bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biophysical and structural studies reveal marginal stability of Acyl ACP Reductase: a crucial hydrocarbon biosynthetic enzyme
Authors: Sharma Ashima , Shakeel Tabinda , Gupta Mayank , Rajacharya Girish , Yazdani Syed Shams 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Acyl-ACP reductase (AAR) is one of the two key cyanobacterial enzymes along with aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) involved in synthesis of long-chain alkanes, a drop-in biofuel. The enzyme is prone to aggregation when expressed in E. coli, leading to varying alkane levels. Intriguingly, the structural characterization remains largely elusive as AAR alone failed to form stable crystals, possibly due to a number of intrinsically flexible random regions. The present work attempts to fill a gap in the literature by investigating the crucial structural aspects of AAR protein associated with its stability and folding. Results: The AAR protein was recombinant expressed in E. coli and purified by metal affinity and gel filtration chromatography. Characterization by dynamic light scattering experiment revealed that recombinantly expressed AAR in E. coli existed in multiple-sized protein particles in the range of 36.4 to 51.6 nm. Intact mass spectrometry revealed that recombinant AAR was heterogenous due to diverse lipidation and de-lipidation resulted in a single mass peak of 40296.87 Da as predicted. Interestingly, while thermal- and urea-based denaturation of AAR showed 2-state unfolding transition in circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescent spectroscopy, the unfolding process of AAR was a 3-state pathway in GdnHCl solution. Lower concentration of GdnHCl appeared to be stabilizing the protein, suggesting that the protein milieu plays a significant role in dictating it’s folding. Standard free energy (∆GH2ONU) of ~4.5 kcal/mol for steady-state unfolding of AAR indicated borderline stability of the protein. Molecular dynamics simulation conducted on AAR structure in presence of KCl, an ionic solvent with similar properties as GdnHCl at lower concentrations, suggested that KCl mediates structural stabilization especially at the concentration of 375 mM, and thus was responsible for enhancing its activity. KCl presence also resulted in regional alteration towards the binding site of its neighbouring pathway enzyme, ADO, thus paving the way for coordinated catalysis.Conclusion: Based on these evidences, we propose that the marginal stability of AAR are plausible contributing reasons for aggregation propensity and hence low catalytic activity of the enzyme when expressed in E. coli for biofuel production. Our results show path for building superior biocatalyst for higher biofuel production.
Validation of the St George’s respiratory questionnaire Vietnamese Version in new pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Authors: Nguyen Han , Xuan Khan Mai , Chi Tuan Nguyen , Thanh Tung Nguyen , Do Quyet 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2019, Vietnam is one of the 20 countries with the highest TB prevalence in the world. Pulmonary tuberculosis has a significant effect on lung functions, causing many obstacles in daily activities and affects the quality of patient’s lives.Methods: The case-series study conducted on 43 newly-diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients at the Department of Tuberculosis - Military Hospital 103 within 4 months. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the validity of the Vietnamese version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and to investigate the relationship between SGRQ scores and the clinical and subclinical symptoms in new pulmonary tuberculosis patients.Results: The results indicate that Vietnamese version of the SGRQ has high reliability with Cronbach's alpha of Total score was 0.9451, Cronbach's alpha of all domains was above 0.6, of which the Symptom domain was 0.6635, the Impact domain was 0.9069, the Activity domain was 0.9121. The study also showed that SGRQ score was proportional to the aggregate size of all cavities on chest X-ray (r = 0.3772) and inversely proportional to BMI (r = -0.2843), MGIT days to positivity (r = -0.1635).Conclusions: The Vietnamese version of the SGRQ is a highly reliable and valuable questionnaire in assessing symptoms and life effects in new PTB patients. We recommend it as symptom measurement and quality of life evaluation in patients with new PTB in future studies.Trial registration: The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board Committee of Vietnam Military Medical University (IRB No. 250/2020/QĐ-HVQY) and by the local ethics committee of Military hospital 103. All participants had provided written informed consents for this study.
Comparison Of The 25oh-vitamin D Levels Between Old Patients Hospitalized For Sars-cov-2 Pneumonia And Patients With Other Acute Illnesses: A Retrospective Case-control Study.
Authors: Tomisti Luca , Pulizzi Nicolò , Pafundi Pia Clara , Macaro Domenico , Villari Liliana , Latorre Manuela , Pogliaghi Manuela , Lenzi Mirco , Lenzi Veronica , Parri Giulia , Conti Valentina , Pacetti Paola , Bianchini Guido , Pampana Alessandro 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
PURPOSE. To assess and compare the serum 25OH-vitamin D levels in three cohorts of patients hospitalized due to acute illness, either related or not to a SARS-COV-2 infection. To investigate, in the patients group with SARS-COV-2 pneumonia, the possible relationship between the serum vit- amin D levels and both disease severity and mortality risk.METHODS. This is a retrospective case-control study. Serum 25OH-vitamin D levels were compared between patients with SARS-COV-2 pneumonia (COVID-19 group, 52 patients), and two control groups, including patients with pneumonia not related to SARS-CoV-2 (NO COVID1 group, 52 patients) and patients with a non-respiratory acute disease (NO COVID2 group, 52 pa- tients).RESULTS. No differences were found in the serum 25 OH-Vitamin D levels among the three groups. In the COVID-19 group, serum 25 OH-Vitamin D levels did not show significant associa- tion with mortality risk (p=0.12), Intensive Care Unit admission risk (p=0.36), inpatients duration (p=0.40) and remission time (p=0.33). Similar results were found for parameters estimating the dis- ease severity, such as basal PO2/FiO2 (p=0.77), worse PO2/FiO2 (p=0.41), basal D-dimer (p=0.46) and basal LDH (p=0.52).CONCLUSIONS. Our data do not show lower 25OH-vitamin D levels in the patients with SARS- COV-2 pneumonia compared to patients hospitalized for other acute illnesses. In the COVID-19 group the 25OH-vitamin D levels did not show significant correlation with a worse outcome.
Flattening the COVID-19 Curve: The “Greek” case in the Global Pandemic
Authors: Demertzis Konstantinos , Magafas Lykourgos , Tsiotas Dimitrios 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in conjunction with the economic consequences and the collapse of health systems, has raised serious concerns in Europe, which is the most affected continent by the pandemic since it recorded 2,388,694 cases and 190,091 deaths (39.6% of the worldwide total), of which 71.7% (136,238) are in the United Kingdom (43,414), Italy (34,708), France (29,778), and Spain (28,338). Unlike other countries, Greece, with about 310 confirmed cases and 18 deaths per million, is one bright exception in the study and analysis of this phenomenon. Focusing on the peculiarities of the disease spreading in Greece, both in epidemiological and in implementation terms, this paper applies an exploratory analysis of COVID-19 temporal spread in Greece and proposes a methodological approach for the modelling and prediction of the disease based on the Regression Splines algorithm and the change rate of the total infections. Also, it proposes a hybrid spline regression and complex network model of social distance measures evaluating and interpreting the spread of the disease. The overall approach contributes to decision making and support of the public health system and to the fight against the pandemic.
Nonstructural protein 7 and 8 complexes of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Zhang Changhui , Li Li , He Jun , Chen Cheng , Su Dan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across the world has led to millions of infection cases and caused a global public health crisis. Current research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious coronavirus that spreads rapidly through communities. To understand the mechanisms of viral replication, it is imperative to observe coronavirus viral replicase, a huge protein complex comprising up to 16 viral nonstructural and associated host proteins, which is the most promising antiviral target for inhibiting viral genome replication and transcription. Recently, several components of the viral replicase complex in SARS-CoV-2 have been solved to provide a basis for the design of new antiviral therapeutics. Here, we report the crystal structure of the SARS-CoV2 nsp7-8 tetramer, which comprises two copies of each protein representing nsp7’s full-length and the C-terminus of nsp8 owing to N-terminus proteolysis during the process of crystallization. We also identified a long helical extension and highly flexible N-terminal domain of nsp8, which is preferred for interacting with single-stranded nucleic acids.
Predicting the students' learning behaviour for a technical course during Covid-19
Authors: Dutt Ishwar , Taneja Ashu , Sharma Ajay 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the learning behaviour of students towards a technical course using online mode and offline mode. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the educational fraternity has successfully reached out to the students using the various virtual tools available. Although, the offline mode of teaching-learning i.e. the actual classroom interaction is quite important as far as a technical course is concerned, but during these tough times the online platforms like Zoom, Webex meetings, Google meet have made the teaching-learning feasible remotely at any time from any place. This paper compares the learning behaviour of students in the two modes, online mode, and offline mode. A total of 213 students studying a technical course participated in the survey and their responses based on a questionnaire were recorded. The questionnaire considered all aspects related to the delivery of contents, the evaluation method, the preferred way of clarifying students’ doubts, course difficulty level and duration of the course. The analysis suggests that 72.3% of students are in favour of learning this course using offline mode, while 27.7 % of students are comfortable with online mode. Furthermore, the present study reveals that 95.7%, 95.3%, and 75.1 % of students are congenial with the offline mode in terms of teacher competency, content delivery, and interaction possibility respectively, whereas 85%, 76.9% and 48.4% of students are congenial with the online mode in terms of same parameters. The higher magnitude of average mean value for offline mode (3.99) anticipates its dominance over online mode (3.18). More than 50% students favoured online mode along with multiple choice question papers for the evaluation process irrespective of their preference to offline mode for teaching-learning. Based on the present analysis, some recommendations are proposed as the future strategies to improve the performance of teaching-learning activities during the times of crisis.
Experience of using metaprebiotics in the treatment of certain functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Minushkin O. N. , Maslovskiy L. V. , Bulanova M. I. , Gordienko E. S. , Topchiy T. B. , Beylina N. I. 
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) occupy one of the leading positions among intestinal pathologies. At present, scientific data indicate the lack of efficiency of existing methods of FGID treatment and the need for further research. This study is devoted to the assessment of the impact of STIM Lax and STIM treatment on clinical manifestations in patients with FC and FD.Aim of the study. Evaluation of the effectiveness of biologically active additives (BAA) STIM and STIM Laks in 39 patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Objectives of the study: to evaluate the effect of the drug on clinical symptoms according to an individual diary and using specialized questionnaires with a score of symptoms before and after treatment.Materials of the research. 39 patients divided into two groups were admitted to the research. Of these, 20 patients were with FC (4 men and 16 women; mean age – 40.3 ± 8.9 years). Monotherapy with STIM Laks was conducted (1 tablet 3 times a day for 30 days), and 19 FD patients (10 men and 9 women; mean age – 36.9 ± 14.1 years). Before and after the course of treatment a carbolene sample was conducted, stool form and frequency, intensity of flatulence, purring, transfusion, abdominal pain were clinically evaluated.Results. Therapy of FС and FD with STIM and STIM Laks effectively reduces the frequency and intensity of clinical symptoms, normalizes the transit time of the carbolene sample, the frequency of stool. Increase of flatulence was observed in 7 (17.9%) patients, its resolution within 1–3 days led to a decrease in the dose of the drug, without affecting the end result.Conclusions. This study indicates a high efficacy and good tolerability of treatment with STIM Laks and STIM in patients with FGID.
Public policies as strategic asset management enablers: the case of Portugal
Authors: Alegre H. , Amaral R. , Brito R. S. , Baptista J. M. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Urban water supply, wastewater and storm water services (globally, water services) are essential to society. The lack of permanent, safe, and respondent services has inevitable consequences on public health and the well-being of communities, on the economy, and on the environment. Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognizes this; failing to meet it necessarily affects the accomplishment of many of the other SDGs. Water services’ provision depends on expensive and long-lasting physical assets. Managing them strategically (e.g., according to the international standards on asset management, series ISO 55x and to the IWA recommendations on infrastructure asset management) is, therefore, fundamental for sustainable societies. Countries need to have sound public policies that enable asset management of water infrastructure. Portugal is a paradigmatic case. This paper elaborates on key government goals, on why asset management is important to meet them, and on key building blocks that a coherent public policy should consider in order to enable asset management of water infrastructure. It also presents how Portugal has been implementing this process, addressing the challenges that need to be overcome.
Treatment of highly turbid water in disaster conditions using coagulation-flocculation process: modeling and optimization
Authors: Nayeri Danial , Mousavi Seyyed Alireza 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In the present research, the coagulation-flocculation (CF) process was used to eliminate highly turbid water in disaster conditions. To better understand the efficiency of the system, the impact of various numerical factors namely; initial turbidity (10–350 NTU), pH (5–9), coagulant dosage (50–250 mg/L), rapid mixing (120–280 rpm), slow mixing (30–50 rpm), and sedimentation time (10–50 min) were optimized through the central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA), the quadratic model was more suitable for the dataset with R2 = 0.85 for removing turbidity. Moreover, the results of the present study revealed that the highest turbidity removal (99.14%) was observed at pH (9), alum dosage (50 mg/L), initial turbidity (350 NTU), rapid mixing (280 rpm), slow mixing (50 rpm), and sedimentation time (50 min). Furthermore, the residual turbidity at the maximum efficiency of the system was 3 NTU.
Study of the performance of support vector machine for predicting vertical drop hydraulic parameters in the presence of dual horizontal screens
Authors: Daneshfaraz Rasoul , Bagherzadeh Mohammad , Esmaeeli Reza , Norouzi Reza , Abraham John 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In the present study, the performance of the support vector machine for estimating vertical drop hydraulic parameters in the presence of dual horizontal screens has been investigated. For this purpose, 120 different laboratory data were used to estimate three parameters of the drop: the relative length, the downstream relative depth, and the residual relative energy in the support vector machine. For each parameter, 12 models were analyzed by using a support vector machine. The performance of the models was evaluated with statistical criteria (R2, DC, and RMSE) and the best model was introduced for each of the parameters. The evaluation criteria for the relative length of the vertical drop equipped with dual horizontal screens for the testing stage are R2 = 0.992, DC = 0.981 and RMSE = 0.050. Also, the values of the downstream relative depth evaluation indicators for the testing stage are R2 = 0.9866, DC = 0.980 and, RMSE = 0.0064. For the residual relative energy parameter, the values of the residual relative energy evaluation indicators are R2 = 0.9949, DC = 0.9853 and RMSE = 0.0056. The results showed the capacity for this approach to predict the hydraulic performance of these systems with accuracy.
VIOLÊNCIA CONTRA MULHER: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA
Authors: SANTOS FRANCIELLE FEITOSA DIAS 
Published: October 2020

A violência contra a mulher pode ser definida como conduta baseada no gênero, que provoque morte, dano ou sofrimento físico, sexual ou psicológico à mulher, tanto no âmbito público como no privado, ocorrida seja na família ou em qualquer relação interpessoal. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho traz um estudo descritivo sobre essa temática. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo analítico através de uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre violência contra à mulher realizada nas bases de dados Pubmed e Scielo em março de 2020. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos publicados nos últimos 5 anos ou textos científicos, como documentos governamentais. Como estratégias de busca foram utilizados operadores booleanos and e or, not violência entre parceiros íntimos. Foram incluídos 10 artigos que corresponderam aos critérios do estudo. As revistas as quais essas publicações estão vinculadas variam entre as aréas da saúde, direito, ciências sociais. Considerando apenas o primeiro trimestre de 2020 esse tema está sendo pauta de mais estudos e publicações. Dos 10 artigos 3 abordaram a importância do engajamento de profissionais de saúde para intervenção humanizada com vítimas de violência doméstica. A abordagem necessária nesses casos pode ser multidisciplinar, beneficiando as vítimas de violência doméstica e evitando prováveis consequências – transtornos de ansiedade e depressão, ou até, suícidio.
Palavras-chave: Violência de gênero, direitos humanos, autonomia pessoal
Indolic Structure Metabolites as Potential Biomarkers of Non-infectious Diseases
Authors: Beloborodova Natalia V. , Chernevskaya Ekaterina A. , Getsina Maria L. 
Published: October 2020

:
Interest in indolic structure metabolites, including a number of products of microbial biotransformation
of the aromatic amino acid tryptophan, is increasingly growing. The review prepared by a team of authors is
based on in-depthscrutiny of data available in PubMed, Scopus, Cyberleninka, Clinical Trials, and Cochrane
Library, eventually narrowing the search to a set of keywords such as tryptophan metabolites; plasma metabolomics
profiling; metabolomics fingerprinting; gas-, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry; serotonin;
melatonin; tryptamine; indoxyl sulfate; indole-3-acetic acid; indole-3-propionic acid; 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic
acid; gut microbiota and microbial metabolites. It provides a summary that outlines the pattern of changes in the
level of indolic structure metabolites in a number of diseases and deals with the data from the field of human
microbiota metabolites. In modern experimental studies, including the use of gnotobiological (germ-free) animals,
it has been convincingly proved that the formation of tryptophan metabolites such as indole-3-acetic acid,
indole-3-propionic acid, tryptamine, and indoxyl sulfate is associated with gut bacteria. Attention to some concentration
changes of indolic compounds is due to the fact that pronounced deviations and a significant decrease
of these metabolites in the blood were found in a number of serious cardiovascular, brain or gastrointestinal diseases.

:
The literature-based analysis allowed the authors to conclude that a constant (normal) level of the main metabolites
of the indolic structure in the human body is maintained by a few strict anaerobic bacteria from the gut of a
healthy body belonging to the species of Clostridium, Bacteroides, Peptostreptococcus, Eubacteria, etc. The
authors focus on several metabolites of the indolic structure that can be called clinically significant in certain
diseases, such as schizophrenia, depression, atherosclerosis, colorectal cancer, etc. Determining the level of indole
metabolites in the blood can be used to diagnose and monitor the effectiveness of a comprehensive treatment
approach.
Apigenin Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Tongue Carcinoma Tca8113 Cells Through Regulating the MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Xuan Yun-Ze , Xu Li-Zhi , Jin Cheng-Ri , Yang Kang-Juan 
Published: October 2020

Objective:
This study aimed to examine the effects of apigenin (API) on the
proliferation, migration, and invasion of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Tca8113 cells and explore its probable mechanisms.

Methods:
After treating Tca8113 cells with API, the cell proliferation, migration, and
invasive capacities were identified by tetrazolium salt colorimetry (MTT) assay, cell
scratch test, and Transwell chamber test. Cellular immunofluorescence staining was
used to localize mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) and extracellular regulated
protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 proteins. Western blot was used to detect the variations of the
related protein expression levels.

Results:
① Through the MTT assay, API significantly inhibited cell proliferation (P<0.01). ②In the cell scratch test, the distance of lateral migration after the API treatment was significantly shorter compared to the control group (P<0.01). ③The invasion rate in the lower chamber of the Transwell chamber was lower in the API group (P<0.01). ④ Cellular immunofluorescence staining presented that the total-MEKK1 was localized in the cytoplasm, p-MEKK1 was localized in the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm, and p-ERK1/2 was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. ⑤ After API was applied to cells, the expressions of p-MEKK1 and p-ERK1/2 proteins significantly reduced (P<0.01).

Conclusion:
Apigenin (API) significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and
invasion of Tca8113 cells and its mechanism may be associated with the MAPK
signaling pathway.