bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qualitative evaluation of the implementation and national roll-out of the NHS App in England
Authors: Reidy Claire , Papoutsi Chrysanthi , KC Sukriti , Gudgin Bernard , Laverty Anthony A. , Greaves Felix , Powell John 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
The NHS App launched in 2019 as the ‘digital front door’ to the National Health Service in England with core features including General Practitioner (GP) appointment booking, repeat prescriptions, patient access to records and, later on, COVID-19 vaccination certification. Similar patient portals have been adopted in different formats and with variable levels of success. In this longitudinal study (2021–2023) we examined how the NHS App became implemented in the pandemic context and beyond.

Methods
We recruited 88 participants in 62 qualitative interviews and four focus groups. Participants included patients, carers, members of the public, clinical/non-clinical NHS staff from five GP practices (where we also conducted over 60 h of observations) across England, as well as other industry, policy and civil rights stakeholders. Document analysis also contributed to participant recruitment and data interpretation. Data collection and analysis was informed by the Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread and Sustainability (NASSS) framework.

Results
Our study identified the various ways in which complexity manifested as part of the implementation, use and roll-out of the NHS App. Patients had diverse (positive and negative) user experiences as the app evolved, with some of its features described as more useful than others (e.g. prescription ordering, COVID Pass). As the app primarily provided a gateway to general practice systems and infrastructures, not all features were available by default or consistently to all users, with information often appearing fragmented or system-facing (e.g. coded). NHS staff viewed the app as constituting core NHS infrastructure in the long term which made it appealing, even though initially there was less recognition of its immediate value. There was variable organisational capacity to enable implementation and to put in place processes and staff roles required to support patient adoption. Shifting emphasis towards in-person care, challenges with digital inclusion and controversies related to features such as patient access to own records further complicated roll-out.

Conclusions
As the NHS App remains a complex innovation in a shifting landscape, it is clear ongoing work is needed to ensure its potential can be sustained to meet patient, service and policy needs.

Clinical study registration
ISRCTN72729780.
Patterns of pharmacological treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation: an analysis from the prospective GLORIA-AF Registry Phase III
Authors: Corica Bernadette , Romiti Giulio Francesco , Boriani Giuseppe , Olshansky Brian , Chao Tze-Fan , Huisman Menno V. , Proietti Marco , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   on behalf of the GLORIA-AF Investigators
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Polypharmacy (i.e., treatment with ≥ 5 drugs) is common in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and has been associated with suboptimal management and worse outcomes. Little is known about how prescribed drug patterns affect management and prognosis in patients with AF.

Methods
Based on data from the prospective global GLORIA-AF Registry Phase III (recruiting patients with AF and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 1), we performed a latent class analysis to identify treatment patterns based on 14 drug classes including cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV drugs. We analysed associations with oral anticoagulant (OAC) use and risk of a composite primary outcome (all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)) and secondary outcomes.

Results
Among 21,245 patients (mean age 70.2 ± 10.3 years, 44.9% females), we identified 6 patterns: i) Low Medicated pattern (18.3%); ii) Hypertension pattern (21.1%); iii) Heart Failure pattern (20.0%); iv) CV Prevention pattern (21.0%); v) Mixed Morbidity pattern (4.5%); and vi) High Medicated pattern (15.0%). All groups had higher odds of OAC use vs the Low Medicated pattern, with highest prevalences in the Heart Failure pattern (OR [95%CI]: 2.17 [1.90–2.48]) and the High Medicated pattern (OR [95%CI]: 2.08 [1.77–2.44]). Over 3-year follow-up, Heart Failure, Mixed Morbidity and High Medicated patterns were associated with higher risk of the primary composite outcome (aHR [95%CI]: 1.32 [1.14–1.53]; 1.45 [1.17–1.80] and 1.35 [1.14–1.60], respectively). Similar results were observed for all-cause mortality.

Conclusions
In patients with AF, different treatment patterns can be identified. Each pattern was associated with unique OAC use and long-term clinical outcomes.
Engineering probiotic Escherichia coli for inflammation-responsive indoleacetic acid production using RiboJ-enhanced genetic circuits
Authors: Woo Seung-Gyun , Kim Seong Keun , Lee Seung-Goo , Lee Dae-Hee 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
As our understanding of gut microbiota’s metabolic impacts on health grows, the interest in engineered probiotics has intensified. This study aimed to engineer the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to produce indoleacetic acid (IAA) in response to gut inflammatory biomarkers thiosulfate and nitrate.

Results
Genetic circuits were developed to initiate IAA synthesis upon detecting inflammatory signals, optimizing a heterologous IAA biosynthetic pathway, and incorporating a RiboJ insulator to enhance IAA production. The engineered EcN strains demonstrated increased IAA production in the presence of thiosulfate and nitrate. An IAA-responsive genetic circuit using the IacR transcription factor from Pseudomonas putida 1290 was also developed for real-time IAA monitoring.

Conclusions
Given IAA’s role in reducing gastrointestinal inflammation, further refinement of this strain could lead to effective, in situ IAA-based therapies. This proof-of-concept advances the field of live biotherapeutic products and offers a promising approach for targeted therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Measuring social integration, treatment, and mortality after substance use treatment: methodological elaborations in a 20-year follow-up study
Authors: Sohlberg Tove , Storbjörk Jessica , Wennberg Peter 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objective
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) disorders cause substantial harm. Effective Substance Use Treatment (SUT) exists, but long-term outcomes remain inconclusive. This study used a 20-year prospective follow-up of 1248 service users entering SUT in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2000–2002 to elaborate on how different dimensions of long-term outcomes may be measured by register-based indicators. Baseline characteristics and attrition bias were explicated, and register-based outcomes were examined.

Results
Register-based indicators are valuable, but they also have inherent limitations such as the lack of substance use data and inability to differentiate between un/met treatment needs and access. Significant variations in long-term outcomes were evident depending on which register-based indicator was used, and whether used in isolation or combinations. Six out of 10 service users were still alive after 20 years, but as many as 8 out of 10 of the survivors remained in treatment, and only two out of 10 had a stable economic situation. Hence, the register indicators identified only a few survivors, with stable economic and social situations, and without recent treatment contacts 20 years after treatment entry. The long-term outcomes were concerning and even more so when combining outcome dimensions.
Historical bias in palaeontological collections: Stylophora (Echinodermata) as a case study
Authors: Guenser Pauline , El Hariri Khadija , Jalil Nour-Eddine , Lefebvre Bertrand 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Scientific colonialism (sensu Galtung, 1967) has grown in interest for the last decades in all scientific disciplines, including Palaeontology. In particular, Raja et al. (2022) showed that the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) was mostly based on research investigations from and/or in higher-income countries (i.e., the Global North). This scientific practice, better known as “parachute science”, often implies a transfer of material from their country of origin (in the Global South) to another country of collection (in the Global North). We show that this global pattern can also be observed at a lower taxonomic scale by focusing on Stylophora, an extinct class of echinoderms. Based on a database gathering the 129 stylophoran holotypes including information of their year of description, country of origin, country of collection and author affiliation, we show comparable results to those of Raja et al. (2022). Indeed, 85% of stylophoran species originated from the Global North. Transferred material represents 17% of the holotypes and none of the corresponding publications included local collaboration. We detail the most highlighting example of parachute science, the duo Morocco-France, to understand the consequences of the colonial history between these two countries in the scientific practice of French researchers in Morocco, as well as the solution brought by Moroccan researchers and government. These results, while not surprising, mean that scientific colonialism is indeed observed not only in global databases, but also in our daily work. Researchers from the Global North then can act to decolonize their problematic practice to rebalance knowledge producing to build a true Global Research Community.
Transcriptomic and enzymatic analysis of peroxidase families at the early growth stage of halophyte ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) under salt stress
Authors: Hsieh Li-Ching , Lee Chia-Che , Zhang Kai-Fu , Chang Hui-Hsien , Li Cheng-Hsun , Huang Hsuan-Jung , Yen Hungchen Emilie 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is a halophyte and an inducible CAM plant. Ice plant seedlings display moderate salt tolerance, with root growth unaffected by 200 mM NaCl treatments, though hypocotyl elongation is hindered in salt-stressed etiolated seedlings. Superoxide anion accumulation was prominent in cotyledons and primary leaves but decreased in root tissues over time, with no significant effect from salt treatment. Hydrogen peroxide levels initially surged in both control and salt-treated seedlings, with higher and more persistent accumulation in the salt-treated seedlings. The activities of H2O2-scavenging ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase increased, while guaiacol-dependent peroxidase activity decreased and catalase activity showed no change, indicating APX activity as the primary response to salt stress. Salt-induced APX activities were detected mainly in the microsomal fraction for light-grown seedlings and the cytosolic fraction for etiolated seedlings, highlighting plastids as the primary site of ROS accumulation under salt stress. An RNA-seq analysis of etiolated seedlings revealed about 8% unigenes showing more than a four-fold change in expression after a 6-h 200 mM NaCl treatment. GO enrichment analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with increased transcript abundance were associated with ion transport, antioxidant activity, and stress responses, while DEGs with decreased transcript abundance were linked to metabolic and biosynthesis processes such as ribosomal protein synthesis and cell wall formation. This indicates that salt stress hinders growth but enhances ion homeostasis and stress response mechanisms. The expression of all eight APX genes were induced by a 48-hour salt treatment, with varying expression patterns. For class III peroxidase family, 14 out of 53 identified unigenes qualified as DEGs. The time-course expression patterns revealed that the transcript levels of McPrx4.1, McPrx12.1, and McPrx12.3 increased, while McPrx60.3 decreased. These findings highlight the distinct roles of class III peroxidases in balancing plant growth and stress responses, advancing our understanding of the mechanisms behind salt tolerance in halophytes. This study comprehensively analyzed changes in gene expression, antioxidant enzyme activity, and ROS accumulation in ice plant seedlings. Unveiling these responses will advance our understanding of the growth–stress balance in the intrinsic salt tolerance in halophytes.
Peer-review Blinded Assay Test (P-BAT): a framework for trustless laboratory quality assurance for state-regulated cannabis markets
Authors: Procter Stuart , Baird Grayson L. , Iannuccilli Jason 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The purpose of laboratory testing in the cannabis industry is to ensure public safety by preventing products that exceed hazardous limits of contaminants from reaching consumers, and to provide consumers with transparent and accurate label information so that they can make informed decisions when purchasing and using products. However, cannabis testing does not exist in a vacuum of incentives—some incentives exist that are in direct conflict with what is best for consumers. For example, cultivators and distributors will prefer to use the services of laboratories that find the highest THC concentrations or lowest contaminant concentrations, regardless of the accuracy of their testing results. Laboratories will, therefore, be incentivized to serve the cultivators and distributors over the end consumer. The present essay proposes a framework for quality assurance that combats these perverse incentives. The following proposed framework called the Peer-review Blinded Assay Test (P-BAT), is a validation process where each laboratory tests products from competing labs and their own lab, but in a blinded fashion to ensure that the label values of said products and the labs that produced said labels, are unknown. This system of blinded self-review and peer-review is designed to be cost-efficient, transparent, nearly self-funded, can be implemented in any state with two or more laboratories, and most importantly, it is trustless—there is no need to trust the behavior of any one actor or laboratory to serve as a “gold standard”. While the primary objective of this process is to focus on laboratory performance, it will also highlight other common problems in the industry such as product adulteration by distributors and poor storge practices. Data from P-BAT should be publicly available so consumers can make informed decisions about their purchases based on the quality data derived from P-BAT. Doing so would further incentivize laboratories to serve and be accountable to the end consumer instead of cultivators and distributors.
The added role of Doppler ultrasound evaluation of sickle cell disease vasculopathy as a state of arterial stiffness and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability
Authors: Onsy Marwa Mohammed Mohammed , El-Saiedi Sonia Ali , Elsheshtawy Douaa Mohammed Mohammed , Abd-Elsamad Marwa Abd-Elhady 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Sickle cell disease is an inherited hemoglobinopathy resulting in chronic hemolysis and painful vaso-occlusive crises. Sickle vasculopathy caused by impaired nitric oxide bioavailability and arterial stiffness and associated with multiple complications.

Results
Mean age of patients was 13.85 ± 2.53 SD, 50% were males, 77.5% were homozygous sickle cell disease (SS). Brachial artery parameters showed that baseline diameter was significantly higher (p < 0.001) and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) was significantly lower in patients than control (p < 0.001). Carotid artery parameters showed that carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and cross-sectional distensability were significantly higher in sickle group than control (p 0.001, p 0.007). Diastolic shear stress and elastic modulus showed no significant difference between sickle and control group (p 0.071, p 0.083). Regarding sickle subgroups, carotid intima-media thickness was higher and cross-sectional compliance and distensability were lower in subgroup II than subgroup I (p < 0.001, p < 0.018, p < 0.035), respectively.

Conclusion
Doppler assessment of brachial and carotid elastic properties may be helpful for early detection of sickle cell vasculopathy and sickle-related complications.
Neuroplasticity and activity-based rehabilitation of a patient with post-surgical chronic Pott’s spine: a case report
Authors: Kini Raveena , Walankar Prachita , Minocha Aman , Panhale Vrushali 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
India has a widespread prevalence of Pott’s disease, with an increased affection seen in young males. The common complications associated with it are spinal deformity and sensory-motor deficits in the limbs, which are based on the level of spinal affection.

Case presentation
We present a case of a 17-year-old male, with a history of Pott’s spine for 14 years. He has reported with anterior wedge compression and resorption of T7, T8, and T9 vertebral bodies along with Gibbus spine deformity and subsequent spinal cord compression. He underwent posterior decompression and spinal fixation with rods and pedicular screws and was referred to physiotherapy post-operatively. There is limited evidence about the emerging benefits of neuroplasticity in sequentially progressed sensorimotor skill retraining and activity-based learning as a part of rehabilitation. The patient underwent sequentially progressed mobility, balance, strength training, and activity-based relearning, which positively impacted the patient's recovery and improved quality of life.

Conclusion
Neuroplasticity and activity-based learning assisted in improving the functional status and quality of life in a patient surgically managed with decompression and spinal fusion post-Potts spine.
Life With Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency: Challenges and Burdens
Authors: Witchel Selma Feldman , Miller Tahlyn , McCann Erika , Gupta Anshu 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Context
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive genetic condition requiring daily medication(s) and attention to details. In addition to daily medications and regular visits with healthcare providers, families may live with perpetual angst regarding unpredictable occurrences of acute adrenal insufficiency. Despite numerous barriers and challenges imposed by this chronic condition, caregivers and healthcare professionals can empower our patients to achieve a good quality of life.

Evidence Synthesis
CAH is a global condition for which access to health care widely varies depending on local resources. Major treatment aims include good health, good quality of life, and achievement of personal goals for affected persons. To achieve these aims, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals interact to promote health maintenance and encourage positive outcomes for individuals with CAH. This article describes aspects of daily living with CAH through the perspective of 1 family and their healthcare team living in the United States. A young adult patient, nurse educator, and physicians provide their perspectives regarding patient health care, general well-being, and safety emphasizing that patients with CAH can thrive. Nevertheless, remembering and recognizing that many individuals with CAH live in areas with limited resources and enduring sociocultural barriers is essential.

Conclusion
With access to knowledgeable healthcare providers, sufficient resources, and psychosocial support, “children with CAH can thrive and live normal lives.” The future challenge is securing mechanisms to decrease the financial, sociocultural, and health access barriers in other communities throughout the world.
Microbiome transplants may not improve health and longevity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Levine Benjamin H. , Hoffman Jessica M. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
The gut microbiome, which is composed of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and is involved in multiple essential physiological processes, changes measurably as a person ages, and can be associated with negative health outcomes. Microbiome transplants have been proposed as a method to improve gut function and reduce or reverse multiple disorders, including age-related diseases. Here, we take advantage of the laboratory model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to test the effects of transplanting the microbiome of a young fly into middle-aged flies, across multiple genetic backgrounds and both sexes, to test whether age-related lifespan could be increased, and late-life physical health declines mitigated. Our results suggest that, overall, microbiome transplants do not improve longevity and may even be detrimental in flies, and the health effects of microbiome transplants were minor, but sex- and genotype-dependent. This discovery supports previous evidence that axenic flies, those with no gut microbiome, live healthier and longer lives than their non-axenic counterparts. The results of this study suggest that, at least for fruit flies, microbiome transplants may not be a viable intervention to improve health and longevity, though more research is still warranted.
Diagnostic Certainty in Characterizing Liver Lesions in Rectal Cancer: Abbreviated Liver MRI versus CT
Authors: Wale Anita , Harris Heather , Brown Gina 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Early diagnosis of metastases is crucial but routine staging with contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (ceMDCT) is suboptimal. A total of 20% will have indeterminate or too small to characterize (TSTC) liver lesions on CT, requiring formal characterization by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This UK cross-sectional study reports our experience undertaking routine abbreviated liver MRI (MRI).

Patients and Methods
A total of 99 patients with rectal cancer had ceMDCT, abbreviated liver MRI, and rectal MRI at diagnosis. Liver imaging was scored for liver metastases, benign or indeterminate/TSTC lesions on a per patient basis. Primary rectal cancer was risk scored on MRI.

Results
A total of 42/99 (42%) had liver lesion(s) on ceMDCT versus 55/99 (56%) by MRI, and 46/99 (46%) had high-risk rectal cancer. ceMDCT showed 5 patients with liver metastases, 14 with benign lesions, and 23 with indeterminate/TSTC lesions. MRI showed 6 with liver metastases, 45 with benign lesions, and 4 with indeterminate/TSTC lesions. All liver metastases were in high-risk rectal cancer, OR 17.18 (p = 0.06), with 12.5% conversion rate of TSTC lesions to metastases in high-risk rectal cancer and 0% in low-risk rectal cancer. Diagnostic certainty of the liver findings was achieved in 93% of patients by MRI compared with 45% by ceMDCT (p < 0.0001).

Discussion
Abbreviated liver MRI diagnosed fewer indeterminate/TSTC lesions and provided greater diagnostic certainty than ceMDCT, p < 0.0001. High-risk rectal cancer is associated with a higher conversation rate of TSTC lesions to metastases than low-risk rectal cancers. Risk stratified; routine abbreviated liver MRI sequences should be investigated as part of the patient pathway for high-risk rectal cancer.
30 Jahre Teaching Library (D-A-CH): Von der Katalogschulung zum Lernort Bibliothek?
Authors: Wuttke Ulrike , Steyer Timo 
Published: January 2025

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag skizziert die Rezeption und Entwicklung des Konzepts der Teaching Library im deutschsprachigen Raum mit Fokus auf wissenschaftliche Bibliotheken. Dabei wird auf kontextuelle Kernbegriffe wie Informationskompetenz (information literacy) eingegangen sowie auf Anforderungen an die bibliothekarische Aus- und Weiterbildung. Der Beitrag diskutiert kritisch Herausforderungen im Kontext der fortwährenden Adaption der Teaching Library und mögliche Perspektiven der aktuellen Weiterentwicklung innerhalb des bibliothekarischen Aufgabenspektrums.