bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatocyte expressed chemerin-156 does not protect from experimental non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Pohl Rebekka , Eichelberger Laura , Feder Susanne , Haberl Elisabeth M. , Rein-Fischboeck Lisa , McMullen Nichole , Sinal Christopher J. , Bruckmann Astrid , Weiss Thomas S. , Beck Michael , Höring Marcus , Krautbauer Sabrina , Liebisch Gerhard , Wiest Reiner , Wanninger Josef , Buechler Christa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a rapidly growing liver disease. The chemoattractant chemerin is abundant in hepatocytes, and hepatocyte expressed prochemerin protected from NASH. Prochemerin is inactive and different active isoforms have been described. Here, the effect of hepatocyte expressed muChem-156, a highly active murine chemerin isoform, was studied in the methionine–choline deficient dietary model of NASH. Mice overexpressing muChem-156 had higher hepatic chemerin protein. Serum chemerin levels and the capability of serum to activate the chemerin receptors was unchanged showing that the liver did not release active chemerin. Notably, activation of the chemerin receptors by hepatic vein blood did not increase in parallel to total chemerin protein in patients with liver cirrhosis. In experimental NASH, muChem-156 had no effect on liver lipids. Accordingly, overexpression of active chemerin in hepatocytes or treatment of hepatocytes with recombinant chemerin did not affect cellular triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Importantly, overexpression of muChem-156 in the murine liver did not change the hepatic expression of inflammatory and profibrotic genes. The downstream targets of chemerin such as p38 kinase were neither activated in the liver of muChem-156 producing mice nor in HepG2, Huh7 and Hepa1-6 cells overexpressing this isoform. Recombinant chemerin had no effect on global gene expression of primary human hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells within 24 h of incubation. Phosphorylation of p38 kinase was, however, increased upon short-time incubation of HepG2 cells with chemerin. These findings show that muChem-156 overexpression in hepatocytes does not protect from liver steatosis and inflammation.
An 8-bit precision cipher for fast image encryption
Authors: Eyebe Fouda J. S. Armand , Koepf Wolfram 
Published: April 2022

AbstractImplementing chaos based ciphers usually involves 32-bit floating-point arithmetics that is hardware resources costly. The limitation of the computational precision is hardware imposed and transforms chaotic orbits into limit cycles with short periods, hence alters their randomness. In cryptographic applications, short period dynamics and weak randomness result in security issues. In order to address this concern, we propose an 8-bit precision cipher that can be implemented with low-end microprocessors running 8-bit integer arithmetics. The cipher includes a quantized pseudo-random number generator (QPRNG) based on a 16-dimensional quantized Arnold’s cat map (QACM). We used entropy measure, statistical, sensitivity and key space analyses to evaluate its security level under limited computational precision. Simulation results attest that it is as highly secure as those involving real-number arithmetics, even for only 8-bit precision. We also showed that the period of the proposed QACM can be chosen such that Tx > 1027, which is very large as compared to existing QACM. Such a large period implies a high randomness of the derived QPRNG that is confirmed by statistical NIST tests. Contrary to existing ciphers that include other chaotic systems than the QACM for strengthening the security level, ours is exclusively based on the QACM and is fast, despite the included high-dimensional QACM.
Layered feet and syllable-integrity violations: The case of Copperbelt Bemba bounded tone spread
Authors: Breteler Jeroen , Kager René 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe identify evidence supporting two amendments to standard metrical theory: the inclusion of layered feet, and the allowance of syllable-integrity violations, where a foot parses some, but not all, of a syllable’s constituents. The evidence comes from a High tone spreading process attested in Copperbelt Bemba (CB), which as reported by Bickmore and Kula (2013) et seq., occurs over a ternary domain. In quintessentially metrical fashion, the domain is sensitive to the presence and position of heavy syllables. Thus, we argue that metrical theory should take the CB data into account.CB ternary spreading can occur in contexts with an abundance of unparsed syllables on either side of the domain. We argue that this property is problematic for ‘Weak Layering’ accounts using binary feet (McCarthy and Prince 1986; Hayes 1995), which revolve around the minimal presence of unparsed syllables. We propose an alternative account using layered feet (Martínez-Paricio and Kager 2015), specifying an inner quantity-sensitive iamb and a strictly monomoraic adjunct. We show that a principled characterization of the spreading domain is that tone associates to all and only footed moras. We argue that a metrical analysis provides a more principled account of the data than can be achieved by Bickmore and Kula’s purely autosegmental analysis.Finally, we show that foot-based accounts of CB ternary spreading predict syllable-integrity violations (SIVs), where parsing consumes only the first of two tautosyllabic moras. Contrary to the common view that SIVs are universally disallowed, we embrace this result and put it in a typological context. We adopt an Optimality Theory constraint set to model SIVs (Kager and Martínez-Paricio 2018b), and extend it, paving the way for a typological investigation of SIVs.
It’s a shark-eat-shark world, but does that make for bigger pups? A comparison between oophagous and non-oophagous viviparous sharks
Authors: Miller Erin , Wails Christy N. , Sulikowski James 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOophagous reproduction (i.e., consumption of unfertilized ova in utero) in sharks has been hypothesized to result in fewer but larger pups relative to those produced by viviparous sharks with different modes of maternal nutrient transfer. We compared pup and litter sizes reported in the literature for 106 shark species with lecithotrophic viviparity, oophagy, and placental viviparity as methods of maternal nutrient transfer during pregnancy. Using a suite of permutational tests, we accounted for the effect of maternal size to test whether oophagous strategies do indeed result in larger pups and smaller litters relative to sharks with lecithotrophic and placental viviparous reproduction. Our results demonstrated that litter size was significantly reduced in species with oophagous reproduction relative to sharks with lecithotrophic and placentally viviparous reproduction. Further, the influence of oophagous reproduction on pup length was more variable, and generally pup length of oophagous species was only larger than sharks with lecithotrophic viviparous reproduction. However, when maternal investment was expressed as litter mass (minimum pup mass by litter size), the effect of oophagy was neutralized. We found further evidence that pup length at birth was directly modulated by litter size and habitat, suggesting pup length at birth may also be adapted to conditions at nursing grounds. Our study supports the hypothesis that both placentally viviparous and lecithotrophic viviparous species maximize their reproductive fitness by allocating nutrients to larger litters of pups, whereas oophagous species maximize reproductive fitness through smaller litters of pups that may be well adapted to their nursing grounds.
Reimagining the Clinical Competency Committee to Enhance Education and Prepare for Competency-Based Time-Variable Advancement
Authors: Goldhamer Mary Ellen J. , Martinez-Lage Maria , Black-Schaffer W. Stephen , Huang Jennifer T. , Co John Patrick T. , Weinstein Debra F. , Pusic Martin V. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAssessing residents and clinical fellows is a high-stakes activity. Effective assessment is important throughout training so that identified areas of strength and weakness can guide educational planning to optimize outcomes. Assessment has historically been underemphasized although medical education oversight organizations have strengthened requirements in recent years. Growing acceptance of competency-based medical education and its logical extension to competency-based time-variable (CB-TV) graduate medical education (GME) further highlights the importance of implementing effective evidence-based approaches to assessment. The Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) has emerged as a key programmatic structure in graduate medical education. In the context of launching a multi-specialty pilot of CB-TV GME in our health system, we have examined several program’s CCC processes and reviewed the relevant literature to propose enhancements to CCCs. We recommend that all CCCs fulfill three core goals, regularly applied to every GME trainee: (1) discern and describe the resident’s developmental status to individualize education, (2) determine readiness for unsupervised practice, and (3) foster self-assessment ability. We integrate the literature and observations from GME program CCCs in our institutions to evaluate how current CCC processes support or undermine these goals. Obstacles and key enablers are identified. Finally, we recommend ways to achieve the stated goals, including the following: (1) assess and promote the development of competency in all trainees, not just outliers, through a shared model of assessment and competency-based advancement; (2) strengthen CCC assessment processes to determine trainee readiness for independent practice; and (3) promote trainee reflection and informed self-assessment. The importance of coaching for competency, robust workplace-based assessments, feedback, and co-production of individualized learning plans are emphasized. Individual programs and their CCCs must strengthen assessment tools and frameworks to realize the potential of competency-oriented education.
Versorgungsrealität in Deutschland: ein Auszug aus dem Schulterendoprothesenregister der Deutschen Vereinigung für Schulter- und Ellenbogenchirurgie e.V. (DVSE)
Authors: Kircher Jörn , Ohly Birgit , Albers Sebastian , Kirchner Florian , Hudek Robert , Magosch Petra 
Published: April 2022

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die letzten Jahre sind geprägt von weiteren Fallzahlsteigerungen der Implantation von Schulterendoprothesen in Deutschland. Die Registerforschung bietet die Möglichkeit, Trends in der Versorgung im Hinblick auf die demografischen Daten als auch der verwendeten Implantate frühzeitig zu erkennen und sichtbar zu machen.

Material und Methode
Die Daten des Schulterendoprothesenregister SPR der DVSE aus den Jahren 2015–2020 für alle Primärimplantationen wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet im Hinblick auf folgende Parameter: demografische Faktoren, Verwendung von Implantaten (anatomisch vs. invers; zementiert vs. zementfrei; schaftfrei, Kurzschäften, klassische Schäfte), Anzahl der dokumentierenden Kliniken/Abteilungen während dieses Zeitraums.

Ergebnisse
Es zeigt sich ein Anstieg der dokumentierten Fälle im SPR über die Jahre (vor allem Zunahme inverser Endoprothesen). Ursache für die Fallzahlsteigerungen ist keine relevante Abnahme des Durchschnittsalters zum Zeitpunkt der Erstimplantation.
Bei Implantation von anatomischen Endoprothesen zeigt sich ein klarer Trend zugunsten der Verwendung von schaftfreien Implantaten; schaftfreie inverse Implantate bleiben eher die Ausnahme; Glenoide werden überwiegend zementiert mit leicht fallendem Trend, humerale Komponenten werden weiterhin überwiegend zementiert implantiert, etwas weniger ausgeprägt auch bei inversen Endoprothesen.

Schlussfolgerung
Die Daten belegen, dass die Fallzahlsteigerung der Implantationen nicht auf eine Ausweitung der Indikation für jüngere Patienten zurückgeführt werden kann. Es zeigt sich ein klarer Trend zur Verwendung von schaftfreien Implantaten, besonders bei Versorgung mit anatomischen Systemen.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as predictor of cardiovascular mortality in heart failure patients: data from the T.O.S.CA. registry
Authors: De Giorgi Alfredo , Marra Alberto Maria , Iacoviello Massimo , Triggiani Vincenzo , Rengo Giuseppe , Cacciatore Francesco , Maiello Ciro , Limongelli Giuseppe , Masarone Daniele , Perticone Francesco , Filardi Pasquale Perrone , Paolillo Stefania , Mancini Antonio , Volterrani Maurizio , Vriz Olga , Castello Roberto , Passantino Andrea , Campo Michela , Modesti Pietro Amedeo , Salzano Andrea , D’Assante Roberta , Arcopinto Michele , Raparelli Valeria , Fabbian Fabio , Sciacqua Angela , Colao Annamaria , Suzuki Toru , Bossone Eduardo , Cittadini Antonio ,   T.O.S.CA. Investigators, Cittadini A. , ArcopintoSalzano M. A. , Saccà L. , Monti M. G. , Napoli R. , Matarazzo M. , Stagnaro F. M. , Schiavo A. , Valente P. , Bossone E. , Ferrara F. , Russo V. , Malinconico M. , Citro R. , Guastalamacchia E. , Iacoviello M. , Leone M. , Triggiani V. , Cacciatore F. , Maiello C. , Amarelli C. , Mattucci I. , Limongelli G. , Masarone D. , Calabrò P. , Calabrò R. , D’Andrea A. , Maddaloni V. , Pacileo G. , Scarafile R. , Perticone F. , Belfiore A. , Sci-acqua A. , Cimellaro A. , Filardi P. Perrone , Casaretti L. , Paolillo S. , Gargiulo P. , Mancini A. , Favuzzi A. M. R. , Di Segni C. , Bruno C. , Vergani E. , Vriz O. , Castello R. , Frigo A. , Campo M. , Sorrentino M. R. , Modesti P. A. , Malandrino D. , Manfredini R. , De Giorgi A. , Fabbian F. , Puzzo A. , Ragusa L. , Caliendo L. , Carbone L. , Frigiola A. , Generali T. , Giacomazzi F. , De Vincentiis C. , Ballotta A. , Garofalo P. , Malizia G. , Suzuki T. , Heaney L. M. , Bruzzese D. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Introduction
Data from the “Trattamento Ormonale nello Scompenso CArdiaco” (T.O.S.CA) registry showed that heart failure (HF) represents a complex clinical syndrome with different hormonal alterations. Renal failure represents a frequent complication in HF. We evaluated the relationship between renal function and insuline-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) deficiency and its impact on cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in patients enrolled in the T.O.S.CA. registry.

Methods
At the enrolment, all subjects underwent chemistry examinations, including circulating hormones and cardiovascular functional tests. COX regression analysis was used to evaluate factors related to CVM during the follow-up period in all populations, in high-risk patients and in the young-adult population. Also, we evaluate the effects of renal function on the CVM.

Results
337 patients (41 deceased) were analyzed. CVM was related to severe renal dysfunction (HR stages IV–V = 4.86), high-risk conditions (HR 2.25), serum IGF-1 (HR 0.42), and HF etiology (HR 5.85 and HR 1.63 for valvular and ischemic etiology, respectively). In high-risk patients, CVM was related to IGF-1 levels, severe renal dysfunction and valvular etiology, whereas in young patients CMV was related to the high-risk pattern and serum IGF-1 levels.

Conclusions
Our study showed the clinical and prognostic utility of the IGF-1 assay in patients with HF.
Surgical management of abdominal desmoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Moore Dave , Burns Lucy , Creavin Ben , Ryan Eanna , Conlon Kevin , Kelly Michael Eamon , Kavanagh Dara 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundDesmoid tumours are benign fibromatous tumours arising from dysregulated myofibroblast proliferation within musculoaponeurotic structures. They can occur sporadically but more commonly are associated with genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (Sakorafas et al. in Surg Oncol 16(2):131–142, 2007) (FAP). Mutations in either the Wnt, β-catenin orAPCgenes are ‘key’ triggers for the development of these tumours (Howard and Pollock in Oncol Ther 4(1):57–72, 2016). Classically, these tumours do not metastasise; however, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to their infiltrative pattern and/or local invasion. Historically, surgical resection was the cornerstone of treatment. There remains paucity of data regarding outcomes following the surgical management of abdominal desmoid tumours in terms of success, recurrence and morbidity.ObjectivesThe aim of this review was to assess the current evidence for surgical management of abdominal desmoid tumours in terms of success, recurrence and morbidity.MethodsA systematic search of articles in PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for the period from January 2000 to November 2020.ResultsTwenty-three studies were included, of which, 749 patients had surgical resection (696 for primary and 53 for recurrent desmoids), 243 patients (18.8%) were medically managed and 353 patients (27.3%) underwent surveillance. Median follow-up was 51.4 months (range 1–372). Six-hundred and ninety-six of the 749 resections (92.9%) underwent primary desmoid resection, with the remaining 53 (7.1%) undergoing resection for recurrence. One-hundred and two surgically managed patients (19%) developed a (re)recurrence, with mesenteric involvement the commonest site for recurrence (55%). When comparing recurrence post-surgery to progression following medical therapy, there was a trend towards better outcomes with surgery, with 25% of surgical patients having a recurrence versus 50.5% having progression with medical therapy [OR 0.40 (95% CI 0.06–2.70),p = 0.35]. Major morbidity following surgery was 4.4% (n = 33) with 2% (n = 14) mortality within 30 days of resection.ConclusionThe management of desmoids has considerable heterogeneity. Surgical resection for abdominal desmoids remains a valid treatment option in highly selective cases where negative margins can be obtained, with low major morbidity and/or mortality.
Spintronic terahertz emission with manipulated polarization (STEMP)
Authors: Li Peiyan , Liu Shaojie , Chen Xinhou , Geng Chunyan , Wu Xiaojun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHighly efficient generation and arbitrary manipulation of spin-polarized terahertz (THz) radiation will enable chiral lightwave driven quantum nonequilibrium state regulation, induce new electronic structures, consequently provide a powerful experimental tool for investigation of nonlinear THz optics and extreme THz science and applications. THz circular dichromic spectroscopy, ultrafast electron bunch manipulation, as well as THz imaging, sensing, and telecommunication, also need chiral THz waves. Here we review optical generation of circularly-polarized THz radiation but focus on recently emerged polarization tunable spintronic THz emission techniques, which possess many advantages of ultra-broadband, high efficiency, low cost, easy for integration and so on. We believe that chiral THz sources based on the combination of electron spin, ultrafast optical techniques and material structure engineering will accelerate the development of THz science and applications.
Graphical Abstract
Virtual clinical assessment in medical education: an investigation of online conference technology
Authors: Thampy Harish , Collins Sarah , Baishnab Elora , Grundy Jess , Wilson Kurt , Cappelli Timothy 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAs a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, medical education institutions were suddenly and unexpectedly faced with making significant changes in delivering their clinical assessments to comply with social distancing requirements and limited access to clinical education centres. Seeking a potential solution to these new circumstances, we designed, implemented and evaluated an online virtual OSCE, as a ‘proof of concept’ intervention study. Our qualitative research involved document analysis of the stages of decision-making and consultation in designing the intervention, and thematic analysis based on the perspectives and experiences of the key stakeholders (final year students, clinical examiners, simulated patients and faculty staff who acted as station assistants), gathered through surveys with Likert-scale questions and free text comments, and online discussion groups which were recorded and transcribed. From our analysis, we identified four themes: optimising assessment design for online delivery, ensuring clinical authenticity, recognising and addressing feelings and apprehensions, and anticipating challenges through incident planning and risk mitigation. Through the data gathered at each stage of the intervention, and the involvement of key stakeholders in the design and evaluation, our study highlights examples of effective practice for future applications of online technologies in assessment, provides guidance for designing and implementing online virtual assessment, and lays a foundation for comparative, longitudinal research on the significant and increasing roles played by technology in healthcare professional education and practice.
Biomonitoring of ochratoxin A, 2′R-ochratoxin A and citrinin in human blood serum from Switzerland
Authors: Jaus Alexandra , Rhyn Peter , Haldimann Max , Brüschweiler Beat J. , Fragnière Rime Céline , Jenny-Burri Judith , Zoller Otmar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBiomonitoring of mycotoxins and their metabolites in biological fluids is increasingly used to assess human exposure. In this study, biomarkers of ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) exposure were determined in a large number of serum samples from healthy blood donors in Switzerland. In 2019, 700 samples from different regions were obtained. From 240 donors, a second sample (taken 2–9 months later) was available for analysis. Moreover, 355 blood donor samples from 2005 from all regions in Switzerland and 151 additional samples from the southern Swiss region of Ticino from 2005 could be analysed.OTA, 2′R-ochratoxin A (2′R-OTA), ochratoxin alpha (OTα), CIT and dihydrocitrinone (DH-CIT) were analysed using validated targeted methods including precipitation and online SPE clean-up.OTA and 2′R-OTA were frequently detected (OTA in 99%; 2′R-OTA in 51% of the tested samples). The mean concentration in all positive samples was 0.4 ng/mL for OTA and 0.2 ng/mL for 2′R-OTA. OTα was not detected in any sample above the limit of quantification (LOQ). In contrast to OTA, CIT and DH-CIT were only quantifiable in 2% and 0.1% of the samples, respectively. No significant trend was observed between the samples from 2005 and the more recent samples, but OTA concentrations were usually higher in serum samples from the southern Swiss region of Ticino and in males compared to females.Our extensive data fit well within the framework of previously published values for the healthy adult European population.
Values and Attitudes Toward Immigrants Among School Children in Switzerland and Poland
Authors: Becker Charlotte Clara , Davidov Eldad , Cieciuch Jan , Algesheimer René , Kindschi Martin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractResearch on key determinants of negative attitudes toward immigration has often suggested that values held by individuals systematically explain such sentiments. Universalists appear to have more positive and conservatives more negative attitudes. So far, however, these insights are based on studies using adult samples. In our study, we analyze these relations among children and adolescents. For the analysis, we utilized a Swiss-Polish panel dataset (2015–2017, N = 5,332) with three time points collected among school children aged 8–19 years. We employed autoregressive cross-lagged models. The results indicated that while universalism decreased negative attitudes toward immigrants, the expected effect for conformity-tradition was not found.