bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is the impact of post‐radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence on everyday quality of life? Linking Pad usage and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short‐Form (ICIQ‐SF) for a COMBined definition (PICOMB definition)
Authors: García Cortés Ángel , Colombás Vives Juan , Gutiérrez Castañé Cristina , Chiva San Román Santiago , Doménech López Pablo , Ancizu Marckert Francisco J. , Hevia Suárez Mateo , Merino Narro Imanol , Velis Campillo José M. , Guillén Grima Francisco , Torres Roca Marcos , Diez‐Caballero y Alonso Fernando , Rosell Costa David , Villacampa Aubá Felipe , Ramón de Fata Chillón Fernando , Andrés Boville Guillermo , Barbas Bernardos Guillermo , Miñana López Bernardino , Robles García José E. , Pascual Piédrola Juan I. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsTo identify the definition for urinary continence (UC) after radical prostatectomy (RP) which reflects best patients' perception of quality of life (QoL).MethodsContinence was prospectively assessed in 634 patients, 12 months after RP using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short‐Form (ICIQ‐SF) and the number of pads employed in a 24‐hour period (pad usage). We used the one‐way ANOVA technique with posthoc pairwise comparisons according to Scheffé's method (homogeneous subsets) for assessing the degree of QoL deficit related to urinary incontinence (UI).ResultsThe continence prevalence is 64.4%, 74.1%, 88.3%, and 35.8% using “0 pads,” “1 safety pad,” “1 pad,” and “ICIQ score 0” definitions, respectively. Pad usage is moderately strongly associated with ICIQ 1, 2, and 3 (ρ = 0.744, 0.677, and 0.711, respectively; p < 0.001). Concordance between classical UC definitions is acceptable between “0 pads—ICIQ score 0” (K = 0.466), but poor for “1 safety pad” and “1 pad” (K = 0.326 and 0.137, respectively). Patients with “0 pad usage” have better QoL related to urine leakage than patients with “1 safety pad” or “1 pad” (1.41 vs. 2.44 and 3.11, respectively; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences found regarding QoL between patients with ICIQ score 0 and ICIQ score 2 (1.01 vs. 1.63; p = 0.63).ConclusionsPad usage and the ICIQ‐SF's answers provide useful information. We propose a combined definition (0 pads and ICIQ score ≤2) as it is the definition with the least impact on daily QoL.
First voided volume: A novel approach to characterize nocturia
Authors: Monaghan Thomas F. , Dmochowski Roger R. , Verbalis Joseph G. , Wein Alan J. , Lazar Jason M. , Birder Lori A. , Everaert Karel , Weiss Jeffrey P. , Bliwise Donald L. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsNocturnal polyuria syndrome (NPS) denotes nocturnal polyuria (NP) in the absence of identifiable contributory factors. The trajectory of nocturnal urine production (NUP; typically expressed as ml/hour) may be useful in delineating between NP patients with versus without NPS, but changes in absolute urine volume, the directly measured substrate for behavioral and pharmacologic interventions targeting nocturnal urine production, have not been well characterized. This study compares the ratio of the first nocturnal voided volume (FNVV) to the nocturnal average voided volume (NAVV) in patients with versus without NPS.MethodsSecondary analysis of 24‐h voiding diaries from male patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age with two or more nocturnal voids and NP using two different criteria for NP: NUP greater than or equal to 90 ml/h and nocturnal polyuria index (NPi) greater than or equal to 0.33. Patients with diabetes insipidus and CPAP‐adherent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups: secondary NP (OSA, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease) and NPS (absence of edema, diuretic use, and the aforementioned comorbidities). FNVV was defined as the volume of urine accompanying the first nocturic episode. NAVV was defined as nocturnal urine volume/(number of nocturnal voids + 1). The nocturnal urine trajectory ratio (NUTR) was defined as FNVV/NAVV.ResultsAt NUP greater than or equal to 90 ml/h, NUTR was significantly greater in patients with (n = 73) versus without (n = 28) NPS (1.10 [0.89–1.33] vs. 0.91 [0.55–1.15], p = .012). At NPi greater than or equal to 0.33, NUTR was likewise significantly greater in patients with (n = 92) versus without (n = 32) NPS (1.09 [0.90–1.33] vs. 0.91 [0.57–1.17], p = .010).ConclusionsThe volume of urine produced in the early hours of sleep is central to identification of NPS in patients with nocturia.
A Targeted Nano Drug Delivery System of AS1411 Functionalized Graphene Oxide Based Composites
Authors: Liu Baoqing , Yang Wenzhi , Che Chengchuan , Liu Jinfeng , Si Meiru , Gong Zhijin , Gao Ruixia , Yang Ge 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA novel method for the preparation of antitumor drug vehicles has been optimized. Biological materials of chitosan oligosaccharide (CO) and γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA) have previously been employed as modifiers to covalently modify graphene oxide (GO), which in turn loaded doxorubicin (DOX) to obtain a nano drug delivery systems of graphene oxide based composites (GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA‐DOX). The system was not equipped with the ability of initiative targeting, thus resulting into toxicity and side effects on normal tissues or organs. In order to further improve the targeting property of the system, the nucleic acid aptamer NH2‐AS1411 (APT) of targeted nucleolin (C23) was used to conjugate on GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA to yield the targeted nano drug delivery system APT‐GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA. The structure, composition, dispersion, particle size and morphology properties of the synthesized complex have been studied using multiple characterization methods. Drug loading and release profile data showed that APT‐GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA is provided with high drug loading capacity and is capable of controlled and sustained release of DOX. Cell experimental results indicated that since C23 was overexpressed on the surface of Hela cells but not on the surface of Beas‐2B cells, APT‐GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA‐DOX can target Hela cells and make increase toxicity to Hela cells than Beas‐2B cells, and the IC50 value of APT‐GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA‐DOX was 3.23±0.04 μg/mL. All results proved that APT‐GO‐CO‐γ‐PGA can deliver antitumor drugs in a targeted manner, and achieve the effect of reducing poison, which indicated that the targeted carrier exhibits a broad application prospect in the field of biomedicine.
Bio‐ and oxo‐degradable plastics: Insights on facts and challenges
Authors: Abdelmoez Wael , Dahab Islam , Ragab Esraa M. , Abdelsalam Omnia A. , Mustafa Ahmad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe global accumulation of single‐use plastic bags made from nonbiodegradable plastics is the most concerning environmental issue nowadays. The utilization of biodegradable materials is a choice to reduce the environmental impact resulting from the use of plastic products. The utilization of renewable resources to produce fully biodegradable plastics is among the technologies used to overcome petroleum plastic's negative impact. On the other hand, the utilization of oxo‐biodegradable plastics where prodegradant additives are incorporated in conventional plastics to promote their degradation under certain conditions has recently received much attention. This review discusses the types and challenges that face the implementation of biodegradable plastics technology that uses renewable resources. This review also covers the debate addressed in the literature about the biodegradability fate of oxo‐biodegradable plastic in the air, compost, soil, landfill, and marine. A comparative study included the potential published literature in the last 10 years was performed. Based on the discussed evidence in this review, it can be concluded that all literature agrees that the addition of pro‐oxidant/prodegradants can accelerate the degradation of oxo‐plastics to small fragments. However, the complete biodegradation of oxo‐plastics by microorganisms remains in doubt. On the other hand, biopolymers produced from natural resources seem to be the future direction for plastics manufacturing especially single‐use plastic bags.
Simple dispersion of graphene incorporated rubber composite for resistive pressure sensor application
Authors: Marlinda Ab Rahman , Kamaruddin Nurul Hazierah , Fadilah Abd Wahab , Said Mardhiah , Hamizi Nor Aliya , Johan Mohd Rafie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe developed a resistive pressure sensor based on stand‐alone film graphene incorporated natural rubber latex (NR/G) composite fabricated in a simple solution casting method. The graphene dispersion had multilayer properties and an average lateral size of ~60 nm successfully incorporated into the NR matrix to form bilayer graphene composite with the I2D/IG calculated ratio of 1.301. The pressure sensor shows high sensitivity (~ 0.2 kPa−1), high cycle stability, and selective response to the applied pressure with a linear relationship of ~6.0 kPa. This work shows that graphene incorporated natural rubber latex pressure sensors with applicable potentials for smart wearable devices to allow pressure detection.
Resilience and its associated factors in brain tumor patients in Karachi, Pakistan: An analytical cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zahid Nida , Martins Russell Seth , Zahid Wajeeha , Khalid Wardah , Azam Iqbal , Bhamani Shireen Shehzad , Ahmad Khabir , Jabbar AdnanAbdul , Shamim Muhammad Shahzad , Khan Rashid Jooma , Javed Gohar , Bari Ehsan , Asad Nargis , Enam Syed Ather 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study assessed resilience in brain tumor patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan (a lower middle‐income country; LMIC) and explored its relationship with patients' sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, social support, and mental health.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted amongst adult (≥18 years) patients with brain tumor at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan. Resilience was assessed by Wagnild and Young's Resilience Scale, and patients' psychosocial characteristics by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Enriched Social Support Instrument.ResultsA total of 250 patients were included (mean age: 44 years; 68% males), with majority (97.6%) having high social support and only 4.4% and 2% having symptomatic depression and anxiety, respectively. On multivariable linear regression adjusted for covariates, lower resilience was associated with not being involved in household decision‐making (Adjusted Beta Coefficient: 4.58 [95% Confidence Interval:−7.59, −1.56]), not currently working (−2.80 [−4.61, −0.99]), undergoing multiple neurosurgical interventions such as tumor biopsies or resections (−8.64 [−13.11, −4.16]), receiving chemotherapy (−5.17 [−9.51, −0.83]) or combination adjuvant therapy (−2.91 [−5.14, −0.67]), low social support (−7.77 [−13.73, 1.81]), mild depression (−13.00 [‐17.00,‐8.99]) or symptomatic depression (−19.79 [−24.69, −14.89]), and mild anxiety (−4.24 [−7.98, −0.50]).ConclusionOur study highlights the function of familial/household role and working status in mediating resilience, and demonstrates the well‐known protective effect of resilience for mental health in brain tumor patients in Pakistan, a South‐Asian LMIC. These findings are of clinical relevance with regards to the development of culture‐specific evidence‐based resilience‐building interventions that may help patients with brain tumors to cope with the psychological distress of cancer.
Experimental and Simulation Study on the Ignition Criterion of JHL‐3 under Non‐Shock Loading
Authors: Qin Jingui , Liang Wen , Chen Rong , Lu Fangyun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe non‐shock ignition of explosives can bring huge accidental disasters, so it is meaningful to study the conditions under which explosives ignite. The safety performance of JHL‐3, a polymer‐bonded explosive (PBX), under low amplitude and long pulse load has been analyzed based on experiment and simulation from a macro perspective, and the load criterion for ignition of JHL‐3 is given. First, JHL‐3 was loaded under confining pressure by the modified separated Hopkinson pressure bar. By observing whether the explosives ignite at different pulses whose width and amplitude can be changed by changing the length and initial speed of the striker, we find that the greater the loading pressure, the shorter the loading time required for the ignition of JHL‐3. According to the experimental results, the relationship between the amplitude and width of the loading pulse at which the JHL‐3 is ignited is fitted. Then, load JHL‐3 of different densities under the same conditions to analyze the influence of density on the ignition sensitivity of JHL‐3. The experimental results show that the sensitivity is highest when the density is between 1.7–1.75 g/cm3. Finally, based on the Uintah Computational Framework (UCF), the experiment is simulated by the coupling algorithm (MPMICE) of material point method (MPM) and implicit continuous‐fluid Eulerian (ICE). JHL‐3 is modeled by the Visco‐Scram model, and the WSB model is used as a reaction model to simulate the combustion behavior of the explosive after ignition. The simulation results closely match the experimental results, further verifying the accuracy of the ignition criterion. The ignition criterion can predict the ignition of explosives under non‐shock loading conditions, which has a guiding effect on the storage, transportation, and packaging of explosives.
Bayesian predictive model to assess BRCA2 mutational status according to clinical history: Early onset, metastatic phenotype or family history of breast/ovary cancer
Authors: Leon Priscilla , Cancel‐Tassin Geraldine , Bourdon Violaine , Buecher Bruno , Oudard Stephane , Brureau Laurent , Jouffe Lionel , Blanchet Pascal , Stoppa‐Lyonnet Dominique , Coulet Florence , Sobol Hagay , Cussenot Olivier 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMutations of the BRCA2 gene are the most frequent alterations found in germline DNA from men with prostate cancer (PrCa), but clinical parameters that could better orientate for BRCA2 mutation screening need to be established.MethodsGermline DNA from 325 PrCa patients (median age at diagnosis: 57 years old) was screened for BRCA2 mutation. The mutation frequency was compared between three subgroups: patients with an age at diagnosis at 55 years old and under (Group I); a personal or family history of breast, uterine or ovarian cancer (Group II); or a metastatic disease (Group III). Frequency of BRCA2 mutations was established for each combination of phenotypes, and compared between patients meeting or not the criteria for each subgroup using Fisher's exact test. Mutual information, direct effect, elasticity and contribution to the mutational status of each phenotype, taking into account overlap between subgroups, were also estimated using Bayesian algorithms.ResultsThe proportion of BRCA2 mutation was 5.9% in Group I, 10.9% in Group II and 6.9% in Group III. The frequency of BRCA2 mutation was significantly higher among patients of Group II (p = .006), and reached 15.6% among patients of this group who presented a metastatic disease. Mutual information, direct effect, elasticity and contribution to the mutational status were the highest for phenotype II. Fifteen (71.4%) of the 21 BRCA2 mutation carriers had an aggressive form of the disease. Four (19%) of them died from PrCa after a median follow‐up duration of 64.5 months.ConclusionsOur results showed that a higher frequency of BRCA2 mutation carriers is observed, not only among PrCa patients with young onset or a metastatic disease, but also with a personal or a familial history of breast cancer.
Terrorism, migrant crisis and attitudes towards immigrants from outside of the European Union
Authors: Baláž Vladimír , Nežinský Eduard , Williams Allan M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper analyses how terrorist attacks and high inflows of immigrants impact public attitudes towards immigrants from outside the European Union (EU). It makes an original contribution by analysing both effects in tandem, using an extended longitudinal framework to assess both shorter and longer term impacts and taking into account the role of uncertainty. Ordered probit regression models are applied to data from nine consecutive Eurobarometer (EB) surveys to examine impacts of 25 terrorist attacks in Western Europe in 2014–2018. Attacks with higher number of deaths significantly increase negative attitudes to immigrants although the effect fades over time. However, the 2015 migration crisis had a significant, greater and more sustained impact on attitudes towards immigrants than terrorist attacks. The differences in attitudes to migrants in the EU15 countries and post‐communist countries provide support for the assumptions of the intergroup contact theory rather than the group threat theory.
Opportunities and challenges for applying model‐informed drug development approaches to gene therapies
Authors: Belov Artur , Schultz Kimberly , Forshee Richard , Tegenge Million A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs part of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) VI commitments, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) are conducting a model‐informed drug development (MIDD) pilot program. Sponsor(s) who apply and are selected will be granted meetings that aim to facilitate the application of MIDD approaches throughout the product development lifecycle and the regulatory process. Due to their complex mechanisms of action and limited clinical experience, cell and gene therapies have the potential to benefit from the application of MIDD methods, which may facilitate their safety and efficacy evaluations. Leveraging data that are generated from all stages of drug development into appropriate modeling and simulation techniques that inform decisions remains challenging. Additional discussions regarding the application of quantitative modeling approaches to drug development decisions, such as through the MIDD pilot program, may be crucial for both the sponsor(s) and regulatory review teams. Here, we share some perspectives on the opportunities and challenges for utilizing MIDD approaches for product review, which we hope will encourage investigators to publish their experiences and application of MIDD in gene therapy product development.
Potential impact of COVID‐19 on ongoing clinical trials: a simulation study with the neurological Yale Global Tic Severity Scale based on the CANNA‐TICS study
Authors: Lasch Florian , Guizzaro Lorenzo , Aguirre Dávila Lukas , Müller‐Vahl Kirsten , Koch Armin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has manifold impacts on clinical trials. In response, drug regulatory agencies and public health bodies have issued guidance on how to assess potential impacts on ongoing clinical trials and stress the importance of a risk‐assessment as a pre‐requisite for modifications to the clinical trial conduct. This article presents a simulation study to assess the impact on the power of an ongoing clinical trial without the need to unblind trial data and compromise trial integrity. In the context of the CANNA‐TICS trial, investigating the effect of nabiximols on reducing the total tic score of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS‐TTS) in patients with chronic tic disorders and Tourette syndrome, the impact of the two COVID‐19 related intercurrent events handled by a treatment policy strategy is investigated using a multiplicative and additive data generating model. The empirical power is examined for the analysis of the YGTSS‐TTS as a continuous and dichotomized endpoint using analysis techniques adjusted and unadjusted for the occurrence of the intercurrent event. In the investigated scenarios, the simulation studies showed that substantial power losses are possible, potentially making sample size increases necessary to retain sufficient power. However, we were also able to identify scenarios with only limited loss of power. By adjusting for the occurrence of the intercurrent event, the power loss could be diminished to different degrees in most scenarios. In summary, the presented risk assessment approach may support decisions on trial modifications like sample size increases, while maintaining trial integrity.
Molint 1.0: A framework for the computation of molecular integrals and their derivatives for density‐fitted methods
Authors: Bozkaya Uğur 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe efficient computation of molecular integrals and their derivatives is a crucial step in molecular property evaluation in modern quantum chemistry. In this study, an application programming interface (API) framework, denoted Molint, for the computation of molecular integrals and their first derivatives, over contracted Gaussian functions, for the density‐fitted methods is reported. The Molint is free software and it includes overlap, dipole, kinetic, potential, 2‐index, and 3‐index integrals, and their first derivatives. Furthermore, the Molint provides a smooth approach to build the Fock matrix and evaluate analytic gradients for the density‐fitted methods. The Molint is a C++/Fortran hybrid code, which can take advantage of shared‐memory parallel programming techniques. Our results demonstrate that the Molint is an efficient and user‐friendly API for the computation of molecular integrals and their first derivatives.
C‐reactive protein as an effector molecule in Covid‐19 pathogenesis
Authors: Mosquera‐Sulbaran Jesús A. , Pedreañez Adriana , Carrero Yenddy , Callejas Diana 
Published: February 2021

SummaryThe current pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 virus infection is known as Covid‐19 (coronavirus disease 2019). This disease can be asymptomatic or can affect multiple organ systems. Damage induced by the virus is related to dysfunctional activity of the immune system, but the activity of molecules such as C‐reactive protein (CRP) as a factor capable of inducing an inflammatory status that may be involved in the severe evolution of the disease, has not been extensively evaluated. A systematic review was performed using the NCBI‐PubMed database to find articles related to Covid‐19 immunity, inflammatory response, and CRP published from December 2019 to December 2020. High levels of CRP were found in patients with severe evolution of Covid‐19 in which several organ systems were affected and in patients who died. CRP activates complement, induces the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and induces apoptosis which, together with the inflammatory status during the disease, can lead to a severe outcome. Several drugs can decrease the level or block the effect of CRP and might be useful in the treatment of Covid‐19. From this review it is reasonable to conclude that CRP is a factor that can contribute to severe evolution of Covid‐19 and that the use of drugs able to lower CRP levels or block its activity should be evaluated in randomized controlled clinical trials.
Robust controllers design for constrained nonlinear parameter varying descriptor systems
Authors: Righi Ines , Aouaouda Sabrina , Chadli Mohammed , Khelil Khaled 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article proposes a method for designing robust controller laws for a class of uncertain nonlinear parameter varying (NLPV) descriptor systems under input saturation and external disturbances. Both static and dynamic output feedback controllers are proposed. To synthesize the fuzzy controllers, the stability conditions are derived using polytopic parameter‐dependent (PD) nonquadratic Lyapunov functions with respect to the given saturation constraint on the control input. First, the designed conditions are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and gain performance is used to attenuate the effect of the external disturbance signals. Then, the estimation of the largest domain of attraction (DoA) for the system is formulated and solved as an optimization problem. Two examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods.