bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretation biases and visual attention in the processing of ambiguous information in chronic pain
Authors: Chan Frederick H. F. , Suen Hin , Hsiao Janet H. , Chan Antoni B. , Barry Tom J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Theories propose that interpretation biases and attentional biases might account for the maintenance of chronic pain symptoms, but the interactions between these two forms of biases in the context of chronic pain are understudied.

Methods

To fill this gap, 63 participants (40 females) with and without chronic pain completed an interpretation bias task that measures participants’ interpretation styles in ambiguous scenarios and a novel eye‐tracking task where participants freely viewed neutral faces that were given ambiguous pain/health‐related labels (i.e. ‘doctor’, ‘patient’ and ‘healthy people’). Eye movements were analysed with the Hidden Markov Models (EMHMM) approach, a machine‐learning data‐driven method that clusters people's eye movements into different strategy subgroups.

Results

Adults with chronic pain endorsed more negative interpretations for scenarios related to immediate bodily injury and long‐term illness than healthy controls, but they did not differ significantly in terms of their eye movements on ambiguous faces. Across groups, people who interpreted illness‐related scenarios in a more negative way also focused more on the nose region and less on the eye region when looking at patients’ and healthy people's faces and, to a lesser extent, doctors’ faces. This association between interpretive and attentional processing was particularly apparent in participants with chronic pain.

Conclusions

In summary, the present study provided evidence for the interplay between multiple forms of cognitive biases. Future studies should investigate whether this interaction might influence subsequent functioning in people with chronic pain.
Experimental Estimation of 44 Pharmaceutical Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler Sampling Rates in an Artificial River under Various Flow Conditions
Authors: Guibal R. , Lissalde S. , Guibaud G.
Published: March 2020

The present study pertains to a polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) laboratory calibration to estimate the sampling rates for 44 pharmaceuticals featuring a wide range of polarity (–0.6 < octanol/water partition coefficient [log KOW] < 5.4). The calibration was performed at 16.0 ± 1.5 °C for 4 water flow velocities (0, 2–3, 6–7, and 20 cm/s) in both a tank (for calibration at 0 cm/s) and a laboratory-scale artificial river filled with 200 and 500 L of tap water spiked with 0.3 µg/L of each compound, respectively. Twelve new sampling rates and 26 sampling rates already available in the literature were determined, whereas the sampling rates for 6 pharmaceuticals could not be determined due to nonlinearity or poor accumulation in POCIS. An increase in the sampling rate value with flow velocity was observed, which is consistent with a decrease in the effective thickness of the water boundary layer at the POCIS membrane surface. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1186–1195. © 2020 SETAC
Interaction of a deformable solid with two‐phase flows: An Eulerian‐based numerical model for fluid‐structure interaction using the level contour reconstruction method
Authors: Shin Seungwon , Chergui Jalel , Juric Damir
Published: March 2020

We describe the formulation of a method for fluid‐structure interaction involving the coupling of moving and/or flexible solid structures with multiphase flows in the framework of the Level Contour Reconstruction Method. We present an Eulerian‐based numerical procedure for tracking the motion and interaction of a liquid‐gas interface with a fluid‐solid interface in the Lagrangian frame together with the evaluation of the fluid transport equations coupled to those for the solid transport, namely the left Cauchy‐Green strain tensor field, in the Eulerian frame. To prevent excessive dissipation due to the convective nature of the solid transport equation, a simple incompressibility constraint for the strain field is enforced. A single grid structure is used for both the fluid and solid phases which allows for a simple and natural coupling of the fluid and solid dynamics. Several benchmark tests are performed to show the accuracy of the numerical method and which demonstrate accurate results compared to several of those in the existing literature. In particular we show that surface tension effects including contact line dynamics on the deforming solid phase can be properly simulated. The three‐phase interaction of a droplet impacting on a flexible cantilever is investigated in detail. The simulations follow the detailed motion of the droplet impact (and subsequent deformation, breakup, and fall trajectory) along with the motion of the deformable solid cantilever due to its own weight as well as due to the force of the droplet impact.
Motion, deformation, and coalescence of ferrofluid droplets subjected to a uniform magnetic field
Authors: Khan Adnan , Niu Xiao‐Dong , Li You , Wen Ming‐Fu , Li De‐Cai , Yamaguchi Hiroshi
Published: March 2020

In this article, we present the motion, deformation, and coalescence of ferrofluid droplets suspended in a nonmagnetic fluid, subjected to a uniform magnetic field in both vertical and horizontal directions. A coupling between the simplified multiphase lattice Boltzmann method and the self‐correcting scheme is constructed to numerically solve the two‐dimensional flow field and the magnetostatics equations, respectively. The Cahn‐Hilliard equation is employed to seize the diffuse interface between magnetic and nonmagnetic fluids. In order to validate the model, deformation of a ferrofluid droplet suspended in nonmagnetic fluid is simulated as a test case and the results are compared with numerical and experimental results. Furthermore, a detailed analysis on the behavior of falling ferrofluid droplets and the coalescence between a pair of ferrofluid droplets under the effect of different magnetic fields and different droplets configurations are also presented in this article. The results provide significant insight and a better understanding of these phenomena. It is found that for higher values of magnetic bond number and susceptibility, the droplet deformation is significant and the falling process is faster while a reverse behavior is observed for higher values of Eötvös number. Moreover, the magnetic energy density exhibits an interesting behavior in the vicinity of the droplets. It is concentrated between the droplets with a nonuniform distribution when the droplets are close to each other.
Plant‐Based and Animal‐Based Low‐Carbohydrate Diets and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among US Men and Women
Authors: Liu Yue , Yang Wanshui , VoPham Trang , Ma Yanan , Simon Tracey G. , Gao Xiang , Chan Andrew T. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Zhang Xuehong
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

Little is known about the role of low‐carbohydrate diets (LCDs) in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We prospectively evaluated the associations between plant‐based and animal‐based LCDs and risk of HCC in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study (HPFS).

Approach and Results

Dietary intake was assessed every 4 years using validated food frequency questionnaires. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). HRs are shown for a 1‐standard deviation (SD) increment with variables modeled as continuous. During 3,664,769 person‐years of follow‐up, there were 156 incident HCC cases. Although there were no associations between overall or animal‐based LCD score and risk of HCC, plant‐based LCD score was inversely associated with HCC risk (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70‐0.98; P
trend = 0.03). Carbohydrate intake, especially from refined grains (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.39; P
trend = 0.04), was positively, while plant fat (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65‐0.95; P
trend = 0.01) was inversely associated with HCC risk. Substituting 5% of energy from plant fat and protein for carbohydrate (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58‐0.93; P
trend = 0.01) or refined grains (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55‐0.90; Ptrend
 = 0.006) was associated with lower HCC risk. In conclusion, a plant‐based LCD and dietary restriction of carbohydrate from refined grains were associated with a lower risk of HCC. Substituting plant fat and protein for carbohydrate, particularly refined grains, may decrease HCC incidence.

Conclusions

Our findings support a potential benefit in emphasizing plant sources of fat and protein in the diet for HCC primary prevention; additional studies that carefully consider hepatitis B and C virus infections and chronic liver diseases are needed to confirm our findings.
Regional Differences in Human Biliary Tissues and Corresponding In Vitro–Derived Organoids
Authors: Rimland Casey A. , Tilson Samantha G. , Morell Carola M. , Tomaz Rute A. , Lu Wei‐Yu , Adams Simone E. , Georgakopoulos Nikitas , Otaizo‐Carrasquero Francisco , Myers Timothy G. , Ferdinand John R. , Gieseck Richard L. , Sampaziotis Fotios , Tysoe Olivia C. , Ross Alexander , Kraiczy Judith M. , Wesley Brandon , Muraro Daniele , Zilbauer Matthias , Oniscu Gabriel C. , Hannan Nicholas R.F. , Forbes Stuart J. , Saeb‐Parsy Kourosh , Wynn Thomas A. , Vallier Ludovic
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

Organoids provide a powerful system to study epithelia in vitro. Recently, this approach was applied successfully to the biliary tree, a series of ductular tissues responsible for the drainage of bile and pancreatic secretions. More precisely, organoids have been derived from ductal tissue located outside (extrahepatic bile ducts; EHBDs) or inside the liver (intrahepatic bile ducts; IHBDs). These organoids share many characteristics, including expression of cholangiocyte markers such as keratin (KRT) 19. However, the relationship between these organoids and their tissues of origin, and to each other, is largely unknown.

Approach and Results

Organoids were derived from human gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreatic duct, and IHBDs using culture conditions promoting WNT signaling. The resulting IHBD and EHBD organoids expressed stem/progenitor markers leucine‐rich repeat–containing G‐protein‐coupled receptor 5/prominin 1 and ductal markers KRT19/KRT7. However, RNA sequencing revealed that organoids conserve only a limited number of regional‐specific markers corresponding to their location of origin. Of particular interest, down‐regulation of biliary markers and up‐regulation of cell‐cycle genes were observed in organoids. IHBD and EHBD organoids diverged in their response to WNT signaling, and only IHBDs were able to express a low level of hepatocyte markers under differentiation conditions.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results demonstrate that differences exist not only between extrahepatic biliary organoids and their tissue of origin, but also between IHBD and EHBD organoids. This information may help to understand the tissue specificity of cholangiopathies and also to identify targets for therapeutic development.
Hepatitis B Virus RNA Profiles in Liver Biopsies by Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Prakash Kasthuri , Larsson Simon B. , Rydell Gustaf E. , Andersson Maria E. , Ringlander Johan , Norkrans Gunnar , Norder Heléne , Lindh Magnus
Published: March 2020

Replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) originates from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and involves reverse transcription of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which is also called core RNA and encodes the capsid protein. The RNA coding for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the envelope of viral or subviral particles is produced from cccDNA or from HBV DNA integrated into the host genome. Because only cccDNA can generate the core and the 3′ redundancy regions of HBV RNA, we aimed to clarify to what extent such HBV integrations are expressed by quantifying the different HBV RNA species in liver tissue. Digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) was employed to quantify six HBV RNA targets in 76 liver biopsies from patients with chronic infection, comprising 14 who were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and 62 who were HBeAg negative. In patients who were HBeAg negative, HBV RNA from the S RNA region was >1.6 log10 units higher than in the core and 3′ redundancy regions (P < 0.0001), indicating that >90% of S RNA was integration derived. HBeAg‐negative samples showed 10 times lower levels of pgRNA (5′ core) compared with core RNA (3′ part of core; P < 0.0001), suggesting that a large proportion of core RNA might have a downstream shift of the transcription starting point. In multiple regression analysis, HBV DNA levels in serum were most strongly dependent on pgRNA. Conclusion: In patients who were HBeAg negative, integration‐derived S RNA seemed to predominate and a large proportion of the core RNA lacked the 5′ part. Because this part comprises the down‐regulator of transcription 1 sequences, which are necessary for virus production (plus strand translocation), the finding might help to explain the low level of HBV DNA in serum that frequently is observed in patients with chronic HBV infection who are HBeAg negative.
Clinical impact of controlling nutritional status score on the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Nagata Akihito , Kanemasa Yusuke , Sasaki Yuki , Nakamura Shohei , Okuya Toshihiro , Funasaka Chikako , Kageyama Akihiko , Shimoyama Tatsu , Omuro Yasushi
Published: March 2020

The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score is a nutritional index calculated from serum albumin and total cholesterol levels and lymphocyte counts. Its role in predicting clinical outcomes of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been evaluated. In this retrospective study, data from 476 patients with DLBCL were analyzed. The cutoff value of the CONUT score was set as 4. CONUT score significantly stratified the overall survival (OS) and the progression‐free‐survival (PFS) (5‐year OS, 49.0% vs 83.2%, P < .001; 5‐year PFS, 46.1% vs 73.1%, P < .001) of the patients. Among patients at high‐intermediate or high risk, as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN‐IPI), 5‐year OS was lower in patients with high CONUT scores than in those with low CONUT scores (high‐intermediate risk, 51.2% vs 75.5%, P < .001; high risk, 29.9% vs 63.3%, P = .007). Additionally, in patients with high CONUT scores, maintenance of relative dose intensity (RDI) of chemotherapy did not affect the 5‐year OS (RDI > 80% vs RDI ≤ 80%: 59.8% vs 50.9%, P = .73). In the present study, we have demonstrated that the CONUT score is an independent prognostic factor in patients with DLBCL.
Hillslope groundwater discharges provide localized stream ecosystem buffers from regional per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination
Authors: Briggs Martin A. , Tokranov Andrea K. , Hull Robert B. , LeBlanc Denis R. , Haynes Adam B. , Lane John W.
Published: March 2020

Emerging groundwater contaminants such as per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may impact surface‐water quality and groundwater‐dependent ecosystems of gaining streams. Although complex near‐surface hydrogeology of stream corridors challenges sampling efforts, recent advances in heat tracing of discharge zones enable efficient and informed data collection. For this study, we used a combination of streambed temperature push‐probe and thermal infrared methods to guide a discharge‐zone‐oriented sample collection along approximately 6 km of a coastal trout stream on Cape Cod, MA. Eight surface‐water locations and discharging groundwater from 24 streambed and bank seepages were analysed for dissolved oxygen (DO), specific conductance, stable water isotopes, and a range of PFAS compounds, which are contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments. The results indicate a complex system of groundwater discharge source flowpaths, where the sum of concentrations of six PFAS compounds (corresponding to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule “UCMR 3”) showed a median concentration of 52 ± 331 (SD) ng/L with two higher outliers and three discharges with PFAS concentrations below the quantification limit. Higher PFAS concentration was related (−0.66 Spearman rank, p < .001) to discharging groundwater that showed an evaporative signature (deuterium excess), indicating flow through at least one upgradient kettle lake. Therefore, more regional groundwater flowpaths originating from outside the local river corridor tended to show higher PFAS concentrations as evaluated at their respective discharge zones. Conversely, PFAS concentrations were typically low at discharges that did not indicate evaporation and were adjacent to steep hillslopes and, therefore, were classified as locally recharged groundwater. Previous research at this stream found that the native brook trout spawn at discharge points of groundwater recharged on local hillslopes, likely in response to generally higher levels of DO. Our study shows that by targeting high oxygen discharges the trout may thereby be avoiding emerging contaminants such as PFAS in groundwater recharged farther from the stream.
Lagged rejuvenation of groundwater indicates internal flow structures and hydrological connectivity
Authors: Kolbe Tamara , Marçais Jean , de Dreuzy Jean‐Raynald , Labasque Thierry , Bishop Kevin
Published: March 2020

Large proportions of rainwater and snowmelt infiltrate into the subsurface before contributing to stream flow and stream water quality. Subsurface flow dynamics steer the transport and transformation of contaminants, carbon, weathering products and other biogeochemistry. The distribution of groundwater ages with depth is a key feature of these flow dynamics. Predicting these ages are a strong test of hypotheses about subsurface structures and time‐varying processes. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)‐based groundwater ages revealed an unexpected groundwater age stratification in a 0.47 km2 forested catchment called Svartberget in northern Sweden. An overall groundwater age stratification, representative for the Svartberget site, was derived by measuring CFCs from nine different wells with depths of 2–18 m close to the stream network. Immediately below the water table, CFC‐based groundwater ages of already 30 years that increased with depth were found. Using complementary groundwater flow models, we could reproduce the observed groundwater age stratification and show that the 30 year lag in rejuvenation comes from return flow of groundwater at a subsurface discharge zone that evolves along the interface between two soil types. By comparing the observed groundwater age stratification with a simple analytical approximation, we show that the observed lag in rejuvenation can be a powerful indicator of the extent and structure of the subsurface discharge zone, while the vertical gradient of the age‐depth‐relationship can still be used as a proxy of the overall aquifer recharge even when sampled in the discharge zone. The single age stratification profile measured in the discharge zone, close to the aquifer outlet, can reveal the main structure of the groundwater flow pattern from recharge to discharge. This groundwater flow pattern provides information on the participation of groundwater in the hydrological cycle and indicates the lower boundary of hydrological connectivity.
Physically based modelling of water age at the hillslope scale: The Boussinesq age equations
Authors: Zarlenga Antonio , Fiori Aldo
Published: March 2020

Water age distribution is recognized as a key descriptor of hydrological systems, providing information on the natural phenomena taking place in such systems. It is widely used in the theoretical and experimental studies on hillslope and catchments, allowing a synthetic description of the complex dynamics by which the hillslopes store and release water and solutes at the outlet. In this study, we present a physically based framework for the description of the water or solute age within small catchments or hillslopes. The model matches the age equation with the three‐dimensional flow equations under transient conditions, employing the Boussinesq approximation. The approach leads to a system of differential equations for the moments of water age, spatially integrated over cross sections normal to mean flow, denoted as Boussinesq‐age‐equations, that are both simple to use and to solve. The framework overcomes some of the limitations of previous studies, such as of steady state conditions or perfect mixing, merging the simplicity of 1D solutions with the complexity of the physically based models, being suitable for theoretical investigation and experimental data set analysis. Besides introducing the model, we provide some relevant examples for synthetic hillslopes, exploring the effects of the main topographic controls and of the main drivers of water flow such as the recharge.
Molecular description of ANGPT2 associated colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Jary Marine , Hasanova Reyhan , Vienot Angélique , Asgarov Kamal , Loyon Romain , Tirole Charline , Bouard Adeline , Orillard Emeline , Klajer Elodie , Kim Stefano , Viot Julien , Colle Elise , Adotevi Olivier , Bouché Olivier , Lecomte Thierry , Borg Christophe , Feugeas Jean P.
Published: March 2020

Angiopoietin‐2 (ANGPT2) is a prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, it remains to be elucidated which molecular characteristics make up the ANGPT2‐related poor‐prognosis CRC subset. Public transcriptomic datasets were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus GEO and with the TCGAbiolinks R‐package for the TCGA. After appropriate normalization, differential expression analysis was performed using Benjamini and Hochberg method for false discovery rate. Plasma from two prospective clinical trials were used to investigate the clinical impact of ANGPT2‐related biomarkers. In the 935 samples included in four annotated platforms (GPL) and derived from localized CRC, ANGPT2hi expression conferred a worst overall survival (HR = 1.20; p = 0.02). CRC stage, ANGPT2hi expression but not Consortium Molecular Subtype (CMS) predict overall survival in multivariate analysis. ANGPT2 expression was not correlated with a specific CMS nor to RAS, RAF, MSI, p53, CIN, CIMP genomic alterations. Gene expression analysis revealed that ANGPT2hi CRC subset is characterized by angiogenesis‐related gene expression, presence of myeloid cells, stromal organization and resistance to chemotherapy. A prognostic model was proposed using seric levels of ANGPT2, STC1 and CD138 in 97 mCRC patients. Our results provide evidence that ANGPT2 is a prognostic factor in localized CRC and defined a specific CRC subset with potential clinical implementation.
Tantalum boride as a biocompatible coating to improve osteogenesis of the bionano interface
Authors: Li Ruiyan , Liu Guancong , Yang Lina , Qing Yun'an , Tang Xiongfeng , Guo Deming , Zhang Kan , Qin Yanguo
Published: March 2020

A proper biological microenvironment conducive to tissue repair and regeneration, while the bioimplant interface directly affects the local microenvironment. In this study, to improve the biological microenvironment, a nanosized tantalum boride (Ta‐B) was coated on a titanium alloy substrate (Ti6Al4V, TC4) using magnetron cosputtering. The sample surface was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To investigate the effects of tantalum boride coating on the microenvironment, rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and RAW 264.7 cells were respectively seeded on the sample surface and relevant experiments were conducted in vitro. The pure tantalum coating (Ta) and naked TC4 were prepared as controls. Our results showed that the Ta‐B coating enhanced cell proliferation and adhesion and inhibited the inflammatory response. Findings of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining and real‐time PCR for osteoblastic gene expression indicated that Ta‐B and Ta coating improve the osteogenesis, in which Ta‐B coating showed higher osteogenesis than Ta coating. Thus, this study suggests that Ta‐B coating with excellent biocompatibility could have new applications for wound healing in bone tissue engineering.
Perspectives from individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia on direct contact in cascade screening
Authors: Schwiter Rachel , Brown Emily , Murray Brittney , Kindt Iris , Van Enkevort Erin , Pollin Toni I. , Sturm Amy C.
Published: March 2020

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common inherited form of high cholesterol that significantly increases the risk for coronary artery disease. Early detection and treatment can decrease morbidity and mortality and provide important risk information to family members. However, FH remains vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated. Cascade screening is the process of iteratively testing first‐degree relatives for a genetic disease. It has been shown to effectively identify individuals with undiagnosed FH. The majority of research on methods for cascade screening has been conducted outside of the United States (U.S.). For indirect contact, index cases encourage relatives to undergo testing, and for direct contact, healthcare providers (HCP) obtain the index case's consent to contact relatives and offer information. Currently, there is not an accepted strategy for cascade screening programs in the U.S. This study investigated perspectives on direct and indirect contact for cascade screening from individuals with FH. An online survey was designed in collaboration with the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation (FHF). Fifty‐eight percent of U.S. index cases (11/19, 57.9%) and all international index cases (8/8, 100%) indicated willingness to provide contact information for certain at‐risk relatives to a HCP for the purpose of directly informing relatives of their risk for FH in a hypothetical scenario. These findings provide an example of U.S. data and additional international data suggesting that some individuals with FH may consider direct contact a reasonable approach to improve screening uptake among family members. These initial findings need further confirmation in a larger group.
Green and efficient synthesis of 1H‐indazolo[1,2‐b] phthalazine‐1,6,11(13H)‐triones using ZrO(NO3)2.2H2O as a novel catalyst and theoretical study of synthesized compounds
Authors: Saberi Biroon Shabnam , Shajari Nahid , Yahyaei Hooriye
Published: March 2020

The one‐pot three‐component synthesis for the preparation of 1H‐indazolo[1,2‐b] phthalazine‐1,6,11(13H)‐triones through condensation of phthalimide, hydrazine monohydrate, dimedone, and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of a novel catalytic amount of ZrO(NO3)2.2H2O at reflux conditions in water has been reported. Quantum theoretical calculations for the three structures of compounds (5a, 5b, and 5c) were performed using the G3MP2, LC‐ωPBE, MP2, and B3LYP methods with the 6‐311 + G** basis set. After optimizing the structures, geometric parameters were obtained and experimental measurements were compared with the calculated data. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis. IR spectra data and 1H NMR and 13C NMR chemical shifts computations of the 1H‐indazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐1,6,11(13H)‐trione derivatives in the ground state were calculated. Frontier molecular orbitals, total density of states, thermodynamic parameters, and molecular electrostatic potentials of the title compounds were investigated by theoretical calculations. Molecular properties such as the ionization potential (I), electron affinity (A), chemical hardness (η), electronic chemical potential (μ), and electrophilicity (ω) were investigated for the structures. Consequently, there was an excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical results.
Clinical characteristics of 54 medical staff with COVID‐19: A retrospective study in a single center in Wuhan, China
Authors: Chu Jiaojiao , Yang Nan , Wei Yanqiu , Yue Huihui , Zhang Fengqin , Zhao Jianping , He Li , Sheng Gaohong , Chen Peng , Li Gang , Wu Sisi , Zhang Bo , Zhang Shu , Wang Congyi , Miao Xiaoping , Li Juan , Liu Wenhua , Zhang Huilan
Published: March 2020

In December 2019, an outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐Cov‐2) infection occurred in Wuhan, and rapidly spread to worldwide, which has attracted many people's concerns about the patients. However, studies on the infection status of medical personnel is still lacking. A total of 54 cases of SARS‐Cov‐2 infected medical staff from Tongji Hospital between 7 January and 11 February 2020 were analyzed in this retrospective study. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics were compared between different groups by statistical method. From 7 January to 11 February 2020, 54 medical staff of Tongji Hospital were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Most of them were from other clinical departments (72.2%) rather than emergency department (3.7%) or medical technology departments (18.5%). Among the 54 patients with COVID‐19, the distribution of age had a significant difference between non‐severe type and severe/critical cases (median age: 47 years vs 38 years; P = .0015). However, there was no statistical difference in terms of gender distribution and the first symptoms between theses two groups. Furthermore, we observed that the lesion regions in SARS‐Cov‐2 infected lungs with severe‐/critical‐type of medical staff were more likely to exhibit lesions in the right upper lobe (31.7% vs 0%; P = .028) and right lung (61% vs 18.2%; P = .012). Based on our findings with medical staff infection data, we suggest training for all hospital staff to prevent infection and preparation of sufficient protection and disinfection materials.
Genomic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of SARS‐COV‐2 in Italy
Authors: Zehender Gianguglielmo , Lai Alessia , Bergna Annalisa , Meroni Luca , Riva Agostino , Balotta Claudia , Tarkowski Maciej , Gabrieli Arianna , Bernacchia Dario , Rusconi Stefano , Rizzardini Giuliano , Antinori Spinello , Galli Massimo
Published: March 2020

This report describes the isolation, molecular characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of the first three complete genomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) isolated from three patients involved in the first outbreak of COVID‐19 in Lombardy, Italy. Early molecular epidemiological tracing suggests that SARS‐CoV‐2 was present in Italy weeks before the first reported cases of infection.
Detectable SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA in feces of three children during recovery period of COVID‐19 pneumonia
Authors: Zhang Tongqiang , Cui Xiaojian , Zhao Xue , Wang Jinhu , Zheng Jiafeng , Zheng Guifen , Guo Wei , Cai Chunquan , He Sijia , Xu Yongsheng
Published: March 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). After its first occurrence in Wuhan of China from December 2019, COVID‐19 rapidly spread around the world. According to the World Health Organization statement on 13 March 2020, there had been over 132 500 confirmed cases globally. Nevertheless, the case reports of children are rare, which results in the lack of evidence for preventing and controlling of children's infection. Here, we report three cases of SARS‐CoV‐2 infected children diagnosed from 3 February to 17 February 2020 in Tianjin, China. All of these three cases experienced mild illness and recovered soon after the treatment, with the nucleic acid of throat swab turning negative within 14, 11, and 7 days after diagnosis, respectively. However, after been discharged, all three cases were tested SARS‐CoV‐2 positive in the stool samples within 10 days, in spite of their remained negative nucleic acid in throat swab specimens. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of fecal‐oral transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, especially for children cases.
Phylogenetic analysis of the first four SARS‐CoV‐2 cases in Chile
Authors: Castillo Andrés E. , Parra Bárbara , Tapia Paz , Acevedo Alejandra , Lagos Jaime , Andrade Winston , Arata Loredana , Leal Gabriel , Barra Gisselle , Tambley Carolina , Tognarelli Javier , Bustos Patricia , Ulloa Soledad , Fasce Rodrigo , Fernández Jorge
Published: March 2020

The current pandemic caused by the new coronavirus is a worldwide public health concern. To aboard this emergency, and like never before, scientific groups around the world have been working in a fast and coordinated way to get the maximum of information about this virus when it has been almost 3 months since the first cases were detected in Wuhan province in China. The complete genome sequences of around 450 isolates are available, and studies about similarities and differences among them and with the close related viruses that caused similar epidemics in this century. In this work, we studied the complete genome of the first four cases of the new coronavirus disease in Chile, from patients who traveled to Europe and Southeast Asia. Our findings reveal at least two different viral variants entries to Chilean territory, coming from Europe and Asia. We also sub‐classified the isolates into variants according to punctual mutations in the genome. Our work contributes to global information about transmission dynamics and the importance to take control measures to stop the spread of the infection.
How could a difference of 0.5°C in global warming modify the mean and extreme climate conditions around Antarctica?
Authors: Saurral Ramiro I. , Raggio Gabriela A. , Gulizia Carla N.
Published: March 2020

This paper quantifies the potential benefit of limiting the global warming to 1.5°C above the preindustrial level on the high‐latitude climate of the Southern Hemisphere compared to 2.0°C and above. A set of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 global climate model experiments is used in order to determine the mean projected changes in surface air temperature, sea level pressure, surface winds and sea ice distribution over and around Antarctica. Alongside, changes in selected variables related to extremes (such as the annual number of extremely cold mornings and extremely cold days) are also quantified as a function of the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) considered reaching the given warming threshold. Physical mechanisms for the projected variations in sea ice are proposed, including surface air temperature, changes in low‐level air temperature advection and meridional winds. Results show that there would be significant differences in the atmospheric and sea ice variable changes depending on the warming threshold and RCP considered, and that indeed keeping the global warming under 1.5°C could have a noticeable impact particularly on the distribution of sea ice over the Southern Ocean.
Estimating near‐surface air temperature across Israel using a machine learning based hybrid approach
Authors: Zhou Bin , Erell Evyatar , Hough Ian , Rosenblatt Jonathan , Just Allan C. , Novack Victor , Kloog Itai
Published: March 2020

Rising global temperatures over the last decades have increased heat exposure among populations worldwide. An accurate estimate of the resulting impacts on human health demands temporally explicit and spatially resolved monitoring of near‐surface air temperature (Ta). Neither ground‐based nor satellite‐borne observations can achieve this individually, but the combination of the two provides synergistic opportunities. In this study, we propose a two‐stage machine learning‐based hybrid model to estimate 1 × 1 km2 gridded intra‐daily Ta from surface skin temperature (Ts) across the complex terrain of Israel during 2004–2016. We first applied a random forest (RF) regression model to impute missing Ts from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua and Terra satellites, integrating Ts from the geostationary Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) satellite and synoptic variables from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts' (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis data sets. The imputed Ts are in turn fed into the Stage 2 RF‐based model to estimate Ta at the satellite overpass hours of each day. We evaluated the model's performance applying out‐of‐sample fivefold cross validation. Both stages of the hybrid model perform very well with out‐of‐sample fivefold cross validated R2 of 0.99 and 0.96, MAE of 0.42°C and 1.12°C, and RMSE of 0.65°C and 1.58°C (Stage 1: imputation of Ts, and Stage 2: estimation of Ta from Ts, respectively). The newly proposed model provides excellent computationally efficient estimation of near‐surface air temperature at high resolution in both space and time, which helps further minimize exposure misclassification in epidemiological studies.
Long‐term trends (1958–2017) in snow cover duration and depth in the Pyrenees
Authors: López‐Moreno J. I. , Soubeyroux Jean Michel , Gascoin Simon , Alonso‐Gonzalez E. , Durán‐Gómez Nuria , Lafaysse Matthieu , Vernay Matthieu , Carmagnola Carlo , Morin Samuel
Published: March 2020

This study investigated the temporal variability and changes in snow cover duration and the average snow depth from December to April in the Pyrenees at 1,500 and 2,100 m a.s.l. for the period 1958–2017. This is the first such analysis for the entire mountain range using SAFRAN‐Crocus simulations run for this specific purpose. The SAFRAN‐Crocus simulations were evaluated for the period 1980–2016 using 28 in situ snow depth data time series, and for the period 2000–2017 using MODIS observations of the snow cover duration. Following confirmation that the simulated snow series satisfactorily reproduced the observed evolution of the snowpack, the Mann–Kendall test showed that snow cover duration and average depth decreased during the full study period, but this was only statistically significant at 2,100 m a.s.l. The temporal evolution in the snow series indicated marked differences among massifs, elevations, and snow variables. In general, the most western massifs of the French Pyrenees underwent a greater decrease in the snowpack, while in some eastern massifs the snowpack did not decrease, and in some cases increased at 1,500 m a.s.l. The results suggest that the trends were consistent over time, as they were little affected by the start and end year of the study period, except if trends are computed only starting after 1980, when no significant trends were apparent. Most of the observed negative trends were not correlated with changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns during the snow season. This suggests that the continuous warming in the Pyrenees since the beginning of the industrial period, and particularly the sharp increase since 1955, is a major driver explaining the snow cover decline in the Pyrenees.
Influence of the southwards shift of North American continent on North American monsoon
Authors: Hu Mei , Xu Haiming , Deng Jiechun , Ma Jing , He Jinhai
Published: March 2020

The North American continent, with its large terrain and being surrounded by oceans, does not provide the setup for a large‐scale monsoon as we see in Asia. Here we examine the role of the southwards shift of the North American continent (140°–50°W, 20°–80°N) in determining North American monsoon (NAM) regions using the Community Atmosphere Model version 5.1. Results show that the meridional position of the North American continent plays a fundamental role in the existence of the NAM. When the North American continent is moved southwards to a certain latitude, most of the North American non‐monsoon regions turn into monsoon regions, as strong and long‐lasting surface sensible heating occurs from spring to summer, together with enhanced zonal land–sea thermal contrast. Thus, the low‐level southerly wind and wind convergence are strengthened over the eastern side of the North American continent, resulting in a strong ascending motion in this region. On the other hand, the enhanced southerly wind and northwards equatorial airflow act to transport more moisture from the low‐latitude oceans to the North American continent. As a result, the NAM circulation is strengthened, which is further maintained and developed via the “thermal adaptation” feedback.
Ultrasound‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction based on N‐doped mesoporous carbon and high‐performance liquid chromatographic determination of 1‐hydroxypyrene in urine samples
Authors: Omidi Fariborz , Khadem Monireh , Dehghani Fatemeh , Seyedsomeah Mirghani , Shahtaheri Seyed Jamaleddin
Published: March 2020

In this research, a new ultrasound‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction method based on N‐doped mesoporous carbon sorbent followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector for trace measurement of 1‐hydroxypyrene as a metabolite of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was optimized. Herein, the hard template method was used for the preparation of N‐doped mesoporous carbon sorbent. The prepared sorbent was characterized using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, transmission electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Parameters affecting the extraction of the target metabolite were investigated using the Box–Behnken design method. Considering optimum parameters, the plotted calibration curve for 1‐hydroxypyrene was linearly correlated with the concentration span of 0.1–50 μg/L for urine media. The accuracy of the optimized procedure was examined through the relative recovery tests on the fortified urine specimens. The relative recoveries fell between 95 and 101%. The method detection limit of the proposed procedure was also calculated to be 0.03 μg/L.
miR‐495 targets ROCK1 to inhibit lipopolysaccharides‐induced WI‐38 cells apoptosis and inflammation
Authors: Zhang Jian , Xiang Jie , Liu Ting , Wang Xinwei , Tang Ying , Liang Yin
Published: April 2020

Pneumonia is an inflammatory disease with leading mortality rate in children. It has been well established that microRNAs (miRNAs) have been regarded as critical regulator in acute lung injury. We intended to explore the effect and underlying mechanism of miR‐495 on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐induced WI‐38 cells. Here, we first found that miR‐495 was downregulated in serum of patients with acute stage pneumonia. To establish cell model of acute pneumonia, WI‐38 cells were treated with 20 μg/mL LPS, and qRT‐PCR analysis also confirmed the downregulation of miR‐495 in LPS‐induced WI‐38 cells. Data from MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and flow cytometry assays showed that the decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis by LPS treatment were also reversed by miR‐495 over‐expression. Moreover, miR‐495 inhibited expression of associated inflammatory factors, which were induced by LPS treatment. Second, ROCK1 (rho‐associated, coiled‐coil‐containing protein kinase 1) was identified as functional target gene of miR‐495, whose expression was decreased by miR‐495. Mechanically, combination of miR‐495 and ROCK1 over‐expression reversed the influence of miR‐495 on LPS‐induced inflammation, viability, and apoptosis. In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR‐495 inhibited LPS‐induced inflammation injury and apoptosis in WI‐38 cells via targeting ROCK1, which would shed light on therapeutic schedule in acute pneumonia.
Acute Effects of Three Different Meal Patterns on Postprandial Metabolism in Older Individuals with a Risk Phenotype for Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial
Authors: Schönknecht Yannik B. , Crommen Silke , Stoffel‐Wagner Birgit , Coenen Martin , Fimmers Rolf , Holst Jens J. , Simon Marie‐Christine , Stehle Peter , Egert Sarah
Published: March 2020

Scope

The aim of this study is to investigate acute postprandial responses to intake of meals typical for Mediterranean and Western diets.

Methods

In a randomized crossover design, overweight and obese participants with a risk phenotype for cardiometabolic diseases consumed three different isoenergetic meals: Western diet‐like high‐fat (WDHF), Western diet‐like high‐carbohydrate (WDHC), and Mediterranean diet (MED) meal. Blood samples are collected at fasting and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 h postprandially and analyzed for parameters of lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, oxidation, and antioxidant status.

Results

Compared to MED and WDHF meals, intake of a WDHC meal results in prolonged and elevated increases in glucose and insulin. Elevations for triglycerides are enhanced after the WDHF meal compared to the MED and the WDHC meal. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and interleukin‐6 increase postprandially without meal differences. Apart from vitamin C showing an increase after the MED meal and a decrease after WDHF and WDHC meals, antioxidant markers decrease postprandially without meal differences. Plasma interleukin‐1β is not affected by meal intake.

Conclusions

Energy‐rich meals induce hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, an inflammatory response, and a decrease in antioxidant markers. A meal typical for the Mediterranean diet results in favorable effects on glycemic, insulinemic, and lipemic responses.
β‐1,3/1,6‐Glucans and Immunity: State of the Art and Future Directions
Authors: De Marco Castro Elena , Calder Philip C. , Roche Helen M.
Published: March 2020

The innate immune system responds in a rapid and non‐specific manner against immunologic threats; inflammation is part of this response. This is followed by a slower but targeted and specific response termed the adaptive or acquired immune response. There is emerging evidence that dietary components, including yeast‐derived β‐glucans, can aid host defense against pathogens by modulating inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of neutrophils and macrophages. Innate immune training refers to a newly recognized phenomenon wherein compounds may “train” innate immune cells, such that monocyte and macrophage precursor biology is altered to mount a more effective immunological response. Although various human studies have been carried out, much uncertainty still exists and further studies are required to fully elucidate the relationship between β‐glucan supplementation and human immune function. This review offers an up‐to‐date report on yeast‐derived β‐glucans as immunomodulators, including a brief overview of the current paradigm regarding the interaction of β‐glucans with the immune system. The recent pre‐clinical work that has partly decrypted mode of action and the newest evidence from human trials are also reviewed. According to pre‐clinical studies, β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan derived from baker's yeast may offer increased immuno‐surveillance, although the human evidence is weaker than that gained from pre‐clinical studies.
Monomeric Flavanols Are More Efficient Substrates for Gut Microbiota Conversion to Hydroxyphenyl‐γ‐Valerolactone Metabolites Than Oligomeric Procyanidins: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Human Intervention Trial
Authors: Hollands Wendy J , Philo Mark , Perez‐Moral Natalia , Needs Paul W , Savva George M , Kroon Paul A
Published: March 2020

Scope

The majority of ingested flavanols reach the colon where they are catabolized by the microbiota to form hydroxyphenyl‐γ‐valerolactones (HGVLs). It is not known if the HGVLs are catabolic products of monomeric (epi)catechins (EPC), oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), or both. Using data from a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover trial the relative contributions of catechins and OPC to the bioavailable pool of HGVLs are estimated.

Methods and results

Participants ingested an apple extract once daily for 28 days that delivered the following: i) 70 mg EPC and 65 mg OPC (low dose EPC), ii) 140 mg EPC and 130 mg OPC (high dose EPC), iii) 6 mg EPC and 130 mg OPC (OPC), and iv) a placebo control. Urine is collected over a 24‐h period before and after treatments. The median urinary excretion of HGVLs after ingestion of the high dose EPC is tenfold higher than that excreted after ingestion of the OPC that provided an equivalent dose of PC. Approximately 22% of catechins are converted to HGVLs in contrast to PC, for which there is limited conversion.

Conclusion

Monomeric catechins are efficiently converted to derived HGVLs that are absorbed and excreted in human urine, whereas oligomeric PCs are much less efficiently converted.