bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, antibiotic resistance and virulence of Enterococcus spp. from wastewater treatment plant effluent and receiving waters in South Africa
Authors: Molale-Tom L. G. , Bezuidenhout C. C. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Poorly operating wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) result in faecal pollution of receiving waters, posing a health risk to humans and animals. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns and presence of virulent genes in Enterococcus spp. isolated from three WWTPs' final effluent and receiving waters in the North West Province, South Africa. Sixty-three Enterococcus spp. were identified and their antimicrobial susceptibility, as well as the presence of five virulence genes, determined. The antibiotic inhibition zone diameter data were subject to cluster analysis. Sixty-eight percent of the screened Enterococcus spp. were resistant to three or more antibiotics and harboured plasmids. Five virulence genes were detected and six multi-virulence profiles observed. Cluster analysis indicated groupings of isolates from all three effluent points downstream together, and between plants 1 and 2 together. The findings of this study have demonstrated that Enterococcus spp. harbouring virulence factors and plasmids that mediate multiple antibiotic resistance are present in effluent and receiving water systems that support various social needs. This is a cause for concern and it is recommended that Enterococcus be used as an additional faecal indicator when microbiological quality of water is assessed.
Evaluation of reservoir management modernization under the concept of coordinated development
Authors: Yu Da-jin , Zou Zhengwei , Li Jin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The modernization of reservoir management is of great significance to the coordinated development of the region. There are many factors affecting the modernization of reservoir management, and there is a certain degree of ambiguity, randomness and uncertainty among the factors. It is difficult to evaluate the modernization of reservoir management comprehensively by traditional methods. This study first studies the connotation of reservoir management modernization under the concept of coordinated development; that is, securitization, economization, scientificalization and greenization. On this basis, a modernization evaluation system and AHP-Fuzzy evaluation model for reservoir management are constructed. Then, an empirical study is conducted with six large reservoirs in Jiangxi Province of China. The results show that the modernization level of large-scale reservoir management in Jiangxi Province is generally above the middle level, and the economic management and engineering management level of some reservoirs is relatively low, resulting in a low scientific and economic level of reservoir management, which is a key factor restricting the process of reservoir management modernization.
Roles and Biomedical Applications of Haemolymph Lectin
Authors: Kamei Rana , Devi Oinam S. , Singh Sorokhaibam J. , Singh Senjam S. 
Published: August 2020

Background:Lectins are class of proteins characterized by their ability to selectively bind carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins. Many invertebrate lectins, especially derived from hemolymph, are being purified, and yet their functions and medical applications are subjects of major interest.Methods:Hemolymph lectins in invertebrates play a major role in protecting against many pathogens and microbes. Further, many hemolymph lectins show anticancer properties towards various cancer cell lines, which expresses globotriaosyl ceramides on their cell surface.Results:These vast repertoires of hemolymph lectins in recognizing and inhibiting the growth of various harmful microbes and cancerous cells have spurred the biochemist to use them in histochemical and cytochemical studies.Conclusion:The present review will address the biological roles and biomedical applications of hemolymph lectin.
Leaf and Fruit Methanolic Extracts of Azadirachta indica Exhibit Antifertility Activity on Rats’ Sperm Quality and Testicular Histology
Authors: Irais Castillo-Maldonado , Claudia Borjón-Ríos , David Pedroza-Escobar , Ashutosh Sharma , Rubén García-Garza , Agustina Ramírez-Moreno , del Carmen Vega-Menchaca M. , Mario-Alberto Rivera-Guillén , Luis-Benjamín Serrano-Gallardo 
Published: August 2020

Background:The world's population is still growing, having an impact on the environment and the economic growth of developing countries; so that, there is a particular interest in the development of new fertility control methods, focused on male contraception.Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extracts of leaf and fruit of Azadirachta indica on sperm quality and testicular histology of Long Evans rats.Methods:Antifertility effects of a methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of A. indica on 24 male rats were investigated. The animals were randomly divided into two control groups and four treatment groups (n=4). Doses of the leaf and fruit extract were given at concentrations of 100 and 200 μg mL-1.Results:A significant decrease in the viability of sperm cells was observed. The leaf extract at a concentration of 200 μg mL-1 inhibited cell viability compared to the negative control (p< 0.001). The percentage of abnormal cells in leaf extract was shown in 100 and 200 μg mL-1, the conditions at which a higher percentage of morphological irregularities of observed (15% and 16% respectively). The results show that there was cellular detachment in the seminiferous epithelium in the experimental groups treated with methanolic extracts. Sperm death was observed without decreasing the number of sperm.Conclusion:The methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica have a modulating effect on the spermatogenesis of experimental rats through sperm morphological alterations.
Leveraging on Active Site Similarities; Identification of Potential Inhibitors of Zinc-Finger and UFSP domain Protein (ZUFSP)
Authors: Ajadi Mary B. , Soremekun Opeyemi S. , Adewumi Adeniyi T. , Kumalo Hezekiel M. , Soliman Mahmoud E.S. 
Published: August 2020

Background:
ZUFSP (Zinc-finger and UFSP domain protein) is a novel representative
member of the recently characterized seventh class of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Due to the
roles DUBs play in genetic instability, they have become a major drug target in cancer and neurodegenerative
diseases. ZUFSP, being a DUB enzyme has also been implicated in genetic stability.
However, no lead compound has been developed to target ZUFSP.

Objective/Methods:
Therefore, in this study, we used a combined drug repurposing, virtual screening
and per-Residue Energy Decomposition (PRED) to identify ZUFSP inhibitors with therapeutic potential.
3-bromo-6-[4-hydroxy-1-3(3-phenylbutanoyl)piperidin-4-yl]methyl-4H,5H,6H,7H-thieno[2,3-
C]pyridine-7-one (BHPTP) which is an inhibitor of USP7 was repurposed to target ZUFSP. The rationale
behind this is based on the similarity of the active between USP7 and ZUFSP.

Results:
PRED of the binding between BHPTP and ZUFSP revealed Cys223, Arg408, Met410,
Asn460, and Tyr465 as the crucial residues responsible for this interaction. The pharmacophoric moieties
of BHPTP responsible for this binding along with other physiochemical properties were used as a
filter to retrieve potential ligands. 799 compounds were retrieved, ZINC083241427, ZINC063648749,
and ZINC063648753 were selected due to the binding energy they exhibited. Cheminformatics analysis
revealed that the compounds possess high membrane permeability, however, BHPTP had a low membrane
permeability. Furthermore, the compounds are drug like, having obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five.

Conclusion:
aken together, findings from this study put ZINC083241427, ZINC063648749, and
ZINC063648753 as potential ZUFSP inhibitor, however, more experimental validation is required to
unravel the mechanism of actions of these compounds.
Homology Modeling of Coronavirus Structural Proteins and Molecular Docking of Potential Drug Candidates for the Treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Ishola Ahmed Adebayo , Asogwa Nnaemeka Tobechukwu 
Published: August 2020

Background:The discovery of a novel strain of coronavirus in 2019 (COVID-19) has triggered a series of tragic events in the world with thousands of deaths recorded daily. Despite the huge resources committed to the discovery of vaccines against this highly pathogenic virus, scientists are still unable to find suitable treatments for the disease. Understanding the structure of coronavirus proteins could provide a basis for the development of cheap, potent and, less toxic vaccines.Objective:This study was therefore designed to model coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein and envelope (E) protein as well as to carry out molecular docking of potential drugs to the homologs and coronavirus main protease (Mpro).Methods:Homology modeling of coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein and envelope (E) protein was carried out using sequence deposited in the Uniprot database. The topological features of the model’s catalytic site were evaluated using the CASTp server. Compounds reported as potential drugs against COVID-19 were docked to S glycoprotein, E protein, and coronavirus main protease (Mpro) to determine the best ligands and the mode of interaction.Results:Homology modeling of the proteins revealed structures with 91-98% sequence similarity with PDB entries. The catalytic site of the modeled proteins contained conserved residue involved in ligand binding. In addition, remdesivir, lopinavir, and ritonavir have a high binding affinity for the three proteins studied interacting with key residues in the protein’s catalytic domain.Conclusion:Results from the study revealed that remdesivir, lopinavir, and ritonavir are inhibitors of key coronavirus proteins and therefore qualify for further studies as a potential treatment for coronavirus.
Global Infodemiology of COVID-19: Analysis of Google Web Searches and Instagram Hashtags
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro , Bhagavathula Akshaya Srikanth 
Published: August 2020

Background
Although “infodemiological” methods have been used in research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an examination of the extent of infodemic moniker (misinformation) use on the internet remains limited.

Objective
The aim of this paper is to investigate internet search behaviors related to COVID-19 and examine the circulation of infodemic monikers through two platforms—Google and Instagram—during the current global pandemic.

Methods
We have defined infodemic moniker as a term, query, hashtag, or phrase that generates or feeds fake news, misinterpretations, or discriminatory phenomena. Using Google Trends and Instagram hashtags, we explored internet search activities and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic from February 20, 2020, to May 6, 2020. We investigated the names used to identify the virus, health and risk perception, life during the lockdown, and information related to the adoption of COVID-19 infodemic monikers. We computed the average peak volume with a 95% CI for the monikers.

Results
The top six COVID-19–related terms searched in Google were “coronavirus,” “corona,” “COVID,” “virus,” “corona virus,” and “COVID-19.” Countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases had a higher number of COVID-19 queries on Google. The monikers “coronavirus ozone,” “coronavirus laboratory,” “coronavirus 5G,” “coronavirus conspiracy,” and “coronavirus bill gates” were widely circulated on the internet. Searches on “tips and cures” for COVID-19 spiked in relation to the US president speculating about a “miracle cure” and suggesting an injection of disinfectant to treat the virus. Around two thirds (n=48,700,000, 66.1%) of Instagram users used the hashtags “COVID-19” and “coronavirus” to disperse virus-related information.

Conclusions
Globally, there is a growing interest in COVID-19, and numerous infodemic monikers continue to circulate on the internet. Based on our findings, we hope to encourage mass media regulators and health organizers to be vigilant and diminish the use and circulation of these infodemic monikers to decrease the spread of misinformation.
Real-Time Digital Contact Tracing: Development of a System to Control COVID-19 Outbreaks in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Wilmink Gerald , Summer Ilyssa , Marsyla David , Sukhu Subhashree , Grote Jeffrey , Zobel Gregory , Fillit Howard , Movva Satish 
Published: August 2020

Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can spread rapidly in nursing homes and long-term care (LTC) facilities. Symptoms-based screening and manual contact tracing have limitations that render them ineffective for containing the viral spread in LTC facilities. Symptoms-based screening alone cannot identify asymptomatic people who are infected, and the viral spread is too fast in confined living quarters to be contained by slow manual contact tracing processes.

Objective
We describe the development of a digital contact tracing system that LTC facilities can use to rapidly identify and contain asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected contacts. A compartmental model was also developed to simulate disease transmission dynamics and to assess system performance versus conventional methods.

Methods
We developed a compartmental model parameterized specifically to assess the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission in LTC facilities. The model was used to quantify the impact of asymptomatic transmission and to assess the performance of several intervention groups to control outbreaks: no intervention, symptom mapping, polymerase chain reaction testing, and manual and digital contact tracing.

Results
Our digital contact tracing system allows users to rapidly identify and then isolate close contacts, store and track infection data in a respiratory line listing tool, and identify contaminated rooms. Our simulation results indicate that the speed and efficiency of digital contact tracing contributed to superior control performance, yielding up to 52% fewer cases than conventional methods.

Conclusions
Digital contact tracing systems show promise as an effective tool to control COVID-19 outbreaks in LTC facilities. As facilities prepare to relax restrictions and reopen to outside visitors, such tools will allow them to do so in a surgical, cost-effective manner that controls outbreaks while safely giving residents back the life they once had before this pandemic hit.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE PRODUCED FROM α-CELLULOSE BETUNG BAMBOO (DENDROCALAMUS ASPER) AND IT’S EVALUATION ON GEL FORMULATION
Authors: AKBAR MUHAMMAD HERPI , HARMITA  , SURYADI HERMAN 
Published: August 2020

Objective: This study aim to obtain the optimum condition of preparation of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) produced from α-cellulose betung bamboo, physicochemical properties of HPMC powder and its characteristics in a gel formulation.
Methods: HPMC of betung bamboo (HPMC BB) were optimized by central composite design (CCD) using three variables (sodium hydroxide concentration, dimethyl sulfate concentration, and temperature) and five levels (0,±1, and±α). The suggested optimum condition was subjected to further characterization. HPMC BB was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, particle size analyzer (PSA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and compared to HPMC 60SH as the reference. Then, HPMC BB was used as a gelling agent in a gel formulation and the gel was evaluated, including appearance and homogeneity, pH, viscosity, and spreadability.
Results: Optimum condition of preparation of HPMC BB was using sodium hydroxide 27.68% (w/v) and 1.26 ml dimethyl sulfate (based on 1 g α-cellulose) at 58.11 °C which resulted in molar substitution 0.21 and degree of substitution 2.09. The results showed that HPMC BB was a fine powder with yellowish-white color, odorless and tasteless, pH 7.02, residue on ignition 1.39%, methoxy groups content 28.56%, hydroxypropoxy groups content 7.09%, mean particle size 98.595 μm, loss on drying 3.62%, and moisture content 7.47%. Flow properties of HPMC BB classified in the fair category. The infrared spectrum and diffraction patterns were relatively similar to HPMC 60SH. The gel has a good homogeneity and spreadability and viscosity 142.5 mPa⋅s. pH 6.37.
Conclusion: Based on the comparison to reference, HPMC BB showed relatively similar physicochemical and powder properties. However, HPMC BB is not recommended as a gelling agent in gel formulation because it has a low viscosity.
INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF NF-κB, COX-1, COX-2, COMT, IL-10, IL-6 AND TNF-α IN MODULATING ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ENTADA PHASEOLOIDES
Authors: BARUA CHANDANA CHOUDHURY , BARBHUIYA S. M. ABDUL AZIZ , BURAGOHAIN LIPIKA , KAKATI AJAY , BARUA ACHEENTA GOHAIN 
Published: August 2020

Objective: To investigate the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of Entada phaseoloides (MEEP) along with its molecular mechanistic pathway.
Methods: Swiss albino female mice and Wistar rats of either sex were administered orally with MEEP extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and pentazocine, tramadol and diclofenac sodium, as standard drugs. Following administration, anti-nociceptive activity was evaluated using an acetic acid-induced writhing test, Eddy’s hot plate, and hot water immersion test. Serum was collected for molecular expression of various proteins and genes using Reverse Transcriptase PCR and Western Blotting.
Results: Acetic acid writhing test, a frequently used method to assess peripheral analgesic activity, revealed that MEEP reduced peripherally induced pain in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, Eddy’s hot plate and hot water immersion methods, often implicated for testing central analgesic activities, showed that MEEP is bestowed with the capability to counteract analgesia in a dose and time-dependent manner. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and factors like COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB that cause inflammatory responses and pain were significantly reduced, suggesting its analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. This analgesic and the anti-inflammatory role played by MEEP is also supported by the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and COMT and COX-1 enzyme demonstrated no significant difference between the groups.
Conclusion: The study revealed the weak peripheral and potent central analgesic property MEEP by modulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways.
IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF PREDIABETES-A RURAL INDIAN STUDY (A CORRELATIVE STUDY BETWEEN QUESTIONNAIRE AND BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS)
Authors: S. VENKATESAN , S. SUSILA , S. SUTHANTHIRAN , S. MADHUSUDHAN , N. PAARI 
Published: August 2020

Objective: To identify and prevent the vulnerable prediabetic population becoming diabetic patients in the future using the Indian Diabetic Risk Score (IDRS) and to evaluate the performance of the IDRS questionnaire for detecting prediabetes and predicting the risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chidambaram rural Indian population.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among patients attending a master health check-up of RMMCH hospital located at Chidambaram. The IDRS was calculated by using four simple measures of age, family history of diabetes, physical activity, and waist measurement. The relevant blood test, like Fasting plasma glucose (FBS), Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test, were observed for identifying prediabetes. Subjects were classified as Normoglycemic, prediabetics, and diabetics based on the questionnaire and diagnostic criteria of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.
Results: In the study, sensitivity and specificity of IDRS score were found to be 84.21% and 63.4% respectively for detecting prediabetes in community with the positive predictive value of 51.6% and negative predictive value of 89.6% and prevalence of prediabetes in the Chidambaram rural population is 31.6% among the 60 participants.
Conclusion: The Indian diabetic risk score questionnaire designed by Ma­dras diabetic research federation is a useful screening tool to identify unknown type 2 diabetes mellitus. The question­naire is a reliable, valuable, and easy to use screening tool which can be used in a primary care setup.
IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF ALCHORNEA CORDIFOLIA (SCHUMACH AND THONN.) MULL. ARG. AND ANTROCARYON KLAINEANUM PIERRE EXTRACTS
Authors: NDJIB ROSETTE CHRISTELLE , DJOVA STEVE VALDI , KOM CHRISTELLE WAYOUE , AGBOR AGBOR GABRIEL , MAMAT AMINA , DIBONG SIEGFRIED DIDIER , NYEGUE MAXIMILIENNE ASCENSION 
Published: August 2020

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts recipe of Alchornea cordifolia and Antrocaryon klaineanum. A preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out.
Methods: The total phenols content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteu reagent method, while the antioxidant activity of both extracts was characterized by the 2-2diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) and β-carotene assays. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated as the inhibition of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) denaturation and antiproteinase activity.
Results: The aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Antrocaryon klaineanum contained more polyphenols [270 mg Ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g dry weight (dw)] than the hydroethanolic recipe extract (262.41 mg AAE/g dw) at the same concentration level. On the other hand, the aqueous and hydroethanolic recipe extract had the same radical scavenging activity with the antiradical power of 0.851 and 0.830, respectively. Similarly, the recipe extract had the same reducing activity with reducing the power of 94.2±2.03 mg EAA/g dw and 97.4±4.16 mg EAA/g dw for the aqueous and hydroethanolic recipe extract of Alchornea cordifolia and Antrocaryon klaineanum respectively. For the anti-inflammatory activity it was observed that both extracts possess the same activity as Diclofenac® with an IC50 of 50.21 μg/ml. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenols and tannins, which may account for their activities.
Conclusion: The plant recipe extract studied possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials, which may be beneficiary to its consumers.