bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment success predictors in Namibia
Authors: Nangombe Vulika , Amkongo Mondjila , Godman Brian , Kibuule Dan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a considerable barrier to ending TB globally by 2035. In most high TB-burden countries in the sub-Saharan region, drivers of DR-TB treatment success are unknown.

Objectives
To determine predictors and patterns of treatment success rates (TSRs) in DR-TB in Namibia to inform strategies of national TB programmes.

Methods
A nationwide retrospective observational cohort study of a 6 year DR-TB database, 2014–19, was carried out. Independent predictors of successful treatment outcome in DR-TB were determined by multivariate logistic regression.

Results
Of the 1494 DR-TB patients included, 56.3% (n = 841) were male, the mean (±SD) age was 35.6 ± 14.2 years, and 8.3% had TB/HIV coinfection. The overall TSR was 66.5% (n = 994) and it increased marginally between implementation of the second and third medium-term plans for TB and leprosy (MTP-II and MTP-III). Being female was associated with lower odds of treatment success [adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.34–0.89; P = 0.015), as was a young age (under 5 years) (aOR = 0.1; 95% CI: 0.0007–0.421; P = 0.005) and ages of 5–14 years (aOR = 0.0; 95% CI: 0.002–0.269; P = 0.002). Namibian nationality also showed a reduced likelihood of treatment success (aOR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.089–0.961; P = 0.043). Among clinical predictors, bilateral pulmonary forms were inversely associated with treatment success (aOR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.057–0.498; P = 0.001). Conversely, baseline monoresistance was linked to an increased likelihood of treatment success (aOR = 7.6; 95% CI: 1.427–40.631; P = 0.018).

Conclusions
Whilst DR-TB TSRs improved, they are below the global target and vary by clinical and patient demographics. Targeted interventions for high-risk patients, including female patients, those aged under 15 years, locals and those with bilateral pulmonary disease using community-based approaches to boost adherence, alongside leveraging the skills of clinical pharmacists, should now be explored.
Quantifying phenotypic and genetic variation for cow fertility phenotypes in American Simmental using total herd reporting data
Authors: Catrett Cassidy C , Moorey Sarah E , Beever Jon E , Rowan Troy N 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Reproduction plays a major role in the production efficiency of livestock species. However, cow-centric reproductive traits tend to be lowly heritable and are not expressed until later in an animal’s lifetime, making phenotypic selection alone inefficient at generating genetic gain. Genetic progress can be accelerated by focusing selection on the predicted genetic component of reproductive traits using Expected Progeny Differences. We used the American Simmental Association’s performance and Total Herd Enrollment data, made up of 533,155 calving records from 303,158 females (132,403 cows and 170,755 heifers), 33,732 of which are genotyped, to explore three continuous and two discrete phenotypes focused on quantifying early and sustained fertility in beef cows. We analyzed calving date (CD) (cow’s CD relative to the start of the calving season), calving interval (CI) (days between calves), first calving interval (FCI) (CI observation between the first and second calving record for a female), heifer pregnancy (HP) (did the animal calve as 2-yr-old), and discrete early calving (DEC) (did animal calve in the first 30 d of the calving season) as distinct, but correlated measures of fertility. This dataset provides insight into population-wide trends related to cow attrition, calving season lengths, and phenotypic variation in fertility. We used pedigree and genomic REML to estimate these six phenotypes’ genetic, permanent environment, and temporary environmental variance components. Pedigree-estimated heritabilities were 0.06 (± 0.000011) for CD, (0.04 ± 0.000005) for CI, 0.07 (± 0.000016) for DEC, 0.05 ± 0.000041 for FCI, and 0.23 (± 0.000099) for HP, consistent with other fertility traits across beef and dairy cattle. The incorporation of genomics increased the heritability estimate for HP (0.24 ± 0.000098) and decreased the estimate for FCI (0.04 ± 0.000029). Positive phenotypic and genetic correlations were found among these phenotypes (rG = 0.01 to 0.96). These results call for further work in optimizing genetic predictions and exploration of the genetic architecture through genome-wide studies. Whole herd reporting date frameworks represent opportunities for measuring new reproductive phenotypes, but their utility in genetic evaluations will rely on novel trait initiatives and consistent recording that captures more detailed data.
Upgrade Rate of Exclusively MRI-Detected Papillomas in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing Screening or Extent of Disease Examinations
Authors: Zamora Kathryn Watts , Yalniz Ceren , Brar Kudratjot , Li Yufeng , Zalasin Stefanie , Woodard Stefanie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objective
To determine the upgrade rate of exclusively MRI-detected benign papillomas in asymptomatic high-risk patients, patients with a history of cancer, or patients with known malignancy.

Methods
This IRB-approved retrospective study reviewed all breast MRI–guided biopsies yielding papilloma on pathology for all asymptomatic patients undergoing breast MRI for high-risk screening, newly diagnosed breast cancer, or a personal history of breast cancer. All cases were followed by excision or 2-year imaging follow-up. The upgrade rate was determined. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the significance of associated factors, including lesion type, lesion size, and ipsilateral malignancy.

Results
Of the 258 MRI-guided biopsies, 117 met the inclusion criteria. A 4% (5/117) upgrade rate was found with a 3% (4/117) upgrade rate to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and a 1% (1/117) upgrade rate to invasive malignancy for all identified papillomas. When evaluating all papillomas, the only associated feature identified to be statically significant for risk of upgrade was ipsilateral malignancy with a 60% (3/5) upgrade rate with a P-value of .0057. When separately evaluating benign papillomas only by excluding those with atypia or additional high-risk lesion at biopsy, a 4% (3/80) upgrade rate to DCIS was found. There was no upgrade to invasive malignancy.

Conclusion
Upgrade of MRI-detected papillomas in asymptomatic high-risk patients, patients with a history of cancer, or patients with known malignancy is 4% in this population, which suggests these lesions may warrant surgical excision.
Reinventing trade, environment and development interlinkages: lessons from the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement
Authors: Harrison James , Paulini Sophia 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The trade pillar of the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement (EUMAA) has demonstrated critical problems with the way in which the EU handles interlinkages between trade, environment and development in its free trade agreements, particularly through its Sustainability Impact Assessments and Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters. But instead of prompting fundamental change, key EU actors have responded by merely tinkering with the existing model. This article explores why such an approach is insufficient to address the urgent ecological and developmental challenges which EUMAA specifically, and EU trade agreements more generally, currently ignore. It argues that the sustainable development paradigm underlying the EU’s trade and sustainability agenda must be strengthened through the explicit incorporation and then operationalization of the concepts of planetary boundaries and socio-economic equality. It utilizes the example of EUMAA to demonstrate the kind of concrete changes that could flow from this strengthened sustainable development paradigm including (I) the creation of radically different negotiating processes (II) the utilization of trade measures within FTAs to achieve key environmental and developmental goals and (III) the redistribution of environmental and developmental responsibilities among key actors who are the subjects and objects of trade governance.
Evaluating the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina
Authors: Pak Joyce , Le Ngan , Metwally Eman M , Wang Jeanny , Planey Arrianna Marie , Lowman Amy M , Jackson Bradford E , Butler Eboneé N , Lund Jennifer L 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Climate-related extreme weather events disrupt health-care systems and exacerbate health disparities, particularly affecting individuals diagnosed with cancer. This study explores the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina (NC). Using county-level data from the US Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, we analyzed cancer incidence and mortality rates from 2017 to 2021. Our findings reveal a robust correlation between CVI percentiles and cancer mortality (r = 0.72). Counties with high area deprivation like Scotland, Robeson, and Halifax had the highest CVI percentiles of 0.68, 0.67, and 0.66, with respective cancer mortality rates of 193, 195, and 196 per 100 000 person-years. Correlations between CVI and cancer incidence were modest (r = 0.22). These results underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate climate-related health disparities. Future work could focus on exploring specific climate hazards and cancer outcomes to enhance preparedness and resilience in cancer care.
Piperlongumine inhibits glioblastoma proliferation by inducing ferroptosis
Authors: Qiu Jianting , Guo Fangzhou , Shi Ji , Guo Tangjun , Piao Haozhe 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Piperlongumine on Glioblastoma multiforme.

Methods
The effects of Piperlongumine on the viability and proliferation of glioma cells LN229 and A172 were measured. Changes in mitochondrial structure were observed. Cell proliferative capacity was assessed using immunofluorescence. The levels of glutathione, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and intracellular reactive oxygen species were detected. The levels of ferroptosis-related proteins were detected. A plasmid transfection was performed to overexpress the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene; a subcutaneous tumor model was established in nude mice to observe the in vivo inhibitory effects of Piperlongumine on Glioblastoma multiforme and the recovery effect of Fer-1. The expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry.

Key findings
Piperlongumine inhibited the viability of glioma cells, as well as their proliferation. The ferroptosis inhibitors were able to restore the inhibitory effect of Piperlongumine on glioma cell proliferation. Forced overexpression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 partially reversed Piperlongumine-induced ferroptosis; Piperlongumine exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on Glioblastoma multiforme cells in vivo, which could be restored by Fer-1.

Conclusions
Piperlongumine inhibits Glioblastoma multiforme proliferation by inducing ferroptosis in vitro and vivo model.
A case of isolated SMA dissection with failed initial conservative management
Authors: Emara Salma , Kropp Madison , Akbari Masoud , Cook Kristin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Isolated superior mesenteric dissection (ISMAD) is an uncommon condition, often diagnosed incidentally for presentations of acute abdominal pain. Early identification and treatment are crucial as complications such as bowel ischemia or vessel rupture can occur. There remain no established treatment guidelines, making surgical and endovascular indications controversial. A 60-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain, and was diagnosed with ISMAD via computed tomography imaging. He was initially managed conservatively which progressed to worsening abdominal pain, hypertensive crisis, and hemoperitoneum on follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA). A mesenteric angiogram revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) which was subsequently treated with coil embolization. The absence of long-term evidence on relapse rates questions the overall effectiveness of nonoperative therapy. Further research is needed to establish clear guidelines and to determine whether early intervention might be more advantageous in managing complications and preventing recurrence.
Differential diagnosis of submucosal gastric tumors: gastric schwannomas misdiagnosed as GISTs
Authors: Unver Mutlu , Ertekin Suleyman Cağlar , Kebapcı Eyüp , Olmez Mustafa , Ergin Erhan , Ozturk Safak , Sahin Erkan , Ortac Ragıp 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Schwannomas commonly occur in the head and neck region but are rarely seen in the gastrointestinal tract; the stomach and small intestine are the most commonly involved sites. These tumors are usually misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) before histopathological confirmation due to radiological similarity. GI schwannomas show positivity for S100 protein and vimentin but are negative for CD 117 and CD 34, which helps in differentiating the tumor from GISTs. Case 1: a 70-year-old woman was referred to our hospital by complaints of abdominal pain and discomfort. Upper GI endoscopy demonstrated a protruding lesion at the lesser curvature of the gastric body, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed chronic inflammation without malignancy. Since the lesion was suspected to be GIST, this patient had surgery, and a gastric schwannoma was resected successfully. Case 2: a 66-year-old female with anemia and abdominal discomfort was found to have a submucosal elevated mass at the greater curvature of the antrum. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was suggestive of a spindle cell tumor resembling GIST. The patient underwent subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Histopathology confirmed schwannoma. It is necessary to differentiate gastric schwannomas from other submucosal tumors of the stomach, especially GISTs. Surgical complete resection of schwannomas usually has a good prognosis with a low probability of recurrence. Though rare, gastric schwannomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of submucosal gastric tumors because the correct identification of this tumor type helps in proper management and evasion of unnecessary extensive surgery.
Riparian forests: a temporal analysis of their ecological status in urban river systems of the Andean Patagonia, Chubut, Argentina
Authors: Papazian Gabriela , Kutschker Adriana M , Rovere Adriana E 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Streams and rivers are ecosystems strongly impacted by changes associated with urbanization, which cause ecological degradation of their banks and the deterioration in water quality. Assessing the ecological state of riverbanks and proposing measures to mitigate their degradation are priorities. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of riparian forests in three urban river systems with different population densities and to analyze changes over a temporal scale. The pre-urban, urban and post-urban sections of the rivers were analyzed. The Quality Index of Riparian Forests for Andean Patagonian rivers (QBRp) was used. This index assesses four riverbank attributes: vegetation cover, vegetation structure, cover quality and degree of naturalness of the river channel. In all cases, pre-urban sections showed the highest QBRp values, indicating good quality riverbanks. The application of the index at different times allowed the identification of temporal changes in the ecological quality of the riverbanks, both in general and regarding individual components. A general trend of stability or improvement in the ecological quality of the riverbanks was recorded in peri-urban sections; meanwhile, urban and one post-urban sections displayed a decrease in quality, a condition related to modifications in the structure and quality of vegetation and the loss of the river channel naturalness. Urban areas with medium-high population density were associated with poor quality riverbanks. The QBRp index enables the assessment of how urbanization affects diverse aspects of riparian quality over time and supports the development of concrete actions for the effective management of these riparian environments.
The October 7, 2023, Attack on Israel Indicates a Change in Trauma Patterns of Terror Victims, due to the Use of Thermobaric Weapons
Authors: Ostfeld Ishay , Kachel Erez , Shafir Oleg , Gal Itay , Cohen Yehonatan , Kugel Chen , Hoffman Jay R 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The terror attack on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 civilians and security personnel killed. Of the civilians murdered, approximately 200 men, women, and children were murdered inside their homes, while the remaining casualties were murdered in an open field at a music festival, in their cars, or in the streets of local cities.

Materials and Methods
Currently, official data have not yet been published regarding the types of injuries suffered by Israeli civilians during the terror attack. However, the massive damage found in buildings infiltrated by the terrorists, weapons found on neutralized terrorists, and the findings of the pathologists tasked with examining and identifying the casualties, as well as preliminary clinical evidence, suggested that many died from hand-held explosive devices or rocket-propelled grenades containing a “thermobaric”-type warhead.

Results
The use of thermobaric weapons has also been reported from the Russia–Ukraine war, suggesting that these weapons are becoming more common in their use. Thermobaric injuries differ from typical battlefield injuries due to their specific blast characteristics. Considering that thermobaric weapons are relatively cheap to manufacture and highly efficient, it can be assumed that their unique injury patterns will become more common in future battlefields.

Conclusions
This paper reports on a possible change in the nature of terror and battlefield injuries and alerts emergency organizations and military forces worldwide to prepare for the need of treating more blast injuries, burns, smoke inhalation, and asphyxiation.
Effects of cloud geometry and metallicity on shattering and coagulation of cold gas, and implications for cold streams penetrating virial shocks
Authors: Yao Zhiyuan , Mandelker Nir , Oh S Peng , Aung Han , Dekel Avishai 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Theory and observations reveal that the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and the cosmic web at high redshifts are multiphase, with small clouds of cold gas embedded in a hot, diffuse medium. We study the ‘shattering’ of large, thermally unstable clouds into tiny cloudlets of size $\ell _{\rm shatter}\sim {\rm min}(c_{\rm s}t_{\rm cool})$ using idealized numerical simulations. We expand upon previous works by exploring the effects of cloud geometry (spheres, streams, and sheets), metallicity, and an ionizing ultraviolet background. We find that ‘shattering’ is mainly triggered by clouds losing sonic contact and rapidly imploding, leading to a reflected shock that causes the cloud to re-expand and induces Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities at its interface. The fragmented cloudlets experience a drag force from the surrounding hot gas, leading to recoagulation into larger clouds. We distinguish between ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ coagulation regimes. Sheets are always in the ‘fast’ coagulation regime, while streams and spheres transition to ‘slow’ coagulation above a critical overdensity, which is smallest for spheres. Surprisingly, $\ell _\mathrm{shatter}$ does not appear to be a characteristic clump size even if it is well resolved. Rather, fragmentation continues until the grid scale with a mass distribution of $N(\gt m)\propto m^{-1}$. We apply our results to cold streams feeding massive ($M_{\rm v}\lower.5ex\rm{\,\, \buildrel\gt \over \sim \,\,}10^{12}\, {\rm M}_\odot$) galaxies at $z\lower.5ex\rm{\,\, \buildrel\gt \over \sim \,\,}2$ from the cosmic web, finding that streams likely shatter upon entering the hot CGM through the virial shock. This could explain the large clumping factors and covering fractions of cold gas around such galaxies, and may be related to galaxy quenching by preventing cold streams from reaching the central galaxy.
Convective shutdown in the atmospheres of lava worlds
Authors: Nicholls Harrison , Pierrehumbert Raymond T , Lichtenberg Tim , Soucasse Laurent , Smeets Stef 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Atmospheric energy transport is central to the cooling of primordial magma oceans. Theoretical studies of atmospheres on lava planets have assumed that convection is the only process involved in setting the atmospheric temperature structure. This significantly influences the ability for a magma ocean to cool. It has been suggested that convective stability in these atmospheres could preclude permanent magma oceans. We develop a new 1D radiative-convective model in order to investigate when the atmospheres overlying magma oceans are convectively stable. Using a coupled interior-atmosphere framework, we simulate the early evolution of two terrestrial-mass exoplanets: TRAPPIST-1 c and HD 63433 d. Our simulations suggest that the atmosphere of HD 63433 d exhibits deep isothermal layers which are convectively stable. However, it is able to maintain a permanent magma ocean and an atmosphere depleted in $\mathrm{H_{2}O}$. It is possible to maintain permanent magma oceans underneath atmospheres without convection. Absorption features of $\mathrm{CO_{2}}$ and $\mathrm{SO_{2}}$ within synthetic emission spectra are associated with mantle redox state, meaning that future observations of HD 63433 d may provide constraints on the geochemical properties of a magma ocean analogous with the early Earth. Simulations of TRAPPIST-1 c indicate that it is expected to have solidified within $100 \,\mathrm{M}\rm {yr}$, outgassing a thick atmosphere in the process. Cool isothermal stratospheres generated by low-molecular-weight atmospheres can mimic the emission of an atmosphere-less body. Future work should consider how atmospheric escape and chemistry modulates the lifetime of magma oceans, and the role of tidal heating in sustaining atmospheric convection.
State, Frontiers, and Mobility in Mughal-Era Rajasthan
Authors: Kothiyal Tanuja 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
After the conquest by the Mughal Emperor Akbar by the 1570s, Rajput polities of the Thar Desert were integrated into the Mughal Empire. However, a close reading of Rajput history and politics indicates that the post-nomadic nature of the Rajput polity continued to shape complex interactions among the Rajput chieftaincies of the Thar and the Mughal state. In the harsh, inhospitable stretches of the Thar Desert, intimate knowledge of the geography defined the nature of the control that could be exercised. On these frontiers, both the Mughal state and the sedentarized Rajput polities located in the fortress capitals, such as Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer, were often forced to accommodate local expressions of authority. Located far from Rajput-Mughal centers of power, the Rajput brotherhoods on the frontiers relied on the older social and political networks and made their claims to authority through acts of insubordination bordering on the criminal. However, unlike James Scott’s Zomia, which was a zone of escape from the state, the frontiers of the Thar represented sites of negotiation, where multiple layers of authority could be experienced.