicole Yada, Luma Samawi, Neill K.J. Adhikari et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0344560

Introduction The complex design of adaptive platform trials may be challenging for prospective participants and their families and/or substitute decision makers to understand when approached for informed consent. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore and synthesize literature on how the informed consent process influences the decision to participate in an adaptive platform trial. Methods A scoping review of empirical literature published in English was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychInfo databases (1976–2025). A key term search strategy examined the overarching concepts of informed consent process and adaptive platform trials. Empirical studies whose participants were adults in a health care delivery or clinical research setting were included. The outcome of interest was factors that affect eligible trial participant decisions to participate in adaptive platform trials. Grey literature was further searched to substantiate and complement the peer reviewed literature. Results Of 1085 articles reviewed, four met inclusion criteria. The four papers highlighted challenges in explaining to prospective participants how the randomization ratio may change during the trial and how likely participants are to benefit, as well as the importance of communication outside of the written consent form. Eight grey literature results were included, covering an emerging policy and regulatory discourse, as well as nascent empirical studies examining alternate delivery modalities for consent information. Conclusions Limited data highlight the importance of empirical investigation into how to facilitate informed participation in adaptive platform trials. More research is needed to understand how this trial design may affect enrollment decisions and therefore associated policies and processes needed to support informed participation in this modernized trial design.

Nicotine dependence among critically ill COVID-19 patients: A population-based cohort study

PLoS ONE John Garza, Roy Sebastian, Brinkley Cover et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308776

Nicotine dependence is associated with lower life expectancy and patients who use nicotine are at an increased risk of diseases of the respiratory system. Data on the prognostic impact of nicotine dependence in COVID-19 is inconclusive. We used publicly available, statewide, and deidentified records to study hospitalizations of patients aged ≥ 18 years with a principal diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care units of acute care hospitals in Texas from Q2 2020 through Q4 2024. We measured the effect of nicotine dependence on mortality in the overlap population using weighted multivariable logistic regression and g-computation. We identified 142,045 hospitalizations admitted to intensive care units with a principal diagnosis of COVID-19 of which 10,452 (7.3%) were classified as currently nicotine dependent, 23,671 (16.7%) as formerly nicotine dependent, and 107,922 (76.0%) as never nicotine dependent. Currently and formerly nicotine dependent individuals had significantly higher burden of comorbidities compared to never nicotine dependent individuals; mean [standard deviation] Deyo comorbidity index 1.8 [1.9] and 1.8 [1.9] vs 1.4 [1.8] but lower rates of in-hospital mortality 10.7% and 13.8% vs 16.1%. On adjusted analysis, current nicotine dependence and former nicotine dependence remained associated with reduced in-hospital and short-term mortality. Additional investigations exploring the mechanisms leading to these findings are necessary.

Correction: Functional impact of cardiac implanted devices on ipsilateral shoulder range of motion, scapular mobility, and self-reported quality of life

PLoS ONE Cansu Cosgun, Muharrem Said Cosgun, Oznur Buyukturan et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348025

The influence of extreme rainfall on crime: Spatiotemporal dynamics in Hunan Province, China

PLoS ONE Dongshui Zhang, Yanlu Xiao, Yongshun Han et al. Apr 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345811

The influence of extreme weather events on social stability is increasingly acknowledged as a critical and pressing concern. Utilizing data on the criminal offenses, extreme climate conditions, and socio-economic indicators from counties and cities in Hunan Province for the period 2014–2018, this study systematically examines the impact of extreme heavy rainfall events on crime. By integrating a standardized crime intensity index, spatial autocorrelation analysis, grey correlation analysis, and a panel data model, the research comprehensively analyzes the underlying mechanisms and spatiotemporal dynamics of this relationship. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Heavy rainfall exerts a discernible influence on the spatial distribution of crime, especially in agricultural regions such as Ningxiang and Dongkou. In these areas, the interruption of farming activities caused by intense precipitation appears to increase susceptibility to criminal incidents. (2) Extended rainfall events are associated with elevated crime rates, increasing by approximately 0.374 percent for each 1 percent increase in storm duration. In contrast, variations in rainfall intensity show no substantial influence on crime incidence. (3) Socio-economic conditions, including population mobility, GDP per capita, and the proportion of tertiary industry, further complicate this relationship by amplifying the influence of rainfall under specific contextual settings. The findings provide tailored strategies for preventing crime in regions that are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in agricultural production.