bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicted antiviral drugs Darunavir, Indinavir and Rimantadine can potentially bind to neutralize COVID-19 conserved proteins
Authors: Halder Umesh Chandra 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Novel Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 has become a threat to human society due to fast spreading and increasing mortality. It uses vertebrate hosts and presently deploying humans. Life cycle and pathogenicity of COVID-19 have already been deciphered and possible drug target tests are on the way.Results: The present study was aimed to analyze conserved Endoribonuclease, protease and replicase proteins of the virus as targets to all known drugs. A bioinformatics based web server Drug ReposeER predicted several drug binding motifs in these analyzed proteins. Results revealed that anti-viral Darunavir, Indinavir and Rimantadine were the most potent to have 3D-drug binding motifs on COVID-19 proteins.Conclusions: Repurposing of the antiviral drugs Darunavir, Indinavir and Rimantadine to treat COVID-19 infected persons could be useful that can potentially prevent thousands of human mortality.
General practitioners’ perspectives on barriers to depression care: development and validation of a questionnaire
Authors: Senchyna Arun , Abbiati Milena , Chambe Juliette , Haller Dagmar , Maisonneuve Hubert 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background General practitioners (GPs) regularly feel challenged by the care of depressed patients and may encounter several barriers in providing best management. GPs’ perspectives on barriers to depression care are a subject of growing interest but there is a lack of validated assessment tools. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing barriers to depression care (BDC-Q) encountered by GPs in France and the French-speaking part of Switzerland.Methods The BDC-Q was constructed in five steps: Item development, content validation, pretesting, testing phase and test-retest reliability. The questionnaire items were generated through a literature search. An expert panel of GPs (n=16) and psychiatrists (n=3) validated the content and 20 GPs pretested the questionnaire to provide response process validity evidence. We then tested the questionnaire among 116 GPs and used principal component analysis and internal consistency testing (Cronbach’s alpha) to structure it into consistent dimensions. Test-retest reliability using Pearson correlation coefficient was assessed with 30 GPs who completed the questionnaire twice after an interval of at least 2 weeks.Results The 25 items BDC-Q was structured in five dimensions: (i) provision of care by the general practitioner, (ii) patient and perspectives about depression, (iii) guidance for care, (iv) collaboration with mental health specialists and (v) access to mental health care.Conclusions The BDC-Q displays evidence of validity and reliability to meaningfully assess GPs’ perspectives on barriers to depression care. It can be used both at a practice level within a quality improvement strategy, and at a broader level, to inform health planners and tailor appropriate strategies to improve depression care in the community.
Managing diabetes mellitus with comorbidities in primary healthcare facilities: a qualitative study among physicians in Odisha, India
Authors: Pati Sandipana , Pati Sanghamitra , Akker Marjan van den , Schellevis F. (François) G. , Sahoo Krushna , Burgers Jako S. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Aim To explore the perceived barriers and facilitators in the management of the patients having diabetes with comorbidities by primary care physicians.Methods A qualitative In-Depth Interview study was conducted among the primary care physicians at seventeen urban primary health care centres at Bhubaneswar city of Odisha, India. The digitally recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. The data were analysed using content analysis.Results Barriers related to physicians, patients and health system were identified. Physicians felt lack of necessary knowledge and skills, communication skills and overburdening due to multiple responsibilities to be major barriers to quality care. Patients’ attitude and beliefs along with socio-economic status played an important role in treatment adherence and in the management of their disease conditions. Poor infrastructure, irregular medicine supply, and shortage of skilled allied health professionals were also found to be barriers to optimal care delivery, as was the lack of electronic medical records and personal treatment records.Conclusion Comprehensive guidelines with on the job training for capacity building of the physicians and creation of multidisciplinary teams at primary care level for a more holistic approach towards management of diabetes with comorbidities could be the way forward to optimal delivery of care.
Diarrhoea after treatment: an adverse drug reaction in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Li Xiang-Yu , Wang Ying , An Xu-Sheng , Yang Shu-Feng , Shen Peng , Yang Xiao-Zhong , Wang Hong-Gang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is currently prevalent worldwide. We analysed the occurrence of diarrhoea of these patients after treatment. All patients were treated with nebulised α-interferon and oral administration of Lopinavir/Ritonavir tablets. Of the 62 patients, 38 (61.3%) developed diarrhoea after treatment. Of these 38 cases, 63.2% (24/38 cases) had their first diarrhoea within 24 hours after medication. Only 13.2% (5/38 cases) had more than 5 bowel movements per day with a maximum of 10 per day. Patients with diarrhoea had lower white blood cell counts. Leukopenia was a risk factor for the development of diarrhoea. We conclude that COVID-19 patients had a relatively high rate of diarrhoea after treatment. Lopinavir/Ritonavir was speculated to contribute to diarrhea, which is a common adverse drug reaction to Lopinavir/Ritonavir. Patients with reduced white blood cell counts at admission may be more likely to develop diarrhoea after admission.
Root-knot nematodes demonstrate temporal variation in host penetration
Authors: Mishra Shova , DiGennaro Peter 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) are obligate plant parasites that require constant communication with their host to establish and maintain specialized feeding cells. The intimacy of this interaction likely requires constant monitoring of host biology and behavior. As plant processes follow tightly regulated circadian and diurnal patterns, RKN may use similar cues to regulate aspects of this symbiosis. We interrogated RKN biology within the context of host diurnal rhythms throughout nematode development. At 24-hr post-inoculation, RKN penetrated host roots significantly more when inoculated during the night compared to the day. We excluded the possibility that this phenomenon is due to nematode perception of light penetrating the soil, as an identical phenomenon is observed under inverted light conditions. Additionally, when plants were allowed to equilibrate and adjust their light-driven clock under constant light conditions, the temporal variation in nematode penetration was abolished. This phenomenon is not present during earlier nematode developmental stages as egg hatch and infective juvenile mobility did not follow rhythmic patterns and are not affected by light. Taken together, it appears nematode host seeking and penetration are at least partially influenced by daily changes in plant root signaling and light does not have a direct effect on RKN developmental stages. Understanding the role and origin of circadian and diurnal rhythms in the plant–nematode interaction underscores the importance of exploiting basal plant biology to develop novel control methods for these pathogens.
First molecular characterization of an Iranian population of Schistonchus caprifici (Gasparrini, 1864) Cobb, 1927 (Rhabditida; Aphelenchoidea)
Authors: Karimipour Fard Hadi , Zare Hamid 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
A population of Schistonchus caprifici was recovered in Iran during the present study. The molecular characters of this population were studied using partial sequences of large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA D2-D3) for the first time, and its phylogenetic relationships with other isolates of the species were discussed. Compared to previous available data, no remarkable genetic distance was observed between the presently studied isolate and other isolates.
Rainfall regionalization and variability of extreme precipitation using artificial neural networks: a case study from western central Morocco
Authors: El Alaoui El Fels Abdelhafid , Saidi Mohamed El Mehdi , Bouiji Assma , Benrhanem Mounia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHere, we investigate the precipitation regionalization and the spatial variability of rainfall extremes, using a 47-year long station-based dataset from western central Morocco, a region with marked topographic and climatic variations. The principal component analysis revealed three homogeneous rainfall regimes, consistent with topographic features: the coastal area receives heavy rainfall during autumns and winters, whereas the inner lowlands, in the middle of the study area, are characterized by an overall rainfall deficit regardless of their high water demand for irrigation, and the highest rainfall amounts take place in the mid-mountain area, including the summer seasons. Furthermore, the frequency analysis of daily rainfall extremes revealed high ten-year precipitation amounts in the coastal region (about 88 mm) and exceptional daily precipitation for longer return periods (182 mm for a 100-year period). Using artificial neural networks, the spatialization of these extreme precipitation events shows that they increase from the plain to the Atlas mountains and especially from the plain to the Atlantic Ocean. The spatial distribution of extreme precipitation highlights the areas where stormwater management needs to be improved, such as efficient stormwater drainage, and where floods are more likely to take place in the future.
Optimized microplastic analysis based on size fractionation, density separation and μ-FTIR
Authors: Konechnaya Olga , Lüchtrath Sabine , Dsikowitzky Larissa , Schwarzbauer Jan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Microplastic particles have been recognized as global hazardous pollutants in the last few decades pointing to the importance of analyzing and monitoring microplastics, especially in soils and sediments. This study focused on a multi-step approach for microplastic analysis combining grain size fractionation, density separation and identification by μ-FTIR-spectroscopy. Eight widely used polymers (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrol (PS), polyethylenterephthalate (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU) and polyamide (PA)) were fractionated into four groups of grain sizes (0.1–5 mm). Thereafter, sea sand was spiked with these particles to test a ZnCl2-based density separation for the polymer types and the various grain sizes. The obtained recovery rates were close to 100% showing that ZnCl2-based density separation is suitable to separate the polymer particles from a sandy matrix. This approach was extended on three further environmental matrices and recovery rates for two of them (sandy-silty and fine-grained sediment) also provided reliable values (94–106%). Lastly, the developed multi-step approach was verified by analyzing an environmental sample (sediment from river Tiranë, Albania) characterized by smaller grain size and moderate organic matter content. Identification of two polymer types in different grain size classes verified the suitability of the developed approach for microplastic analyses on particulate matter such as soils and sediments.
Assessment of aeration control strategies for biofilm-based partial nitritation/anammox systems
Authors: Schraa O. , Rosenthal A. , Wade M. J. , Rieger L. , Miletić I. , Alex J. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The objective of this work was to compare the nitrogen removal in mainstream, biofilm-based partial nitritation anammox (PN/A) systems employing (1) constant setpoint dissolved oxygen (DO) control, (2) intermittent aeration, and (3) ammonia-based aeration control (ABAC). A detailed water resource recovery facility (WRRF) model was used to study the dynamic performance of these aeration control strategies with respect to treatment performance and energy consumption. The results show that constant setpoint DO control cannot meet typical regulatory limits for total ammonia nitrogen (NHx-N). Intermittent aeration shows improvement but requires optimisation of the aeration cycle. ABAC shows the best treatment performance with the advantages of continuous operation and over 20% lower average energy consumption as compared to intermittent aeration.
Deciphering of The Effect of Chemotherapeutic Agents on Human Glutathione S-Transferase Enzyme and MCF-7 Cell Line
Authors: Aybek Havva , Temel Yusuf , Ahmed Barzan Mirza , Ağca Can Ali , Çiftci Mehmet 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Cancer is the disease that causes the most death after cardiovascular diseases
all over the world these days. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women
and ranks the second among cancer-related deaths after lung cancer. Chemotherapeutics act by
killing cancer cells, preventing their spread and slowing their growth. Recent studies focus on the
effects of chemotherapeutics on cancer cells and new chemotherapy approaches that targeting enzymes
that catalyze important metabolic reactions in the cell.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chemotherapeutic agents, Tamoxifen
and 5-FU, on MCF-7 cell line and human erythrocyte GST, an important enzyme of intracellular
antioxidant metabolism.

Methods:
In this study, it was investigated that the effect of chemotherapeutic agents, Tamoxifen
and 5-FU, on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and performed ROS analyzes. In addition, it was purified
glutathione S-transferase (GST), one of the important enzymes of intracellular antioxidant
mechanism, from human erythrocytes by using ammonium sulfate precipitation and glutathione
agarose affinity chromatography, and investigated in vitro effects of chemotherapeutic agents, 5 -
FU and Tamoxifen, on the activity of this enzyme for the first time.

Results:
it was determined that Tamoxifen and 5-FU inhibited cellular viability and 5-FU increased
intracellular levels of ROS, whereas Tamoxifen reduced intracellular levels of ROS. In addition,
human erythrocyte GST enzyme with 16.2 EU/mg specific activity was purified 265.97-fold
with a yield of 35% using ammonium sulfate precipitation and glutathione agarose affinity chromatography.
The purity of the enzyme was checked by the SDS-PAGE method. In vitro effects of chemotherapeutics,
5-FU and Tamoxifen, on GST activity purified from human erythrocytes were investigated.
The results showed that 5-FU increased the activity of GST in the concentration range
of 77 to 1155 μM and that Tamoxifen increased the activity of GST in the concentration range of
0.54 to 2.70 μM.

Conclusion:
In this study, the effects of tamoxifen and 5-FU chemotherapeutic agents on both
MCF-7 cell line and human GST enzyme were examined together for the first time. Our study
showed that chemotherapeutic agents (5-FU and Tamoxifen) inhibited cellular viability and Tamoxifen
reduced intracellular levels of ROS whereas 5-FU increased intracellular levels of ROS. In addition,
5-FU and Tamoxifen were found to increase the activity of GST enzyme purified from the
human erythrocyte.
AOX1 and XDH Enzymes Genotyping and its Effect on Clinical Response to Azathioprine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Among Jordanian Population
Authors: Mahasneh Sereen , Sharab Ahmad , Al Shhab Mohammad , Rashid Mohammad , Zihlif Malek 
Published: April 2020

Background and Objective:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a set of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal
disorders, which include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) that affects many patients
worldwide with a peak incidence in early adult life. The immunosuppressant drug Azathioprine (AZA) represents
one of the most useful drugs in the management of IBD. It is metabolized by many enzymes like AOX1, and XDH
enzymes, the variation in the metabolism of AZA may contribute to inter-individual variation in response to this
treatment. This study aims to find out if there is an association between certain AOX1 and XDH polymorphisms and
AZA response in Jordanian IBD patients.

Methods:
One hundred IBD patients aged between (17-72) years and taking AZA were enrolled and genotyped for
AOX13404G, XDH1936C and XDH2107C polymorphisms using DNA Sequencing (Sanger) method.

Results and Conclusion:
This study revealed that 16% of our patients were non-responders to AZA; they needed an
alternative therapy (biological agent) or steroids along with AZA. There was no statistically significant association
(p-value>0.05) between the AOX1 3404G, XDH 1936C and XDH 2107C polymorphisms and the response to AZA
among Jordanian IBD patients. Finally, the study showed an association between the age of the patient and the response
to AZA (p-value=0.013).
Healthy Gut, Healthy Brain: The Gut Microbiome in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Chandra Sreyashi , Alam Md. Tanjim , Dey Jhilik , Sasidharan Baby C. Pulikkaparambil , Ray Upasana , Srivastava Amit K. , Gandhi Sonu , Tripathi Prem P. 
Published: April 2020

Background:
The central nervous system (CNS) known to regulate the physiological conditions
of human body, also itself gets dynamically regulated by both the physiological as well as pathological
conditions of the body. These conditions get changed quite often, and often involve changes introduced
into the gut microbiota which, as studies are revealing, directly modulate the CNS via a crosstalk.
This cross-talk between the gut microbiota and CNS, i.e., the gut-brain axis (GBA), plays a major
role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s
disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington’s
disease (HD).

Objective:
We aim to discuss how gut microbiota, through GBA, regulate neurodegenerative disorders
such as PD, AD, ALS, MS and HD.

Methods:
In this review, we have discussed the present understanding of the role played by the gut microbiota
in neurodegenerative disorders and emphasized the probable therapeutic approaches being explored
to treat them.

Results:
In the first part, we introduce the GBA and its relevance, followed by the changes occurring in
the GBA during neurodegenerative disorders and then further discuss its role in the pathogenesis of
these diseases. Finally, we discuss its applications in possible therapeutics of these diseases and the current
research improvements being made to better investigate this interaction.

Conclusion:
We concluded that alterations in the intestinal microbiota modulate various activities that
could potentially lead to CNS disorders through interactions via the GBA.
Assessment of the Efficacy of Withania somnifera Root Extract in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo- Controlled Trial
Authors: Fuladi Sara , Emami Seyed A. , Mohammadpour Amir H. , Karimani Asieh , Manteghi Ali A. , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Anxiety disorders are the most universal psychiatric problems in the general
population. Due to their chronic nature, these diseases are managed with a multi-drug regimen lasting
for a long period of time. Medication discontinuation leads to 25% and 80% recurrence in the first
month and the first year, respectively. Despite several treatment approaches, there is no specific and
optimal method for patient management. Therefore, it is necessary to find some new therapeutic approaches
with fewer side effects. Withania somnifera is a plant with GABAergic property responsible
for its anxiolytic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of W. somnifera root extract
as an alternative therapy to reduce standard Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms.

Methods:
Forty patients who met the inclusion criteria (with a confirmed diagnosis of GAD as
stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision
(DSM-IV-TR) took part in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial and were randomly
selected for participation in the treatment group (W. somnifera extract, 1g/day; n = 22) or the
placebo group (n = 18). All patients were under treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs) and were prescribed one capsule of the extract or placebo per day for six weeks. The
Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) was used to assess the severity of GAD symptoms at baseline
as well as the second and sixth weeks of the trial.

Results:
Comparison of the HAM-A scores during the course of the trial revealed a significant amelioration
ofHAM-A score in the treatment group versus placebo (14 and 8 units reduction, respectively
(P < 0.05)). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the reduction of GAD score between
the second (P =0.04) and sixth week (P =0.02) in the treatment group. The extract was safe
and no adverse effect was observed during the trial.

Conclusion:
W. somnifera extract offers some potential advantages as a safe and effective adjunctive
therapy to SSRIs in GAD. The clinical trial protocol has been registered under the Iranian Registry
of Clinical Trials (IRCT20180615040105N1).
Analysis of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Variable Number Tandem Repeat Variant in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis
Authors: Tekcan Akin , Yigit Serbulent , Nursal Ayse F. , Tumer Mehmet K. , Yerliyurt Kaan , Kuruca Nilufer 
Published: April 2020

Background/Aims:
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the common oral inflammatory
diseases. As immunological and genetic factors have been held responsible for the pathogenesis
of RAS, the objective of this study was to determine whether the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist
(IL-1Ra) gene variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) variant is a risk factor for the development
of RAS in Turkish patients and to define its contribution to the increased risk.

Methods:
The IL-1Ra VNTR variant was evaluated in 169 RAS patients and 171 healthy controls by
the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Results:
No statistically significant difference was found in the genotype distributions and allele frequencies
of IL-1Ra VNTR variant between RAS patients and healthy controls.

Conclusion:
Lack of association between IL-1Ra VNTR variant and RAS could indicate that IL-1Ra
has no significant role in the pathophysiology of RAS. However, it still appears to be very worthwhile
to continue to search for cytokine gene variants in order to predict the development of such disease.