bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A qualitative analysis of opportunities to strengthen pharmacy technician career pathways across practice settings
Authors: Bacci Jennifer L , Oster Natalia , Pollack Samantha W , Skillman Susan M 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To identify pharmacy technician career pathways across pharmacy practice settings and opportunities to strengthen and expand these pathways.

Methods
Interviews were conducted with 17 participants from national pharmacy organizations, community pharmacies, health systems, and academia from March to May 2023. Interview questions were designed to elicit participants’ perceptions of factors influencing entry into, recruitment and retention of, and advancement of the pharmacy technician workforce. Interview notes were analyzed using a rapid thematic analysis approach.

Results
Seven themes were identified, including 3 themes related to entry: (1) healthcare interest and prior exposure facilitate pharmacy technician career discovery; (2) variation in and quantity of entry-level requirements can impede entry into pharmacy technician careers; and (3) proactive promotion of pharmacy technician careers needed. Two themes were related to recruitment and retention: (4) pharmacy technician compensation not aligned with job demands and (5) career ladders or lattices create advancement opportunities. Two themes were related to professional advancement: (6) pharmacy technician advancement limited by weak professional identity and (7) scope-of-practice policies can facilitate pharmacy technician advancement.

Conclusion
This study highlights the challenges pharmacy technicians face in their careers. Key findings stress cultivating a professional identity for pharmacy technicians, establishing career ladders or lattices, and advocating for policies that facilitate pharmacy technician professional advancement. These efforts are vital for sustaining the pharmacy technician workforce and ensuring quality patient care amidst the changing landscape of the pharmacy profession.
ncStem: a comprehensive resource of curated and predicted ncRNAs in cancer stemness
Authors: Liu Hui , Zhang Nan , Jia Yijie , Wang Jun , Ye Aokun , Yang Siru , Zhou Honghan , Lv Yingli , Xu Chaohan , Wang Shuyuan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Cancer stemness plays an important role in cancer initiation and progression, and is the major cause of tumor invasion, metastasis, recurrence, and poor prognosis. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of RNA transcripts that generally cannot encode proteins and have been demonstrated to play a critical role in regulating cancer stemness. Here, we developed the ncStem database to record manually curated and predicted ncRNAs associated with cancer stemness. In total, ncStem contains 645 experimentally verified entries, including 159 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 254 microRNAs (miRNAs), 39 circular RNAs (circRNAs), and 5 other ncRNAs. The detailed information of each entry includes the ncRNA name, ncRNA identifier, disease, reference, expression direction, tissue, species, and so on. In addition, ncStem also provides computationally predicted cancer stemness-associated ncRNAs for 33 TCGA cancers, which were prioritized using the random walk with restart (RWR) algorithm based on regulatory and co-expression networks. The total predicted cancer stemness-associated ncRNAs included 11 132 lncRNAs and 972 miRNAs. Moreover, ncStem provides tools for functional enrichment analysis, survival analysis, and cell location interrogation for cancer stemness-associated ncRNAs. In summary, ncStem provides a platform to retrieve cancer stemness-associated ncRNAs, which may facilitate research on cancer stemness and offer potential targets for cancer treatment.
Database URL: http://www.nidmarker-db.cn/ncStem/index.html.
Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Fournier’s gangrene in Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Nedjim Saleh Abdelkerim , Biyouma Marcella D C , Mahamat Mahamat Ali , Kalli Moussa , Kouldjim Adoumadji , Remadji Hervé Yanhdet , Salissou Kaka A , Seid Younouss , Owon'abessolo Philip Fernandez , Mah Sarah Diaby , Ndiath Abdoulaye , Fouda Jean Cedrick , Jacquet Djamal , Ndoye Médina , Ouchemi Choua , Aboutaieb Rachid 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Fournier’s gangrene is a rare necrotizing soft-tissue infection affecting the perineal, perianal and genital regions. It constitutes a genuine medical, surgical and urological emergency. Despite a better understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of Fournier’s gangrene, mortality rates reported in the literature remain high. Still very common in Africa, it seems to occur mainly during hot, dry months and particularly affects people of low socio-economic status. This explains why the diagnosis is often made at a late stage. To our knowledge, there is no literature evaluating the epidemiology, clinical presentation, management and prognosis of Fournier’s gangrene in Africa, necessitating a review of the scope. This literature review protocol describes how the authors intend to study the available data on the presentation, management and prognosis of Fournier’s gangrene in Africa. Databases such as PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and African Journal Online will be searched for articles published on Fournier’s gangrene in Africa and covering clinical, therapeutic and prognostic outcomes. The sociodemographic profile of all included studies will be examined. Results will include epidemiological, clinico-biological, severity score, management and prognostic data. Based on the analyzed results, the various parameters linked to the specific objectives of the African and non-African studies will be discussed and compared. This discussion will focus on clinical presentation, management and prognosis. This scoping review will be the first to address this research question, which has yet to be reported serially by African authors.
Evaluation of polypropylene CSF low-bind collection tubes for trace metal contamination
Authors: Bitzer Anna C , Jannetto Paul J , Bornhorst Joshua A 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Due to the ability of metal ions to cross the blood–brain barrier, there has been interest in analyzing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for trace element concentrations to investigate possible correlations with neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, Sarstedt polypropylene CSF collection tubes were analyzed to determine the contamination levels of aluminum, titanium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, gadolinium, vanadium, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, thallium, selenium, copper, zinc, and iron.

Methods
Sarstedt polypropylene CSF collection tubes from 2 separate lots (n = 10 per lot) were filled with a 2 mL aliquot of a CSF pool with known element concentrations. After 24 hours of leaching at room temperature, all 18 elements were analyzed via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results were subtracted from the initial pool concentration to determine contamination levels.

Results
No detectable contamination above the assay limit of detection was found in 11 analytes. Molybdenum and selenium contamination was measured in all tubes, and aluminum, titanium, manganese, thallium, and zinc had minimal levels of sporadic detectable contamination in 25% or fewer of the tubes tested.

Conclusions
Sarstedt polypropylene CSF tubes are an acceptable collection tube for the analysis of most assessed metals in CSF.
A health-conformant reading of the GDPR’s right not to be subject to automated decision-making
Authors: van Kolfschooten Hannah B 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
As the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare is expanding, patients in the European Union (EU) are increasingly subjected to automated medical decision-making. This development poses challenges to the protection of patients’ rights. A specific patients’ right not to be subject to automated medical decision-making is not considered part of the traditional portfolio of patients’ rights. The EU AI Act also does not contain such a right. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does, however, provide for the right ‘not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing’ in Article 22. At the same time, this provision has been severely critiqued in legal scholarship because of its lack of practical effectiveness. However, in December 2023, the Court of Justice of the EU first provided an interpretation of this right in C-634/21 (SCHUFA)—although in the context of credit scoring. Against this background, this article provides a critical analysis of the application of Article 22 GDPR to the medical context. The objective is to evaluate whether Article 22 GDPR may provide patients with the right to refuse automated medical decision-making. It proposes a health-conformant reading to strengthen patients’ rights in the EU.
Sinha’s spectral sequence for long knots in codimension one and non-formality of the little 2-disks operad
Authors: Moriya Syunji 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
We compute some differentials of Sinha’s spectral sequence for cohomology of the space of long knots modulo immersions in codimension one, mainly over a field of characteristic 2 or 3. This spectral sequence is closely related to Vassiliev’s spectral sequence for the space of long knots in codimension $\geq2$. We prove that the d2-differential of an element is non-zero in characteristic 2, which has already essentially been proved by Salvatore, and the d3-differential of another element is non-zero in characteristic 3. While the geometric meaning of the sequence is unclear in codimension one, these results have some applications to non-formality of operads. The result in characteristic 3 implies planar non-formality of the standard map $C_\ast(E_1)\to C_\ast(E_2)$ in characteristic 3, where $C_\ast(E_k)$ denotes the chain little k-disks operad. We also reprove the result of Salvatore which states that $C_\ast(E_2)$ is not formal as a planar operad in characteristic 2 using the result in characteristic 2. For the computation, we transfer the structure on configuration spaces behind the spectral sequence onto Thom spaces over fat diagonals through a duality between configuration spaces and fat diagonals. This procedure enables us to describe the differentials by relatively simple maps to Thom spaces. We also show that the d2-differential of the generator of bidegree $(-4,2)$ is zero in characteristic $\not=2$. This computation illustrates how one can manage the three-term relation using the description. Although the computations in this paper are concentrated to codimension one, our method also works for codimension $\geq2$ and we prepare most of the basic notions and lemmas for general codimension.
Comparison of Restricted versus Liberal Post-Surgical Ambulation Protocols on Outcomes after Lumbar Fusion Surgery
Authors: Narayanan Rajkishen , Kellish Alec , Ezeonu Teeto , Lee Yunsoo A. , Carroll Jessica , Hagan Timothy , Hammelef Emma , Teichner Eric , Canseco Jose A. , Kaye Ian David , Kurd Mark F. , Hilibrand Alan S. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Kepler Christopher , Schroeder Gregory D. 
Published: August 2024

Study Design.
Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.
The objective of this study was to explore the impact of different hospital-based ambulation protocols on mobility and surgical outcomes after lumbar fusion surgery.

Summary of Background Data.
Previous research has highlighted the value of early ambulation after surgery; still some hospitals choose to adopt a more conservative ambulation approach due to concern for patient safety.

Methods.
Adult patients ≥18 years who underwent primary posterior lumbar decompression and fusion (PLDF) surgery at a hospital with restricted ambulation and a hospital with a liberal ambulation protocol within the same health system from 2021-2022 were identified and matched based on patient demographic characteristics. Surgical outcomes included inpatient complications, length of stay, readmissions, reoperations, and discharge disposition. Mobility outcomes included Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) daily activity score, post-therapy session pain rating, and gait trial distance from the first inpatient physical therapy session.

Results.
Patients within the liberal ambulation protocol cohort had shorter hospital stays (P<0.001) and were less likely to require reoperation within 1 year of surgery (P=0.013). Patients within the restricted ambulation protocol were more likely to experience a complication (P=0.005) and were less likely to be discharged home after surgery (P=0.020). Patients at the liberal ambulation hospital had higher AM-PAC basic mobility scores (P<0.001) and achieved further gait distances (P<0.001). On multivariable regression analysis, a further gait distance at the first inpatient PT session was a significant predictor of decreased odds of inpatient complications (P=0.010), decreased length of stay (P=0.005), and increased odds of discharge to home (P<0.001).

Conclusion.
Liberal ambulation protocols are safe and effective postoperative management strategies after PLDF to decrease inpatient complications, length of stay and discharge to a rehabilitation facility. These findings highlight the role that such protocols can play in helping patients to achieve early mobilization and favorable short-term outcomes.
A Refined Population Pharmacokinetic Model–Based Guideline for Individualized PEGasparaginase Dosing in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Brigitha Leiah J. , Zaky Karen , Pieters Rob , van der Sluis Inge M. 
Published: August 2024

Background:
In the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group ALL11 protocol, PEGasparaginase dosing was individualized for standard-risk and medium-risk patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After using our pragmatic old guideline, we aimed to improve individualized PEGasparaginase dosing by developing a population pharmacokinetic model–based dosing guideline.

Method:
After the 3 doses of 1500 IU/m2 administered in induction, standard-risk patients received 1 individualized dose and medium-risk patients 14, targeting trough activity levels between 100 and 250 IU/L. The effectiveness, adherence, and toxicity of our new dosing guideline was assessed and compared with the old guideline.

Results:
In total, 92 patients (714 samples) were included in the new dosing group and 509 patients (4539 samples) were included in the old dosing group. Comparing the effectiveness, we found that 32% (22/67) of patients in the new and 13% (47/354) of patients in the old dosing group were within the target range after the first individualized dose (P < 0.001). Among medium-risk patients, a median of 3 dose reductions was needed to reach and maintain levels within the target range in the new dosing group compared with 5 in the old dosing group (P < 0.001). With a continuous PEGasparaginase dosing schedule, target trough activity levels were reached after 2 dose reductions in the new group versus 4 in the old dosing group. The adherence to the new guideline was >99%, with 6/714 recommended doses deviating from the guideline. With exception of a lower proportion of patients with increased (≥grade 3) serum alanine transaminase (34% new vs 64% old, P < 0.05) in the new dosing group, toxicity was comparable between guidelines.

Conclusions:
With the new dosing guideline, fewer dose-reduction steps are necessary to reach and remain within the target. The high adherence rate emphasized its simplicity and practicality, confirming that it can be easily integrated into clinical practice.
The trend and ripple effects of retractions in primary health care: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Lin Kuan-Chen , Chen Yu-Chun , Lin Ming-Hwai , Chen Tzeng-Ji 
Published: August 2024

Background:
In primary health care, the dissemination of retracted publications through literature reviews, guidelines, and recommendations can have a significant and lasting impact. Despite this potential threat, the retraction consequences and patterns in this domain have not been extensively explored. Therefore, this study investigates the characteristics and ripple effects of retracted papers in primary health care literature.

Methods:
Retracted publications indexed in PubMed from 1984 to 2022 in primary health care journals underwent bibliometric analysis. The dataset included detailed publication information, from which we derived annual retraction rates and examined trends by journal, authorship, and geographic origin. We further evaluated the extent of influence exerted by retracted papers through postretraction citation analysis.

Results:
In 44 primary health care journals, 13 articles were retracted over the study period, representing a retraction rate of 0.01%—notably lower than the aggregate rate for all PubMed journals. Despite this, we observed a recent surge in retraction frequency, especially in the last decade. The median interval to retraction was 15 months, with scientific misconduct, specifically fabrication, and plagiarism, as the predominant reasons. After retraction, the articles continued to exert considerable influence, averaging 25 citations per article with a 78.1% postretraction citation prevalence.

Conclusion:
Retractions resulting from scientific misconduct in primary health care are increasing, with a substantial portion of such work continuing to be cited. This trend underscores the urgent need to improve research ethics and develop mechanisms that help primary care physicians discern reliable information, thereby reducing the reliance on compromised literature.
Dipolar EEG Spikes Are More Benign
Authors: Datta Anita N. , Wong Peter K.H. 
Published: August 2024

Purpose:
Rolandic epileptiform discharges with tangential dipole (T-dipole) configurations are associated with favorable prognosis. Whether the same is true for T-dipole epileptiform discharges in other brain regions is less established and is the objective of this study.

Methods:
Over 20 years, patients with epileptiform discharges were identified as follows: frontal (F = 176), temporal (T = 196), central (C = 201), parietal (P = 120), and occipital (O = 205). T-dipoles were documented. Clinical features of children with and without T-dipole were compared both regardless of brain region and separately for each brain region.

Results:
The prevalence of T-dipoles was 232/898 (25.8%) overall and within different regions as follows: T = 104 (53.1%), O = 51 (24.9%), P = 23 (19.2%), C = 35 (17.4%), and F = 19 (10.8%). Most had epilepsy (T-dipole: 193 [83.2%] and nondipole: 532 [79.9%]). Regardless of region, T-dipole was associated with less drug-resistant epilepsy (11 [4.7%] vs. 202 [30.3%], P < 0.001), developmental delay (57 [24.6%] vs. 436 [51.0%], P < 0.001), school performance difficulties (SPD) (101 [43.5%] vs. 410 [61.6%], P < 0.001), autism (30 [12.9%] vs. 127 [19.1%], P = 0.037), and abnormal examination (28 [12.1%] vs. 257 [38.6%], P < 0.001]). Within different brain regions, on logistic regression, T-dipole was associated with lower odds of drug-resistant epilepsy (F, T, C, P, and O), developmental delay (F, T, C, and P), SPD (F, T, and C), autism (F and T), abnormal examination (F, T, C, and O), and abnormal neuroimaging (T, C, P, and O).

Conclusions:
On routine EEG analysis, focal epileptiform discharges with T-dipoles, regardless of brain region, are associated with a more favorable clinical course.
Evaluating entrepreneurial intentions of health science students in higher education
Authors: Chams-Anturi Odette , Escorcia-Caballero Juan P. , Soto-Ferrari Milton 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
Entrepreneurial activities significantly contribute to economic growth and job creation, making entrepreneurship an attractive career path. While students’ entrepreneurial intentions in traditional fields like economics, business and engineering have been widely studied, less attention has been given to nontraditional fields, especially in emerging economies. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the entrepreneurial intentions of health sciences students in Colombian universities, a context marked by unique socioeconomic and cultural factors.

Design/methodology/approach
The study surveyed 202 students across three colleges. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to validate the theorized relationships and analyze the data.

Findings
Preliminary findings indicate a positive correlation between personal attitudes and educational support with entrepreneurial intentions among health science students. Contrary to expectations, the influence of family roles and broader sociocultural contexts appeared less significant, suggesting a distinct pattern within this field.

Originality/value
This paper presents a detailed study of the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intention of health sciences students in higher education. It provides theoretical and practical insights, contributing to the existing literature on entrepreneurial intention. The findings can be used by institutions to develop targeted training programs tailored to students’ specific needs.
Long-term needs, long-term access? Major crime recordkeeping and the information needs of individuals bereaved by homicide
Authors: Benton Lauren , Sexton Anna 
Published: August 2024

PurposeThe article presents research on the long-term information needs of homicide bereaved individuals in the context of record-keeping practice within Major Crime Units (MCU) in England. The research objectives were to: (1) identify the long-term information needs of individuals bereaved by homicide; (2) establish MCU officer perceptions on the provision of information to individuals bereaved by homicide; (3) establish the current practice of MCU officers in managing and providing access to homicide records and (4) explore the capability of current recordkeeping practice to move beyond the use of homicide records for their primary “policing” purpose.Design/methodology/approachThe research objectives were met by combining findings from a literature review across policing, bereavement, death, victimology, criminology, records management and archival studies with results from a singular interview-based study with officers at the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Major Crime Unit (BHCMCU).FindingsThe findings indicate that the long-term information needs of homicide bereaved individuals are ill-served by the current police recordkeeping framework which provides them with little involvement in record-keeping decision-making and limited long-term access to the information required for sensemaking/adaption in a post-homicide world. In this context, the research demonstrates a long term need for: (1) information access; (2) support for access; (3) a direct and personalised information access service and (4) trauma-informed and victim/survivor centred practice in police recordkeeping contexts.Originality/valueThe research addresses a major gap across disciplinary research literature in its focus on the ways investigative information is disclosed by the police to the bereaved following case closure.