bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neighbourhood Effects and FDI Location: the Role of the Ability to Source Inputs
Authors: KITIMBI Michael Peter MBANJO , BIDIASSE Honoré 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper aims to show, in the African context, that the ability to source inputs from neighbouring countries increases the attractiveness of African countries. Using a methodology based on spatial econometrics, the SLX and SDEM models are applied to a panel of 24 African countries over the period 2004–2015. It appears that the location of FDI in a country is affected by the capacity of its neighbours to provide inputs, particularly in terms of natural resources and economic openness. Moreover, domestic supply chains also affect the location of FDIJEL classification: F29, F21, C31
New Identified Anthocyanins from Sudanese Roselle: Potential Candidates for inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase
Authors: El-Naeem Arwa , Abdalla Sahar , Ahmed Ibrahim 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aims to identify anthocyanin pigments in Sudanese roselle and examine their inhibitory activity toward xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme via in silico docking approach. A number of four samples of Sudanese roselle (red and white) from different regions of Sudan were investigated by high sensitive technique, i.e. LC-MS to identify anthocyanins. Four anthocyanins were identified in all samples; delphinidin-3-glucoside (Dp-3-glu), cyanidin-3-sambubioside (Cy-3-sam), pelargonidin chloride (Pg Chloride), and petuinidin-3-glucoside (Pt-3-glu); in addition to one flavanol; gossypetin (Goss). The anthocyanins of the white samples are suggested to be presented in the yellowish or colorless pseudo base structures. The identified anthocyanins were tested against the inhibition toward xanthine oxidase via molecular docking. All anthocyanins were found to be excellent XO inhibitors superior to the most recent commercially used hyperuricemia drug; i.e. topiroxostat. The binding energies of the complexes (ligand-XO) are lower than the energy of the topiroxostat-XO complex. The binding energies order is: pt-3- dp-3-glu > cy-3-sam > goss > pg chloride. According to our investigation, roselle anthocyanins are considered as good potential future XO-inhibitors drugs; and promising candidates to treat several related diseases.
A Novel Green Synthesis of Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles (Nzvi) using Walnut Green Skin Characterization, Catalytic Degradation and Toxicity Studies
Authors: Hamzezadeh Asghar , Fazlzadeh Mehdi , Rahmani Kourosh , poureshgh Yousef 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the present study, green synthesized nanoparticles were used to activate persulfate and used for oxidation of metronidazole (MTZ). In the process of green synthesis, the walnut green skin was used for the synthesis of zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles. These nanoparticles' FESEM images revealed that they were spherical-shaped nanoparticles with a diameter ranging from 18 to 72 nm. Also, the FTIR spectra indicated the functional groups of polyphenols on the surfaces of the nZVI nanoparticles. Moreover, the XRD pattern illustrated that the synthesized particles possessed a high crystalline quality structure. According to the results, under the optimum conditions, the removal efficiency of the process in degradation of MTZ was 90.3%. LC-MS chromatography showed 7 by-products with reduced toxicity in the reactor outputs. It was found that the green synthesized nZVI had a good effect on the activation of the PS and the PS/nZVI process had a high ability in degradation of MTZ from aqueous solutions.
Recent Advancements on Benzimidazole: A Versatile Scaffold in Medicinal Chemistry
Authors: Alzhrani Zohor Mohammad Mahdi , Alam Mohammad Mahboob , Nazreen Syed 
Published: April 2021

Abstract:
Benzimidazole is a nitrogen-containing fused heterocycle which has been extensively explored
in medicinal chemistry. Benzimidizole nucleus has been found to possess various biological activities
such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitubercular and antidiabetic. A
number of benzimidazoles such as bendamustine, pantoprazole have been approved for the treatment of
various illnesses, whereas galeterone and GSK461364 are in clinical trials. The present review article
gives an overview of the different biological activities exhibited by the benzimidazole derivatives as well
as different methods used for the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives in the past ten years.
Nutrigenomics and Lifestyle Facet- A Modulatory Molecular
Evidence in Progression of Breast and Colon Cancer with
Emerging Importance
Authors: Ray Suman Kumar , Mukherjee Sukhes 
Published: April 2021

:
Legitimate nutrition assumes a significant role in preventing diseases and, in this way, nutritional interventions establish vital strategies in the area of public health. Nutrigenomics centres on the different genes and diet in an individual and how an individual’s genes influence the reaction to bioactive foodstuff. It targets considering the genetic and epigenetic interactions with nutrients to lead to a phenotypic alteration and consequently to metabolism, differentiation, or even apoptosis. Nutrigenomics and lifestyle factors play a vital role in health management and represent an exceptional prospect for the improvement of personalized diets to the individual at risk of developing diseases like cancer. Concerning cancer as a multifactorial genetic ailment, several aspects need to be investigated and analysed. Various perspectives should be researched and examined regarding the development and prognosis of breast and colon cancer. Malignant growth occurrence is anticipated to upsurge in the impending days, and an effective anticipatory strategy is required. The effect of dietary components, basically studied by nutrigenomics, looks at gene expression and molecular mechanisms. It also interrelates bioactive compounds and nutrients because of different 'omics' innovations. Several preclinical investigations demonstrate the pertinent role of nutrigenomics in breast and colon cancer, and change of dietary propensities is conceivably a successful methodology for reducing cancer risk. The connection between the genomic profile of patients with breast or colon cancer and their supplement intake, it is conceivable to imagine an idea of personalized medicine, including nutrition and medicinal services.
Magnesium Aluminium Silicate-Metformin Hydrochloride Complexes - The Use of Isothermal Calorimetry for Probing Clay and Drug Nanocomplexations
Authors: Totea Ana-Maria , Dorin Irina , Laity Peter R. , Conway Barbara R. , Waters Laura , Asare-Addo Kofi 
Published: April 2021

:
This study reports the use of Isothermal Calorimetry (ITC) in understanding the complexation process occurring between Magnesium Aluminium Silicate (MAS) and metformin hydrochloride (MET), as a potential controlled release drug delivery system. The calorimetric results confirmed the binding between MET and MAS at various pHs (5, 7 and 9) and temperatures (25 ºC and 37 ºC). The overall change in enthalpy was found to be exothermic with a comparatively small entropic contribution to the total change in Gibbs free energy, implying that the binding was an enthalpically driven process. These findings suggest that the binding process was dominated by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. pH and temperature variation did not have a great impact on the binding, as observed from the similarity in enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) or Gibbs free energy (ΔG), with the reaction being only slightly more exothermic at pH 5 and at 37 ºC. MAS and MET complex dispersions and particles were also formulated and analysed successfully using DSC, XRPD, ATR-FTIR, SEM/EDX, digital microscopy. 2D-SAXS. 2D-SAXS was able to differentiate between MAS particulates and MAS-MET complexes when analysed in their liquid form suggesting the importance of appropriate methodology and instrumentation used in characterisation.
Cruzain and Rhodesain Inhibitors: Last Decade of Advances in Seeking for New Compounds Against American and African Trypanosomiases
Authors: dos Santos Nascimento Igor José , de Aquino Thiago Mendonça , da Silva-Júnior Edeildo Ferreira 
Published: April 2021

:
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of approximately 20 diseases that affect part of the population in Sub- and Tropical countries. In the past, pharmaceutical industries and governmental agencies have invested in the control, elimination and eradication of such diseases. Among these diseases, Chagas disease (CD) and Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are a public health problem, mainly in the countries from the American continent and sub-Saharan African. In this context, the search for new therapeutic alternatives against such diseases has been growing in recent years, presenting cysteine proteases as the main strategy to discover new anti-trypanosomal drugs. Thus, cruzain and rhodesain enzymes are targets widely studied, since the cruzain is present in all stages of the parasite's life, related to the stages of proliferation and differentiation and infection of macrophages; while the rhodesain is related to the immune defense process. In addition, knowledge about the amino acid sequences and availability of X-ray complexes have stimulated the drug searching against these targets, mainly through molecular modeling studies. Thus, this review manuscript will be addressed to cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors developed in the last 10 years, and which could provide basis for new lead compounds in the discovery of new trypanocidal drugs. We found 117 studies involving inhibitors of cruzain and rhodesain, being thiosemicarbazones, semicarbazones, N-acylhydrazones, thiazoles-hydrazone, thiazolidinones-hydrazones, oxadiazoles, triazoles, triazines, imidazoles, peptidomimetic, and others. All references were obtained using “cruzain” or “rhodesain” and “inhibitor” as keywords in Science Direct, Bentham Science, PubMed, Espacenet, Springer, ACS Publisher, Wiley, Taylor and Francis, and MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) databases. Finally, we highlighted all these chemical classes of molecules to provide valuable information that could be used to design new inhibitors against Chagas disease and sleeping sickness in the future.
β-Lactone Derivatives and Their Anticancer Activities: A Short Review
Authors: Wang Jun , Shi Yumin , Jiang Dan 
Published: April 2021

:
Cancers, a set of genetic diseases that can change the behavior and cell growth in body
tissues, are the second leading cause of death across the world. Several treatment approaches, such
as radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, can be applied to cure cancer, and among them,
chemotherapy is one of the primary treatments for cancer, in which chemotherapeutic drugs are
used. Great achievements have been made in the development of novel anticancer agents, but drug
resistance is usually generated quickly, making overcoming drug resistance or developing more effective
anticancer agents an imperative challenge. β-Lactones (2-oxetanones) are chemically diverse
and often referred to as privileged structures for the discovery of new drugs, including anticancer
agents. Marizomib (Salinosporamide A), a naturally occurring β-lactone proteasome inhibitor
derived from the marine actinobacterium Salinispora tropica, has been termed as an orphan
drug against multiple myeloma. Therefore, β-lactones are useful scaffolds for the discovery of novel
anticancer agents. This review is an endeavour to highlight the advances in β-lactone derivatives
with anticancer potential. The synthetic strategies, structure-activity relationships, as well as modes
of action, are also discussed to pave the way for further rational design.
The Role of ASIC1a in Epilepsy: A Potential Therapeutic Target
Authors: Cheng Yu , Zhang Wuqiong , Li Yue , Jiang Ting , Mamat Buhajar , Zhang Yunhai , Wang Famin , Meng Hongmei 
Published: April 2021

Background:
Epilepsy represents one of the most common brain diseases among humans.
Tissue acidosis is a common phenomenon in epileptogenic foci. Moreover, its role in epileptogenesis
remains unclear. Acid-sensing ion channel-1a (ASIC1a) represents a potential way to
assess new therapies. ASIC1a, mainly expressed in the mammalian brain, is a type of protein-gated
cation channel. It has been shown to play an important role in the pathological mechanism of various
diseases, including stroke, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.

Methods:
Data were collected from Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, through searching for these
keywords: "Acid-sensing ion channels 1a" or "ASIC1a" and "epilepsy" or "seizure".

Results:
The role of ASIC1a in epilepsy remains controversial; it may represent a promising therapeutic
target of epilepsy.

Conclusion:
This review is intended to provide an overview of the structure, trafficking, and molecular
mechanisms of ASIC1a in order to elucidate the role of ASIC1a in epilepsy further.
Ionic Liquids in Analytical Chemistry: Applications and Recent Trends
Authors: Merone Giuseppe Maria , Tartaglia Angela , Rosato Enrica , D’Ovidio Cristian , Kabir Abuzar , Ulusoy Halil Ibrahim , Savini Fabio , Locatelli Marcello 
Published: April 2021

Background:
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a unique class of compounds consisting exclusively
of cations and anions that possess distinctive properties such as low volatility, high thermal stability,
miscibility with water and organic solvents, electrolytic conductivity and non-flammability.
Ionic liquids have been defined as "design solvents", because it is possible to modify their physical
and chemical properties by appropriately choosing cations and anions, in order to meet the specific
characteristics based on their potential application.

Introduction:
Due of their tunable nature and properties, ILs are considered as the perfect candidates
for numerous applications in analytical chemistry including sample preparation, stationary
phases in liquid or gas chromatography, additives in capillary electrophoresis, or in mass spectrometry
for spectral and electrochemical analysis. In the last years, the number of publications
regarding ILs has rapidly increased, highlighting the broad applications of these compounds in various
fields of analytical chemistry.

Results:
This review first described the main physico-chemical characteristics of ionic liquids, and
subsequently reported the various applications in different subdisciplines of analytical chemistry,
including the extraction procedure and separation techniques. Furthermore, in each paragraph the
most recent applications of ionic liquids in the food, environmental, biological, etc. fields have been
described.

Conclusion:
Overall, the topic discussed highlights the key role of ionic liquids in analytical chemistry,
giving hints for their future applications in chemistry but also in biology and medicine.
SARS-CoV-2 Spread Dynamics in Italy: The Calabria Experience
Authors: Abenavoli Ludovico , Cinaglia Pietro , Procopio Anna Caterina , Serra Raffaele , Aquila Isabella , Zanza Christian , Longhitano Yaroslava , Artico Marco , Larussa Tiziana , Boccuto Luigi , Ricci Pietrantonio , Luzza Francesco 
Published: April 2021

Introduction:
The first case of infection by SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., COVID-19) has been officially
recorded by the Italian National Health Service on February 21st, 2020. Lombardy was the
first Italian region to be affected by the pandemic. Subsequently, the entire Northern part of Italy recorded
a high number of cases, while the South was hit following the migratory waves. On March
8th, the Italian Government has issued a decree that imposed a total lockdown, defining it as a state
of isolation and restricting access in Lombardy and the other 14 provinces of Northern Italy.

Methods:
We analyzed the virus trend in the period between February 24th and September 8th,
2020, focusing on Calabria, with regards to the following items: new positives, change of total positives,
and total cases. Furthermore, we included other information, such as the incubation period,
symptom resolution period, quarantine period.

Results:
On March 27th, the epidemic curve spiked with 101 new positive cases validating the hypothesis
that this abnormal event was related to the displacement of non-residents people, living in
the Northern part of Italy, to the home regions in the South. The epidemic curve showed a decreasing
trend in the period after lockdown, proving the effectiveness of this measure. From the end of
the lockdown May 04th to September 8th, the registered trend was -94.51%. A negative growth rate
indicates that the number of new positive cases is lower than the number of healed patients.

Conclusion:
This study describes the effectiveness of the Italian Government policy, particularly
the role of lockdown, for the containment of SARS-CoV-2 contagion in Calabria, a region with a
low SARS-CoV-2 infection rate within the registered period.
Nilotinib, A Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Suppresses the Cell Growth and Triggers Autophagy in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Meng Lei , Zhao Pengxin , Hu Zhigang , Ma Weiyuan , Niu Yong , Su Jingwei , Zhang Yubo 
Published: April 2021

Background:Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) represents the most common thyroid cancer. Until recently, treatment options for PTC patients are limited. Nilotinib is the second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and has been widely used in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).Objectives:We aimed to explore whether nilotinib is effective for the suppression PTC cancer progression and the underlying mechanisms.Results:In this study, the three human PTC cell lines (KTC-1, BCPAP, and TPC1) were used to verify the effects of nilotinib on cell growth. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated according to the growth curve post nilotinib treatment at different concentrations. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation analysis were used to monitor cell growth after nilotinib treatment. Cell apoptosis and autophagy related proteins and phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR were detected by Western blotting analysis.Methods:Nilotinib treatment could effectively inhibit PTC cell growth, which was accompanied by an increase in apoptosis and induction of autophagy. Mechanistically, nilotinib treatment repressed the phosphorylation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.Conclusion:Collectively, our results demonstrated that nilotinib may display anti-tumor effect against PTC via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and inducing apoptosis and autophagy.
Production and Characterization of Admixture Nano-Flux Welding
Powder from Agro-Waste (Banana Peel)
Authors: Afolalu Adeniran Sunday , Eterigho Emetere Moses , Etse Sunny-Ekhalume 
Published: April 2021

Background:
Owing to the rising trend of agro wastes, efforts are being geared towards
producing environmentally friendly welding flux. This project developed a nano-flux powder
(MnO) from banana peel using nano-technology. For the first time, manganese was synthesized
from banana peel ash. After that, the nano mixtures were centrifuged and calcinated to obtain nano
flux powder.

Methods:
The surface morphology and physio-chemical properties of the nanopowder produced
and control were determined using X-ray Powder Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy,
and Scanning Electron Microscopy along with Elemental Dispersive X-ray to analyze its composition.
Also, the particle size was obtained using the Digmizer image.

Results:
The developed nano-flux powder has a mean area of 407.72 nm2, a mean perimeter of
51.02 nm, and a length of 3.89 nm less than the commercial flux. The FTIR revealed the maximum
peak of wave number 415z.00 cm-1, which shows a broad high concentration than the control
with wavenumber 3546 cm-1. XRD result shows that manganese oxide is present in the powder
with the highest intensity at MnO (110) with Quartz at 2Ɵ = 26o, having a current of 9.26A and
hematite at 2Ɵ = 28% having a current 5.34A over the control. From the EDS of qualitative analysis
of the powders, manganese and oxygen were present in high quantities in the developed flux
with 29.45% and 38.70% than in control with 3.15% and 23.30%, which confirmed the nano-flux
as Manganese Oxide (MnO). The results show that nano-flux powder can be produced from agrowaste
with better properties and applications.

Conclusion:
From the results and discussion, banana peel was used to develop Manganese oxide
flux powder, using nanotechnology, and it was characterized alongside commercial flux powder as
a control.
Study on Separation Performance of Gas-Liquid Cyclone Separator with
Pulsating Feeds
Authors: Lu Guangrong , Hou Yongjun , Wu Xianjin , Wu Hang , Jiang Rui , Du Mingjun 
Published: April 2021

Background:
In recent years, a kind of drilling method of solid-liquid separation combined
with pulsating vacuum formed by vibrating screen and compressed air injection has emerged in oil
drilling, which profoundly improves the gas, solid, and liquid separation ability of the drilling fluid
vibration screen.

Objective:
Based on the above ideas, a kind of hydrocyclone used for gas-liquid separation with the
pulsating feed boundary was proposed. The separation performance of gas-liquid hydrocyclone may
change significantly due to the mixed pulsation of the gas-liquid fluid transported by the jet pump.
Therefore, the flow characteristics of the pulsating feed hydrocyclone need to be analyzed and explored
to provide basic data for further improvement of the structure.

Methods:
The development status of cyclone separators are summarized through related literature and
patent investigation. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent 2019 R3 is
used to analyze the flow field characteristics and optimize the parameters of the hydrocyclone with
stable feed. Then, the programming by the User-Define-Function (UDF) of Fluent is used to simulate
the flow field of the separator under the condition of pulsating feed. Meanwhile, the flow field analysis
and parameter optimization are carried out accordingly.

Results:
The optimal parameters in a stable state and pulsed state are obtained from the analysis of the
efficiency curve. The results show that the flow field can be stabilized in the pulsating feed state, and
the sinusoidal pulsing with a frequency of 0.4 Hz is used to achieve the highest separation efficiency,
i.e., 85.5%.

Conclusion:
The separators with pulsating feed and stable feed have similar flow field characteristics,
and the optimal structural parameters under pulsating feed are obtained. Compared with the stable feed
condition, the pulsating feed condition can connect multiple cyclone separators, which can separate
more drilling fluid in unit time and improve the work efficiency. It has strong practicability, which
provides a critical foundation for structure optimization in the future.
Efficacious One-pot Synthesis of 2-thiazolines and 2-oxazolines Under Solvent and Metal-Free Conditions
Authors: Talbi Wassima , Kraiem Jamil , Kacem Yakdhane , Marrot Jérôme , Marque Sylvain 
Published: April 2021

Background:
2-oxazolines and 2-thiazolines are important heterocycles due to their extensive
applications in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology. Most of the precedent methods
for preparing these heterocycles involve one or more drawbacks, including harsh reaction conditions,
long reaction times, low yields of products, high temperature, and toxic solvents.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to develop a new and eco-efficient method for the preparation
of 2-oxazolines and 2-thiazolines.

Methods:
Amino alcohols were condensed with nitriles in a sealed tube under solvent-free and metal-
free conditions.

Results:
Our procedure appears to be highly eco-efficient and promotes quantitative access to 2-oxazolines
and 2-thiazolines using simple and minimum manipulation.

Conclusion:
This simple approach allows high conversion for different nitriles yielded from 78 to
99% and easy isolation of the targeted products without further purification. To the best of our
knowledge, our procedure is the most efficient and fast method reported to date in terms of chemical
yields, number of steps, and atom economy.