bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No association of adiponectin +45 T/G polymorphism with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: Evidence from a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Fang , Zhang Hua , Qi Hongbo 
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Adiponectin ( ADIPOQ), involved in regulating glucose levels and fatty acid oxidation, plays key roles in metabolic derangements such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Previously, several studies have been conducted to assess the association between ADIPOQ +45 T/G polymorphism and risk of GDM. The results, however, are inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the polymorphism on the risk of GDM using a meta-analysis. Materials and methods: After databases searching, eight records were identified. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the association between ADIPOQ +45 T/G polymorphism and risk of GDM. Results: No significant association was observed between the ADIPOQ +45 T/G polymorphism and the risk of GDM (heterozygote comparison: OR = 1.15, 95% CI, 0.70–1.89; homozygote comparison: OR = 1.21, 95% CI, 0.48–3.03; dominant model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.50–1.48, recessive model: OR = 1.21, 95% CI, 0.62–2.33, and allele comparison: OR = 1.17, 95% CI, 0.79–1.76, respectively). Apparent heterogeneity was detected. However, no evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides evidence that the ADIPOQ +45 T/G polymorphism was not related to the risk of GDM. Further multicenter, prospective studies with larger sample size would be valuable to confirm the result.
Rule of accumulation of enrofloxacin in Acipenser baerii and drug-induced damage to the tissues
Authors: Wang Di , Li Shaowu , Lu Tongyan 
Published: June 2016

Enrofloxacin (ENX) has been widely used in the prevention and control of bacterial diseases in sturgeon aquaculture due to its characteristics of wide antibacterial spectrum, strong antibacterial activity, less toxicity and fewer side effects, rapid action, extensive in vivo distribution, and little cross-resistance with other antibiotics. However, the spinal abnormality was found in Acipenser baerii soon after ENX administration, which resulted an “S”-shaped curvature of the spine and retarded fish growth. It was still not clear whether ENX could cause spinal abnormality in sturgeons by now. The aim of this work was to determine the accumulation rule and toxicity of ENX to A. baerii when used at a high dose and/or unusually long durations. Here, ENX was orally given to A. baerii for 3–5 d continuously at the dosage of 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg once daily, respectively. The accumulation of ENX in blood, liver, kidney, and cartilage was detected after withdrawal, and the tissues were made into sections for morphological examination. The results showed that the levels of ENX increased in the four tissues with the increase of dose and duration, and the ENX level in serum was far lower than that in other tissues. At 240 h, ENX levels in the four tissues decreased significantly. The histology indicated that the liver, kidney, and cartilage began to show structural damages at 5 d after withdrawal of 40 mg/kg ENX. The damage was aggravated at 3–5 d after withdrawal of 80 mg/kg ENX. At 240 h, the damaged tissues showed signs of recovery. These results suggested that ENX should be no more than 40 mg/kg and that exposure time should not be greater than 5 d to prevent liver, kidney, and cartilage damage. More attention should be paid to the impact of ENX on the occurrence and development of chondrocytes in juvenile A. baerii and the potential damage to the cartilage.
Comparing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) with conventional angiography in the detection of distal territory cerebral mycotic and oncotic aneurysms
Authors: Walkoff Lara , Brinjikji Waleed , Rouchaud Aymeric , Caroff Jildaz , Kallmes David F 
Published: June 2016

Background Mycotic and oncotic aneurysms may result in devastating neurologic sequelae if undetected. The objectives of this study were to examine interobserver variability and accuracy of cross-sectional imaging for the detection of distal territory mycotic and oncotic aneurysms. Methods We searched our institutional database for all radiology reports from 2005 to 2015 with an indication or diagnosis of mycotic or oncotic aneurysm. Patients who underwent DSA and either CTA or MRA within 12 weeks of each other were identified. The cross-sectional images from each study were blinded and reviewed by two radiologists. If positive for aneurysm, location and number of aneurysms were reported. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and interobserver variability were determined for MRA and MRA/CTA. Results Twenty-five patients were included in this study. Ten (40%) harbored distal aneurysms. Cross-sectional imaging had a sensitivity of 45.5%, specificity of 90.0%, and kappa value of 0.29 (0.00–0.69) for the detection of cerebral mycotic and oncotic aneurysms. Conclusions Because of the low sensitivity and high interobserver variability of cross-sectional imaging, DSA should remain the gold standard for evaluation of suspected oncotic and mycotic aneurysms. In cases in which cross sectional imaging is negative and there is a high clinical suspicion for mycotic aneurysm, DSA should be strongly considered.
Transvenous microguidewire looping technique for breach of ipsilateral inferior petrosal sinus occlusions en route to cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Cho Young Dae , Rhim Jong Kook , Yoo Dong Hyun , Kang Hyun-Seung , Kim Jeong Eun , Cho Won-Sang , Han Moon Hee 
Published: June 2016

Background and purpose Transarterial access to dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) has been popularized by device improvements and novel embolic materials. However, this approach is limited in the cavernous sinus (CS) because of related complications and low cure rates. Although a transvenous approach, via ipsilateral inferior petrosal sinus (IPS), may be more suitable for CS-dAVFs, microcatheter delivery is occasionally impeded by ipsilateral IPS occlusion. Described herein is a microguidewire looping method to breach such occlusions, thus enabling access to CS lesions. Methods A microcatheter is initially advanced into the IPS orifice, and a microguidewire is passed into the occluded IPS. Looping is easily achieved through the resistance met. With greater support of the guiding catheter, the microguidewire (still looped) is then advanced into the CS. When nearing the CS, the microcatheter is further reinforced, and it is navigated along the microguidewire into the CS. Results This technique was applied in 10 instances of CS-dAVF with ipsilateral IPS occlusion, enabling ipsilateral access to the CS. In eight cases (80%), microdevice advancement was successful, culminating in effective transvenous coil embolization. Clinical and radiologic outcomes in all patients were excellent, with no delayed post-procedural cranial palsies. Conclusion This microguidewire looping technique enables safe and effective entry into the CS during transvenous coil embolization of CS-dAVFs with ipsilateral IPS occlusion.
Absence of skin discoloration after transarterial embolization of a subcutaneous auricular arteriovenous malformation with PHIL
Authors: in ‘t Veld Matthijs , Willems Peter WA 
Published: June 2016

Background and objective One of the treatment options for arteriovenous malformations consists of embolization, with a choice of various embolic agents, with or without subsequent surgical excision. If embolization is offered without subsequent surgery, the embolic material will stay in situ, in which case the consistency and color become important in superficial lesions. The purpose of this case report is to describe if the use of a novel liquid embolic agent (PHIL) is well suited for treatment of superficial AVMs without subsequent surgery. Case description A 30-year-old male presented with a painful reddish, pulsatile swelling of the left ear that had been present for more than 10 years. Angiography confirmed an arteriovenous malformation supplied by the superficial temporal artery and the posterior auricular artery. The lesion was successfully treated by embolization with PHIL, through the superficial temporal artery. A minute residual shunt, from the posterior auricular artery, was accepted. Immediate disappearance of pulsatile tinnitus was reported. Moreover, return of normal skin color was observed without discomfort from the embolic deposits. This result has been stable throughout one year of clinical follow-up. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing PHIL embolization as a treatment option for superficial arteriovenous malformations without the necessity for subsequent surgery. The white color and rubbery consistency are beneficial characteristics of PHIL in treatment of subcutaneous lesions, especially in cosmetically relevant locations.
Intact subepidermal nerve fibers mediate mechanical hypersensitivity via the activation of protein kinase C gamma in spared nerve injury
Authors: Ko Miau-Hwa , Yang Ming-Ling , Youn Su-Chung , Lan Chyn-Tair , Tseng To-Jung 
Published: June 2016

Background Spared nerve injury is an important neuropathic pain model for investigating the role of intact primary afferents in the skin on pain hypersensitivity. However, potential cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In phosphoinositide-3 kinase pathway, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) participates in the regulation of neuronal plasticity for central sensitization. The downstream cascades of PDK1 include: (1) protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ) controls the trafficking and phosphorylation of ionotropic glutamate receptor; (2) protein kinase B (Akt)/the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is responsible for local protein synthesis. Under these statements, we therefore hypothesized that an increase of PKCγ activation and mTOR-dependent PKCγ synthesis in intact primary afferents after SNI might contribute to pain hypersensitivity. Results The variants of spared nerve injury were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats by transecting any two of the three branches of the sciatic nerve, leaving only one branch intact. Following SNIt (spared tibial branch), mechanical hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, but not thermal hyperalgesia, were significantly induced. In the first footpad, normal epidermal innervations were verified by the protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5)- and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43)-immunoreactive (IR) intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs) densities. Furthermore, the rapid increases of phospho-PKCγ- and phospho-mTOR-IR subepidermal nerve fibers (SENFs) areas were distinct gathered from the results of PGP9.5-, GAP43-, and neurofilament 200 (NF200)-IR SENFs areas. The efficacy of PKC inhibitor (GF 109203X) or mTOR complex 1 inhibitor (rapamycin) for attenuating mechanical hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia by intraplantar injection was dose-dependent. Conclusions From results obtained in this study, we strongly recommend that the intact SENFs persistently increase PKCγ activation and mTOR-dependent PKCγ synthesis participate in the initiation and maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivity in spared nerve injury, which represents as a novel insight into the therapeutic strategy of pain in the periphery.
Optimization of lift force for a bio-inspired flapping wing model in hovering flight
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wen Chihyung , Yang Anshik 
Published: June 2016

The lift force is an important component that affects the aerodynamic performance of bio-inspired flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles. However, there is a lack of endeavors in the optimization of the flapping wing parameters that affect the lift force of micro aerial vehicles. This research is therefore to establish a methodology that combines computational fluid dynamic simulation for the evaluation of the lift generation and wing parameters. The Taguchi’s framework for design of experiments, combined with the computational fluid dynamics simulations, is performed on a simplified robotic fly wing model used in the experiment found in Dickinson et al. (1999), under the hovering flight mode, to identify the most influential parameters on the lift generation of micro aerial vehicles. A commercial computational fluid dynamics code, ANSYS/FLUENT, along with a three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver is used to simulate the unsteady flow field. With the optimization of the time-averaged lift force as the optimization objective, five typical parameters (flapping frequency, maximum angle of attacks during the upstroke and downstroke motions, stroke amplitude, and rotation type) in the flapping trajectory equation are selected as the input factors with each having four levels. Specific computational fluid dynamics cases are simulated in accordance with the chosen orthogonal arrays. By conducting statistical analyses with analyses of means and variance, the flapping frequency and the stroke amplitude are determined to be the two most influential parameters. The response surface of the time-averaged lift force and the power consumption contour are constructed with respect to these two parameters to determine the optimal combination for the generation of lift forces under a specific power constrain and provide a guideline for bio-inspired micro aerial vehicle designs.
A cohort survey of the effect of an educational intervention on human papillomavirus vaccine-related knowledge and attitudes among pre-university female students in Singapore
Authors: Lim Sarah Woon Ching , Boo Alicia Ying Ying , Tan Wee Chuan , Png Eunice Su-Yin , Lee Hang Keong , Chang Zi Ying , Wee Serene Xue Jia , Balakrishnan Brindha , Choong Kuan Siew , Phoon Ian Kwong Yun 
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Although cervical cancer is the 10th most common cancer among females in Singapore, it is a vaccine-preventable cancer. Human papillomavirus vaccines combined with regular Pap (papillomavirus) smears have been shown to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with cervical cancer. We assessed the knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer, human papillomavirus and its vaccination amongst pre-university female students and assessed if a short educational presentation can improve this knowledge and acceptability of the vaccine. Methods: A cohort survey was carried out amongst 150 female students at Hwa Chong Junior College via questionnaires administered anonymously. Standardized educational presentations were carried out followed by post intervention questionnaires. Results: Almost all the students were aged between 15 and 19 years old (99.3%). At baseline, only 29% and 27% of the students had ever heard of human papillomavirus and its vaccines respectively. The most common source of information cited was from a family member or a friend (22.5%). Only 4% had been administered the human papillomavirus vaccine. Mean knowledge scores significantly improved from 4.95 to 8.61 out of 10 after the intervention. Of those who did not have the vaccine, only 31.3% were willing to consider the human papillomavirus vaccine pre-intervention, with a statistically significant improvement to 51.4% post intervention. Conclusion: Low awareness about human papillomavirus, its relationship to cervical cancer and its prevention is common, even amongst well-educated students. Most of them obtained the information from family and/or friends. A short educational presentation was able to improve the knowledge scores, and improve the acceptability of the human papillomavirus vaccine.
Predicting Zika virus structural biology: Challenges and opportunities for intervention
Authors: Cox Bryan D , Stanton Richard A , Schinazi Raymond F 
Published: June 2016

Background Zika virus is an emerging crisis as infection is implicated in severe neurological disorders—Guillain–Barré syndrome and fetal microcephaly. There are currently no treatment options available for Zika virus infection. This virus is part of the flavivirus genus and closely related to Dengue Fever Virus, West Nile Virus, and Japanese Encephalitis Virus. Like other flaviviruses, the Zika virus genome encodes three structural proteins (capsid, precursor membrane, and envelope) and seven nonstructural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5). Currently, no structural information exists on these viral proteins to facilitate vaccine design and rational drug discovery. Methods Structures for all Zika virus viral proteins were predicted using experimental templates available from closely related viruses using the online SwissModel server. These homology models were compared to drug targets from other viruses using Visual Molecular Dynamics Multiseq software. Sequential alignment of all Zika virus polyproteins was performed using Clustal Omega to identify mutations in specific viral proteins implicated in pathogenesis. Results The precursor membrane, envelope, and NS1 proteins are unique to Zika virus highlighting possible challenges in vaccine design. Sequential differences between Zika virus strains occur at critical positions on precursor membrane, envelope, NS2A, NS3, NS4B, and NS5 as potential loci for differential pathogenesis. Druggable pockets in Dengue Fever Virus and West Nile Virus NS3 and NS5 are retained in predicted Zika virus structures. Conclusions Lead candidates for Zika virus can likely be established using NS3 and NS5 inhibitors from other flaviviruses, and the structures presented can provide opportunities for Zika virus intervention strategies.
How Do Leadership Practices Relate to Societal Values? A Microanalysis of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
Authors: Gaisch Martina , Ehrenstorfer Barbara , Preymann Silke , Sterrer Stefanie , Aichinger Regina 
Published: June 2016

This article sets out to compare the organizational culture of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (henceforth, UAS UA) with the Austrian societal culture. Leadership practices of the UAS UA are elaborated in the knowledge that they are partly based on personal values of leaders/managers and partly on the perceived organizational set of values. Since it is assumed that societal and personal values translate in managerial practices, the authors seek to investigate how the organizational values of the UAS UA and the societal values of a country that belongs to the Germanic Europe cluster ( House et al., 2004 ) comply with each other. In a previous study, leadership styles and practices were investigated among 24 heads of study programs and members of top management of the UAS UA. It came to the fore that the respondents were attaching the utmost importance to values in the light of leadership. Among others, values discovered were trust in fellow employees and team solidarity, freedom, autonomy, and self-determination, as well as fairness and respect. Additionally, the respondents stressed the significance of consensus orientation and self-reflection with regard to their own learning capabilities. Interestingly, the UAS UA postulates its organizational values as part of its mission statement, its vision, and strategic objectives. In this follow-up study, the interrelationships between societal culture, organizational culture, and organizational leadership are explored in more detail. It is hoped that this case study will contribute to a better understanding of the organizational culture of the UAS UA by relating it to Austrian societal values. In doing so, it may have the potential to support managers to reflect and further develop their leadership styles and practices. The authors of this article seek to contribute to the intercultural discourse by building a conceptual bridge between the leadership literature of higher education and societal norms that underpin organizational values.
Evaluation of properties over phylogenetic trees using stochastic logics
Authors: Requeno José Ignacio , Colom José Manuel 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Background
Model checking has been recently introduced as an integrated framework for extracting information of the phylogenetic trees using temporal logics as a querying language, an extension of modal logics that imposes restrictions of a boolean formula along a path of events. The phylogenetic tree is considered a transition system modeling the evolution as a sequence of genomic mutations (we understand mutation as different ways that DNA can be changed), while this kind of logics are suitable for traversing it in a strict and exhaustive way. Given a biological property that we desire to inspect over the phylogeny, the verifier returns true if the specification is satisfied or a counterexample that falsifies it. However, this approach has been only considered over qualitative aspects of the phylogeny.

Results
In this paper, we repair the limitations of the previous framework for including and handling quantitative information such as explicit time or probability. To this end, we apply current probabilistic continuous-time extensions of model checking to phylogenetics. We reinterpret a catalog of qualitative properties in a numerical way, and we also present new properties that couldn’t be analyzed before. For instance, we obtain the likelihood of a tree topology according to a mutation model. As case of study, we analyze several phylogenies in order to obtain the maximum likelihood with the model checking tool PRISM. In addition, we have adapted the software for optimizing the computation of maximum likelihoods.

Conclusions
We have shown that probabilistic model checking is a competitive framework for describing and analyzing quantitative properties over phylogenetic trees. This formalism adds soundness and readability to the definition of models and specifications. Besides, the existence of model checking tools hides the underlying technology, omitting the extension, upgrade, debugging and maintenance of a software tool to the biologists. A set of benchmarks justify the feasibility of our approach.