Publications by authors named "BROWN L"

Z boson events at the Large Hadron Collider can be selected with high purity and are sensitive to a diverse range of QCD phenomena. As a result, these events are often used to probe the nature of the strong force, improve Monte Carlo event generators, and search for deviations from standard model predictions. All previous measurements of Z boson production characterize the event properties using a small number of observables and present the results as differential cross sections in predetermined bins.

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Background: Understanding patient goals for metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery (MaPGAS) is paramount to achieving satisfactory, preference-sensitive outcomes, yet there is a lack of understanding of MaPGAS priorities and how these may vary between transgender men and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Aim: To understand the surgical goals of transgender men and non-binary individuals AFAB considering MaPGAS.

Methods: An online survey was created following literature review and qualitative interviews and distributed via social media and a community health center to participants AFAB aged ≥18 years who had considered but not yet undergone MaPGAS.

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Objective: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the utility of sick day management plans for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in remote communities and collaboratively design a sick day management plan resource.

Design: This qualitative study utilised two phases of data collection: preliminary observational data and semi-structured interviews. The research design and analysis were guided by the normalisation process theory (NPT) framework, tailored for complex interventions in healthcare.

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Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, is shared between Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Indonesia (Kalimantan) and Brunei. As a biodiversity hotspot, it is home to about 15,000 flowering plants and 3000 tree species, of which many are endemic to the region. Locally derived plant-based foods are gaining popularity due to their lower environmental impact, contribution to food sustainability and health benefits.

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Purpose: To investigate whether hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-low (HR+HER2-low) versus HR+HER2-zero early breast cancers have distinct genomic and clinical characteristics.

Methods: This study included HR+, HER2-negative early breast cancers from patients enrolled in the phase III, randomized BIG 1-98 and SOFT clinical trials that had undergone tumor genomic sequencing. Tumors were classified HR+HER2-low if they had a centrally reviewed HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 1+ or 2+ with negative in situ hybridization and HR+HER2-zero if they had an HER2 IHC score of 0.

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On 14-15 November 2023, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) organized a workshop entitled "Systematic Approaches for ESKAPE Bacteria Antigen Discovery". The goal of the workshop was to engage scientists from diverse relevant backgrounds to explore novel technologies that can be harnessed to identify and address current roadblocks impeding advances in antigen and vaccine discoveries for the ESKAPE pathogens (, , , , and species). The workshop consisted of four sessions that addressed ESKAPE infections, antigen discovery and vaccine efforts, and new technologies including systems immunology and vaccinology approaches.

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Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated the intracranial efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) +/- chemotherapy. The efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy compared to ICI alone in patients with metastatic NSCLC and brain metastases (BM) remains unknown.

Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis were performed to evaluate ICI efficacy and the influence of additional chemotherapy on survival outcomes in treatment-naïve metastatic NSCLC with BM.

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The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Lung Cancer Screening provide criteria for selecting individuals for screening and offer recommendations for evaluating and managing lung nodules detected during initial and subsequent annual screening. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening.

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Despite the effectiveness of treating substance use disorders in primary care, access to such services remains limited. In this project, quality improvement methods were used to create and evaluate a rapid-access pathway for substance use treatment services in community health clinics. A "secret shopper" test gathered information about wait times and requirements.

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Remote research studies are an invaluable tool for reaching populations with limited access to large medical centers or universities. To expand the remote study toolkit, we previously developed homeRNA, which allows for at-home self-collection and stabilization of blood and demonstrated the feasibility of using homeRNA in high temperature climates. Here, we expand upon this work through a systematic study exploring the effects of high temperature on RNA integrity (represented as RNA Integrity Number, RIN) through in-lab and field experiments.

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The bacterial pathogen causes disease in coral species worldwide. The mechanisms of coral colonization, coral microbiome interactions, and virulence factor production are understudied. In other model species, virulence factors like biofilm formation, toxin secretion, and protease production are controlled through a density-dependent communication system called quorum sensing (QS).

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At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) services aim to prevent the onset of first-episode psychosis (FEP) in those with specific clinical or genetic risk markers. In England, ARMS services are currently expanding, but the accessibility of this preventative approach remains questionable, especially for a subgroup of FEP patients and those from specific ethnic minority communities. This commentary outlines the key debates about why a complimentary approach to psychosis prevention is necessary, and gives details for an innovative public health strategy, drawing on existing research and health prevention theory.

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Previous research on resting muscles has shown that inter-pulse interval (IPI) duration influences transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) responses, which can introduce serious confounding variables into investigations if not accounted for. However, it is far less clear how IPI influences TMS responses in active muscles. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between IPI and corticospinal excitability during submaximal isometric elbow flexion.

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Objectives: Disease-related stigma is associated with poor mental health and wellbeing in people with Parkinson's disease. Urdu language tools for measuring stigma are not yet available. The aim of this study was therefore to develop and validate an Urdu version of the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness-8 (SSCI-8).

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Hepatic lipid accumulation, or Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), is a significant risk factor for liver cancer. Despite the rising incidence of MASLD, the underlying mechanisms of steatosis and lipotoxicity remain poorly understood. Interestingly, lipid accumulation also occurs during fasting, driven by the mobilization of adipose tissue-derived fatty acids into the liver.

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With the publication of CALGB 140503, an increase in wedge resections for small, peripheral non-small cell lung cancer is expected; however, a relative paucity of data exists as to what defines a high quality oncologic wedge resection. The Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network (ThORN), through expert discussion, guided by review of what limited data does exist, and through use of a modified Delphi process, provides these consensus statements defining an oncologically sound, high quality wedge resection. The statements are classified into five categories: 1) Preoperative Considerations 2) Technical Aspects 3) Lymph Node Assessment 4) Margin Assessment and 5) Tissue Handling by Pathology.

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Background: Women and people diagnosed with diabetes in pregnancy, are recommended to have frequent monitoring and careful management for optimal pregnancy outcomes. This health care management should be supported by a multidisciplinary healthcare team. For individuals living in rural areas, there are increased barriers to healthcare access, with subsequent worse health outcomes compared to those in metropolitan regions.

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The imperative to improve the well-being of graduate medical education (GME) trainees has been well documented. While existing interventions have largely centered on increasing individual trainee resilience, less focus has been on the role of national health policy, economics, and the overall U.S.

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Background: R-Glabridin is a major flavonoid of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root and known to modulate GABAA receptors, which are targets of many clinical hypnotics. However, R-glabridin hypnotic activity has not been reported in animals.

Methods: Inverted photomotor responses (IPMRs) were used to assess the hypnotic effects of natural R-glabridin and synthetic R/S-glabridin in wild-type zebrafish larvae and transgenic larvae lacking functional GABAA receptor β3 subunits (β30/0).

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Objective: To examine the experiences of Australian parents raising primary school-aged children with ADHD and gather feedback on a proposed ADHD parenting program.

Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews undertaken with 11 Australian parents of 7- to 11-year-old children with ADHD. Interviews were conducted over Webex, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in NVivo Ltd.

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High-energy nuclear collisions create a quark-gluon plasma, whose initial condition and subsequent expansion vary from event to event, impacting the distribution of the eventwise average transverse momentum [P([p_{T}])]. Disentangling the contributions from fluctuations in the nuclear overlap size (geometrical component) and other sources at a fixed size (intrinsic component) remains a challenge. This problem is addressed by measuring the mean, variance, and skewness of P([p_{T}]) in ^{208}Pb+^{208}Pb and ^{129}Xe+^{129}Xe collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.

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Background: Fleas are insect vectors that transmit several Gram-negative bacterial pathogens acquired by ingesting infected vertebrate blood. To combat foodborne illness, insect midgut epithelial cells are armed with efficient microbial recognition and control systems, such as the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway that regulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, despite their medical and veterinary importance, relatively little is known about the IMD signaling pathway and production of AMPs in the digestive tract of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis).

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