bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface Modification of Magnetite with PBS Using a Ricinoleic‐Toluene Diisocyanate Fragment as the Binder Structure
Authors: Moraes Rafael , Gomes Souza Jr Fernando , Saez Vivian , Silva Luiza , Middea Antonieta 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMagnetite nanoparticles are widely used in current medicine because their magnetite properties allow several uses as drug delivery systems, contrasts in imaging tests, and even for magnetohyperthermia. However, magnetic nanoparticles possess meager Zeta potential, presenting a strong tendency to agglomerate. For clinical use, they must be covered with a biocompatible material to maintain colloidal stability, without, however, altering its magnetic properties. Thus, for biomedical applications in general, magnetic nanocomposites are more interesting than pure magnetite. The present work applies poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), as a coating on magnetite nanoparticles, aiming to increase their biocompatibility. PBS is a polymer obtained from renewable sources, being entirely suitable for pharmacological uses. In this work, the synthesis of ricinoleic acid from natural castor oil is carried out through the saponification method and subsequent acid hydrolysis. In turn, the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles is performed by coprecipitation. Then, by an acid‐base reaction, the nanoparticles are treated with ricinoleic acid. Soon afterward, toluene diisocyanate is used to produce bonding between the modified particles and PBS. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the synthesis of the material. Also, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering experiments are performed. The obtained results allow inferring the success in the preparation of the pursued hybrid material.
Spectroscopic, Microscopic, X‐Ray Diffraction and Thermal Stability Studies of Stearic Acid Modified Hydrotalcite Formed through Memory Effect
Authors: Daniel Saju , Alapat Padmanabhan , Kalarikkal Nandakumar , Thomas Sabu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOrganic modification of layered double hydroxide (LDH) (hydrotalcite) is a remarkable and a very essential step in the field of fabrication of exfoliated LDH polymer nanocomposites for novel multifaceted applications. In this research work, stearic acid (SA) modification of LDH has been conducted successfully by memory effect. The modification of LDH has been confirmed by atomic force microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscopic analysis, transmission electron microscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray photo electron spectroscopic analysis, Raman spectroscopic analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis, and thermogravimeric analysis. The basal spacing in the SA‐modified LDH is found to be 5.03 nm, which is almost double the value of 18 C‐C lengths in SA. This indicates the formation of a bilayer of stearate ion in the interlamellar region of LDH in the modified form. Hence, this work is novel as it paved a breakthrough for making organic‐inorganic hybrid for drug delivery, gene delivery, controlled pesticide release, etc. with the prolonged delivery time as the interlayer region consisted of double the number of stearate ions in monolayer intercalated LDH.
Gait Variability in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Assessed Using Wearable Inertial Sensors
Authors: Shah Vrutangkumar V. , Rodriguez‐Labrada Roberto , Horak Fay B. , McNames James , Casey Hannah , Hansson Floyd Kyra , El‐Gohary Mahmoud , Schmahmann Jeremy D. , Rosenthal Liana S. , Perlman Susan , Velázquez‐Pérez Luis , Gomez Christopher M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundQuantitative assessment of severity of ataxia‐specific gait impairments from wearable technology could provide sensitive performance outcome measures with high face validity to power clinical trials.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify a set of gait measures from body‐worn inertial sensors that best discriminate between people with prodromal or manifest spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and age‐matched, healthy control subjects (HC) and determine how these measures relate to disease severity.MethodsOne hundred and sixty‐three people with SCA (subtypes 1, 2, 3, and 6), 42 people with prodromal SCA, and 96 HC wore 6 inertial sensors while performing a natural pace, 2‐minute walk. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were compared for 25 gait measures, including standard deviations as variability, to discriminate between ataxic and normal gait. Pearson's correlation coefficient assessed the relationships between the gait measures and severity of ataxia.ResultsIncreased gait variability was the most discriminative gait feature of SCA; toe‐out angle variability (AUC = 0.936; sensitivity = 0.871; specificity = 0.896) and double‐support time variability (AUC = 0.932; sensitivity = 0.834; specificity = 0.865) were the most sensitive and specific measures. These variability measures were also significantly correlated with the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) and disease duration. The same gait measures discriminated gait of people with prodromal SCA from the gait of HC (AUC = 0.610, and 0.670, respectively).ConclusionsWearable inertial sensors provide sensitive and specific measures of excessive gait variability in both manifest and prodromal SCAs that are reliable and related to the severity of the disease, suggesting they may be useful as clinical trial performance outcome measures. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
High‐resolution ultrasound demonstrates in vivo effects of wrist movement on the median nerve along the forearm
Authors: Jengojan Suren , Schellen Christoph , Dovjak Gregor , Schmidhammer Robert , Weber Michael , Kasprian Gregor , Bodner Gerd 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsHigh‐resolution ultrasound (HRUS) is the imaging method of choice to visualize peripheral nerve size, structure, and biomechanical performance. The purpose of this study was to show and quantify the effects of active and passive wrist alignment on median nerve (MN) cross‐sectional area (CSA) along the forearm in a healthy population.MethodsSixteen healthy volunteers underwent HRUS of their dominant forearm (n = 16, 10 males, 6 females, 18–55 y of age). Median nerveʼs CSA was assessed at four defined areas on the forearm in relation to active and passive wrist alignment.ResultsChanges in wrist alignment were significantly associated with MN CSA (P < .001), regardless if the wrist was moved actively or passively. MN CSA was lowest during passive extension of the wrist joint and highest during passive flexion of the wrist joint (range: 4.5–23.2 mm2).DiscussionThe elasticity of nerve tissue, the loose connective tissue between the fascicles, and the paraneurium allow peripheral nerves to adapt to longitudinal strain. HRUS enables the demonstration of significant median nerve CSA changes along the forearm during active and passive wrist movement in healthy volunteers.
Anlotinib Combined with S-1 in Third- or Later-Line Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment: A Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: Xiang Miao , Yang Xiyue , Ren Surong , Du Huan , Geng Lidan , Yuan Li , Wen Yixue , Lin Binwei , Li Jie , Zhang Yu , Feng Gang , Du Xiaobo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Lessons Learned

Background
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with S-1 as a third- or later-line treatment for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Anlotinib was approved in 2018 by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a third-line treatment for patients with refractory advanced NSCLC and is under study in the U.S. and Europe.

Methods
Simon's phase II clinical trial design with an α error of 5% and a power β of 80% was used, anticipating a 10% objective response rate (ORR) of anlotinib and a 30% ORR of anlotinib combined with S-1; the required sample size was 29. A total of 29 patients were enrolled in the clinical trial. Patients were treated with anlotinib plus S-1 over a 21-day treatment course until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects. If the efficacy was assessed as stable disease, partial response, or complete response after six cycles, anlotinib was maintained until disease progression or death. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate. Somatic mutations were not required for study enrollment.

Results
The median follow-up time was 11.1 months. Objective responses were observed in 11 of 29 (37.9%) patients making up the intention-to-treat population, which reached the target primary endpoint of 30% ORR. The median overall and progression-free survival were 16.7 and 5.8 months, respectively. The most common grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, fatigue, and hypertension. No grade 4 treatment-related AEs or treatment-related deaths occurred.

Conclusion
The combination of anlotinib with S-1 in the third- or later-line treatment of stage IV NSCLC shows promising antitumor activity and manageable toxicity in patients with NSCLC; phase III trials will be planned in the future.
Histologic Discordance Between Primary Tumor and Nodal Metastasis in Breast Cancer: Solving a Clinical Conundrum in the Era of Genomics
Authors: Yun Nicole K. , Slostad Jessica A. , Naqib Ankur , Frankenberger Casey , Perez Claudia B. , Ghai Ritu , Usha Lydia 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have become increasingly used for managing breast cancer. In addition to the conventional use of NGS for predicting recurrence risk and identifying potential actionable mutations, NGS can also serve as a powerful tool to understand clonal origin and evolution of tumor pairs and play a unique role in clarifying complex clinical presentations. We report an unusual case of early-stage breast cancer in which the primary tumor and draining axillary node were histologically discordant. The primary tumor was invasive lobular carcinoma, whereas the nodal metastasis was invasive ductal carcinoma. This discordance led us to question whether the tumors had the same origin. NGS performed on both specimens identified no overlapping variants, leading us to conclude that the patient had two separate primary breast cancers, with the nodal tumor representing metastasis from an occult breast cancer. DNA sequencing of the primary tumor and the nodal metastasis allowed us to predict the patient's recurrence risk, and we initiated adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy based on these results. This case illustrates the utility of NGS for successfully managing a rare and challenging case.

Key Points
Impact of CYP2D6 Pharmacogenomic Status on Pain Control Among Opioid-Treated Oncology Patients
Authors: Reizine Natalie , Danahey Keith , Schierer Emily , Liu Ping , Middlestadt Merisa , Ludwig Jenna , Truong Tien M. , Wijk Xander M.R. , Yeo Kiang-Teck J. , Malec Monica , Ratain Mark J. , O'Donnell Peter H. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Several opioids have pharmacogenomic associations impacting analgesic efficacy. However, germline pharmacogenomic testing is not routinely incorporated into supportive oncology. We hypothesized that CYP2D6 profiling would correlate with opioid prescribing and hospitalizations.

Materials and Methods
We analyzed 61,572 adult oncology patients from 2012 to 2018 for opioid exposures. CYP2D6 metabolizer phenotype (ultra-rapid [UM], normal metabolizer [NM], intermediate [IM], or poor [PM]), the latter two of which may cause inefficacy of codeine, tramadol, and standard-dose hydrocodone, was determined for patients genotyped for reasons unrelated to pain. The primary endpoint was number of opioid medications received during longitudinal care (IM/PMs vs. NMs). Secondary endpoint was likelihood of pain-related hospital encounters.

Results
Most patients with cancer (n = 34,675, 56%) received multiple opioids (average 2.8 ± 1.6/patient). Hydrocodone was most commonly prescribed (62%), followed by tramadol, oxycodone, and codeine. In the CYP2D6 genotyped cohort (n = 105), IM/PMs received a similar number of opioids (3.4 ± 1.4) as NMs (3.3 ± 1.9). However, IM/PMs were significantly more likely to experience pain-related hospital encounters compared with NMs, independent of other variables (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–23.6; p = .03). IM/PMs were also more likely to be treated with later-line opioids that do not require CYP2D6 metabolism, such as morphine and hydromorphone (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1–9.8; p = .03).

Conclusion
CYP2D6 genotype may identify patients with cancer at increased risk for inadequate analgesia when treated with typical first-line opioids like codeine, tramadol, or standard-dose hydrocodone. Palliative care considerations are an integral part of optimal oncology care, and these findings justify prospective evaluation of preemptive genotyping as a strategy to improve oncology pain management.

Implications for Practice
Genomic variation in metabolic enzymes can predispose individuals to inefficacy when receiving opioid pain medications. Patients with intermediate and/or poor CYP2D6 metabolizer status do not adequately convert codeine, tramadol, and hydrocodone into active compounds, with resulting increased risk of inadequate analgesia. This study showed that patients with cancer frequently receive CYP2D6-dependent opioids. However, patients with CYP2D6 intermediate and poor metabolizer status had increased numbers of pain-related hospitalizations and more frequently required the potent non-CYP2D6 opioids morphine and hydromorphone. This may reflect inadequate initial analgesia with the common “first-line” CYP2D6-metabolized opioids. Preemptive genotyping to guide opioid prescribing during cancer care may improve pain-related patient outcomes.
Strategies to modify the structure of thin‐film composite membranes for advanced separation of metronidazole antibiotic from wastewater
Authors: Zabihi Zohreh , Homayoonfal Maryam 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this research, thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes were used for separating metronidazole antibiotic from effluents. In order to enhance the metronidazole separation performance, thin‐film nanocomposite (TFNC) membranes containing copper sulfide nanoparticles as well as modified thin‐film nanocomposite (MFTNC) membranes containing copper sulfide nanoparticles coated with acrylic acid were employed. The spherical morphology of CuS nanoparticles along with the acrylic acid chains coated on their surface was confirmed through TEM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The crystalline size of nanoparticles was obtained as 29 nm according to XRD. The effect of nanoparticles on chemical functional groups and membrane elemental analysis was investigated by FTIR and CHNS analysis. The structural comparison of TFC, TFNC, and MTFC membranes indicated that the degree of grafting (DG) of the composite thin‐film was 17.2, 27.2, and 46.1%, respectively. The structural modification caused the contact angle of TFC, TFNC, and MTFNC to diminish by 47, 34, and 21°, and their porosity to rise by 37, 67, and 53%, respectively. Improvement of porosity and surface hydrophilicity resulted in flux recovery of 87, 100, and 100% in metronidazole filtration by TFC, TFNC, and MTFNC membranes respectively. AFM analysis reported lower roughness of TFNC and MTFNC compared to TFC roughness, obtained in response to less fouling for TFNC and MTFNC over TFC. The size of pores of TFC, TFNC, and MTFNC membranes was measured as 26.5, 16.8, and 14.5 nm respectively, bringing about metronidazole separations of 86.3%, 87.5%, and 98.3%, respectively.
PAX3‐NCOA1 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the tongue: A rare entity with challenging diagnosis and management
Authors: Di Carlo Daniela , Chargari Cyrus , Scoazec Jean‐Yves , Cotteret Sophie , Felix Arthur , Moalla Salma , Temam Stephane , Minard‐Colin Véronique 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAlveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is associated with PAX3/PAX7‐FOXO1 fusion, which confers specific clinic and biologic characteristics with inferior outcomes. A minority of tumors still histologically classified as “true” ARMS lack the canonical PAX‐FOXO1 fusion but have new molecular alterations. We present the first case of PAX3‐NCOA1 ARMS with clinical data and follow‐up in a two‐year‐old girl with ARMS of the tongue and nodal extension, treated with chemotherapy, hemi glossectomy, lymph node dissection, and brachytherapy to conserve oral function and limit long‐term sequelae. Given the rarity of such variant fusion in ARMS, international collaboration is required to evaluate its prognostic value.
Paracetamol exposure and asthma: What does the evidence say? An overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Singh Manvi , Varukolu Suresh , Chauhan Anil , Jaiswal Nishant , Pradhan Pranita , Mathew Joseph L. , Singh Meenu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo conduct an umbrella review collating the existing evidence to determine whether there is an association between exposure of Paracetamol in‐utero or in infancy and the development of childhood Asthma.MethodsIn this review, systematic reviews with or without meta‐analysis that reported the association between paracetamol and asthma in children were included. To identify relevant reviews, a search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Ovid MEDLINE. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO CRD42020156023. A separate search was conducted for primary studies from the last 5 years not yet included in systematic reviews reporting the association from January 2016 to March 2021.ResultsThe electronic searches identified 1966 review titles. After the removal of 493 duplicates, 1475 titles and abstracts were screened against the eligibility criteria. Full‐text screening yielded six systematic reviews to be included in this review. The search for primary studies in the last 5 years yielded 1214 hits, out of which 5 studies were found suitable for inclusion. Three of them, that were not included in the systematic reviews, and have been summarised in this paper. The odds ratios (ORs) for the outcome of asthma in offspring of mothers with prenatal paracetamol consumption in any trimester were 1.28 (1.13–1.39) and 1.21 (1.02–1.44). For first trimester exposures, they were 1.12 (0.99–1.27), 1.39 (1.01–1.91), and 1.21 (1.14–1.28), for the second or third trimester, they were 1.49 (1.37–1.63) and 1.13 (1.04–1.23). For the third trimester only, the figure was 1.17 (1.04–1.31). Of the six reviews included, 1 had a low risk of bias, 2 had an unclear risk while 3 had a high risk of bias assessed using the ROBIS tool. There was no significant increased risk of asthma with early infancy exposure. The inter‐study heterogeneity varied from I2 = 41% to I2 = 76% across reviews. In the primary studies, the OR for prenatal exposure ranged from 1.12 (0.25–4.98) to 4.66 (1.92–11.3) and for infancy exposure was 1.56 (1.06–2.30). All three included primary studies were adjudged to be of high quality using the Newcastle Ottawa scale.ConclusionsThere is a modest association between paracetamol exposure in‐utero and the future development of asthma. Exposure in infancy has a less consistant association. All the studies done thus far are observational in nature, with their inherent biases. Further research, preferably randomized controlled trials are recommended to answer this pertinent question.
SuP‐Ring: A pneumatic tactile display with substitutional representation of contact force components using normal indentation
Authors: Ly Hoang Hiep , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Fujiwara Michitaka 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundShear force is important for tumour detection and can contribute to minimally invasive surgery (MIS). A popular method uses lateral skin stretch to produce shear force but has some limitations.MethodsWe have developed a ring‐type pneumatic tactile display that employs normal indentation substituted for lateral skin stretch to represent normal and shear feedback, called SuP‐Ring. Psychophysical experiments were conducted to evaluate how users perceive the provided feedback and the effectiveness of SuP‐Ring in tumour localisation.ResultsThe experimental results show that the participants could perceive the provided normal and shear feedback well. Shear feedback enables users to enhance their performance in localising the tumour and normal feedback could contribute to ensuring the safety requirements in MIS.ConclusionsThe proposed tactile display could be useful for intraoperative tumour localisation and has the potential to be used in a wide variety of applications.
Fault estimation for periodic piecewise T‐S fuzzy systems
Authors: Fan Chenchen , Lam James , Xie Xiaochen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis article addresses the fault estimation problem for continuous‐time periodic piecewise T‐S fuzzy systems affected by both faults and disturbances for the first time. Rather than conventional time‐invariant results on fuzzy systems, a fault estimation observer with periodic time‐varying observer parameters is developed. By constructing the Lyapunov function with periodic time‐varying Lyapunov matrices, the asymptotic stability and ‐ (energy‐to‐peak) performance are investigated for the augmented error dynamic systems with relaxation on the detectability assumption of all subsystems. Fault estimation observer parameters are obtained by solving the linear matrix inequality conditions which are derived by dealing with matrix polynomials. The effectiveness and conservatism reduction of the proposed method are verified by numerical examples.
Adaptive quantized control for uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown control directions
Authors: Wu Jing , Sun Wei , Su Shun‐Feng , Wu Yuqiang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study reports adaptive quantized control for a class of uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear systems with unknown control directions. Combining backstepping technique and Lyapunov stability theory, a systematic analysis method is designed. Based on the disintegration of the hysteresis quantizer, a Nussbaum‐based scheme can be developed to get over the obstacle of the quantized input signal and unknown control directions. Moreover, the number of adaptive laws is small, thereby reducing the computational burden. Then we testify the boundedness of all signals in the closed‐loop system. Besides, the tracking error can converge to an arbitrarily small domain of origin. Finally, a simulation example is provided to verify the feasibility of the control scheme.
Preparation and Properties of Hydrogels Based on Lignosulfonate and Its Efficiency of Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Bozhen , Wang Yusheng , Wang Zejun , He Yufeng , Song Pengfei , Wang Rongmin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe preparation of hydrogels for excellent sustained‐release drugs has been a focus of extensive research. In this study, lignosulfonate (LS), a kind of byproduct of papermaking, was used as a natural polymer material, acrylamide (AM) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as monomers, N, N’‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBA) as cross‐linking agent, a novel LS‐based polymer hydrogels (LS‐PHGs) with pH‐responsive and excellent mechanical properties was successfully prepared by grafting copolymerization. The influence of LS on the grafting mechanism was investigated. We were pleasantly surprised to find that LS‐PHGs displayed a high swelling degree (over 20 g/g), a great loading capacity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and obvious responsiveness for controlling drug release. Therefore, the obtained hydrogels has a promising prospect for drug delivery with excellent drug‐controlled release.