bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond bias: Aggregate approaches to conflicts of interest research and policy in biomedical research
Authors: Graham S. Scott , Harrison Kimberlyn R. , Edward Jade C. Shiva , Majdik Zoltan P. , Barbour Joshua B. , Rousseau Justin F. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractConsiderable efforts have been devoted to addressing the problem of conflicts of interest (COI) in health research, policy, education, and practice. An overwhelming body of evidence demonstrates that conflicts associate with deleterious outcomes for the biomedical research enterprise. Nevertheless, little has changed for research, specifically, since the Institute of Medicine's landmark Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research, Practice, and Education was published over a decade ago. In this article, we draw on interdisciplinary research on manufactured controversies in science‐policy deliberation to argue that the development of meaningful COI policy has been stymied through argumentative “wedges” designed to delay consensus and policy formation. Argumentative wedges disrupt policy formation by mischaracterizing the evidence base, continuously redefining the terms of the debate and/or recommending overly narrow criteria for who should be allowed to participate in policy deliberation. In this article, we argue researchers and policymakers interested in better addressing the harmful effects of COI can improve their efforts through strategic efforts designed to disrupt the wedges of manufactured controversy. Additionally, we argue that efforts to address COI can be further enhanced through embracing a broader framework for COI inquiry. Specifically, we argue that aggregate approaches to COI can help to disrupt these wedges and provide a strong foundation for future policy.
Barriers to the safe preservation of the traditional herbal practice in Ghana
Authors: Clay Benjamin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe preservation of the culturally important traditional herbal medicine practice in Ghana is threatened by the growth of allopathic medicine. It is argued that two main factors comprise this threat: significant safety concerns over many traditional herbal preparations, and a conflict in therapeutic frameworks which provides a substrate for the production of misinformation regarding allopathic medicine. Poorly enforced regulation of the commercial herbal market and a total lack of regulation of the traditional herbal market have led to prevalent contamination of herbal preparations with pathogenic bacteria and an unacceptable risk of pharmacological toxicity due to inconsistent production methods and understanding of the active components in these preparations. Simultaneously, misinformation spread by traditional herbal practitioners about allopathic medicine has caused significant morbidity and mortality in Ghana. Evidence from the literature and experience from clinical practice in a hospital in the Eastern region of Ghana are used to explore these factors and provide recommendations. First, thorough regulation of the herbal practice is needed to allay safety concerns. Second, the overall healthcare landscape will have to change to resolve the current tensions between practices. One solution would be the formation of a cooperative healthcare system which incorporates both the allopathic and herbal practices with well‐defined, nonoverlapping scopes of practice. However, such a novel landscape may be unrealistic, with the potential for traditional herbal practices being relegated to secondary role, mainly providing pharmacologically inert preparations while continuing to benefit patients through spiritual, cultural and pastoral interventions.
Isolation and characterization of novel Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage Hesat from dairy origin
Authors: Turchi Barbara , Campobasso Claudia , Nardinocchi Arianna , Wagemans Jeroen , Torracca Beatrice , Lood Cédric , Di Giuseppe Graziano , Nieri Paola , Bertelloni Fabrizio , Turini Luca , Ruffo Valeria , Lavigne Rob , Di Luca Mariagrazia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
A novel temperate phage, named Hesat, was isolated by the incubation of a dairy strain of Staphylococcusaureus belonging to spa-type t127 with either bovine or ovine milk. Hesat represents a new species of temperate phage within the Phietavirus genus of the Azeredovirinae subfamily. Its genome has a length of 43,129 bp and a GC content of 35.11% and contains 75 predicted ORFs, some of which linked to virulence. This includes (i) a pathogenicity island (SaPln2), homologous to the type II toxin-antitoxin system PemK/MazF family toxin; (ii) a DUF3113 protein (gp30) that is putatively involved in the derepression of the global repressor Stl; and (iii) a cluster coding for a PVL. Genomic analysis of the host strain indicates Hesat is a resident prophage. Interestingly, its induction was obtained by exposing the bacterium to milk, while the conventional mitomycin C–based approach failed. The host range of phage Hesat appears to be broad, as it was able to lyse 24 out of 30 tested S. aureus isolates. Furthermore, when tested at high titer (108 PFU/ml), Hesat phage was also able to lyse a Staphylococcus muscae isolate, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal strain.

Key points
• A new phage species was isolated from a Staphylococcus aureus bovine strain.
• Pathogenicity island and PVL genes are encoded within phage genome.
• The phage is active against most of S. aureus strains from both animal and human origins.
Production and characterization of sustainable biocompatible PLA/walnut shell composite materials
Authors: Karagöz İdris 
Published: April 2024

AbstractVarious treatments, such as alkaline and silane treatments, are commonly applied to natural fillers before production to enhance their quality, thermal stability, and water absorption capacity and improve the fiber–matrix interface properties. However, these processes are not environmentally friendly and may escalate the production cost of composites due to the need for additional processing steps in mass production. This study delves into the impact of untreated walnut shell (WS) filler material, employed in varying ratios (ranging from 10 to 40%) as a filler, on the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and physical properties of environmentally friendly polylactic acid (PLA) matrix composites. The experimental results highlight a significant decrease in tensile modulus by 28%, tensile strength ranging from 32 to 65%, a decrease in flexural modulus by 22%, and flexural strength ranging from 24 to 58% with varying WS filler ratios. Time-dependent water absorption and increased density were observed. FT-IR analysis indicates structural similarities, while DSC results show minimal effects on glass transition temperature and crystallinity. TGA results reveal reduced thermal stability with increasing WS content. SEM microstructure imaging demonstrates homogeneous WS particle distribution, but higher WS content leads to increased brittleness and diminished resistance properties. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of balancing sustainability through WS filler ratios while preserving mechanical performance.
Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen im Wandel der Zeit
Authors: Walker Maria , Mayr Eva-Maria , Koppermann Mai-Lan , Terron Ana , Wagner Yoko , Kling Charlotte , Pfarr Nicole 
Published: April 2024

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen von Tumorproben umfassen ein weites Spektrum an diagnostischen Analysen. Besonders in den letzten Jahren rückten eine Vielzahl neuer Biomarker in den Vordergrund, deren Analyse für Therapieentscheidungen von großer Bedeutung sind.

Fragestellung
Innerhalb der Molekularpathologie haben die NGS-basierten (Next Generation Sequencing) Anforderungen in den vergangenen Jahren einen massiven Zuwachs erfahren. Um diesen Bedarf abzudecken, werden molekularpathologische Methoden stetig angepasst und weiterentwickelt. Wie dieser Trend zustande kommt und welche Analysen an Bedeutung gewinnen, soll in den folgenden Abschnitten beleuchtet werden.

Material und Methode
Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick der wesentlichen Techniken Nukleinsäure-basierter Analysen aus dem Bereich der massiven Parallelsequenzierung. Es wird in die Terminologie der DNA- und RNA-basierten Diagnoseverfahren sowie die zugehörigen Analysemethoden eingeführt. Der Fokus liegt hierbei auf deren Einsatz in der molekularpathologischen Routinediagnostik.

Ergebnisse
Die Breite der genomischen Sequenzierung nimmt in den letzten Jahren stetig zu, was insbesondere dem Ausbau im Bereich der personalisierten Medizin sowie den steigenden Neuzulassungen von zielgerichteten Therapeutika geschuldet ist. Dadurch wird u. a. die Analyse neuer Biomarker erforderlich. Die Diagnostik im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären molekularen Tumorboards (MTB) erfordert mittlerweile den Einsatz von großen Genpanels (> 1 Megabase). Darüber hinaus wurde durch das Modellvorhaben Genomsequenzierung § 64e erstmalig ein Gesetz erlassen, welches für (austherapierte) onkologische Patienten eine Ganzexom- bzw. Ganzgenomsequenzierung vorsieht. In Hinblick auf diese Entwicklungen liegt es nahe, dass zukünftige Analysen die Integration weiterer Omics-Felder wie der Ganztranskriptomanalyse, des Epigenoms sowie des Proteoms erfordern.

Schlussfolgerung
Die Herausforderungen der personalisierten Medizin sowie die Notwendigkeit des Nachweises einer Vielzahl neuer Biomarker setzen die Implementierung und Umsetzung neuer Techniken in der Molekularpathologie voraus, die eine immer höhere Komplexität aufweisen.
Prevalence of elevated lipoprotein(a) in cardiac rehabilitation patients — results from a large-scale multicentre registry in Germany
Authors: Altmann Christoph , Burlacu Nelu-Adrian , Preuss Thomas , Hlousek Annett , Eddicks Stephan ,   on behalf of the MEDIAN Medical Board Cardiology, Altmann Christoph , Brezger Marc , Eddicks Stephan , Gjermeni Erind , Hintz Petra , Schueller Per Otto , Schueth Stefan , Slezakova Tatiana , Toepel Gerhard , Valenta Anna , Bellmann Barbara , Friederichs Bernd , Fru Chi Ira , Otto Jürgen , Rahbarian Shirin , Severin Raik , Stancu Oana , Turovets Oleg , Golenia Laura 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction and aortic valve stenosis. European guidelines recommend assessing it at least once in a lifetime, particularly in premature atherosclerotic heart disease.

Methods
A non-interventional registry was conducted at MEDIAN rehabilitation facilities in Germany to assess the frequency of Lp(a) testing in referring acute care hospitals and the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) levels in aortic valve stenosis or premature myocardial infarction. All consecutive patients referred after coronary intervention or aortic valve surgery were included in four cohorts: aortic valve intervention (cohort 1), current/previous myocardial infarction at < 60 years of age (cohorts 2a/2b), and myocardial infarction at ≥ 60 years of age (control).

Results
The analysis included 3393 patient records (cohort 1, n = 1063; cohort 2a, n = 1351; cohort 2b, n = 381; control, n = 598). Lp(a) had been determined at the referring hospital in 0.19% (cohort 1), 4.96% (cohort 2a), 2.36% (cohort 2b), and 2.01% (control) of patients. Lp(a) levels were > 50 mg/dL or > 125 nmol/L in 28.79% (cohort 1), 29.90% (cohort 2a), and 36.48% (cohort 2b; p < 0.001) compared to 24.25% (control). Family history of premature cardiovascular disease was reported in 13.45% (cohort 1), 38.56% (cohort 2a), and 32.81% (cohort 2b) compared to 17.89% (control; p < 0.05 for each comparison).

Conclusions
Lp(a) had been rarely assessed in acute management of aortic valve stenosis or premature myocardial infarction despite expanding scientific evidence and guideline recommendation. Given the above-average incidence of elevated Lp(a) levels, awareness for Lp(a) has to increase substantially to better identify and manage high-risk patients.

Graphical Abstract
Which parameters influence cognitive, psychiatric and long-term seizure outcome in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy after selective amygdalohippocampectomy?
Authors: Jud Judith , Stefanits Harald , Gelpi Ellen , Quinot Valérie , Aull-Watschinger Susanne , Czech Thomas , Dorfer Christian , Rössler Karl , Baumgartner Christoph , Kasprian Gregor , Watschinger Clara , Moser Doris , Brugger Jonas , Pataraia Ekaterina 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
We aimed to analyze potentially prognostic factors which could have influence on postoperative seizure, neuropsychological and psychiatric outcome in a cohort of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis (HS) after selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE) via transsylvian approach.

Methods
Clinical variables of 171 patients with drug-resistant MTLE with HS (88 females) who underwent SAHE between 1994 and 2019 were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models, to investigate which of the explanatory parameters can best predict the outcome.

Results
At the last available follow-up visit 12.3 ± 6.3 years after surgery 114 patients (67.9%) were seizure-free. Left hemispheric MTLE was associated with worse postoperative seizure outcome at first year after surgery (OR = 0.54, p = 0.01), female sex—with seizure recurrence at years 2 (OR = 0.52, p = 0.01) and 5 (OR = 0.53, p = 0.025) and higher number of preoperative antiseizure medication trials—with seizure recurrence at year 2 (OR = 0.77, p = 0.0064), whereas patients without history of traumatic brain injury had better postoperative seizure outcome at first year (OR = 2.08, p = 0.0091). All predictors lost their predictive value in long-term course. HS types had no prognostic influence on outcome. Patients operated on right side performed better in verbal memory compared to left (VLMT 1-5 p < 0.001, VLMT 7 p = 0.001). Depression occurred less frequently in seizure-free patients compared to non-seizure-free patients (BDI-II Z = − 2.341, p = 0.019).

Conclusions
SAHE gives an improved chance of achieving good postoperative seizure, psychiatric and neuropsychological outcome in patients with in MTLE due to HS. Predictors of short-term outcome don’t predict long-term outcome.
An enhanced deep learning approach for vascular wall fracture analysis
Authors: Tragoudas Alexandros , Alloisio Marta , Elsayed Elsayed S. , Gasser T. Christian , Aldakheel Fadi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis work outlines an efficient deep learning approach for analyzing vascular wall fractures using experimental data with openly accessible source codes (https://doi.org/10.25835/weuhha72) for reproduction. Vascular disease remains the primary cause of death globally to this day. Tissue damage in these vascular disorders is closely tied to how the diseases develop, which requires careful study. Therefore, the scientific community has dedicated significant efforts to capture the properties of vessel wall fractures. The symmetry-constrained compact tension (symconCT) test combined with digital image correlation (DIC) enabled the study of tissue fracture in various aorta specimens under different conditions. Main purpose of the experiments was to investigate the displacement and strain field ahead of the crack tip. These experimental data were to support the development and verification of computational models. The FEM model used the DIC information for the material parameters identification. Traditionally, the analysis of fracture processes in biological tissues involves extensive computational and experimental efforts due to the complex nature of tissue behavior under stress. These high costs have posed significant challenges, demanding efficient solutions to accelerate research progress and reduce embedded costs. Deep learning techniques have shown promise in overcoming these challenges by learning to indicate patterns and relationships between the input and label data. In this study, we integrate deep learning methodologies with the attention residual U-Net architecture to predict fracture responses in porcine aorta specimens, enhanced with a Monte Carlo dropout technique. By training the network on a sufficient amount of data, the model learns to capture the features influencing fracture progression. These parameterized datasets consist of pictures describing the evolution of tissue fracture path along with the DIC measurements. The integration of deep learning should not only enhance the predictive accuracy, but also significantly reduce the computational and experimental burden, thereby enabling a more efficient analysis of fracture response.
Leaders as the targets of workplace bullying - prevalence and outcomes
Authors: Nielsen Morten Birkeland , Evensen Mariama Cham , Parveen Sana , Finne Live Bakke 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Bullying of leaders is an underexplored topic in organizational research. To fill this knowledge gap, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of bullying of leaders and to examine whether holding a formal leadership position influences the relationships between exposure to bullying and the outcomes job satisfaction and depression.

Methods
Data from two separate surveys were employed: (1) A cross-sectional occupation specific sample comprising 678 Norwegian child welfare social workers; (2) A nationally representative probability sample of 1,608 Norwegian employees with two time-points (6 months’ time-lag).

Results
Analyzing multiple indicators of workplace bullying, holding a formal leadership position had no impact on the initial risk of being bullied. Analyses of prospective data showed that leaders report a somewhat stronger increase in levels of bullying over time compared to non-leaders, although the effect size was small. With exception of a small buffering effect on the cross-sectional association between exposure to bullying behaviors and job satisfaction in the second sample, holding a leadership position had no effect on the strength of the association between bullying and outcomes.

Conclusion
The findings show that leaders have the same risk of being bullied and are influenced by bullying in roughly the same manner as non-leaders. Organizational measures and interventions against bullying should therefore consider leaders as a risk group in line with other employees.
zDHHC3-mediated S-palmitoylation of SLC9A2 regulates apoptosis in kidney clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiuyun , Hou Junpeng , Zhou Guangyuan , Wang Haixia , Wu Zeang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Kidney clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) has a poor prognosis, high morbidity and mortality rates, and high invasion and metastasis rate, and effective therapeutic targets are lacking. zDHHC3 has been implicated in various cancers, but its specific role in KIRC remains unclear.

Methods
In this study, we performed a pan-cancer analysis, bioinformatics analysis, and cell experiment to detect the role of zDHHC3 in KIRC.

Results
zDHHC3 was significantly down-regulated in KIRC, and that its high expression was associated with favorable patient outcomes. We identified 202 hub genes that were most relevant to high zDHHC3 expression and KIRC, and found that they were involved mainly in ion transport and renal cell carcinoma. Among these hub genes, SLC9A2 was identified as a downstream gene of zDHHC3. zDHHC3 suppression led to decreased expression and S-palmitoylation of SLC9A2, which further inhibited the apoptosis of Caki-2 cells.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that zDHHC3 plays an important role in KIRC, due partly to its regulation of SLC9A2 S-palmitoylation. The targeting of the zDHHC3–SLC9A2 axis may provide a new option for the clinical treatment of KIRC.
Combination of a Failure Index and a Dilatancy-Dependent Permeability Model in Hydro-Mechanically-Coupled Numerical Simulations of Argillaceous Rock Formations of the Callovo-Oxfordian (COx)
Authors: Radeisen Eike , Shao Hua , Pitz Michael , Hesser Jürgen , Kolditz Olaf , Wang Wenqing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHydraulic-mechanical coupling in claystone is of great importance for repository research, as claystone is considered a possible host rock and hydraulic-mechanical coupled processes can affect the integrity of the barrier. Of particular importance in this context are excavation damage zones and hydraulically-induced microcracks and fractures. In this work, two constitutive equations developed for these hydraulic-mechanical coupled processes are combined in a novel way. The approach exploits the different dominant stress states that prevail in the respective processes. This approach is applied in several numerical simulations for validation and compared with experimental data. The measured data were obtained during gas-injection tests in the scope of the PGZ experiment in the underground laboratory of Bure, France, where the hydraulic-mechanical coupling of the is the Nabla operator claystone was investigated. Five numerical models were calculated, each with a different model configuration, to simulate the excavation damage zone and dilatancy-controlled flow during gas-injection tests. The numerical results show that the developed approach can first satisfactorily predict the extent and behaviour of the excavation damage zone under different stress conditions and the subsequent dilatancy-dependent permeability due to the increased gas pressure.
Turning asynchronicity into an opportunity: asynchronous communication for shared understanding with vision videos
Authors: Nagel Lukas , Karras Oliver , Amiri Seyed Mahdi , Schneider Kurt 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe success of software projects depends on developing a system that satisfies the stakeholders’ wishes and needs according to their mental models of the intended system. However, stakeholders may have misaligned mental models of the same system, resulting in conflicting requirements. For this reason, a shared understanding of the project vision is essential for the success of software projects. While it is already challenging to achieve shared understanding in synchronous contexts, such as meetings, it is even more challenging when only asynchronous contexts, like messaging services, are possible. When multiple stakeholders are involved from different locations and time zones, primarily asynchronous communication occurs. The use of asynchronous communication tools for the development of a shared understanding has hardly been analyzed. In this paper, we look to turn the potential detriment of having to discuss a project vision asynchronously into an opportunity for stakeholders to achieve a shared understanding. For this purpose, we give an overview of common challenges of asynchronous communication. We also propose five concepts designed to minimize the impact of these challenges. We examine categories of asynchronous communication tools and assess their adaptability to our concepts. In a workshop, we chose three most suited representatives to include in our main experiment. In this experiment, we evaluate the adapted representatives and a prototype of our own with 30 participants. Our results show the suitability of our concepts. Participants using our concepts were able to achieve a higher level of shared understanding.