bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endothelial glycocalyx damage in kidney disease correlates with uraemic toxins and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Liew Hui , Roberts Matthew A. , Pope Alun , McMahon Lawrence P. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Damage to the endothelial glycocalyx is an early indicator of vascular damage and a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the relationship between markers of glycocalyx damage, endothelial dysfunction, and uraemic toxins in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods
Healthy controls, CKD patients, dialysis patients, and kidney transplant recipients had biochemical markers of glycocalyx damage (syndecan-1 and hyaluronan), endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor; vWF and vascular cell adhesion molecule; VCAM-1), and uraemic toxins (indoxyl sulphate and p-cresyl sulphate) measured. In addition, Sidestream Darkfield imaging was performed using the novel GlycoCheck™ device to measure glycocalyx width by the perfused boundary region (PBR) in the sublingual microcirculation.

Results
Serum markers of glycocalyx damage were highest in the dialysis group (n = 33), followed by CKD patients (n = 32) and kidney transplant recipients (n = 30) compared to controls (n = 30): hyaluronan: 137 (16-1414), 79 (11–257), 57 (14–218) and 23 (8-116) ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.0001; syndecan-1: 81 (40–529), 46 (21–134), 39 (23–72), and 30 (12–138) ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.0001. Markers of endothelial dysfunction followed a similar pattern. No difference in the width of the PBR was detected between these groups (2.01 ± 0.35, 2.07 ± 0.27, 2.06 ± 0.28, and 2.05 ± 0.3 µm, respectively, p = 0.89). Glycocalyx damage correlated with markers of endothelial dysfunction (log-hyaluronan and log-VCAM-1: r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and levels of uraemic toxins (log-hyaluronan and log-indoxyl sulphate: r = 0.48, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Levels of biochemical markers of glycocalyx and endothelial cell damage are highest in patients receiving dialysis. Glycocalyx and endothelial damage markers correlated with each other, and with uraemic toxins. Although we could not demonstrate a change in PBR, the biochemical markers suggest that glycocalyx damage is most marked in patients with higher levels of uraemic toxins.
Risk factors for excessive gestational weight gain in a UK population: a biopsychosocial model approach
Authors: Garay S. M. , Sumption L. A. , Pearson R. M. , John R. M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundGestational weight gain (GWG) can have implications for the health of both mother and child. However, the contributing factors remain unclear. Despite the advantages of using a biopsychosocial approach, this approach has not been applied to study GWG in the UK. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of excessive GWG in a UK population, employing a biopsychosocial model.MethodsThis study utilised data from the longitudinal Grown in Wales (GiW) cohort, which recruited women in late pregnancy in South Wales. Specifically, data was collected from midwife recorded notes and an extensive questionnaire completed prior to an elective caesarean section (ELCS) delivery. GWG was categorised according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. The analysis was undertaken for 275 participants.ResultsIn this population 56.0% of women had excessive GWG. Increased prenatal depression symptoms (Exp(B)=1.10,p=.019) and an overweight (Exp(B)=4.16,p<.001) or obese (Exp(B)=4.20,p=.010) pre-pregnancy BMI, consuming alcohol in pregnancy (Exp(B)=.37,p=.005) and an income of less than £18,000 (Exp(B)=.24,p=.043) and £25–43,000 (Exp(B)=.25,p=.002) were associated with excessive GWG.ConclusionGWG is complex and influenced by a range of biopsychosocial factors, with the high prevalence of excessive weight gain in this population a cause for concern. Women in the UK may benefit from a revised approach toward GWG within the National Health Service (NHS), such as tracking weight gain throughout pregnancy. Additionally, this research provides evidence for potential targets for future interventions, and potentially at-risk populations to target, to improve GWG outcomes.
Exploring wealth-related inequalities in maternal and child health coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Colomé-Hidalgo Manuel , Campos Juan Donado , de Miguel Ángel Gil 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Maternal and child health have shown important advances in the world in recent years. However, national averages indicators hide large inequalities in access and quality of care in population subgroups. We explore wealth-related inequalities affecting health coverage and interventions in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Methods
We analyzed representative national surveys from 15 countries conducted between 2001 and 2016. We estimated maternal-child health coverage gaps using the Composite Coverage Index – a weighted average of interventions that include family planning, maternal and newborn care, immunizations, and treatment of sick children. We measured absolute and relative inequality to assess gaps by wealth quintile. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the association between the coverage gap and population attributable risk.

Results
The Composite Coverage Index showed patterns of inequality favoring the wealthiest subgroups. In eight countries the national coverage was higher than the global median (78.4%; 95% CI: 73.1–83.6) and increased significantly as inequality decreased (Pearson r = 0.9; p < 0.01).

Conclusions
There are substantial inequalities between socioeconomic groups. Reducing inequalities will improve coverage indicators for women and children. Additional health policies, programs, and practices are required to promote equity.
Monitoring mosquito nuisance for the development of a citizen science approach for malaria vector surveillance in Rwanda
Authors: Murindahabi Marilyn Milumbu , Takken Willem , Misago Xavier , Niyituma Elias , Umupfasoni Jackie , Hakizimana Emmanuel , van Vliet Arnold J. H. , Poortvliet P. Marijn , Mutesa Leon , Murindahabi Nathalie Kayiramirwa , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Many countries, including Rwanda, have mosquito monitoring programmes in place to support decision making in the fight against malaria. However, these programmes can be costly, and require technical (entomological) expertise. Involving citizens in data collection can greatly support such activities, but this has not yet been thoroughly investigated in a rural African context.

Methods
Prior to the implementation of such a citizen-science approach, a household entomological survey was conducted in October–November 2017 and repeated one year later in Busoro and Ruhuha sectors, in southern and eastern province of Rwanda, respectively. The goal was to evaluate the perception of mosquito nuisance reported by citizens as a potential indicator for malaria vector hotspots. Firstly, mosquito abundance and species composition were determined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps inside the houses. Secondly, household members were interviewed about malaria risk factors and their perceived level of mosquito nuisance.

Results
Tiled roofs, walls made of mud and wood, as well as the number of occupants in the house were predictors for the number of mosquitoes (Culicidae) in the houses, while the presence of eaves plus walls made of mud and wood were predictors for malaria vector abundance. Perception of mosquito nuisance reported indoors tended to be significantly correlated with the number of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) and Culicidae collected indoors, but this varied across years and sectors. At the village level, nuisance also significantly correlated with An. gambiae s.l. and total mosquito density, but only in 2018 while not in 2017.

Conclusions
Perception of mosquito nuisance denoted in a questionnaire survey could be used as a global indicator of malaria vector hotspots. Hence, involving citizens in such activities can complement malaria vector surveillance and control.
Common variants in MAEA gene contributed the susceptibility to osteoporosis in Han Chinese postmenopausal women
Authors: Cai Xuan , Dong Jun , Lu Teng , Zhi Liqiang , He Xijing 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Osteoporosis (OP) is a complex bone metabolism disorder characterized by the loss of bone minerals and an increased risk of bone fracture. A recent study reported the relationship of the macrophage erythroblast attacher gene (MAEA) with low bone mineral density in postmenopausal Japanese women. Our study aimed to investigate the association of MAEA with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) in Han Chinese individuals.

Methods
A total of 968 unrelated postmenopausal Chinese women comprising 484 patients with PMOP and 484 controls were recruited. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that covered the gene region of MAEA were chosen for genotyping. Single SNP and haplotypic association analyses were performed, and analysis of variance was conducted to test the correlation between blood MAEA protein level and genotypes of associated SNPs.

Results
SNP rs6815464 was significantly associated with the risk of PMOP. The C allele of rs6815464 was strongly correlated with the decreased risk of PMOP in our study subjects (OR[95% CI]=0.75[0.63-0.89], P=0.0015). Significant differences in MAEA protein blood levels among genotypes of SNP rs6815464 were identified in both the PMOP (F=6.82, P=0.0012) and control groups (F=11.5, P=0.00001). The C allele was positively associated with decreased MAEA protein levels in blood.

Conclusion
This case-control study on Chinese postmenopausal women suggested an association between SNP rs6815464 of MAEA and PMOP. Further analyses showed that genotypes of SNP rs6815464 were also associated with the blood level of MAEA protein.
Abnormal bone mineral density and content in girls with early-onset anorexia nervosa
Authors: Clarke Julia , Peyre Hugo , Alison Marianne , Bargiacchi Anne , Stordeur Coline , Boizeau Priscilla , Mamou Grégor , Crépon Sophie Guilmin , Alberti Corinne , Léger Juliane , Delorme Richard 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Early-onset anorexia nervosa (EO-AN) represents a significant clinical burden to paediatric and mental health services. The impact of EO-AN on bone mineral abnormalities has not been thoroughly investigated due to inadequate control for pubertal status. In this study, we investigated bone mineral abnormalities in girls with EO-AN regardless of pubertal development stage.

Method
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 67 girls with EO-AN (median age = 12.4 [10.9–13.7 years]) after a median duration of disease of 1.3 [0.6–2.0] years, and 67 healthy age-, sex-, pubertal status- matched control subjects. We compared relevant bone mineral parameters between groups: the total body bone mineral density [TB-BMD], the lumbar spine BMD [LS-BMD], the total body bone mineral content [TB-BMC] and the ratio of the TB-BMC to lean body mass [TB-BMC/LBM].

Results
TB-BMD, TB-BMC, LS-BMD and TB-BMC/LBM were all significantly lower in patients with AN compared to controls. In the EO-AN group, older age, later pubertal stages and higher lean body mass were associated with higher TB-BMC, TB-BMD, and LS-BMD values.

Discussion
Girls with EO-AN displayed deficits in bone mineral content and density after adjustment for pubertal maturation. Age, higher pubertal stage and lean body mass were identified as determinants of bone maturation in the clinical population of patients with EO-AN. Bone health should be promoted in patients, specifically in those with an onset of disorder before 14 years old and with a delayed puberty.
Digital technology dilemma: on unlocking the soil quality index conundrum
Authors: Obade Vincent de Paul , Gaya Charles 
Published: January 2021

AbstractKnowledge of the interactions between soil systems, management practices, and climatic extremes are critical for prescription-based sustainable practices that reduce environmental pollution/footprints, disruption of food supply chains, food contamination, and thus improve socio-economic wellbeing. Soil quality status and dynamics under climate change present both a hazard which may not be remedied by simply adding chemicals or improved by crop varieties, and an opportunity (e.g., by indicating impact of a shift in land use) although the specifics remain debatable. This entry not only revisits the science of soil quality determination but also explicates on intricacies of monitoring using big data generated continuously and integrated using the “internet of things.” Indeed, relaying credible soil quality information especially for heterogeneous soils at field scale is constrained by challenges ranging from data artifacts and acquisition timing differences, vague baselines, validation challenges, scarcity of robust standard algorithms, and decision support tools. With the advent of digital technology, modern communication networks, and advancement in variable rate technologies (VRT), a new era has dawned for developing automated scalable and synthesized soil quality metrics. However, before digital technology becomes the routine tool for soil quality sensing and monitoring, there is need to understand the issues and concerns. This contribution not only exemplifies a unique application of digital technology to detect residue cover but also deliberates on the following questions: (1) is digital agriculture the missing link for integrating, understanding the interconnectivity, and ascertaining the provenance between soil quality, agronomic production, environmental health, and climate dynamics? and (2) what are the technological gaps?
Cerebellar long-term depression and auto-immune target of auto-antibodies: the concept of LTDpathies
Authors: Mitoma Hiroshi , Honnorat Jerome , Yamaguchi Kazuhiko , Manto Mario 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThere is general agreement that auto-antibodies against ion channels and synaptic machinery proteins can induce limbic encephalitis. In immune-mediated cerebellar ataxias (IMCAs), various synaptic proteins, such as GAD65, voltage-gated Ca channel (VGCC), metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1), and glutamate receptor delta (GluR delta) are auto-immune targets. Among them, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying anti-VGCC, anti-mGluR1, and anti-GluR delta antibodies remain unclear. Despite divergent auto-immune and clinical profiles, these subtypes show common clinical features of good prognosis with no or mild cerebellar atrophy in non-paraneoplastic syndrome. The favorable prognosis reflects functional cerebellar disorders without neuronal death. Interestingly, these autoantigens are all involved in molecular cascades for induction of long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmissions between parallel fibers (PFs) and Purkinje cells (PCs), a crucial mechanism of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum. We suggest that anti-VGCC, anti-mGluR1, and anti-GluR delta Abs-associated cerebellar ataxias share one common pathophysiological mechanism: a deregulation in PF-PC LTD, which results in impairment of restoration or maintenance of the internal model and triggers cerebellar ataxias. The novel concept of LTDpathies could lead to improvements in clinical management and treatment of cerebellar patients who show these antibodies.
Glucocorticoids and the Brain after Critical Illness
Authors: Hill Alice R , Spencer-Segal Joanna L 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Treatment for critical illness typically focuses on a patient’s short-term physical recovery; however, recent work has broadened our understanding of the long-term implications of illness and treatment strategies. In particular, survivors of critical illness have significantly elevated risk of developing lasting cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we examine the role of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids in neuropsychiatric outcomes following critical illness. Illness is marked by acute elevation of free cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone suppression, which typically normalize after recovery; however, prolonged dysregulation can sometimes occur. High glucocorticoid levels can cause lasting alterations to the plasticity and structural integrity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and this mechanism may plausibly contribute to impaired memory and cognition in critical illness survivors, though specific evidence is lacking. Glucocorticoids may also exacerbate inflammation-associated neural damage. Conversely, current evidence indicates that glucocorticoids during illness may protect against the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. We propose future directions for research in this field, including determining the role of persistent glucocorticoid elevations after illness in neuropsychiatric outcomes, the role of systemic vs neuroinflammation, and probing unexplored lines of investigation on the role of mineralocorticoid receptors and the gut–brain axis. Progress toward personalized medicine in this area has the potential to produce tangible improvements to the lives patients after a critical illness, including Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Evaluating the effect of four unknown parameters included in a latitudinal energy balance model on the habitability of exoplanets
Authors: Bahraminasr Majid , Jafarzadeh S. Javad , Montazeri Fatemeh , Poro Atila , Sarabi Soroush 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAmong different models for determining the habitable zone (HZ) around a star, a Latitudinal Energy Balance Model (LEBM) is very beneficial due to its parametricity which keeps a good balance between complexity and simulation time. This flexibility makes the LEBM an excellent tool to assess the impact of some key physical parameters on the temperature and the habitability of a planet. Among different physical parameters, some of them, up until now, cannot be determined by any method such as the planet’s spin obliquity, diurnal period, ocean-land ratio, and pressure level. Here we apply this model to study the effect of these unknown parameters on the habitability of three exoplanets located in the inner, outer, and middle of their optimistic HZ. Among the examined parameters, the impact of pressure is more straightforward. It has a nearly direct relation with temperature and also with the habitability in the case of a cold planet. The effect of other parameters is discussed with details. To quantify the impact of all these unknown parameters we utilize a statistical interface which provides us with the conditional probability on habitability status of each planet.
‘Mathematics Achievement in Crisis’: Modelling the Influence of Teacher Knowledge and Experience in Senior High Schools in Ghana
Authors: Ansah Joseph Kweku , Quansah Frank , Nugba Regina Mawusi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMathematics achievement in senior high schools (SHS) in Ghana is not encouraging and this has become a concern for major stakeholders. Several studies have been conducted to provide information to understand the issue of poor mathematics achievement. Of all the studies, areas regarding the joint influence of experience, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and subject matter knowledge (SMK) have been less explored in Ghana. In this study, the interplay among these variables is examined in an attempt to explain the variances in students’ mathematics achievement. To achieve this purpose, 210 SHS teachers and 8,400 students in SHS across the country were surveyed and subsequently administered tasks on algebra taking into consideration the variables of interest. The study revealed that teacher knowledge and teaching experience significantly influenced students’ mathematics achievement. It was discovered that PCK had a significant indirect effect on students’ mathematics achievement through teachers’ SMK. The findings also showed that experience did not significantly moderate the relationship between teachers’ SMK and students’ mathematics achievement. The study, based on the outcome, made conclusions and recommendations for practice. Suggestions for the implementation of future studies were also highlighted.
Depressive Symptoms and Alcohol Use Among Male and Female University Students: Is Inner Meaning Fulfilment Protective?
Authors: Agberotimi Samson Femi , Asagba Rachel B. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Alcohol use among students in tertiary institutions has long been established as a major public health concern. Also, previous research has shown that individuals with depression are particularly susceptible to alcohol use. There is, however, a paucity of empirical studies focusing on whether this relation is moderated by gender or buffered by a sense of inner meaning fulfilment. We assessed the moderating roles of gender and inner meaning fulfilment in the relationship between depression and alcohol use among university students in Nigeria. A correlational survey design was utilized. Data were collected from 1,173 students (57% male) aged between 16 and 36 years selected across six Nigerian universities. Data were subjected to SPSS v.23 for statistical analysis. Our findings show that depression, gender, inner meaning fulfilment significantly correlated with alcohol use. The effect of depression on alcohol was positive and significant (b=.439, se=.049, p=.000). Inner meaning fulfilment significantly moderated the relationship between depression and alcohol use (b=-.163, se=.034, p=.000). Depression was established as a significant risk factor for alcohol use, regardless of gender, and inner meaning fulfilment may buffer this association. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
Evolution of the first eigenvalue of the Laplace operator and the p-Laplace operator under a forced mean curvature flow
Authors: Qi Xuesen , Liu Ximin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the monotonicity of the first nonzero eigenvalue of the Laplace operator and the p-Laplace operator under a forced mean curvature flow (MCF). By imposing conditions associated with the mean curvature of the initial hypersurface and the coefficient function of the forcing term of a forced MCF, and some special pinching conditions on the second fundamental form of the initial hypersurface, we prove that the first nonzero closed eigenvalues of the Laplace operator and the p-Laplace operator are monotonic under the forced MCF, respectively, which partially generalize Mao and Zhao’s work. Moreover, we give an example to specify applications of conclusions obtained above.
Overcoming Aggressive Monolingualism: Prejudices and Linguistic Diversity in Russian Megalopolises
Authors: Baranova Vlada , Fedorova Kapitolina 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe study deals with linguistic prejudices of citizens of the two main Russian cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, toward speakers of foreign languages. It aims to reveal possible recent changes in the language ideology dominating Russian society. Monolingual and linguistically normative orientations rooted in the Soviet ideological approach are being challenged nowadays by global processes of migration and cultural diversification, which influence the everyday reality of Russian megalopolises. The research is based on the analysis of two sets of data: (1) meta-discourse on language attitudes derived from interviews with labor migrants and native Russian speakers in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and posts and comments on issues of language, migration, and linguistic landscapes, collected from websites and social media and (2) linguistic landscape data collected in 2016–2019, mainly in St. Petersburg, which reflect recent changes in attitude toward linguistic diversity in public space. These data show, on the one hand, that most city dwellers still relate to monolingual speech norms and try to implement control over public space; on the other hand, that the tolerance toward multilingual communication has been increasing over the years. The study suggests that these “first cracks” in monolinguals facades of Russian cities could eventually lead to the establishing of a less rigid language regime.