bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural genetic variation for expression of a SWEET transporter among wild species of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) determines the hexose composition of ripening tomato fruit
Authors: Shammai Arik , Petreikov Marina , Yeselson Yelena , Faigenboim Adi , Moy‐Komemi Michal , Cohen Shahar , Cohen Dvir , Besaulov Eduard , Efrati Ari , Houminer Naomi , Bar Moshe , Ast Tslil , Schuldiner Maya , Klemens P.A.W. , Neuhaus Ekkehard , Baxter Charles J. , Rickett Dan , Bonnet Julien , White Ruth , Giovannoni James J. , Levin Ilan , Schaffer Arthur
Published: July 2018

The sugar content of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) fruit is a primary determinant of taste and quality. Cultivated tomato fruit are characterized by near‐equimolar levels of the hexoses glucose and fructose, derived from the hydrolysis of translocated sucrose. As fructose is perceived as approximately twice as sweet as glucose, increasing its concentration at the expense of glucose can improve tomato fruit taste. Introgressions of the FgrH allele from the wild species Solanum habrochaites (LA1777) into cultivated tomato increased the fructose‐to‐glucose ratio of the ripe fruit by reducing glucose levels and concomitantly increasing fructose levels. In order to identify the function of the Fgr gene, we combined a fine‐mapping strategy with RNAseq differential expression analysis of near‐isogenic tomato lines. The results indicated that a SWEET protein was strongly upregulated in the lines with a high fructose‐to‐glucose ratio. Overexpressing the SWEET protein in transgenic tomato plants dramatically reduced the glucose levels and increased the fructose : glucose ratio in the developing fruit, thereby proving the function of the protein. The SWEET protein was localized to the plasma membrane and expression of the SlFgr gene in a yeast line lacking native hexose transporters complemented growth with glucose, but not with fructose. These results indicate that the SlFgr gene encodes a plasma membrane‐localized glucose efflux transporter of the SWEET family, the overexpression of which reduces glucose levels and may allow for increased fructose levels. This article identifies the function of the tomato Fgr gene as a SWEET transporter, the upregulation of which leads to a modified sugar accumulation pattern in the fleshy fruit. The results point to the potential of the inedible wild species to improve fruit sugar accumulation via sugar transport mechanisms.
Anticipated but Unwelcome
Authors: Langston Lee S.
Published: July 2018

This article provides the latest trends in the gas turbines market and their future outlook. The last three years of operation have generated more profit for the commercial airline industry than the previous 30 years combined. That money has led to new orders for commercial aircraft and as a result, production of commercial aviation gas turbines is in full swing. Engine manufacturers such as Pratt&Whitney, Rolls-Royce, General Electric, Safran, and others have taken this surge in orders as an incentive to develop new technology. The launch of a new jet engine by a manufacturer can be a multi-billion dollar effort. Financial projections and executive careers hang on a smooth roll-out of the new technology.
Global Sustainability through Closed-Loop Precision Animal Agriculture
Authors: Balakuntala Mythra Vsm , Ayad Mustafa , Voyles Richard M. , White Robin , Nawrocki Robert , Sundaram Shreyas , Priya Shashank , Chiu George , Donkin Shawn , Min Byung-Cheol , Daniels Kristy
Published: July 2018

The Earth is at a sociotechnical crossroads with humanity hanging in the balance – and high-tech agriculture can help bail us out. Human population growth, increasing urbanization and rising incomes is likely to drastically increase demand for animal agriculture in the coming decades. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts the need to double global food production by 2050 as the global population increases from 7.3 billion in 2015 to 9.7 billion in 2050 as shown in Fig 1. Much of this growth will be concentrated in the world’s poorest countries where standards of living are set to rise rapidly, increasing the demand for resource-intensive meat and dairy products which has been the historical trend. At the same time, agriculture in the 21st century faces multiple challenges: it must produce more food and fiber to feed a growing population with a smaller rural labor force, produce additional feedstocks for a potentially huge bioenergy market, contribute to overall development in the many agriculture-dependent developing countries, adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods, and adapt to climate change. Additionally, the world’s arable land is already fully employed and shrinking -- the world has lost a third of its arable land due to erosion or pollution in the past 40 years. All these factors put enormous pressure on improving the production efficiency of the world’s supply of food to meet the demand.
Seeing slavery in seafood supply chains
Authors: Nakamura Katrina , Bishop Lori , Ward Trevor , Pramod Ganapathiraju , Thomson Dominic Chakra , Tungpuchayakul Patima , Srakaew Sompong
Published: July 2018

We combined reliable human rights data and industry technology to identify ways to remediate forced labor risk in seafood production.
A stratospheric pathway linking a colder Siberia to Barents-Kara Sea sea ice loss
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Wu Yutian , Simpson Isla R. , Smith Karen L. , Zhang Xiangdong , De Bithi , Callaghan Patrick
Published: July 2018

Stratosphere-troposphere dynamical coupling links the Siberian cold winters to sea ice loss over Barents-Kara seas.
Global hot spots of transshipment of fish catch at sea
Authors: Boerder Kristina , Miller Nathan A. , Worm Boris
Published: July 2018

Satellite tracking of global transfer of catch from fishing boats to cargo vessels enables better tracing of seafood supply chains.
Liquid water on Mars
Authors: Diez Anja
Published: July 2018

A water body exists below the martian south polar ice cap
Transcriptional signature primes human oral mucosa for rapid wound healing
Authors: Iglesias-Bartolome Ramiro , Uchiyama Akihiko , Molinolo Alfredo A. , Abusleme Loreto , Brooks Stephen R. , Callejas-Valera Juan Luis , Edwards Dean , Doci Colleen , Asselin-Labat Marie-Liesse , Onaitis Mark W. , Moutsopoulos Niki M. , Silvio Gutkind J. , Morasso Maria I.
Published: July 2018

Transcriptional profiling of human cutaneous and oral wound healing reveals pathways involved in rapid wound resolution.
Inhibition of activin signaling in lung adenocarcinoma increases the therapeutic index of platinum chemotherapy
Authors: Marini Kieren D. , Croucher David R. , McCloy Rachael A. , Vaghjiani Vijesh , Gonzalez-Rajal Alvaro , Hastings Jordan F. , Chin Venessa , Szczepny Anette , Kostyrko Kaja , Marquez Cesar , Jayasekara W. Samantha N. , Alamgeer Muhammad , Boolell Vishal , Han Jeremy Z. R. , Waugh Todd , Lee Hong Ching , Oakes Samantha R. , Kumar Beena , Harrison Craig A. , Hedger Mark P. , Lorensuhewa Nirmal , Kita Badia , Barrow Ross , Robinson Bruce W. , de Kretser David M. , Wu Jianmin , Ganju Vinod , Sweet-Cordero E. Alejandro , Burgess Andrew , Martelotto Luciano G. , Rossello Fernando J. , Cain Jason E. , Watkins D. Neil
Published: July 2018

Inhibition of activin signaling enhances the efficacy and safety of platinum chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma models.
Convection-enhanced delivery of drugs for deadliest pediatric brain tumors
Authors: Singh Ankur
Published: July 2018

Convection-enhanced delivery in the brainstem of children with tumors is clinically feasible and safe within defined parameters.
Blame the gut for a fatty liver!
Authors: Yang Ming
Published: July 2018

Microbiota dysbiosis may play a key role in triggering hepatic steatosis in nondiabetic obese women.
An Amidase Gene,
ipaH
, Is Responsible for the Initial Step in the Iprodione Degradation Pathway of Paenarthrobacter sp. Strain YJN-5
Authors: Yang Zhangong , Jiang Wankui , Wang Xiaohan , Cheng Tong , Zhang Desong , Wang Hui , Qiu Jiguo , Cao Li , Wang Xiang , Hong Qing
Published: July 2018

Iprodione is a widely used dicarboxamide fungicide, and its residue has been frequently detected in the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified iprodione as moderately toxic to small animals and a probable carcinogen to humans. Bacterial degradation of iprodione has been widely investigated. Previous studies demonstrate that hydrolysis of its N-1 amide bond is the initial step in the typical bacterial degradation pathway of iprodione; however, enzymes or genes involved in iprodione degradation have yet to be reported. In this study, a novel
ipaH
gene encoding an amidase responsible for the initial degradation step of iprodione in
Paenarthrobacter
sp. strain YJN-5 was cloned. In addition, the characteristics and key amino acid sites of IpaH were investigated. These findings enhance our understanding of the microbial degradation mechanism of iprodione.
Genome Plasticity of
agr
-Defective Staphylococcus aureus during Clinical Infection
Authors: Altman Deena R. , Sullivan Mitchell J. , Chacko Kieran I. , Balasubramanian Divya , Pak Theodore R. , Sause William E. , Kumar Krishan , Sebra Robert , Deikus Gintaras , Attie Oliver , Rose Hannah , Lewis Martha , Fulmer Yi , Bashir Ali , Kasarskis Andrew , Schadt Eric E. , Richardson Anthony R. , Torres Victor J. , Shopsin Bo , van Bakel Harm
Published: July 2018

Therapy for bacteremia caused by
Staphylococcus aureus
is often ineffective, even when treatment conditions are optimal according to experimental protocols. Adapted subclones, such as those bearing mutations that attenuate
agr
-mediated virulence activation, are associated with persistent infection and patient mortality.
Stability of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serological Markers in Samples Collected as HemaSpot and Whatman 903 Dried Blood Spots
Authors: Manak Mark M. , Hack Holly R. , Shutt Ashley L. , Danboise Brook A. , Jagodzinski Linda L. , Peel Sheila A.
Published: July 2018

Dried blood spots (DBS) are frequently used in clinical testing for biosurveillance, infectious disease and confirmatory testing, and clinical trials, particularly for populations in remote areas. The HemaSpot-HF blood collection device (HS) provides an alternative format to the Whatman 903 cards (903) to simplify sample collection and processing.
Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Entry by a Low-pH Endosomal Pathway
Authors: Pastenkos Gabrielle , Lee Becky , Pritchard Suzanne M. , Nicola Anthony V.
Published: July 2018

BoHV-1 is a ubiquitous pathogen affecting cattle populations worldwide. Infection can result in complicated, polymicrobial infections due to the immunosuppressive properties of the virus. While there are vaccines on the market, they only limit disease severity and spread but do not prevent infection. The financial and animal welfare ramifications of this virus are significant, and in order to develop more effective prevention and treatment regimens, a more complete understanding of the initial steps in viral infection is necessary. This research establishes the initial entry pathway of BoHV-1, which provides a foundation for future development of effective treatments and preventative vaccines. Additionally, it allows comparisons to the entry pathways of other alphaherpesviruses, such as HSV-1.
Characterization of the Genome Sequences of Enterovirus C109 from Two Respiratory Disease Cases in Florida, 2016
Authors: Ng Terry Fei Fan , Yglesias Joseph A. , Stevenson-Yuen Tiffany A. , Wolfe Caitlin M. , Cone Marshall R. , Heberlein-Larson Lea A. , Maher Kaija , Rogers Shannon , Chern Shur-Wern Wang , Montmayeur Anna , Castro Christina , Nix W. Allan
Published: July 2018

The genomic sequences of two enterovirus C109 isolates (EV-C109 USA/FL/2016-21003 and EV-C109 USA/FL/2016-21002) were obtained during two separate case investigations of respiratory disease in two children. This marks the first description of EV-C109 genomes in the United States.
New Reference Genome Sequences for 17 Bacterial Strains of the Honey Bee Gut Microbiota
Authors: Ellegaard Kirsten M. , Engel Philipp
Published: July 2018

We sequenced the genomes of 17 strains isolated from the gut of honey bees, including strains representing the genera
Lactobacillus
,
Bifidobacterium
,
Gilliamella
,
Snodgrassella
,
Frischella
, and
Commensalibacter
. These genome sequences represent an important step forward in the development of a comprehensive reference database to aid future analysis of this emerging gut microbiota model.
Lifetime prevalence, correlates and health consequences of gender-based violence victimisation and perpetration among men and women in Somalia
Authors: Wirtz Andrea L , Perrin Nancy A , Desgroppes Amelie , Phipps Verena , Abdi Ali A , Ross Brendan , Kaburu Francesco , Kajue Isatu , Kutto Ezekiel , Taniguchi Eri , Glass Nancy
Published: July 2018

Background

Humanitarian emergencies increase the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). We estimated the prevalence of GBV victimisation and perpetration among women and men in urban settings across Somalia, which has faced decades of war and natural disasters that have resulted in massive population displacements.

Methods

A population-based survey was conducted in 14 urban areas across Somalia between December 2014 and November 2015.

Results

A total of 2376 women and 2257 men participated in the survey. One in five men (22.2%, 95% CI 20.5 to 23.9) and one in seven (15.5%; 95% CI 14.1 to 17.0) women reported physical or sexual violence victimisation during childhood. Among women, 35.6% (95% CI 33.4 to 37.9) reported adult lifetime experiences of physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and 16.5% (95% CI 15.1 to 18.1) reported adult lifetime experience of physical or sexual non-partner violence (NPV). Almost one-third of men (31.2%; 95% CI 29.4 to 33.1) reported victimisation as an adult, the majority of which was physical violence. Twenty-two per cent (21.7%; 95% CI 19.5 to 24.1) of men reported lifetime sexual or physical IPV perpetration and 8.1% (95% CI 7.1 to 9.3) reported lifetime sexual or physical NPV perpetration. Minority clan membership, displacement, exposure to parental violence and violence during childhood were common correlates of IPV and NPV victimisation and perpetration among women and men. Victimisation and perpetration were also strongly associated with recent depression and experiences of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Conclusion

GBV is prevalent and spans all regions of Somalia. Programmes that support nurturing environments for children and provide health and psychosocial support for women and men are critical to prevent and respond to GBV.
Development of a novel device for objective respiratory rate measurement in low-resource settings
Authors: Turnbull Hayley , Kasereka Masumbuko Claude , Amirav Israel , Sahika Sivasivugha Eugénie , Solomon Ian , Aldar Yossi , Hawkes Michael T
Published: July 2018

Objective

To evaluate a novel device (Respimometer) for objective measurement of respiratory rate (RR) in low-resource settings.

Design

Description of prototype development, with proof-of-concept pilot field study at four paediatric healthcare facilities in Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The instrument was tested in healthy adult volunteers (n=10) and Congolese children (n=42) and compared with timed breaths (adults) or by reference comparator capnography (children). Correlation and Bland-Altman plots were generated for paired measurements.

Results

The Respimometer is shaped like an oral thermometer and is placed in the mouth of the participants. RR is measured by thermistors positioned at the nasal outlet, which detect the temperature change between inhaled and exhaled breaths. In adult volunteers, the correlation coefficient between the delivered RR and the Respimometer measurement was median 0.992 (IQR 0.980–0.999). Measurement bias was −0.50 min−1(95% CI −1.1 to +0.07, p=0.093), with upper and lower limits of agreement of −5.2 min−1and 4.2 min−1, respectively. Among Congolese children, there was no evidence of bias: mean difference in RR +1.0 min−1(95% CI −2.1 to +4.1, p=0.52). The upper and lower limits of agreement were −18 and +20 min−1, respectively.

Conclusion

The Respimometer can accurately measure the RR in healthy adults and children in DRC. A simple and accurate instrument could facilitate the diagnosis of pneumonia by community health workers in low-income and middle-income countries, leading to reduced pneumonia-related deaths.
Cross-sectional survey of the amount of sugar and energy in cakes and biscuits on sale in the UK for the evaluation of the sugar-reduction programme
Authors: Hashem Kawther M , He Feng J , Alderton Sarah A , MacGregor Graham A
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To investigate the variation in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits available in the UK.

Design

We carried out a cross-sectional survey in 2016 of 381 cakes and 481 biscuits available in nine main UK supermarkets.

Methods

The sugar and energy content was collected from product packaging and nutrition labelling of cake and biscuit products.

Results

The average sugar content in cakes and biscuits was 36.6±7.6 and 30.0±9.2 g/100 g, respectively. The mean energy content was 406±37 for cakes and 484±38 kcal/100 g for biscuits. There was a large variation in sugar and energy content between different cake and biscuit categories and within the same category. 97% of cakes and 74% of biscuits would receive a ‘red’ (high) label for sugar.

Conclusions

This research makes available baseline data of the cakes and biscuits market in the UK for future evaluation of the recently launched sugar-reduction programme. The study showed that reductions in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits are possible, since there was a large variation in sugar and energy content between different cake and biscuit categories and within the same category. A reduction in sugar and energy content, and overall cake and biscuit consumption, can help reduce overall sugar and energy intake in the UK and thus reduce the risk of obesity and dental caries.
Implementation of a skilled nursing facility readmission review process
Authors: Mendu Mallika L , Michaelidis Constantinos I , Chu Michele C , Sahota Jasdeep , Hauser Lauren , Fay Emily , Smith Aimee , Huether Mary Ann , Dobija John , Yurkofsky Mark , Pu Charles T , Britton Kathryn
Published: July 2018

30-day readmissions for patients at skilled nursing facilities (SNF) are common and preventable. We implemented a readmission review process for patients readmitted from two SNFs, involving an electronic review tool and monthly conferences. The electronic review tool captures information related to preventability and factors contributing to readmission. The study included 128 patients, readmitted within 30 days from 1 October 2015 through 1 May 2017, at a tertiary care academic medical centre in Boston, MA, and two partnering SNFs. There was a discrepancy in preventability rating between SNF and hospital reviewers, with 79.7% of cases rated not preventable by the SNF, and 58.6% by the hospital. There was moderate positive correlation between the hospital’s and SNFs’ preventability ratings (rs=0.652, p<0.001). In most cases, the SNF reviewers felt that no factors contributed (57.8%), and hospital reviewers felt that issues with end-of-life planning (14.1%) and medical complexity (12.5%) were major factors. Despite the lack of strong correlation between SNF and hospital responses, several cross-continuum quality improvement projects were developed. We found that implementation of a SNF readmission review process employing bidirectional review by SNF and hospital was feasible, and facilitated systems-based improvement in the transition from hospital to postacute care.
Purple urine bag syndrome in palliative care
Authors: Wattanapisit Sanhapan , Wattanapisit Apichai , Meepuakmak Anong , Rakkapan Pornnipa
Published: July 2018

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is a rare condition characterised by urine discolouration. The management of PUBS remains controversial. Four females (mean age 84.5±9.7 years) with palliative conditions (two cancer and two non-cancer cases) presenting PUBS were identified. Urine bags were changed in all cases. Urinary catheters were changed in three cases. Oral antibiotics were prescribed in two cases and used in one case. Urine discolouration was resolved in all cases. One patient (without antibiotic treatment) died on day 5 after presentation of PUBS. Three patients (one out of three cases used oral antibiotics) were clinically stable after the management of PUBS. There was no recurrence of PUBS. Caring for patients with PUBS should be based on clinical decisions, patient status and the goals of care. Palliative care teams should focus on the prevention of PUBS by shortening the duration of catheterisation and minimising modifiable risk factors for this condition.
A novel semi-quantum secret sharing scheme using entangled states
Authors: Yin Ai Han , Tong Yan
Published: July 2018

Semi-quantum secret sharing (SQSS) can transmit secret messages. Most existing SQSS protocols can only use one or two specific entangled states to share unspecific or specific classical message. In this paper, we propose a novel SQSS protocol using N different unspecific two-particle entangled state [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] to share unspecific message, in which quantum Alice can transmit classical messages with classical Bob and Charlie. In addition, we have proved that the protocol can strongly resist some forms of eavesdropping.
Children as Interactional Brokers of Care
Authors: García-Sánchez Inmaculada M.
Published: July 2018

Bringing together ethnographic approaches to childhood, linguistic anthropology, and relational–feminist perspectives on care, this review focuses on the role of children as interactional brokers of care, a role that has been underappreciated. Building from the premise that, through language, children perform a fundamental form of other-oriented care—that of mediating another person's ability to express themselves—this review explores the material, political, moral, and affective dimensions of children's interactional care work. Attention to the interactional–relational aspects of children's caregiving shows the extent to which children are involved in facilitating the circulation of care and enabling community care networks, and it opens up new possibilities for how we conceptualize care: It illuminates the processes through which care practices are organized, negotiated, and enacted at the intersection of the local and the global; it reveals care as a reciprocal, distributed interactional achievement; and it helps us transcend dichotomies that have characterized scholarly thinking about care.
Variation and Evolution of Function-Valued Traits
Authors: Gomulkiewicz Richard , Kingsolver Joel G. , Carter Patrick A. , Heckman Nancy
Published: July 2018

Function-valued traits—phenotypes whose expression depends on a continuous index (such as age, temperature, or space)—occur throughout biology and, like any trait, it is important to understand how they vary and evolve. Although methods for analyzing variation and evolution of function-valued traits are well developed, they have been underutilized by evolutionists, especially those who study natural populations. We seek to summarize advances in the study of function-valued traits and to make their analyses more approachable and accessible to biologists who could benefit greatly from their use. To that end, we explain how curve thinking benefits conceptual understanding and statistical analysis of functional data. We provide a detailed guide to the most flexible and statistically powerful methods and include worked examples (with R code) as supplemental material. We review ways to characterize variation in function-valued traits and analyze consequences for evolution, including constraint. We also discuss how selection on function-valued traits can be estimated and combined with estimates of heritable variation to project evolutionary dynamics.
Approaches for testing hypotheses for the hypometric scaling of aerobic metabolic rate in animals
Authors: Harrison Jon F.
Published: July 2018

Hypometric scaling of aerobic metabolism [larger organisms have lower mass-specific metabolic rates (MR/g)] is nearly universal for interspecific comparisons among animals, yet we lack an agreed upon explanation for this pattern. If physiological constraints on the function of larger animals occur and limit MR/g, these should be observable as direct constraints on animals of extant species and/or as evolved responses to compensate for the proposed constraint. There is evidence for direct constraints and compensatory responses to O2supply constraint in skin-breathing animals, but not in vertebrates with gas-exchange organs. The duration of food retention in the gut is longer for larger birds and mammals, consistent with a direct constraint on nutrient uptake across the gut wall, but there is little evidence for evolving compensatory responses to gut transport constraints in larger animals. Larger placental mammals (but not marsupials or birds) show evidence of greater challenges with heat dissipation, but there is little evidence for compensatory adaptations to enhance heat loss in larger endotherms, suggesting that metabolic rate (MR) more generally balances heat loss for thermoregulation in endotherms. Size-dependent patterns in many molecular, physiological, and morphological properties are consistent with size-dependent natural selection, such as stronger selection for neurolocomotor performance and growth rate in smaller animals and stronger selection for safety and longevity in larger animals. Hypometric scaling of MR very likely arises from different mechanisms in different taxa and conditions, consistent with the diversity of scaling slopes for MR.
Doxycycline attenuates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through pleiotropic effects
Authors: Nakagawa Terumasa , Kakizoe Yutaka , Iwata Yasunobu , Miyasato Yoshikazu , Mizumoto Teruhiko , Adachi Masataka , Izumi Yuichiro , Kuwabara Takashige , Suenaga Naoki , Narita Yuki , Jono Hirofumi , Saito Hideyuki , Kitamura Kenichiro , Mukoyama Masashi
Published: July 2018

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a widely-used chemotherapeutic drug for solid tumors, but its nephrotoxicity is a major dose-limiting factor. Doxycycline (Dox) is a tetracycline antibiotic that has been commonly used in a variety of infections. Dox has been shown to possess several other properties, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-inhibiting actions. We, therefore, investigated whether Dox exerts renoprotective effects in CDDP-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following groups: 1) control, 2) Dox (2 mg/ml in drinking water), 3) CDDP (25 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally), and 4) CDDP+Dox. After seven days of pretreatment with Dox, CDDP was administered and the animals were killed at day 1 or day 3. We evaluated renal function along with renal histological damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. MMP and serine protease activities in the kidney tissues were assessed using zymography. Administration of CDDP exhibited renal dysfunction and caused histological damage predominantly in the proximal tubules. Dox did not affect either expression of CDDP transporters or the accumulation of CDDP in renal tissues; however, it significantly ameliorated renal dysfunction and histological changes together with reduced detrimental responses, such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidneys. Furthermore, Dox inhibited the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as serine proteases in the kidney tissues. Finally, Dox markedly mitigated apoptosis in renal tubules. Thus, Dox ameliorated CDDP-induced AKI through its pleiotropic effects. Our results suggest that Dox may become a novel strategy for the prevention of CDDP-induced AKI in humans.
Transient visual perturbations boost short-term balance learning in virtual reality by modulating electrocortical activity
Authors: Peterson Steven M. , Rios Estefania , Ferris Daniel P.
Published: July 2018

Immersive virtual reality can expose humans to novel training and sensory environments, but motor training with virtual reality has not been able to improve motor performance as much as motor training in real-world conditions. An advantage of immersive virtual reality that has not been fully leveraged is that it can introduce transient visual perturbations on top of the visual environment being displayed. The goal of this study was to determine whether transient visual perturbations introduced in immersive virtual reality modify electrocortical activity and behavioral outcomes in human subjects practicing a novel balancing task during walking. We studied three groups of healthy young adults (5 male and 5 female for each) while they learned a balance beam walking task for 30 min under different conditions. Two groups trained while wearing a virtual reality headset, and one of those groups also had half-second visual rotation perturbations lasting ~10% of the training time. The third group trained without virtual reality. We recorded high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and movement kinematics. We hypothesized that virtual reality training with perturbations would increase electrocortical activity and improve balance performance compared with virtual reality training without perturbations. Our results confirmed the hypothesis. Brief visual perturbations induced increased theta spectral power and decreased alpha spectral power in parietal and occipital regions and improved balance performance in posttesting. Our findings indicate that transient visual perturbations during immersive virtual reality training can boost short-term motor learning by inducing a cognitive change, minimizing the negative effects of virtual reality on motor training.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that transient visual perturbations in virtual reality during balance training can boost short-term motor learning by inducing a cognitive change, overcoming the negative effects of immersive virtual reality. As a result, subjects training in immersive virtual reality with visual perturbations have equivalent performance improvement as training in real-world conditions. Visual perturbations elicited cortical responses in occipital and parietal regions and may have improved the brain’s ability to adapt to variations in sensory input.
Layer 4 barrel cortex neurons retain their response properties during whisker replacement
Authors: Maier Eduard , Brecht Michael
Published: July 2018

Bodies change continuously, but we do not know if and how these changes affect somatosensory cortex. We address this issue in the whisker-barrel-cortex-pathway. We ask how outgrowing whiskers are mapped onto layer 4 barrel neuron responses. Half of whisker follicles contained dual whiskers, a shorter presumably outgrowing whisker (referred to as young whisker) and a longer one (referred to as old whisker). Young whiskers were much thinner than old ones but were inserted more deeply into the whisker follicle. Both whiskers were embedded in one outer root sheath surrounded by a common set of afferent nerve fibers. We juxtacellularly identified layer 4 barrel neurons representing dual whiskers with variable whisker length differences in anesthetized rats. Strength and latency of neuronal responses were strongly correlated for deflections of young and old whiskers but were not correlated with whisker length. The direction preferences of young and old whiskers were more similar than expected by chance. Old whiskers evoked marginally stronger and slightly shorter latency spike and local field potential responses than young whiskers. Our data suggest a conservative rewiring mechanism, which connects young whiskers to existing peripheral sensors. The fact that layer 4 barrel neurons retain their response properties is remarkable given the different length, thickness, and insertion depth of young and old whiskers. Retention of cortical response properties might be related to the placement of young and old whisker in one common outer root sheath and may contribute to perceptual stability across whisker replacement.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A particularly dramatic bodily change is whisker regrowth, which involves the formation of dual whisker follicles. Our results suggest that both whiskers are part of the same mechanoreceptive unit. Despite their distinct whisker length and thickness, responses of single cortical neurons to young and old whisker deflection were similar in strength, latency, and directional tuning. We suggest the congruence of young and old whisker cortical responses contributes to perceptual stability over whisker regrowth.
Estimating the sensorimotor components of cybersickness
Authors: Weech Séamas , Varghese Jessy Parokaran , Barnett-Cowan Michael
Published: July 2018

The user base of the virtual reality (VR) medium is growing, and many of these users will experience cybersickness. Accounting for the vast interindividual variability in cybersickness forms a pivotal step in solving the issue. Most studies of cybersickness focus on a single factor (e.g., balance, sex, or vection), while other contributors are overlooked. Here, we characterize the complex relationship between cybersickness and several measures of sensorimotor processing. In a single session, we conducted a battery of tests of balance control, vection responses, and vestibular sensitivity to self-motion. Following this, we measured cybersickness after VR exposure. We constructed a principal components regression model using the measures of sensorimotor processing. The model significantly predicted 37% of the variability in cybersickness measures, with 16% of this variance being accounted for by a principal component that represented balance control measures. The strongest predictor was participants’ sway path length during vection, which was inversely related to cybersickness [ r(28) = −0.53, P = 0.002] and uniquely accounted for 7.5% of the variance in cybersickness scores across participants. Vection strength reports and measures of vestibular sensitivity were not significant predictors of cybersickness. We discuss the possible role of sensory reweighting in cybersickness that is suggested by these results, and we identify other factors that may account for the remaining variance in cybersickness. The results reiterate that the relationship between balance control and cybersickness is anything but straightforward.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The advent of consumer virtual reality provides a pressing need for interventions that combat sickness in simulated environments (cybersickness). This research builds on multiple theories of cybersickness etiology to develop a predictive model that distinguishes between individuals who are/are not likely to experience cybersickness. In the future this approach can be adapted to provide virtual reality users with curated content recommendations based on more efficient measurements of sensorimotor processing.
The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Metabolic Syndrome: A Possible Chronobiotic-Cytoprotective Adjuvant Therapy
Authors: Spinedi Eduardo , Cardinali Daniel P.
Published: July 2018

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a highly frequent reproductive-endocrine disorder affecting up to 8–10% of women worldwide at reproductive age. Although its etiology is not fully understood, evidence suggests that insulin resistance, with or without compensatory hyperinsulinemia, and hyperandrogenism are very common features of the polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype. Dysfunctional white adipose tissue has been identified as a major contributing factor for insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Environmental (e.g., chronodisruption) and genetic/epigenetic factors may also play relevant roles in syndrome development. Overweight and/or obesity are very common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, thus suggesting that some polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome female phenotypes share common characteristics. Sleep disturbances have been reported to double in women with PCOS and obstructive sleep apnea is a common feature in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Maturation of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone secretion pattern in girls in puberty is closely related to changes in the sleep-wake cycle and could have relevance in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. This review article focuses on two main issues in the polycystic ovary syndrome-metabolic syndrome phenotype development: (a) the impact of androgen excess on white adipose tissue function and (b) the possible efficacy of adjuvant melatonin therapy to improve the chronobiologic profile in polycystic ovary syndrome-metabolic syndrome individuals. Genetic variants in melatonin receptor have been linked to increased risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome, to impairments in insulin secretion, and to increased fasting glucose levels. Melatonin therapy may protect against several metabolic syndrome comorbidities in polycystic ovary syndrome and could be applied from the initial phases of patients’ treatment.
Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of Polyherbal Formulation in Oligospermic Males
Authors: Hussain Syed Ammar , Hameed Ahsan , Nasir Furqan , Wu Yang , Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul , Song Yuanda
Published: July 2018

The therapeutic use of natural herbs is an ancient human civilization act and the numbers of people have reliance on their pharmacological properties and preferred to use the natural herbs. People also use to consume these herbs as supplements to energize, bolster, and eventually enhance sexual ability. Polyherbal formulation (PHF) is one of these herbal amalgams that can be used to treat sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction, impotence, ejaculation dysfunction, and hypogonadism. The pilot study was aimed at evaluating the capacity of PHF in enhancing the spermatogenic potential of oligospermic patients. Thirty-six male patients with oligospermia were enrolled and randomized either to treatment (n = 23) with PHF (750 mg/d in three doses for 90 days) or to placebo (n = 13) in the same protocol. The preintervention semen analysis was compared with posttreatment semen analysis. Based on the postintervention semen analysis, patients were advised to undergo eitherin vitrofertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to assess their fertility status. After polyherbal treatment, there was a 256% increase in sperm concentration (9.59±4.37×106/mL to25.61±8.6×106/mL; P ≤0.001), 154% increase in semen volume (1.7±0.14 mL to4.32±0.38 mL; P ≤0.001), and 215% increase in sperm motility (15.43±2.40% to48.65±5.10%; P ≤ 0.001) on day 90 from baseline. Furthermore, a significant improvement and regulation were also observed in serum hormone levels with PHF treatment as compared to the placebo group. The present study demonstrated the evidence on synergistic spermatogenic effect of PHF as attributed in ayurveda for the treatment of oligospermia leading to infertility.
Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Datasets: The Next Frontier in Noninvasive Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Ball Caroline , Pontone Gianluca , Rabbat Mark
Published: July 2018

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) derived from coronary CTA datasets (FFRCT) is a major advance in cardiovascular imaging that provides critical information to the Heart Team without exposing the patient to excessive risk. Previously, invasive FFR measurements obtained during a cardiac catheterization have been demonstrated to reduce contrast use, number of stents, and cost of care and improve outcomes. However, there are barriers to routine use of FFR in the cardiac catheterization suite. FFRCT values are obtained using resting 3D coronary CTA images using computational fluid dynamics. Several multicenter clinical trials have demonstrated the diagnostic superiority of FFRCT over traditional coronary CTA for the diagnosis of functionally significant coronary artery disease. This review provides a background of FFR, technical aspects of FFRCT, clinical applications and interpretation of FFRCT values, clinical trial data, and future directions of the technology.
Simulation of Daily Rainfall from Concurrent Meteorological Parameters over Core Monsoon Region of India: A Novel Approach
Authors: Misra Utpal , Deshamukhya Atri , Sharma Sanjay , Pal Srimanta
Published: July 2018

In the present work, daily rainfall is simulated over the core monsoon region of India by using a feedforward multilayer perceptron (MLP) model. Daily rainfall is found to be optimally dependent on four concurrent meteorological parameters, namely, geopotential height, specific humidity, zonal, and meridional wind at 1000 mb, 925 mb, 850 mb, and 700 mb pressure levels during 00, 06, 12, and 18 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The architecture of the optimized feedforward MLP model consists of 64 nodes in the input layer, 10 nodes in the hidden layer, and 1 node in the output layer. The results from the model are compared with the 3B42 (version 7) rainfall product. In terms of root mean square error (rmse) and correlation coefficient (cc), the model is performing better compared to the satellite-derived 3B42 rainfall product, whereas in terms of bias, the performance of the 3B42 product is better compared to the model. The weight matrices of the feedforward MLP model are estimated at a particular location (22.5°N, 82.5°E). These weight matrices are able to simulate daily rainfall at neighbourhood locations also with reasonably good accuracy with cc in the range of 0.41 to 0.55. The performance of the model improves in case of an aerial average of daily rainfall with significantly enhanced cc (0.72). The model is able to capture monthly and intraseasonal variation of rainfall with reasonably good accuracy, with cc of 0.88 and 0.68, respectively. The simulation model has a limitation that it is not able to simulate extreme high rainfall events (>60 mm/day). Overall, the developed model is performing reasonably well. This approach has a potential to be used as a rain parameterization scheme in the dynamical atmospheric and coupled models to simulate daily rainfall. Nevertheless, the present approach can also be used for multistep prediction of rainfall.
Unusual Sign from an Unusual Cause: Wellens’ Syndrome due to Myocardial Bridging
Authors: Ambesh Paurush , Sharma Dikshya , Kapoor Aditya , Hess Aviva-Tobin , Shetty Vijay , Hollander Gerald , Shani Jacob , Kamholz Stephan , Saradna Arjun , Akkad Isaac , Obiagwu Chukwudi
Published: July 2018

It is vital to recognize correctly, chest pain of cardiac etiology. Most commonly, it is because of blood supply-demand inequity in the myocardium. However, the phenomenon of myocardial bridging as a cause of cardiac chest pain has come to attention reasonably recently. Herein, a coronary artery with a normal epicardial orientation develops a transient myocardial course. If the cardiac muscle burden is substantial, the respective artery gets compressed during each cycle of systole, thereby impeding blood flow in the artery. Hence, myocardial bridging has been attributed to as a rare cause of angina. In this case report, the authors discuss a patient in whom myocardial bridging turned out to be an elusive cause of angina. We wish to underscore the importance of being clinically mindful of myocardial bridging when assessing a patient with angina.
Early Graft Loss after Kidney Transplantation: Endothelial Dysfunction of Renal Microvasculature
Authors: Kojc N. , Perše M. , Pleško J. , Večerić-Haler Ž.
Published: July 2018

Decision process about the acceptance of the deceased donor kidney for transplantation might be challenging. Although histological evaluation of pretransplant donor kidney biopsy provides reliable information regarding cortical necrosis, vascular thrombosis, extensive global glomerulosclerosis, and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, only electron microscopy enables thorough and reliable insights into microvasculature changes of kidney graft. The aim of the present paper is to briefly present two cases of early kidney graft loss. In one case, the donor was exposed to long-term extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); in the other case, the donor experienced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In both cases, light microscopy of pretransplant biopsy found no pathology or significant discrepancy in morphology of kidney graft, while electron microscopy revealed severe endothelial dysfunction of renal microvasculature. Our results suggest that severe injury of renal microvasculature with relatively preserved tubular epithelium may be associated with some conditions of deceased kidney donors leading to early kidney graft nonfunction and loss. Further studies are needed to determine prognostic significance of severe ultrastructural microvasculature lesions and to evaluate disease states and conditions that could be associated with severe endothelial dysfunction of kidney graft.
Understanding CAM Use in Lebanon: Findings from a National Survey
Authors: Kharroubi Samer , Chehab Rana F. , El-Baba Chirine , Alameddine Mohamad , Naja Farah
Published: July 2018

The main objective of this study was to identify predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Lebanon. Data for this study were drawn from a national survey conducted among Lebanese adults (n=1500). A modified version of the Social Behavioral Model (SBM) was used to understand CAM use in the study population. In this version, predisposing factors included sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, education, and employment) and Push and Pull factors. Additionally, enabling resources included income, and medical need encompassed presence of chronic disease and perceived health status. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the predictors of CAM use in the study population. Results of the multiple logistic regression showed that younger and older adults were less likely to use CAM as compared to middle‐aged respondents. The Push factor “dissatisfaction with conventional medicine” was associated with higher odds of CAM use. For three of the six Pull factors, compared to participants who strongly disagreed, those who had a tendency of taking care of one’s health were more likely to use CAM. Income and presence of chronic disease were also associated with higher odds of CAM use. The findings of this study affirmed the utility of the SBM in explaining the use of CAM and proposed a new version of this model, whereby the Push and Pull factors are integrated within the predisposing factors of this model.
Climatology and Teleconnections of Mesoscale Convective Systems in an Andean Basin in Southern Ecuador: The Case of the Paute Basin
Authors: Campozano Lenin , Trachte Katja , Célleri Rolando , Samaniego Esteban , Bendix Joerg , Albuja Cristóbal , Mejia John F.
Published: July 2018

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) climatology, the thermodynamic and dynamical variables, and teleconnections influencing MCSs development are assessed for the Paute basin (PB) in the Ecuadorian Andes from 2000 to 2009. The seasonality of MCSs occurrence shows a bimodal pattern, with higher occurrence during March-April (MA) and October-November (ON), analogous to the regional rainfall seasonality. The diurnal cycle of MCSs shows a clear nocturnal occurrence, especially during the MA and ON periods. Interestingly, despite the higher occurrence of MCSs during the rainy seasons, the monthly size relative frequency remains fairly constant throughout the year. On the east of the PB, the persistent high convective available potential and low convective inhibition values from midday to nighttime are likely related to the nocturnal development of the MCSs. A significant positive correlation between the MCSs occurrence to the west of the PB and the Trans-Niño index was found, suggesting that ENSO is an important source of interannual variability of MCSs frequency with increasing development of MCSs during warm ENSO phases. On the east of the PB, the variability of MCSs is positively correlated to the tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies south of the equator, due to the variability of the Atlantic subtropical anticyclone, showing main departures from this relation when anomalous conditions occur in the tropical Pacific due to ENSO.