bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safeguarding Earth's biodiversity by creating a lunar biorepository
Authors: Hagedorn Mary , Parenti Lynne R , Craddock Robert A , Comizzoli Pierre , Mabee Paula , Meinke Bonnie , Wolf Susan M , Bischof John C , Sandlin Rebecca D , Tessier Shannon N , Toner Mehmet
Published: August 2024

Earth's biodiversity is increasingly threatened and at risk. We propose a passive lunar biorepository for long-term storage of prioritized taxa of live cryopreserved samples to safeguard Earth's biodiversity and to support future space exploration and planet terraforming. Our initial focus will be on cryopreserving animal skin samples with fibroblast cells. An exemplar system has been developed using cryopreserved fish fins from the Starry Goby, Asterropteryx semipunctata. Samples will be expanded into fibroblast cells, recryopreserved, and then tested in an Earth-based laboratory for robust packaging and sensitivity to radiation. Two key factors for this biorepository are the needs to reduce damage from radiation and to maintain the samples near –196° Celsius. Certain lunar sites near the poles may meet these criteria. If possible, further testing would occur on the International Space Station prior to storage on the Moon. To secure a positive shared future, this is an open call to participate in this decades-long program.
Morphoanatomy and evolution of the bracteole and sepal glands of the Amazonian genus Lophanthera A. Juss. (Galphimioid clade)
Authors: Sanches Miller Melo , Guesdon Isabel Reis , da Silva Larissa Pereira , Pace Marcelo Rodrigo , Meira Renata Maria Strozi Alves
Published: August 2024

The presence of diverse secretory structures is emblematic of Malpighiaceae, such as the presence of nectaries secreting sugary nectar and elaiophores secreting oil-resin. Recent studies have demonstrated the morphoanatomical and chemical similarities between these two glands but, in general, there are no comparative morphoanatomical analysis on inflorescence glands. The Galphimioid clade is an excellent model for studies on the presence of secretory tissue due to the variation found among genera with regards to both their bracteole and sepal glands. In this work, we describe the morphoanatomy and histochemistry of bracteole and sepal glands in species of Lophanthera. Furthermore, we update the species geographic distribution map and explore the morphological diversity of both sepal and bracteole glands in the Neotropical Galphimioid clade. Samples collected in the field and obtained from herbarium specimens were processed under usual anatomical techniques. The bracteole glands varied in surface shape, while the calyx glands varied mainly in size. Anatomically, both types of gland have palisade secretory epidermis and vascularized secretory parenchyma. The presence of proteins, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and reducing sugar was detected by histochemical tests. The bracteole glands of the inflorescences in Lophanthera were characterized as nectaries that produce a hydrophilic secretion. The sepal glands were identified as elaiophores by the presence of lipids and fixed oil. The results reinforce the functional role of floral nectaries of bracteoles and elaiophores of sepals according to the nature of the secretion, its potential visitors, and reported literature. The morphofunctional diversity reported in this work is unprecedented for the clade and is fundamental in the adaptive evolution of the family.
CDK12 is a promising therapeutic target for the transcription cycle and DNA damage response in metastatic osteosarcoma
Authors: Li Zihao , Li Xiaoyang , Seebacher Nicole A , Liu Xu , Wu Wence , Yu Shengji , Hornicek Francis J , Huang Changzhi , Duan Zhenfeng
Published: August 2024

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a bone malignant tumor affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. Currently, osteosarcoma is treated with chemotherapy regimens established over 40 years ago. The investigation of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of osteosarcoma remains an important clinical need. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been considered promising molecular targets in cancer therapy. Among these, CDK12 has been shown to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of malignancies, but its clinical significance and biological mechanisms in osteosarcoma remain unclear. In the present study, we aim to determine the expression and function of CDK12 and evaluate its prognostic and therapeutic value in metastatic osteosarcoma. We found that overexpression of CDK12 was associated with high tumor grade, tumor progression and reduced patient survival. The underlying mechanism revealed that knockdown of CDK12 expression with small interfering RNA or functional inhibition with the CDK12-targeting agent THZ531 effectively exhibited time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Downregulation of CDK12 paused transcription by reducing RNAP II phosphorylation, interfered with DNA damage repair with increased γH2AX, and decreased cell proliferation through the PI3K-AKT pathway. This was accompanied by the promotion of apoptosis, as evidenced by enhanced Bax expression and reduced Bcl-xL expression. Furthermore, the CDK12 selective inhibitor THZ531 also hindered ex vivo 3D spheroid formation, growth of in vitro 2D cell colony, and prevented cell mobility. Our findings highlight the clinical importance of CDK12 as a potentially valuable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in metastatic osteosarcoma.
Bullous drug eruption
Authors: Mancha Dora , Brazão Cláudia , Sun Lanyu , de Vasconcelos João Pedro , Correia Teresa , Soares-de-Almeida Luís , Filipe Paulo
Published: August 2024

Reactions to intravenous contrast media can be immediate or delayed, with delayed hypersensitivity reactions occurring 1 h to 7 days after administration. Severe reactions such as generalized bullous fixed drug eruption are rare. Skin tests, including patch and intradermal tests, are used to identify culprit agents. There are only a few reports about this issue. Thus, our case will help to raise awareness about this cutaneous drug reaction due to radiocontrast.
High water temperature significantly influences swimming performance of New Zealand migratory species
Authors: Crawford Rachel M B , Gee Eleanor M , Dupont Deborah W E , Hicks Brendan J , Franklin Paul A
Published: August 2024

Anthropogenic structures in freshwater systems pose a significant threat by fragmenting habitats. Effective fish passage solutions must consider how environmental changes introduce variability into swimming performance. As temperature is considered the most important external factor influencing fish physiology, it is especially important to consider its effects on fish swimming performance. Even minor alterations in water properties, such as temperature and velocity, can profoundly affect fish metabolic demands, foraging behaviours, fitness and, consequently, swimming performance and passage success. In this study, we investigated the impact of varying water temperatures on the critical swimming speeds of four migratory New Zealand species. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in critical swimming speeds at higher water temperatures (26°C) compared to lower ones (8 and 15°C) for three out of four species (Galaxias maculatus, Galaxias brevipinnis and Gobiomorphus cotidianus). In contrast, Galaxias fasciatus exhibited no significant temperature-related changes in swimming performance, suggesting species-specific responses to temperature. The cold temperature treatment did not impact swimming performance for any of the studied species. As high water temperatures significantly reduce fish swimming performance, it is important to ensure that fish passage solutions are designed to accommodate a range of temperature changes, including spatial and temporal changes, ranging from diel to decadal fluctuations. Our research underscores the importance of incorporating temperature effects into fish passage models for habitat restoration, connectivity initiatives, and freshwater fish conservation. The influence of temperature on fish swimming performance can alter migration patterns and population dynamics, highlighting the need for adaptive conservation strategies. To ensure the resilience of freshwater ecosystems it is important to account for the impact of temperature on fish swimming performance, particularly in the context of a changing climate.
The diagnostic value of prostate-specific membrane antigen PET-CT in differentiating medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and metastasis to the jawbone
Authors: Kur Karin , Papadopoulou Erofili , Nidam Meital , Fertouk Michal , Binyamini Omer , Friedlander Barenboim Silvina , Lazarovitci Towy Sorel , Domachevsky Liran , Yarom Noam
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and jaw metastasis might share similar clinical and radiographic characteristics, with both demonstrating F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on PET-CT. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET-CT is used to demonstrate prostate cancer dissemination. Unlike FDG PET-CT, PSMA PET-CT is more specific to cancer than to inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that it might be a useful tool to differentiate between MRONJ and jaw metastasis.

Methods

All files of prostate cancer patients diagnosed with MRONJ and with available PSMA PET-CT studies were retrieved. A similar number of solid cancer patients with MRONJ and with available FDG PET-CT studies served as a second study group. All studies were reviewed by 2 blinded co-investigators (L.D. and M.F.).

Results

Seventeen patients who underwent PSMA PET-CT (24 studies) and 15 patients who underwent FDG PET-CT (29 studies) met the inclusion criteria. All patients with FDG PET-CT studies showed pathological uptake at the site of MRONJ in at least one of their studies versus only 23.5% of patients in the PSMA PET-CT group (P < .001). FDG PET-CT studies showed pathological uptake in 89.6% of the studies compared with only 20.8% in the PSMA PET-CT group (P < .001). The mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the mean uptake volume in the FDG PET-CT group were significantly higher compared with the PSMA PET-CT group (P < .001 and P < .005, respectively). The interclass correlation coefficient for all parameters was higher than 0.95.

Conclusions

PSMA PET-CT is useful to differentiate between MRONJ and jaw metastasis.
Do electrocardiographic changes induced during intracoronary vasospasm provocation testing reflect those during spontaneous angina episodes in patients with vasospastic angina?: a case series
Authors: Feenstra Rutger G T , Timmerman Lotte S , Piek Jan J , Beijk Marcel A M
Published: August 2024

Background

According to the Coronary Vasomotor Disorders International Study (COVADIS) group, the ECG criteria supporting the diagnosis of vasospastic angina (VSA) in spontaneous episodes or induced during intracoronary spasm testing are similar. However, it remains elusive whether acetylcholine-induced ECG changes during epicardial spasms reflect ECG changes that occur during the height of a spontaneous episode.

Case summary

We present four patients diagnosed with VSA during intracoronary spasm testing, of whom the ECG characteristics during spasm testing and a spontaneous angina episode are described. All patients have >90% coronary epicardial vasoconstriction in one or more vessels during acetylcholine provocation. ECGs at the height of a spontaneous episode and during acetylcholine-induced coronary spasm are found to be different in three out of four patients.

Discussion

In patients with VSA, the ECG at the height of a spontaneous episode and during acetylcholine-induced coronary artery spasm may differ substantially. In patients with symptoms suspicious of VSA, every effort should be undertaken to obtain ECGs during the height of a spontaneous episode of angina pectoris and there should be a low threshold to perform intracoronary function testing.
Integrating the Thrifty Genotype and Evolutionary Mismatch Hypotheses to understand variation in cardiometabolic disease risk
Authors: Brassington Layla , Arner Audrey M , Watowich Marina M , Damstedt Jane , Ng Kee Seong , Lim Yvonne A L , Venkataraman Vivek V , Wallace Ian J , Kraft Thomas S , Lea Amanda J
Published: August 2024

More than 60 years ago, James Neel proposed the Thrifty Genotype Hypothesis to explain the widespread prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Western, industrial contexts. This hypothesis posits that variants linked to conservative energy usage and increased fat deposition would have been favored throughout human evolution due to the advantages they could provide during periods of resource limitation. However, in industrial environments, these variants instead produce an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and related health issues. This hypothesis has been popular and impactful, with thousands of citations, many ongoing debates, and several spin-off theories in biomedicine, evolutionary biology, and anthropology. However, despite great attention, the applicability and utility of the Thrifty Genotype Hypothesis (TGH) to modern human health remains, in our opinion, unresolved. To move research in this area forward, we first discuss the original formulation of the TGH and its critiques. Second, we trace the TGH to updated hypotheses that are currently at the forefront of the evolutionary medicine literature—namely, the Evolutionary Mismatch Hypothesis. Third, we lay out empirical predictions for updated hypotheses and evaluate them against the current literature. Finally, we discuss study designs that could be fruitful for filling current knowledge gaps; here, we focus on partnerships with subsistence-level groups undergoing lifestyle transitions, and we present data from an ongoing study with the Orang Asli of Malaysia to illustrate this point. Overall, we hope this synthesis will guide new empirical research aimed at understanding how the human evolutionary past interacts with our modern environments to influence cardiometabolic health.
Narrating the Desert: The Sublime and Desert Experiences in V. Muzafer Ahamed’s Camels in the Sky
Authors: Varma R Sreejith
Published: August 2024

This essay studies the travel narrative Camels in the Sky: Travels in Arabia by V. Muzafer Ahamed. The book narrativizes the author’s extensive explorations of the desert spaces in Saudi Arabia where he worked as a newspaper reporter for 13 years. This desert writing, arguably the first of its kind by a writer from the southern Indian state of Kerala, registers a wide range of emotions including desire, excitement, wonder, and fear as the author traverses the unfamiliar terrain. The desert, in Ahamed’s narrative, is not an essentialized ecological enclosure, but rather a politicized naturecultural space infected by human interventionist presences. The sublime is a visceral experience in Ahamed’s text as he negotiates the imbrication of beauty and precarity in the desert. In the concluding section, the essay argues that sublime feelings have the potential to evoke environmental humility and foster non-anthropocentric awareness, both of which are crucial for the sustainability of our endangered planet. Considering the critical decline in interest in the sublime, as contended by Emily Brady, this essay seeks to re-engage with the trope to make a case for its continued relevance.
TRAP1 drives smooth muscle cell senescence and promotes atherosclerosis via HDAC3-primed histone H4 lysine 12 lactylation
Authors: Li Xuesong , Chen Minghong , Chen Xiang , He Xian , Li Xinyu , Wei Huiyuan , Tan Yongkang , Min Jiao , Azam Tayyiba , Xue Mengdie , Zhang Yunjia , Dong Mengdie , Yin Quanwen , Zheng Longbin , Jiang Hong , Huo Da , Wang Xin , Chen Shaoliang , Ji Yong , Chen Hongshan
Published: August 2024

Background and Aims

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence is crucial for the development of atherosclerosis, characterized by metabolic abnormalities. Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1), a metabolic regulator associated with ageing, might be implicated in atherosclerosis. As the role of TRAP1 in atherosclerosis remains elusive, this study aimed to examine the function of TRAP1 in VSMC senescence and atherosclerosis.

Methods

TRAP1 expression was measured in the aortic tissues of patients and mice with atherosclerosis using western blot and RT–qPCR. Senescent VSMC models were established by oncogenic Ras, and cellular senescence was evaluated by measuring senescence-associated β-galactosidase expression and other senescence markers. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis was performed to explore the potential role of TRAP1 in atherosclerosis.

Results

VSMC-specific TRAP1 deficiency mitigated VSMC senescence and atherosclerosis via metabolic reprogramming. Mechanistically, TRAP1 significantly increased aerobic glycolysis, leading to elevated lactate production. Accumulated lactate promoted histone H4 lysine 12 lactylation (H4K12la) by down-regulating the unique histone lysine delactylase HDAC3. H4K12la was enriched in the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) promoter, activating SASP transcription and exacerbating VSMC senescence. In VSMC-specific Trap1 knockout ApoeKO mice (ApoeKOTrap1SMCKO), the plaque area, senescence markers, H4K12la, and SASP were reduced. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition and proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated TRAP1 degradation effectively attenuated atherosclerosis in vivo.

Conclusions

This study reveals a novel mechanism by which mitonuclear communication orchestrates gene expression in VSMC senescence and atherosclerosis. TRAP1-mediated metabolic reprogramming increases lactate-dependent H4K12la via HDAC3, promoting SASP expression and offering a new therapeutic direction for VSMC senescence and atherosclerosis.
Atypical succession of insects associated with pig cadavers (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) in Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia
Authors: Restrepo-Rúa Mateo , Mancipe-Villamarin Angela Patricia , Guerrero Nidya Alexandra Segura
Published: August 2024

Forensic entomology complements medicolegal investigations by studying insects at the crime scene. In Colombia, studies that characterized the succession of cadaver entomofauna have been published. However, in Tunja (Boyacá), the information related to evaluating the decomposition process and the fauna associated with cadavers is incipient. Therefore, this study aimed to describe that process under the environmental conditions of the municipality. Four pig cadavers were used to monitor decomposition and collect the visiting species. We conducted a descriptive statistical analysis with diversity indexes and a canonical correspondence analysis to evaluate the possible relations among decomposition stages, the species, and environmental variables. The observed decomposition process was atypical, presenting a prolonged duration of the early cadaveric phenomena and a low number of arthropods attracted to the cadavers. In total, we collected 1249 arthropods. The Diptera and Coleoptera orders were the most abundant, representing 55.7% and 33.7%, respectively. The Calliphoridae family represented 64.7% of the Diptera fauna succession, with Calliphora vicina and Chrysomya albiceps as the most abundant species and the first colonizers under the conditions of the study zone. The results provide information about the entomofauna associated with decomposing bodies in the municipality of Tunja. Due to the environmental conditions of the study zone, we could demonstrate that factors like rainfall and temperature could delay colonization and the onset times of cadaveric phenomena.
Frailty Status, Sedentary Behaviors, and Risk of Incident Bone Fractures
Authors: Zhou Jian , Tang Rui , Wang Xuan , Ma Hao , Li Xiang , Heianza Yoriko , Qi Lu
Published: August 2024

Background

The associations of physical pre-frailty and frailty with bone fractures and the modified effect of sedentary lifestyle remain uncertain. This study was performed to explore the association of physical pre-frailty and frailty with risk of incident bone fractures, and test the modification effects of sedentary lifestyle and other risk factors.

Methods

This cohort study included 413 630 participants without bone fractures at baseline in the UK Biobank study between 2006 and 2010 and followed up to 2021. The mean age of the participants was 56.5 years. A total of 224 351 (54.2%) enrolled participants were female and 376 053 (90.9%) included participants were White. Three Cox regression models were constructed to analyze the association of pre-frailty and frailty with total fractures, hip fractures, vertebrae fractures, and other fractures.

Results

As compared with the physical nonfrailty group, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios were 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–1.21) and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.53–1.74) for the physical pre-frailty group and frailty group, respectively (p-trend < .001). In addition, we found that sedentary behavior time significantly accentuated the associations of physical pre-frailty and frailty with total fractures (p-interaction <.001), hip fractures (p-interaction = .013), and other fractures (p-interaction <.001).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that physical pre-frailty and frailty are related to higher risks of bone fractures; such association was more pronounced among those with longer sedentary behavior time.
Chronic Work Discrimination, Allostatic Load, and HbA1c in Older Workers
Authors: Mutambudzi Miriam , Boakye Kelvin , Green Olutoyin , Heffernan Kevin
Published: August 2024

Background and Objective

Work discrimination is an important public health problem with consequences for health. This study examined the effect of chronic work discrimination on 4-year changes in HbA1c, as a reflection of glucose control and type 2 diabetes risk in older workers and assessed whether allostatic load (AL) affected the strength of this association.

Research Design and Methods

We used Health and Retirement Study data (2010–2016, n = 3,246). Conditional change multinomial logistic regression examined the association between chronic work discrimination, high AL (4 or more out of 8 high-risk biomarkers), and HbA1c, while accounting for relevant covariates.

Results

Black participants had the highest rates of baseline (22.7%) and follow-up (28%) HbA1c levels, AL (38%), and chronic work discrimination (39%; p < .01). Severe chronic work discrimination was associated with elevated HbA1c (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07, 2.43). AL was associated with elevated HbA1c (RRR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.04, 2.14). Relative to White participants, Hispanic (RRR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.07, 2.16, RRR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.051, 3.12), and Black (RRR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.82, 3.23; RRR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.97, 4.56) participants had an increased risk of intermediate and elevated HbA1c, respectively. Among those with long job tenure (≥5 years), both moderate (RRR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.96) and severe (RRR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.15, 3.12) chronic work discrimination was associated with elevated HbA1c.

Discussion and Implications

Chronic work discrimination was associated with HbA1c; however, no moderating effects of AL were observed. Findings underscore a need for organizational and public health measures to establish strong anti-discrimination laws in the workplace to improve the work environment of older workers and reduce diabetes risk.
4. Critical and Feminist European Political Economy
Authors: Wigger Angela , Horn Laura
Published: August 2024

This chapter explores the strength of critical and feminist approaches to European political economy. It explains that Critical and Feminist EPE plays an important role in demystifying dominant modes of understanding that strategically silence various forms of exploitation in capitalist power relations. Critical EPE seeks to understand the European Union in the context of the wider dynamics of global capitalism. Meanwhile, Feminist EPE focuses primarily on social power relations. The chapter elaborates on the state of the art of Critical and Feminist EPE with respect to theoretically informed explanations of crises and crisis responses and their social and political consequences. It highlights the importance of critical perspectives to analyse EPE and imagine an alternative future.
6. Financial Integration and Regulation
Authors: Quaglia Lucia
Published: August 2024

This chapter provides an overview of financial integration and regulation. It discusses the main issues at stake in the political economy of financial integration and regulation in Europe. Due to the recurrence of financial crises, the globalization of finance, the multi-level governance of financial services, and the large size and far-reaching influence of the financial sector, financial integration and regulation hold particular significance in the European political economy. Over time, financial integration increased in the European Union, which has harmonized regulations on a variety of financial services across Member States. The financial integration and regulation in Europe face several ongoing and future challenges, such as the incompleteness of the Banking Union and its asymmetric functioning.
3. Cooperation and Conflict in the Global Political Economy
Authors: Aggarwal Vinod K. , Dupont Cédric
Published: August 2024

How can one understand the problems of collaboration and coordination in the global political economy (GPE)? In situations of global interdependence, individual action by states often does not yield the desired result. Many argue that the solution to the problem of interdependence is to create international institutions. Yet this approach itself raises the issue of how states might go about creating such institutions in the first place. This work examines the conditions under which states might wish to cooperate and provides an introduction to game theory as an approach to understanding interdependent decision-making. It then discusses the conditions under which international institutions are likely to be developed and how they may facilitate international cooperation. Finally, the work examines dimensions of institutional variation, with a discussion of factors that shape the design of international institutions.
3. Liberalism
Authors: Brummer Klaus , Oppermann Kai
Published: August 2024

This chapter details the contribution of liberalism to the study of foreign policy. It starts with the similarities and differences of situating liberal Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) in the tradition of classic liberal thought. The liberal approach in FPA builds on the rich tradition of liberal political philosophy at the same time as representing an analytical perspective. The chapter then presents a figure of the liberal explanatory model of foreign policy wherein the key explanatory variables are the foreign policy preferences of societal actors and their relative domestic influence. It explains that liberal FPA often focuses on the foreign policy influence of interest groups and public opinion.
6. Two-Level Games
Authors: Brummer Klaus , Oppermann Kai
Published: August 2024

This chapter looks into how a two-level games approach integrates international and domestic factors into a single analytical framework to explain foreign policy. It raises the argument of governments needing to simultaneously navigate international and domestic incentives and pressures when they formulate foreign policy. The two-level games approach views governments as the main strategic actors in foreign policy while being constrained by the requirement to obtain domestic ratification. The chapter then considers the perspective of the two-level games approach on international cooperation and the international bargaining power of governments. It mentions that future research on the approach should look at the determinants of government win-sets.
9. Prospect Theory
Authors: Brummer Klaus , Oppermann Kai
Published: August 2024

This chapter explores the key concepts of Prospect Theory, which is a descriptive theory to explain foreign policy decision-making under risk. It acknowledges the theory as currently the most influential behavioural theory of choice in the social sciences. Prospect Theory emphasizes the importance and impact of the decision-making environment on decision-makers. The chapter also details the basic assumptions, application, and criticisms of Prospect Theory. It describes the numerous starting points for future research offered by Prospect Theory, such as elites being fundamentally less averse to taking risks than individuals who do not hold top positions in politics and business.
15. Perspectives
Authors: Brummer Klaus , Oppermann Kai
Published: August 2024

This chapter considers a number of broad avenues for advancing Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) theories. FPA theories can be advanced by incorporating insights from ‘non-US’ foreign policy research, which in turn could contribute to a further decentring of the field more generally. The chapter details the points of departure for ‘internal dialogue’ among FPA theories before suggesting that the FPA can benefit from non-US foreign policy research. It then highlights that FPA theories have numerous implications and lessons for real-world decision-making. Essentially, FPA offers a multitude of starting points for future research, such as bridge-building and cross-fertilization within the field and other areas of scientific inquiry.
1. The history and evolution of foreign-policy analysis
Authors: Hudson Valerie M.
Published: August 2024

This chapter traces the evolution of foreign policy analysis (FPA) as a subfield of international relations (IR) from its beginnings in the 1950s through its classical period until 1993; it then sketches the research agenda of contemporary FPA, which is represented by the other chapters in this volume. Three paradigmatic works, by Richard Snyder and colleagues, James Rosenau, and Harold and Margaret Sprout, laid the foundation of this subfield. In turn, these works created three main threads of research in FPA: focusing on the decision making of small/large groups, comparative foreign policy, and psychological/sociological explanations of foreign policy. These three primary areas of research have waxed and waned in importance to the subfield over the years. Current FPA scholarship explores linkages between these literatures, seeking both greater cross-level integration of explanation and new methodologies more appropriate to cross-level analysis.
8. Strategic assessment and grand strategy
Authors: Kitchen Nicholas
Published: August 2024

Strategy – or grand strategy – is the task of setting out the principles and plans that underpin foreign policy over the long-term. Strategy provides an assessment of the international environment and describes how a state cultivates and mobilises which aspects of its power in pursuit of its goals. This chapter introduces strategic assessment and grand strategy – both in their public and classified forms – as crucial elements of effective statecraft. It considers the conceptual challenges involved in making aggregate measurements of power, and states’ practice of making assessments of the strategic environment they face and preparing and issuing national security documents. It highlights questions of self-identity in constructing national interests and identifying threats to them, and reflects on the most appropriate ways and means of conducting their foreign policy as a result. It concludes by emphasising the importance of long-term strategic thinking as a prerequisite for effective foreign policy.
14. Climate change and foreign policy
Authors: Mcdonald Matt
Published: August 2024

We live in a world of states. But arguably the core (existential) challenge we currently face on earth—the threat of climate change—is one that looks particularly ill-suited for the state system. The problem is clearly a global one; unilateral action is insufficient to address the challenge; and any attempt to agree on a cooperative response is immediately beset by complex logistical, institutional, and ethical challenges. Yet we have seen international agreements on climate change, and states have found ways to promote strong action on climate change (from other states and from the broader international community) in a range of ways. This chapter examines the challenges of addressing climate change in a world of states before exploring the means through which states have attempted to promote (and in some cases undermine) action on climate change, in the process reflecting on the success of these strategies.
17. China’s approach to the protection of its interests overseas
Authors: Ghiselli Andrea
Published: August 2024

This chapter shows the importance of understanding the decision-making process behind a country’s actions. This is done through the application of a key concept of Foreign Policy Analysis: the decision-making unit. The unit, which is composed by one or a group of top policymakers that have the authority and the power to make a foreign policy decision and commit the state’s resources to it, functions as an intervening variable between all the possible domestic and international forces – the independent variables – and the foreign policy of a country: the dependent variable. The concept of decision-making unit provides students of foreign policy with a powerful set of analytical tools to generate hypotheses and guide the empirical analysis. Empirically, this is shown by comparing the mainstream, power transition-based interpretation of China’s approach to the protection of its interests overseas with that produced if one looks at the same issue through the lens of the decision-making unit. To the contrary of what the mainstream transition-based interpretation, the analysis of dynamics within the decision-making units led by Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping suggests that the military will play only a limited role in protecting Chinese assets, companies and citizens overseas. Instead, the consular protection system and cooperation with other countries will remain the pillars of China’s current policy.
19. Brazil’s rise and fall in world politics
Authors: Saraiva Miriam Gomes , De Sá Guimarães Feliciano , De Oliveira E Silva Irma Dutra Gomes
Published: August 2024

This chapter analyzes Brazil’s rise and fall as an emerging global power and regional leader over the past twenty years. The chapter begins by debating foreign policy’s historical role in portraying Brazil as a country destined to have a place among great powers. It then evaluates how the literature on Brazilian foreign policy assesses the country’s rise and fall in global and regional dimensions in recent decades. Next, the chapter traces Brazil’s rise initiated during Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s administration and the construction of leadership in South America. Then, it analyzes the decline in leadership since the end of Lula da Silva’s first government and Dilma’s administration due to economic and political crises experienced in the domestic and international scenarios. Finally, the chapter discusses the 2020s under the government of Jair Bolsonaro, when Brazil abandons any regional leadership ambitions or great power status. Brazil’s rise and fall elucidate a dilemma typical to emerging powers seeking more significant external influence: building leadership with few resources and domestic instability.
23. The failure of diplomacy and protection in Syria
Authors: Aggestam Karin , Dunne Tim
Published: August 2024

After the reality of the Holocaust had become clear, the members of the newly formed United Nations promised to ‘never again’ allow the crime of genocide and other crimes against humanity to occur. The war in Syria demonstrated the shallow nature of this promise. How was it that Syria was allowed to spiral into an inferno in which mass atrocities were committed against civilians and millions were forcibly displaced? We begin by recounting how a popular uprising was brutally suppressed by the al-Assad government’s military forces—the result was a ‘new war’ where many of the protagonists had more to gain from war than peace. The chapter then examines the diplomatic strategies regional and global powers pursued. We note that the enforcement of the Chemical Weapons Convention signalled a rare moment, during the conflict, where there was a consensus among the great powers. No similar collective international action has been evident thus far in response to the massive harms being inflicted upon millions of innocent civilians in a brutal war lasting more than a decade.
3. Political Parties
Authors: Krouwel André
Published: August 2024

This chapter charts some of the more important developments in European party politics, as well as analysing the contemporary state of party politics. It begins with a discussion of the value of political parties for democracy, after which it describes the origin of party systems in historical social cleavages, how these cleavages relate to the various party families, and the variation in party systems found across European democracies. Subsequently, it examines how parties have changed over time in terms of organization, ideology, and electoral appeal. Highlighting the changing roles political parties performed over time, it focuses on recent changes in European party systems, particularly growing polarization and fragmentation.
4. Voting Behaviour
Authors: Tillman Erik
Published: August 2024

This chapter examines theories and evidence of voting behaviour in Europe. Sociological models examine the role of political cleavages such as class in the development of long-term attachments between parties and voters. Rationalist models examine the sources of short-term changes in voting behaviour with spatial models focusing on the ideological congruence between parties and voters and performance voting models emphasizing evaluations of incumbent records in office. Recent decades have seen debates about a possible realignment of voter loyalties or a de-alignment of voter attachments. The final section focuses on how the legacy of communism has structured the development of voting behaviour in East-Central Europe.
10. Constitutions and Courts
Authors: Garoupa Nuno , Magalhães Pedro C.
Published: August 2024

This chapter focuses on the constitutions of European countries as well as on the mechanisms in place to interpret and enforce them. It starts by defining ‘constitution’. It then proceeds to a discussion about the role of courts and constitutional review of legislation. Focusing on centralized constitutional review, it describes the variety of powers enjoyed by contemporary constitutional courts. Existing mechanisms for litigation and judicial appointment are also considered. Finally, it addresses the existing empirical evidence about both judicial behaviour in such courts and their political impact. The chapter concludes with an examination of current trends in the direction of supranational constitutionalism and constitutional review.
International Relations Theories
Authors: Dunne Tim , Kurki Milja , Kušić Katarina , Smith Steve
Published: August 2024

The sixth edition of this text provides coverage of international relations theories and arguments. The chapters explore the full spectrum of theoretical perspectives and debates, ranging from the historically dominant traditions of realism, liberalism, and Marxism to poststructuralism, green theory, and Global IR. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular theory and features a case study that bridges theory and practice, and shows how theory can be used to explain real-world political dilemmas. Spotlights on key books and articles encourage readers to go beyond the textbook and explore important works in the field, and new case study questions encourage analytical thinking and help readers understand the value of applying theory to concrete political problems.
6. Liberalism
Authors: Jørgensen Knud Erik
Published: August 2024

This chapter examines liberal theories of international politics, focusing on a series of questions that are relevant for understanding not only strands of liberal theorizing but also how theorizing can inform political practices. The chapter considers how liberalism emerged and four central processes of interest to liberalism: globalization, democratization, institutionalization, and regional integration. The chapter also considers various forms of liberal theorizing on war and peace, democracy, norms, and interdependence. It examines a case study of the European Union as an embodiment of key liberal principles.
7. Neoliberalism
Authors: Sterling-Folker Jennifer
Published: August 2024

This chapter examines the neoliberalist argument that international institutions promote international cooperation. While neoliberalism acknowledges that cooperation can be difficult to achieve in anarchic conditions, it insists that institutions allow states to overcome a variety of collective action impediments. The central concern of neoliberal analysis is how institutions do so, and how they might be redesigned to more efficiently obtain cooperative outcomes. This chapter considers a series of questions that are relevant for understanding neoliberal contributions: How did neoliberalism emerge? What are the barriers to international cooperation? How does neoliberalism study international institutions? What will become of these institutions in an age of rising right-wing populism and global inequalities? The chapter uses the World Trade Organization as a case study to illustrate the importance of institutional design for international free trade cooperation. Along the way, various concepts such as interdependence, hegemonic stability, hegemon, bargaining, defection, compliance, autonomy, and principal–agent theory are discussed, along with the game known as Prisoner’s Dilemma.
18. Still a Discipline after All These Debates?
Authors: Wæver Ole
Published: August 2024

This chapter considers how the arguments associated with the different theories of International Relations discussed in the book sum up. More specifically, it asks whether IR is (still?) a discipline, and whether it is likely to remain one. The chapter examines the intellectual and social patterns of IR and the discipline as a social system, along with its relations of power, privilege, and careers. It also reflects on where, what, and how IR is today by drawing on theories from the sociology of science, whether IR can be regarded as a sub-discipline within political science, and the social structure of IR. It argues that the discipline of international relations is likely to continue whether or not ‘international relations’ remains a distinct or delineable object. It also contends that the core of the intellectual structure in the discipline of IR has been recurring ‘great debates’.
11. Green Perspectives And International Relations
Authors: Lawler Peter
Published: August 2024

This chapter explains how environmental issues affect international relations (IR). Despite early Western influences being predominantly national in focus, the prominence of environmental issues surged significantly as intellectual and public concern about global environmental degradation increased. The chapter distinguishes the key philosophical differences between varieties of green thinking, which have more recently shifted to the international sphere. There are several key themes or theories within contemporary green perspectives on international politics and these include: the green international political economy, global environmental justice, the ecocentric world order, and Anthropocene. The chapter then presents the emergence and political components of Robert Goodin's green political theory and the notion of a green international political economy.
Long-Term Outcomes of Intravenous Ustekinumab Maintenance Treatment in Patients With Loss of Response to Subcutaneous Dosing
Authors: Argüelles-Arias Federico , Rodriguez González F Javier , González Antuña Jaime , Castro Laria Luisa , Gutiérrez Martinez Fernando , Alcaín Martinez Guillermo , Maldonado Pérez Belén , Camargo Camero Raquel , Martos Van Dussen J Victor , Fernández Castañer Alejandra , Valdés Delgado Teresa
Published: August 2024

Background

Ustekinumab (UST) is commonly used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. However, some patients may experience diminishing response or require increased dosage. Intravenous (IV) UST maintenance is explored as a solution.

Objectives

We sought to evaluate IV UST maintenance effectiveness and safety in inflammatory bowel disease patients with partial or lost subcutaneous UST response.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study of inflammatory bowel disease patients on IV UST maintenance. Clinical response and remission at weeks 12 and 52, defined as Harvey-Bradshaw Index ≤4 for Crohn’s disease or partial Mayo score ≤2 for ulcerative colitis. Objective markers reduction (fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein), UST trough levels pre- and post-IV maintenance, and adverse events were assessed.

Results

A total of 59 patients were included. Clinical remission at weeks 12 and 52 achieved by 47.5% and 64.3% respectively. 96.6% continued IV UST at follow-up. UST serum levels quadrupled. No adverse events reported.

Conclusions

IV UST maintenance effectively sustained remission in most patients at 52 weeks.
Effect of Overweight and Obesity on the Response to Anti-TNF Therapy and Disease Course in Children With IBD
Authors: Sila Sara , Aloi Marina , Cucinotta Ugo , Gianolio Laura , Granot Maya , Hradsky Ondrej , Hussey Séamus , Kang Ben , Karoliny Anna , Kolho Kaija-Leena , de Laffolie Jan , Lega Sara , Matar Manar , Norsa Lorenzo , Omiwole Sharon , Orlanski-Meyer Esther , Palomino Laura , Rohani Pejman , Scarallo Luca , Sladek Margaret , Sohouli Mohammad Hassan , Urlep Darja , Yerushalmy-Feler Anat , Zifman Eyal , Hojsak Iva
Published: August 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of overweight and obesity at the start of anti-TNF therapy on treatment response and relapse rate in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 22 IBD centers in 14 countries. Children diagnosed with IBD in whom antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) was introduced were included; those who were overweight/obese were compared with children who were well/undernourished.

Results

Six hundred thirty-seven children (370 [58%] males; mean age 11.5 ± 3.5 years) were included; 140 (22%) were in the overweight/obese group (OG) and 497 (78%) had BMI ≤1 SD (CG). The mean follow-up time was 141 ± 78 weeks (median 117 weeks). There was no difference in the loss of response (LOR) to anti-TNF between groups throughout the follow-up. However, children in OG had more dose escalations than controls. Male sex and lack of concomitant immunomodulators at the start of anti-TNF were risk factors associated with the LOR. There was no difference in the relapse rate in the first year after anti-TNF introduction; however, at the end of the follow-up, the relapse rate was significantly higher in the OG compared with CG (89 [64%] vs 218 [44%], respectively, P < .001). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that being overweight/obese, having UC, or being of male sex were factors associated with a higher risk for relapse.

Conclusions

Overweight/obese children with IBD were not at a higher risk of LOR to anti-TNF. Relapse in the first year after anti-TNF was introduced, but risk for relapse was increased at the end of follow-up.