bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ELX: An Empirical Two-Stage Combinatorial Approach to Identify Pleiotropic Genetic Effects by using Genome-Wide Association Summary Statistics
Authors: Tsai Ming-Ju , Chen Xing , Hsu Yi-Hsiang 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified genetic determinants underlying complex human diseases. Pleiotropic effects occur when a single genetic variant influences multiple phenotypes or illnesses, widely observed in recent GWAS findings. However, no systematic effort has been made to statistically detect pleiotropic effects across many traits/phenotypes due to the lack of easy-to-use statistical tools utilizing summary statistics from GWAS, mainly since most GWAS were conducted via meta-analyzing combining summary statistics from multiple studies. This study proposes an Empirical Linear two-stage Combinatorial (ELX) method to identify potential pleiotropic effects by utilizing aggregated results from GWAS summary statistics. In the first stage, we developed direct linear combining (dLC), and empirical combining (eLC) approaches combining correlated univariate test statistics to screen potential pleiotropic variants on a genome-wide scale. In the second stage, we developed a conditional pleiotropy testing (cPLT) approach to examine the pleiotropic effects for candidate variants identified in Stage 1 using individual-level data. The results demonstrated that cPLT reduced type 1 error in identifying pleiotropic genetic variants compared to the typical conditional strategy. We validated ELX by performing a bivariate GWA study on two correlated quantitative traits, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides, in the Framingham Heart Study. The proposed two-stage approach allows us to leverage aggregated summary statistics from univariate GWAS. It improves the power to identify potential pleiotropy while maintaining low false-positive rates. ELX is available on Github at https://yihsianghsulab.github.io/ELX.
Situational Assessment for Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) in Pakistan
Authors: Maqbool Nida , Shahid Muhammad Arslan , Khan Sher Jamal 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
With enhanced focus on global sanitation, access to toilets at the household level is increasing in developing countries although the provision of sewer networks is not expanding at the same pace. This is resulting in the adaptation of On-Site Sanitation (OSS) facilities. The fecal sludge generated by the OSS facilities requires emptying, treatment, and safe disposal. In this study, the sanitation situation and need for Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) was evaluated in major cities of Pakistan including Karachi (provincial capital), Lahore (provincial capital), and Islamabad (national capital). Primary and secondary data were collected from key informant interviews (KII) of the stakeholders, national and international reports, research, and review articles. Infographics on wastewater and fecal sludge from origin to disposal were developed using a Shit flow diagram (SFD) tool and enabling environment was evaluated with a modified Service Delivery Assessment (SDA) tool. The results indicate that adequate sewerage network cover exists in Karachi (60%), Lahore (63%), and Islamabad (50%). The sewerage network in major cities is leaking and a limited amount reaches the treatment plants. Total wastewater treatment in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad is 10%, 0%, and 9% respectively. The safe sanitation in Lahore (8%) and Islamabad (25%) is coming from OSS with fecal sludge buried safely onsite. The inclusion of FSM related framework, guidelines, and policies can help achieve the goal of safe sanitation for all.
Gripping Adhesive Principles in the Design of Effectors
Authors: Horak Marcel , Stary Michal , Matusek Ondrej , Novotny Frantisek 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
This article presents a basic study of knowledge in the research and development of specific gripping elements based on the principle of adhesion. It summarizes the use of materials with a high degree of surface adhesion in the design of gripping elements usable in industry to provide stable gripping of objects during automatic manipulation. The principle of a combined element proposed by the authors, where the gripping force is derived through both vacuum and adhesion, is presented. The conditions of operation in an active or completely passive mode without the need to connect an energy source are discussed in detail. In the active mode, a significant increase in gripping forces is demonstrated compared to standard vacuum elements, which has a positive effect on the amounts of compressed air consumed and the level of grip safety in production processes. To ensure the optimal function of the adhesive gripping elements, the design of a specifically designed fluid position compensator and an active system for disturbing the adhesive gripping forces is presented. The functionality of the designed element was demonstrated through several laboratory tests under various conditions, and the results clearly confirmed an increase in gripping forces in the axial and in particular the radial direction of the load. The research included the design of a computer model of deformation-adhesive contact, respecting the time dependence of the deformation of the adhesive layer and the gradual loss of contact with the object.
A clinical study of the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of Zone 3 REBOA for sacral and pelvic tumor resections
Authors: Zhao Zhiqing , Wang Jichuan , Yan Taiqiang , Guo Wei , Yang Rongli , Tang Xiaodong , Yang Yi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a key procedure in sacral and pelvic tumor resection that provides hemorrhage control. However, few studies have been performed to capture the effects of REBOA in a non-shock condition and give a detailed description of the changes occurring with the occlusion time prolongs. This study aim to examine the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of Zone 3 REBOA for sacral and pelvic tumor resections following different periods of REBOA.Methods: 121 patients underwent surgical tuomr resections of the pelvis and/or the sacrum with the use of aortic balloon occlusion were prospectively enrolled in this study from October 2020 to December 2021. All cases were divided into group A (occlusion time ≤60 min, n = 57) and group B (occlusion time ≥90 min, n = 64). Physiologic parameters were continuously recorded, and laboratory specimens were obtained at regular intervals.Results: Balloon inflation resulted in a significant increase of SBP from 106.81 to 121.84 mmHg (p = 0.00), and decreased to 95.79 mmHg the just following balloon deflation. With the application of REBOA, the average blood loss was only 1485.21ml (range, 400-7900). When deflating the REBOA, the arterial pH was lower than baseline (7.36 vs. 7.41, p = 0.00). The arterial lactate concentration increased from 0.91 to 1.48 mmol/L, (p = 0.00). Serum potassium measurements increased from 3.95 to 4.10 mmol/L. Serum calcium measurements decreased from 2.30 to 2.03 mmol/L. Blood creatinine decreased from 65.09 to 62.50 umol/L. All the laboratory measurements were at normal level after deflation of the REBOA. The operating time of Group B was longer than patients in Group A, and the patients in Group B need more number of blood units transfused. Except that the lactate was higher in Group B after deflation (p = 0.00), other laboratory measurements including pH, potassium, calcium, and blood creatinine were at the same level.Conclusions: The results of this study shown that acceptable hemodynamic and metabolic stability can be attained when the occlusion time of REBOA more than 90 minutes, although the long duration of occlusion caused relatively higher lactate.
Follow-up survey of general practitioners in Zhejiang Province post-completion of position transition training in 2017–2020
Authors: Qin Hongli , Li Shuai , Liu Juanjuan , Ren Jingjing , Yu Meiyue 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Position transition training for general practitioners in Zhejiang Province started in 2017 and has since been held once a year. By the beginning of 2022, four training sessions were completed. The purpose of this survey was to establish the current situation of trainees after their graduation and provide reference for the evaluation of the training effect.Methods: Of the 738 trainees who completed the training, 253 were contacted and followed up. A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct the survey through online filling in. The content included questions to elucidate the following information: whereabouts after the training, registration as a general practitioner, undertaken general practice teaching and scientific research work, current occupational environment, improvement of post competence after receiving position transition training, willingness to complete survey, willingness to participate in future training programs, etc.Results: A number of 253 valid questionnaires were collected with a recovery rate of 100%. Notably, 93.68% of the participants successfully completed their training and obtained the Training Certificate of General Practitioners. Further, 83.4% were registered as general practitioners, 82.94% of which added on the basis of the original registered scope of practice. Currently, most of them work in primary health care institutions, primarily occupied with medical treatment, chronic disease management, COVID-19 prevention and control, health education, and prevention and health care. Of them, 27.01% were currently undertaking teaching work, and only 3.32% of them were conducting scientific research work related to general practice. The overall satisfaction of the trainees in the three theoretical training bases was above 90%, with no statistically significant difference among them (P > 0.05). Importantly, 84.11% of the followed-up personnel hoped to continue to participate in similar training in the future to improve their general practitioner core competences.Conclusion: The position transition training in Zhejiang Province has achieved good results, but the details of training and the implementation of policies in individual regions need to be improved. Most of the graduates were willing to continue their education, especially in general practitioners with special interests.
Predictors of Sick Leave among Healthcare Workers in a Lebanese Tertiary Medical Center: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Sakr Carine , Fakih Lina , Musharrafieh Umayya , Makki Maha , Doudakian Rita , Tamim Hani , Redlich Carrie , Slade Martin , Rahme Diana 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background:
Previous studies have shown that demographic, social, and work-related factors can influence sick-leave rates among healthcare workers. In this multivariable study, we evaluated potential predictors of sick leaves among the employees of a tertiary medical center in Lebanon between the years 2015 and 2018.
Methods:
This study was a retrospective analysis of sick leave records of the population of healthcare workers who took sick leave between 2015 and 2018. The records included a large sample size of 2,850 employees. Descriptive statistics were run, and the number of sick leave episodes was stratified by sick leave diagnosis. Bivariate analysis was done to investigate the association of the outcome with all predictors. To identify potential predictors of sick leave episodes, a multiple linear regression was conducted, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Infectious diseases and musculoskeletal disorders diagnoses accounted for the highest number of sick leaves throughout the study period. All diagnoses had a short duration of sick leave days, with the mean duration of all diagnoses being 2.60 days. As for predictors of number of sick leave episodes, results from multiple regression analysis showed that the female gender, older age, marital status, lower job grade, job position, smoking status, and some medical conditions (namely gastrointestinal problems, respiratory problems, kidney disease, headache, back pain, and anxiety) were all significant predictors of taking more sick-leave episodes in the study population.
Conclusion:
Analyzing sick leave is a complex process with multifactorial determinants, and our study found a significant association between multiple demographics, work related, and health related predictors with the number of sick leave episodes. These findings call for further research to evaluate how interventions such as smoking cessation programs, safe patient handling programs, and employee assistance programs could impact sick leave rates among healthcare workers. Such interventions would guide policies for healthier, safer, and more productive workplaces.
MSI status and p53 expression in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms
Authors: Winkelmann Ria , Weißgerber Maja , Wild Peter J. , Demes Melanie , Balermpas Panagiotis , Bankov Katrin , Grün Jens von der 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Histopathological diagnosis of salivary gland cancer (SGC) can be challenging and DNA and RNA sequencing approaches can be needed in difficult cases. Unfortunately, next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches are still expensive and time consuming. For this reason, there is still demand for quicker and less time-consuming techniques, which are able to reveal important therapeutical targets. Methods:We investigated approaches to test for microsatellite instability (MSI) on well-defined cohorts of benign (n=60) and malignant (n=84) salivary gland neoplasms by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mismatch repair proteins (MMR-P), fragment analysis based on the Bethesda Panel, and the IdyllaTM MSI test. Additionally, we investigated p53 immunoreactivity on our cohort assuming a link between MSI status and p53 expression levels. Results: According to MMR-P IHC 8 cases of SGC showed an aberrant IHC phenotype. Additional IdyllaTM MSI testing and fragment length analysis could not confirm microsatellite instability. For p53, differing expression patterns were noted in the cohort of malignant SGC: 37/78 (47%) showed a wild-type pattern and 41/78 (53%) showed an aberrant pattern (either complete loss or strong expression).A statistically significant association between p53 expression pattern and MSI status via MMR-P IHC was shown (p=0,04). Conclusion: Based on PCR results, MSI seems to be insignificant in SGCs. For verification larger cohorts are needed. Under the aspect of quality assurance and to get valid results for MSI testing, sufficient DNA quality is needed. Additionally, the applied primer panels were designed and validated for colorectal cancer not for salivary gland neoplasms. Although p53 is of lesser relevance for diagnostic purposes, it may serve as a first step in MSI testing and generating possible new therapeutic options for the patient.
Randomly controlled drivers using minimal-invasive sampling: assessment of the drug prevalence in Western Switzerland over two time periods
Authors: Joye Timothée , Déglon Julien , Donzé Nicolas , Gilardi Federica , Sidibe Jonathan , Favrat Bernard , Augsburger Marc , Thomas Aurélien 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
BackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries lead to 1.3 million deaths each year and represent the first cause of death for young adults under 30 years old. The use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, drugs and pharmaceuticals is a well-known risk factor for road traffic injuries. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of substances consumed by drivers in Western Switzerland. Such studies are capital to improve prevention and develop public awareness campaigns.MethodsTo assess the prevalence of psychoactive substances among drivers, roadside controls were performed in collaboration with local polices, using their classical sampling procedures to detect drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, over two time periods (P1: 2006-2008, P2: 2017-2020). When impaired-driving was not suspected by the police, minimal-invasive sampling strategies were performed on volunteer drivers, after a road safety survey. A posteriori analyses and statistical interpretation were then performed.ResultsAmongst the 1’605 drivers included in the study, 1’048 volunteers provided an oral fluid sample, whilst 299 provided a dried blood spot sample. The percentage of drivers testing positive to at least one substance which may impair driving ability was stable over time, with a rate of 10.5% of positivity measured over both periods. The proportion of medicinal drugs and drugs of abused showed a slight variation between both periods, with 7.6 % and 6.3 % of prescribed drugs and 3.6 % and 4.9 % of illicit drugs for P1 and P2 respectively. Regarding the consumption of illicit drugs, the highest percentage of positivity was measured in biological fluids of drivers under the age of 35, during nights and week-ends, periods which are considered particularly prone to fatal accidents for this age group. Disturbingly, the road safety survey highlighted that drivers’ perception of the risk of getting positively controlled whilst driving after drug consumption is low (3.3 on a 1-to-10 scale, N=299).ConclusionThe number of positive cases measured in voluntary drivers who passed the preliminary police check demonstrates the importance of systematic biofluid sampling strategies regarding driving under the influence of psychoactive substances. Although the number of fatal road accidents globally decreases overtime, the results of this study reveal the need for both better prevention and deterrent processes that could potentially reduce the risk of fatal road accidents associated with drug consumption.
Kotter's 8-step change model to improve hand hygiene compliance in Intensive Care Unit: a 41-month prospective longitudinal quality improvement study
Authors: Hu Fen , Wang Ying , Cao Rui , Hu Chang , Feng Bilong , Li Jin , Ding Xinbo , Ma Jing , Li Huilin , Wang Pei , Xu Ying , Xu Dandan , Pei Juanjuan , Zhu Xiaoping , Chen Jie , Liang Ke , Peng Zhiyong , Kashani Kianoush , Hu Bo , Yuan Yufeng 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
BackgroundMany studies have evaluated bundled interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance (HHC). However, the compliance rates remain low. We aimed to use Kotter's change model (KCM) to improve HHC and conduct a complete process evaluation for HHC among medical staff in the intensive care unit (ICU). MethodsKCM was administrated in the ICU of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from March 2018 to August 2021, and 41-month longitudinal monitoring of HHC was carried out. The primary outcome was the absolute change in monthly HHC. The secondary outcomes included the characteristics of HHC in different phases, the different change trends of HHC for different HH opportunities and occupations, the quarterly incidence of the central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), and the catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).Results. 20,222 HH actions and 24,195 HH opportunities were included in this study. The overall HHC was 83.58% (95%CI, 83.11%-84.04%). After implementing the KCM project, the HHC increased from 35.71% (95%CI, 22.99%-50.83%) to 87.75% (95%CI, 85.53%-89.67%), with an increased rate of 145.73%. The fastest-growing rate of HHC was after contact patients, which increased from 35.29% to 89.8%. Quarterly trends of the CLABSI rate (0‰-3.53‰) and CAUTI rate (0.96‰-4.26‰) remained stable at a low level under the background of the number of cases and the treatment complexities of the patients increasing year by year.ConclusionsUsing KCM can systematically change the cognition of HH in healthcare providers and create an atmosphere to promote HH to improve and maintain the stability of the HHC of healthcare providers in ICU.
An image encryption scheme based on block compressed sensing and Chen system​
Authors: Luo Yuling , Liang Yuting , Zhang Shunsheng , Liu Junxiu , Wang Fangxiao 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Image encryption is a common way of information protection. However, most of the existing image encryption schemes have been restricted to low transmission efficiency and large memory consumption due to ciphertext redundancy. A high-efficiency and security image algorithm with Block Compressed Sensing (BCS) is designed in this paper to protect image information and reduce redundant data. For a start, the original image is sparsely processed by Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), and then pixel positions in the global scope are scrambled by chaotic sequence. Secondly, several image blocks are obtained by dividing scrambled images and sequentially the computational complexity can be cut down. Next, the image blocks are measured by a key-controlled partial Hadamard matrix to reduce the dimension. Finally, image blocks are merged and a proposed Randomly Selected Pixel Diffusion (PSPD) is used to further enhance security performance. Specifically, SHA-512 value of the original image is used for key generation, and then plaintext sensitivity is improved. The pseudo-random sequences that are required for scrambling and diffusion are produced by Chen system and logistic map. Simulation results show that this mechanism has low complexity, higher performance of security compared with others.
Structural Basis of Oncogenesis by Mutants of Calreticulin
Authors: Constantinescu Stefan N. , Papadopoulos Nicolas , Nédélec Audrey , Derenne Allison , Şulea Teodor Asvadur , Pecquet Christian , Chachoua Ilyas , Vertenoeil Gaëlle , Tilmant Thomas , Petrescu Andrei-Jose , Mazuccheli Gabriel , Vertommen Didier 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Calreticulin (CALR) is a master lectin chaperone that normally guides the proper folding of integral membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. In healthy cells, CALR transiently and non-specifically interacts with thousands of immature N-glycosylated proteins through its N-terminal glycan-binding domain. Conversely, frameshift mutants of CALR turn into rogue cytokine by acquiring the ability to stably and specifically interact with the Thrombopoietin Receptor (TpoR). Strikingly, this interaction induces constitutive activation of TpoR leading to myeloproliferative neoplasms, blood cancers resulting from the overproduction of blood cells. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we unveil how the CALR frameshift mutations result in structural overhaul of the entire protein and identify the structural basis of its acquired specificity for TpoR. We further describe the mechanisms by which complex formation triggers TpoR dimerization and activation. In addition, we provide the first complete dynamic conformational footprints of both wild-type and mutant CALR and identify novel potentially targetable sites.