bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stromal Cell-SLIT3/Cardiomyocyte-ROBO1 Axis Regulates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Liu Xiaoxiao , Li Baolei , Wang Shuyun , Zhang Erge , Schultz Megan , Touma Marlin , Monteiro Da Rocha Andre , Evans Sylvia M. , Eichmann Anne , Herron Todd , Chen Ruizhen , Xiong Dingding , Jaworski Alexander , Weiss Stephen , Si Ming-Sing 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
Recently shown to regulate cardiac development, the secreted axon guidance molecule SLIT3 maintains its expression in the postnatal heart. Despite its known expression in the cardiovascular system after birth, SLIT3’s relevance to cardiovascular function in the postnatal state remains unknown. As such, the objectives of this study were to determine the postnatal myocardial sources of SLIT3 and to evaluate its functional role in regulating the cardiac response to pressure overload stress.

METHODS:
We performed in vitro studies on cardiomyocytes and myocardial tissue samples from patients and performed in vivo investigation with SLIT3 and ROBO1 (roundabout homolog 1) mutant mice undergoing transverse aortic constriction to establish the role of SLIT3-ROBO1 in adverse cardiac remodeling.

RESULTS:

We first found that
SLIT3
transcription was increased in myocardial tissue obtained from patients with congenital heart defects that caused ventricular pressure overload. Immunostaining of hearts from WT (wild-type) and reporter mice revealed that SLIT3 is secreted by cardiac stromal cells, namely fibroblasts and vascular mural cells, within the heart. Conditioned media from cardiac fibroblasts and vascular mural cells both stimulated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro, an effect that was partially inhibited by an anti-SLIT3 antibody. Also, the N-terminal, but not the C-terminal, fragment of SLIT3 and the forced overexpression of
SLIT3
stimulated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the transcription of hypertrophy-related genes. We next determined that ROBO1 was the most highly expressed roundabout receptor in cardiomyocytes and that ROBO1 mediated SLIT3’s hypertrophic effects in vitro. In vivo, Tcf21+ fibroblast and Tbx18+ vascular mural cell-specific knockout of SLIT3 in mice resulted in decreased left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis after transverse aortic constriction. Furthermore, α-MHC+ cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of ROBO1 also preserved left ventricular function and abrogated hypertrophy, but not fibrosis, after transverse aortic constriction.

CONCLUSIONS:
Collectively, these results indicate a novel role for the SLIT3-ROBO1–signaling axis in regulating postnatal cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by pressure overload.
The Debasing Demon Resurrected
Authors: Janvid Mikael 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to strike a blow for the relevance of the debasing demon originally summoned by Jonathan Schaffer. I do so by, first, defending this skeptical hypothesis against critics and, second, by noting important similarities between the workings of this demon and implicit bias. Along the way, I elucidate the structure of this skeptical argument by comparing it to other better-known skeptical arguments. I also clarify the kinds of access the debasing skeptical scenario, as well as some of the replies, operate with. Apart from being interesting in its own right as a different skeptical challenge, the debasing demon raises important issues regarding bias, as I will show by using an example from epistemic decolonialization.
NWS Regional and Local Climate Services: Past 20 Years, Present, and Future
Authors: Timofeyeva-Livezey M. , Meyers Jenna , Baxter Stephen , Hurwitz Margaret , Zdrojewski James , White Keith , Ross David , Mayes Boustead Barbara , Silva Viviane , Stachelski Christopher , Bruschi Audra , Murphy Victor , Bair Andrea , DeWitt David , Thoman Richard , Horsfall Fiona , Brettschneider Brian , Vickery Elizabeth , Wolf Ray , Ward Bill 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) has been providing national, regional, and local climate services for more than 20 years. The NWS climate services building blocks consist of service provision infrastructure, partnership and outreach, discovery of user needs and requirements, and service delivery at national, regional, local, and tribal levels. To improve services, the NWS climate services program accelerated user engagement through customer surveys, workshops, and collaborations. Since 2002, the annual Climate Prediction Applications Science Workshop has developed a community of climate information producers and users through sharing of climate science applications, decision support tools, and effective communication practices. Although NWS had been producing operational climate monitoring and prediction products for several decades, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (U.S. Public Law 115-25) specifically mandated that NWS deliver services at subseasonal to seasonal time scales, including periods from two weeks to two years. Looking ahead, both the Department of Commerce (DOC) and NOAA have included climate services in their new 2022–26 strategic plans, including DOC’s goal to address the climate crisis through mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts and NOAA’s initiatives to build a Climate Ready Nation (CRN). The NWS Climate Services Program supports these strategic goals and CRN initiatives through integrating climate information into Impact-based Decision Support Services, the most critical element for implementation of the NWS strategy for a Weather-Ready Nation. This includes application of state-of-the-art climate monitoring and prediction products to the most societally relevant impacts while empowering regional and local climate delivery of enhanced services.
Looking Back: An Account of How Ice Nucleation by Bacteria Was Discovered (1963 to about Mid-1980s). Part II: Broadening the Scope
Authors: Schnell Russell C. , Vali Gabor 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In Part I, we described the discoveries we and our associates made in the 1960s and 1970s about biological ice nucleating particles (bio-INPs). The bio-INPs are far more effective than mineral INPs at temperatures above −10°C. The bio-INPs were found in decayed vegetation and in ocean water, and then, bacteria were identified as being the most active source for this remarkable activity. In this Part II, we recount how, within a few years, the worldwide distribution of bio-INP sources was shown to correlate with climate zones, as was the abundance of INPs in precipitation. Oceanic sources were further studied, and the presence of bio-INPs in fog diagnosed. The potential for release of bio-INPs from the ground to the atmosphere was demonstrated. Bacterial INPs were found to play a crucial role in a plant’s frost resistance. These and other early developments of biological INPs are described. A bibliography of related recent literature is presented in the online supplemental material (https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-23-0114.s1).
Adhesive capsaicin 8% patch for improved control of pain caused by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma: A single-centre, seven-case series
Authors: Moreno-Alonso Deborah , Llorens-Torromé Sílvia , Corcoy de Febrer Blanca , Amandi García María , Serrano-Bermúdez Gala , Trelis-Navarro Jordi , Mayoral-Rojals Victor , Serrano-Afonso Ancor 
Published: February 2024

Background Capsaicin is a highly selective agonist of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1. The adhesive capsaicin patch provides a high capsaicin concentration (8%) directly in the painful area – its efficacy in benign peripheral neuropathic pain (diabetic neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia) has recently been described in the literature. However, there is scant evidence of its efficacy in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This is a concern for patients with multiple myeloma, who suffer from peripheral neuropathic pain induced by first-line treatments (bortezomib or thalidomide). Aim To describe improved control of CIPN in patients with multiple myeloma using adhesive capsaicin 8% patch. Methods We opted for a retrospective observational case series. Between October 2017 and October 2020, we collected clinical data from adult multiple myeloma patients affected by CIPN who were administered the capsaicin 8% patch in our palliative care outpatient clinic. We compiled Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores, patients’ medication needs and performance status before and after patch application. Results Two women and five men with an average age of 62.85 years received bortezomib. Two patients (28.57% of the sample) also received thalidomide. The average NPRS score before patch application was 6.42/10. Five of the seven patients (71.42%) received a mean daily oral morphine dose of 52.85 mg/day, five (71.42%) received gabapentinoids and one (14.28%) received antidepressants. The average NPRS score decreased to 4/10 seven days after patch application, while the mean daily oral morphine dose remained stable. Performance status improved slightly in two patients (28.57%) and remained stable in the rest. One patient (14.28%) required an extra analgesic dose during patch application. Conclusions Capsaicin 8% patch application appears to reduce pain intensity in patients with multiple myeloma suffering from CIPN.
Rapid, visual, label-based biosensor platform for identification of hepatitis C virus in clinical applications
Authors: Shi Yuanfang , Zhou Qingxue , Dong Shilei , Zhao Qi , Wu Xue , Yang Peng , Zeng Xiaoyan , Yang Xinggui , Tan Yan , Luo Xinhua , Xiao Zhenghua , Chen Xu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objectives
In the current study, for the first time, we reported a novel HCV molecular diagnostic approach termed reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification integrated with a gold nanoparticles-based lateral flow biosensor (RT-LAMP-AuNPs-LFB), which we developed for rapid, sensitive, specific, simple, and visual identification of HCV.

Methods
A set of LAMP primer was designed according to 5’untranslated region (5’UTR) gene from the major HCV genotypes 1b, 2a, 3b, 6a, and 3a, which are prevalent in China. The HCV-RT-LAMP-AuNPs-LFB assay conditions, including HCV-RT-LAMP reaction temperature and time were optimized. The sensitivity, specificity, and selectivity of our assay were evaluated in the current study. The feasibility of HCV-RT-LAMP-AuNPs-LFB was confirmed through clinical serum samples from patients with suspected HCV infections.

Results
An unique set of HCV-RT-LAMP primers were successfully designed targeting on the 5’UTR gene. The optimal detection process, including crude nucleic acid extraction (approximately 5 min), RT-LAMP reaction (67℃, 30 min), and visual interpretation of AuNPs-LFB results (~ 2 min), could be performed within 40 min without specific instruments. The limit of detection was determined to be 20 copies per test. The HCV-RT-LAMP-AuNPs-LFB assay exhibited high specificity and anti-interference.

Conclusions
These preliminary results confirmed that the HCV-RT-LAMP-AuNPs-LFB assay is a sensitive, specific, rapid, visual, and cost-saving assay for identification of HCV. This diagnostic approach has great potential value for point-of-care (POC) diagnostic of HCV, especially in resource-challenged regions.
Outbreak investigation of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infection in an obstetric ward for high-risk pregnant women
Authors: Kim Seulki , Jung Sunah , Lee Dong Hyung , Chang Chulhun L. , Bae Moonsuk , Kim A Reum , Lee Su Jin , Lim Seungjin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative bacterium that is widespread in the environment. S. marcescens bacteremia can be fatal during pregnancy and cause persistent chorioamnionitis. This study reports an outbreak of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infection (BSI) among high-risk pregnant women in an obstetric ward. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with the usefulness of the ATP test in hospital environmental management and to confirm that bloodstream infections of patients with the same strain were correlated by WGS testing.

Methods
This retrospective study collected the data of inpatients with S. marcescens bacteremia in obstetric ward for high-risk pregnant women from August 22, 2021, to October 14, 2021. We performed: an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence test in the environment with a high-contact area; environmental culture; on-site monitoring and staff education; and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to evaluate genetic relationships among S. marcescens isolates.

Results
S. marcescens BSI occurred in four consecutive patients. None of the patients had central venous catheters. An ATP bioluminescence test revealed that high-contact areas and areas for injection preparation were not clean (≥ 1000 relative light units). However, S. marcescens was not identified in the environmental cultures, likely due to intensive environmental cleaning and discarding of potentially contaminated specimens before the culture test. On-site monitoring and education were conducted for 1 month. There were no further reports of BSI until 6 months after the last patient was discharged. WGS performed on three isolates from three patients indicated that the isolated S. marcescens was likely from the same strain.

Conclusions
We controlled an S. marcescens outbreak by improving environmental cleaning as well as education of and behavior changes in healthcare workers. Using the ATP bioluminescence test can provide feedback on environmental cleaning and education. WGS played a role in determining the spread of BSI caused by the same strain.
Lessons from Peru to reduce under-5 mortality: understanding program implementation and context
Authors: García Patricia J. , Williams Anna Larson , Carcamo Marco H. , VanderZanden Amelia , Binagwaho Agnes 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Health policymakers aiming to reduce under-5 mortality (U5M) often lack data regarding how successful interventions in other countries were implemented. The Exemplars in U5M Study identified countries that achieved significant reductions in amenable U5M. This case study in Peru used implementation research to explore the contextual factors and strategies that contributed to the successful implementation of key evidence-based interventions (EBIs).

Methods
This research utilized a hybrid implementation research framework and a mixed-methods approach to understand the factors associated with EBI implementation and the successful reduction of U5M between 2000–2015. A desk review of existing literature on EBIs and U5M in Peru was completed, and in-depth interviews were performed with key Peruvian informants to understand the implementation strategies employed and the contextual factors that facilitated or were barriers to success. For the purposes of this analysis, three EBIs were selected and evaluated: antenatal care visits (ANC), facility-based deliveries, and infant vaccination.

Results
Between 2000–2015, the percent of mothers attending at least four antenatal care visits rose from 69% to 96.9%, and the percent of facility-based deliveries increased from 56 to 91%. Three doses of the tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine, widely acknowledged as a key global health indicator, reached 90% by 2015. Key informants noted that economic growth, financial reforms, strong national commitment to reduce poverty in Peru, and national prioritization of maternal and child health, were important contextual factors that contributed to the successful reduction of U5M. They noted key strategies that helped achieve success during the implementation of EBIs, including utilization of data for decision-making, adaptation driven by cultural sensitivity to address gaps in coverage, and a focus on equity and anti-poverty initiatives with the participation of government, civil society, and political parties to assure continuity of policies.

Conclusion
Several EBIs contributed to the successful reduction of U5M in Peru between 2000–2015. Strategies such as the focus on equity throughout the study period contributed to an increase in coverage of EBIs like ANC visits, facility-based deliveries and infant vaccination which worked to reduce U5M. Understanding how Peru successfully implemented programs that reduced preventable infant and child deaths could be useful to replicating this substantial public health success in other low- and middle-income countries.
Effects of weather and air pollution on outpatient visits for insect-and-mite-caused dermatitis: an empirical and predictive analysis
Authors: Xiong Minghua , Li Xiaoping , Zhang Chao , Shen Shuqun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Dermatitis caused by insects and mites, diagnosed as papular urticaria or scabies, is a common skin disease. However, there is still a lack of studies about the effects of weather and air pollution on outpatient visits for this disease. This study aims to explore the impacts of meteorological and environmental factors on daily visits of dermatitis outpatients.

Methods
Analyses are conducted on a total of 43,101 outpatient visiting records during the years 2015–2020 from the largest dermatology specialist hospital in Guangzhou, China. Hierarchical cluster models based on Pearson correlation between risk factors are utilized to select regression variables. Linear regression models are fitted to identify the statistically significant associations between the risk factors and daily visits, taking into account the short-term effects of temperatures. Permutation importance is adopted to evaluate the predictive ability of these factors.

Results
Short-term temperatures have positive associations with daily visits and exhibit strong predictive abilities. In terms of total outpatients, the one-day lagged temperature not only has a significant impact on daily visits, but also has the highest median value of permutation importance. This conclusion is robust across most subgroups except for subgroups of summer and scabies, wherein the three-day lagged temperature has a negative effect. By contrast, air pollution has insignificant associations with daily visits and exhibits weak predictive abilities. Moreover, weekdays, holidays and trends have significant impacts on daily visits, but with weak predictive abilities.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that short-term temperatures have positive associations with daily visits and exhibit strong predictive abilities. Nevertheless, air pollution has insignificant associations with daily visits and exhibits weak predictive abilities. The results of this study provide a reference for local authorities to formulate intervention measures and establish an environment-based disease early warning system.
Temporal gene expression profiling during early-stage traumatic temporomandibular joint bony ankylosis in a sheep model
Authors: Zhang Tong-Mei , Yang Kun , Jiao Mai-Ning , Zhao Yan , Xu Zhao-Yuan , Zhang Guan-Meng , Wang Hua-Lun , Liang Su-Xia , Yan Ying-Bin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Investigating the molecular biology underpinning the early-stage of traumatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is crucial for discovering new ways to prevent the disease. This study aimed to explore the dynamic changes of transcriptome from the intra-articular hematoma or the newly generated ankylosed callus during the onset and early progression of TMJ ankylosis.

Methods
Based on a well-established sheep model of TMJ bony ankylosis, the genome-wide microarray data were obtained from samples at postoperative Days 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 and 28, with intra-articular hematoma at Day 1 serving as controls. Fold changes in gene expression values were measured, and genes were identified via clustering based on time series analysis and further categorised into three major temporal classes: increased, variable and decreased expression groups. The genes in these three temporal groups were further analysed to reveal pathways and establish their biological significance.

Results
Osteoblastic and angiogenetic genes were found to be significantly expressed in the increased expression group. Genes linked to inflammation and osteoclasts were found in the decreased expression group. The various biological processes and pathways related to each temporal expression group were identified, and the increased expression group comprised genes exclusively involved in the following pathways: Hippo signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway and Rap 1 signaling pathway. The decreased expression group comprised genes exclusively involved in immune-related pathways and osteoclast differentiation. The variable expression group consisted of genes associated with DNA replication, DNA repair and DNA recombination. Significant biological pathways and transcription factors expressed at each time point postoperatively were also identified.

Conclusions
These data, for the first time, presented the temporal gene expression profiling and reveal the important process of molecular biology in the early-stage of traumatic TMJ bony ankylosis. The findings might contributed to identifying potential targets for the treatment of TMJ ankylosis.
Exploring the phytoconstituents, antimicrobial potency, and cytotoxic effects of essential oil from Origanum punonense from Palestine
Authors: Issa Kamal , Bakhatan Amjad , Khaled Majde Abu , Jaradat Nidal , Hawash Mohammed , Al-Maharik Nawaf , Ghanim Mustafa , Qadi Mohammad 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Origanum punonense Danin is one of the old traditional medicinal plants Bedouins utilize in the Dead Sea region to treat a variety of illnesses, those caused by infections. The current study aimed to identify the phytochemical components of O. punonense essential oil (EO) and determine its antiproliferative and antimicrobial effects.

Methods
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were employed to detect the phytochemical constituents of O. punonense EO. Broth microdilution assay was utilized to determine the antimicrobial effects against various microbial species, including those causing diabetic foot infections.

Results
This study revealed that O. punonense EO contains 44 phytochemical compounds, of which 41 compounds were detectable and amounted to 99.78% of the total oil. The main chemical components of the oil were carvacrol (57.4%), p-cymene (6.66%), carvone (5.35%), pinene (4.9%), and terpinene (2.96%). The antiproliferative activity of different concentrations of O. punonense EO was noted in all of the investigated cell lines, with the best activity at the concentration of 500 µg/mL. The greatest antibacterial activity was against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus vulgaris, with MIC values of 1.56 µL/mL. In addition, and the O. punonense EO showed strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans with a MIC value of 0.8 µL/mL. In addition, the O. punonense EO showed potent antibacterial activity against all MRSA samples obtained from the diabetic foot with a MIC value of 3.13 µL/mL. The O. punonense EO demonstrated potent activity against Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, Citrobacter freundii, and K. pneumoniae, with MICs value of 6.25 µL/mL.

Conclusion
The potent antiproliferative and broad antimicrobial activity of O. punonense EO makes it an effective strategy for treating infections, especially in immunocompromised patients with chronic comorbidities such as cancer and diabetes mellitus.