bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic modeling and optimal control of cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Rong Xinmiao , Fan Meng , Zhu Huaiping , Zheng Yaohui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most severe helminth zoonosis with a drastic impact on human health and livestock industry. Investigating optimal control strategy and assessing the crucial factors are essential for developing countermeasures to mitigate this disease.Methods: Two compartment models were formulated to study the dynamics of cystic echinococcosis transmission, to evaluate the effectiveness of various control measures, and to find the optimal control strategy. Sensitive analyses were conducted by obtaining PRCCs and contour plot was used to evaluate the effect of key parameters on the basic reproduction number. Based on forward-backward sweep method, numerical simulations were employed to investigate effects of key factors on the transmission of cystic echinococcosis and to obtain the optimal control strategy.Results: The food resources of stray dog and invalid sheep vaccination rate, which are always neglected, were significant to the transmission and control of cystic echinococcosis. Numerical simulations suggest that, the implementation of optimal control strategy can significantly reduce the infections. Improving the cost of health education and domestic dog deworming could not decrease human infections.Conclusions: Our study showed that only a long-term use of the optimal control measures can eliminate the disease. Meanwhile, during the intervention, sheep vaccination and stray dogs disposing should be emphasized ahead of domestic dogs deworming to minimize the control cost. Simultaneously reducing other wild intermediate hosts and strengthening the sheep vaccination as well as disposing the stray dogs would be most effective.
The Aggressiveness of African breast cancer: An expose’ on CD44+CD24-/low breast cancer stem cell
Authors: Gyan Eric , Ahenkorah-Fondjo Linda , Owiredu William K.B.A , Jackson Andrew , Toss Michael S. , Akakpo Patrick K. , Derkyi-Kwarteng Leonard , Rahman Ganiyu A. , Green Andrew 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) in Africans and people of African descent is generally aggressive, with poorer prognosis and worse clinical outcomes. The molecular basis of this is however not entirely understood. The CD44+ / CD24-/low BC stem cell is known for its tumourigenic potential, tumour aggressiveness and its association with poor prognosis. This study identifies the relationship between CD44+/ CD24-/low BC stem cells and clinicopathological features of breast cancer in an African population.Methodology A Ghanaian BC cohort (n= 222) was used to assess CD44 and CD24 expression. Tissue microarray was constructed from the cohort samples and Immunohistochemically stained with CD44 and CD24 antibodies. The associations between clinicopathological features and the expression of the individual markers and their combinations were analysed. Results Of the total 222 breast cancer samples, 81.9 % were cytoplasmic CD24 positive and were associated with higher tumour grade (OR-3.623; r=0.199; p=0.004), gender (OR-9.514; p=0.028), clinical prognostic grading (OR-2.357 r= 0.162; p=0.027) and Her2 positivity (OR-0.216; r=-0.155; p=0.026). CD44 was associated with higher tumour grade (OR-3.148; r= 0.145; p-0.037), and increased mitotic count (OR-3.043, r= 0.173; p=0.028). There was no association between CD44 expression and hormone receptor status. Together, CD44+/CD24-/low staining was associated with higher tumour grade (OR-3.162; r=0.166; p=0.018), gender (OR- 12.0; p=0.012), and higher clinical prognostic staging (OR- 2.888; r=0.186; p=0.011). An inverse association of CD44+CD24+ was found with tumour grade (OR-0.220; r=-0.246; p=0.000), mitotic count (OR-0.406; r=-0.190; p=0.017) and clinical prognostic staging (OR-0.486; r=-0.151; p=0.040). There was no association between CD44-CD24+ and all the clinicopathological features.Conclusion Combined, CD44+CD24-/low was associated with poor prognosis and tumour aggression and may contribute to the tumour aggressiveness of African breast cancer. CD24 expression as a stand-alone marker was found to correlate with clinical and pathological indicators of tumour aggressiveness and poor prognosis.
Polyethyleneimine-impregnated alkali treated waste bamboo powder for effective dye removal
Authors: Zhang Jian , Lu Wenjing , Li Hui , Zhan Siyan , Wang Ximo , Ma Changpo , Qiu Zumin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this study, the polyethyleneimine (PEI) modified waste bamboo powder (WBP-Na-PEI) was successfully prepared and applied to adsorbing Congo red (CR) dye from aqueous solution. The obtained materials were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that WBP-Na-PEI(1.8 K-5) was synthesized successfully and PEI uniformly covered the WBP-Na-PEI(1.8 K-5) surface. In the process of adsorption, four kinds of influencing factors were discussed, and the adsorption mechanisms such as kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamics were explored. The maximum adsorption capacity of WBP-Na-PEI(1.8 K-5) was 992.94 mg·g−1 at 298 ± 1 K, and the removal efficiency was over 98%. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion models were studied, the results showed that the adsorption process conformed to the pseudo-second-order model, and the rate of this process was controlled by many steps. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of the adsorption kinetics reached 85% within 10 minutes. The results of the isotherm model and thermodynamics showed that the adsorption process was consistent with the Langmuir model and was mainly a spontaneous chemical endothermic process of monolayer. And the removal efficiency of the adsorbent reached 93% at the concentration of 400 mg/L, which can be expected to have a broad prospect in the treatment of CR industrial wastewater.
Effects of untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater discharges on the spatial and temporal variability of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from different streams in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Renato P. , Alves Luiz Felipe P. , de Cerqueira Clara B. , Mombrini Letícia M. , Ferreira Heitor Breno P. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Increasing atmospheric N2O concentrations is of great environmental concern due to the role of this gas in climate change and stratospheric ozone destruction. Nitrogen-enriched lotic water bodies are significant sources of N2O. However, N2O emissions from rivers and streams, particularly those that receive untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater discharge, are poorly understood, especially in Brazil. The present study investigated the effects of the discharge of untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater on the spatial–temporal variability of N2O emissions from different streams in Ilha Grande, located within the Abraão hydrographic system, in southeastern Brazil. Estimated N2O fluxes determined in Abraão streams and upstream of the urbanized stretch ranged from 18.4 and 96.5 μg N m−2 h−1. Inside the urbanized stretch, estimated N2O fluxes ranged from 110 to 561 μg N m−2 h−1 under non-limited dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions and 133 to 2,229 μg N m−2 h−1 under hypoxic conditions (DO &lt; 2 mg O2 L−1). High spatial and temporal variability in N2O emissions were noted, with the highest emissions in Abraão urban areas. Therefore, the differences observed between N2O fluxes from the studied streams at Abraão seem to be associated with different lotic water body conditions, such as availability of reactive N and DO.
Application of hybrid electrocoagulation–filtration methods in the pretreatment of marine aquaculture wastewater
Authors: Xu Jianping , Du Yishuai , Qiu Tianlong , Zhou Li , Li Ye , Chen Fudi , Sun Jianming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide technical means and data support for enhancing the filtration pretreatment capacity of a recirculating aquaculture system. A continuous flow electrocoagulation (EC)–filtration system was designed and its application in the pretreatment of marine aquaculture wastewater was studied. The influences of anode combination modes, hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of the EC reactor and filter pore sizes on the water treatment capacity were investigated. Results showed that EC could significantly enhance the treatment efficiency of the filtration equipment used in subsequent steps. Al-Fe electrodes used as anode led to better processing capacity of this system, and the optimum anode was 3Al + Fe. With the increase of HRT and decrease of filter pore size, the enhanced effect of the EC process on the filter was more obvious. When the current density was 19.22 A/m2, the anode was 3Al + Fe, the HRT was 4.5 min and the filter pore size was 45 μm, the removal efficiency of the system for Vibrio, chemical oxygen demand, total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen (NO2−-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) and total nitrogen was 69.55 ± 0.93%, 48.99 ± 1.42%, 57.06 ± 1.28%, 34.09 ± 2.27%, 18.47 ± 1.88% and 55.26 ± 1.42%, respectively, and the energy consumption was (26.25 ± 4.95) × 10−3kWh/m3.
Administration of Antioxidants in Infertile Male: When it may have a Detrimental Effect?
Authors: Dimitriadis Fotios , Symeonidis Evangelos N. , Tsounapi Panagiota , Kaltsas Aris , Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Sokolakis Ioannis , Zachariou Athanasios , Takenaka Atsushi , Sofikitis Nikolaos 
Published: February 2021

Background & Objective:
Significant advances in the field of male infertility have been witnessed
during the last years. Given the well-known detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the administration
of antioxidants has emerged as a promising solution for oxidative stress (OS)-induced male infertility. Nevertheless,
this perception seems largely oversimplified, and the existing literature fails to recognize a notable superiority
of the excessive use of these widely available nutritional compounds. Taking into consideration that several
trials have shed light on the so-called “antioxidant paradox” phenomenon, we recognize that over-the-counter
consumption of such supplements might be harmful.

Method:
The relevant studies indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases, published until September 2019 were identified and reported.

Conclusion:
In this setting, we acknowledge that there is an urgent need for more elaborate studies in the future
that will efficiently elucidate the risks and benefits of antioxidants on semen parameters and their impact on fertility
potential.
Homology Modelling and Virtual Screening of 3-deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic Acid Transferase of Aeromonas hydrophila as a Potential Target for Novel Natural Inhibitory Compounds
Authors: Payal P.S. , Jahageerdar Shrinivas , Kumar Sanath H. , Prasad Burra V.L.S 
Published: February 2021

Background:
The fish pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila is fast acquiring resistance to
commonly employed antibiotics in aquaculture. This development has compelled the aquaculture
sector to identify and develop new therapeutics to manage the pathogen.

Methods:
In this study, the protein 3-deoxy-d-manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase of A.
hydrophila involved in the biosynthesis of the cell wall was studied in-silico as a potential drug
target to control this pathogen. The three-dimensional structure of Kdo transferase was predicted by
homology modelling using the Modellar 9.15. A total of 7682 natural compounds and 55 known
Gram-negative bacterial inhibitors were virtually screened. Laboratory evaluation of inhibitory
effects of identified inhibitors against A. hydrophila was performed using extracts from tea leaves
and Astragalus by standard disc diffusion method.

Results:
A molecular model of putative virulence factor Kdo was derived by homology modelling.
Eleven compounds were found to be potential inhibitors of Kdo. Among natural compounds, LArabinose
and Flavan-3,4-diol were identified as the putative therapeutic agents. In the disc diffusion
test, the zones of inhibition were observed at 2 mg/ml concentrations for tea leaves extracts and
8 mg/ml for Astragalus, suggesting the inhibitory effects of these extracts.

Conclusion:
The study shows the utility of essential enzymes such as the protein Kdo transferase as
a putative drug target and the potential application of natural compounds in the control of pathogens
in aquaculture without the need to use synthetic antimicrobial compounds.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its Synthetic Precursors: A Review
Authors: Shaik Rafi , Rao H. Surya Prakash 
Published: February 2021

:Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an extremely important drug used for treatment of various ailments. WHO listed it as one of the essential drugs. Utility of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as prophylaxis of COVID19, although debated, is well known. We have reviewed synthetic strategies for industrial and academic synthesis of HCQ and its key intermediates like 4,7-dichloroquinoline (4,7-DCQ) and 2-((4-aminopentyl)(ethyl)amino)ethan-1-ol 9 (aka hydroxynovaldiamine; HNDA). The review is expected to provide the right perspective of the state-of-the-art knowledge in this field so that further developments are possible.
Prognostic Impact of Red Cell Distribution Width on the Development of
Contrast-Induced Nephropathy, Major Adverse Cardiac Events, and Mortality
in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary
Intervention
Authors: Latif Azka , Ahsan Muhammad Junaid , Lateef Noman , Kapoor Vikas , Fazeel Hafiz Muhammad , Razzaq Faryal , Iftikhar Ahmad , Ashfaq Muhammad Zubair , Anwer Faiz , Mirza Mohsin , Kabach Amjad 
Published: February 2021

:
Red cell distribution width (RDW) serves as an independent predictor towards the prognosis
of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI). A systematic search of databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane
library was performed on October 10th, 2019, to elaborate the relationship between RDW and in
hospital and long term follow up, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, major adverse cardiac
events (MACE) and development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with CAD undergoing
PCI. Twenty-one studies qualified this strict selection criterion (number of patients =
56,425): one study was prospective, and the rest were retrospective cohorts. Our analysis showed
that patients undergoing PCI with high RDW had a significantly higher risk of in-hospital all-cause
mortality (OR 2.41), long-term all-cause mortality (OR 2.44), cardiac mortality (OR 2.65), MACE
(OR: 2.16), and odds of developing CIN (OR: 1.42) when compared to the patients with low
RDW. Therefore, incorporating RDW in the predictive models for the development of CIN,
MACE, and mortality can help in triage to improve the outcomes in coronary artery disease patients
who undergo PCI.
Quality of Life in Patients with β-thalassemia Major: Short-term and Long-term Effects After Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Zhai Lu , Liu Yuhua , Huo Rongrui , Pan Zhaofang , Bin Juan , Li Zhi , Tang Qiaomei , Fan Jing 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ALLO-HSCT) is a
potentially curative approach to treat β-thalassemia major (β-TM).

Objective and Methods:
To assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with β-TM after ALLO-HSCT,
we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and MEDLINE for articles on the quality of
life (QOL) of patients with β-TM from 1 Feb 2020 to 31 Mar 2020.

Results:
Our review revealed that the QOL of patients with β-TM after ALLO-HSCT from a sibling
donor is higher than that of patients that received blood infusion and iron-chelating therapy.
Survivors of ALLO-HSCT have a QOL as good as that of a healthy population and the ability to return
to normal life. However, studies thus far are limited to investigations with a few patients with
β-TM who received ALLO-HSCT of the bone marrow (BM) from a sibling donor or related donor.
Graft vs. host disease, patient age, gender, sexual desire, health condition, psychological state, financial
and employment stress, and social support contributed to a worse QOL after ALLO-HSCT.
Medicine usage, physical therapy, and psychological intervention may help improve the decline in
QOL related to ALLO-HSCT in patients with β-TM.

Conclusion:
Doctors and nurses must focus on implementing medicine usage, physical therapy,
and psychological intervention to improve the decline in QOL related to ALLO-HSCT.
Key Epigenetic Events Involved in the Maintenance of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Pourmahdi Mahsa , Saber Ali , Rajabi Ali , Abdolahi Sepehr , Ebrahimi Pirooz , Safaralizadeh Reza 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors
and play significant roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, resistance to treatment, and relapse. They
are defined by self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation, and aggressiveness. Epigenetic modifications,
including DNA methylation and acetylation, histone modifications, and non-coding.
RNAs (ncRNAs), are partly responsible for CSC potentials and are involved in the modification of
key components of crucial pathways such as Notch and Wnt signaling in breast cancer.

Objective:
In this review, we present an overview of the pathways and epigenetic events that lead
to the transformation of mammary gland stem cells to breast CSCs (BCSCs). Based on the data presented
here, important pathways such as TGF-β/SMAD2 and Wnt/β-catenin and epigenetic modifications,
including histone modifications, DNA methylations, and microRNAs, play important roles
in BCSC formation and maintenance.

Conclusion:
Epigenetic events can alter the expression of genes and functional RNAs, resulting in
tumor initiation and progression. Thus, a better understanding of epigenetic modifications involved
in BCSC maintenance signaling pathways may help to eliminate or suppress BCSCs and overcome
cancer by generating more effective and efficient therapeutic agents.
Immunological Mechanism and Clinical Application of PAMP Adjuvants
Authors: Yan Yu , Yao Dan , Li Xiaoyu 
Published: February 2021

Background:The host innate immune system can recognize Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) through Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), thereby initiating innate immune responses and subsequent adaptive immune responses. PAMPs can be developed as a vaccine adjuvant for modulating and optimizing antigen-specific immune responses, especially in combating viral infections and tumor therapy. Although several PAMP adjuvants have been successfully developed they are still lacking in general, and many of them are in the preclinical exploration stage.Objective:This review summarizes the research progress and development direction of PAMP adjuvants, focusing on their immune mechanisms and clinical applications.Methods:PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were screened for this information. We highlight the immune mechanisms and clinical applications of PAMP adjuvants.Results:Because of the differences in receptor positions, specific immune cells targets, and signaling pathways, the detailed molecular mechanism and pharmacokinetic properties of one agonist cannot be fully generalized to another agonist, and each PAMP should be studied separately. In addition, combination therapy and effective integration of different adjuvants can increase the additional efficacy of innate and adaptive immune responses.Conclusion:The mechanisms by which PAMPs exert adjuvant functions are diverse. With continuous discovery in the future, constant adjustments should be made to build new understandings. At present, the goal of therapeutic vaccination is to induce T cells that can specifically recognize and eliminate tumor cells and establish long-term immune memory. Following immune checkpoint modulation therapy, cancer treatment vaccines may be an option worthy of clinical testing.
Prediction of Protein-protein Interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana Using Partial Training Samples in a Machine Learning Framework
Authors: Ahmed Fee Faysal , Khatun Mst. Shamima , Mosharaf Md. Parvez , Mollah Md. Nurul Haque 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Protein-protein interactions (PPI) play a vital role in a wide range of biological
processes starting from cell-cell interactions to developmental control in all organisms.
However, experimental identification of PPI is often laborious, time-consuming and costly compared
to computational prediction. There are several computational prediction models in the literature
based on complete training samples, but none of them dealt with the partial training samples.

Objective:
The objective of this work was to develop an effective PPI prediction model for Arabidopsis Thaliana using
partial training samples in a machine learning framework.

Methods:
We proposed an effective computational PPI prediction model by combining random
forest (RF) classifier and autocorrelation (AC) sequence encoding features with 1:2 ratio of positive-
PPI and unknown-PPI samples.

Results:
We observed that the proposed prediction model produces the highest average performance
scores of sensitivity (94.62%), AUC (0.92) and pAUC (0.189) with the training datasets
and sensitivity (88.14%), AUC (0.89) and pAUC (0.176) with the test datasets of 5-fold crossvalidation
compared to other candidate predictors based on LDA, LOGI, ADA, NB, KNN & SVM
classifiers. It also computed the highest performance scores of TPR (91.82%) and pAUC (0.174)
at FPR= 20% with AUC (0.948) compared to other candidate predictors.

Conclusion:
Overall performance of the developed model revealed that our proposed predictor
might be useful to elucidate the biological function of unseen PPIs from a large number of candidate
proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Exploring the Potential of Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer and its
Complications: A Comprehensive Update
Authors: Grover Madhuri , Behl Tapan , Sanduja Mohit , Habibur Rahman Md. , Ahmadi Amirhossein 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Aromatherapy is a traditional practice of employing essential oils for therapeutic
purposes, which is currently headed under the category of complementary and adjuvant medicine.

Objective:
The aim of this review is to summarize the potential health benefits of aromatic essential oil from old
times till the present. Moreover, some mechanisms which can be utilized as a basis for aromatherapy in cancer
and cancer-linked complications have been proposed.

Methods:
To find out the relevant and authentic data, several search engines like Science direct, Pubmed,
research gate, etc. were thoroughly checked by inserting keywords like aromatherapy, complementary, and
adjuvant therapy in the context of the review.

Results:
The results depicted the anti-cancer potential of chemical constituents of essential oil against different
types of cancer. Moreover, the essential oils showed the promising anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant,
and anti-mutagenic properties in several studies, which collectively can form the basis for initiation of
its anti-cancer use.

Conclusion:
Aromatherapy can serve as an adjuvant economic therapy in cancer after the standardization of
protocol.