bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ENT Quality Improvement Program as a tool to improve the collection of morbidity and mortality data: a multisite audit carried out over 6 months
Authors: Edmiston Rachel , Anmolsingh Rajesh , Khwaja Sadie , Kumar B Nirmal 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveThis project aims to assess the role of a standardised process of data collection to improve morbidity and mortality data across the region.DesignSix hospitals within the North West (UK) were recruited and adopted the ENT Quality Improvement Program (QIP) into their daily practice. Monthly anonymous data were sent back to the reviewer for trend analysis.Outcome measuresFour outcome measures were defined: (1) number of cases recorded within the region each month; (2) assessment of the severity of cases and trends; (3) assessment of action plans reviewing any changes in practice made as a result of using this tool; (4) long-term use of the tool and qualitative feedback from units.Results162 patients over the 6 months were included with 180 case discussions. 170 of these were morbidities and 10 were mortalities. Mortality was more frequent in patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Of the 162 patients, 133 encountered postoperative complications. Post-tonsillectomy (62/133 47%) and post-thyroid surgery (19/133 14%) complications were the most frequently encountered. 66% of the complications were low grade with 18% requiring management under general anaesthetic. Actions plans included four policy reviews with the introduction of three new policies. All sites found the tool user-friendly and are continuing to use it beyond the data collection period.ConclusionsThe ENT QIP has been found to be a simple, user-friendly tool which has improved the quality of data over the six sites and resulted in improvements in practice. Implementation of the tool allows clinicians to critically appraise their practice and to reflect as well as to demonstrate how complications have resulted in change.
Let the kids play: gamification as a CPR training methodology in secondary school students. A quasi-experimental manikin simulation study
Authors: Otero-Agra Martín , Barcala-Furelos Roberto , Besada-Saavedra Iker , Peixoto-Pino Lucía , Martínez-Isasi Santiago , Rodríguez-Núñez Antonio 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveGamification is a non-evaluation and competition-based training methodology with high emotional involvement. The goal of this study was to evaluate gamification methodology as compared with other existing methodologies when teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to secondary school students.Methods489 secondary school students from two high schools in Spain participated in this randomised-block quasi-experimental study in February 2018. The students were classified into different groups. Each group received CPR training with a different methodology: GAM (gamification-based training as a compulsory but non-tested academic activity to learn by playing in teams, with instructor and visual feedback); EVA (training based on subsequentevaluationas a motivational incentive, with instructor and visual feedback); VFC (visual feedback complementary, training based on a non-compulsory and non-tested academic activity, with instructor and visual feedback); TC (traditional complementary, training based on a non-compulsory and non-tested academic activity, with instructor feedback). After a week, each student performed a 2 min hands-only CPR test and quality of CPR was assessed. Visual feedback in training and CPR variables in test were provided by the QCPR Instructor App using a Little Anne manikin, both from Laerdal (Norway).ResultsGAM (89.56%; 95% CI 86.71 to 92.42) methodology resulted in significantly higher scores for CPR quality than VFC and TC (81.96%; 95% CI 78.04% to 85.88% and 64.11%; 95% CI 58.23 to 69.99). GAM (61.77%; 95% CI 56.09 to 67.45) methodology also resulted in significantly higher scores for correct rate than VFC and TC (48.41%; 95% CI 41.15% to 55.67% and 17.28%; 95% CI 10.94 to 23.62). 93.4% of GAM methodology participants obtained >50 mm of compression mean depth which was a significantly higher proportion than among students in VFC and TC (78.0% and 71.9%). No differences between GAM and EVA were found. A confidence level of 95% has been assigned to all values.ConclusionsGAM methodology resulted in higher CPR quality than non-tested methods of academic training with instructor feedback or visual feedback. Gamification should be considered as an alternative teaching method for Basic Life Support (BLS) in younger individuals.
Fragile X mental retardation protein protects against tumour necrosis factor-mediated cell death and liver injury
Authors: Zhuang Yuan , Xu Haifeng C , Shinde Prashant V , Warfsmann Jens , Vasilevska Jelena , Sundaram Balamurugan , Behnke Kristina , Huang Jun , Hoell Jessica I , Borkhardt Arndt , Pfeffer Klaus , Taha Mohamed S , Herebian Diran , Mayatepek Ertan , Brenner Dirk , Ahmadian Mohammad Reza , Keitel Verena , Wieczorek Dagmar , Häussinger Dieter , Pandyra Aleksandra A , Lang Karl S , Lang Philipp A 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveThe Fragile X mental retardation (FMR) syndrome is a frequently inherited intellectual disability caused by decreased or absent expression of the FMR protein (FMRP). Lack of FMRP is associated with neuronal degradation and cognitive dysfunction but its role outside the central nervous system is insufficiently studied. Here, we identify a role of FMRP in liver disease.DesignMice lacking Fmr1 gene expression were used to study the role of FMRP during tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-induced liver damage in disease model systems. Liver damage and mechanistic studies were performed using real-time PCR, Western Blot, staining of tissue sections and clinical chemistry.ResultsFmr1null mice exhibited increased liver damage during virus-mediated hepatitis following infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Exposure to TNF resulted in severe liver damage due to increased hepatocyte cell death. Consistently, we found increased caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation following TNF stimulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate FMRP to be critically important for regulating key molecules in TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1)-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis including CYLD, c-FLIPS and JNK, which contribute to prolonged RIPK1 expression. Accordingly, the RIPK1 inhibitor Necrostatin-1s could reduce liver cell death and alleviate liver damage in Fmr1null mice following TNF exposure. Consistently, FMRP-deficient mice developed increased pathology during acute cholestasis following bile duct ligation, which coincided with increased hepatic expression of RIPK1, RIPK3 and phosphorylation of MLKL.ConclusionsWe show that FMRP plays a central role in the inhibition of TNF-mediated cell death during infection and liver disease.
Imbalance of the renin–angiotensin system may contribute to inflammation and fibrosis in IBD: a novel therapeutic target?
Authors: Garg Mayur , Royce Simon G , Tikellis Chris , Shallue Claire , Batu Duygu , Velkoska Elena , Burrell Louise M , Patel Sheila K , Beswick Lauren , Jackson Anvesh , Britto Kaushali , Lukies Matthew , Sluka Pavel , Wardan Hady , Hirokawa Yumiko , Tan Chin Wee , Faux Maree , Burgess Antony W , Hosking Patrick , Monagle Shaun , Thomas Merlin , Gibson Peter R , Lubel John 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveWe evaluated the influence of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) on intestinal inflammation and fibrosis.DesignCultured human colonic myofibroblast proliferation and collagen secretion were assessed following treatment with angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang (1–7), their receptor antagonists candesartan and A779, and the ACE inhibitor captopril. Circulating and intestinal RAS components were evaluated in patients with and without IBD. Disease outcomes in patients with IBD treated with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were assessed in retrospective studies.ResultsHuman colonic myofibroblast proliferation was reduced by Ang (1–7) in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Ang II marginally but not significantly increased proliferation, an effect reversed by candesartan (p<0.001). Colonic myofibroblast collagen secretion was reduced by Ang (1–7) (p<0.05) and captopril (p<0.001), and was increased by Ang II (p<0.001). Patients with IBD had higher circulating renin (mean 25.4 vs 18.6 mIU/L, p=0.026) and ACE2:ACE ratio (mean 0.92 vs 0.69, p=0.015) than controls without IBD. RAS gene transcripts and peptides were identified in healthy and diseased bowels. Colonic mucosal Masson’s trichrome staining correlated with Ang II (r=0.346, p=0.010) and inversely with ACE2 activity (r=−0.373, p=0.006). Patients with IBD who required surgery (1/37 vs 12/75, p=0.034) and hospitalisation (0/34 vs 8/68, p=0.049) over 2 years were less often treated with ACE inhibitors and ARBs than patients not requiring surgery or hospitalisation.ConclusionsThe RAS mediates fibrosis in human cell cultures, is expressed in the intestine and perturbed in intestinal inflammation, and agents targeting this system are associated with improved disease outcomes.
Educational inequalities in the impact of chronic diseases on exit from paid employment among older workers: a 7-year prospective study in the Netherlands
Authors: Oude Hengel Karen , Robroek Suzan J W , Eekhout Iris , van der Beek Allard J , Burdorf Alex 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the relative and absolute risks of early exit from paid employment among older workers with a chronic disease, and to assess whether these risks differ across educational groups.MethodsData on chronic diseases and demographics from 9160 Dutch workers aged 45–64 years were enriched with monthly information on employment status from Statistics Netherlands. Subdistribution hazard ratios (SHR) and 7-year probabilities among workers with a chronic disease of exit from paid employment through disability benefits, unemployment benefits, early retirement benefits or economic inactivity were estimated using competing risks regression analyses based on Fine and Gray’s models.ResultsWorkers with one chronic disease had a higher risk to exit paid employment through disability benefits (SHR 4.48 (95%CI 3.22 to 6.25)) compared with workers without chronic disease, and this risk further increased for multiple chronic diseases (SHR 8.91 (95%CI 6.33 to 12.55)). As occurrence of chronic diseases was highest among low educated workers, the 7-year probabilities to exit paid employment through disability benefits were highest among this group. Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, psychological and respiratory diseases were associated with disability benefits (SHRs ranging from 2.11 (95%CI 1.45 to 3.07) to 3.26 (95%CI 2.08 to 5.12)), whereas psychological diseases were also related to unemployment (SHR 1.78 (95%CI 1.33 to 2.38)).ConclusionsOlder workers with a chronic disease have a higher risk to exit paid employment through disability benefits. As multimorbidity has an additive effect, addressing multimorbidity as a risk factor for sustainable employment is needed.
Application of a laparoscopic technique for vasectomy in standing horses
Authors: Vitoria Arantza , Romero Antonio , Fuente Sara , Barrachina Laura , Vazquez Francisco José 
Published: August 2019

This report describes a technique for standing laparoscopic vasectomy in stallions through a prospective descriptive study. A preliminary study was carried out with two experimental intact male horses and subsequently the procedure was performed in two clinical cases. These horse owners want to keep their animals in the most possible natural way, preserving its stallion behaviour in a herd without generating offspring. The horses were sedated and restrained in stocks and laparoscopic vasectomy was performed using three portal sites in both paralumbar fossae recording surgical times. A 4‐cm segment of each ductus deferens (DD) was occluded with laparoscopic vessel sealing devices and subsequently excised. Semen collection was performed using an artificial vagina before the laparoscopic procedure and at 15 and 60 days postoperatively. Sexual behaviour and spermiogram were analysed. Two months after vasectomy, control laparoscopy was performed in experimental horses to assess the surgical site. Bilateral vasectomy could be performed without intraoperative complications in a mean surgical time of 20 min per DD. Success of the procedure was confirmed in all cases by azoospermic ejaculates 60 days after vasectomy. This is the first time that the technique for laparoscopic vasectomy is described in horses.
On the Parameterized Complexity of Approximating Dominating Set
Authors: S. Karthik C. , Laekhanukit Bundit , Manurangsi Pasin 
Published: August 2019

We study the parameterized complexity of approximating the
k
-Dominating Set (DomSet) problem where an integer
k
and a graph
G
on
n
vertices are given as input, and the goal is to find a dominating set of size at most
F
(
k
) ⋅
k
whenever the graph
G
has a dominating set of size
k
. When such an algorithm runs in time
T
(
k
) ⋅ poly (
n
) (i.e., FPT-time) for some computable function
T
, it is said to be an
F
(
k
)-
FPT-approximation algorithm
for
k
-DomSet. Whether such an algorithm exists is listed in the seminal book of Downey and Fellows (2013) as one of the “most infamous” open problems in parameterized complexity. This work gives an almost complete answer to this question by showing the non-existence of such an algorithm under W[1] ≠ FPT and further providing tighter running time lower bounds under stronger hypotheses. Specifically, we prove the following for every computable functions
T
,
F
and every constant ε > 0:

• Assuming W[1] ≠ FPT, there is no
F
(
k
)-
FPT-approximation algorithm
for
k
-DomSet.

• Assuming the Exponential Time Hypothesis (ETH), there is no
F
(
k
)-approximation algorithm for
k
-DomSet that runs in
T
(
k
) ⋅
n

o
(
k
)

time.

• Assuming the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis (SETH), for every integer
k
≥ 2, there is no
F
(
k
)-approximation algorithm for
k
-DomSet that runs in
T
(
k
) ⋅
n

k
− ε

time.

• Assuming the
k
-SUM Hypothesis, for every integer
k
≥ 3, there is no
F
(
k
)-approximation algorithm for
k
-DomSet that runs in
T
(
k
) ⋅
n

⌈
k
/2 ⌉ − ε

time.

Previously, only constant ratio FPT-approximation algorithms were ruled out under sf W[1] ≠ FPT and (log
1/4
&minus ε
k
)-FPT-approximation algorithms were ruled out under ETH [Chen and Lin, FOCS 2016]. Recently, the non-existence of an
F
(
k
)-FPT-approximation algorithm for any function
F
was shown under Gap-ETH [Chalermsook et al., FOCS 2017]. Note that, to the best of our knowledge, no running time lower bound of the form
n

&delta
k

for any absolute constant δ > 0 was known before even for any constant factor inapproximation ratio.

Our results are obtained by establishing a connection between communication complexity and hardness of approximation, generalizing the ideas from a recent breakthrough work of Abboud et al. [FOCS 2017]. Specifically, we show that to prove hardness of approximation of a certain parameterized variant of the label cover problem, it suffices to devise a specific protocol for a communication problem that depends on which hypothesis we rely on. Each of these communication problems turns out to be either a well-studied problem or a variant of one; this allows us to easily apply known techniques to solve them.
Side-channel Timing Attack of RSA on a GPU
Authors: Luo Chao , Fei Yunsi , Kaeli David 
Published: August 2019

To increase computation throughput, general purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have been leveraged to accelerate computationally intensive workloads. GPUs have been used as cryptographic engines, improving encryption/decryption throughput and leveraging the GPU’s Single Instruction Multiple Thread (SIMT) model. RSA is a widely used public-key cipher and has been ported onto GPUs for signing and decrypting large files. Although performance has been significantly improved, the security of RSA on GPUs is vulnerable to side-channel timing attacks and is an exposure overlooked in previous studies.
GPUs tend to be naturally resilient to side-channel attacks, given that they execute a large number of concurrent threads, performing many RSA operations on different data in parallel. Given the degree of parallel execution on a GPU, there will be a significant amount of noise introduced into the timing channel given the thousands of concurrent threads executing concurrently.
In this work, we build a timing model to capture the parallel characteristics of an RSA public-key cipher implemented on a GPU. We consider optimizations that include using Montgomery multiplication and sliding-window exponentiation to implement cryptographic operations. Our timing model considers the challenges of parallel execution, complications that do not occur in single-threaded computing platforms. Based on our timing model, we launch successful timing attacks on RSA running on a GPU, extracting the private key of RSA. We also present an effective error detection and correction mechanism. Our results demonstrate that GPU acceleration of RSA is vulnerable to side-channel timing attacks. We propose several countermeasures to defend against this class of attacks.
LOXL2 Upregulates Phosphorylation of Ezrin to Promote Cytoskeletal Reorganization and Tumor Cell Invasion
Authors: Zhan Xiu-Hui , Jiao Ji-Wei , Zhang Hai-Feng , Xu Xiu-E , He Jian-Zhong , Li Run-Liu , Zou Hai-Ying , Wu Zhi-Yong , Wang Shao-Hong , Wu Jian-Yi , Liao Lian-Di , Wang Juan-Juan , Cheng Yin-Wei , Zhang Kai , Neufeld Gera , Xu Li-Yan , Li En-Min 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), a copper-dependent enzyme of the lysyl oxidase family and its nonsecreted, catalytically dead spliced isoform L2Δ13, enhance cell migration and invasion, stimulate filopodia formation, modulate the expression of cytoskeletal genes, and promote tumor development and metastasis in vivo. We previously showed that LOXL2 reorganizes the actin cytoskeleton in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms were not identified. Here, using interactome analysis, we identified ezrin (EZR), fascin (FSCN1), heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), and tropomodulin-3 (TMOD3) as actin-binding proteins that associate with cytoplasmic LOXL2, as well as with its L2Δ13 variant. High levels of LOXL2 and L2Δ13 and their cytoskeletal partners correlated with poor clinical outcome in patients with ESCC. To better understand the significance of these interactions, we focused on the interaction of LOXL2 with ezrin. Phosphorylation of ezrin at T567 was greatly reduced following depletion of LOXL2 and was enhanced following LOXL2/L2Δ13 reexpression. Furthermore, LOXL2 depletion inhibited the ability of ezrin to promote tumor progression. These results suggest that LOXL2-induced ezrin phosphorylation, which also requires PKCα, is critical for LOXL2-induced cytoskeletal reorganization that subsequently promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis in ESCC. In summary, we have characterized a novel molecular mechanism that mediates, in part, the protumorigenic activity of LOXL2. These findings may enable the future development of therapeutic agents targeting cytoplasmic LOXL2.

Significance:
LOXL2 and its spliced isoform L2Δ13 promote cytoskeletal reorganization and invasion of esophageal cancer cells by interacting with cytoplasmic actin-binding proteins such as ezrin.
Third Trimester Fetal Cardiac Blood Flow and Cardiac Outcomes in School‐Age Children Assessed By Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Toemen Liza , Jelic Gavro , Kooijman Marjolein N. , Gaillard Romy , Helbing Willem A. , van der Lugt Aad , Roest Arno A. W. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Steegers Eric A. P. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. 
Published: August 2019

Background
An adverse fetal environment leads to fetal hemodynamic adaptations with cardiac flow alterations that may subsequently affect cardiac development. We examined the associations of third trimester placental and fetal cardiac hemodynamics with cardiac outcomes in school‐age children.

Methods and Results

We performed a population‐based prospective cohort study among 547 mothers and their children. At a gestational age of 30.4 (95% range 28.4–32.7) weeks, we measured umbilical and cerebral artery resistance, cardiac output, and tricuspid and mitral E/A waves with Doppler. At the median age of 10.0 years (95% range 9.4–11.7) we measured cardiac outcomes with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiac outcomes included right ventricular end‐diastolic volume) and right ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular mass‐to‐volume ratio as left ventricular mass/left ventricular end diastolic volume. Higher third‐trimester umbilical artery resistance was associated with higher childhood right ventricular ejection fraction (
P
value <0.05), but not with other cardiac outcomes. The third‐trimester umbilical artery‐cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio was not associated with childhood cardiac outcomes. Higher third‐trimester fetal left cardiac output was associated with lower childhood left ventricular ejection fraction and higher left ventricular mass‐to‐volume ratio (
P
value <0.05). Third‐trimester fetal right cardiac output was not associated with childhood cardiac outcomes. A higher third‐trimester fetal tricuspid valve E/A ratio was associated with higher childhood right ventricular ejection fraction (
P
value <0.05).

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that fetal cardiac fetal blood flow redistribution may have long‐term effects on cardiac structure and function. These results should be considered as hypothesis generating and need further replication.
Biculturals’ Flexible Identity Affects the Retrieval of Autobiographical Memories: an Online Replication of Wang (2008) Using a Pretest-Posttest Group Design
Authors: Marsh Benjamin Uel , Lee Hyun Seo , Schirmer Janna 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe current study is a conceptual replication of Wang (2008) using a pretest-posttest design and an online sample through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Seventy-one Asian-Americans recalled a recent memory before and after being primed as either Asian or American. On pre-prime memories, conditions did not significantly differ. However, on post-prime memories, participants primed as American recalled more self-focused memories than relationally focused memories and those primed as Asian recalled more relationally focused memories than self-focused memories. In addition, memories of Asian-Americans primed as American consisted of a smaller proportion of social interaction instances than those primed as Asian. In total, 6 of the 8 effects found in Wang (2008) were replicated. We discuss the implications that the current results and past studies have on our understanding of how culture influences memory encoding and retrieval.