bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remediation of Kalyani River water using plant-bacterial cell synergism
Authors: Abdulkadir Sultan , Chhimwal Monika , Srivastava Rajeev Kumar 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this research was to evaluate the potential of plant-immobilized bacterial cells synergism for enhanced remediation of polluted river water. The polluted river water sample was collected from Kalyani river, Uttarakhand, India and characterized by high concentration of COD (1010 mg/l), BOD (230 mg/l), NO3−-N (30 mg/l), PO43−-P (48.9 mg/l), and Pb (1.028 mg/l). This water sample was treated on a lab scale with immobilized bacterial cells and Epipremnum aureum in various treatment setups. The treatment system 3 using a combination of immobilized bacterial cells and Epipremnum aureum had the highest pollutant removal efficiency of all the treatment setups tested. At 96 hours, the total COD, BOD, NO3−-N, PO43−-P and Pb contents of polluted river water sample were reduced to 60 mg/l, 20 mg/l, 2.4 mg/l, 11.7 mg/l, and 0.065 mg/l, respectively. Based on the findings, it is possible to conclude that utilizing plant-immobilized bacterial cell synergism is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for enhanced remediation and rejuvenation of polluted river water. Furthermore, a field-scale application of plant-immobilized bacterial cell synergism via floating wetland construction for on-site treatment of contaminated water on the Kalyani river is recommended.
Anti-proliferative Activity of Piper trioicum Leaf Essential Oil Based
on Phytoconstituent Analysis, Molecular Docking and in silico ADMET
Approaches
Authors: Panda Pratap Chandra , Jena Sudipta , Ray Asit , Sahoo Ambika , Das Prabhat Kumar , Kamila Pradeep Kumar , Kar Subrat Kumar , Nayak Sanghamitra 
Published: December 2021

Background:
The essential oils isolated from several medicinal plants have been reported
to possess anticancer activities. Both the essential oil and extracts of many Piper species (Piperaceae)
possess potential cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines and are being used in traditional
systems of medicine for the treatment of cancer. There is a need to evaluate and validate the anticancer
properties of essential oils extracted from other wild species of Piper.

Objective:
The current research was undertaken to determine the chemical composition and investigate
the anti-proliferative activity of wild-growing Piper trioicum leaf essential oil. The selected
five major constituents were subjected to molecular docking to identify possible modes of binding
against serine/threonine-protein kinase (MST3) protein.

Methods:
The essential oil of leaf of P. trioicum was extracted by hydrodistillation method, and its
chemical composition was evaluated by GC-FID and GC-MS. The anti-proliferative activity of the
essential oil was evaluated by the MTT assay against normal (3T3-L1) and various cancer (HCT
116, HT-29, PC-3 and HepG2) cell lines. Molecular docking analysis was performed using the AutoDock
4.2 software. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the major constituents
were determined using absorption, distribution, metabolization, excretion and toxicity (ADMET)
analysis.

Results:
The GC-MS analysis revealed the identification of 45 constituents with δ-cadinene (19.57
%), germacrene-D (8.54 %), β-caryophyllene (6.84 %), 1-epi-cubenol (4.83 %) and α-pinene (4.52
%) being predominant constituents in the leaf essential oil of P. trioicum. The highest cytotoxicity
of essential oil was observed against HT-29 cells (IC50 value of 33.14 μg/ml). 1-epi-cubenol and δ-
cadinene exhibited low binding energy values of -6.25 and -5.92 kcal/mol, respectively. For prediction
of in silico pharmacokinetic and drug-like properties of the major compounds, the ADMET
prediction tool was used, the results of which were observed to be within the ideal range.

Conclusion:
The present findings demonstrated that P. trioicum essential oil possesses significant anti-proliferative activity and could be effective against cancer treatment.
Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics: A Review
Authors: Yadav Neelam , Rana Jogender Singh , Dahiya Twinkle , Chhillar Anil Kumar , Saini Hari Mohan 
Published: December 2021

:
Cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that involves accumulation of genetic mutations by different types of mutagens including physical, chemical, and biological. Conse-quently, normal cell cycles get interrupted. Immunological assays, histopathological tests, poly-merase chain reaction, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and radiation therapy are some conventional techniques for cancer diagnostics. However, these techniques are not only expensive, time-consuming, tedious but also toxic to healthy cells. Therefore, these limitations are overcome by nanodevices that show high sensitivity, selectivity, rapidity, and cost-effectiveness in the detec-tion of cancer biomarkers. Electrochemical biosensors are more efficient in the early diagnosis of cancers that help in patients' effective and timely treatment. Distinct types of nanotools viz. inor-ganic, organic, and polymeric nanomaterials are used in cancer therapeutics. Nano approaches have shown many advantages: they are site-specific, require meager amounts of drugs, limited toxicity, avoid drug resistance, and are more efficient, sensitive, and reliable. Therefore, future research should focus on developing highly inventive nanotools for the diagnosis and therapeutics of cancers.
Molecular Docking and Interaction Studies of Identified Abscisic Acid Receptors in Oryza sativa: An In-Silico Perspective on Comprehending Stress Tolerance Mechanisms
Authors: Niranjan Vidya , Rao Amulya , Janaki B , Uttarkar Akshay , Setlur Anagha S , K Chandrashekar , M Udayakumar 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Abiotic stresses affect plants in several ways and as such, phytohormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) play an important role in conferring tolerance towards these stresses. Hence, to comprehend the role of ABA and its interaction with receptors of the plants, a thorough investigation is essential.

Aim:
The current study aimed to identify the ABA receptors in Oryza sativa, to find the receptor that binds best with ABA and to examine the mutations present to help predict better binding of the receptors with ABA

Methods:
Protein sequences of twelve PYL (Pyrabactin resistance 1) and seven PP2C (type 2C protein phosphatase) receptors were retrieved from Rice Annotation Project database and their 3D structures were predicted using RaptorX. Protein-ligand molecular docking studies between PYL and ABA was performed using AutoDock 1.5.6, followed by 100ns molecular dynamic simulation studies using Desmond to determine the acceptable conformational changes after docking via root mean square deviation RMSD plot analysis. Protein-protein docking was then carried out in three sets: PYL-PP2Cs, PYL-ABA-PP2C and PYL(mut)-ABA-PP2C to scrutinize changes in structural conformations and binding energies between complexes. The amino acids of interest were mapped at its respective genomic coordinates using SNP-seek database to ascertain if there were any naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) responsible for triggering rice PYLs mutations

Results:
Initial protein-ligand docking studies revealed good binding between the complexes, wherein PYL6-ABA complex showed the best energy of -8.15 kcal/mol. The 100ns simulation studies revealed changes in the RMSD values after docking, indicating acceptable conformational changes. Furthermore, mutagenesis study performed at specific PYL-ABA interacting residues followed by downstream PYL(mut)-ABA-PP2C protein-protein docking results after induction of mutations demonstrated a binding energy of -8.17 kcal/mol for PP2C79-PYL11-ABA complex. No naturally occurring SNPs that were responsible for triggering rice PYL mutations were identified when specific amino acid coordinates were mapped at respective genomic coordinates.

Conclusion:
Thus, the present study provides valuable insights on the interactions of ABA receptors in rice and induced mutations in PYL11 that can enhance the downstream interaction with PP2C
Novel MicroRNAs and their Functional Targets from Phytophthora infestans
and Phytophthora cinnamomi
Authors: Varghese Binta , Valsalan Ravisankar , Mathew Deepu 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Even though miRNAs play vital roles in developmental biology by regulating
the translation of mRNAs, they are poorly studied in oomycetes, especially in the plant pathogen
Phytophthora.

Objective:
The study aimed to predict and identify the putative miRNAs and their targets in Phytophthora
infestans and Phytophthora cinnamomi.

Methods:
The homology-based comparative method was used to identify the unique miRNA sequences
in P. infestans and P. cinnamomi with 148,689 EST and TSA sequences of these species.
Secondary structure prediction of sRNAs for the 76 resultant sequences has been performed with
the MFOLD tool, and their targets were predicted using psRNATarget.

Result:
Novel miRNAs, miR-8210 and miR-4968, were predicted from P. infestans and P. cinnamomi,
respectively, along with their structural features. The newly identified miRNAs were identified
to play important roles in gene regulation, with few of their target genes predicted as transcription
factors, tumor suppressor genes, stress-responsive genes, DNA repair genes, etc.

Conclusion:
The miRNAs and their targets identified have opened new interference and editing targets
for the development of Phytophthora resistant crop varieties.
Protective Effects of Icariin on Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Du Anni , Cai Rui , Shi Jingshan , Wu Qin 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Neuroinflammation is central to the pathology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Icariin (ICA) is a flavonoid derived from the genus Epimedium which is a traditional Chinese herb, a potential therapeutic drug for TBI. This study aims to explore the protective effect of ICA on TBI and its mechanism

Methods:
Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to controlled cortical impact to produce a neuroinflammatory response. The treatment groups received ICA (15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg), while the sham group was gavaged with equal volumes of saline. The beam-balance testing and prehensile traction test were used for neurological scoring. Pathological changes were observed by H&E staining. The protein expression levels of inflammatory factors were measured by Western blot analysis

Results:
It was found that ICA significantly improved the neuroethology function and alleviated the pathological injury in TBI rats. The protein expression levels of inflammatory factors COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α and its regulatory proteins p-NF-κB-p65, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, and p-p38 were increased in the cerebral cortex injured by TBI. The protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were markedly decreased in cerebral cortex of TBI rats when administrated with ICA.

Conclusion:
The present study demonstrates that ICA may be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing inflammation in TBI.
Oxidative Damage of Proteins Precedes Loss of Cholinergic Phenotype in
the Septal Neurons of Olfactory Bulbectomized Mice
Authors: Nedogreeva O.A. , Evtushenko N.A. , Manolova A.O. , Peregud D.I. , Yakovlev A.A. , Lazareva N.A. , Gulyaeva N.V. , Stepanichev M.Y. 
Published: December 2021

Background:
The development of cholinergic deficit is considered an early sign of a
number of pathological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinergic dysfunction underlies cognitive decline associated with both normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective:
Here, we studied a possible mechanism of functional impairment of cholinergic neurons
using an olfactory bulbectomy model.

Methods:
Male mice were subjected to olfactory bulbectomy or sham surgery. Three weeks after
that they were trained in Morris water maze and then euthanized one month after surgery. The cholinergic indices as well as the indices of oxidative stress were studied using immunohistochemistry, western blot and ELISA. Gene expression was studied using RT-qPCR.

Results:
The experimental treatment was followed by impaired learning of a standard spatial task
in a water maze. This was associated with a decrease in the number of cells containing choline
acetyltransferase (ChAT), in relation to total number of neurons in the medial septum and lower
ChAT enzymatic activity in the hippocampus. However, the levels of mRNAs of ChAT, vesicular
ACh transporter and acetylcholine esterase remained unchanged in bulbectomized mice compared
to sham-operated animals. These alterations were preceded by the accumulation of protein-bound
carbonyls, indicating oxidative damage of proteins, whereas oxidative damage of nucleic acids was
not detected.

Conclusion:
We assume that in olfactory bulbectomy model, oxidative damage of proteins may
cause cholinergic dysfunction rather than irreversible neuronal damage. These data indicate that
cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain are very sensitive to oxidative stress, which may be responsible for the appearance of early cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Influence of Drugs on Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease:
Evidence from the PACOS Study
Authors: Cicero Calogero Edoardo , Monastero Roberto , Terravecchia Claudio , Donzuso Giulia , Luca Antonina , Baschi Roberta , Caccamo Maria , Mostile Giovanni , Giuliano Loretta , Zappia Mario , Nicoletti Alessandra 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Polytherapy and the anticholinergic activity of several drugs negatively influence cognition in the elderly. However, little is known on the effect on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Methods:
Patients with PD belonging to the baseline PACOS cohort with full pharmacological data, have been included in this study. MCI diagnosis was made according to the MDS level II criteria. Polytherapy was defined as patients assuming ≥6 drugs. Anticholinergic burden has been calculated using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS). Molecules have been classified according to the ATC classification. Association with MCI has been assessed with a multivariate logistic regression analysis with MCI as the dependent variable.

Results:
Pharmacological data was available for 238 patients (mean age 64.7±9.7). One hundred (42.0%) were diagnosed as MCI. In the full multivariate model (correcting for age, sex, disease duration, education, UPDRS-ME, LEDD-DAs) no association was found with either polytherapy or the ADS. Concerning drug classes, anti-hypertensive medications increased the risk of PD-MCI (OR 2.02;95%CI 1.04-3.89; p=0.035) while gastroprotective agents had a protective effect (OR 0.51; 95%CI 0.27-0.99; p=0.047).

Conclusion:
The magnitude of polytherapy and anticholinergic drugs burden does not appear to modulate MCI risk in PD, probably due to cautious prescription patterns. The effect of anti-hypertensive and gastroprotective agents on PD-MCI risk, while needing further confirmations, could be relevant for clinical practice.
Biomedical Perspectives of Acute and Chronic Neurological and Neuropsychiatric
Sequelae of COVID-19
Authors: Stefano George B. , Büttiker Pascal , Weissenberger Simon , Ptacek Radek , Wang Fuzhou , Esch Tobias , Bilfinger Thomas V. , Raboch Jiri , Kream Richard M. 
Published: December 2021

:
The incidence of infections from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has dramatically escalated
following the initial outbreak in China, in late 2019, resulting in a global pandemic with
millions of deaths. Although the majority of infected patients survive, and the rapid advent and deployment
of vaccines have afforded increased immunity against SARS-CoV-2, long-term sequelae
of SARS-CoV-2 infection have become increasingly recognized. These include, but are not limited
to, chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disorders, and proinflammatory-associated neurological
dysfunction that may lead to psychological and neurocognitive impairment. A major component
of cognitive dysfunction is operationally categorized as “brain fog” which comprises difficulty
concentrating, forgetfulness, confusion, depression, and fatigue. Multiple parameters associated
with long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been detailed in clinical
studies. Empirically elucidated mechanisms associated with the neuropsychiatric manifestations of
COVID-19 are by nature complex, but broad-based working models have focused on mitochondrial
dysregulation, leading to systemic reductions of metabolic activity and cellular bioenergetics
within the CNS structures. Multiple factors underlying the expression of brain fog may facilitate future
pathogenic insults, leading to repetitive cycles of viral and bacterial propagation. Interestingly,
diverse neurocognitive sequelae associated with COVID-19 are not dissimilar from those observed
in other historical pandemics, thereby providing a broad and integrative perspective on potential
common mechanisms of CNS dysfunction subsequent to viral infection. Poor mental health status
may be reciprocally linked to compromised immune processes and enhanced susceptibility to infection
by diverse pathogens. By extrapolation, we contend that COVID-19 may potentiate the severity
of neurological/neurocognitive deficits in patients afflicted by well-studied neurodegenerative disorders,
such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease. Accordingly, the prevention, diagnosis,
and management of sustained neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 are pivotal health
care directives and provide a compelling rationale for careful monitoring of infected patients, as
early mitigation efforts may reduce short- and long-term complications.
Synthetic Approaches to the Total Synthesis of Tubulysin and its
Fragments: A Review
Authors: Zahoor Ameer Fawad , Iqbal Nosheen , Rasool Nasir , Khan Samreen Gul , Akhtar Rabia , Ahmad Raheel 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Tubulysins, linear tetrapeptides, show extraordinary cytotoxicity against various cancer cells, with IC50 values in the nano or picomolar range. Due to their extremely vigorous anti-proliferative and antiangiogenic characteristics, tubulysins exhibit captivating prospects in the development of anticancer drugs. This review focuses on diverse routes for the total synthesis of natural and synthetic tubulysins as well as their fragments.

Objective:
The purpose of this review is to present the synthetic strategies for the development of antitumor agents, tubulysins.

Conclusion:
A range of synthetic pathways adopted for the total synthesis of tubulysins and their fragments have been described in this review. Synthesis of fragments, Tuv, Tup, and Tut can be accomplished by adopting appropriate strategies, such as Manganese-mediated synthesis, Ireland-Claisen rearrangement, Mukaiyama aldol reaction, Mannich process, etc. Tubulysins B, D, U, V, and N14-desacetoxytubulysin H have been prepared through Mitsunobu reaction, tert-butanesulfinamide method, Tandem reaction, aza-Barbier reaction, Evans aldol reaction, C-H activation strategies, etc. The remarkable anticancer potential of tubulysins toward a substantiate target makes them prominent leads for developing novel drugs against multidrug-resistant cancers.
Intramedullary Well-differentiated Osteosarcoma: Imaging and Pathologic
Findings in 17 Patients
Authors: Wu Tian-Hao , Wu Wen-Juan , Han Shu-Man , Wu Yuan , Wen Jin-Xu , Sun Tao , Yu Bao-Hai , Gao Bu-Lang 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Intramedullary well-differentiated osteosarcoma (IMWDOS) is rare and
may easily be misdiagnosed.

Objective:
This study aimed at investigating the clinical, imaging, and pathological features of
IMWDOS for correct diagnosis.

Materials and Methods:
Seventeen patients with IMWDOS were enrolled, and their clinical, imaging,
and pathological data were analyzed.

Results:
Total 13 males and 4 females aged 19-55 years (mean 36. 1) were selected. The lesion
was located at long bones in 16 patients and the second region of the acetabulum in one patient. Except
for three patients with limited areas of lesions, all the other patients had a wide distribution of
tumor, and the lesion in long bones involved the metaphysis area with possible extension towards
the diaphysis. In imaging, the lesion usually had an unclear boundary with the destruction of bone
cortex, uneven thickness of the bone cortex, thick and coarse trabecula in the lesion, but few periosteal
reactions and soft tissue masses. The lesion was histologically composed of spindle cells
with slight atypia. Follow-up was performed 2-101 months (mean 31.9m) in 14 cases, 10 years in
one case, and 26 years in the remaining two. At follow-up, 12 patients (12/17 or 70.6%) who had a
complete resection, including amputation (n=2), wide excision (n=8), and endoprosthetic replacement
(n=2), showed no recurrence or metastasis. Among five patients who underwent curettage,
three (3/17 or 17.6%) had recurrent lesions, leading to death in two of them, and the third one died
during post-operation chemotherapy.

Conclusion:
Intramedullary well-differentiated osteosarcoma tends to occur at the metaphysis of
long bones, especially at the distal femur. Histological, clinical, and imaging findings lack specific
characteristics and should be examined collectively to reach a correct diagnosis. The prognosis of
patients with complete lesion resection is good, while incomplete lesion curettage or resection will
lead to recurrence and transformation into a highly malignant tumor.
Phytochemical Screening, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Anthelmintic Activity Against Plant Pathogens of two Algerian Plants: Pergularia tomentosa L. and Forsskaolea tenacissima L. from Oued Mzab (Northern Algerian Sahara)
Authors: Aissa Abdallah , Panda Sujogya Kumar , hu Haibo , Kameli Abdelkrim , Luyten Walter 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Plants are an abundant natural source of potential chemical compounds;
they have been widely used in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
This work aims to study two Saharan medicinal plants by evaluating the activity of plant extract
against bacterial and fungal plant pathogens as well as against the model nematode Caenorhabditis
(C.) elegans.

Methods:
The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against plants pathogen was assessed in a 96-
well plate assay by calculating the percentage of inhibition of bacteria. The antifungal activity
against plant pathogenic fungi was evaluated by the agar diffusion method, and inhibition was calculated
by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zone. Anthelmintic activity was evaluated by
calculating the average movement of C. elegans worms. Preliminary phytochemical screening was
realized with HPTLC.

Results:
Hexane and ethyl acetate extract of Pergularia tomentosa showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial
activity. This plant has the potential to act as a broad-spectrum antibacterial biopesticide.
Hexane extract of Forsskaolea tenacissima exhibited good activity against one fungus. The extracts
of Pergularia tomentosa showed good activity against Caenorhabditis elegans, and the extracts
of Forsskaolea tenacissima exhibited a low activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening
with HPTLC shows that both plants are rich in steroids and flavonoids.

Conclusion:
Our study shows that the studied plants may possess a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect
with narrow-spectrum antifungal properties which can offer more sustainable crop protection
with a much safer environmental and human health impact. Plant extracts that inhibited C. elegans
could provide a starting point for the development of new anthelmintic drugs.