bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homelessness and Health: A retrospective analysis of medical records from 2006 - 2020 to explore the health and social situation of homeless people in Berlin. A study protocol.
Authors: Lech Sonia , Schenk Liane , Castro Jenny De la Torre , Schindel Daniel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Homelessness is often described as both a driver and a consequence of poor health, social exclusion and economic marginalisation. The present protocol provides a detailed description of the study Examining the health situation of homeless people in Berlin: a retrospective analysis of data from the health centre for the homeless of the Jenny De la Torre Foundation from 2006 to 2020 (GIG study). The primary objective of the GIG study is to describe and analyse the social and health situation of homeless people in Berlin. Methods: A retrospective secondary data analysis of an anonymous full census of medical records for the years 2006 until 2020 from a health centre for homeless people will be carried out. The main outcome is the description and analysis of the social and health situation of homeless people in Berlin. Total and cross-sectional sample characteristics will be presented in a descriptive analysis using Chi-Square Test, Mann-Whitney-U-Test or independent t-Test as appropriate to test (sub)group differences. Further, outcomes will be analysed using finite mixture modelling in order to distinguish different types of social and health conditions. Latent variable regressions will be applied in order to identify sociodemographic and disease-related factors associated with decreasing health conditions.Discussion: Given the high number of homeless individuals in Germany, it is of great importance to examine their social and health situation in order to gain a better understanding of challenges and needs of homeless people and work on new approaches and solutions to effectively address these.Trail Registration: The study was prospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (trial registration number: DRKS00021172). Registered 26 June 2020,https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00021172
Hybrid mosquitoes? Evidence from rural Tanzania on how local communities conceptualize and respond to modified mosquitoes as a tool for malaria control
Authors: Finda Marceline Francis , Okumu Fredros Oketch , Minja Elihaika , Njalambaha Rukiyah , Mponzi Winnfrida , Tarimo Brian , Chaki Prosper , Lezaun Javier , Kelly Ann H. , Christofides Nicola 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Different forms of mosquito modification are being considered as potential high-impact and low-cost tools for future malaria control in Africa. Although still under evaluation, the eventual success of these technologies will require high-level public acceptance. Understanding prevailing community perceptions of mosquito modification is therefore crucial for effective design and implementation of these interventions. This study investigated community perceptions regarding genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs) and their potential for malaria control in Tanzanian villages where no research or campaign for such technologies has yet been undertaken.Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, involving: i) focus group discussions (FGD) with community leaders to get insights on how they frame and would respond to GMMs, and ii) structured questionnaires administered to 490 community members to assess awareness, perceptions and support for GMMs for malaria control. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings and thematic content analysis was used to identify key concepts and interpret the findings. Results: Nearly all survey respondents were unaware of mosquito modification technologies for malaria control (94.3%), and reported no knowledge of their specific characteristics (97.3%). However, community leaders participating in FGDs offered a set of distinctive interpretive frames to conceptualize interventions relying on GMMs for malaria control. The participants commonly referenced their experiences of cross-breeding for selecting preferred traits in domestic plants and animals. Preferred GMMs attributes included the expected reductions in insecticide use and human labour. Population suppression approaches, requiring as few releases as possible, were favoured. Common concerns included whether the GMMs would look or behave differently than wild mosquitoes, and how the technology would be integrated into current malaria control policies. The participants emphasised the importance and the challenge of educating and engaging communities during the technology development. Conclusion: Understanding how communities perceive and interpret novel technologies is crucial to the design and effective implementation of new vector control programs. This study offers vital clues on how communities with no prior experience of modified mosquitoes might conceptualize or respond to such technologies when deployed in the context of malaria control programs. Drawing upon existing interpretive frames and locally-resonant analogies when deploying such technologies may provide a basis for more durable public support in the future.
Natural Products as Potential Agents against SARS-CoV and SARSCoV- 2
Authors: Raimundo e Silva Joanda Paolla , Acevedo Chonny Alexander Herrera , de Souza Thalisson Amorim , de Menezes Renata Priscila Barros , Sessions Zoe L. , Abreu Lucas Silva , Cibulski Samuel Paulo , Scotti Luciana , da Silva Marcelo Sobral , Muratov Eugene N. , Scotti Marcus Tullius , Tavares Josean Fechine 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Natural products are useful agents for the discovery of new
lead- compounds and effective drugs to combat coronaviruses (CoV).

Objective:
The present work provides an overview of natural substances, plant extracts, and essential oils as potential antiSARS-CoV agents. In addition, this work evaluates their drug-like properties which are essential in the selection of
compounds in order to accelerate the drug development process.

Methods:
The search was carried out using PubMed, ScienceDirect and SciFinder. Articles
addressing plant-based natural products as potential SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2
agents within the last seventeen years were analyzed and selected. The descriptors for
Chemometrics analysis were obtained in alvaDesc and the principal component analysis
(PCA) was carried out in SIMCA version 13.0.

Results:
Based on in vitro assays and computational analyses, this review covers twentynine
medicinal plant species and more than 300 isolated substances as potential anti-coronavirus
agents. Among them, flavonoids and terpenes are the most promising compound
classes. In silico analyses of drug-like properties corroborate these findings and indicate
promising candidates for in vitro and in vivo studies to validate their activity.

Conclusion:
This paper highlights the role of ethnopharmacology in drug discovery and simulates the use of integrative (in
silico/ in vitro) and chemocentric approaches to strengthen current studies and guide future research in the field of antivirals
agents.
Role of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP1) in Viral Infection and its Implication in SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis
Authors: Rajawat Jyotika , Chandra Abhishek 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Activation of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), a post-translational
modifying enzyme, has been shown to be involved with several inflammatory and viral diseases.

Objective:
The goal of this review is to highlight the mechanisms underlying PARP1 activation
during viral or infectious pathogenesis and to assess potential possibilities of using PARP1 inhibitors
as a therapeutic countering of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Methods:
An extensive bibliographic search was done using Pubmed, Mendeley and google scholar
with key words. Pre-prints are reported with potential caveats and studies without experimental
data were excluded.

Results:
Covid-19, a global pandemic; is associated with systemic surge of inflammatory cytokines
resulting in severe inflammation of the lung, heart dysfunction, ischemia, and stroke. PARP1 regulates
expression of NFkB and downstream cytokine production and its inhibition is known to attenuate
the expression of inflammatory cytokines. PARP1 and other PARP family members regulate
viral infection, replication, and virulence. The literature clearly suggests that PARP1 plays an important
role in host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis, with pre-clinical and in vitro studies
supporting the idea that PARP1 inhibition may negatively affect viability of several viruses including
the replication of the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Conclusion:
The current review discusses mechanisms of PARP1 activation during viral infection,
inflammatory diseases, cytokine expression and possibility of PARP1 in regulating cytokine storm
and hyper-inflammation seen with Covid-19. Additionally, in vitro studies showing the negative
regulation of SARS-CoV-2 virus replication by PARP inhibitors indicates a potential therapeutic
role of PARP inhibitors for Covid-19 or its variants.
ZEB2 Knock-down Induces Apoptosis in Human Myeloid Leukemia HL-60 Cells
Authors: Fardi Masoumeh , Mohammadi Ali , Baradaran Behzad , Safaee Sahar 
Published: January 2021

Introduction::
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most prevalent type of cancer in
the adult hematopoietic system. Conventional therapies are associated with unfavorable side effects
in individuals diagnosed with AML. These after-effects with partial remission reflect the urgent
need for novel therapeutic approaches for inducing apoptosis, specifically in malignant cells, without
affecting other cells. As a transcription factor (TF), ZEB2 (Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox
2) regulates the expression of specific genes in normal conditions. However, increased expression
of ZEB2 is reported in various cancers, especially in AML, which is related to a higher degree
of apoptosis inhibition of malignant cells. In this work, the role of ZEB2 in apoptosis inhibition is
surveyed through ZEB2 specific knocking-down in human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells.

Materials and Methods::
Transfection of HL-60 cells was conducted using ZEB2-siRNA at concentrations
of 20, 40, 60, and 80 pmol within 24, 48, and 72 h. After determining the optimum dose
and time, flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptosis rate. The MTT assay was also utilized
to evaluate the cytotoxic impact of transfection on the cells. The expression of candidate genes was
measured before and after transfection using qRT-PCR.

Results::
According to obtained results, suppression of ZEB2 expression through siRNA was associated
with the induction of apoptosis, increased pro-apoptotic, and decreased anti-apoptotic gene expression.
Transfection of ZEB2-siRNA was also associated with reduced cell proliferation and viability.

Conclusion::
Our study results suggest that ZEB2 suppression in myeloid leukemia cells through
apoptosis induction could be a proper therapeutic method.
The Design of Experiment Approach, Rheology for Optimization of a Topical Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Cream
Authors: Do Thi-Phuong-Chi , Nguyen Duc-Cuong , Nguyen Tien-Dat , Bui Quang-Dong , Nguyen Canh-Hung , Nguyen Thanh-Binh , Quyen-Do  , Tung Nguyen-Thach 
Published: January 2021

Background::
A capsaicin cream was formulated by optimizing the rheological stability,
the release behavior of the drug, and the pharmacological effect.

Objectives::
This study aimed to: (a) apply the Design of Experiment approach to study the rheological
stability and release behaviors of a drug (capsaicin) from a formulated oil-in-water cream and
(b) investigate the skin irritation and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the optimized
cream.

Methods::
The cream prepared by the emulsification method was optimized using the central composite
design, and then the pharmacological effect in experimental animals was determined using
Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA).

Results::
The effects of a permeation enhancer (X1), Vaseline (X2), and surfactants (X3) on the fluctuation
of the ratio of the viscous modulus (G ') to elastic modulus (G') (tan δ) after three cycles of
cooling-heating (10-40°C), flux, and skin deposition of capsaicin after 8 h on mouse skin were statistically
analyzed and optimized. The final obtained CAP-cream did not cause irritation in the rabbit
model and produced comparable anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects to the reference product
(Voltaren® emulgel).

Conclusions::
This study successfully integrated the DoE approach, rheological science, and pharmacological
studies to develop a stable and highly effective semi-solid product containing capsaicin.
Protectors of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Activated by Iron and Doxorubicin
Authors: Fedotcheva Tatiana A. , Fedotcheva Nadezhda I. 
Published: January 2021

Aim:
The study is aimed at examining of action of iron, DOX, and their complex on the
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore (MPTP) opening and detecting of possible protectors
of MPTP in the conditions close to mitochondria-dependent ferroptosis.

Background:
The Toxicity of Doxorubicin (DOX) is mainly associated with free iron accumulation
and mitochondrial dysfunction. DOX can provoke ferroptosis, iron-dependent cell death driven
by membrane damage. The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore (MPTP) is considered
as a common pathway leading to the development of apoptosis, necrosis, and, possibly, ferroptosis.
The influence of DOX on the Ca2+ -induced MPTP opening in the presence of iron has not yet been
studied.

Objective:
The study was conducted on isolated liver and heart mitochondria. MPTP and succinate-
ubiquinone oxidoreductase were studied as targets of DOX in mitochondria-dependent ferroptosis.
The iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO), the lipid radical scavenger butyl-hydroxytoluene (BHT),
and rutenium red (Rr), as a possible inhibitor of ferrous ions uptake in mitochondria, were
tested as MPTP protectors. The role of medium alkalization was also examined.

Methods:
Changes of threshold calcium concentrations required for MPTP opening were measured
by a Ca2+ selective electrode, mitochondrial membrane potential was registered by tetraphenylphosphonium
(TPP+)-selective electrode, and mitochondrial swelling was recorded as a decrease in absorbance
at 540 nm. The activity of Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) was determined by the reduction
of the electron acceptor DCPIP.

Conclusion:
MPTP and the respiratory complex II are identified as the main targets of the iron-dependent
action of DOX on the isolated mitochondria. All MPTP protectors tested abolished or
weakened the effect of iron and a complex of iron with DOX on Ca2+ -induced MPTP opening, acting
in different stages of MPTP activation.

:
These data open new approaches to the modulation of the toxic influence of DOX on mitochondria
with the aim to reduce their dysfunction.
Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Rifampicin based on Ionic Liquid Functionalised TiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Chokkareddy Rajasekhar , Redhi Gan G. 
Published: January 2021

Aim::The main strategy of this study is to develop a novel ionic liquid functionalised metal nanocomposite based electrochemical sensor with potential applications for the sensitive electrochemical detection of rifampicin.Background::Tuberculosis (TB) is a widespread disease that is caused by the gram-positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In addition, for several decades TB has become a constant threat to human health, however due to the accessibility of broad-spectrum antibiotics (rifampicin, pyrazinamide, isoniazid, and ethambutol), which are active against the bacterium, the social and economic burden for sufferers from the illness remains to be huge. Specially, in countries, like India and sub Saharan Africa, it is one of the common diseases affecting members from all age groups. So, this work is aimed at developing a novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of rifampicin (RIF) in pharmaceutical samples.Objective::To synthesis and characterization of the novel liquid functionalised metal nanocomposite. Fabrication of glassy carbon electrode with potent electrode modifiers whose applicability as electro catalysis agents towards rifampicin is investigated.Method::In this work, a nanocomposite based on trihexyltetradecylphosphonium-bis-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-phosphinate ([P14, 6, 6, 6] [(C8H17)2 PO2)]) ionic liquid functionalised titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used in the modification of a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for quantification of rifampicin in pharmaceutical formulations. The modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).Results::The electrochemical behaviour of RIF was studied on the modified electrode by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. At pH 6.0 in phosphate buffer solution (PBS), the anodic peak current value of RIF obtained with the fabricated electrode is 7 times greater than with the bare GCE electrode. The anodic peak current value and concentration of RIF showed a good linear relationship in the range of 0.015–2.8 μM, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0218 μM and limit of quantification (LOQ) 0.3120 μM respectively.Conclusion::Under the optimal conditions, the IL-f-TiO2NPs-MWCNTs-GCE provided a relatively lower detection limit and wider linear range compared to other previous procedures. The proposed electrochemical sensor had potent catalytic activity for RIF oxidation and provided important quantitatively reproducible analytical performance. Finally, this modified electrode was successfully applied to the determination of RIF in real pharmaceutical samples.
Past, Present and Future of Electroanalytical Sensor for Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Paracetamol Detection
Authors: Kang Jian , Li Xuejiao , Ji Hong , Gong Ping , Li Nan 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Pain not only affects the quality of life of an individual but can also cause
mental illness due to the lack of effective treatment for long-term pain. Analgesics refer to drugs
that can partially or completely relieve pain, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and
central analgesics.

Methods:
In recent years, the cross integration of electrochemical analysis technology with biochemistry,
materials science, biomedicine and other disciplines has driven the vigorous development
of electrochemical sensing technology in the field of life sciences. The electrochemical sensor
has many advantages, such as simple equipment, good specificity, high sensitivity, economy
and convenience. As a newly emerging technology, electrochemical sensing technology has been
increasingly used in drug analysis.

Results:
This review introduces the recent advances of the detection of analgesics using electrochemical
technology. We deliberately selected three representative drugs for discussion: aspirin,
ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Conclusion:
Electrochemical sensing technology has the advantages of high sensitivity, a low detection
limit and simple operation. However, sensors still have some technical problems, such as
the existence of many interference factors in actual samples in blood drug concentration monitoring
and the need to further optimize the method conditions for multi-channel detection. With the
continuous advancement of research, the application of new detection methods, nanomaterials, and
biomolecules has enabled electrochemical technology to make certain progress in the field of drug
analysis. In particular, the emergence of new nanomaterials will greatly promote the development
of electrochemical sensing technology in drug analysis. As a cutting-edge technology, electrochemical
sensing technology has enormous potential application value.
MDAPlatform: A Component-based Platform for Constructing and Assessing miRNA-disease Association Prediction Methods
Authors: Zhang Yayan , Duan Guihua , Yan Cheng , Yi Haolun , Wu Fang-Xiang , Wang Jianxin 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Increasing evidence has indicated that miRNA-disease association prediction plays a critical role
in the study of clinical drugs. Researchers have proposed many computational models for miRNA-disease prediction.
However, there is no unified platform to compare and analyze the pros and cons or share the code and data of these models.

Objective:
In this study, we develop an easy-to-use platform (MDAPlatform) to construct and assess miRNA-disease
association prediction method.

Methods:
MDAPlatform integrates the relevant data of miRNA, disease and miRNA-disease associations
that are used in previous miRNA-disease association prediction studies. Based on the componentized
model, it develops different components of previous computational methods.

Results:
Users can conduct cross validation experiments and compare their methods with other methods, and the visualized
comparison results are also provided.

Conclusion:
Based on the componentized model, MDAPlatform provides easy-to-operate interfaces to construct the
miRNA-disease association method, which is beneficial to develop new miRNA-disease association prediction methods in
the future.
Role of Nanotechnology in Electronics: A Review of Recent Developments
and Patents
Authors: Payal  , Pandey Parijat 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Nanotechnology assures to be the base of the upcoming industrial revolution. The role that
nanotechnology plays in electronic devices became a question of concern among the researchers when nanotechnology
started to be the focal point of research programs in developed and developing countries of the world. Nanoelectronics,
formed by combining nanotechnology and electronics deals with the handling, characterization, engineering, and
manufacturing of electronic devices at nanoscale.

Method:
By reducing the size of materials, their electronic properties alter, and inter-atomic interactions and quantum
effects gain significant importance. The challenge lies in interpreting their electronic properties at nanoscale so that they
can be exploited for use in new generation electronic devices. Need to trim downsize and have a higher component
density have ushered us into an era of nanoelectronics.

Results:
This work presents a detailed review of nanotechnology, its approach towards nanoelectronics, classification and
types of nanomaterials used in nanoelectronics, application areas of nanoelectronics and measuring instruments with
characterization at nanoscale. Also, the work incorporates latest developments and patents in nanoelectronics.

Conclusion:
In this manuscript, the authors have reviewed different aspects of nanotechnology in the field of electronics,
recent patents and related advancements.