bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and quantification by molecular techniques of early infection by Lawsonia intracellularis in suckling piglets
Authors: Rodriguez-Vega Víctor , Puente Héctor , Carvajal Ana , Pérez-Pérez Lucía , Gómez-Martínez Samuel , Leite Fernando L. , García Rocío , Abella Lola , Argüello Héctor
Published: October 2024

Background

Lawsonia intracellularis is the causative agent of Porcine Proliferative Enteropathy (PPE), one of the most prevalent pig enteric diseases worldwide, but with sparse information about early infections in suckling piglets in the epidemiology of PPE. With that aim, this study evaluates the prevalence of L. intracellularis in 3-week-old piglets by analysing ileal digesta content and mucosal scrapings from 383 pigs from 16 farms (aprox., 25 pigs/batch) by real-time qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

Results

Forty-nine samples yielded a qPCR positive result. Eleven samples from eight farms were confirmed as positive with concentrations of L. intracellularis from 3.5 log10 to 4.5 log10 bacteria/g of sample. Another 16 samples, eight farms, were classified as low positive (2.07–2.38 log10 bacteria/g) and 22 provided an uncertain result. Finally, 334 samples tested negative for L. intracellularis. At batch level, half of the farms included in the study had at least one positive sample and in 10 farms (62.5%) there was at least one low positive sample. The ddPCR was run in 50 of the 383 samples based on their PCR output (including low positive, uncertain and negative samples). Correlation analyses revealed a strong association between qPCR and the ddPCR results (ρ = 0.75; p < 0.001). The ddPCR allowed us to detect and confirm a positive result in the 19 samples classified as uncertain by the qPCR and detect L. intracellularis in 8 of 15 negatives by qPCR.

Conclusions

The results of the study demonstrate that a number of piglets are already infected with L. intracellularis during the suckling period evidencing early infection in certain animals, adding information of PPE epidemiology and opening new research topics such as sow-piglet transmission. Study results also evidence the usefulness of a combination of qPCR and ddPCR to improve qPCR sensitivity but assuring high specificity.
Is a knife the same as a plunger? Comparing the attentional effects of weapons and non-threatening unusual objects in dynamic scenes
Authors: Körner Hannes M. , Faul Franz , Nuthmann Antje
Published: October 2024

Observers’ memory for a person’s appearance can be compromised by the presence of a weapon, a phenomenon known as the weapon-focus effect (WFE). According to the unusual-item hypothesis, attention shifts from the perpetrator to the weapon because a weapon is an unusual object in many contexts. To test this assumption, we monitored participants’ eye movements while they watched a mock-crime video. The video was presented with sound and featured a female perpetrator holding either a weapon, a non-threatening unusual object, or a neutral object. Contrary to the predictions of current theories, there were no significant differences in total viewing times for the three objects. For the perpetrator, total viewing time was reduced when she held the non-threatening unusual object, but not when she held the weapon. However, weapon presence led to an attentional shift from the perpetrator’s face toward her body. Detailed time-course analyses revealed that the effects of object type were more pronounced during early scene viewing. Thus, our results do not support the idea of extended attentional shifts from the perpetrator toward the unusual objects, but instead suggest more complex attentional effects. Contrary to previous research, memory for the perpetrator’s appearance was not affected by object type. Thus, there was no WFE. An additional online experiment using the same videos and methodology produced a WFE, but this effect disappeared when the videos were presented without sound.
Transparency improves the accuracy of automation use, but automation confidence information does not
Authors: Tatasciore Monica , Strickland Luke , Loft Shayne
Published: October 2024

Increased automation transparency can improve the accuracy of automation use but can lead to increased bias towards agreeing with advice. Information about the automation’s confidence in its advice may also increase the predictability of automation errors. We examined the effects of providing automation transparency, automation confidence information, and their potential interacting effect on the accuracy of automation use and other outcomes. An uninhabited vehicle (UV) management task was completed where participants selected the optimal UV to complete missions. Low or high automation transparency was provided, and participants agreed/disagreed with automated advice on each mission. We manipulated between participants whether automated advice was accompanied by confidence information. This information indicated on each trial whether automation was “somewhat” or “highly” confident in its advice. Higher transparency improved the accuracy of automation use, led to faster decisions, lower perceived workload, and increased trust and perceived usability. Providing participant automation confidence information, as compared with not, did not have an overall impact on any outcome variable and did not interact with transparency. Despite no benefit, participants who were provided confidence information did use it. For trials where lower compared to higher confidence information was presented, hit rates decreased, correct rejection rates increased, decision times slowed, and perceived workload increased, all suggestive of decreased reliance on automated advice. Such trial-by-trial shifts in automation use bias and other outcomes were not moderated by transparency. These findings can potentially inform the design of automated decision-support systems that are more understandable by humans in order to optimise human-automation interaction.
Environmental pollution impact on the severity of some rheumatic diseases: a comparative analytical study on inflammatory and non-inflammatory samples
Authors: Elbeialy Adel , Sawy Soaad El , Elzomor Hala , Haddad Rana
Published: October 2024

Objective

Environmental pollution of heavy metals is increasingly a problem and has become of great concern due to the adverse effects it causes worldwide. Heavy metal exposure has been implicated in health problems, including fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. We aim to evaluate the rule of chronic heavy metals toxicity on the induction of vitamin D3 (VD) deficiency and parathyroid hormone (PTH) disturbances in an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-inflammatory disease like fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Methods

This comparative analytical study was conducted on sixty adults (age ≥ 18 years). Participants were divided into three groups. Group I: twenty patients diagnosed with RA according to the specific ACR/EULAR criteria for RA. Group II: twenty patients diagnosed with FMS according to the specific 2010 (ACR) criteria for FMS. Group III: twenty healthy adults. All patients and controls were subjected to routine laboratory tests as well as the measurement of PTH, VD and estimation of serum levels of lead, cadmium, and chromium.

Results

VD was significantly inversely correlated to PTH, lead, cadmium, chromium, and activity scores in the RA and FMS groups. Lead, Cadmium and Chromium had a significant independent risk on the VD level in RA patients, while lead had a significant independent risk on the VD level in FMS patients.

Conclusion

Heavy metals may affect VD synthesis, leading to hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in RA and FMS patients. Heavy metals play a key role in the pathogenesis of RA, FMS, and their disease activity.
In-line NIR coupled with machine learning to predict mechanical properties and dissolution profile of PLA-Aspirin
Authors: Munir Nimra , de Lima Tielidy , Nugent Michael , McAfee Marion
Published: October 2024

In the production of polymeric drug delivery devices, dissolution profile and mechanical properties of the drug loaded polymeric matrix are considered important Critical Quality Attributes (CQA) for quality assurance. However, currently the industry relies on offline testing methods which are destructive, slow, labour intensive, and costly. In this work, a real-time method for predicting these CQAs in a Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) process is explored using in-line NIR and temperature sensors together with Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. The mechanical and drug dissolution properties were found to vary significantly with changes in processing conditions, highlighting that real-time methods to accurately predict product properties are highly desirable for process monitoring and optimisation. Nonlinear ML methods including Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN) and Recursive Feature Elimination with RF (RFE-RF) outperformed commonly used linear machine learning methods. For the prediction of tensile strength RFE-RF and KNN achieved R2 values 98% and 99%, respectively. For the prediction of drug dissolution, two time points were considered with drug release at t = 6 h as a measure of the extent of burst release, and t = 96 h as a measure of sustained release. KNN and RFE-RF achieved R2 values of 97% and 96%, respectively in predicting the drug release at t = 96 h. This work for the first time reports the prediction of drug dissolution and mechanical properties of drug loaded polymer product from in-line data collected during the HME process.
Rapid and effective protocol to measure glutathione peroxidase activity
Authors: Sattar Ahmed Abdul , Matin Amir Abbas , Hadwan Mahmoud Hussein , Hadwan Asad M. , Mohammed Rawaa M.
Published: October 2024

Background

Intracellular hydroperoxides are harmful reactive oxygen species that can cause damage. Cells depend on antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) to prevent their accumulation. GPx is present in all cell compartments, including the cytosol, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. This article will present a rapid and reliable method for measuring GPx activity, which has been rigorously tested and proven dependable.

Results

The enzyme samples are incubated in a phosphate buffer containing specific concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and peroxide and then incubated for a suitable time to react before Ellman's reagent (5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) is added. This method, designed for ease of use, is effective and straightforward. When GSH reacts with DTNB, mixed disulfides (GS-S-DTNB) are formed, where the thiol group replaces one of the nitrobenzoic acid moieties in DTNB. The release of the nitrobenzoic acid group as nitro-2-thiobenzoate anion (TNB−) creates a yellow anion that can be measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 412 nm. The intensity of the yellow color is directly proportional to the unreacted glutathione concentration. GPx activity was linked to decreased absorbance of the TNB− anion, providing a sensitive and relatively specific method for detecting thiol groups in various biological samples.

Conclusion

This study utilized a Box–Behnken design (BBD) to apply to response surface modeling (RSM) to determine the best conditions for measuring GPx activity. The efficiency of the new protocol was validated by comparing GPx activity in matched samples using the Bland–Altman plot analysis and reference methods. The new protocol was just as accurate as the reference one, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991.

Graphical abstract
Emergency intubation during thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in patients under primary procedural sedation
Authors: Chen Min , Kronsteiner Dorothea , Pfaff Johannes A. R. , Schieber Simon , Bendszus Martin , Kieser Meinhard , Wick Wolfgang , Möhlenbruch Markus A. , Ringleb Peter A. , Bösel Julian , Schönenberger Silvia
Published: October 2024

Background

Emergency intubation is an inherent risk of procedural sedation regimens for endovascular treatment (EVT) of acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to characterize the subgroup of patients, who had to be emergently intubated, to identify predictors of the need for intubation and assess their outcomes.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of the single-center study KEEP SIMPLEST, which evaluated a new in-house SOP for EVT under primary procedural sedation. We used descriptive statistics and regression models to examine predictors and functional outcome of emergently intubated patients.

Results

Twenty of 160 (12.5%) patients were emergently intubated. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission, premorbid modified Rankin scale (mRS), Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, age and side of occlusion were not associated with need for emergency intubation. Emergency intubation was associated with a lower rate of successful reperfusion (OR, 0.174; 95%-CI, 0.045 to 0.663; p = 0.01). Emergently intubated patients had higher in-house mortality (30% vs 6.4%; p = 0.001) and a lower rate of mRS 0–2 at 3 months was observed in those patients (10.5% vs 37%, p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Emergency intubation during a primary procedural sedation regimen for EVT was associated with lower rate of successful reperfusion. Less favorable outcome was observed in the subgroup of emergently intubated patients. More research is required to find practical predictors of intubation need and to determine, whether emergency intubation is safe under strict primary procedural sedation regimens for EVT.
The first complete genome of Robbsia andropogonis reveals its arsenal of virulence system causing leaf spot disease of areca palm
Authors: Sun Jingyang , Li Yonglin , Zheng Li , Chen Daipeng , Zhou Xiaofan , Li Peng
Published: October 2024

Robbsia andropogonis is one of the most destructive leaf spot disease pathogens of numerous host plants and causes heavy economic damage. In the present study, the complete genome of R. andropogonis strain BLB1, causing the leaf spot disease of areca palm, was generated using a hybrid method combining ONT PromethION long reads and BGISEQ-500 short reads. The resulting genome consists of seven replicons totaling 6,828,120 bp, and 5,808 genes were annotated, including 788 virulence-related genes. Function analysis showed that genes involved in metabolism were the most abundant group. Impressively, the bacteria were well-equipped with four, two, and four sets of type three, four, and six secretion systems, respectively, highlighting the virulence features of R. andropogonis BLB1. As the first complete genome sequence of the species of genus Robbsia, the BLB1 genome provides a solid foundation for investigation of mechanisms underlying the pathogen virulence and disease control, and will promote further discovery and characterization of the genus Robbsia.
Influence of the shock wave-turbulence interaction on the swirl distortion in hypersonic inlet
Authors: Wu Zhenlong , Li Yiqing , Lu Limei , Xu Xinyi , Liang Ranhui
Published: October 2024

This study uses the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique to conduct an exhaustive analysis of the flow characteristics within the Rectangular-to-Elliptical shape Transition (REST) inlet under Mach 6 conditions. It mainly focuses on investigating the influence of the shock wave-turbulence interaction on the swirl distortion at the inlet exit. At the design condition, characterized by 0° Attack and 0° Sideslip, the incident shock wave at the inlet lip undergoes multiple reflections within the boundary layer of the domain wall, culminating in the formation of turbulent structures. The first reflected shock wave has the highest energy, exerting a significant impact on the boundary layer and the exit swirl distortion. On the contrary, the energy of the incident shock wave is progressively reduced due to repeated reflections, which results in reducing the exit swirl distortion. Under off-design conditions, characterized by 6° Attack and 0° Sideslip as well as 6° Attack with 6° Sideslip, variations in the incoming flow make the incident shock wave move inward, decreasing the frequency of shock wave reflections and even significantly reducing the reflected shock waves under conditions of 6° Attack and 6° Sideslip. However, this results in significantly increasing the exit swirl angle and distortion intensity. The obtained results demonstrate that changes in the incoming flow conditions significantly affect the level of exit swirl distortion by modulating the shock wave-turbulence interaction, especially in terms of the positioning of the incident shock wave and the quantity of reflected shock waves. In addition, this paper studies the wall heat transfer coefficient of the inlet. The obtained results show that the interaction between shock waves and the boundary layer significantly affects the heat transfer coefficient. This study provides a foundation for the comprehension and prediction of the performance of hypersonic inlets across a spectrum of flight conditions, and for the guidance of the design and optimization of such inlets.
Assessment of left atrial function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in cryptogenic stroke patients
Authors: Setouhi Amr , Abdelrahman Tarek Mohamed , Ali Ahmed Mohamed , Abdelwahab Mohamed Abdelkadir
Published: October 2024

Background

Cryptogenic cerebrovascular stroke can be defined as an ischemic stroke that lacks a clear cause, even after a thorough evaluation. It should be distinguished from the embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), a subgroup that includes cardio-embolic sources. This study aims to assess left atrial function through two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to determine its potential association with cryptogenic stroke and its predictive value for subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF). Our prospective cohort study involved 62 patients with unexplained cerebrovascular stroke or TIA, regardless of gender. Following TEE assessments, 22 patients were excluded due to identified sources of cardio-embolism. The remaining 40 participants were clustered into Group I. Group II, consisted of 40 healthy individuals without significant medical history, served as a control group. Both groups underwent two-dimensional trans-thoracic echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography.

Results

LA dysfunction parameters exhibited significant differences between Group I and Group II. LV diastolic dysfunction, LAVI, LAEF, and LASr were notably affected in Group I. At the same time, LA diameter in the parasternal long-axis view (PLAX) displayed a significant difference with a p value of 0.001. Within Group I, 14 patients experienced AF episodes (Group Ia, 35%); while, the remaining 26 were categorized as Group Ib (65%). LV diastolic dysfunction displayed a p value < 0.011; while, LAVI, LAEF, and LASr exhibited considerable differences with p values < 0.0001. However, the LA diameter showed no significant variation between the two groups. LASr emerged as the most sensitive and specific parameter for predicting AF, with a cutoff point of ≤ 24.5% and a p value < 0.0001. LAEF showed a cutoff point of ≤ 40.5% and a p value of 0.011. Meanwhile, LAVI demonstrated the lowest sensitivity and specificity, with a mean cutoff point of ≥ 38.5 ml/m2 and a p value of 0.003.

Conclusions

2D-STE is crucial for assessing LA dysfunction as a potential cryptogenic stroke cause after TEE and ruling out cardio-embolism sources. LASr serves as a key LA cardiopathy indicator, even preceding AF. LASr independently poses an AF risk. While LAEF and LAVI are significant LA dysfunction parameters and AF predictors, they exhibit lower sensitivity and specificity than LASr.
The relationship between smartphone overuse, anxiety, and depression among middle school adolescents in the city of Kenitra, Morocco: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Meskini Nadia , Lamtai Mouloud , Chakit Miloud , El Aameri Mohammed , Sfendla Anis , Loukili Nabila , Ouahidi Moulay Laarbi
Published: October 2024

Background

Adolescents face various addiction issues, including excessive smartphone use, which significantly impacts their mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. This study aimed to analyze the impact of smartphone use on the mental health of middle school adolescents in the city of Kenitra, Morocco, focusing particularly on the prevalence of depression and anxiety and to identify the factors influencing these behaviors. The present cross-sectional study included a sample of 341 middle school adolescents from Kenitra city, Morocco. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire covering various aspects, including sociodemographic information, smartphone addiction assessment using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and mental health assessment using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics were performed, and Mann–Whitney U-test and chi-square test were both used for comparisons between the excessive and non-excessive group, respectively. A Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations of smartphone overuse with depression and anxiety.

Results

Among 341 participants, 37.4% demonstrated smartphone overuse. Males exhibited nonsignificantly higher scores on the SAS than females (p = 0.082). In addition, the mean psychological distress scores for the study participants were 7.62 ± 3.31 for anxiety and 7.75 ± 3.7 for depression. Males exhibited significantly lower scores on the HADS subscales in comparison with females (p < 0.001). Interestingly, the results of the study showed a statistically significant positive correlation between anxiety (r = 0.2441, p = 0.013) and depression (r = 0.4035, p < 0.0001) subscales of HADS and SAS.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that adolescent students exposed to smartphone overuse are vulnerable to mental disorders. The results will be useful in helping schools put in place efficient measures to prevent excessive use of smartphones.
Covid-19-related pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm managed with endovascular intervention
Authors: Yadav Rajnikant R. , Charan Bheru Dan , Shah Shariq Ahmad
Published: October 2024

Background

Pulmonary pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is a fatal complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 infections in the lungs. Other causative agent such as fungal and tubercular also responsible for this entity. Early detection and treatment can save a patient’s life.

Case presentation

Here we describe a case of a left pulmonary artery pseudo aneurysm in a 54-year-old patient with COVID-19 pneumonia who presented with massive hemoptysis and which was treated with endovascular embolization.

Conclusion

It is caused by vasculopathy due to immunosuppression /immune dysregulation in COVID-19. Minimally invasive endovascular embolization of pseudoaneurysm carries less mortality and morbidity.
Dynamics of capital structure determinants: empirical evidence from GCC countries
Authors: Khan Shoaib , Akhtar Tahir , Qasem Ameen
Published: October 2024

The study empirically examines the factors affecting the financing decisions of non-financial listed companies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Using static and dynamic two-step generalized method of moments techniques, it analyzes unbalanced panel data from 364 non-financial companies across six GCC countries from 2011 to 2021. The findings partially support optimal capital structure theories, highlighting significant internal factors such as profitability, market-to-book ratio, firm size, earnings volatility, and growth opportunities that influence financing decisions. While no single theory fully explains the financing choices, the association of internal factors with book and market leverage is consistent. The study provides robust and generalizable results, aiding financial institutions and policymakers in formulating pro-development policies and regulations. This research facilitates better coordination between corporate managers and financial institutions, supporting the region’s economic transition. It is the first study to use extensive data from GCC non-financial firms to investigate financing decisions, offering valuable insights for investors and a basis for further analysis of capital structure choices in the region and beyond.
Effect of crude ethanolic seed extract from Mucuna pruriens on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells
Authors: Chinnasamy Arulvasu , Jayaprakash Vennila , Padmanaban Deepakrajasekar , Sekar Niranjni , Valayapathi Rajasekar , Azhagudurai Aarthi , Ethiraj Sumathi
Published: October 2024

Background

Gastric cancer is a prevalent form of malignancy among many common carcinoma cases globally. This study was designed to assess the anticancer potential of the crude ethanolic seed extract from Mucuna pruriens against the gastric cancer cell line (AGS). Various assays were employed to assess the anticancer properties, including examinations of cell viability, nuclear morphology, apoptosis using AO/EB staining, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, lactate dehydrogenase activity, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle arrest.

Results

The crude extract exhibited significant anticancer activity against the human gastric cancer cell line (AGS), as determined by the MTT assay, with an inhibition concentration (IC50) of 600 µg/mL at 24 h. Distinct cellular and nuclear morphological changes were observed with different concentrations of crude ethanolic seed extract. The LDH release assay reveals cell death in AGS cells, as evidenced by a significant increase in the release of LDH enzyme. DNA fragmentation analysis and flow cytometry results indicate that the extract induces chromatin condensation, apoptotic cell death, and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in the AGS cancer cell line. These results highlight the potential therapeutic advantages of Mucuna pruriens seed extract against gastric cancer cells.

Conclusion

This study could pave the way for identifying diverse natural bioactive compounds sourced from Mucuna pruriens seed, leading to the development of novel drug with potential anticancer properties.
Level of disability in stroke survivors in the greater accra region of ghana: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mohammed Tawagidu , Nyante Gifty Gyamah , Abdul-Rahman Mubarak , Mothabeng Diphale Joyce
Published: October 2024

Background

Many stroke survivors in low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana live with various degrees of disabilities. Insight into the level of disability and its determinants in stroke survivors has become very important. This study aimed to assess disability and determinants in stroke survivors in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Methods

One hundred and eight community-dwelling stroke survivors undergoing outpatient physiotherapy rehabilitation were sampled for the study. The World Health Organization disability assessment schedule (WHODAS) questionnaire was used to assess the level of disability in the participants. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered to help assess the determinants of disability. Association between sociodemographics and disability, and clinical characteristics and disability were determined using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test. p values less than 0.005 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Most of the study participants were reported to have moderate to severe disabilities in their bodily function. Age, gender, marital status, and employment status were found to be associated with the level of disability in stroke survivors.

Conclusion

Disability and its determinants in stroke need to be given much attention as disability affects the ability of stroke survivors to function independently.
Air Pollution and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Multiethnic Cohort Study
Authors: Wu Anna H. , Wu Jun , Tseng Chiuchen , Stram Daniel O. , Shariff-Marco Salma , Larson Timothy , Goldberg Deborah , Fruin Scott , Jiao Anqi , Inamdar Pushkar P. , Ihenacho Ugonna , Le Marchand Loïc , Wilkens Lynne , Haiman Christopher , Ritz Beate , Cheng Iona
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

Recent studies suggested fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) exposure increases the risk of breast cancer, but evidence among racially and ethnically diverse populations remains sparse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 58,358 California female participants of the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study followed for an average of 19.3 years (1993-2018), we used Cox proportional hazards regression to examine associations of time-varying PM with invasive breast cancer risk (n = 3,524 cases; 70% African American and Latino females), adjusting for sociodemographics and lifestyle factors. Subgroup analyses were conducted for race and ethnicity, hormone receptor status, and breast cancer risk factors.

RESULTS

Satellite-based PM
2.5
was associated with a statistically significant increased incidence of breast cancer (hazard ratio [HR] per 10 μg/m
3
, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.08 to 1.51]). We found no evidence of heterogeneity in associations by race and ethnicity and hormone receptor status. Family history of breast cancer showed evidence of heterogeneity in PM
2.5
-associations (
P
heterogeneity
= .046). In a meta-analysis of the MEC and 10 other prospective cohorts, breast cancer incidence increased in association with exposure to PM
2.5
(HR per 10 μg/m
3
increase, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.00 to 1.10];
P
= .064).

CONCLUSION

Findings from this large multiethnic cohort with long-term air pollutant exposure and published prospective cohort studies support PM
2.5
as a risk factor for breast cancer. As about half of breast cancer cannot be explained by established breast cancer risk factors and incidence is continuing to increase, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, our results highlight that breast cancer prevention should include not only individual-level behavior-centered approaches but also population-wide policies and regulations to curb PM
2.5
exposure.
A Multicenter Open-Label Randomized Phase II Study of Osimertinib With and Without Ramucirumab in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Naïve
EGFR
-Mutant Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (RAMOSE trial)
Authors: Le Xiuning , Patel Jyoti D. , Shum Elaine , Baik Christina , Sanborn Rachel E. , Shu Catherine A. , Kim Chul , Fidler Mary Jo , Hall Richard , Elamin Yasir Y. , Tu Janet , Blumenschein George , Zhang Jianjun , Gibbons Don , Gay Carl , Mohindra Nisha A. , Chae Young , Boumber Yanis , Sabari Joshua , Santana-Davila Rafael , Rogosin Shane , Herzberg Benjamin , Creelan Ben , Pellini Bruna , Tanvetyanon Tawee , Heeke Simon , Hernandez Mike , Gray Jhanelle E. , Saltos Andreas , Heymach John V.
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

Preclinical studies demonstrated that dual inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways delay the emergence of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and in trials with first-generation EGFR TKIs, the combination of EGFR VEGF pathway inhibitors prolonged progression-free survival (PFS).

METHODS

The RAMOSE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:
NCT03909334
, HCRN LUN-18-335) is a randomized, open-label multicenter phase II study comparing osimertinib with ramucirumab (arm A) to osimertinib (arm B) for initial treatment of metastatic
EGFR
-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with 2:1 random assignment. The primary end point is PFS for evaluable patients; secondary end points include objective response rates (ORRs), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival, and safety. The stratification criteria were
EGFR
mutation type and the presence of CNS metastasis.

RESULTS

At data cutoff on August 29, 2023, 160 patients consented, 147 patients received treatment, and 139 patients were evaluable with at least one scan. In this preplanned interim analysis, the median follow-up was 16.6 months. Among the evaluable patients, 57 PFS events occurred. The median PFS was 24.8 (A) versus 15.6 (B) months (hazard ratio, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.93]; log-rank
P
= .023), 12-month PFS rate was 76.7% (A) versus 61.9% (B;
P
= .026). No significant difference was observed in the ORRs and DCRs between arms. Any-grade (G) adverse events (AEs) occurred in 100% (A) and 98% (B) of patients, with no G5 treatment-related AE (TRAE), one G4 TRAE (hyponatremia, A), and 53% (A) versus 41% (B) G3 TRAEs. AE-related discontinuation occurred in 13 patients (9.7% in A and 8.7% in B). The safety profile was in line with known safety of each drug.

CONCLUSION

Ramucirumab plus osimertinib significantly prolonged PFS compared with osimertinib alone in patients with TKI-naïve
EGFR
-mutant NSCLC. The combination is safe and well tolerated.
Vanilla inflation predicts negative running
Authors: Martin Jérôme , Ringeval Christophe , Vennin Vincent
Published: October 2024

We show that the simplest, and currently favoured, theoretical realizations of cosmic inflation yield a sharp prediction for the running of the spectral index

. Using latest cosmological data, we compute its marginalized posterior probability distribution over the space of nearly 300 models of single-field slow-roll inflation. The most probable value is

, lying within the

credible interval

. Within the landscape of all the proposed slow-roll inflationary models, positive values for the running are therefore disfavoured at more than three-sigma.
Systematic Analysis and Network Mapping of Disease Associations in Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome
Authors: Pham-Dobor Greta , Kaltenecker Peter , Temesfoi Viktoria , Bajnok Laszlo , Nemes Orsolya , Bodis Beata , Mezosi Emese
Published: October 2024

Background

The purpose of our work was to provide a data-driven perspective to autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS), a complex autoimmune disorder, supplementing traditional clinical observations.

Methods

Medical records of 7559 patients were analyzed, and autoimmune origin was proved in 3180 cases of which 380 (12%) had APS. Associations of component disorders were investigated by computational methods to reveal typical patterns of disease development.

Results

Twenty-eight distinct autoimmune disorders were diagnosed forming 113 combinations. The 10 most frequent combinations were responsible for 51.3% of cases. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD) were differentiated as the main cornerstones of APS, sharing several comorbidities. HT was the most common manifestation (67.4%), followed by GD (26.8%) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) (20.8%). APS started significantly earlier in men than in women. Thyroid autoimmunity was frequently linked to gastrointestinal and systemic manifestations, and these patterns of associations substantially differed from that of T1D, Addison’s disease, or coeliac disease when present as first manifestations, suggesting the possibility of a common biological cause.

Conclusion

APS is more frequent than reported. Classifying APS requires a shift of perspective toward disease associations rather than disorder prevalence.
Acute Implantation of a Bioresorbable Polymer Scaffold in Patients With Complete Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial (INSPIRE 2.0)
Authors: Harrop James S. , Kim Kee D. , Okonkwo David O. , Goldstein Ira M. , Lee K. Stuart , Toselli Richard M.
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a devastating condition with no proven effective treatment options available. In a prior single-arm study of patients with thoracic complete SCI (INSPIRE; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02138110), acute implantation of an investigational bioresorbable polymer scaffold (Neuro-Spinal Scaffold [NSS]) appeared to be safe through 24 months postimplantation and was associated with an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) conversion rate that exceeded historical controls. Here, we evaluated whether NSS implantation demonstrates probable benefit for safety and neurological recovery in patients with thoracic complete SCI vs standard-of-care spine surgery.

METHODS:

INSPIRE 2.0 was a randomized, controlled, parallel, multicenter study conducted at Level I trauma centers in the United States (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03762655; funded by InVivo Therapeutics Corporation). Patients with AIS grade A, thoracic (T2-T12), nonpenetrating SCI requiring spine surgery ≤7 days postinjury were randomized (1:1, computer-generated allocation) to undergo NSS implantation or spine surgery alone (control group). Patients and follow-up International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI assessors were blinded. A predefined study success criterion required the proportion of patients with improvement of ≥1 AIS grade at 6 months postsurgery (primary endpoint) to be ≥20% higher in the NSS group than in the control group.

RESULTS:

Target enrollment was reached (N = 20) with 10 patients randomized and analyzed in each group. At 6 months postsurgery, an improvement in the AIS grade was reported in 2 NSS patients (20%; both to AIS C) and 3 control group patients (30%; to AIS B [n = 2] or AIS C [n = 1]). No serious or unanticipated adverse device effects were reported. The study was closed to further follow-up because of not meeting its primary endpoint.

CONCLUSION:

In this small group of patients with thoracic complete (AIS A) SCI, implantation of an intraparenchymal bioresorbable scaffold did not produce probable clinical benefit. However, this study provides evidence that surgical intervention in an injured spinal cord parenchyma may be performed safely.
Code and Data Repository for Solving Stochastic Optimization with Expectation Constraints Eﬀiciently by a Stochastic Augmented Lagrangian-Type Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Liwei , Zhang Yule , Wu Jia , Xiao Xiantao
Published: October 2024

The goal of this software is to compare the performance of stochastic linearized proximal method of multipliers (SLPMM) proposed in the paper with several existing algorithms for minimizing a convex expectation function subject to a set of inequality convex expectation constraints.
The New Political Economy of Teacher Education
Authors: Ellis Viv , Gatti Lauren , Mansell Warwick
Published: October 2024

Taking the ruptures caused by the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 as a point of acceleration in the reorganisation of the welfare state, the authors show how a new political economy of teacher education emerged in the years that followed in relation to the travelling idea that improving the quality of teaching in schools could lead to improvements in national economic performance and competitiveness. Referring to the USA, England and Norway as examples of historically different types of welfare state, the authors build on the concepts of the enterprise narrative and the shadow state (from public policy and voluntary sector research) to show how economic concepts such as branding, vertical integration and franchises have much greater relevance and a higher profile than previously in the preparation of schoolteachers. Integrating a critical political economy analysis and a cultural-historical approach to change and reform, the authors’ exploration of the different national contexts is situated in the histories of nation-building, industrialisation, colonialism, morality and, in the case of the USA, slavery and segregation. The authors present original data from both pre-service teacher education and continuing professional development, ‘following the money’ but doing so in ways that foreground the inter-relationships between political and economic ideas and cultural values in historical context. The book represents a novel approach to inquiry in the field of teacher education research.
A new political economy of teacher education: current and future dilemmas
Authors: Ellis Viv , Gatti Lauren , Mansell Warwick
Published: October 2024

The final chapter summarises the key argument that a new political economy of teacher education emerged after the Global Financial Crisis as the association of improved economic performance with improved teaching (and teacher) quality became ever more strongly articulated across many national contexts, often mediated through regressive cultural discourses. The power of the enterprise narrative in teacher education reform is restated and discussion of the role of shadow state organisations (including co-created entities) leads to an exploration of future dilemmas for education policy makers regarding the role of teacher education institutions in public (that is, ultimately state-funded) education systems and the extent to which both schools and teacher education programmes should become differentiated on cultural and political grounds and the extent to which there would be any kind of democratic deficit the more these decisions are taken out of public deliberation and accountability.
Conclusion: Black futures
Authors: Warmington Paul
Published: October 2024

Chapter 7 concludes the book’s examination of ‘postracial’ rearticulations of race and class in Britain. It argues that, as an analytical framework, Critical Race Theory’s emphasis on racial realism contains both pragmatic and idealistic elements. CRT is often unwelcome in public debate precisely because it reveals that state postracialism does not resist racism but instead maintains racism at manageable levels. As such, state postracialism – a facile, conservative postracialism – has a critically important stabilising role and seeks to become permanent, to secure dominance. The delegitimisation of radical antiracism that parallels facile postracialism also seeks to be a permanent political feature. As such Britain’s culture wars, which have given discursive space to colourblindness, to ‘contra-’ antiracism and to the elimination of Black and Brown communities from Britain’s class matrix, should be recognised as a deadly serious political project to build and sustain conservative hegemony. New strains of Black Atlantic thought may offer spaces for an authentic and radical postracialism but, at present, we remain closer to the social world recognised by Bell and his CRT peers.
Introduction
Authors: Malik Ali
Published: October 2024

In this introductory chapter, Scottish police governance is situated within the broader scholarship on policing and police governance and in the context of police reform programmes across Central and Northern Europe. The key themes of police governance, democratic policing, and police reform provide an orientation for the comprehensive examination presented throughout this book. The chapter provides an overview of the methodological approach employed in the doctoral study, consisting of elite interviews with key practitioners and policymakers involved in the Scottish police governance landscape.
Paradoxes and dilemmas: operational independence and internal governance
Authors: Malik Ali
Published: October 2024

This chapter examines the status of the operational independence doctrine within Scottish policing. It charts the formative years of the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland, as they negotiated their respective roles, functions, and boundaries of influence. The reliance of the Scottish Police Authority on Police Scotland and the Scottish Government, and the recasting of its role as a collaborating partner, bears similarities to the established concept of regulatory capture in corporate governance. Recent reviews into controversies surrounding internal governance and complaints handling, led by Baroness Casey and Dame Angiolini, have highlighted the significance of external actors’ ability to hold policing to account, both for operational policing and decision making, but also for internal working practices – something that existing mechanisms of police governance have not been able to achieve.
Institutionalising epistocracy
Authors: Malik Ali
Published: October 2024

This chapter pulls together the conceptual and empirical themes examined in the previous chapters and proposes a framework for institutionalising epistocracy within the broader networked-governance landscape. The key characteristics of the framework include broad composition, delegated authority, autonomy, and deliberative proceduralism. The framework is informed by the rich empirical analysis of the Scottish Police Authority.
The Making of a Left-Behind Class
Authors: Powell Fred , Scanlon Margaret , Leahy Pat
Published: October 2024

This book has adopted the title The Making of a Left-Behind Class because the epithet ‘left-behind’ offers a powerful metaphor for a market economy and politically polarised society divided by competition, class and ethnicity. Our society describes itself as a ‘meritocracy’, meaning that there are ‘equal chances to become unequal’. The social reality is educational stratification, which largely determines individuals’ biographies, income and social position and has produced a deeply polarised world. Civic virtue and moral prestige have become reflexively equated in a stratified education system, shaped by the possession of cultural, social and financial capital. This moral order constitutes the paradox of our times that is disrupting democracy, undermining social cohesion and threatening individual liberty.
During the 21st century the public representation of the working class as ‘leftbehind’ (the problem), the barriers it confronts within a meritocracy (the cause) and widening participation (the policy solution) constitute the core issues we wish to discuss in this book in dialogue with people from disadvantaged communities. Recounting their experiences brings home, as nothing else can, the complexity of the choices they make in their lives, and the often-opaque obstacles that confront them in an unequal society.
Structural racism and Traveller education
Authors: Powell Fred , Scanlon Margaret , Leahy Patrick , Jenkinson Hilary , Byrne Olive
Published: October 2024

In this chapter we analyse Traveller education experiences within a racist environment at school and in society. We demonstrate significant policy changes and highlight continuing challenges.
Epistemology, research design and social justice
Authors: Bradley Ciara , Kavanagh Lynsey
Published: October 2024

Research is shaped by our theory of knowledge, guided by what we believe can be known and how. This chapter interrogates the ontology and epistemology of two research projects, with, about and for women, to explore how and why these matter in research that claims to be for social justice and how ontology and epistemology influence everything that follows. We argue for the importance of conscious practice in any kind of research and for the importance of epistemological, ethical and methodological congruency. Researchers should spend time identifying what their worldview – their ontology and epistemology – is (their training, their personal and professional biography and so on) and how it impacts their research practice. This chapter contributes to the broad questions raised in Chapter 1: ‘How can a social justice approach to research be operationalised?’, and ‘How can we design research and develop our methodologies that (a) reflect a social justice approach and (b) progress a social justice agenda?’
Beyond research extractivism in environmental justice research
Authors: Gorman Jamie
Published: October 2024

Researchers engaged with environmental justice movements must carefully consider their knowledge production practices in order to avoid replicating the logic of extractive capitalism and aggravating the injustice experienced by communities. This chapter considers the ethical and political dilemmas of conducting research in and with communities mobilising in the face of mining and other extractive industries. The paradigm of researcher as a ‘data miner’ remains common in the social sciences, leading to extractivist research practices which are dehumanising, exploitative and unjust. This chapter presents a critical reflection on research fieldwork with the Irish anti-fracking movement that draws on decolonial and social movement scholarship to theorise anti-extractivist research practice. It offers research design principles for anti-extractivist research which involve moving beyond managing risk to prefigure more just and equitable knowledge production practices. This expanded ethics centres relational accountability, dialogue, critical reflection, reciprocity and mutuality.