bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol use and multimorbidity among adults aged 40 years and above in rural South Africa: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mpinganjira Mafuno G. , Chirwa Tobias , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa. W. , Gómez-Olivé Francesc Xavier , Tollman Stephen , Francis Joel Msafiri 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background:
We assessed the prevalence of reported alcohol use and its association with multimorbidity among adults aged 40 years and above in a rural, transitioning South African setting. Findings could potentially inform alcohol interventions integration in the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions.
Methods:
We analysed data from the first wave of The Health and Ageing in Africa – a longitudinal Study in an INDEPTH community (HAALSI) nested within the Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS), conducted between November 2014 and November 2015 (n=5059). We computed descriptive statistics and performed univariate analysis to determine factors independently associated with multimorbidity. Age, Body Mass Index, education, sex, and household wealth status and variables with a p-value <0.20 in univariate analysis were included in multivariable Modified Poisson regression models. Any factors with a p-value of <0.05 in the final models were considered statistically significant.
Results:
The first wave of HAALSI was completed by 5059 participants aged 40 years and above and included 2714 (53.6%) females. The prevalence of reported ever alcohol use was 44.6% (n=2253) and of these 51.9% (n=1171) reported alcohol use in the last 30 days. The prevalence of multimorbidity that includes HIV was 59.6% (3014/5059) and for multimorbidity without HIV 52.5% (2657/5059). Alcohol use was associated with multimorbidity that includes HIV among all participants (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08), and separately for males (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10) and females (RR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02-1.11). Similarly, alcohol use was associated with multimorbidity without HIV among all participants (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.09), and separately for males (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00-1.12) and females (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11).
Conclusion:
Reported alcohol use was common and associated with multimorbidity that includes HIV and multimorbidity without HIV among older adults in rural northeast South Africa. There is a need to integrate screening, brief interventions, and referral for alcohol treatment (SBIRT) in the existing prevention and treatment of multimorbidity in South Africa.
Resting-State Functional Connectivity Changes in Older Adults with Sleep Disturbance and the Role of Amyloid Burden
Authors: Kim Hyun , Zhu Xi , Zhao Yiming , Bell Sophie , Gehrman Philip , Cohen Daniel , Devanand Davangere , Goldberg Terry , Lee Seonjoo 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Sleep and related disorders could lead to changes in various brain networks, but little is known about the role of amyloid β (Aβ) burden—a key Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker—in the relationship between sleep disturbance and altered resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) in older adults. This cross-sectional study examined the association between sleep disturbance, Aβ burden, and rsFC using a large-scale dataset from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Sample included 489 individuals (53.6% cognitively normal, 32.5% mild cognitive impairment, and 13.9% AD) who had completed sleep measures (Neuropsychiatric Inventory), PET Aβ data, and resting-state fMRI scans at baseline. Within and between rsFC of the Salience (SN), the Default Mode (DMN) and the Frontal Parietal network (FPN) were compared between participants with sleep disturbance versus without sleep disturbance. The interaction between Aβ positivity and sleep disturbance was evaluated using linear regressions, controlling for age, diagnosis status, gender, sedatives and hypnotics use, and hypertension. Although no significant main effect of sleep disturbance was found on rsFC, a significant interaction term emerged between sleep disturbance and Aβ burden on rsFC of SN (β=0.11, P=0.006). Specifically, sleep disturbance was associated with SN hyperconnectivity, only with the presence of Aβ burden. Sleep disturbance may lead to altered connectivity in the SN when Aβ is accumulated in the brain. Individuals with AD pathology may be at increased risk for sleep-related aberrant rsFC; therefore, identifying and treating sleep problems in these individuals may help prevent further disease progression.
Microbial modulation prevents the effects of pervasive environmental stressors on microglia and social behavior, but not the dopamine system
Authors: Bilbo Staci , Smith Caroline , Rendina Danielle , Kingsbury Marcy , Malacon Karen , Nguyen Dang , Tran Jessica , Devlin Benjamin , Raju Ravikiran , Clark Madeline , Burgett Lauren , Zhang Jason , Cetinbas Murat , Sadreyev Ruslan , Chen Kevin , Iyer Malvika 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Environmental toxicant exposure, including air pollution, is increasing worldwide. However, toxicant exposures are not equitably distributed. Rather, low-income and minority communities bear the greatest burden, along with higher levels of psychosocial stress. Both air pollution and maternal stress during pregnancy have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, but biological mechanisms and targets for therapeutic intervention remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that combined prenatal exposure to air pollution (diesel exhaust particles, DEP) and maternal stress (MS) in mice induces social behavior deficits only in male offspring, in line with the male bias in autism. These behavioral deficits are accompanied by changes in microglial morphology and gene expression as well as decreased dopamine receptor expression and dopaminergic fiber input in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Importantly, the gut-brain axis has been implicated in ASD, and both microglia and the dopamine system are sensitive to the composition of the gut microbiome. In line with this, we find that the composition of the gut microbiome and the structure of the intestinal epithelium are significantly shifted in DEP/MS-exposed males. Excitingly, both the DEP/MS-induced social deficits and microglial alterations in males are prevented by shifting the gut microbiome at birth via a cross-fostering procedure. However, while social deficits in DEP/MS males can be reversed by chemogenetic activation of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area, modulation of the gut microbiome does not impact dopamine endpoints. These findings demonstrate male-specific changes in the gut-brain axis following DEP/MS and suggest that the gut microbiome is an important modulator of both social behavior and microglia.
An Integrated Decision Support Model for effective Institutional Coordination Framework in Public Transportation Planning
Authors: Bouraima Mouhamed Bayane , Oyaro Janet , Ayyildiz Ertugrul , Erdogan Melike , Ndiema Kevin Maraka 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The lack of coordination among global institutions responsible for planning public transportation is a persistent issue. To tackle this issue, three strategies aimed at promoting sustainability have been proposed. However, there is a significant deficiency in preferentially prioritizing them, which poses a significant issue for local governments. In this study, a two-stage model is established by combining the Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution methods into a unique interval-valued spherical fuzzy framework. This allows for determining the criteria weights and ranking the strategies. The results of our investigation show that effective institutional coordination in public transportation planning can be achieved through the implementation of good governance principles. By doing so, Nairobi's local government can tackle the unexpected division of public transportation agreements among different institutions and guide the various sectors in executing their transportation plans while still adhering to the established policy objectives.
Association between self-reported gender-based discrimination and maternal mortality rates: Results of an ecological multi-level analysis across nine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Orduhan Clara , Waitzberg Ruth , De Allegri Manuela , Chitah Bona , Dossou Jean-Paul , Elwange Charlestine Bob , Faye Adama , Fonn Sharon , Kambala Christabel , Mohammed Shafiu , Niangaly Hamidou , Sisimayi Chenjerai , Quentin Wilm 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the world, with 542 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017, relative to a global ratio of 211. Reducing gender inequities, increasing awareness regarding gender-based discrimination (GBD), and increasing the empowerment of women and girls have recently been recognized as prerequisites for improving maternal health. Previous studies have shown GBD to be related to gender health inequities. GBD results in low utilization of maternal health services and poorer quality of care. However, there is very limited research available on the relationship between GBD and maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Methods
We investigated the association between self-reported GBD and maternal mortality in an ecological study. We combined survey data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and from Afrobarometer across 78 sub-national regions, located in nine Sub-Saharan African countries. Data were analyzed using a random intercept two-level regression model, while controlling for relevant covariates at region- and country-level.
Results
The proportion of women who reported experiencing GBD varied between 0% in several regions in Benin, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and 24·7% in Atacora, Benin. We identified a positive association between the proportion of women who reported experiencing GBD in a region in the past year and MMR. A 1% increase in the proportion of women experiencing GBD resulted in an increase of the MMR by nearly two, i.e., in two more maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This association was even more pronounced after adjusting for region-level covariates, but did not change with the inclusion of country-level covariates.
Conclusions
Our findings show that the rate of self-reported GBD is associated with maternal mortality in a region, even after controlling for other factors that are known to influence maternal deaths. However, our model does not allow to rule out endogeneity. Further research is needed to unravel causal pathways between GBD and maternal mortality.
Solubility of Na 2 O·xAl 2 O 3 in NaF-KF-AlF 3 -based low-temperature electrolyte
Authors: Kuang Ye , Yan Hengwei , Liu Zhanwei , Yang Yonghui 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The solubility of Na2O·xAl2O3 in a NaF-KF-AlF3-based low-temperature electrolyte was investigated, and the influence of electrolyte temperature at 750 ℃, CR = 1.3–1.4, CaF2, and LiF on the alumina solubility was studied. The dissolution rate of alumina in the electrolyte was determined by measuring the alumina concentration in the electrolyte at different times with an oxygen analyzer. The results showed that in the NaF-KF-AlF3-based low-temperature electrolyte, the dissolution rate of alumina in Na2O·xAl2O3 was better than that of Al2O3. As the Na2O content in alumina increased, the dissolution rate increased. Similarly, a higher CR of NaF-KF-AlF3 increased the dissolution rate. When the temperature of the molten salt rose (750–850 oC), the dissolution rate of alumina in the electrolyte gradually accelerated. The dissolution rate of alumina in NaF-KF-AlF3 decreased after adding CaF2 and LiF. According to the kinetics analysis, the dissolution rate of alumina followed the zero-order reaction rate law from 0–5 min, which showed that it depended on the amount of alumina absorbed in the electrolyte in the first five minutes.
Underlying driving forces of the SARS-CoV-2 evolution: immune evasion and ACE2 binding affinity
Authors: Ma Wentai , Fu Haoyi , Jian Fanchong , Cao Yunlong , Li Mingkun 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by the emergence of new variants with a sheer number of mutations compared to their predecessors, which conferred resistance to pre-existing antibodies and/or increased transmissibility. The recently emerged Omicron subvariants also exhibit a strong tendency for immune evasion, suggesting adaptive evolution. However, previous studies have been limited to specific lineages or subsets of mutations, the overall evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 and the underlying driving forces are still not fully understood. In this study, we analyzed the mutations present in all open-access SARS-CoV-2 genomes (until November 2022) and correlated the mutation’s incidence and fitness change with its impact on immune evasion and ACE2 binding affinity. Our results showed that the Omicron lineage had an accelerated mutation rate in the RBD region, while the mutation incidence in other genomic regions did not change dramatically over time. Moreover, mutations in the RBD region (but not in any other genomic regions) exhibited a lineage-specific pattern and tended to become more aggregated over time, and the mutation incidence was positively correlated with the strength of antibody pressure on the specific position. Additionally, the incidence of mutation was also positively correlated with changes in ACE2 binding affinity, but with a lower correlation coefficient than with immune evasion. In contrast, the mutation’s effect on fitness was more closely correlated with changes in ACE2 binding affinity than immune evasion. In conclusion, our results suggest that immune evasion and ACE2 binding affinity play significant and diverse roles in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
Arginine, Symmetric and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels in Canine Leishmaniasis
Authors: Gultekin Gamze , Pasa Serdar , Ural Kerem , Erdogan Hasan , Gonulveren Gizem , Gultekin Mehmet 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the levels of arginine, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in dogs with canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and their relationship with some renal and cardiovascular parameters. A total of 60 dogs were enrolled, including 40 with CanL and 20 healthy controls. The CanL group was divided into four stages based on clinical and laboratory findings. The levels of plasma arginine, SDMA, and ADMA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data from the healthy group were compared with those from the CanL group, and according to the stages. In dogs with CanL, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine, cystatin-C, phosphorus, potassium, and low-density lipoprotein concentrations, the urine protein/creatinine ratio, the amount of nitric oxide, and creatine kinase-MB activity were higher, while the high-density lipoprotein concentration was lower compared to healthy controls. The concentration of arginine was low (p < 0.05) and the levels of ADMA (p < 0.001) and SDMA (p < 0.05) were high in dogs with CanL. There were no statistically significant differences in arginine concentration among the different stages of CanL. However, the concentration of plasma ADMA was higher in all stages of CanL compared to the healthy group, and the concentration of plasma SDMA was higher in Stage IV compared to the healthy group and Stage III. The present study demonstrates for the first time a decrease in arginine concentration and an increase in ADMA concentration in dogs with CanL. The increase in SDMA concentration in CanL dogs is consistent with previous studies. These findings may serve as a source of further diagnostic and therapeutic research on the renal and cardiovascular pathophysiology of CanL. It is suggested that more clinical studies, including patient follow-up and treatment, would be beneficial in further elucidating the changes observed in CanL.
Alarin potentiates ongoing epileptiform activity in rat brain slices: an in vitro electrophysiological study
Authors: KALKAN Ömer Faruk , BAŞOĞLU Harun , ŞAHİN Zafer , ÖZTÜRK Hilal , AYDIN-ABİDİN Selcen , ABİDİN Ismail 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Alarin is a newly discovered neuropeptide that belongs to the galanin peptide family and has a wide range of bioactivity in the nervous system. Its function in the brain's autonomic areas has been studied, and it has been reported that it is involved in the regulation of excitability in hypothalamic neurons. Its role in the regulation of excitability in the hippocampus, however, is unknown. In this study, we investigated if alarin induced any synchronous discharges or epileptiform activity, and if it has any effect on previously initiated epileptiform discharges. We used 350 µm thick acute horizontal hippocampal slices obtained from 30- to 35-day-old rats. Extracellular field potential recordings were evaluated in the hippocampus CA1 region. Our data demonstrated that, alarin application did not initiate any epileptiform activity or abnormal discharges. 4-Aminopyridine was applied to induce epileptiform activity in the slices. We found that 200 nM alarin increased the frequency of interictal-like events and mean power of local field potentials in the hippocampus CA1 region which was induced by 4-aminopyridine. These results exhibited for the first time that alarin has a modulatory effect on synchronized neuronal discharges which should be considered in future therapeutic approaches.
Machine learning-based multipath modelling in spatial-domain: a demonstration on GNSS short baseline processing
Authors: Pan Yuanxin , Möller Gregor , Soja Benedikt 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Multipath is the main unmodeled error source hindering high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data processing. Conventional multipath mitigation methods, such as sidereal filtering (SF) and multipath hemispherical map (MHM), have certain disadvantages: they are either too complicated for implementation or not effective enough for multipath mitigation. In this study, we propose a machine learning (ML)-based multipath mitigation method. Multipath modelling was formulated as a regression task, and the multipath errors were fitted with respect to azimuth and elevation in the spatial-domain. We collected 30 days of 1 Hz GPS data to validate the proposed method. In total five short baselines were formed and multipath errors were extracted from the posfit residuals. ML-based multipath models, as well as observation-domain SF and MHM models, were constructed using 5 days of residuals before the target day and later applied for multipath correction. It was found that the XGBoost (XGB) method outperformed SF and MHM. It achieved the highest residual reduction rates, which were 24.9%, 36.2%, 25.5% and 20.4% for GPS P1, P2, L1 and L2 observations, respectively. After applying the XGB-based multipath corrections, kinematic positioning precisions of 1.6 mm, 1.9 mm and 4.5 mm could be achieved in east, north and up components, respectively, corresponding to 20.0%, 17.4% and 16.7% improvements compared to the original solutions. The effectiveness of the ML-based multipath model was further validated using 30 s sampling data. We conclude that the ML-based multipath mitigation method is effective, easy-to-use, and can be easily extended by adding auxiliary input features, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), during model training.
Reducing interspecific competition to improve system productivity in apple-crop intercropping systems in arid regions
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Liu Tingting , Wei Wenwen , Li Zhe , Li Guoyu , Shen Lei , Wang Xiuyuan , Zhu Yun , Li Luhua , Zhang Wei 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Aims The aims of this study were (1) to assess which intercropping pattern is feasible in enhancing soil moisture and promoting crop root growthand (2) to integrate crop root data to assess which intercropping pattern can reduce interspecific competition and thus increase system productivity. The optimal cropping pattern was determined by calculating the land equivalent ratio (LER).
MethodsIn this study, we designed two intercropping patterns (intercropped apple-soybean [IAS] and intercropped apple-alfalfa [IAA]) and analysed the effects of these intercropping patterns on soil moisture, crop roots, interspecific relationships and yields to determine the most suitable cropping pattern for local promotion.
Results At 50–200 cm, IAS and IAA increased soil moisture by 43.99% and 46.52%, respectively, compared to monocropped apple (M). However, due to competition, intercropped apple, intercropped soybean and intercropped alfalfa all showed a decreasing trend in the root system, by 6.04%, 30.8% and 13.9%, respectively. Both soybean and alfalfa were strongly competitive with apple at 0–20 cm soil depth, while apple showed strong competitiveness with soybean and alfalfa at 20–40 cm soil depth. The LER of IAS was higher than that of IAA, and in a comprehensive analysis, IAS was more suitable for local promotion than IAA.
Conclusions These results showed that IAS has less interspecific competition than IAA and that the system is more productive and more suitable for local extension.
Subtotal colectomy is a safe and effective single stage surgery for acute left colonic malignant obstruction with acceptable functional outcome
Authors: Ganapathi Senthil Kumar , Kakkilaya Harish , Rudramurthy Sathiyamoorthy , Subbiah Rajapandian , Subramanium Aravinth , Palanivelu Praveenraj , Chinnusamy Palanivelu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurpose:Primary resection and anastomosis for malignant acute obstruction of left colon offers a single stage surgical option without a stoma. Our aim was to determine the outcome of subtotal colectomy in acutely obstructed left colonic cancer.Methods:A retrospective review of all patients who underwent subtotal colectomy for acutely obstructed left colon cancer over a 10-year period was performed. All procedures were performed by specialist colorectal surgeons. The primary objective is to analyse the anastomotic leak rate and the functional outcome measured in terms of frequency of bowel movements.Results:A total of 72 patients underwent sub-total colectomy among which one patient had primary peritoneal carcinomatosis causing obstruction of the sigmoid colon. Male predominance was noted (61.1%). The tumours predominantly involved the distal transverse colon (23/71) and proximal sigmoid colon (22/71), followed by descending colon (16/71) and splenic flexure (11/71). All the patients had locally advanced T3 & T4 tumours leading to colonic obstruction. Eight patients had synchronous adenomatous polyps among which 3 of them had high grade dysplasia. Seven patients had synchronous non-obstructing malignant colonic lesions. The average post-operative stay in hospital was 6.5 days. Only one patient had an anastomotic leak (1.4%). The average frequency of bowel movements per day was 2.83 at 6 months after surgery. There was no mortality during the six month follow up.Conclusion:Sub-total colectomy is a safe, effective and well tolerated single stage procedure with acceptable functional outcome with added benefits of removing synchronous polyps and cancers.