bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rebound thymic hyperplasia after liver transplantation for a child with biliary atresia; a case report
Authors: Wang Teng‐Kuan , Kuo Fang‐Ying , Lee Shin‐Yi , Cheng Yu‐Fan , Elsarawy Ahmed M. , Lin Chih‐Che , Lin Ting‐Lung , Chen Chao‐Long 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe thymus gland possesses the ability to regrow in children leading to a newly developed anterior mediastinal mass. This condition may represent a rebound phenomenon during recovery from a stressful event such as post‐chemotherapy and hence was described as RTH. RTH after LT has not been well documented. We are reporting an infant with BA who underwent LT and presented with a symptomless anterior mediastinal mass, detected on follow‐up imaging 6 months thereafter. Surgical partial excision was performed to rule out other differential diagnoses of a solid mass in the anterior mediastinum of an infant particularly lymphoma—that may arise as post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder—and teratoma, as well as the other aggressive lesions such as thymoma and thymic carcinoma. The final pathological analysis revealed true thymic hyperplasia, consistent with RTH. The diagnosis of RTH should be considered for a child presenting by anterior mediastinal mass after LT.
Worms: Pernicious parasites or allies against allergies?
Authors: McSorley Henry J. , Chayé Mathilde A. M. , Smits Hermelijn H. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryType 2 immune responses are most commonly associated with allergy and helminth parasite infections. Since the discovery of Th1 and Th2 immune responses more than 30 years ago, models of both allergic disease and helminth infections have been useful in characterizing the development, effector mechanisms and pathological consequences of type 2 immune responses. The observation that some helminth infections negatively correlate with allergic and inflammatory disease led to a large field of research into parasite immunomodulation. However, it is worth noting that helminth parasites are not always benign infections, and that helminth immunomodulation can have stimulatory as well as suppressive effects on allergic responses. In this review, we will discuss how parasitic infections change host responses, the consequences for bystander immunity and how this interaction influences clinical symptoms of allergy.
A Risk‐Based Approach to Improving Disaster Relief Asset Pre‐Positioning
Authors: Arnette Andrew N. , Zobel Christopher W. 
Published: July 2018

It is well‐recognized that pre‐positioning assets in advance of a natural disaster is important for supporting timely relief provision after a disaster occurs. In addition to preparing for imminent disaster events, humanitarian relief organizations also maintain such asset allocations over time to support future responses to recurrent events such as wildfires or winter storms. This study is motivated by the authors’ work with one such relief organization, the American Red Cross in Colorado and Wyoming, and it discusses a new mixed integer linear programming model that can help to more effectively pre‐position needed assets to open emergency shelters. The new model incorporates a measure of risk into its objective function, which helps address the need for generating equitable solutions, and the model explicitly considers reallocation of assets to nearby locations after a disaster event occurs. Model performance is first analyzed in the context of the Red Cross’ actual asset allocation problem and the results show a decrease in residual risk from that of historical allocations of more than 33%. The general applicability of the approach is then illustrated in the context of several different extensions to the base model and a series of important takeaways are presented and discussed.
Heterokaryosis and diploid formation among Brazilian isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina
Authors: Pereira T. S. , Machado Esquissato G. N. , da Silva Franco C. C. , de Freitas Mathias P. C. , Soares D. J. , Bock C. H. , de Carvalho Nunes W. M. , Zanutto C. A. , de Castro‐Prado M. A. A. 
Published: July 2018

Heterokaryosis is the association of genetically distinct nuclei in a common hyphal cytoplasm, and is a process involved in the generation of fungal variation. The fusion of the distinct nuclei within a heterokaryotic hypha produces a heterozygous diploid nucleus and is one of the stages of the parasexual cycle. A heterokaryon's viability depends on the isolates’ genetic constitution with regard to loci called het (heterokaryon incompatibility) or vic (vegetative incompatibility). The current study evaluates for the first time the diversity of vegetative compatibility reactions in isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina from different hosts. Complementary nit (nitrate non‐utilizing) mutants of each isolate were obtained and paired in all possible combinations. Isolates were classified in vegetative compatibility groups (VCG) according to their ability to form viable heterokaryons. Ten VCGs were identified, two of them containing two isolates, and the remainder containing a single isolate. When grown on basal medium, heterokaryons produced both (i) auxotrophic segregants exhibiting the same phenotype as the paired mutants; and (ii) a fast‐growing sector, characterized as a heterozygous diploid sector, named D653, which showed a nit+ phenotype with a growth rate similar to the original wild isolate. When grown in the presence of benomyl, a haploidizing agent, D653 produced auxotrophic haploid segregants exhibiting the nit phenotypes of the crossed mutants. The results demonstrate for the first time the ability of M. phaseolina isolates to form viable heterokaryons and heterozygous diploid nuclei, suggesting that the parasexual cycle may be an alternative source of genetic variability in this species.
Revisiting, in vivo, the hair regreasing process by the Sebuprint method
Authors: Gao J. , Liu C. , Zhang S. , Techer M. P. , Bouabbache S. , Pouradier F. , Panhard S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe regreasing process of hair by sebum is daily observed by consumers. Methods to investigate this phenomenon were scarcely updated since the 1990s, despite the constant progresses in hair cleaning procedures or shampoo formulations.Our objective was first, to develop an in vivo noninvasive method for quantifying the spread of sebum along the hair shaft. Secondly, we use this new method to define the overall kinetics of the hair‐regreasing process among two cohorts of Chinese men with opposite self‐perceptions of their scalp/hair greasiness (ie, greasy or not greasy).Material and methodsOne hundred and twenty‐three Chinese men (aged 18‐35 years) participated to the study. The technique used basically adapts the Sebumeter™ technology where supple polymer films are applied onto and along the hair shaft. The sampled hair sebum is further quantified by image analysis/increased transparency.ResultsThe technique developed showed an adequate reproducibility under fixed conditions (pressure, investigators, scalp sites, etc.). In the two cohorts of subjects (eg, greasy, nongreasy), hair regreasing process was found sharing a same linear progression with time. The two cohorts of men presented significantly different values in the total amount of spread sebum by an approximately two‐fold coefficient, with however comparable average values in the sebum amount present at the root region 48 hours post shampoo. At such timing, the spread of sebum reaches much longer distances in the greasy scalp cohort.ConclusionThis technique appears promising for assessing the efficacy of cosmetic ingredients (or products) that aim at delaying a natural process that is daily and negatively perceived by consumers.
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

SummaryThe 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.
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

BackgroundHumanitarian 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.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted in 14 urban areas across Somalia between December 2014 and November 2015.ResultsA 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.ConclusionGBV 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

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

ObjectivesTo investigate the variation in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits available in the UK.DesignWe carried out a cross-sectional survey in 2016 of 381 cakes and 481 biscuits available in nine main UK supermarkets.MethodsThe sugar and energy content was collected from product packaging and nutrition labelling of cake and biscuit products.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThis 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.
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.