bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A scoping systematic assessment for post-marketing abuse drug withdrawal
Authors: Al-Taie Anmar , Büyük Ayşe Şeyma , Sardaş Semra
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the post-marketing withdrawal of medicines due to their adverse drug reactions (ADRs)-related abuse effects and to examine the types of evidence, mechanisms and patterns for the withdrawal decisions after their approval across different geographical regions.

Methods

By searching through different databases that focused on withdrawn drugs due to their ADRs-related abuse effects between 1930 and 2021 that could provide findings of evidence used in making withdrawal decisions based on the tools of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) criteria alongside sources derived from authorities based on their withdrawal. The outcomes were categorized, and the average time between the launch date of exposure and withdrawal was calculated and stratified.

Key findings

A total of 33 abused withdrawn drugs. The withdrawals occurred between 1961 and 2007. Psychostimulant drugs accounted for most of the abuse withdrawals (42.4%). Most of the withdrawals occurred between 1981 and 1990 (n = 18, 54.5%). Most withdrawn drugs were in Europe (41, 46.6%) with a minimum withdrawal period of 5 years and an average time of withdrawal of 28.8 years.

Conclusions

Psychostimulant drugs presented the most abuse withdrawals based on the evidence of case–control studies, and the most withdrawals were in Europe. The duration of withdrawn drugs was different from region to region in different continents. More intensive research is required to further reduce the time duration between drug marketing and withdrawal, which will help improve decision-making processes with favourable benefit-risk ratio outcomes.
Development of a self-check programme for improvement in quality of care in outpatient chemotherapy centres
Authors: Saito Yoshimasa , Kaizu Mikiko , Udagawa Ryoko , Asanabe Mihoko , Sakai Rika , Sugiyama Kazuhiko , Tamura Kenji , Yamamoto Rie , Takahashi Hirokazu , Wakao Fumihiko , Kondo Shunsuke , Kato Masashi
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to develop a self-check programme as a tool for multidisciplinary teams to improve the quality of care provided in outpatient chemotherapy centres.

Methods

We used the modified Delphi method to reach a group consensus. Potential indicators were submitted to each panel member, who was asked to rate each using a 9-point scale (1, extremely inappropriate; 5, equivocal; 9, extremely appropriate). The panellists rated a list of indicators over four iterative rounds according to two perspectives. (1) From a short-term perspective, if the indicators are not achieved, improvement is required in 6 months to 1 year; (2) from a medium-term perspective, although indicators are less crucial, efforts should be made to operate a higher-quality outpatient chemotherapy centre.

Key findings

Our Delphi panel comprised 12 experts: 4 physicians, 4 pharmacists and 4 nurses. All 12 panellists responded to the first- and second-round surveys and 11 (92%) responded to the third- and fourth-round surveys. Moreover, nine (75%) experts participated in each panel meeting. After the Delphi survey, 49 indicators were selected from a short-term perspective and 16 from a medium-term perspective for the self-check programme. Finally, the selected indicators were accepted by the consensus of all members.

Conclusions

We developed a self-check programme to improve the quality of care related to outpatient chemotherapy centres. It comprises 65 indicators across nine domains. We plan to conduct a pilot study to assess the usefulness and uptake of the self-check programme.
The current knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practice of pharmacovigilance amongst community pharmacists in Gauteng, South Africa
Authors: Gordhan Avisha , Bangalee Varsha
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to determine the current ADR knowledge, awareness of ADR reporting requirements and procedures, barriers to reporting, attitudes and perceptions towards ADRs and to assess ADR reporting practices amongst community pharmacists in South Africa.

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative study was disseminated as an electronic survey questionnaire from a contact list provided by the South African Pharmacy Council, to community pharmacists in Gauteng. The Microsoft Forms application was used to administer the questionnaire anonymously. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the results using SPSS version 27.

Key findings

A total of 107 participants were analysed in this study. The results from this study indicated that community pharmacists have a good overall ADR knowledge (72.9%). Attitudes and perceptions towards ADRs were good since they acknowledged the importance (86.9%) and felt the need (81.3%) to report ADRs. Awareness of reporting procedures was low with only 62.6% who knew where to report and 48.6% aware of the electronic ADR reporting options. ADR reporting rates were low (51.3%) and clinical knowledge, ADR understanding and time constraints were the main barriers to reporting. Low ADR reporting was also associated with complacency, low confidence, avoiding additional work and poor understanding of ADRs and reporting processes.

Conclusion

Pharmacists acknowledged their role and responsibility in ADR reporting however were not adequately reporting. While ADR knowledge and attitudes were good, the detection, clinical understanding and awareness of the latest developments in reporting procedures for ADRs needs strengthening, to support and encourage further reporting.
Inappropriate prescribing in patients with renal impairment
Authors: Antoniak Kairi Marlen , Szijj Janis Vella , Juurmaa Julius , Azzopardi Lilian M
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing (IP) in an acute care hospital and to identify medication classes that are inappropriately prescribed. IP occurs in patients with poor renal function in hospital and in outpatient settings. The extent of IP among patients with impaired renal function varies between countries and medical specialties.

Methods

The retrospective descriptive study included patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to hospital for more than 24 h with documented estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and were receiving at least one systemic medication. Patient data, medications and eGFR results were compiled from the electronic health records. IP was assessed taking into consideration the eGFR, absolute glomerular filtration rate (absGFR) and estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl).

Key findings

The study included 399 patients (63% female; 37% male) with an average age of 79 years (range 42–99). At least one inappropriate prescription was prescribed to 236 (59.1%) patients and 90 patients (38.1%) received ≥3 inappropriately prescribed medications. The prevalence of IP was 32.0% (n = 790), 29.2% (n = 568) and 30.6% (n = 596) when eGFR, absGFR and eCrCl values were used, respectively. Anticoagulants (n = 261, 43.6%) were the most inappropriately prescribed class of medication followed by analgesics (n = 85, 33.9%) and antidiabetic agents (n = 55, 39.6%).

Conclusions

Results of the study show that dosage adjustment of medication in renal impairment to avoid IP needs to be addressed. Choice of renal function estimate did not significantly affect the overall prevalence of IP among the study population.
The Precision of Estimates of Nonresponse Bias in Means
Authors: Eckman Stephanie , Unangst Jennifer , Dever Jill A , Antoun Christopher
Published: April 2022

Survey data producers increasingly provide estimates of nonresponse bias in several variables when they release or analyze data. Researchers understand that sample estimates of population values should be reported with appropriate measures of uncertainty, such as standard errors or confidence intervals. However, few studies acknowledge that nonresponse bias estimates vary across samples. Using simulations, we study the precision of estimates of nonresponse bias in means and how that precision is affected by features such as clustering and response rates. Results show that low response rates and clustering increase the variability of bias estimates. We then evaluate three methods to estimate the sampling variance of nonresponse bias in means: a method developed by Lee, jackknife replication, and linearization. We find that the Lee approach works well for simple random samples but overestimates variability for clustered samples. Linearization and replication work well with all populations studied, and we give an algorithm for the implementation of these approaches. We also apply the three methods to the LISS (Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences) panel and the General Social Survey, providing practical confirmation of the simulation results.
What is the age of flowering plants?
Authors: Sauquet Hervé , Ramírez-Barahona Santiago , Magallón Susana
Published: April 2022

The origin of flowering plants (angiosperms) was one of the most transformative events in the history of our planet. Despite considerable interest from multiple research fields, numerous questions remain, including the age of the group as a whole. Recent studies have reported a perplexing range of estimates for the crown-group age of angiosperms, from ~140 million years (Ma; Early Cretaceous) to 270 Ma (Permian). Both ends of the spectrum are now supported by both macroevolutionary analyses of the fossil record and fossil-calibrated molecular dating analyses. Here, we first clarify and distinguish among the three ages of angiosperms: the age of their divergence with acrogymnosperms (stem age); the age(s) of emergence of their unique, distinctive features including flowers (morphological age); and the age of the most recent common ancestor of all their living species (crown age). We then demonstrate, based on recent studies, that fossil-calibrated molecular dating estimates of the crown-group age of angiosperms have little to do with either the amount of molecular data or the number of internal fossil calibrations included. Instead, we argue that this age is almost entirely conditioned by its own prior distribution (typically a calibration density set by the user in Bayesian analyses). Lastly, we discuss which future discoveries or novel types of analyses are most likely to bring more definitive answers. In the meantime, we propose that the age of angiosperms is best described as largely unknown (140–270 Ma) and that contrasting age estimates in the literature mostly reflect conflicting prior distributions. We also suggest that future work that depends on the time scale of flowering plant diversification be designed to integrate over this vexing uncertainty.
PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORS: a promising tool to improve crop productivity
Authors: Cordeiro André M , Andrade Luis , Monteiro Catarina C , Leitão Guilherme , Wigge Philip A , Saibo Nelson J M
Published: April 2022

Light is a key determinant for plant growth, development, and ultimately yield. Phytochromes, red/far-red photoreceptors, play an important role in plant architecture, stress tolerance, and productivity. In the model plant Arabidopsis, it has been shown that PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs; bHLH transcription factors) act as central hubs in the integration of external stimuli to regulate plant development. Recent studies have unveiled the importance of PIFs in crops. They are involved in the modulation of plant architecture and productivity through the regulation of cell division and elongation in response to different environmental cues. These studies show that different PIFs have overlapping but also distinct functions in the regulation of plant growth. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms by which PIFs regulate plant development is crucial to improve crop productivity under both optimal and adverse environmental conditions. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of PIFs acting as integrators of light and other signals in different crops, with particular focus on the role of PIFs in responding to different environmental conditions and how this can be used to improve crop productivity.
Temporal networks of ‘Contrafacta’ in the first three troubadour generations
Authors: Milonia Stefano , Mazzamurro Matteo
Published: April 2022

The scope of this research is that of revealing the interconnected nature of medieval Romance lyric by looking at musical imitations. In the Middle Ages, melodic imitation was an essential part of artistic creation as old melodies were constantly borrowed by new authors, a practice known as contrafaction. In this study, we propose to analyse the complex relations between medieval lyricists resulting from this practice using temporal networks. We construct networks by representing each author’s body of work as a single node and connecting a lyricist’ corpus to that of another lyricist via a directed link when the latter author borrowed a melody from the former. To each directed link, we associate the temporal information of when the imitation was composed. Such networks provide a convenient visualization tool to explore the dataset and its connections in an intuitive fashion and are available online at: https://medmus.warwick.ac.uk/networks. They also provide an analytical tool: we use the networks to show how ideas might have spread among lyricists along time-respecting paths, and obtain measures of the authors’ centrality and influence on the overall literary corpus. We compare the results obtained with the temporal networks with those obtained via more traditional centrality measures computed for corresponding static networks, and explain why the temporally informed measures may provide a more accurate depiction of authors’ influence.
Are translated Chinese Wuxia fiction and western heroic literature similar? A stylometric analysis based on stylistic panoramas
Authors: Wu Kan , Li Dechao
Published: April 2022

This study investigates the extent to which English translations of Chinese Wuxia fiction and Western heroic literature in modern English are stylistically similar through stylometric analyses. It adds to literary translation research by highlighting possible stylistic connections between heroic literature in the East and that in the West, clues that may help understand the current reception of Wuxia translations. It also contributes to stylometric studies by introducing the stylistic panorama, a novel concept proposed to describe the stylistic picture of a (translated) text in a relatively holistic and functional way. Examining six English translations of Wuxia novels and twelve chivalric stories and heroic fantasies in modern English, the study finds that the Wuxia translations differ from the two Western subgenres in stylistic panoramas built by formal features (dispersion of word lengths and average sentence length), as well as the most frequent words (MFW) and the MFW-sequences. Such differences have foregrounded the unique stylistic features (richer Wuxia-specific vocabularies and shorter paragraph lengths) of these translations, which has contributed in part to their favorable reception among English-speaking readers. It is hoped that this study will encourage new applications for the concept of stylistic panoramas in future stylometric studies.
Could a Divine-Command Theory of Moral Obligations Justify Horrible Acts? Some Kierkegaardian Reflections
Authors: Evans C Stephen
Published: April 2022

This paper considers whether a divine-command theory of moral obligation (DCT) could justify morally horrible acts, partly by examining Kierkegaard’s writings. It argues that only the commands of a God who is essentially good could be morally justified, and thus no defensible version of a DCT could actually justify horrible acts. In Works of Love Kierkegaard defends such a DCT, and thus is committed to the claim that any actual commands of God must be aimed at the good. This is consistent with the claim that if we knew that a command that is alleged to be from God is directed at what is bad, the command must not be authentic. The issue raised by Fear and Trembling, where Kierkegaard’s pseudonym Johannes de Silentio considers the “binding of Isaac” story, thus raises crucial epistemic issues, which cannot be settled without considering how one might come to know that a purported revelation from God is authentic, as well as how one might come to believe that some particular moral belief is wrong. The paper defends the view that if one knew that a revelation from God was authentic, then one could be justified in holding a moral view on some particular issue, such as veganism, that clashes with the dominant views of one’s contemporaries.
Optimizing machine-learning models for mutagenicity prediction through better feature selection
Authors: Shinada Nicolas K , Koyama Naoki , Ikemori Megumi , Nishioka Tomoki , Hitaoka Seiji , Hakura Atsushi , Asakura Shoji , Matsuoka Yukiko , Palaniappan Sucheendra K
Published: April 2022

Assessing a compound’s mutagenicity using machine learning is an important activity in the drug discovery and development process. Traditional methods of mutagenicity detection, such as Ames test, are expensive and time and labor intensive. In this context, in silico methods that predict a compound mutagenicity with high accuracy are important. Recently, machine-learning (ML) models are increasingly being proposed to improve the accuracy of mutagenicity prediction. While these models are used in practice, there is further scope to improve the accuracy of these models. We hypothesize that choosing the right features to train the model can further lead to better accuracy. We systematically consider and evaluate a combination of novel structural and molecular features which have the maximal impact on the accuracy of models. We rigorously evaluate these features against multiple classification models (from classical ML models to deep neural network models). The performance of the models was assessed using 5- and 10-fold cross-validation and we show that our approach using the molecule structure, molecular properties, and structural alerts as feature sets successfully outperform the state-of-the-art methods for mutagenicity prediction for the Hansen et al. benchmark dataset with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93. More importantly, our framework shows how combining features could benefit model accuracy improvements.
Convergence of SIRT1 and ATR signaling to modulate replication origin dormancy
Authors: Thakur Bhushan L , Baris Adrian M , Fu Haiqing , Redon Christophe E , Pongor Lorinc S , Mosavarpour Sara , Gross Jacob M , Jang Sang-Min , Sebastian Robin , Utani Koichi , Jenkins Lisa M , Indig Fred E , Aladjem Mirit I
Published: April 2022

During routine genome duplication, many potential replication origins remain inactive or ‘dormant’. Such origin dormancy is achieved, in part, by an interaction with the metabolic sensor SIRT1 deacetylase. We report here that dormant origins are a group of consistent, pre-determined genomic sequences that are distinguished from baseline (i.e. ordinarily active) origins by their preferential association with two phospho-isoforms of the helicase component MCM2. During normal unperturbed cell growth, baseline origins, but not dormant origins, associate with a form of MCM2 that is phosphorylated by DBF4-dependent kinase (DDK) on serine 139 (pS139-MCM2). This association facilitates the initiation of DNA replication from baseline origins. Concomitantly, SIRT1 inhibits Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR)-kinase-mediated phosphorylation of MCM2 on serine 108 (pS108-MCM2) by deacetylating the ATR-interacting protein DNA topoisomerase II binding protein 1 (TOPBP1), thereby preventing ATR recruitment to chromatin. In cells devoid of SIRT1 activity, or challenged by replication stress, this inhibition is circumvented, enabling ATR-mediated S108-MCM2 phosphorylation. In turn, pS108-MCM2 enables DDK-mediated phosphorylation on S139-MCM2 and facilitates replication initiation at dormant origins. These observations suggest that replication origin dormancy and activation are regulated by distinct post-translational MCM modifications that reflect a balance between SIRT1 activity and ATR signaling.
Radiotherapy combined with nivolumab or temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma with unmethylated MGMT promoter: An international randomized phase III trial
Authors: Omuro Antonio , Brandes Alba A , Carpentier Antoine F , Idbaih Ahmed , Reardon David A , Cloughesy Timothy , Sumrall Ashley , Baehring Joachim , van den Bent Martin , Bähr Oliver , Lombardi Giuseppe , Mulholland Paul , Tabatabai Ghazaleh , Lassen Ulrik , Sepulveda Juan Manuel , Khasraw Mustafa , Vauleon Elodie , Muragaki Yoshihiro , Di Giacomo Anna Maria , Butowski Nicholas , Roth Patrick , Qian Xiaozhong , Fu Alex Z , Liu Yanfang , Potter Von , Chalamandaris Alexandros-Georgios , Tatsuoka Kay , Lim Michael , Weller Michael
Published: April 2022

Background

Addition of temozolomide (TMZ) to radiotherapy (RT) improves overall survival (OS) in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), but previous studies suggest that patients with tumors harboring an unmethylated MGMT promoter derive minimal benefit. The aim of this open-label, phase III CheckMate 498 study was to evaluate the efficacy of nivolumab (NIVO) + RT compared with TMZ + RT in newly diagnosed GBM with unmethylated MGMT promoter.

Methods

Patients were randomized 1:1 to standard RT (60 Gy) + NIVO (240 mg every 2 weeks for eight cycles, then 480 mg every 4 weeks) or RT + TMZ (75 mg/m2 daily during RT and 150–200 mg/m2/day 5/28 days during maintenance). The primary endpoint was OS.

Results

A total of 560 patients were randomized, 280 to each arm. Median OS (mOS) was 13.4 months (95% CI, 12.6 to 14.3) with NIVO + RT and 14.9 months (95% CI, 13.3 to 16.1) with TMZ + RT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.58; P = .0037). Median progression-free survival was 6.0 months (95% CI, 5.7 to 6.2) with NIVO + RT and 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.9 to 6.7) with TMZ + RT (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.65). Response rates were 7.8% (9/116) with NIVO + RT and 7.2% (8/111) with TMZ + RT; grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) rates were 21.9% and 25.1%, and any-grade serious TRAE rates were 17.3% and 7.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study did not meet the primary endpoint of improved OS; TMZ + RT demonstrated a longer mOS than NIVO + RT. No new safety signals were detected with NIVO in this study. The difference between the study treatment arms is consistent with the use of TMZ + RT as the standard of care for GBM.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02617589
Role of shift work in dietary changes among Danish nurses
Authors: Martyn Y , McElvenny D
Published: April 2022

Background

Research indicates that shift work is associated with dietary changes and the development of chronic diseases.

Aims

To assess if moving from day work into shift work is associated with dietary changes in Danish nurses.

Methods

Binary variables of changes in food consumption were created using data from the 1993 and 1999 surveys of the Danish Nurse Cohort. Analyses were carried out using multiple logistic regression in SPSS to assess how dietary practices changed in nurses who moved from day work into shift work compared with those who remained in day work.

Results

This study included 763 nurses who changed from Day to Shift work and 4022 nurses who continued to work days. Nurses who moved from day work into shift work were more likely to decrease their potato and vegetable intake odds ratio (OR) 1.31 (1.04–1.63). There was no difference in the frequency of coffee, milk or cheese consumption. New shift workers consumed more fatty meat OR 1.82 (1.23–2.69), sausages OR 1.37 (1.09–1.73) and cream/whipped cream/butter OR 1.61 (1.25–2.07) when they had avoided these foods in the past, compared to those who remained in day work.

Conclusions

The majority of Danish nurses made little change to their diet as a result of moving into shift work, but some made dietary changes that were generally unhealthy compared with those who remained in day work. Employers of nurses should consider implementing health promotional activities, facilitating access and/or providing healthy eating options in nurses moving from Day to Shift work.
Stepping Down, Looking Forward
Authors: Chabner Bruce A
Published: April 2022

Dr. Chabner, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncologist, announces his retirement, with a look back at the origins of the journal and a look forward to the future.
Phase II Study of Ramucirumab Plus Irinotecan Combination Therapy as Second-Line Treatment in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: HGCSG1603
Authors: Kawamoto Yasuyuki , Yuki Satoshi , Sawada Kentaro , Nakamura Michio , Muto Osamu , Sogabe Susumu , Shindo Yoshiaki , Ishiguro Atsushi , Sato Atsushi , Tsuji Yasushi , Dazai Masayoshi , Okuda Hiroyuki , Meguro Takashi , Harada Kazuaki , Sekiguchi Mari , Okada Kazufumi , Ito Yoichi M , Sakata Yuh , Sakamoto Naoya , Komatsu Yoshito
Published: April 2022

Background

Ramucirumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 antibody that inhibits tumor cell growth and affects the tumor cell microenvironment. We assessed the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab plus irinotecan combination therapy as second-line treatment in patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer.

Materials and Methods

Patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory or intolerant to primary chemotherapy were included. Ramucirumab 8 mg/kg plus irinotecan 150 mg/m2 combination therapy was administered every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival rate at 6 months and secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, response rate, safety, and dose intensity for each drug.

Results

Thirty-five patients were enrolled between January 2018 and September 2019. The progression-free survival rate at 6 months was 26.5% [95%CI, 13.2%–41.8%, P = .1353)]. Median progression-free and overall survivals were 4.2 months (95%CI, 2.5-5.4 months) and 9.6 months (95%CI, 6.4-16.6 months), respectively. The overall response rate was 25.9% (95%CI, 11.1-36.3%) and disease control rate was 85.2% (95%CI, 66.3-95.8%). Grade ≥3 adverse events that occurred in >10% of patients included neutropenia, leucopenia, anemia, anorexia, and febrile neutropenia. No death or new safety signals with a causal relation to the study treatment were observed.

Conclusion

Although the primary endpoint was not achieved statistically, combination therapy of ramucirumab plus irinotecan showed anticancer activity and a manageable safety profile for second-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.
How to solve big problems: bespoke versus platform strategies
Authors: Ansar Atif , Flyvbjerg Bent
Published: April 2022

How should government and business leaders solve big problems? Ought policy responses to occur in bold leaps or multitudinous methodical moves? Here we show that one-off major projects, with a high level of bespoke content, are prone systematically to poorer outcomes than projects built with a repeatable platform strategy. Repeatable projects are cheaper, faster, and scale in volume and variety at much lower risk of failure. We arrive at these conclusions using comparative evidence—NASA vs SpaceX—on cost, speed-to-market and schedule, and scalability outcomes of their respective space missions. Our reference class dataset consists of 203 space missions spanning 1963–2021, of which 181 missions belong to NASA and 22 belong to SpaceX. We find that SpaceX’s platform strategy was 10X cheaper and 2X faster than NASA’s bespoke strategy. Moreover, SpaceX’s platform strategy was less risky, virtually eliminating cost overruns. We further show that achieving platform repeatability is a strategically diligent process involving experimental learning sequences. Sectors of the economy where governments find it difficult to control spending or timeframes or to get benefits quickly enough—e.g. health, education, climate, defence—are ripe for a platform rethink.
The Future of Parliamentary and Legislative Studies
Authors: Crewe Emma , Taylor-Robinson Michelle M , Martin Shane
Published: April 2022

In this article, Emma Crewe, Michelle M. Taylor-Robinson and Shane Martin discuss the future of parliamentary and legislative studies. The exchange is based on a Roundtable on the past, present and future of parliamentary studies, which was held online on 9 June 2021 as part of the Annual Conference of the UK Political Studies Association’s Parliaments Specialist Group.
ThePresentof Parliamentary and Legislative Studies
Authors: Taylor-Robinson Michelle M , Crewe Emma , Martin Shane
Published: April 2022

In this article, Michelle M. Taylor-Robinson, Emma Crewe and Shane Martin discuss the present of parliamentary and legislative studies. The exchange is based on a Roundtable on the past, present and future of parliamentary studies, which was held online on 9 June 2021 as part of the Annual Conference of the UK Political Studies Association’s Parliaments Specialist Group.
COVID-19 Vaccination Passports: Are They a Threat to Equality?
Authors: Voigt Kristin
Published: April 2022

In several countries, governments have implemented so-called ‘COVID passport’ schemes, which restrict access to venues such as bars or sports events to those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or exempt vaccinated individuals from public health measures such as curfews or quarantine requirements. These schemes have been the subject of a heated debate. Concerns about inequality have played an important role in the opposition to such schemes. This article highlights that determining how COVID passports affect equality requires a much more nuanced analysis than is typically assumed. I identify a range of broadly egalitarian considerations that could be affected by the introduction of COVID passport schemes. While these schemes could undermine certain aspects of equality, I argue that they could also be used to promote equality. The magnitude and severity of these different effects, both promoting and undermining equality, depend on how precisely these schemes are framed and the local context in which they are implemented.
Quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with a virus-free, authentic test
Authors: Roessler Johannes , Pich Dagmar , Albanese Manuel , Wratil Paul R , Krähling Verena , Hellmuth Johannes C , Scherer Clemens , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Becker Stephan , Keppler Oliver T , Brisson Alain , Zeidler Reinhard , Hammerschmidt Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), and their concentration in sera of convalescents and vaccinees are a correlate of protection from COVID-19. The antibody concentrations in clinical samples that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 are difficult and very cumbersome to assess with conventional virus neutralization tests (cVNTs), which require work with the infectious virus and biosafety level 3 containment precautions. Alternative virus neutralization tests (VNTs) currently in use are mostly surrogate tests based on direct or competitive enzyme immunoassays or use viral vectors with the spike protein as the single structural component of SARS-CoV-2. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a virus-free, safe and very fast (4.5 h) in vitro diagnostic test based on engineered yet authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs). They share all features of the original SARS-CoV-2 but lack the viral RNA genome, and thus are noninfectious. NAbs induced by infection or vaccination, but also potentially neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can be reliably quantified and assessed with ease and within hours with our test, because they interfere and block the ACE2-mediated uptake of VLPs by recipient cells. Results from the VLP neutralization test (VLPNT) showed excellent specificity and sensitivity and correlated very well with a cVNT using fully infectious SARS-CoV-2. The results also demonstrated the reduced neutralizing capacity of COVID-19 vaccinee sera against variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 including omicron B.1.1.529, BA.1.
A Method for Organized Crime Harm Assessment: Connecting Associated Crimes
Authors: Gómez-Quintero Juliana , Chainey Spencer , Borrion Hervé
Published: April 2022

The increasing call for harm-focused approaches warrants a method for assessing the harm of organized crime. A harm assessment of organized crime can be of use to law enforcement agencies for prioritizing efforts and designing policies that aim to counter organized crimes based on the harm they cause. It can also be used by other institutions that can intervene and support law enforcement indirectly in preventing and counteracting organized crime. However, assessing the harm of organized crime entails dealing with the complex structure of intertwined criminal activities and addressing the fact that organized crime groups commit other crimes to support their main criminal activity. This research introduces a novel method for Organized Crime Harm Assessment (OCHA method) and demonstrates it with the application to the case of heroin trade into and within England and Wales. The challenges of applying the OCHA method are identified and discussed, as well as its limitations, contributions, and opportunities for future research.
Anti-mafia Cross-border: Conceptual and Procedural Asymmetries in the Fight against Italian Mafias in Europe
Authors: Sergi Anna , Rizzuti Alice
Published: April 2022

This article explores some of the challenges to fighting against Italian mafias and mafia-type organized crime in Europe, specifically in eight countries—Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Romania, the UK, and Italy. Data have been collected and analysed in two phases: first, from open sources (including media and official reports) and judicial files; secondly, from 40 individual or collective interviews. European institutions still struggle to counter the mobility of Italian mafias because of conceptual asymmetries in policing mafia-type crimes/groups and procedural challenges. We present two analytical foci: first, the existence of a conceptual tension in the definition of mafia and mafia mobility between Italy and European countries and institutions; second, emerging procedural asymmetries in countering mafias across borders, which relate more broadly to cross-border countering of organized crime. This article wishes to screenshot the state of the art and advance some reflections, without pushing any specific theoretical framework. After exploring the two main analytical foci emerging in this research, we advance recommendations.
Police Shootings in New Zealand and England and Wales: A Cross-National Comparison
Authors: Hendy Ross , Walton Darren
Published: April 2022

In this study, we compare the rates of New Zealand (NZ) and England and Wales (EW) police shootings from 1970 to 2020. Taking this long view lessens the stochastic effect of shootings over shorter time periods and reveals that the frequency of police shootings has increased in both jurisdictions over this period, despite police not being routinely armed with firearms. In EW, police shootings have increased from an average of 1.4 persons shot per annum for the decade ending 1980 to 4.3 per annum for the decade ending 2020. Similarly, NZ has seen an increase of 0.3 persons shot per annum (decade ending 1980) to 3.7 per annum (decade ending 2020). When comparing the rate of persons shot per million population in the past two decades, NZ has doubled the rate of shootings from 0.360 per million (2001–10) to 0.783 per million (2011–20). Such an increase has not occurred in EW as the number of persons shot has decreased from 0.080 per million (2001–10) to 0.074 per million (2011–20). We highlight the time-series trajectories with trend breakpoints at points of known policy implementations.
Possibility of a multi-step electroweak phase transition in the two-Higgs doublet models
Authors: Aoki Mayumi , Komatsu Takatoshi , Shibuya Hiroto
Published: April 2022

We discuss whether a multi-step electroweak phase transition (EWPT) occurs in two-Higgs doublet models (2HDMs). The EWPT is related to interesting phenomena such as baryogenesis and the ensuing gravitational wave. We examine parameter regions in CP-conserving 2HDMs and find certain areas where multi-step EWPTs occur. The parameter search shows the multi-step EWPT prefers the scalar potential with the approximate Z2 symmetry and a mass hierarchy between the neutral CP-odd and CP-even extra scalar bosons mA < mH. By contrast, the multi-step EWPT whose first step is strongly first order favors a mass hierarchy mA > mH. In addition, we compute the Higgs trilinear coupling in the parameter region where multi-step EWPTs occur, which can be observed at future colliders. We also discuss a multi-peaked gravitational wave from a multi-step EWPT. Subject index B53, B59
Perfect state transfer in two dimensions and the bivariate dual-Hahn polynomials
Authors: Miki Hiroshi , Tsujimoto Satoshi , Vinet Luc
Published: April 2022

A new solvable two-dimensional spin lattice model defined on a regular grid of triangular shape is proposed. The hopping amplitudes between sites are related to recurrence coefficients of certain bivariate dual-Hahn polynomials. For a specific choice of the parameters, perfect state transfer and fractional revival are shown to take place.
The SIT-PT Trial Protocol: A Dose-Matched Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing 2 Physical Therapist Interventions for Infants and Toddlers With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Dusing Stacey C , Harbourne Regina T , Hsu Lin-Ya , Koziol Natalie A , Kretch Kari , Sargent Barbara , Jensen-Willett Sandra , McCoy Sarah Westcott , Vanderbilt Douglas L
Published: April 2022

Objective

Although early intervention for infants at risk for cerebral palsy is routinely recommended, the content of intervention is poorly described, varies widely, and has mixed supporting evidence. The purpose of this study was to compare efficacy of 2 interventions grounded in differing domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health on developmental outcomes of infants with or at high risk of cerebral palsy.

Methods

Infants who meet inclusion criteria will be randomized into either Sitting Together and Reaching To Play or Movement, Orientation, Repetition, Exercise Physical Therapy groups. Both groups will receive intervention twice weekly for 3 months and follow-up at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from baseline. The primary objectives compare changes over time and between groups in sitting, gross motor, and cognitive development. The setting is the infant’s home unless the caregiver requests otherwise. One hundred and fifty infants between 8 and 24 months of age will be enrolled in 3 geographically, racially, and ethnically diverse sites: Los Angeles, California; Omaha, Nebraska; and Seattle, Washington. Enrolled infants will demonstrate motor delays, emerging sitting skills, and signs of neurologic impairment. Sitting Together and Reaching To Play targets activities including sitting, reaching, and motor-based problem solving to improve global development. In contrast, Movement, Orientation, Repetition, Exercise Physical Therapy focuses on strengthening and musculoskeletal alignment while encouraging repeated movement practice. Outcome measures include the Gross Motor Function Measure, Bayley Scales of Infant Development-IV, Assessment of Problem Solving in Play, and a Parent Child Interaction assessment. Enrolled children will maintain usual intervention services due to ethical concerns with intervention withdrawal.

Impact

This will be the first study, to our knowledge, comparing efficacy of early physical therapy with dose-matched interventions and well-defined key principles. The outcomes will inform selection of key principle of intervention in this population.
Biden and the Affordable Care Act: Congressional Action, Executive Federalism, State Litigation, and Program Durability
Authors: Thompson Frank J , Gusmano Michael K
Published: April 2022

Partisan, fractious federalism has strongly shaped the Biden administration’s efforts to reverse Trump’s undermining of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In June 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Democratic, rather than Republican, state attorneys general to uphold the ACA. This enabled Biden to proceed with legislative and executive initiatives to reinvigorate the program. Biden secured passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which temporarily boosted ACA enrollments. He also successfully pursued several executive initiatives to bolster the program. The victories of Democratic state attorneys general and private litigants in the courts during the Trump presidency often provided the platform for Biden’s success. On balance, the ACA’s vital signs have improved under Biden. But the durability of these gains depends heavily on whether Congress approves Build Back Better legislation that extends ARP benefits, and whether Biden can overcome resistance by Republican states in the courts and otherwise (especially concerning waivers).
The impact of lower strength alcohol products on alcohol purchases: ARIMA analyses based on 4 million purchases by 69 803 households, 2015–2019
Authors: Anderson Peter , O’Donnell Amy , Jané Llopis Eva , Kaner Eileen
Published: April 2022

Background

Lowering the strength of alcohol products could lead to less alcohol being bought and drunk. In its prevention White Paper, the UK Government aims to promote a significant increase in the availability of alcohol-free and low-alcohol products by 2025.

Methods

Through descriptive analysis and ARIMA modelling of >4 million alcohol purchases from 69 803 British households, we study the potential impact of lower strength alcohol products in reducing household purchases of grams of alcohol over 2015–2019. Households are divided into predominantly beer, wine or spirits purchasers.

Results

Over 5 years, there were decreases in purchases of grams of alcohol within beer amongst beer-purchasing households and increases in purchases of grams of alcohol within wine and spirits amongst, respectively, wine- and spirits-purchasing households. Almost all the changes were due to beer-purchasing households buying less regular strength beer, and wine and spirits-purchasing households buying, respectively, more regular strength wine and spirits, rather than increases in purchases of no- and low-alcohol products.

Conclusions

In general, lower strength alcohol products have not contributed to British households buying fewer grams of alcohol over the 5-year follow-up period during 2015–2019.
Current census of oncology critical care medicine in China
Authors: Wang Y , Cui K , Li X , Gao Y , Hu Z , Wang H , Ma G , Zhu B , Wang D , Wang C , Yu K
Published: April 2022

Objective

The purposes of this survey were to show the current situation of oncology critical care medicine in China by questionnaire, to understand the resource distribution of oncology critical care medicine and to analyze and evaluate the existing resources and reserve capacity of oncology critical care medicine in China.

Methods

We conducted the survey mainly in the form of an online questionnaire. The Committee of Cancer Critical Care Medicine of the Chinese Anticancer Association (CACA) initiated the survey on 1 November 2017, and 36 member hospitals nationwide participated in the survey. The questionnaire included 10 items: investigator information, hospital information, general information of oncology critical care department, staffing of oncology critical care department, management in oncology critical care department, technical skills in oncology critical care department, patient source in oncology critical care department, equipment configuration in oncology critical care department, special skills in oncology critical care department and summary of the information.

Results

The survey results included information from 28 member units, all of which were tertiary hospitals, distributed in 20 provinces and 4 direct-controlled municipalities. The results are as follows. (i) The total ratio of beds in the oncology critical care department to hospital beds was 1.06%, and the average number of beds in the oncology critical care department was 16.36. (ii) The ratio of physicians in the oncology critical care department to beds was ∼0.62:1, and the ratio of nurses to beds was ∼1.98:1. (iii) According to the census of the population and gross domestic product (GDP) of different regions conducted by the State Statistics Bureau in 2017, the ratio of beds in the oncology critical care department for tumor patients to the population was 4.55 beds per 10 million people, and the ratio of beds in the oncology critical care department to GDP was 8.00 beds per RMB 100 billion, on average. (iv) According to the requirements of the guidelines for the development and management of critical care medicine in China, the facilities in departments of oncology critical care medicine meet the requirements, and the technical skills of medical staff are competent.

Conclusion

The development of oncology critical care in China is becoming better, but there is still a certain gap compared with the intensive care unit standards in China and the average level of the nationwide. The development of oncology critical care medicine is urgent.
Recommendations with Feedback
Authors: Iyer Ganesh , Manso Gustavo
Published: April 2022

We investigate the strategic role of a recommender who cares about accuracy and whose recommendations influence product quality. In the presence of such feedback effects, recommendations have a self-fulling property: the recommendation agent can select any firm that will end up being the firm with the best quality. This produces important inefficiencies that include (a) a lack of incentive to acquire valuable information, (b) a status quo bias, and (c) the avoidance of risky innovations. Monetary payments from firms may work in mitigating these inefficiencies, while competition between recommenders and monetary payments from consumers are ineffective.
Chilblains in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a review
Authors: Dubey Shirish , Joshi Nilay , Stevenson Olivia , Gordon Caroline , Reynolds John A
Published: April 2022

Chilblains were first described over a hundred years ago as cutaneous inflammatory lesions, typically on the digits, occurring on cold exposure. Chilblains can be primary, or secondary to a number of conditions such as infections, including COVID-19, and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs) with SLE being the commonest. Chilblain lupus erythematosus (CHLE) was first described in 1888 as cold-induced erythematous lesions before the terms ‘chilblains’ or ‘perniosis’ were coined. Diagnostic criteria exist for both chilblains and CHLE. Histopathologically, CHLE lesions show interface dermatitis with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. Immunofluorescence demonstrates linear deposits of immunoglobulins and complement in the dermo-epidermal junction. This narrative review focuses on chilblains secondary to immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, primarily the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of CHLE.