bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Climatology of Drylines in the Interior of Subtropical Southern Africa
Authors: van Schalkwyk L. , Blamey R. C. , Dyson L. L. , Reason C. J. C. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
A climatology of synoptic drylines on the subtropical southern African interior plateau (SAP) is developed using ERA5 reanalysis specific humidity and surface temperature gradients and an objective detection algorithm. Drylines are found to occur regularly during spring and summer (September–March), and almost daily during December of that period, but rarely in winter. A westward shift in peak dryline frequency takes place through the summer. Drylines peak first over the eastern parts of the SAP during November with a mean of 10 drylines and then over the central (mean of 12) and western SAP (mean of 20) in December. During midsummer, drylines over the eastern SAP are negatively correlated with drylines in the west. Between 1980 and 2020, a significant correlation exists between ENSO and dryline days over the eastern (r = 0.44; p value = 0.004) and central (r = 0.41; p value = 0.008) SAP with fewer drylines (up to 10) occurring during years with increased surface moisture and more drylines (up to 45) occurring during years with decreased surface moisture. Drylines forming over the eastern parts of the SAP were more likely to move westward than drylines over the central and western parts. Onset times across the SAP show that drylines have a tendency to form during either the late morning to early afternoon (1100 and 1400 LST) or during the early evening hours (1700 and 2000 LST), suggesting that the surface heat trough (Kalahari heat low) and westward moisture transport mechanisms, such as the Limpopo low-level jet and ridging highs, are responsible for the formation of most drylines across the SAP.

Significance Statement
“Drylines” are used to describe boundaries separating regions of very dry air from those with much higher moisture content. The importance of these drylines is that they tend to act as a trigger for thunderstorms, which can produce severe weather. In this study, we build a long-term climatological description of drylines in subtropical southern Africa. We find that drylines are most frequent over eastern South Africa during the early summer, a time when storms with large hail and damaging winds are most likely to occur. Drylines are sensitive to moisture circulation patterns and respond differently during El Niño and La Niña years, with generally more drylines during El Niño over eastern South Africa and fewer during La Niña.
The Gab2–MALT1 axis regulates thromboinflammation and deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Kondreddy Vijay , Keshava Shiva , Das Kaushik , Magisetty Jhansi , Rao L. Vijaya Mohan , Pendurthi Usha R. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular mortality. Several studies suggest that DVT occurs at the intersection of dysregulated inflammation and coagulation upon activation of inflammasome and secretion of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in restricted venous flow conditions. Our recent studies showed a signaling adapter protein, Gab2 (Grb2-associated binder 2), plays a crucial role in propagating inflammatory signaling triggered by IL-1β and other inflammatory mediators in endothelial cells. The present study shows that Gab2 facilitates the assembly of the CBM (CARMA3 [CARD recruited membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein 3]–BCL-10 [B-cell lymphoma 10]–MALT1 [mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1]) signalosome, which mediates the activation of Rho and NF-κB in endothelial cells. Gene silencing of Gab2 or MALT1, the effector signaling molecule in the CBM signalosome, or pharmacological inhibition of MALT1 with a specific inhibitor, mepazine, significantly reduced IL-1β–induced Rho-dependent exocytosis of P-selectin and von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the subsequent adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells. MALT1 inhibition also reduced IL-1β–induced NF-κB–dependent expression of tissue factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Consistent with the in vitro data, Gab2 deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of MALT1 suppressed the accumulation of monocytes and neutrophils at the injury site and attenuated venous thrombosis induced by the inferior vena cava ligation-induced stenosis or stasis in mice. Overall, our data reveal a previously unrecognized role of the Gab2–MALT1 axis in thromboinflammation. Targeting the Gab2–MALT1 axis with MALT1 inhibitors may become an effective strategy to treat DVT by suppressing thromboinflammation without inducing bleeding complications.
Doxorubicin pharmacokinetics and toxicity in patients with aggressive lymphoma and hepatic impairment
Authors: Lai Catherine , Cole Diane E. , Steinberg Seth M. , Lucas Nicole , Dombi Eva , Melani Christopher , Roschewski Mark , Balis Frank , Widemann Brigitte C. , Wilson Wyndham H. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Aggressive lymphomas are curable with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. In patients presenting with elevated serum bilirubin, doxorubicin is commonly dose reduced or delayed based on limited pharmacokinetic data. We evaluated plasma pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin and its metabolite doxorubicinol as well as toxicity in 59 patients with normal bilirubin levels and 10 patients with elevated bilirubin levels. Patients received full-dose EPOCH +/−rituximab. Median (range) age was 51 (18-75) years. Patients with elevated bilirubin levels had higher international prognostic index and poorer performance status. Although median doxorubicin clearance was lower and median plasma doxorubicin and doxorubicinol concentrations were higher in patients with elevated bilirubin levels, values were within the concentration range observed in patients with normal levels. Rates of febrile neutropenia were similar between groups, but there was greater grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia during the first but not subsequent treatment cycles in patients with elevated bilirubin. More grade 3/4 gastrointestinal and neurotoxicity occurred in patients with elevated bilirubin during the first but not subsequent cycles. Although toxicity was greater on cycle 1, the adverse effects were managed safely. These results show that empiric dose reductions of continuous infusion doxorubicin may not be necessary in patients with elevated bilirubin levels. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00001337, #NCT00069238, and #NCT00005780.
COVID-19 and the labour market: What are the working conditions in critical jobs?
Authors: Dütsch Matthias 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has focused public attention on occupational groups that ensure the maintenance of critical infrastructure, provision of medical care and supply of essential goods. This paper examines the working conditions in critical jobs based on representative data from the German BAuA Working Time Survey 2019. Our analyses reveal that essential workers are more likely to perform unskilled or semiskilled activities and work in cleaning, transport and logistics, health care occupations as well as IT and natural science services. Regarding the working conditions, essential workers are paid comparatively less and are more physically proximate to others at work than nonessential workers. They more often work atypical hours, such as day and night shifts and on weekends, and have less autonomy in their working time. Additionally, critical jobs are characterised by muscular and skeletal strain due to working positions and carrying heavy loads significantly more often. Thus, our findings strongly suggest that work-related risks accumulate in critical jobs.
Autosomal dominant optic atrophy caused by six novel pathogenic OPA1 variants and genotype–phenotype correlation analysis
Authors: Han Jinfeng , Li Ya , You Ya , Fan Ke , Lei Bo 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeTo describe the genetic and clinical features of nineteen patients from eleven unrelated Chinese pedigrees withOPA1-related autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) and define the phenotype-genotype correlations.MethodsDetailed ophthalmic examinations were performed. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was conducted in the eleven probands using a custom designed panel PS400. Sanger sequencing and cosegregation were used to verify the identified variants. The pathogenicity of gene variants was evaluated according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.ResultsNineteen patients from the eleven unrelated Chinese ADOA pedigrees had impaired vision and optic disc pallor. Optical coherence tomography showed significant thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer. The visual field showed varying degrees of central or paracentral scotoma. The onset of symptoms occurred between 3 and 24 years of age (median age 6 years). Eleven variants inOPA1were identified in the cohort, and nine novel variants were identified. Among the novel variants, two splicing variants c.984 + 1_984 + 2delGT, c.1194 + 2 T > C, two stop-gain variants c.1937C > G, c.2830G > T, and one frameshift variant c.2787_2794del8, were determined to be pathogenic based on ACMG. A novel splicing variant c.1316-10 T > G was determined to be likely pathogenic. In addition, a novel missense c.1283A > C (p.N428T) and two novel splicing variants c.2496G > A and c.1065 + 5G > C were of uncertain significance.ConclusionsSix novel pathogenic variants were identified. The findings will facilitate genetic counselling by expanding the pathogenic mutation spectrum ofOPA1.
Disparities in naloxone prescriptions in a University Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chieh Kimberly , Patel Ishika , Walter Lauren , Li Li 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background
Per the CDC, it is estimated that 69,710 opioid overdose deaths occurred in the United States from September 2019 to September 2020. However, it is unclear whether naloxone prescribing also increased or otherwise fluctuated in this time. The objective of this study was to characterize the naloxone prescribing rate in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital in 2019 and 2020.

Methods
A cross-sectional, retrospective medical record review was performed on patients with OUD from January 2019 through December 2020. Naloxone prescribing, defined as either a written prescription or a provided take-home kit, was assessed for all patients with OUD.

Results
In 2019, 11,959 visits were made by 2962 unique patients with OUD, compared to 11,661 visits from 2,641 unique patients in 2020; 609 naloxone prescriptions were provided in 2019 (5.1%) and 619 in 2020 (5.3%). In both years, most OUD-related visits and naloxone prescriptions were from and to male, white, individuals. Compared with 2019, more naloxone prescriptions were given to uninsured patients in 2020 (33.2% vs 44.3%, p < 0.05), and more OUD patients were admitted to inpatient settings (26.0% vs 31.2%, p < 0.05) and received more naloxone prescriptions in the inpatient setting (46.3% vs 62.0%, p < 0.05) in 2020. The proportion of frequent users (i.e., visits ≥ 4 times/year) increased in 2020 for the emergency department (21.5% vs 26.4%, p < 0.001) and inpatient setting (24.9% vs 28.6%, p = 0.03).

Conclusions
Our findings indicate the need for improving naloxone awareness in providers and prescribing for patients with OUD, particularly in emergency department and outpatient settings. Our results also demonstrated a disparity in naloxone prescribing; a disproportionate number of opioid-related emergency department visits and overdose deaths were noted in Black people and frequent users.
Chemical composition and healing potential of essential oil of Dennettia tripetala on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: infected wound model
Authors: Adesida Solayide A. , Iyebeye Michael I. , Aina Oluwagbemiga O. , Peters Rebecca F. , Ezeaku Charles C. , Amosun Elizabeth A. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background
Dennettia tripetala (Pepperfruit) is an important medicinal plant in some West African communities. This study was designed to examine the antibacterial properties and wound-healing abilities of D. tripetala essential oil on mice with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to analyse the essential oil (EO) extracted by hydro-distillation from the dried fruits of D. tripetala. MRSA was identified using 30 µg cefoxitin disk, CHROMagar, and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Congo red agar and tube technique were used to assess the production of biofilms. The antimicrobial susceptibility for both antibiotics and essential oil was determined by Kirby Bauer and broth dilution methods. Eleven male mice were used in the invivo study, and each animal had wound infection on the dorsal inter-scapular skin region created with a 6 mm biopsy punch and 50 μl (adjusted to 0.5 McFarland standard) of MRSA. The size of the wound and its histological characteristics were used to estimate healing rate.

Results
The GC–MS investigation of the essential oil revealed six compounds, with benzene (2-nitroethyl) being the most prominent. Out of the eighteen (18) isolates examined, 12 MRSA strains were identified using the three methods for methicillin resistance determination, with about 80% of them being classified as biofilm producers. More than 60% of the MRSA isolates were resistant to erythromycin, fusidic acid, gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The essential oil had greater antibacterial activity than the reference antibiotic, vancomycin. The essential oil had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 80 l/ml and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 160 l/ml (v/v). Haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that the skin tissue that had been exposed to D. tripetala essential oil had a thicker epithelial layer, numerous fibroblasts, a build-up of collagen, and many blood cells.

Conclusions
The results showed that D. tripetala essential oil has powerful anti-staphylococcal properties as well as the capacity to expedite wound healing. This suggests that D. tripetala essential oil could be a successful candidate for developing a topical agent for wound management.
Cardioprotective effects of Ferulic acid against various drugs and toxic agents
Authors: Pandi Anandakumar , Raghu Mahto Hemanti , Chandrashekar Naveenkumar , Kalappan Vanitha Manickam 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundHomeostatic regulation of cardiomyocytes is indispensable in maintaining the normal physiological activity of cardiac tissue. Cardiotoxicity induced by drugs may lead to cardiac abnormalities such as arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and myocardial hypertrophy. Moreover, drug-induced cardiotoxicity confines the additional use of the implicated drugs. Several studies have reported that consumption of phytochemicals on regular intervals shall protect humans against numerous diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases and cancer.Main bodyFerulic acid (FA) is a plant derived polyphenol abundantly found in vegetables, fruits and grains. FA is widely known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects. FA has been well documented for its cardioprotective activity against various drugs and toxic agents as well. However, the cardioprotective action of FA have remained a challenge with regard to understanding its mechanism in health and diseases.ConclusionThe main purpose of this review is to explore the cardioprotective mechanisms of FA against several drugs and chemicals to recommend further studies to investigate the potential protective effect of FA.
Leptin Promotes Primordial Follicle Activation by Regulating Ovarian Insulin-like Growth Factor System in Chicken
Authors: Ahmadi Sadequllah , Ohkubo Takeshi 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Leptin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) regulate follicle development and reproduction in vertebrates. This study investigated the role played by leptin and IGF-1 in primordial follicle activation in the ovary of 7-day-old chicks. Different doses of leptin were intraperitoneally administrated to female layer chicks, and further analyses were performed. While leptin administration did not affect hepatic leptin receptor (LEPR), growth hormone receptor (GHR), or IGF-1, the lower dose of leptin significantly increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and attenuated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) gene expression in the ovary. Furthermore, the ovaries of the same age chicks were challenged with leptin and/or IGF-1 in vitro. Leptin at a lower dose increased the mRNA expression of IGF-1, LEPR, and leptin; 100 ng/mL leptin and 10 ng/mL IGF-1 alone or combined with leptin reduced IGFBP-2 mRNA expression. AMH gene expression was also reduced by all doses except 10 ng/mL leptin. Histological studies showed that a lower dose of leptin injection induced the primordial follicle growth in the ovary in vivo, and the number of primordial follicles was higher in all leptin treatments over control in vitro. Moreover, the luciferase assay revealed that leptin enhanced IGF-1 promoter activity in LEPR-expressing CHO-K1 cells. Collectively, these results indicate that leptin directly affects the IGF-1/IGFBP system and promotes primordial follicular growth in the ovary of early posthatch chicks. In addition, the follicular development by leptin-induced IGF-1 is, at least in part, caused by the suppression of AMH in the ovary.
Theory-driven formative research to support development of a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demand creation campaign among young women in a South-African township
Authors: de Witt Huberts Jessie , Curtis Val , Celum Connie , Morton Jennifer , Bekker Linda-Gail , Gill Katherine , Aunger Robert 
Published: July 2022

Background: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective and could reduce the persistent high HIV incidence among young South African women. Demand creation is needed to increase PrEP uptake of this novel prevention technology. Theoretically-grounded formative research (FR) could identify factors to include in a demand creation campaign to motivate young South African women to seek PrEP. Methods: Thirty-four household visits with young women (aged 16–32) were conducted in a township near Cape Town using Behavior Centered Design (BCD), investigating behavior contexts, the social and family environments and psychological processes, using qualitative and interactive tools, such as forced choice dilemmas, ranking games, daily script elicitation and network- and community drawings. Results: The FR generated findings concerning a wide variety of topic areas and identified a range of opportunities as well as challenges for the successful implementation of PrEP promotion in this population. Potential challenges were young women underestimating the consequences of acquiring HIV; taking medicine to prevent a disease (which was an unfamiliar concept) and young women having few responsibilities, making health care seeking and daily pill-taking with PrEP challenging. Potential opportunities that could be leveraged for PrEP demand creation were young women’s desire for trust and emotional closeness in relationships and the limited existing roles for young women, which could provide room for creating new aspirational roles that would motivate young women to take PrEP. Conclusion: A theory-based and context-specific approach to FR led to a broad understanding of the lives and influences on young South African women and generated a comprehensive set of opportunities for intervention.
Addressing the need for an appropriate skilled delivery care workforce in Burundi to support Maternal and Newborn Health Service Delivery Redesign (MNH-Redesign): a sequential study protocol
Authors: Habonimana Desire , Leckcivilize Attakrit , Nicodemo Catia , English Mike 
Published: July 2022

Background Despite Burundi having formed a network of 112 health facilities that provide emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC), the country continues to struggle with high rates of maternal and newborn deaths. There is a dearth of empirical evidence on the capacity and performance of EmONC health facilities and on the real needs to inform proper planning and policy. Our study aims to generate evidence on the capacity and performance of EmONC health facilities in Burundi and examine how the country might develop an appropriate skilled delivery care workforce to improve maternal and newborn survival. Methods We will use a sequential design where each study phase serially inputs into the subsequent phase. Three main study phases will be carried out: i) an initial policy document review to explore global norms and local policy intentions for EmONC staffing and ii) a cross-sectional survey of all EmONC health facilities to determine what percent of facilities are functional including geographic and population coverage gaps, identify staffing gaps assessed against norms, and identify other needs for health facility strengthening. Finally, we will conduct surveys in schools and different ministries to examine training and staffing costs to inform staffing options that might best promote service delivery with adequate budget impacts to increase efficiency. Throughout the study, we will engage stakeholders to provide input into what is reasonable staffing norms as well as feasible staffing alternatives within Burundi’s budget capacity. Analytical models will be used to develop staffing proposals over a realistic policy timeline. Conclusion Evidence-based health planning improves cost-effectiveness and reduces wastage within scarce and resource-constrained contexts. This study will be the first large-scale research in Burundi that builds on stakeholder support to generate evidence on the capacity of designated EmONC health facilities including human resources diagnosis and develop staffing skill-mix tradeoffs for policy discussion.
The effects of Bobath therapy on children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Cabezas-López Mercedes , Bernabéu-Brotóns Elena 
Published: July 2022

Background/AimsDespite its broad application in paediatric care, the effectiveness of therapy based on the Bobath concept has not been systematically researched. The aim of this review was to explore whether there is scientific evidence regarding the validity of the Bobath concept as an effective therapy for children with cerebral palsy.MethodsA search was conducted between March and December 2020, of research databases (Cochrane, PEDro, PubMed, Web of Science), selecting randomised controlled trials published since 2015, which compared Bobath therapy with other therapies in terms of their effect on the gross motor functions of children with cerebral palsy.ResultsApplying the eligibility criteria, four randomised controlled trials were selected, three of which found Bobath therapy to be more effective than other therapies as a therapeutic method, while one found no difference between Bobath therapy and another therapy. No study that met the inclusion criteria found Bobath therapy to be less effective than another therapy.ConclusionsThe principal limitation of this review has been the small number of randomised controlled trials found and so the results must be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, studies showed that therapy based on Bobath therapy improves the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy.