bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“I felt so small”: A qualitative study of migrant nursing assistants' experiences in Norway
Authors: Khor Heng Wei , El Hajj Magalie , Sam David Lackland , Moland Karen Marie 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn the wake of an increasingly ageing population, Norway has a growing need for healthcare workers, especially in nursing homes. This study explored the employment experiences of migrant nursing assistants working in elderly care in Norway.MethodsA qualitative interview‐based study was carried out between March and August 2020. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were performed with 13 purposively selected immigrant nursing assistants working in a nursing home within Western Norway. Data were thematically analysed.ResultsMigrant nursing assistants working in Norwegian elderly care faced mixed experiences. On the one hand, study participants experienced several barriers in their workplace, resulting from insufficient command of the Norwegian language, heavy workload and mistreatment and discrimination by both patients and colleagues. On the other hand, participants cited the financial compensation from work, the meaningfulness derived from helping others and the flexible day‐off requests as workplace facilitators. Participants also made continuous efforts to learn the Norwegian language and to build good relations with their co‐workers.ConclusionThere is a need to enhance migrant nursing assistants' positive experiences in the Norwegian eldercare sector by making targeted workplace reforms and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Evaluation of a whole blood point‐of‐care coagulation analyzer in dogs
Authors: Conroy Elizabeth M. , Lyons Bridget M. , Koenig Amie 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of a point‐of‐care coagulation analyzer (POCCA) with a reference laboratory coagulation analyzer (LabCA) and to evaluate for confounding factors that could alter the performance of the POCCA.DesignProspective, observational study.SettingTwo university veterinary teaching hospitals.AnimalsForty‐three client‐owned dogs undergoing coagulation testing between April 2020 and June 2021.MethodsSamples were obtained from dogs undergoing coagulation testing as part of a diagnostic workup. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were measured on the POCCA and on the LabCA. PCV, platelet count, total plasma protein, hyperbilirubinemia, hemolysis, lipemia, and autoagglutination were recorded.ResultsModerate correlation was seen for PT and strong correlation was seen for aPTT between the POCCA and the LabCA (PT: 0.59, P < 0.0001; aPTT: 0.71, P < 0.0001). The POCCA results were consistent with normal or hypocoagulable samples for 30 of 38 PT and 33 of 37 aPTT results, as identified by the LabCA. Samples with PCV of 30%–55% were moderately correlated (PT: 0.63, P = 0.0004; aPTT: 0.63, P = 0.0003), but those outside that range were more likely to register an error message on the POCCA or provide disparate results. When hemolysis was present, there was a weak correlation between the POCCA and the LabCA for PT (rho: 0.38 [95% confidence interval: 0.19–0.76], P = 0.18) and a strong correlation for aPTT (rho: 0.86 [95% confidence interval: 0.62–0.95], P < 0.0001). Samples with hyperbilirubinemia were strongly correlated for PT (0.97, P = 0.002) but not for aPTT. Lipemia and autoagglutination were not observed.ConclusionThere was an acceptable correlation in patients with PCV within the manufacturer's recommended reference range; however, measurements on samples with PCV outside the reference range were inconsistent with the LabCA. Caution should be used when using the POCCA in patients with coagulopathy and anemia or other potential confounders.
The prototypical UK blood donor, homophily and blood donation: Blood donors are like you, not me
Authors: Ferguson Eamonn , Bowen Sarah , Mills Richard , Reynolds Claire , Davison Katy , Lawrence Claire , Maharaj Roanna , Starmer Chris , Barr Abigail , Williams Tracy , Croucher Mark , Brailsford Susan R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesHomophily represents the extent to which people feel others are like them and encourages the uptake of activities they feel people like them do. Currently, there are no data on blood donor homophily with respect to (i) people's representation of the average prototypical UK blood donor and (ii) the degree of homophily with this prototype for current donors, non‐donors, groups blood services wish to encourage (ethnic minorities), those who are now eligible following policy changes (e.g., men‐who‐have‐sex‐with‐men: MSM) and recipients. We aim to fill these gaps in knowledge.Materials and MethodsWe surveyed the UK general population MSM, long‐term blood recipients, current donors, non‐donors and ethnic minorities (n = 785) to assess perceptions of the prototypical donor in terms of ethnicity, age, gender, social class, educational level and political ideology. Homophily was indexed with respect to age, gender and ethnicity.ResultsThe prototypical UK blood donor is perceived as White, middle‐aged, middle‐class, college‐level educated and left‐wing. Current donors and MSM are more homophilous with this prototype, whereas recipients and ethnic minorities have the lowest homophily. Higher levels of homophily are associated with an increased likelihood of committing to donate.ConclusionThe prototype of the UK donor defined this as a White activity. This, in part, may explain why ethnic minorities are less likely to be donors. As well as traditional recruitment strategies, blood services need to consider broader structural changes such as the ethnic diversity of staff and co‐designing donor spaces with local communities.
Effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information for cardiovascular disease on health behaviors, psychological responses, and associated risk factor modification in individuals: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Chen Ruofei (Trophy) , Pearson Vincent , Suebkinorn Orathai , Bulto Lemma N. , Anderson Alice , Nelson Adam J. , Zoungas Sophia , Nicholls Stephen J. , Clark Robyn A. 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
This review aims to assess the effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information for cardiovascular disease (CVD) on individual health behaviors, psychological responses, and risk factor modification.

Introduction:
Advancements in genomics have identified strong genetic predispositions for CVD, leading to the development of CVD genetic risk information. Integrating genetic risk information into clinical practice shows promise in predicting CVD risk and facilitating multifactorial management.

Inclusion criteria:
This review will focus on randomized controlled trials assessing individual responses to CVD genetic risk information. Participants will be adults aged 18 and older, both with and without CVD. The review will compare the effectiveness of receiving genetic risk information with receiving traditional risk information or no risk information, assessing outcomes such as health behaviors, psychological responses, and risk factor modification.

Methods:
Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and Emcare will be searched for relevant studies. Current or unpublished trials will be searched for in Clinical-Trials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Articles will be screened and assessed for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers. Methodological quality will be assessed using the standardized instrument from JBI. Data will be extracted and synthesized for the objectives of the study. If data are sufficient, a meta-analysis will be conducted; otherwise, the findings will be presented in narrative format, including tables and figures to aid in presentation. The certainty of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42023390876
Elastic Localization With Particular Reference to Tape-Springs
Authors: Clarkson J. A. , Seffen K. A. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Many elastic systems localize under applied displacement, precipitating into regions of lower and higher strain; further displacement is accommodated by growth of the high strain region at a constant load. Such systems can be studied as propagating instabilities, focusing on the work required to propagate the high strain region, or as two-phase energy minimization problems. It is shown that the Maxwell “equal-areas” construction, and the related common tangent construction, provide the solution to either approach. A new, graphical, proof of the Maxwell equal-areas construction using total strain energy diagrams is presented. Tape-springs are investigated as a case study, with localization presenting as the formation of elastic folds—developable regions with high curvature. One notable property of tape-spring folds is that the fold radius is approximately equal to the initial transverse radius. This result was first proven by Rimrott, and later improved by Calladine and Seffen. A further improvement is obtained here by application of the common tangent construction, and all solutions are shown to be approximations to the Maxwell equal-areas construction in the limit of zero thickness.
Optogenetic control of
Drosophila
neurons: a laboratory practical for undergraduates and outreach
Authors: Renault Andrew D. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Teaching aspects of neuroscience to large undergraduate classes can be difficult in terms of the cost of equipment involved such as microscopes and electrophysiology equipment, the time taken to master techniques such as dissection or intracellular recording, and ethical concerns when using vertebrates. Here, I describe a practical that uses behavioral readouts and optogenetics on
Drosophila
that can be implemented with minimal cost as well as reduced ethical concerns and uses mostly observational techniques. The practical can be used to teach aspects of genetics and the tools for manipulating neuronal activity for ascribing neuronal function. The practical can be customized to fit different undergraduate levels and learning objectives.
Short-term choroidal changes as early indicators for future myopic shift in primary school children: results of a 2-year cohort study
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Mengqi , Wang Yuanyuan , Li Xiang , Zhou Weihe , Li Haoer , Xie Zhu , Wang Pengqi , Zhang Tingting , Qu Wei , Huang Jing , Zhao Yunpeng , Wang Jiefang , Zhang Sen , Qu Jia , Ye Cong , Zhou Xiangtian 
Published: September 2024

Background
To assess predictive value of short-term choroidal changes for future myopic shift in children.

Methods
577 eyes of 289 primary school children were prospectively followed for 2 years. Cycloplegic refractions at baseline, 1 year and 2 years, and choroidal measurements by optical coherence tomography at baseline and 3 months, were used for analyses. Myopic shift was defined as refraction change of at least −0.50 dioptre/year, at 2 years compared with baseline.

Results
228 participants (455 eyes) completed 2-year follow-up. Approximately 37.6% of 311 initially non-myopic eyes and 73.6% of 144 initially myopic eyes developed a myopic shift. Notably, at 3 months greater reductions were found in initially myopic eyes with myopic shift, than in those without myopic shift—in choroidal thickness (ChT), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA) and total choroidal area (TCA), but no significant differences in any choroidal parameters were observed between non-myopic eyes, with and without myopic shift. Multivariable analyses showed that in myopic eyes, each percentage increase in ChT, LA, SA and TCA was associated with reduced odds of myopic shift (all p<0.001). Similar associations were observed in non-myopic eyes, with smaller effects than in myopic eyes. Adding a 3-month percentage change of each choroidal parameter to a basic model including age, gender, parental myopia and baseline refraction significantly improved the predictive performance in myopic eyes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves increasing from 0.650 to approximately 0.800, all p<0.05), but not in non-myopic eyes.

Conclusion
Short-term choroidal changes could act as early indicators for future myopic shift in children.
Developing an exercise intervention to minimise hip bone mineral density loss following traumatic lower limb amputation: a Delphi study
Authors: Behan Fearghal P , Bull Anthony M J , Beck Belinda R , Brooke-Wavell Katherine , Müller Ralph , Vico Laurence , Isaksson Hanna , Harvey Nicholas C , Buis Arjan , Sherman Kate , Jefferson Gemma , Cleather Daniel J , McGregor Alison , Bennett Alexander N 
Published: September 2024

Objective
To elicit expert opinion and gain consensus on specific exercise intervention parameters to minimise hip bone mineral density (BMD) loss following traumatic lower limb amputation.

Methods
In three Delphi rounds, statements were presented to a panel of 13 experts from six countries. Experts were identified through publications or clinical expertise. Round 1 involved participants rating their agreement with 22 exercise prescription statements regarding BMD loss post amputation using a 5-point Likert scale. Agreement was deemed as 3–4 on the scale (agree/strongly agree). Statements of <50% agreement were excluded. Round 2 repeated remaining statements alongside round 1 feedback. Round 3 allowed reflection on round 2 responses considering group findings and the chance to change or maintain the resp onse. Round 3 statements reaching ≥70% agreement were defined as consensus.

Results
All 13 experts completed rounds 1, 2 and 3 (100% completion). Round 1 excluded 12 statements and added 1 statement (11 statements for rounds 2–3). Round 3 reached consensus on nine statements to guide future exercise interventions. Experts agreed that exercise interventions should be performed at least 2 days per week for a minimum of 6 months, including at least three different resistance exercises at an intensity of 8–12 repetitions. Interventions should include weight-bearing and multiplanar exercises, involve high-impact activities and be supervised initially.

Conclusion
This expert Delphi process achieved consensus on nine items related to exercise prescription to minimise hip BMD loss following traumatic lower limb amputation. These recommendations should be tested in future interventional trials.
Is it possible to identify populations experiencing material disadvantage in primary care? A feasibility study using the Clinical Practice Research Database
Authors: Davies Laurie E , Sinclair David R , Kingston Andrew , Spiers Gemma Frances , Hanratty Barbara 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundMaterial disadvantage is associated with poor health, but commonly available area-based metrics provide a poor proxy for it. We investigate if a measure of material disadvantage could be constructed from UK primary care electronic health records.MethodsUsing data from Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum (May 2022) linked to the 2019 English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), we sought to (1) identify codes that signified material disadvantage, (2) aggregate these codes into a binary measure of material disadvantage and (3) compare the proportion of people with this binary measure against IMD quintiles for validation purposes.ResultsWe identified 491 codes related to benefits, employment, housing, income, environment, neglect, support services and transport. Participants with one or more of these codes were defined as being materially disadvantaged. Among 30,897,729 research-acceptable patients aged ≥18 with complete data, only 6.1% (n=1,894,225) were classified as disadvantaged using our binary measure, whereas 42.2% (n=13,038,085) belonged to the two most deprived IMD quintiles.ConclusionData in a major primary care research database do not currently contain a useful measure of individual-level material disadvantage. This represents an omission of one of the most important health determinants. Consideration should be given to creating codes for use by primary care practitioners.
The relationship between nutritional status and thyroid function among adults in the USA: NHANES 2007–2012
Authors: Liu Junru , Lu Xiaofeng , Wang Xiaohui , Song Jialu , Zhu Xiaotao , Tong Huijing , Xu Chaoyang , Qian Jinfang , Zheng Xiaogang , Wang Mingzheng 
Published: September 2024

Controlled Nutritional Status (CONUT) scores have been developed as quantitative tools that can be employed to gauge the nutritional status of individual patients. However, there has been very little research investigating the association between these CONUT scores and the function of the thyroid. As such, the present study was designed to address this research gap through the evaluation of a representative cohort of American adults. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were herein used to separate subjects into those with normal nutritional status (CONUT score: 0–1) from those who were malnourished (CONUT scores > 1). Associations between these CONUT scores and the function of the thyroid were investigated through linear regression modeling, employing weighted analytical strategies and subgroup analyses. Overall, 8082 individuals from the NHANES 2007–2012 cohort were enrolled in this analysis. The weighted mean CONUT score for these individuals was 0.72 (0.02), with 6661 participants (weighted proportion: 83.12%) falling within the normal nutritional status group and 1421 participants (weighted proportion: 16.88%) within the malnourished group. In adjusted analyses, subjects who were malnourished were found to present with an increase in FT4 levels ( β = 0.033; p < 0.001 together with reduced TT3 levels ( β = −3.526; p = 0.01). The present data offer evidence in support of higher CONUT scores, which correspond to malnutrition, being related to increases in FT4 levels together with reductions in TT3 levels. More studies will be crucial to further probe the mechanistic drivers of these results.
Cannabidiol Enhances Atezolizumab Efficacy by Upregulating PD-L1 Expression via the cGAS–STING Pathway in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim Bu Gyeom , Kim Bo Ram , Kim Dae Yeong , Kim Woo Young , Kang Sanghee , Lee Sun Il , Oh Sang Cheul 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) relies on cytotoxic therapy. Currently, atezolizumab and chemotherapy can be combined in patients with TNBC. However, this approach is not effective for all patients, with many tumors showing low responsiveness to atezolizumab. As there is a lack of alternative treatment options, new anticancer drugs are urgently needed to enhance atezolizumab activity against TNBC. Recent strategies have focused on regulating the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) or enhancing immune response activation by combining anticancer drugs with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid component derived from the cannabis plant, has been reported to have anticancer therapeutic potential because of its capacity to induce apoptotic cell death in tumor cells while avoiding cytotoxicity in normal cells. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of CBD on apoptosis in various cancer cell types. However, the potential role of CBD as an immune modulator in the regulation of PD-L1 expression and anticancer immune responses remains to be explored. In this study, we found that CBD stimulated PD-L1 expression in TNBC cells and that this occurred downstream of CBD-mediated cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase–stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) pathway activation. Taken together, we have demonstrated that the combination of CBD and anti–PD-L1 enhances the anticancer immune responses in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our findings identified the mechanism of PD-L1 regulation by CBD in TNBC cells and suggested that CBD could be a potential candidate for the development of new combinatorial strategies with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with TNBC.
Autofluorescent Cancer Stem Cells: Potential Biomarker to Predict Recurrence in Resected Colorectal Tumors
Authors: Alcala Sonia , Serralta San Martin Gonzalo , Muñoz-Fernández de Legaria Marta , Moreno-Rubio Juan , Salinas Silvia , López-Gil Juan Carlos , Rojo López José Alberto , Martínez Alegre Javier , Cortes Bandy David Abraham , Zambrana Francisco , Jiménez-Gordo Ana-María , Casado Enrique , López-Gómez Miriam , Sainz Bruno 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) in colorectal cancer drive intratumoral heterogeneity and distant metastases. Previous research from our group showed that CSCs can be easily detected by autofluorescence (AF). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential role of AF CSCs as a prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer relapse. Seventy-five freshly resected tumors were analyzed by flow cytometry. AF was categorized as high (H-AF) or low, and the results were correlated with histologic features [grade of differentiation, presence of metastases in lymph nodes (LN), perivascular and lymphovascular invasion] and clinical variables (time to relapse and overall survival). Nineteen of the 75 (25.3%) patients experienced relapse (local or distant); of these 19 patients, 13 showed positive LNs and 6 had H-AF. Of note, four of them died before 5 years. Although patients with H-AF CSC percentages in the global population experienced 1.5 times increased relapse [HR, 1.47; 95% confidence interval (0.60–3.63)], patients with H-AF CSC percentages and LN metastases had the highest risk of relapse [HR, 7.92; P &lt; 0.004; 95% confidence interval (1.97–31.82)]. These data support AF as an accurate and feasible marker to identify CSCs in resected colorectal cancer. A strong statistical association between H-AF CSCs and the risk of relapse was observed, particularly in patients with positive LNs, suggesting that H-AF patients might benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy regimens and intensive surveillance due to their high propensity to experience disease recurrence.
Significance: AF has been proven to be an accurate biomarker for CSC identification; however, to date, their role as a prognostic factor after resection of colorectal cancer tumors has not been investigated. Our results show that determining the presence of AF CSCs after tumor resection has prognostic value and represents a potentially important tool for the management of patients with colorectal cancer.