Research Funding Research Articles

Language Complexities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in Their Pursuit of a Career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine: Perspectives From an LSL/ASL User.

A research scientist with 35 years of experience in the field of hearing research, the author writes that his own experiences have provided a perspective that may be valuable for both future d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) individuals and their peers with typical hearing in their pursuit of a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). The author first describes the role of Hearing Inclusive-Association for Research in Otolaryngology in enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for D/HH scientists in the field of Hearing Research. Second, the challenges faced by D/HH scientists arise from the difficulties of working with peers with typical hearing, resulting in less inclusivity and accessibility for the D/HH scientists. The next section deals with solutions to these challenges, including American Sign Language interpreters, websites that give advice on inclusivity and accessibility, and technological advances such as assistive listening devices and smartphones with a capacity for auto captioning. The solutions, however, are fraught with issues such as limited budgets and misperception. Fourth, the author argues that the experiences necessary for a career in STEMM may require a higher-than-expected degree of collaboration with peers with typical hearing outside the laboratory. Finally, studies on successful D/HH scientists in STEMM fields should include experiences of obtaining successful research funding.

Mosquito-repellent textiles: a systematic review of material innovations, application principles and research trends

In many parts of the world, mosquito-borne illnesses have become a serious threat to public health. The development of mosquito-repellent textiles (MRTs) presents a promising approach to mitigating the risk of mosquito bites and the transmission of vector-borne illnesses. Despite the tremendous advancements in research over the years, it is uncommon to find a systematic review that maps the global research landscape with an in-depth analysis of MRT literature. Using the PRISMA approach, a total of 127 articles were carefully selected in March 2024 from Scopus and Google Scholar databases spanning 1989 to 2024. The data were carefully screened, extracted, and analyzed to understand the geospatial research collaborations, technological and materials innovations, application principles, and the current research trends in MRTs. Current innovations point to the fabrication of sustainable mosquito-repellent inherent polymers, and the use of numerical simulations to understand the complex phenomena of mosquito interactions with humans and textile substrates through machine learning. The worldwide research on MRT reveals an increasing trend toward the design and fabrication of sustainable MRTs using bio-based materials with significant efforts in the design of polymers with inherent mosquito-repellence properties. These findings will help researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders make informed choices about future research directions, funding priorities, and partnerships for the fight against mosquito-borne diseases globally.

Research–practice partnerships in education: Lessons from the United States

AbstractIn response to a proposal to reframe the ‘research into practice’ agenda in UK education using partnership working, this paper examines a type of collaborative research known as a research–practice partnership (RPP), drawing on models established in education in the United States. It examines their characteristics and what has been learnt from several decades of experience before reflecting on the relevance of this literature for the UK context. RPPs can allow researchers to gain a better understanding of practice problems and, by involving practitioners and local policymakers, the resulting research is likely to be more relevant to local users. The paper highlights the importance of relationship building, considerations around locus of power and issues related to boundary working. It considers aspects of the underlying research infrastructure in the United Kingdom relevant to partnership working, including the role of local authorities, research funding structures and the general research environment. Changes to the Research Excellence Framework and funders' requirements, as well as shifts in policy approaches to research, all suggest that support for more collaborative working in the United Kingdom may be growing.

Research Priorities in Neuropalliative Care: A Consensus Statement From the International Neuropalliative Care Society.

The integration of palliative care in neurology, or neuropalliative care, is an emerging area of practice focused on holistically improving quality of life and reducing the burden of suffering for people living with serious neurologic disease and their care partners. Major neurology and palliative care societies have recognized the need to advance primary and specialty palliative care services for people with neurologic disease. However, research to support this work is in its early stages. The International Neuropalliative Care Society Research Committee convened an interdisciplinary panel of experts, including clinicians, scientists, people with neurologic disease, and care partners, to identify priority research areas for the advancement of neuropalliative care as a field. Three priority areas highlighted in this review include (1) patient- and care partner-centered symptoms and outcomes specific to neurologic illness and tools for their assessment, (2) development of effective neuropalliative care interventions and delivery models, and (3) methods to support the ability to foster, deliver, and measure goal-concordant care over time. This Special Communication outlines some of the most pressing neuropalliative care research needs, the advancement of which will best serve patients of all ages living with serious neurologic diseases and their care partners. Research funding mechanisms are needed to support and sustain impactful work in this field.

Leave or stay? A narrative inquiry of tensions in novice English teachers’ professional identity construction at China’s private universities

Novice English teachers at China’s private universities are easily confronted with tensions when they constructed the professional identity in the early career stage. Drawing on a theoretical framework of social identity theory, self-discrepancy theory and situated learning theory, this narrative inquiry study explored the causes, manifestations, and solutions to teachers’ professional identity tensions through in-depth interviews. Data were interpreted through metaphorical biographies and thematic analysis. Results show that tensions were caused by discrepancies among three self-concepts and conflicts between the English teacher identity and the private university teacher identity. In tensions, many aspects of participants’ professional identities were impaired and they unfulfilled the organizational identification. Participants reconciled three selves and adopted two approaches (assimilation and dissimilation) to navigate PI tensions. Policy makers are suggested to offer a well-established identity policy and sufficient research funding to facilitate the academic development of both private universities and teachers there. Private universities are suggested to provide diverse supports to teachers for their career development. Novice teachers could take the initiative of adapting to the culture and regulations of private universities and combine their research interest with the working context.

The inclusion of sex and gender in research methodology, funding, and publication: A systematic review.

Gender inequity in access to and outcomes of orthopedic care demands research that properly analyses data based on sex and gender. Orthopedic surgeons have an obligation to mitigate gender inequity in the provision of care by addressing the sex and gender bias in orthopedic research methodology, grant funding, and publication demonstrated by this review. This study aimed to review the literature on known gender inequities in orthopedic care, as well as sex and gender bias in orthopedic research methodology, funding, and publication; and to then to outline mitigating strategies. A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for articles published in English between 2000 and 2024. The databases searched included MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane, and Scopus. A total of 70 studies were identified that met inclusion criteria. Women often have poorer access to care and poorer outcomes than men for many common orthopedic procedures. Sex-specific analysis reached a maximum of 34% for combined basic science, translational and clinical research in major orthopedic journals. Women were less likely than men to be study participants. Orthopedic outcome measures do not adequately account for the epidemiological factors that predominantly affect women including pregnancy and care of the (often extended) family or differences in factors such as pain and return to work or sport. The probability of sex-related reporting was higher in papers with women as first and authors last, often in journals with lower impact factors. Women orthopedic researchers received only 55.2% of the funding of men orthopedic researchers. While women's first authorship increased statistically significantly from 1995 to 2020 (6.70%-15.37%, P​<​0.001) manuscripts submitted by women were less likely to be published, and those with a woman first author demonstrated a lower citation rate. Mitigating strategies to address biases in research methodology and publication include adopting evidence-based Gender Specific Analysis (GSA) methods into the orthopedic research process, considering GSA as a prerequisite for research grants and manuscript publication, increasing the diversity of orthopedic editorial boards, and supporting the careers of women in the orthopedic academic community through a more gender equitable environment and career-long mentorship and sponsorship. There are well-documented gender inequities in orthopedic care. Addressing the identified sex and gender bias in orthopedic research methodology, funding, and publication is a public health imperative. Mitigating strategies include education and the integration of sex and gender analysis in each step of the research to publication pathway, and increasing women in academic orthopedics through mentorship, sponsorship, and more inclusive department culture and policies. IV.

Abstract TP134: Priorities and expectations of researchers, funders, patients and the public regarding equity in stroke research and funding: Results from the PERSPECT qualitative study

Background: Considerations of equity in funding and conduct of medical research are receiving greater attention. However, perspectives of diverse stakeholder groups on this topic are poorly characterized. Our study aimed to further understand various stakeholder perspectives and associated priorities regarding perceived inequities in medical research, with a particular interest in the field of stroke. Methods: We employed a qualitative descriptive methodology embedded in an interpretive grounded theory framework. This approach involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with researchers, funders, patients, and members of the public. Participants were asked to discuss their perspectives on the current state of equity in stroke and medical research funding. Collected data were analyzed using constant comparison, open-coding, and theme identification to generate a substantive theory. Results: We conducted 41 interviews involving 11 researchers, 10 funders, 10 patients, and 10 members of the public. Participants perceived several inequities in research participation, funding opportunities, topic prioritization, and lack of international collaborations inclusive of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Potential strategies to address these inequities were also identified. Through participants’ perspectives, we developed a central theory that addressing inequities in medical research and funding can promote collaborative spaces and produce greater research impact for society, regardless of demographics, socioeconomic status, and geographical residence. Conclusion: Participants perceived various inequities in the funding and conduct of medical research. However, based on the insights into potential solutions that we gained from their diverse perspectives, we are optimistic that addressing these inequities will help broaden the societal impact of stroke research and that these solutions will also result in more equitable outcomes and impact, inclusive of LMICs.

Indexing status of orthodontic research published in presumed predatory journals: a bibliometric study.

To examine the indexing status of presumed predatory orthodontic publications within established scientific databases. Six electronic databases were searched to identify English language orthodontic articles published in 2022. Equal numbers of articles from legitimate (n = 159) and suspect or predatory journals (n = 159) were considered. Data regarding journal, article and author characteristics were obtained. The indexing status of the publications in PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCOhost was evaluated. The total number of databases that the article was indexed in, level of evidence, origin of first author and research funding were recorded. Univariable ordinal regression analyses were performed to explore potential association between article legitimacy and indexing status. The majority of studies in predatory journals were found in non-specialized journals (79.6 %). Scopus was the most porous database, indexing over half of predatory and suspect articles (56 %). In Web of Science (Core collection), the distribution of articles across different indexing categories varied (SCIE; 16.4 %, ESCI; 30.2 %). In contrast, only 8.2 % of these articles appeared in Medline. Articles in legitimate journals tended to have higher level of evidence and were indexed in more databases in comparison to predatory/suspect publications (OR = 1.5; 95 % CI: 1.37-1.64; p < 0.01). The origin of the first author was a significant predictor for journal legitimacy (p < 0.001). A high proportion of orthodontic publications appear in presumed predatory and suspect journals which are in turn often indexed in trustworthy databases. Medline was the least susceptible to predatory publications, while Scopus and ESCI were more prone. Predatory and suspect journals are increasingly prevalent with increasing prominence being afforded by their penetration through recognized databases.

Screening performance and characteristics of breast cancer detected in the Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence trial (MASAI): a randomised, controlled, parallel-group, non-inferiority, single-blinded, screening accuracy study.

Emerging evidence suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) can increase cancer detection in mammography screening while reducing screen-reading workload, but further understanding of the clinical impact is needed. In this randomised, controlled, parallel-group, non-inferiority, single-blinded, screening-accuracy study, done within the Swedish national screening programme, women recruited at four screening sites in southwest Sweden (Malmö, Lund, Landskrona, and Trelleborg) who were eligible for mammography screening were randomly allocated (1:1) to AI-supported screening or standard double reading. The AI system (Transpara version 1.7.0 ScreenPoint Medical, Nijmegen, Netherlands) was used to triage screening examinations to single or double reading and as detection support highlighting suspicious findings. This is a protocol-defined analysis of the secondary outcome measures of recall, cancer detection, false-positive rates, positive predictive value of recall, type and stage of cancer detected, and screen-reading workload. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04838756 and is closed to accrual. Between April 12, 2021, and Dec 7, 2022, 105 934 women were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. 19 women were excluded from the analysis. The median age was 53·7 years (IQR 46·5-63·2). AI-supported screening among 53 043 participants resulted in 338 detected cancers and 1110 recalls. Standard screening among 52 872 participants resulted in 262 detected cancers and 1027 recalls. Cancer-detection rates were 6·4 per 1000 (95% CI 5·7-7·1) screened participants in the intervention group and 5·0 per 1000 (4·4-5·6) in the control group, a ratio of 1·29 (95% CI 1·09-1·51; p=0·0021). AI-supported screening resulted in an increased detection of invasive cancers (270 vs 217, a proportion ratio of 1·24 [95% CI 1·04-1·48]), wich were mainly small lymph-node negative cancers (58 more T1, 46 more lymph-node negative, and 21 more non-luminal A). AI-supported screening also resulted in an increased detection of in situ cancers (68 vs 45, a proportion ratio of 1·51 [1·03-2·19]), with about half of the increased detection being high-grade in situ cancer (12 more nuclear grade III, and no increase in nuclear grade I). The recall and false-positive rate were not significantly higher in the intervention group (a ratio of 1·08 [95% CI 0·99-1·17; p=0·084] and 1·01 [0·91-1·11; p=0·92], respectively). The positive predictive value of recall was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group, with a ratio of 1·19 (95% CI 1·04-1·37; p=0·012). There were 61 248 screen readings in the intervention group and 109 692 in the control group, resulting in a 44·2% reduction in the screen-reading workload. The findings suggest that AI contributes to the early detection of clinically relevant breast cancer and reduces screen-reading workload without increasing false positives. Swedish Cancer Society, Confederation of Regional Cancer Centres, and Swedish governmental funding for clinical research.

Intracalvariosseous injection: an approach for central nervous system drug delivery through skull bone marrow with a preclinical research in stroke.

Central nervous system (CNS) accessibility constitutes a major hurdle for drug development to treat neurological diseases. Existing drug delivery methods rely on breaking the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for drugs to penetrate the CNS. Researchers have discovered natural microchannels between the skull bone marrow and the dura mater, providing a pathway for drug delivery through the skull bone marrow. However, there has been no research on the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this delivery method for drug treatment of stroke. We used a microporous method for intracalvariosseous (ICO) injection to deliver drugs directly into brain parenchyma through skull bone marrow. Safety of ICO was assessed by monitoring changes in skull and peripheral blood neutrophil counts, and FITC-dextran extravasation across the BBB. Drug delivery pathways were observed through transparent skull-dura mater-brain tissue. In a rodent stroke model, NA-1 or Y-3 neuroprotective agents were administered via ICO to evaluate safety and efficacy by assessing neurological deficits, infarct size, neuroinflammatory factors, neuronal apoptosis, and liver/kidney function. Drug concentration in tissues was measured using fluorescence tracing and high-performance liquid chromatography to gauge ICO delivery efficiency. ICO injection delivers drugs to the brain parenchyma through microchannels between the skull bone marrow and the dura mater, offering higher delivery efficiency than intravenous injection. After ICO injection, there were no changes in neutrophil counts in the skull bone marrow and peripheral blood, and the amount of FITC-dextran passing through the BBB remained unchanged. This confirmed that ICO injection does not cause skull infection or break BBB, which suggested ICO injection is safe and feasible. In the treatment of stroke with neuroprotective agents, although the drug dosage of ICO injection was lower than intravenous injection, drug accumulation in the brain increased after ICO injection, which helped repair nerve damage, reduce neuronal apoptosis, and decrease the expression of inflammatory factors. ICO injection is a central nervous system drug delivery method that utilizes natural microchannels between the skull and dura mater for efficient drug delivery. Our results assessed the feasibility and safety of ICO injection at the preclinical level and evaluated its efficacy in animal models of stroke. The findings provided a foundation for the clinical translation of ICO injection. This study was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82425101); Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (No. Z231100004823036); Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research (2022-2-2045); National Key Research & Development Program of China (2022YFF1501500, 2022YFF1501501, 2022YFF1501502, 2022YFF1501503, 2022YFF1501504, 2022YFF1501505).

A new year in Heart Foundation research funding

A new year in Heart Foundation research funding

Circulating tumour DNA in predicting and monitoring survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing multimodal treatment: long-term results from a prospective multicenter study.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is the standard for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, distant metastasis remains the primary cause of treatment failure. Early identification of high-risk individuals for personalized treatment may offer a solution. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) could assist in this process. From September 2017 to June 2019, the study prospectively recruited 113 patients with LARC (cT3-4N0M0 or cTanyN+M0) who underwent nCRT followed by radical surgery across 8 tertiary centers. ctDNA was analysed using large-panel targeted sequencing at baseline, during nCRT, pre-surgery, post-surgery, post-adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT), and during annual follow-ups for 3 years. We analysed 103 tissue and 669 plasma samples from 103 patients. With a median 53-month follow-up, significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were observed if median variant allele frequency (mVAF) of baseline ctDNA per patient was ≥0.5% (PFS, HR 4.39, p<0.001; OS, HR 5.61, p=0.004) or ctDNA was still detectable two weeks into nCRT (PFS, HR 7.63, p<0.001; OS, HR 5.08, p<0.001). Furthermore, when compared to the low-risk (C1) group (characterized by "ctDNA undetected during nCRT with baseline mVAF <0.5%" or "ctDNA undetected during nCRT with TMB (tumour mutational burden)≥20/Mb"), the high-risk (C2) group (characterized by "ctDNA detected during nCRT" or "baseline mVAF ≥0.5% with TMB <20/Mb") showed significantly worse long-term outcomes (3y-PFS, 55.9% vs. 94.2%; 3y-OS, 79.4% vs. 100%). The ctDNA clearance during nCRT, baseline mVAF, and TMB may be effective prognostic indicators. Our findings reaffirm the clinical monitoring value of ctDNA and demonstrate the strong prognostic value of baseline ctDNA and its early clearance status in patients with LARC undergoing nCRT. This highlights the potential of dynamic ctDNA monitoring as actionable stratified indicators to guide personalized neoadjuvant treatment strategies. This work was supported by the Major Grants Program of Beijing Science and Technology Commission (No. D171100002617003) and the National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-PUMCH-C-005).

Building global collaborative research networks in paediatric critical care: a roadmap.

Paediatric critical care units are designed for children at a vulnerable stage of development, yet the evidence base for practice and policy in paediatric critical care remains scarce. In this Health Policy, we present a roadmap providing strategic guidance for international paediatric critical care trials. We convened a multidisciplinary group of 32 paediatric critical care experts from six continents representing paediatric critical care research networks and groups. The group identified key challenges to paediatric critical care research, including lower patient numbers than for adult critical care, heterogeneity related to cognitive development, comorbidities and illness or injury, consent challenges, disproportionately little research funding for paediatric critical care, and poor infrastructure in resource-limited settings. A seven-point roadmap was proposed: (1) formation of an international paediatric critical care research network; (2) development of a web-based toolkit library to support paediatric critical care trials; (3) establishment of a global paediatric critical care trial repository, including systematic prioritisation of topics and populations for interventional trials; (4) development of a harmonised trial minimum set of trial data elements and data dictionary; (5) building of infrastructure and capability to support platform trials; (6) funder advocacy; and (7) development of a collaborative implementation programme. Implementation of this roadmap will contribute to the successful design and conduct of trials that match the needs of globally diverse paediatric populations.

Durability of immunogenicity at 5 years after a single dose of human papillomavirus vaccine compared with two doses in Tanzanian girls aged 9-14 years: results of the long-term extension of the DoRIS randomised trial.

WHO has recommended that one dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can be given to individuals aged 9-20 years to prevent HPV infection. Estimating durability of immune responses after a single dose in the target age for vaccination is important. We report immunogenicity results in Tanzanian girls up to 5 years after receiving a dose. In this open-label, randomised controlled trial (the Dose Reduction Immunobridging and Safety Study of Two HPV Vaccines in Tanzanian Girls [DoRIS] trial), 930 Tanzanian schoolgirls aged 9-14 years were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive one, two, or three doses of either the two-valent vaccine (Cervarix; GSK, Wavre, Belgium) or nine-valent vaccine (Gardasil-9; Merck Sharp & Dohme, Haarlem, Netherlands). Seropositivity specific to HPV16 or HPV18, antibody geometric mean concentrations (GMCs), and antibody avidity were measured annually up to month 36. Participants in the one-dose and two-dose groups were followed annually in a long-term extension of the DoRIS trial to month 60; the primary outcome was seropositivity specific to HPV16 or HPV18 comparing one dose with two doses. Single-dose seropositivity for HPV16 IgG antibodies at month 60 with either vaccine was more than 99% and non-inferior to two doses. 98% of girls in the one-dose two-valent vaccine group and 93% in the one-dose nine-valent group were seropositive for HPV18 at month 60; however, the non-inferiority criteria for HPV18 seropositivity comparing one dose with two doses were not met. Although HPV16 and HPV18 antibody GMCs after one dose were lower than those observed after two doses, antibody GMCs in the one-dose groups remained stable from month 12 to month 60. There was no evidence of a difference between the one-dose and two-dose groups in HPV16 or HPV18 antibody avidity at month 36 for either vaccine. A single dose of HPV vaccine in girls aged 9-14 years continues to provide stable immune responses 5 years after vaccination, although ongoing surveillance for potential waning immunity after a single dose is needed. Participants are being followed up to 9 years after vaccination. UK Department of Health and Social Care, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Global Challenges Research Fund, UK Medical Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust through the Joint Global Health Trials Scheme; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Hepatitis C virus transmission among people who inject drugs in the Middle East and North Africa: mathematical modeling analyses of incidence and intervention impact.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is the most affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection globally. This study aimed to estimate HCV incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID) in MENA and evaluate the impact of interventions. A mathematical model was extended and applied to 13 countries with at least one data point on the population size of PWID and HCV antibody prevalence among PWID, generating estimates for the period 2024-2030. The model was calibrated using multiple datasets, primarily derived from systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Multivariable uncertainty analyses were conducted. Incidence rate among PWID in the 13 countries combined was 10.4 per 100 person-years (95% UI: 8.0-14.1), with an estimated 42,364 new infections annually (95% UI: 27,990-57,540), accounting for 16.9% (95% UI: 8.3-28.2) of all cases in these countries. These figures varied widely across countries. A 75% reduction in needle/syringe sharing decreased viremic chronic infection prevalence by 14.2% (95% UI: 11.3-17.1), incidence rate by 33.8% (95% UI: 30.2-40.5), and annual new infections by 24.4% (95% UI: 17.7-30.1). A 10% reduction in PWID numbers and a 20% reduction in injection frequency decreased chronic infection prevalence by 1.7% (95% UI: 1.4-2.5), incidence rate by 4.2% (95% UI: 3.9-4.4), and annual new infections by 11.1% (95% UI: 10.9-11.9). Achieving 75% direct-acting antiviral treatment coverage by 2030 decreased chronic infection prevalence by 65.3% (95% UI: 64.8-65.8), incidence rate by 34.5% (95% UI: 29.6-40.3), and annual new infections by 25.3% (95% UI: 19.9-29.3). Combinations of interventions reduced these epidemiologic outcomes by up to 80%. MENA experiences considerable HCV incidence among PWID. While the interventions showed potential, only large-scale or multi-intervention strategies can achieve meaningful reductions in HCV transmission. This publication was made possible by NPRP grant number 12S-0216-190,094 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the views, decisions, or policies of World Health Organization.

Barriers to Research for Academic Otologists/Neurotologists in the United States.

The physician-scientist workforce is shrinking in the United States. Academic otologists/neurotologists face a diverse set of barriers to successful careers. We aimed to characterize the factors affecting contemporary otology/neurotology surgeon-scientists. An electronic survey was distributed to faculty members of the American Neurotology Society and the American Otological Society in 2021. The survey queried demographics, practice setting, compensation, and barriers to conducting research for respondents in academic practice. One hundred fifty-seven otologists/neurotologists responded to the survey, corresponding to an overall response rate of 25%. Of the respondents, 94 were in academic practice. The median protected research time was 0.5 days/wk, whereas the mode was zero. Across academic rank, salary compensation was lower for academic surgeons with active research funding and for female academic surgeons as compared with their male counterparts. Grant-funded female academic surgeons had significantly worse compensation compared with rank-matched male surgeons with similar protected time. No grant-funded female earned more than the 30th percentile for their rank. Identified barriers to research were pressure to maintain clinical productivity, insufficient protected time, and personal/family demands. Respondents highlighted several areas for improvement: compensation for research activity, administrative support, and improved grant funding mechanisms for clinician-scientists. Otology/neurotology surgeon-scientists face barriers to research, including limited protected time, poor administrative support, increasingly competitive funding environments, and misaligned compensation models. New initiatives by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders aim to increase the surgeon-scientist workforce, but their success may depend upon removing identified barriers at the level of academic institutions.

Foot osteoarthritis research: A bibliometric analysis.

To conduct a bibliographic analysis of English language, non-surgical research pertaining to foot osteoarthritis (OA). The Scopus® database search was conducted to identify all non-surgical foot OA articles published in English up until December 2023. Bibliometric analysis was performed using an open-source tool based on the R language. Citations, journals, authors, institutions, and countries were described. Publications were manually categorised according to research type and funding source. The search strategy yielded 121 eligible articles, which received a total of 4531 citations and were published by 372 authors in 55 journals. The highest publication output occurred in the past decade. The most frequent journals were Arthritis Care & Research, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Foot & Ankle International and Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. The most published institutions were Keele University, La Trobe University, the University of Leeds, the University of Melbourne and the University of North Carolina. Of the 106 articles that could be classified, most were focused on aetiology (n=52, 49%), followed by evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions (n=28, 26%), detection, screening and diagnosis (n=17, 16%), health and social care services research (n=6, 6%) and underpinning research (3, 3%). Fifty-one articles (42%) reported no research funding. Foot OA research has increased significantly in the past decade. There is a need, however, to improve our understanding of the condition and to address the relatively small number of clinical trials that have been conducted.

Application of artificial intelligence to toxicological assessment of plant: a bibliometric analysis and future research plans

Artificial intelligence (AI) has gained attention in health science, with significant applications in the toxicological assessment of plants. However, a bibliometric analysis is essential to chart research trends and propose future advancements. This study explores key publications on AI’s role in plant toxicity assessment, identifying unresolved issues in pharmacological research. Articles from January 2008 to December 2023 were retrieved from the SCOPUS database, revealing a steady rise in publications, with a sharp increase from 2019 to 2023. A total of 75 research articles were analysed. The articles were categorised into four main clusters: AI applications, drug development, toxicity prediction models, and adverse drug event evaluations. ‘AI’ was the most frequently mentioned keyword, followed by ‘drug toxicity.’ Among 64 articles, the USA contributed 29, China 11, India 8, and the UK 4, with the UK having high citation rates. The findings highlight a growing trend toward AI-driven toxicity prediction in drug discovery. However, few studies provide definitive conclusions on AI’s potential in this field. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened interest among researchers and policymakers. This study urges increased government and agency funding for AI-driven toxicity research. Advancing this field will enhance drug safety, reduce harmful testing, and promote sustainable plant use, aligning with SDGs 3, 12, and 15.

Research and fellowship funding perspectives: A collective NIHR experience of a community of pre- and post-doctoral radiographers.

This paper harnesses a comprehensive overview and the collective experience of a community of pre- and post-doctoral Radiographers in successfully securing grants to demonstrate what is required as part of an NIHR fellowship application. Developing a research fellowship application requires individuals to expose themselves to critique to improve the content, design and structure of the proposed piece of work. The scale of the project should be carefully considered when developing applications, with the research plan accurately and realistically proposing a suitable amount of work to be undertaken within the timeframe. All fellowship applications comprise several key elements which must be meticulously crafted to address the requirements of the specific call. This is critical because every section of the application undergoes scrutiny by review panels to ensure the funding achieves its maximum impact. The key elements requiring detailed information are themed around Project, Person, Place, Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), the surrounding People, and a training plan. However, a golden thread highlighting inclusive research that is people-centred is required to run through the entire application. NIHR fellowships are an important pathway to enable dedicated clinically relevant research projects for patient/family benefit to be combined with the advancement of an individual's clinical and academic skills. These dedicated funding streams are tailor-made to enable a wide range of healthcare professionals, including Radiographers, to develop into research leaders of the future. Maximising research training opportunities, including research fellowships for the Radiography profession, will offer the completion of clinically relevant research projects alongside the development of the research leaders of the future.

P-1969. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Pharmacokinetics of Repeat Dosing with AZD7442 (Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab): Final Analysis of the ENDURE Phase 2, Dose-Ranging Study in Immunocompromised Participants

Abstract Background Prior studies of the SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) combination AZD7442 (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) included limited numbers of immunocompromised (IC) participants, the target population for COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxis. We report repeat dosing data of AZD7442 in an IC population. Methods The randomized, open-label, ENDURE study (NCT05375760) enrolled individuals aged ≥ 18 yrs, weighing ≥ 40 kg, moderately to severely IC or at risk of inadequate vaccine response, and SARS-CoV-2–negative at baseline. Participants were randomized 1:1 to AZD7442 600 mg intramuscularly (IM) on Day 1 + 300 mg IM every 3 months (Arm A) or AZD7442 1200 mg intravenously on Day 1 + 600 mg IM every 6 months (Arm B). Month-12 dose was not administered due to non-safety related trial termination. Primary objectives were safety and immunogenicity (anti-drug antibodies; ADAs); secondary objectives were pharmacokinetics (PK) and SARS-CoV-2–neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers. Results Of 251 randomized participants, 124 were dosed in Arms A and B. Median exposure duration was 373.5 days in both arms. Participants’ mean age was 55.7 yrs, 53.2% were female, and 81.9% had not received a COVID-19 vaccine prior to study start. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 84 (67.7%) participants in Arm A and 66 (53.2%) in Arm B. The proportion of participants with serious AEs (overall 9.3%) and AEs of special interest (3.1%) was similar across doses and following repeated dosing (Table 1). ADA incidence (% treatment-emergent ADA+) was similar in both arms (Arm A, 0.9%; Arm B, 2.7%) with no apparent impact of ADAs on safety, PK, or SARS-Cov-2 nAb titers (Table 2). Following dosing, mAb serum concentrations were stable in Arms A and B, with no accumulation observed (Figure 1). A strong correlation (R &amp;gt; 0.78) was observed between pseudovirus nAb titers and AZD7442 serum concentrations for both arms (Figure 2). Conclusion AZD7442 safety and ADA profiles were consistent across doses and dosing regimens. No accumulation in serum AZD7442 concentrations was observed with repeat dosing compared with the initial dose for each arm. These data may help inform development of future long-acting SARS-CoV-2 mAbs. Disclosures Taylor Cohen, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Chigo Munthali, MBBS, MSc, DPM, MFPM, CCT(Pharma Med.), AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Herve Tchouakam Kouekam, MSc, Cytel Inc. (contracted to AstraZeneca): Employee of Cytel Inc. Sam Matthews, MSc, Exploristics Ltd. (contracted to AstraZeneca): Employee of Exploristics Ltd. Audrey Sharbaugh, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Rohini Beavon, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Dilki Wickramarachchi, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Sharon Otal, HBSc, MBA, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Haitao Yang, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Anastasia A. Aksyuk, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Lindsay E. Clegg, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Huixia Zhang, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Antonella Nadia Tuillio, MD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Seth Seegobin, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee, holds or may hold stock Katie Streicher, PhD, AstraZeneca: Employee of AstraZeneca and may own AstraZeneca stock or stock options. David Wheeler, MD, AstraZeneca: Funding for clinical research|Gilead: Funding for clinical research|Janssen: Funding for clinical research Lee-Jah Chang, MD, AstraZeneca: Employee of AstraZeneca Hugh Montgomery, MD, AstraZeneca: Advisor/Consultant|Millfield Medical Ltd.: Advisor/Consultant|Millfield Medical Ltd.: Consulted for Millfield Medical Ltd during the development of a new Closed Circuit Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine.|UK NIHR BRC at University College London Hospitals: Funding