bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adhatoda Vasica&nbsp;attenuates inflammatory and hypoxic responses in preclinical&nbsp;&nbsp;mouse models: potential for repurposing in COVID-19-like conditions
Authors: Gheware Atish Prabhakar , Dholakia Dhwani , Kanan S , Panda Lipsa , Rani Ritu , Pattnaik Bijay Ranjan , Jain Vaibhav , Parekh Yash , Enayathullah M.Ghalib , Bokara Kiran Kumar , Subramanian V , Mukerji Mitali , Agrawal Anurag , Prasher Bhavana 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 pneumonia has been associated with severe acute hypoxia, sepsis-like states, thrombosis and chronic sequelae including persisting hypoxia and fibrosis. The molecular hypoxia response pathway has been associated with such pathologies and our recent observations on anti-hypoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of whole aqueous extract of Adhatoda Vasica (AV) prompted us to explore its effects on relevant preclinical mouse models. Methods: In this study, we tested the effect of whole aqueous extract of AV , in murine models of bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis, Cecum Ligation and Puncture (CLP) induced sepsis, and siRNA induced hypoxia-thrombosis phenotype. The effect on lung of AV treated naïve mice was also studied at transcriptome level. We also determined if the extract may have any direct effect on SARS-CoV2 replication Results: Oral administration AV extract attenuates increased airway inflammation, levels of transforming growth factor-b1 (TGF-b1), IL-6, HIF-1α and improves the overall survival rates of mice in the models of pulmonary fibrosis and sepsis and rescues the siRNA induced inflammation and associated blood coagulation phenotypes in mice. We observed downregulation of hypoxia, inflammation, TGF-b1, and angiogenesis genes and upregulation of adaptive immunity-related genes in the lung transcriptome . AV treatment also reduced the viral load in Vero cells infected with SARS-CoV2. Conclusion: Our results provide a scientific rationale for this ayurvedic herbal medicine in ameliorating the hypoxia-hyperinflammation features and highlights the repurposing potential of AV in COVID-19-like conditions.
Cryptolepine consolidates its anticancer potential by increasing the anti-cancer pathway genes and decreasing that of pro-cancer pathway genes
Authors: Narkwa Patrick Williams , Domfeh Seth Agyei , Awandare Gordon , Mutocheluh Mohamed 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Cancers are one of the commonest causes of deaths globally. Reports indicate that greater than sixty percent of cancers in the world occur in low and middle-income countries with about seventy percent of all cancer deaths occurring in these regions. Conventional cancer treatments involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc. However, the negative side effects such as high cost and toxicity associated with these treatment options have increased the demand for less toxic and less expensive anti-cancer drugs from natural sources. One of such natural products believed to have anti-cancer potential is cryptolepine (CRYP), an alkaloid extracted from the roots of Western and Central African plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. In addition to its anti-cancer potential, CRYP has been reported to possess a myriad of pharmacological activities. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer and pharmacological activities of CRYP have not been fully explored. Methods: We screened 45 immune and cancer signalling pathways for their regulation following treatment with CRYP using the dual-luciferase based Cignal Finder Multi-Pathway Reporter Arrays to pinpoint which pathways are regulated by CRYP. Additionally, the effects of CRYP on the transcript levels of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), progesterone receptor (PR), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT 3) were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: We observed that of the 45 immune and cancer signalling pathways screened, nine were up-regulated while twenty-seven were down-regulated by CRYP. However, CRYP had no effect on nine of the pathways screened. We also observed that CRYP induced an increase in the transcript levels of IRF1 and PR but decreased that of HIF1-α and STAT3. Conclusion: The upregulation of human anti-cancer pathway genes including IRF-1 and PR and concomitant down-regulation of pro-cancer pathway genes including HIF1-α and STAT3 suggest additional mechanisms through which CRYP could exhibits its anti-cancer potential.
A novel bidirectional clustering algorithm based on local density
Authors: LV BAICHENG , WU WENHUA , HU ZHIQIANG 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
With the widely application of cluster analysis, the number of clusters is gradually increasing, as is the difficulty in selecting the judgment indicators of cluster numbers. Also, small clusters are crucial to discovering the extreme characteristics of data samples, but current clustering algorithms focus mainly on analyzing large clusters. In this paper, a bidirectional clustering algorithm based on local density (BCALoD) is proposed. BCALoD establishes the connection between data points based on local density, can automatically determine the number of clusters, is more sensitive to small clusters, and can reduce the adjusted parameters to a minimum. On the basis of the robustness of cluster number to noise, a denoising method suitable for BCALoD is proposed. Different cutoff distance and cutoff density are assigned to each data cluster, which results in improved clustering performance. Clustering ability of BCALoD is verified by randomly generated datasets and city light satellite images.
Distribution, source apportionment and health risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides in drinking groundwater
Authors: Oyekunle John A. O. , Adegunwa Abiodun O. , Ore Odunayo T. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Groundwater samples of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria were investigated for their organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) levels. Probable sources of the OCPs and health risks associated with their consumption along with the water were determined in order to establish the potability of the groundwater samples. Quantitative determination of the OCPs was carried out by Gas Chromatography coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) after liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane (DCM). Results indicated that all the analyzed OCPs except p,p'-dichlorodiphenylethane were detected with high concentrations in the groundwater. Heptachlor (14.60±3.60 µg L-1) and methoxychlor (12.60±2.20 µg L-1) showed dominant concentrations that were higher than 0.02 ng L-1 maximum residue levels (MRLs) recommended by the European Union. Levels of the OCPs in the samples followed the decreasing trend: cyclodienes > diclorophehylethanes > chlorinated cyclohexanes, while the predominant source of the analyzed pesticides could be ascribed to aerial transportation from fresh applications in homes within the community. The carcinogenic health risk assessment also revealed consistent higher values of HQ and CR in children as opposed to adults, indicating that children are the more vulnerable population to the analyzed environmental contaminants.
Integrated multi-omics analysis reveals common and distinct dysregulated pathways for genetic subtypes of Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Menden Kevin , Francescatto Margherita , Niyma Tenzin , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Dhingra Ashutosh , Castillo-Lizardo Melissa , Fernandes Noemia , Kaurani Lalit , Kronenbeerg-Versteeg Deborah , Atasu Burcu , Sadikoglou Eldem , Borroni Barbara , Rodriguez-Nieto Salvador , Simon-Sanchez Javier , Fischer Andre , Craig David , Neuman Manuela , Bonn Stefan , Rizzu Patrizia , Heutink Peter 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is essential for the development of successful therapies. Here we integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of postmortem human brains of FTD patients with mutations in MAPT, GRN and C9orf72 and detected common and distinct dysregulated cellular pathways between patient groups. Our results highlight that excitatory neurons are the most vulnerable neuronal cell type and that vascular aberrations are a common hallmark in FTD. Via integration of multi-omics data, we detected several transcription factors and pathways which regulate the strong neuroinflammation observed in FTD-GRN. Small RNA-seq data and verification experiments in cellular models identified up-regulated miRNAs that inhibit cellular trafficking pathways in FTD and lead to microglial activation. These findings shed light on novel mechanistic and pathophysiological hallmarks of FTD. The data represent the 1st phase of a multi-omics, multi-model data resource for FTD research which allows in-depth molecular research into disease mechanisms that will further mechanistic FTD research.
Time-Encoded Bio-Fluorochromic Supramolecular Co-Assembly for Rewritable Security Printing
Authors: Gao Zhao , Qiu Shuai , Yan Fei , Zhang Shuyi , Tian Wei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Innovative fluorescence security technologies for paper-based information are still highly pursued now-adays because data leakage and indelibility have become serious economic and social problems. Herein, we report a novel transient biofluorochromic supramolecular co-assembly mediated by hydrolytic enzyme (ALP: alkaline phosphatase) towards rewritable security printing. A co-assembly based on the de-signed tetrabranched cationic diethynylanthracene monomer tends to be formed by adding adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the biofuel. The resulting co-assembly possesses a time-encoded bio-fluorochromic feature, upon successively hydrolyzing ATP by ALP and re-adding new batches of ATP. On this basis, the dynamic fluorescent properties of this time-encoded co-assembly system have been successfully enabled in rewritable security patterns via an inkjet printing technique, providing a fascinating potential for fluorescence security materials with a biomimetic mode.
Number and Nest-Site Selection of Breeding Black-Necked Cranes Over the Past 40 Years in the Longbao Wetland Nature Reserve, Qinghai, China
Authors: Wei Qiufang , Shao Yun , Xie Chou , Cui Baoshan , Tian Bangsen , Brisco Brian , Li Kun , Tang Wenjia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis, BNC) is an endangered species classified as vulnerable under the revised IUCN Red List, and it faces serious threats from human activities and habitat variations. We investigated and analyzed the population and nesting microhabitat of BNCs in the Longbao National Nature Reserve (NNR) from 1978 to 2016. The number average growth rate of each decade was different, and we analyzed the reasons for the number increase from several aspects, including land cover and climate change. The establishment of the Longbao NNR represented an effective method of protecting endangered animal species. However, the land cover classification results of Landsat images showed that the marsh wetland, which is the BNC’s primary habitat, decreased, while artificial buildings, including roads and houses, increased, which affected the habitat of BNCs. The average temperature increase over the past 40 years has also had an impact on the number of BNCs. We observed 9 BNC nests, which included 5 island nests and 4 grass nests, by telescope in 2018. BNCs prefer to nest in swampy wetlands or on islands with open water or star-like distributions. The results of the principal component analysis showed that among the six microhabitat factors (elevation, habitat type, distance to roads, shortest distances to nearest water body, nearest distance between nests and disturbance), the nearest distance between nests and habitat type were the primary factors influencing nesting site selection. To promote this species, we suggest decreasing wetland fragmentation, reducing habitat degradation and providing an undisturbed habitat.
Primary Care Physicians’ Perceptions Concerning Engagement in Cancer Survivor Care
Authors: Kimachi Miho , Omae Kenji , Kamitani Tsukasa , Fukuma Shingo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeGiven the growing diversity among cancer survivors and the fact that oncologists typically do not perform long-term care, the expected role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in cancer survivor care is expanding. However, communication and collaboration between oncologists and PCPs is lacking. Therefore, we assessed the perception of cancer survivor care among PCPs.MethodsWe surveyed 767 Japanese Board-certified PCPs, regardless of facility type (clinics and hospitals), inquiring about PCPs’ perceptions of their role in survivor care. Additionally, we included vignette-based scenarios focused on colorectal and prostate cancer survivors to explore factors associated with their clinical decisions. Results We obtained 91 replies (response rate: 11.9%). A total of 75% of PCPs had encountered at least 1 cancer patient in actual practice. Even for patients actively receiving cancer treatment, >70% of PCPs reported that they were willing to engage in all aspects of survivor care, except for the administration of anticancer drugs. Further, 49% of PCPs considered that both PCPs and oncologists were suited to performing regular screening for cancer recurrence in high-risk patients. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that clinic PCPs were less inclined to conduct screening for recurrence than hospital PCPs in both colorectal (odds ratio, 3.85 [95% confidence interval 1.40-10.6]) and prostate cancer (4.36 [95% confidence interval 1.51-12.6]) scenarios.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that Japanese PCPs are willing to engage in survivor care and encourage closer collaboration between oncologists and PCPs. However, oncologists might need to request cooperation, considering the facility type with which PCPs are affiliated.
A Novel Placement Method for Mini-Scale Passive Components in Surface Mount Technology
Authors: He Jingxi , Cen Yuqiao , Li Yuanyuan , Alelaumi Shrouq , Won Daehan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This paper aims to propose a novel placing method, i.e., place-between-paste-and-pad (PB), for mini-scale passive components to enhance electronic assembly lines' yield. PB means a component is designed to be placed at the midpoint between the pastes and pads on the length direction while it aligns with the pads' center on the width direction. An experiment that involves 12 printed circuit boards (PCB) is designed and conducted to get comparative results. Four PCBs are employed for place-on-pad (PP), place-on-paste (PPS), and PB separately. On each board, 375 resistors R0402M (0.40 mm X 0.20 mm) are assembled horizontally. To study the components' misalignment under various solder paste offset conditions in different placement methods, a stencil with 25 solder paste offset settings is utilized. Based on this experiment's results, PB has superior performance to the other two methods to minimize components' misalignment. Regarding the number of acceptable components when post-reflow offsets are within 25% of components' dimensions, PB and PP have equivalent performances, and they both outperform PPS. Furthermore, PB is a low-cost placing strategy because PB needs not the real-time communication between the solder paste inspection machine and the pick-and-place machine. With the miniaturization trend in electronic products, the post-reflow components' misalignment is more frequently observed than before. The placement method proposed in this study is expected to offer a low-cost exploration in the component pick-and-place procedure to enhance the surface mount technology (SMT) assembly quality.
Temperature Effects on Yields, Fatty Acids and Tocopherols of Prickly Pear (Opuntia Ficus Indica L.) Seed Oil of Oriental Region of Morocco
Authors: KADDA Salma , BELABED Abdelmadjid , LOUKILI Hassania , HAMMOUTI Belkheir , FADLAOUI Soufiane 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study focuses on yields, chemical quality, composition, and the stability of the fatty acids of the oil extracted from Opuntia ficus indica seeds, collected from the eastern region of Morocco, regardless of the temperature and the extraction method used. The results of this study reveal that prickly pear is a rich source of oil. The obtained oil yields varied from 12.49%±0.09 for the mechanical extraction, 11.46±0.10 for the chemical extraction, and 10.52%±0.09 for the maceration. The main fatty acids found in O. Ficus indica are linoleic acid 75.80%±0.10 (Chemical), 74.07%±0.14 (Maceration) and 71.59%±0.14 (Mechanical), and palmitic acid 17.32%±0.02 (Chemical) 22.419% ±0.06 (Maceration) and 26.58% ±0.00 (Mechanical). So the oil of prickly pear could be classified as a linoleic. Among the Tocopherols founded, a high value of b-tocopherol has been detected in the mechanical extraction with 502.04±0,76 mg/kg followed by the chemical and the maceration extraction with (430.12±0.61mg/kg, 315.47± 0.96 mg/kg) respectively. The findings of the present study reveal that the oil of O. ficus indica could be used in cosmetics and pharmacological products.
Attenuation of Oxidative Stress-Associated Hematological Alterations and&nbsp;Hepatic Injury Induced by&nbsp;D-Dalactose or γ-Irradiation Using β-Hydroxybutyrate in Male Rats
Authors: Habieb Mahmoud El Sayed , Mohamed Marwa Abd El Hameed , ElGamal Doaa Mohamed , Hawas Asrar Mohamed , Mohamed Tarek Mohamed 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This work aims to investigate the possible inhibitory action of β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) against hematological alterations and hepatic injury associated with oxidative stress caused by D-galactose or γ-irradiation in rats. Six groups of male rats were used as the control, irradiated group (5 Gy), D-galactose (150 mg/kg b.wt), β-hydroxybutyrate (72.8 mg/kg b.wt), γ-irradiation plus βOHB, and D-galactose plus βOHB. Complete blood count and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity were determined in whole-blood samples. In addition, the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) levels and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated. Moreover, certain elements were measured in liver tissue (iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)). The G6PD activity significantly diminished post exposure to D-galactose or γ-irradiation. In the βOHB, D-galactose, or γ-irradiation groups, liver MDA levels and SOD activity were significantly increased. Meanwhile, NO and GSH levels were significantly increased relative to normal control levels in the γ-irradiation group. The findings showed that βOHB alleviated hematological alterations, enhanced the altered biochemical indices, and modulated the change in Cu, Fe, and Zn elements in D-galactose or γ-irradiation group. These results highlight the role of βOHB as a powerful protective agent against hematological alterations and liver impairment by reducing G6PD-mediated oxidative stress and controlling the measured elements.
Effect of Oxygen Content and Temperature On Stabilization of Arsenic in Copper Smelting System
Authors: Xu Shenghang , Hu Bin , Zhang Huibin , Wu Min , Wang Yanan , He Yuzheng , Cao Huazhen , Zhou Jun , Zheng Guoqu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Arsenic-bearing wastes from copper smelting system are usually disposed by trapping them in slag tailing. However, arsenic in slag tailing is not that stable, which can infiltrate into the groundwater, threatening the environment and human health. The solidification/stabilization (S/S) of arsenic is the only way to deal with arsenic contamination. The flash smelting method shows relatively high S/S ability of arsenic, but the process and mechanism remain unclear. In this paper, we aim at revealing the effect of atmosphere on the S/S process of arsenic owing to the different content of oxygen in reaction shaft and sedimentation tank in copper smelting system. Calcium arsenate, SiO2, Fe2O3 and iron powders were sintered at different temperature in air and argon to simulate the S/S reaction. The results show that the sintering product is Fe-Si oxide in air and fayalite in argon, and the fayalite possesses better capacity to solidify arsenic than that of Fe-Si oxide. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results reveal that the leached concentration of arsenic from fayalite fabricated at 1200 ℃ is only 2.916 mg L-1, which satisfies the identification standard for hazardous substances in China. Furthermore, the theoretical calculation reveals that AsO4 and SiO4 tetrahedrons can be connected by O atoms when sintered in argon, and the Si-O-As covalent bond can evidently inhibit the release of As atom from fayalite. This work can not only clarify the S/S mechanism of arsenic in flash smelting process, but also provide theoretical guidances to dispose arsenic-bearing waste harmlessly.
Morphological dietary composition of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) along the East Antarctic continental slope
Authors: Seong Gi Chang , Choi Seok-Gwan , Chung Sangdeok , An Doo Hae , Kim Hyun-Woo , Baeck Gun Wook 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To predict how the fishing of Antarctic toothfish, Dissostichus mawsoni , would affect the ecosystem, it is necessary to understand the species’ ecological niche. Morphological analysis of the stomach contents of 960 D . mawsoni specimens collected at depths of 946–1,600 m along the East Antarctic continental slope from December 2016 to March 2017 was used to assess dietary composition according to depth, sex, site, and size. Fishes were the most common prey item for D . mawsoni , comprising 97.8% based on the index of relative importance. Among the nine fish families consumed by D . mawsoni , Macrouridae was the dominant taxon. The size of D . mawsoni increased with depth. The dietary composition of D . mawsoni did not show significant differences by depth or sex, but did differ with site and size. D . mawsoni was the top predator in the ecosystem along the East Antarctic continental slope and can be considered an opportunistic feeder, feeding on abundant food in the environment. Therefore, additional studies of the diet of Antarctic toothfish are necessary to maintain the ecosystem structure and function in a changing environment, and the results of this study can be used as a monitoring baseline.
Degradation of Bisphenol a Using Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilized on Fe-based MOFs
Authors: Cai Wenting , Xu Jiaxin , Cheng Jianhua , Du Kesi , Chen Yuancai 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this study, we synthesized a water-stable Fe-based metal-organic framework, MIL-88B (Fe) by a solvothermal method, and for the first time, MIL-88B (Fe)/HRP composite was prepared for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase on MIL-88B (Fe) using covalent fixation method. The material was characterized via XRD, FTIR, TG, and SEM methods. The results showed that the composite could remove bisphenol A quickly and efficiently by adding the hydrophilic agent polyethylene glycol, with the removal rate of BPA up to 99.2% within 1 hour. In addition, the initial concentration of bisphenol A, the dosage of the immobilized enzyme and the amount of H2O2 added had a great influence on the degradation efficiency. It was found that immobilized HRP could be reused, and its storage stability and thermal stability were better than free HRP. These show that immobilized enzymes have a broad application prospect in waste-water treatment.