bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change model as a decision support tool for water resources management in northern Iraq: a case study of Greater Zab River
Authors: Osman Y. , Al-Ansari N. , Abdellatif M. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The northern region of Iraq heavily depends on rivers, such as the Greater Zab, for water supply and irrigation. Thus, river water management in light of future climate change is of paramount importance in the region. In this study, daily rainfall and temperature obtained from the Greater Zab catchment, for 1961–2008, were used in building rainfall and evapotranspiration models using LARS-WG and multiple linear regressions, respectively. A rainfall–runoff model, in the form of autoregressive model with exogenous factors, has been developed using observed flow, rainfall and evapotranspiration data. The calibrated rainfall–runoff model was subsequently used to investigate the impacts of climate change on the Greater Zab flows for the near (2011–2030), medium (2046–2065), and far (2080–2099) futures. Results from the impacts model showed that the catchment is projected to suffer a significant reduction in total annual flow in the far future; with more severe drop during the winter and spring seasons in the range of 25 to 65%. This would have serious ramifications for the current agricultural activities in the catchment. The results could be of significant benefits for water management planners in the catchment as they can be used in allocating water for different users in the catchment.
Desalination for agriculture: water quality and plant chemistry, technologies and challenges
Authors: Kumar Rajesha , Ahmed Mansour , Bhadrachari G. , Thomas Jibu P. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The growing scarcity of fresh water has motivated the use of non-conventional and re-used water resources for agriculture by applying some efficient technologies. The desalination technologies for agricultural irrigation play a major role in satisfying growing water demands in water scarce regions. Due to stringent ionic concentration standards for agricultural irrigation water, desalination for agriculture is more energy demanding and additional post-treatment is requisite. Reverse osmosis (RO) has emerged as an efficient technology, but the burning of fossil fuels to fulfil the energy requirements is becoming expensive and emission of greenhouse gases is recognized as harmful to the environment. Thus, efforts should be directed towards cost reduction by integrating renewable energy resources into the process. Many of the bench and pilot scale trials like integrated RO with low energy such as forward osmosis (FO), nanofiltration (NF), microfiltration (MF) and solar energy revealed significant improvements in cost savings. However, all these modern technologies have their own problems which can be overcome by further research and development. This paper aims to review the main benefits and constraints associated with desalination technologies for agriculture. The available water resources, the desired qualities of water for agriculture and the challenges and future of desalination in agriculture are discussed.
Development of in-house lattice-Boltzmann simulator of bioreactors for wastewater treatment: basic concepts and initial results
Authors: Fortunato V. A. , Caneppele F. L. , Ribeiro R. , Rabi J. A. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
While computational modelling has increasingly supported wastewater bioreactor engineering, novel numerical techniques have been developed such as the lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM). With vinasse treatment as case study, this work is a first step towards a comprehensive LBM simulator of a continuous-flow anaerobic packed-bed reactor. Extensions from typical models comprise one-dimensional (besides time) dependence, species transport via convection and diffusion, and imposition of either Dirichlet or Danckwerts condition at inlet. The LBM simulator proved to be operational when simulating the bioreactor at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Simulated profiles show that stepwise feeding concentrations are smoothed as they are transported towards the bioreactor exit while concentrations increase or decrease in response to generation or degradation kinetics. Good fitting was observed for concentrations of acetic acid (2.1 kg-COD/m3 for HRT = 24 h) and butyric acid (1.3 kg-COD/m3 for HRT = 16 h) at the exit whereas other concentrations were numerically simulated at proper order of magnitude.
Innovative sanitation approaches could address multiple development challenges
Authors: Andersson Kim , Otoo Miriam , Nolasco Marcelo 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Globally, more than 60% of the human population live without safely managed sanitation services or even lack access to basic sanitation facilities. In addition, most of the wastewater produced in the world is discharged without proper treatment. Integrated approaches are needed to address these issues and curb the resulting adverse impacts on public health and the environment, and associated societal economic losses. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides an important framework towards more sustainable sanitation development, in terms of both safe sanitation access and wastewater management. Innovative solutions that treat and enable productive safe use of water, and facilitate recovery of nutrients and organic matter from waste resources are booming. Some examples of trends are decentralized solutions, separation of waste flows, low-or no-flushing toilets, and converting faecal sludge to energy. These alternative technologies show huge potential to address many development challenges, contributing to multiple sustainable development goals but achieving upscaling has proved to be a major challenge. A paradigm shift to ‘treatment for reuse’ instead of ‘treatment for disposal’ is already taking place in the wastewater sector. Nevertheless, a better understanding of driving forces and enabling environments, new organizational models based on more service-oriented sanitation provision, and highlighting potential multiple societal benefits to attract investments from new sectors are identified areas that need further attention.
Recent Developments of 18F-FET PET in Neuro-oncology
Authors: Muoio Barbara , Giovanella Luca , Treglia Giorgio 
Published: November 2017

Background:
From the past decade to date, several studies related to O-(2-
[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (18F-FET) positron emission tomography (PET) in brain tumours
have been published in the literature.

Objective:
The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the recent developments and
the current role of 18F-FET PET in brain tumours according to recent literature data.

Methods:
Main findings from selected recently published and relevant articles on the role
of 18F-FET PET in neuro-oncology are described.

Results:
18F-FET PET may be useful in the differential diagnosis between brain tumours
and non-neoplastic lesions and between low-grade and high-grade gliomas. Integration of
18F-FET PET into surgical planning allows better delineation of the extent of resection
beyond margins visible with standard MRI. For biopsy planning, 18F-FET PET is particularly
useful in identifying malignant foci within non-contrast-enhancing gliomas. 18F-FET
PET may improve the radiation therapy planning in patients with gliomas. This metabolic
imaging method may be useful to evaluate treatment response in patients with gliomas
and it improves the differential diagnosis between brain tumours recurrence and posttreatment
changes. 18F-FET PET may provide useful prognostic information in high-grade
gliomas.

Conclusion:
Based on recent literature data 18F-FET PET may provide additional diagnostic
information compared to standard MRI in neuro-oncology.
Recent Advances in Peptide-Based Approaches for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Conibear Anne C. , Schmid Alanca , Kamalov Meder , Becker Christian F.W. , Bello Claudia 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Peptide-based pharmaceuticals have recently experienced a renaissance
due to their ability to fill the gap between the two main classes of available drugs, small
molecules and biologics. Peptides combine the high potency and selectivity typical of large
proteins with some of the characteristic advantages of small molecules such as synthetic accessibility,
stability and the potential of oral bioavailability.

Methods:
In the present manuscript we review the recent literature on selected peptide-based
approaches for cancer treatment, emphasizing recent advances, advantages and challenges of
each strategy.

Results:
One of the applications in which peptide-based approaches have grown rapidly is
cancer therapy, with a focus on new and established targets. We describe, with selected examples,
some of the novel peptide-based methods for cancer treatment that have been developed
in the last few years, ranging from naturally-occurring and modified peptides to peptidedrug
conjugates, peptide nanomaterials and peptide-based vaccines.

Conclusion:
This review brings out the emerging role of peptide-based strategies in oncology
research, critically analyzing the advantages and limitations of these approaches and the potential
for their development as effective anti-cancer therapies.
Identification of Human Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors from the Constituents of EGb761 by Modeling Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Zhang Lihu , Li Dongdong , Cao Fuliang , Xiao Wei , Zhao Linguo , Ding Gang , Wang Zhen zhong 
Published: November 2017

Aim and Objective:
EGb761, a standardized and well-defined product extract of Ginkgo
biloba leaves, has beneficial role in the treatment of multiple diseases, particularly Alzheimer's
disease (AD). Identification of natural acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors from EGb761 would
provide a novel therapeutic approach against the Alzheimer's disease.

Material and Method:
A series of 21 kinds of promising EGb761 compounds were selected, and
subsequently evaluated for their potential ability to bind AChE enzyme by molecular docking and a
deep analysis of protein surface pocket features.

Results:
Docking results indicated that these compounds can bind tightly with the active site of
human AChE, with favorable distinct interactions around several important residues Asp74, Leu289,
Phe295, Ser293, Tyr341, Trp286 and Val294 in the active pocket. Most EGB761 compounds could
form the hydrogen bond interactions with the negatively charged Asp74 and Phe295 residues.
Among these compounds, diosmetin is the one with the best-predicted docking score while three key
hydrogen bonds can be formed between small molecule and corresponding residues of the binding
site. Besides, other three compounds luteolin, apigenin, and isorhamnetin have better predicted
docking scores towards AChE than other serine proteases, i.e Elastase, Tryptase, Factor XA,
exhibiting specificity for AChE inhibition. The RMSD and MM-GBSA results from molecular
dymamic simulations indicated that the docking pose of diosmetin-AChE complex displayed highly
stable, which can be used for validating the accuracy of molecular docking study. Subsequently, the
AChE inhibitory activities of these compounds were evaluated by the Ellman's colorimetric method.

Conclusion:
The obtained results revealed that all the four compounds exhibited modest AChE
inhibitory activity, among which Diosmetin manifested remarkable anti-AChE activity, comparable
with the reference compound, Physostigmine. It can be deduced that these EGB761 compounds can
be regarded as a promising starting point for developing AChE inhibitors against AD.
AR Copy Number and AR Signaling-directed Therapies in Castrationresistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Salvi Samanta , Conteduca Vincenza , Lolli Cristian , Testoni Sara , Casadio Valentina , Zaccheroni Andrea , Rossi Lorena , Burgio Salvatore Luca , Menna Cecilia , Schepisi Giuseppe , De Giorgi Ugo 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Adaptive upregulation of Androgen Receptor (AR) is the most common
event involved in the progression from hormone sensitive to Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
(CRPC). AR signaling remains the main target of new AR signalling-directed therapies such as abiraterone
and enzalutamide in CRPC patients.

Objective:
In this review, we discuss general mechanisms of resistance to AR-targeted therapies,
with a focus on the role of AR Copy Number (CN). We reported methods and clinical applications of
AR CN evaluation in tissue and liquid biopsy, thus to have a complete information regarding its role
as predictive and prognostic biomarker.

Conclusion:
Outcomes of CRPC patients are reported to be highly variable as the consequence of
tumor heterogeneity. AR CN could contribute to patient selection and tumor monitoring in CRPC
treated with new anti-cancer treatment as abiraterone and enzalutamide. Further studies to investigate
AR CN effect to these agents and its potential combination with other prognostic or predictive
clinical factors are necessary in the context of harmonized clinical trial design.
The Neutralizing Antibody Response to the HIV-1 Env Protein
Authors: Moore Penny L. 
Published: November 2017

Background: A vaccine able to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of blocking infection by global viruses has not been achieved, and remains a key public health challenge.Objective: During infection, a robust strain-specific neutralizing response develops in most people, but only a subset of infected people develop broadly neutralizing antibodies. Understanding how and why these broadly neutralizing antibodies develop has been a focus of the HIV-1 vaccine field for many years, and has generated extraordinary insights into the neutralizing response to HIV-1 infection.Results: This review describes the features, targets and developmental pathways of early strainspecific antibodies and later broadly neutralizing antibodies, and explores the reasons such broad antibodies are not more commonly elicited during infection.Conclusion: The insights from these studies have been harnessed for the development of pioneering new vaccine approaches that seek to drive B cell maturation towards breadth. Overall, this review describes how findings from infected donors have impacted on active and passive immunization approaches that seek to prevent HIV-1 infection.
The SIV Envelope Glycoprotein, Viral Tropism, and Pathogenesis: Novel Insights from Nonhuman Primate Models of AIDS
Authors: Swanstrom Adrienne E. , Del Prete Gregory Q. , Deleage Claire , Elser Samra E. , Lackner Andrew A. , Hoxie James A. 
Published: November 2017

Background: Cellular tropism of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is closely linked to interactions between the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) with CD4 and chemokine receptor family members, CCR5 and CXCR4. This interaction plays a key role in determining anatomic sites that are infected in vivo and the cascade of early and late events that result in chronic immune activation, immunosuppression and ultimately, AIDS. CD4+ T cells are critical to adaptive immune responses, and their early and rapid infection in gut lamina propria and secondary lymphoid tissues in susceptible hosts likely contributes to viral persistence and progression to disease. CD4+ macrophages are also infected, although their role in HIV-1 pathogenesis is more controversial.Methods: Pathogenic infection by simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) in Asian macaques as models of HIV-1 infection has enabled the impact of cellular tropism on pathogenesis to be directly probed. This review will highlight examples in which experimental interventions during SIV infection or the introduction of viral mutations have altered cellular tropism and, subsequently, pathogenesis.Results: Alterations to the interaction of Env and its cellular receptors has been shown to result in changes to CD4 dependence, coreceptor specificity, and viral tropism for gut CD4+ T cells and macrophages.Conclusion: Collectively, these findings have yielded novel insights into the critical role of the viral Env and tropism as a driver of pathogenesis and host control and have helped to identify new areas for targeted interventions in therapy and prevention of HIV-1 infection.
Trichinella spiralis and Tumors: Cause, Coincidence or Treatment?
Authors: Liao Chengshui , Cheng Xiangchao , Liu Mingyuan , Wang Xuelin , Boireau Pascal 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Conventional therapeutic strategies for tumors have had limited success, and innovative
and more effective approaches to treatment are urgently required. The ancient idea that various biological, bacterial,
yeast, viral, and parasitic agents can be used as cancer therapeutics has gradually attracted considerable
interest. Certain parasites have been widely discussed in association with human and animal tumors. The purpose
of this review was to examine previous literatures which investigates the relations between Trichinella
spiralis (T. spiralis) and tumors.

Methods:
Using PubMed, articles published before 2018 in the whole world have been searched and comprehensively
reviewed.

Results:
Many researches have provided proofs that T. spiralis possesses antitumor activities. The antitumor
effect of T. spiralis was first described in the 1970s. However, its research has been inconsistent, and little progress
has been made in this field. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying these inhibitory effects are still unclear,
and convincing evidence of the links between T. spiralis and the prevention or treatment of tumors from clinical
trials is absent. Meanwhile, some other researches also suggested that T. spiralis may cause or contribute to
coinfection with a tumors.

Conclusion:
The review has highlighted the scientific literature focussing on evidence for T. spiralis to act as a
pro- or antitumorigenic agent is summarized and discussed, in hope of contributing to a better understanding of
the relations between T. spiralis and tumors.
Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of Generic Doxorubicin HCl Liposome Injection with the Reference Listed Drug
Authors: Maiti Kuntal , Bhowmick Subhas , Jain Pankaj , Zope Murlidhar , Doshi Keyur , Rajamannar Thennati 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Liposomal doxorubicin is widely used for treating ovarian cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Encapsulation of doxorubicin in highly complex polyethylene glycol–coated (stealth) liposomes prolongs
residence time and avoids the systemic toxicity associated with administration of the free drug. Small variations
in physicochemical properties introduced during manufacture of liposomes can influence the payload of encapsulated
drug, stability of liposomes under physiological conditions, and release of drug at the target tissue. Accordingly,
the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency have issued guidance for
manufacturers of generic liposomal doxorubicin that is designed to ensure that more than 30 physicochemical
parameters that influence its safety and efficacy should be similar in the generic and reference listed drugs.

Objective:
This study aims to describe the physicochemical characterization procedures used to ensure consistency
between batches of generic liposomal doxorubicin and with the reference listed drug.

Methods:
A range of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and other physicochemical tests was used to compare
relative concentrations of liposome components, liposome morphology, ratios of free/entrapped doxorubicin,
stability, and in vitro doxorubicin release rates in physiologically and clinically relevant media.

Results:
The tests established that generic and reference liposomes contained similar concentrations of drug,
lipids, and excipients and that their physical forms were also similar.

Conclusion:
The results of the tests demonstrate the physicochemical equivalence of generic liposomal doxorubicin
hydrochloride and the reference listed drug, Doxil®/Caelyx®. Biochemical and clinical equivalence must
also be demonstrated to fully meet regulatory requirements for generic liposomal medicines, and these are the
subjects of separate studies.
A Comparison of Fucoidan Conjugated to Paclitaxel and Curcumin for the Dual Delivery of Cancer Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Phan Nam H. , Ly Thao T. , Pham Minh N. , Luu Thinh D. , Vo Toi V. , Tran Phuong H.L. , Tran Thao T.D. 
Published: November 2017

Background:
The aim of this study was to develop and compare polymeric micelles of fucoidan, a
sulfated polysaccharide, and hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel and curcumin. Paclitaxel and curcumin are
both known for their medicinal properties, including anticancer efficacy. However, their very low water solubility,
absorption and rapid metabolism leads to reduced bioavailability. To redress these problems and enhance
anti-cancer therapeutics using fucoidan, polymeric micelles were synthesized from conjugates of fucoidan and
hydrophobic drugs.

Methods:
The chemical conjugation of fucoidan and hydrophobic drugs has been achieved by utilizing reactive
functional groups on the molecules, such as carboxylic groups and hydroxyl groups.

Results:
The micelles revealed a homogeneous spherical morphology, size, negative surface charge. Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the physicochemical properties of the polymeric micelles,
which form a self-assembled polymeric micelle in aqueous medium. The results of the in vitro release of
curcumin and fucoidan showed that their release rates were higher at a pH of 4.5 than at a pH of 7.4. In contrast,
the paclitaxel conjugate had a similar release profile at pH of 4.5 and pH of 7.4.

Conclusion:
In the present work, we also found an effective drug delivery system that had the ability to release
two types of anticancer drugs, fucoidan and hydrophobic drugs, in the tumour environment.
Comparison of β-Cell Function Between Overweight/Obese Adults and Adolescents Across the Spectrum of Glycemia
Authors: Chen Melinda E. , Chandramouli Aaditya G. , Considine Robert V. , Hannon Tamara S. , Mather Kieren J. 
Published: November 2017

OBJECTIVEType 2 diabetes is a growing health problem among both adults and adolescents. To better understand the differences in the pathogenesis of diabetes between these groups, we examined differences in β-cell function along the spectrum of glucose tolerance.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe evaluated 89 adults and 50 adolescents with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), dysglycemia, or type 2 diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance test results were used for C-peptide and insulin/glucose minimal modeling. Model-derived and direct measures of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity were compared across glycemic stages and between age-groups at each stage.RESULTSIn adolescents with dysglycemia, there was marked insulin resistance (insulin sensitivity index: adolescents, median [interquartile range] 1.8 [1.1–2.4] × 10−4; adults, 5.0 [2.3–9.9]; P = 0.01). The nature of β-cell dysfunction across stages of dysglycemia differed between the groups. We observed higher levels of secretion among adolescents than adults (total insulin secretion: NGT, 143 [103–284] × 10−9/min adolescent vs. 106 [71–127], P = 0.001); adults showed stepwise impairments in static insulin secretion (NGT, 7.5 [4.0–10.3] × 10−9/min; dysglycemia, 5.0 [2.3–9.9]; type 2 diabetes, 0.7 [0.1–2.45]; P = 0.003), whereas adolescents showed diabetes-related impairment in dynamic secretion (NGT, 1,905 [1,630–3,913] × 10−9; dysglycemia, 2,703 [1,323–3,637]; type 2 diabetes, 1,189 [269–1,410]; P = 0.001).CONCLUSIONSAdults and adolescents differ in the underlying defects leading to dysglycemia, and in the nature of β-cell dysfunction across stages of dysglycemia. These results may suggest different approaches to diabetes prevention in youths versus adults.