bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sanguinarine suppresses migration and metastasis in colorectal carcinoma associated with the inversion of EMT through the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Zhu Man , Gong Zhengyan , Wu Qing , Shi Xianpeng , Su Qi , Zhang Yanmin
Published: June 2020

Background

Unresectable lung or liver organ metastases of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remain a major obstacle in clinical therapeutics. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a major cause of highly frequent metastasis in tumor, can be promoted by the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway that is aberrantly activated in approximately 90% of CRC. This research aimed to elucidate the antimetastatic potential of sanguinarine (SG) in CRC and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods

The in vitro anticancer effect of SG was determined via cell viability experiment and colony formation assay. Xenograft model of nude mice was used to confirm the antitumor effect of SG in vivo. The antimetastatic potential of SG was investigated by the metastasis model of nude mice, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, migration assay, and wound‐healing analysis. Immunoblotting analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and immunohistochemistry assay were conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanism.

Results

In this study, we reported that SG has a selective inhibitory effect on LoVo cells with metastatic characteristics. Furthermore, our results showed attenuation in the migration and metastatic ability of SG‐treated LoVo cells and also decreased metastatic nodules of liver and lung in mice metastasis model. This was also confirmed at the molecular level via H&E staining. Further study revealed that SG had negative impacts on the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and EMT markers in LoVo cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Taken together, the antimetastatic potential of SG attributed to the suppression of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, which further prevented EMT progression. SG may be of value in a potential therapy for the management of metastasis CRC.
Nomograms for predicting specific distant metastatic sites and overall survival of colorectal cancer patients: A large population‐based real‐world study
Authors: Mo Shaobo , Cai Xin , Zhou Zheng , Li Yaqi , Hu Xiang , Ma Xiaoji , Zhang Long , Cai Sanjun , Peng Junjie
Published: June 2020

Background

This study aims to develop functional nomograms to predict specific distant metastatic sites and overall survival (OS) of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods

CRC case data were retrospectively recruited from a large population‐based public dataset. Nomograms were developed to predict the probabilities of specific distant metastatic sites and OS of CRC patients. The performance of nomogram was evaluated with the concordance index (C‐index), calibration curves, area under the curve (AUC), and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

A total of 142 343 cases were included in the current study. On the basis of univariate and multivariate analyses, clinicopathological features were correlated with specific distant metastatic sites and survival outcomes and were used to establish nomograms. The nomograms showed excellent accuracy in predicting specific distant metastatic sites. The C‐indexes for the prediction of liver, lung, bone, and brain metastases were 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81‐0.83), 0.80 (95% CI, 0.78‐0.81), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.79‐0.86), and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.72‐0.84), respectively. Then, a prognostic nomogram integrating clinicopathological features and specific distant metastatic sites was established to predict 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year OS of CRC, with AUCs of 0.764 (95% CI, 0.741‐0.783), 0.762 (95% CI, 0.745‐0.781), and 0.745 (95% CI, 0.730‐0.761), respectively. DCA showed that the prognostic nomogram had a better clinical application value than current TNM staging system.

Conclusions

Based on clinicopathological features, original nomograms were constructed for clinicians to predict specific distant metastatic sites and OS of CRC patients. These models could help to support the postoperative personalized assessment.
Identification of potential candidate genes and pathways in atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia by whole‐exome sequencing
Authors: Luo Rong , Zheng Chenqing , Yang Hao , Chen Xuepin , Jiang Panpan , Wu Xiushan , Yang Zhenglin , Shen Xia , Li Xiaoping
Published: June 2020

Background

Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common manifestation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Increasing data have indicated familial clustering and participation of genetic factors in AVNRT, and no pathogenic genes related to AVNRT have been reported.

Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 82 patients with AVNRT and 100 controls. Reference genes, genome‐wide association analysis, gene‐based collapsing, and pathway enrichment analysis were performed. A protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was then established; WES database in the UK Biobank and one only genetic study of AVNRT in Denmark were used for external data validation.

Results

Among 95 reference genes, 126 rare variants in 48 genes were identified in the cases (minor allele frequency < 0.001). Gene‐based collapsing analysis and pathway enrichment analysis revealed six functional pathways related to AVNRT as with neuronal system/neurotransmitter release cycles and ion channel/cardiac conduction among the top 30 enriched pathways, and then 36 candidate pathogenic genes were selected. By combining with PPI analysis, 10 candidate genes were identified, including RYR2, NOS1, SCN1A, CFTR, EPHB4, ROBO1, PRKAG2, MMP2, ASPH, and ABCC8. From the UK Biobank database, 18 genes from candidate genes including SCN1A, PRKAG2, NOS1, and CFTR had rare variants in arrhythmias, and the rare variants in PIK3CB, GAD2, and HIP1R were in patients with PSVT. Moreover, one rare variant of RYR2 (c.4652A > G, p.Asn1551Ser) in our study was also detected in the Danish study. Considering the gene functional roles and external data validation, the most likely candidate genes were SCN1A, PRKAG2, RYR2, CFTR, NOS1, PIK3CB, GAD2, and HIP1R.

Conclusion

The preliminary results first revealed potential candidate genes such as SCN1A, PRKAG2, RYR2, CFTR, NOS1, PIK3CB, GAD2, and HIP1R, and the pathways mediated by these genes, including neuronal system/neurotransmitter release cycles or ion channels/cardiac conduction, might be involved in AVNRT.
Effect of local toroidal flow on double‐tearing modes in cylindrical geometry
Authors: Zhang Ruibo , Lu Xingqiang , Guo Wei , Yin Chenyan , Gong Xueyu
Published: June 2020

The effect of local toroidal flow (LTF) on double‐tearing modes (DTMs) is investigated in cylindrical geometry using the reduced magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) model. The results indicate that the LTF between the two rational surfaces is the dominant suppression effect on DTMs. The suppression effect is enhanced with the flow width increasing, and the DTMs become more stable with the increase of the shear of the LTF between the two rational surfaces. So, in the reversed shear magnetic field configuration, the local flow is driven between the two rational surfaces, which can effectively suppress the development of DTMs and maintain the high‐performance state.
An outlook on procedures of conjugating folate to (co)polymers and drugs for effective cancer targeting
Authors: Kharkar Prashant S. , Soni Govind , Rathod Vaibhavi , Shetty Saritha , Gupta M. K. , Yadav Khushwant S.
Published: June 2020

Folate receptors (FRs) are expressed in vast majority of cancers. Selective targeting of the FRs is, therefore, one of the most popular and sought‐after strategies for improving the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. Variety of approaches involving folate conjugation to several well‐known and novel, nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible (co)polymers have been attempted and successfully applied to a large number of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (micelles, liposomes, nanoparticles, quantum dots, mesoporous silica‐based materials, and others) in the last decade‐and‐a‐half. Standard and novel synthetic approaches were utilized for the conjugation, followed by the formulation of the drug delivery modality. In most of the cases, the targeted system lived up to its reputation, validating its usefulness in targeted cancer therapeutics. The present review summarizes the progress and state‐of‐the‐art synthetic methodologies for folate conjugation to (co)polymers, drugs, and nucleic acids. The limitations of the FR targeting are discussed in brief to give the reader the other side of the story. Finally, the information on marketed folic acid conjugates highlight their industrial applications.
Direct and indirect effect of cannibalism and intraguild predation in the two siblingHarmonialadybird beetles
Authors: Rasekh Arash , Osawa Naoya
Published: June 2020

In this study, we focused on the direct (i.e., predation) and indirect (i.e., potential threat from coexisting with a larger individual) effects of cannibalism and intraguild predation (IGP) during larval stages of two sibling ladybird beetles. These effects play an important role in the coexistence of the generalist–commonHarmonia axyridisand specialist–rareH. yedoensis(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Direct predation effect of cannibalism and IGP was asymmetric in the two sibling ladybird beetles; the fourth instar larvae ofH.axyridiswere better intraguild predators than cannibals, while the reverse was true in the larvae ofH. yedoensis. Neither cannibalism nor IGP significantly affected female body weight in either species. LarvalH.axyridissurviving exposure to cannibalism or IGP had a reduced number of ovarioles as adults, whereas adultH. yedoensisovarioles were not affected. For the indirect effects, longer developmental times in males and females and a lower total number of ovarioles in females were detected inH.axyridis. InH. yedoensis, shorter developmental time of males, lighter adult weight and fewer total ovarioles in females were observed. Olfactometer choice experiments clarified that the fourth instar larvae ofH.axyridisavoided the first instar conspecific larvae, while those ofH. yedoensiswere attracted to the odors fromH.axyridisand conspecifics. Thus,H.axyridishas an avoidance mechanism only for cannibalism but not for IGP,whereasH. yedoensisdoes not have any avoidance mechanism. These different behaviors in the direct and indirect effects of cannibalism and IGP observed in the laboratory may play important roles in the coexistence of generalist–commonH.axyridisand specialist–rareH. yedoensisin natural conditions, compensating for the large handicap ofH. yedoensisat reproductive interference fromH.axyridis.
Lunar synchronization of daily activity patterns in a crepuscular avian insectivore
Authors: Evens Ruben , Kowalczyk Céline , Norevik Gabriel , Ulenaers Eddy , Davaasuren Batmunkh , Bayargur Soddelgerekh , Artois Tom , Åkesson Susanne , Hedenström Anders , Liechti Felix , Valcu Mihai , Kempenaers Bart
Published: June 2020

Biological rhythms of nearly all animals on earth are synchronized with natural light and are aligned to day‐and‐night transitions. Here, we test the hypothesis that the lunar cycle affects the nocturnal flight activity of European Nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus). We describe daily activity patterns of individuals from three different countries across a wide geographic area, during two discrete periods in the annual cycle. Although the sample size for two of our study sites is small, the results are clear in that on average individual flight activity was strongly correlated with both local variation in day length and with the lunar cycle. We highlight the species’ sensitivity to changes in ambient light and its flexibility to respond to such changes in different parts of the world.
Population status and ecology of theSalmo truttacomplex in an Italian river basin under multiple anthropogenic pressures
Authors: Carosi Antonella , Ghetti Lucia , Padula Rosalba , Lorenzoni Massimo
Published: June 2020

Salmonids inhabiting Mediterranean rivers are of particular concern for biodiversity conservation, as they are threatened by various stressors, including habitat alterations, overfishing, climate change, and introgressive hybridization with alien species. In the Tiber River basin (Central Italy), genetic introgression phenomena of the nativeSalmo cettiiwith the non‐nativeSalmo truttahinder the separate analysis of the two species, which are both included in theS. truttacomplex. Little is known about the factors currently limiting the trout populations in this area, particularly with respect to climate change. With the intention of filling this gap, the aims of the current study were to (a) quantify changes in the climate and (b) analyze the distribution, status, and ecology of trout populations, in the context of changing abiotic conditions over the last decades. Fish stock assessments were carried out by electrofishing during three census periods (1998–2004, 2005–2011, and 2012–2018) at 129 sites. The trend over time of meteorological parameters provided evidence for increased air temperature and decreased rainfall. Multivariate analysis of trout densities and environmental data highlighted the close direct correlation of trout abundance with water quality, altitude, and current speed. Climate‐induced effects observed over time in the sites where trout were sampled have not yet led to local extinctions or distribution shifts, indicating a marked resilience of trout, probably due to the buffering effect of intrinsic population dynamics. Decreasing body conditions over time and unbalanced age structures support the hypothesis that variations in hydraulic regime and water temperature could overcome these compensatory effects, which may lead to a severe decline in trout populations in the near future. In a climate change context, habitat availability plays a key role in the distribution of cold‐water species, which often do not have the possibility to move upstream to reach their thermal optimum because of water scarcity in the upper river stretches.
Metal Complexes of 5,15‐Porphyrinquinones: Systematic Study of Crystal Structure, Electronic Structure, and Lewis Acidity
Authors: Yamashita Ken‐ichi , Hirano Daisuke , Sugiura Ken‐ichi
Published: June 2020

We conducted the first systematic study on the synthesis, structure, and properties of various divalent metal complexes (NiII, CuII, ZnII, PdII, PtII, and PbII) of 5,15‐porphyrinquinone (PQ, a quinone compound of porphyrin) for diversifying the chemistry of traditional quinone‐metal complexes. Similar to electron‐accepting nature of PQ, the metal complexes studied here also exhibit it. NiII, PdII, and PtII complexes favor face‐to‐face stacked structures in the crystals, thus inducing effective PtII–PtII interaction, which has not been observed in the porphyrin analogues to date. Ultraviolet‐visible (UV/Vis) absorption spectra of the metal complexes vary widely depending on the metal ion and owing to the effective d(metal)–π(PQ) coupling in their molecular orbitals. Quantitative analyses of the axial ligation on the central metal ions (NiII and CuII) revealed significantly larger binding constants than those of the porphyrin analogues, indicating significant enhancement of their Lewis acidities due to the strong electron‐withdrawing nature of PQ.
A novel approach for multimodality medical image fusion over secure environment
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Diwakar Manoj
Published: June 2020

An emerging trend to deal with the issue of multimodality medical image fusion over the secure communication environment is required. Hence, this paper presents a human visual fusion algorithm for medical images such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging which is based on the nonsubsampled shearlet transform (NSST) over the secure environment. Initially, the images are decayed through NSST into low and detailed highlights. The neighborhood aggregate of correlation‐based movement measures is proposed to intertwine the low frequency and sum‐modified‐Laplacian‐based fusion is utilized on detail subbands of NSST. After getting a fused image, a method noise thresholding approach is utilized to improve the accuracy of the proposed method. As a result, more accurate fused images is received. To measure the proposed method accuracy, the results of the fused images are also tested over the secure environment where encrypted/decrypted fused images are obtained using the random generator method. These decrypted fused images are also analyzed with original fused images with the proposed method as well as existing methods. From result analysis, it is observed that the proposed technique is better in holding a bone, calcification, cerebrospinal liquid, edema, and tumor subtleties of the source images and is more accurate than other existing fusion methods.
In vitro fermentation and camellia oil emulsification characteristics of konjac glucomannan octenyl succinate
Authors: Meng Fan‐Bing , Zhang Qian , Li Yun‐Cheng , Liu Shu‐Yan , Liu Da‐Yu , Yu Hua
Published: June 2020

It is important to select an appropriate emulsifier to overcome the poor stability and dispersibility of the vegetable oils in food system. Previous studies suggest that OSA‐modified konjac glucomannan (KGOS) has potential to be used as a food emulsifier. In this study, in vitro fermentation suggested that KGOS could promote the growth of the important intestinal probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and then promote intestinal fermentation to produce gas and short chain fatty acids. The emulsification experiments indicated that KGOS had good emulsification ability and stability for camellia oil. Under 40 MPa for 90 s homogenization, 0.2% (w/w) KGOS could encapsulate 20% (w/w) camellia oil. The nanoemulsion was stable at a low pH and high concentration of NaCl and ethanol. Konjac glucomannan octenyl succinate encapsulation could prevent the oxidation of camellia oil at 25°C and storage for 30 days.
Heat and mass transfer flow over a stretching surface with Ohmic heating and chemical reaction
Authors: Mishra Satyaranjan , Mohanty Banani
Published: June 2020

The present study analyzes the effect of chemical reaction on an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer viscous fluid over a stretching surface embedded in a porous medium with a uniform transverse magnetic field. A Darcy‐Forchheimer drag force model is employed to simulate the effect of second‐order porous resistance. Dissipative heat energy based on both viscous and Joule dissipation along with a heat source/sink is considered to enhance the energy equation. Similarity analysis is imposed to transform the governing differential equations into a set of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations. These sets of equations are solved numerically using the Runge‐Kutta fourth‐order scheme followed by the shooting algorithm. The effects of physical parameters such as magnetic field, Prandtl number, Eckert number, Schmidt number, unsteadiness parameter, and chemical reaction parameters have been discussed on velocity, temperature, and concentration fields. Computation for the coefficient of skin friction, rate of heat and mass transfer is done and presented in a table for validation of the present outcomes.
Role of microRNAs in Staphylococcus aureus infection: Potential biomarkers and mechanism
Authors: Mirzaei Rasoul , Mohammadzadeh Rokhsareh , Mirzaei Hamed , Sholeh Mohammad , Karampoor Sajad , Abdi Milad , Alikhani Mohammad Yousef , Kazemi Sima , Ahmadyousefi Yaghoub , Jalalifar Saba , Yousefimashouf Rasoul
Published: June 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is known as a common pathogen that colonizes 30% of healthy humans. Additionally, this bacterium can cause a number of serious infections, that is, endocarditis, bacteremia, pneumonia, wound, skin infections, and tissue abscesses. A variety of cellular and molecular pathways and targets are involved in response against S. aureus. Among them, microRNAs (miRNAs) have crucial roles in response against S. aureus. In this regard, it has been shown that these molecules exert their regulatory roles via modulating a wide range of events, such as inflammatory reactions, host innate, and adaptive immunity. Current works have provided insight into the crucial involvement of miRNAs in immune defense toward Staphylococcal infections. Herein, we highlighted the current findings on the deregulation of different miRNAs in S. aureus‐infected cells. Moreover, we summarized the mechanisms and targets of miRNAs in S. aureus infections.
The Past Guides the Future: Implementing the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies
Authors: Singh Anneliese A. , Nassar Sylvia C. , Arredondo Patricia , Toporek Rebecca
Published: June 2020

The authors describe the ways in which the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts, Singh, Nassar‐McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2015) can be viewed from a human rights framework and as the latest iteration in the long history of the multicultural and social justice counseling competency movement. MSJCC implementation and integration are explored, and recommendations for innovating the MSJCC are described.
Best Practices for Counseling Clients Experiencing Poverty: A Grounded Theory
Authors: Clark Madeline , Ausloos Clark , Delaney Colleen , Waters Linda , Salpietro Lena , Tippett Hannah
Published: June 2020

Poverty is a pressing sociopolitical issue in the United States and worldwide. Poverty experiences have a significant effect on one’s mental health and overall wellness. Therefore, the ability to effectively serve clients experiencing poverty is critically important to professional counselors. However, there are no empirical models for counseling clients experiencing poverty. The authors present the results of a constructivist grounded theory study in which 21 professional counselors who work with clients experiencing poverty were interviewed to identify best practices for working with this population. Five major best practices are identified: (a) awareness, (b) training, (c) knowledge, (d) skills, and (e) advocacy. Implications for professional counseling are included.
Exploring the Relationship Between Pedagogy and Counselor Trainees’ Multicultural and Social Justice Competence
Authors: Killian Thomas , Floren Michael
Published: June 2020

The authors evaluated the acquisition of 6 constructs related to multicultural and social justice competence for 60 counselors‐in‐training (CITs) in 3 multicultural counseling courses. Each course was assigned a unique pedagogical approach: didactic, experiential, or community service learning. Statistical analyses indicated that pedagogical approach had the greatest impact on CITs’ growth in multicultural relationship, multicultural skills, and social justice advocacy constructs. Analyses also indicated growth across all 3 pedagogies for multicultural knowledge and multicultural awareness constructs. The authors explore patterns of pedagogical impact, discuss practical implications, and make suggestions for further research.
A Preliminary Longitudinal Study of Multicultural Competence in Counselor Education
Authors: Gonzalez‐Voller Jessica , Crunk A. Elizabeth , Barden Sejal M. , Harris Shaywanna , Belser Christopher T.
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes in master’s‐level counselor trainees’ (N = 78) self‐perceptions of their multicultural counseling competence over the course of their counseling program. Multilevel modeling results indicated an increase in scores across 3 time points. The authors discuss study limitations and how counselors and counselor educators can incorporate the study’s findings into their practice and into the education and supervision of counselor trainees.
Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competency Research: Opportunities for Innovation
Authors: Hays Danica G.
Published: June 2020

The development of the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (Ratts, Singh, Nassar‐McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2015) provides a framework to reflect upon previous scholarship and explore further approaches for methodological innovation in counseling. The author presents available counseling and interdisciplinary scholarship related to multicultural and social justice competency, identifies gaps and future research directions of that research, and proposes innovative strategies and methods for conducting rigorous multicultural and social justice research. Implications for preparing future counseling scholars are also included.
Splintered politics of memory and community resistance
Authors: Cornell Josephine , Seedat Mohamed , Malherbe Nick , Suffla Shahnaaz
Published: June 2020

Oral history presents an especially effective way of exploring the multitudinous, contradictory, and contextual meanings that are attached to the notion of community. In this study, we argue for narrative‐discourse analysis as a critical means of studying contested community memories. We rely on focus group discussions and individual interviews to explore oral histories of state‐sanctioned relocation of residents of Thembelihle, a low‐income community in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our analysis revealed the sharply splintered politics that characterizes oral histories of this community. We argue that oral histories, in their contradictory and visceral fullness, are able to point toward a politics of resistance that is sensitive to inequalities, and that are willed toward emancipatory future‐building. We conclude by underlining the need for community psychologists to engage with a politics of memory that is sensitive to power differentials, historiography, and broader currents of oppression.
Decrease in fasting insulin secretory function correlates with significant liver fibrosis in Japanese non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients
Authors: Araki Norimasa , Takahashi Hirokazu , Takamori Ayako , Kitajima Yoichiro , Hyogo Hideyuki , Sumida Yoshio , Tanaka Saiyu , Anzai Keizo , Aishima Shinichi , Chayama Kazuaki , Fujimoto Kazuma , Eguchi Yuichiro
Published: June 2020

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is typically associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and insulin resistance is involved in its pathogenesis. However, the relationship between insulin secretion and NAFLD is unclear. We aimed to characterize the relationship between fasting insulin secretory function (ISF), evaluated using the homeostatic model assessment‐beta cell function (HOMA‐β) and the severity of fibrosis during NAFLD.

Methods

A‐β was calculated in 188 patients with biopsy‐confirmed NAFLD, and the correlations between Log HOMA‐β and clinical parameters, including hepatic fibrosis, were calculated.

Results

Log HOMA‐β was significantly lower in NAFLD patients with significant fibrosis (stages 2–4) than in those in the early stages (stages 0–1) (median [interquartile range]) (2.1 [1.9–2.4] vs 2.0 [1.8–2.2], P = 0.04). The prevalence of significant fibrosis decreased with increasing Log HOMA‐β: it was 59.2% in participants with low ISF (Log HOMA‐β < 1.85), 43.6% in those with intermediate ISF (1.85 ≤ Log HOMA‐β < 2.25), and 68.0% in those with high ISF (Log HOMA‐β ≥ 2.25). Patients with lower Log HOMA‐β had lower current body mass index (BMI), BMI at 20 years of age, and peak lifetime BMI than patients with intermediate or high Log HOMA‐β.

Conclusions

Fasting ISF decreased alongside the development of liver fibrosis in NAFLD, suggesting that an impaired β cell function has a characteristic finding of significant liver fibrosis in relatively nonobese Japanese patients.
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 320 deceased patients with COVID‐19 in an Italian Province: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Biagi Andrea , Rossi Luca , Malagoli Alessandro , Zanni Alessia , Sticozzi Concetta , Comastri Greta , Gandolfi Stefano , Villani Giovanni Quinto
Published: June 2020

Studies have described clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). However, limited data concerning the clinical characteristics of the Italian deaths are available. We aim to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 320 deceased from the Italian experience. We retrospectively collected all consecutive non‐survivor patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 infection admitted to the Emergency Rooms (ERs) Piacenza Hospital Network during the first month of COVID‐19 pandemic in Italy. Clinical history, comorbidities, laboratory findings and treatment were recorded for each patient. A total of 1050 patients with confirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia were admitted to the ERs between 24 February and 22 March 2020. Three hundred and twenty (30.5%) patients died with a median age of 78.0 years, 205 (64%) non‐survivors were above 65 years old, 230 (71.9%) were male. Non‐survivor patients showed frequently several coexisting medical conditions, with hypertension being the most common comorbidity (235 patients, 73.4%). The in‐hospital mortality did not change during the progression of the pandemic. In this retrospective Italian study, most of COVID‐19 deceased patients were elderly male aged over than 65 years. Hypertension was the most common coexisting disease. In‐hospital mortality was high and showed no variation during the first month of the COVID‐19 italian epidemic.
Fibrinolytic protease fromBacillus cereusS46: Purification, characterization, and evaluation of its in vitro thrombolytic potential
Authors: D'Souza Desrie H. , Bhattacharya Sourav , Das Arijit
Published: June 2020

Intravascular thrombosis is a prime cause of cardiac complications worldwide. Microbial fibrinolytic proteases are of clinical significance in thrombosis treatment. The present study discusses the purification and characterization of a protease fromBacillus cereusS46, ascertaining its in vitro thrombolytic activity against a blood clot. By the three‐step purification involving precipitation, dialysis, and diethylaminoethyl‐cellulose ion‐exchange chromatography, a 12.37‐fold purification of the enzyme to homogeneity was achieved. The apparent molecular mass of the protease was 30 kDa, as found by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum activity of the enzyme was observed at pH 8.0 and 40°C. The enzyme retained an 82.19% residual activity at pH 8.0 and 40°C for 1 h. TheKmandVmaxvalues of the protease with casein were 0.0027 mM and 9.712 µmol/min, respectively. In an in vitro assay, the purified protease resulted in 97.02% lysis of the blood clot. The fibrinolytic potential of the enzyme, together with its characteristics of being active and stable under near‐physiological conditions, may suggest its application as a therapeutic agent.
Fighting big data and ensemble fatigue in climate change impact studies: Can we turn the ensemble cascade upside down?
Authors: Van Uytven E. , De Niel J. , Meert P. , Wolfs V. , Willems P.
Published: June 2020

Climate change impact modellers consider the availability of large ensembles of climate model results more and more as problematic. They experience big data or ensemble fatigue and face computational limits. This study proposes an ensemble design approach based on clustering of the climate model skill, climate change signals and statistical downscaling skill, and investigates its potential for ensemble size reduction. The proposed approach is demonstrated for river and urban hydrological impact studies in Belgium, considering the average winter (summer) precipitation amount and extreme daily winter (summer) precipitation amount with a 10‐year return period. The analysis starts from an original 240 membered multi‐ensemble (48 climate models and 5 statistical downscaling methods) and is reduced to 8 (12) members for the average seasonal winter (summer) precipitation amount and 18 (22) for the extreme daily winter (summer) precipitation amount. The range of the impact results by the original multi‐ensemble is generally preserved. However, in some cases, the reduced ensemble shows biased impact results. The cluster analysis confirms the dependence between statistical downscaling methods and points to the interaction between climate models and statistical downscaling methods.
Characteristics of the linkage between the boreal winter Hadley cell and various tropical sea surface temperature meridional structures
Authors: Feng Juan , Li Jianping , An Ran , Wang Yaqi
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates the asymmetric response of the boreal winter Hadley cell (HC) to the meridional structures of the tropical sea surface temperature (SST) over the period 1979–2016. The variations in the zonal‐mean SST and HC are decomposed into equatorially symmetric (i.e. SES for SST, HES for HC) and equatorially anti‐symmetric (i.e. SEA for SST, HEA for HC) components. The response of the HEA to a given amplitude variation in SEA is stronger (by around three times) than that of the HES to the same amplitude variation in SES; this response ratio for the boreal winter is smaller than that for the annual mean. The variations in boreal winter HEA and HES are both related to the canonical El Niño, but in different regions; that is, the HEA is connected to the tropical Northwest Pacific SST, whereas the HES is linked to the SST over the tropical Eastern Pacific. During the period 1979–2016, warming of the tropical Northwest Pacific SST weakened the HEA and contributed to the decreased response ratio of the boreal winter HC to tropical SST. This point is further supported by examining the situation over the period 1958–2001, during which an interdecadal variation of tropical Northwest Pacific SST modulated the linkage between the boreal winter HC and SST. This observation shows that the warming of Northwest Pacific SST contributes to the decreased sensitivity of the boreal winter HC to SST, raising the possibility that global warming may affect the relationship between the HC and SST.

Key Findings

The ratio of the Hadley circulation to different SST meridional structures is reduced during boreal winter. The result raises the possibility that the contribution of global warming in impacting the relationship between the Hadley circulation and SST.
The Effects of Lifetime Trauma Exposure on Cognitive Functioning in Midlife
Authors: Lynch Kristin S. , Lachman Margie E.
Published: June 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that lifetime trauma exposure is associated with adulthood cognitive functioning. However, the nature and extent of this relation have yet to be fully explored. We used multilevel modeling to examine trauma exposure and age at first trauma exposure as predictors of the level of and change in cognitive functioning over a 9‐year period. Data were from the Midlife in the United States study, a national survey that began in 1995. Data regarding trauma exposure and age at first exposure were obtained from the 2004 wave, whereas cognitive data were obtained from the 2004 and 2013 waves. The analyses were conducted using data from the 2,471 participants (age range: 28–84 years) who had complete data on all variables from the 2004 wave. Lifetime trauma exposure predicted change in executive functioning (EF), B = −0.03, SE = 0.01, p = .015, 95% CI [−0.05, −0.01]; and episodic memory, B = −0.05, SE = 0.02, p = .023, 95% CI [−0.10, −0.01], such that individuals with more trauma exposure had more decline over 9 years. Age at first exposure also predicted change in EF, B = −0.002, SE = 0.00, p = .009, 95% CI [−0.004, −0.001], such that individuals who were first exposed to trauma later in life had greater EF decline than individuals whose first traumatic event occurred earlier in life. Delta pseudo‐ values were moderate, ΔpseudoR2 = .17–.39. These findings identify trauma exposure as a risk factor for cognitive decline in adulthood and highlight the elevated risk associated with adulthood trauma exposure.
Using Interpretation Bias Modification to Reduce Anger in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dillon Kirsten H. , Medenblik Alyssa M. , Mosher Tiffany M. , Elbogen Eric B. , Morland Leslie A. , Beckham Jean C.
Published: June 2020

Difficulty controlling anger is the most commonly reported reintegration concern among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One of the mechanisms associated with problematic anger is a tendency to interpret ambiguous interpersonal situations as hostile, known as the hostile interpretation bias (HIB). A computer‐based interpretation bias modification (IBM) intervention has been shown to successfully reduce HIB and anger but has not been tested in veterans with PTSD. The current study was a pilot trial of this IBM intervention modified to address problematic anger among veterans with PTSD. Veterans with PTSD and a high level of anger (N = 7) completed eight sessions of IBM treatment over the course of 4 weeks. Participants completed self‐report questionnaires at pre‐ and posttreatment assessment visits, as well as a treatment acceptability interview at posttreatment. Veterans experienced large reductions in hostile interpretation bias and anger from pre‐ to posttreatment, ds = 1.03–1.96, although these estimates may be unstable due to the small sample size. The feasibility for recruitment, retention, and treatment completion were high. Questionnaire and interview data demonstrated that most participants were satisfied with the treatment and found it helpful and easy to use. Overall, IBM for anger was feasible and acceptable to veterans with PTSD and was associated with reductions in hostile interpretations and self‐reported anger outcomes. Further research examining this approach is warranted.
Soil quality indices for metal(loid) contamination: An enzymatic perspective
Authors: Aponte Humberto , Medina Jorge , Butler Benjamin , Meier Sebastian , Cornejo Pablo , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: June 2020

Soil degradation by metal and metalloid (metal[loid]) contamination represents a widespread environmental threat. Most studies investigating soil metal(loid) contamination have disregarded the soil quality concept. Enzyme activities (EAs) are good soil quality indicators due to their direct connection to functions related to C, N, P, and S cycles and their sensitivity to metal(loid) contamination. This review (a) provides an overview of the development of soil quality indices (SQIs) based on EAs in metal(loid) contaminated soils, and (b) evaluates the effects of individual metal(loid)s and their combinations on the activities of the most common enzymes involved in the C, N, P, and S cycles. Four intracellular mechanisms dominate the inhibition of EAs by metal(loid)s: (a) transcription inhibition, (b) protein denaturation, (c) cell division inhibition, (d) cell membrane disruption. These mechanisms can also be further exacerbated in soil by nonspecific exoenzyme inhibition. The main EAs used as indicators for metal(loid) contaminated soils are dehydrogenase (DHA), arylsulfatase (ARY), urease (UA), acid phosphatase (Pacid), alkaline phosphatase (Palk), and catalase (CAT). These enzymes are sensitive to metal(loid) contamination, with DHA and ARY being the most sensitive indicators (62 and 56% inhibition, respectively, when averaged over all metal[loid] contamination levels). Other enzymes are inhibited by 32% (UA), 23% (Palk), 18% (Pacid), and 18% (CAT). We suggest principles for the development of SQIs considering biotic soil functions via the use of EAs. This review is the first presenting SQIs based on EAs for metal(loid) contaminated soils, and represents the first quantitative analysis of metal(loid) effects on EAs.
Comparative study on two imidazolium‐based ionic liquid surfactants as corrosion inhibitors for N80 steel in 15% hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Qiao Kangquan , Zeng Ying
Published: June 2020

A comparative study on 1‐dodecyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium chloride ([DDMIM]Cl) and 1‐benzyl‐3‐dodecyl‐2‐methylimidazol‐1‐ium chloride ([BDMIM]Cl) as corrosion inhibitors for N80 steel in a 15% hydrochloric acid solution was performed by surface tension tests, electrochemical measurements, weight loss, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and theoretical calculations. The experimental results confirm that [DDMIM]Cl and [BDMIM]Cl act as mixed‐type inhibitors. The adsorption of both inhibitors on the N80 steel surface obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and [BDMIM]Cl exhibits better inhibitive performance, lower critical micelle concentration (CMC), and a lower ratio of saturation adsorption concentration on the steel surface to its own CMC than [DDMIM]Cl. The results of theoretical calculations reveal that the electron‐donating/accepting capacities and hydrophobicity of the benzyl substituent in the imidazole ring are essential for preventing steel corrosion in acid media.
Development of a compact monocycle pulse generator for UWB impulse radar applications
Authors: Lee Doojin , Shaker George , Melek William
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a compact size (16 × 16 mm) of the monocycle pulse generator is proposed for Ultrawide‐band (UWB) impulse radar applications. The proposed circuit is based on the step recovery diodes (SRDs) and has a very simple structure. It consists of a coupling part, short pulse generating part, and monocycle forming part. The performance of the pulse generator is compared against simulation results which are performed by advanced design system (ADS). The measured monocycle waveform has a pulse width of 150 ps with the tail ringing level of −11 dB and symmetry of 87%. The corresponding spectrum has a center frequency of around 2.6 GHz with −10 dB bandwidth of 4 GHz. The performance of the pulse generator is validated by analyzing the receiving waveform. The pulse width and the ringing level of the received waveform are observed to be 250 ps and −11 dB, respectively. The developed compact monocycle pulse generator is very attractive because of the ease of integration into the limited physical space inside the UWB system.
Metabolite cycled liver 1H MRS on a 7 T parallel transmit system
Authors: Xavier Aline , Arteaga de Castro Catalina , Andia Marcelo E. , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W. , Fillmer Ariane , Prompers Jeanine J.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Single‐voxel 1H MRS in body applications often suffers from respiratory and other motion induced phase and frequency shifts, which lead to incoherent averaging and hence to suboptimal results.

Methods

Here we show the application of metabolite cycling (MC) for liver STEAM‐localized 1H MRS on a 7 T parallel transmit system, using eight transmit‐receive fractionated dipole antennas with 16 additional, integrated receive loops. MC‐STEAM measurements were made in six healthy, lean subjects and compared with STEAM measurements using VAPOR water suppression. Measurements were performed during free breathing and during synchronized breathing, for which the subjects did breathe in between the MRS acquisitions. Both intra‐session repeatability and inter‐session reproducibility of liver lipid quantification with MC‐STEAM and VAPOR‐STEAM were determined.

Results

The preserved water signal in MC‐STEAM allowed for robust phase and frequency correction of individual acquisitions before averaging, which resulted in in vivo liver spectra that were of equal quality when measurements were made with free breathing or synchronized breathing. Intra‐session repeatability and inter‐session reproducibility of liver lipid quantification were better for MC‐STEAM than for VAPOR‐STEAM. This may also be explained by the more robust phase and frequency correction of the individual MC‐STEAM acquisitions as compared with the VAPOR‐STEAM acquisitions, for which the low‐signal‐to‐noise ratio lipid signals had to be used for the corrections.

Conclusion

Non‐water‐suppressed MC‐STEAM on a 7 T system with parallel transmit is a promising approach for 1H MRS applications in the body that are affected by motion, such as in the liver, and yields better repeatability and reproducibility compared with water‐suppressed measurements.
Social support predicted quality of life in people receiving haemodialysis treatment: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Alshraifeen Ali , Al‐Rawashdeh Sami , Alnuaimi Karimeh , Alzoubi Fatmeh , Tanash Muath , Ashour Ala , Al‐Hawamdih Sajidah , Al‐Ghabeesh Suhair
Published: June 2020

Aims

To examine levels of social support and quality of life (QOL) and to examine the association between social support and QOL in patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) treatment.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Method

social support and QOL were measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived social Support (MSPSS) and the World Health Organization QOL‐BREF questionnaires, respectively. A convenience sample of 195 patients receiving HD from different dialysis units across Jordan completed the questionnaires.

Results

Respondents scored highest on the social relationships domain of QOL (55.5 SD 21.4) compared with the lowest mean scores of the physical and environmental domains (48.6 SD 20.4; 46.2 SD 17.3, respectively). social support had a positive significant association with quality of life. Multiple linear regression identified age and social support as influencing factors, explaining 24.6% of the total variance in the social domain of quality of life.

Understanding the relationship between social support and QOL in patients receiving HD may provide guidance to the healthcare providers, family members and social services about the importance of social support to this group of patients.
Do obesity and low levels of physical activity increase the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus among women with prior gestational diabetes in rural China?
Authors: Mao Ping , Jiang Shan , Guo Jia , Long Qing , Zhang Honghui , Chen Jyu‐Lin
Published: June 2020

Moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and obesity play important roles in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Yet, how MVPA affects the risk of developing T2DM among women with prior GDM across the different categories of obesity indicators is unclear. This study aimed to describe the levels of postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT), obesity indicators (body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]), and MVPA and to explore the independent effect and joint effect of MVPA and obesity indicators (BMI and WC) on the risk for developing AGT among women with prior GDM in rural China. A total of 425 women with prior GDM were recruited from two county‐level hospitals in Western and Eastern Hunan, China. Data were collected with self‐reported measurements on sociodemographics and clinical factors as well as postpartum weight‐related behaviors (physical activity and dietary intake). The 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test, weight, height, and WC were measured on site. Binary logistic regression models and multiplitive interaction models were used to explore the independent and joint associations of BMI and MVPA as well as WC and MVPA on AGT, respectively. One‐fifth (20.9%) of the sample women had AGT. The obesity indicators were significantly associated with an increased risk of postpartum AGT, but MVPA was not. In joint effect analyses, larger WC and insufficient MVPA were not significantly associated with increased risk of AGT compared with normal WC and sufficient MVPA (mutually adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46–4.43; p > .05). In joint effect analyses of MVPA and BMI, the mutually adjusted OR for developing AGT in women who were obese and had insufficient MVPA was 4.49 (95% CI, 1.35–14.92; p < .05) compared with normal weight and sufficient MVPA. Adequate weight management and increased MVPA are warranted for Chinese women with prior GDM to prevent T2DM.
Revisiting economic globalization‐led growth: The role of economic opportunities
Authors: Ali Shahid , Malik Zilakat Khan
Published: June 2020

This study empirically tests the existence of complementarities between economic globalization with a comprehensive set of economic opportunities in affecting economic growth. Using System GMM technique for a panel data of 124 countries over the period of 1996 to 2017, this study finds that countries with more productive capabilities get more benefits from economic globalization. From the results of threshold regressions, it is evident that a marginal change in economic globalization will, ceteris paribus, have no effect on growth when HTE is at 4.478, SUP is at 11.0, and TSB is at 33.50. Further, the results suggest that rich countries managed to take more advantage from globalization as compared with poor countries.