bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural adaptive robust output feedback control of wheeled mobile robots with saturating actuators
Authors: Shojaei Khoshnam 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThis paper addresses the output feedback tracking control problem of electrically driven wheeled mobile robots subjected to actuator constraints. The main drawback of previously proposed controllers is the actuator saturation problem, which degrades the transient performance of the closed‐loop control system. In order to alleviate this problem, a saturated tracking controller has been proposed using the hyperbolic tangent function. A new nonlinear observer is introduced in order to leave out the velocity sensors in the robot system to decrease the cost and weight of the system for practical applications. A dynamic surface control strategy is effectively used to reduce the design complexity when considering actuator dynamics. In addition, neural network approximation capabilities and adaptive robust techniques are also adopted to improve the tracking performance in the presence of uncertain nonlinearities and unknown parameters. Semi‐global stability of the closed‐loop system is presented using direct Lyapunov method. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control system for a differential drive mobile robot in practice. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Tuning Method for Stabilization Time Delay Systems Using PIλDμ Controllers
Authors: Hafsi Sami , Laabidi Kaouther , Farkh Rihem 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a new design procedure to tune the fractional order PIλDμ controller that stabilizes a first order plant with time delay. The procedure is based on a suitable version of the Hermite–Biehler Theorem and the Pontryagin Theorem. A Theorem and a Lemma are developed to compute the global stability region of the PIλDμ controller in the (kp,ki,kd) space. Hence, this Theorem and Lemma allow us to develop an algorithm for solving the PIλDμ stabilization problem of the closed loop plant. The proposed approach has been verified by numerical simulation that confirms the effectiveness of the procedure.
A sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for quantifying capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in rabbit plasma and tissue: application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wang Dimin , Meng Fanhua , Yu Lin , Sun Lu. , Sun Lili , Guo Jifen 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPrescription and nonprescription products for topical management of pain, including cream, lotion and patch forms, contain capsaicin (CAP) and dihydrocapsaicin (DHC). There are few in vivo studies on absorption, bioavailability and disposition of CAP and DHC. We established a sensitive and rapid LC‐MS/MS assay to determine CAP and DHC levels in rabbit plasma and tissue. Bio‐samples prepared by liquid–liquid extraction using n‐hexane–dichloromethane–isopropanol (100: 50: 5, v/v/v) mixture were separated by isocratic chromatography with an Extend C18 column. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–water–formic acid (70: 30: 0.1, v/v/v). The method was linear from 0.125 to 50 ng/mL for a 100 μL bio‐sample, and the lower quantification limit was 0.125 ng/mL. Total run time to analyze each sample was 3.5 min. We used this validated method to study pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of CAP gel administered topically to rabbits. A very small amount of CAP and DHC was absorbed into the systemic circulation. The highest plasma concentration was 2.39 ng/mL, and the mean peak plasma concentration value after 12 h of CAP gel application was 1.68 ng/mL. Drug concentration in treated skin was relatively high, with low concentration in other tissues. Thus, topical CAP gel had strong local effects and weaker systemic effects. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A validated miRNA profile predicts response to therapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Skinner Heath D. , Lee Jeffrey H. , Bhutani Manoop S. , Weston Brian , Hofstetter Wayne , Komaki Ritsuko , Shiozaki Hironori , Wadhwa Roopma , Sudo Kazuki , Elimova Elena , Song Shumei , Ye Yuanqing , Huang Maosheng , Ajani Jaffer , Wu Xifeng 
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUNDIn the current study we present a validated miRNA signature to predict pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in esophageal adenocarcinoma.METHODSThree patient cohorts (discovery, n = 10; model, n = 43; and validation, n = 65) with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma were analyzed. In the discovery cohort 754 miRNAs were examined in pretreatment tumor biopsy specimens using a TaqMan array. Of these, the 44 most significantly altered between tumors with pCR and non‐pCR were examined in an additional 43 tumors using a Fluidigm 48.48 array. The 4 miRNAs (mir‐505*, mir‐99b, mir‐451, and mir‐145*) significantly predicting pCR in both cohorts were examined in an additional validation cohort (n = 65) using an Illumina array. These 4 miRNAs were used to generate an miRNA expression profile (MEP) score.RESULTSThe 4 miRNAs profiled are highly significantly associated with pCR in the model cohort (Ptrend = .008), the validation cohort (Ptrend = .025), and the combined cohort (Ptrend = 4.6 × 10−4). The receiver‐operator characteristic areas under the curves (AUCs) for the MEP score were 0.78 for the model cohort, 0.71 for the validation cohort, and 0.72 for the combined cohort. When combined with clinical variables, the MEP score AUCs increased to 0.89, 0.77, and 0.81, respectively Estimates from logistic regression based on the MEP were determined and used to generate a probability of pCR plot, which identifies a group of patients with very high (≥80%) and very low (≤10%) probability of pCR.CONCLUSIONSThe MEP score provides a validated means of predicting pCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma that is robust across several analysis platforms. Cancer 2014;120:3635–3641. © 2014 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society.
Expression pattern of mRNA A and mRNA B of alpha sarcoglycan gene during mouse embryonic development and regulation of their expression by myogenic and cardiogenic transcription factors
Authors: Roque‐Ramírez Bladimir , Chimal‐Monroy Jesús , Canto Patricia , Coral‐Vázquez Ramón Mauricio 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTBackground: Type 2D limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGM2D) is a progressive disorder caused by mutations in the alpha sarcoglycan (α‐SG) gene. In mice, the α‐SG gene contains two promoters that regulate the expression of two different mRNAs (A and B). However, their gene expression pattern during embryonic development has not been explored and their regulation by myogenic and cardiogenic transcription factors has been only partially studied. Results: During embryonic development, mRNA A and B of α‐SG gene were initially detected in hypaxial muscles, heart, stomach, tongue, and mesenchymal cells, which surround the dorsal region of the somites. Moreover, mRNA B was exclusively expressed in the floor plate and notochord and in the interdigits of limbs. In vitro, MyoD and myogenin positively regulated the transcription of mRNA B during skeletal myogenesis, whereas mRNA A was activated only for MyoD in differentiated skeletal muscle. In addition, Gata‐4 together with Mef2c may regulate the expression of mRNA B in heart development, whereas Nkx2.5 and myocardin may activate expression of mRNA A in the differentiated cardiomyocyte. Conclusions: The differential expression of α‐SG mRNAs during mouse embryonic development may be a consequence of the differential regulation of both promoters by myogenic and cardiogenic factors. Developmental Dynamics 243:1416–1428, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A systematic review of therapeutic interventions to reduce acute and chronic post‐surgical pain after amputation, thoracotomy or mastectomy
Authors: Humble S.R. , Dalton A.J. , Li L. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundPerioperative neuropathic pain is under‐recognized and often undertreated. Chronic pain may develop after any routine surgery, but it can have a far greater incidence after amputation, thoracotomy or mastectomy. The peak noxious barrage due to the neural trauma associated with these operations may be reduced in the perioperative period with the potential to reduce the risk of chronic pain.Databases and data treatmentA systematic review of the evidence for perioperative interventions reducing acute and chronic pain associated with amputation, mastectomy or thoracotomy.ResultsThirty‐two randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Gabapentinoids reduced pain after mastectomy, but a single dose was ineffective for thoracotomy patients who had an epidural. Gabapentinoids were ineffective for vascular amputees with pre‐existing chronic pain. Venlafaxine was associated with less chronic pain after mastectomy. Intravenous and topical lidocaine and perioperative EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic) cream reduced the incidence of chronic pain after mastectomy, whereas local anaesthetic infiltration appeared ineffective. The majority of the trials investigating regional analgesia found it to be beneficial for chronic symptoms. Ketamine and intercostal cryoanalgesia offered no reduction in chronic pain. Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) reduced the incidence of post‐thoracotomy pain in one study, whereas high‐dose remifentanil exacerbated chronic pain in another.ConclusionsAppropriate dose regimes of gabapentinoids, antidepressants, local anaesthetics and regional anaesthesia may potentially reduce the severity of both acute and chronic pain for patients. Ketamine was not effective at reducing chronic pain. Intercostal cryoanalgesia was not effective and has the potential to increase the risk of chronic pain. TIVA may be beneficial but the effects of opioids are unclear.
The bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist BI113823 reverses inflammatory hyperalgesia by desensitization of peripheral and spinal neurons
Authors: Schuelert N. , Just S. , Corradini L. , Kuelzer R. , Bernloehr C. , Doods H. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundBradykinin is a neuropeptide released after tissue damage which plays an important role in inflammatory pain. The up‐regulation of the bradykinin B1 receptor in response to inflammation makes it an attractive target for drug development. Aim was to investigate if the selective B1 receptor antagonist BI113823 reduces inflammation‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia and if the effect is mediated via peripheral and/or spinal B1 receptor antagonism.MethodsElectrophysiological recordings of peripheral afferents and spinal neurons were combined with behavioural experiments to better understand the underlying mechanisms of B1 receptor antagonism. Experiments were performed 24 h after injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or saline into the paw of Wistar rats. A gene expression analysis for the B1 receptor was performed in different tissues. BI113823 was administered orally or intrathecally to assess effects on CFA‐induced hyperalgesia. Peripheral afferents of the saphenous nerve as well as spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) and nociceptive‐specific (NS) neurons were recorded, and mechanosensitivity was measured before and after BI113823 administration.ResultsBI113823 reduced CFA‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia when administered orally or intrathecally. An increased B1 receptor gene expression was found in peripheral and spinal neural tissue. BI113823 significantly reduced mechanosensitivity of peripheral afferents and spinal NS neurons, but had no effect on WDR neurons.ConclusionThe selective bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist BI113823 reduces CFA‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia which is mediated via antagonism of peripheral as well as spinal bradykinin B1 receptors. The selective modulation of CFA‐sensitized spinal NS neurons by BI113823 could be a promising property for the treatment of inflammatory pain.
Analysis of drugs of abuse in human plasma by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Fernández P. , Regenjo M. , Bermejo A. M. , Fernández A. M. , Lorenzo R. A. , Carro A. M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractOpioids and cocaine are widely used at present, both for recreational purposes and as drugs of abuse. This raises the need to develop new analytical methods specifically designed for the simultaneous detection of several drugs of abuse in biological samples. In this work, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was assessed as a new sample treatment for the simultaneous extraction of morphine (MOR), 6‐acetylmorphine (6AM), cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BZE) and methadone (MET) from human plasma. Preliminary assays were done before developing an experimental design based on a Uniform Network Doehlert which allowed the optimum extraction conditions to be identified, namely: a volume of extractant solvent (chloroform) and dispersant solvent (acetonitrile) of 220 µl and 3.2 ml, respectively; 0.2 g of NaCl as a salting‐out additive; pH 10.6 and ultrasound stirring for 3.5 min. The resulting extracts were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC‐PDA), using an XBridge® RP18 column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size). Calibration graphs were linear over the concentration range 0.1–10 µg ml–1, and detection limits ranged from 13.9 to 28.5 ng ml–1. Precision calculated at three different concentration levels in plasma was included in the range 0.1–6.8% RSD. Recoveries of the five drugs were all higher than 84% on average. Finally the proposed method was successfully applied to 22 plasma samples from heroin, cocaine and/or methadone users, and the most frequently detected drug was benzoylecgonine, followed by methadone, cocaine and morphine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidants and sensory properties of the infusions of wild passiflora from Brazilian savannah: potential as functional beverages
Authors: Pineli Lívia de L de O , Rodrigues Juliana da S Q , Costa Ana M , de Lima Herbert C , Chiarello Marileusa D , Melo Lauro 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe study of biodiversity for species recovery and sustainable use has encouraged research with plants from Brazilian savannah. We aimed to characterize chemical and sensory properties of infusions of passifloras, due to their potential as functional beverages. Infusions and hydroalcoholic extracts of four species of wild passifloras, three varieties of Passiflora edulis and a commercial passiflora tea were evaluated for total phenolics (TPs), total flavonoids (TFs), condensed tannins (CTs), and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP). Free‐choice Profile and acceptance, compared with green tea, were performed for sensory characterization.RESULTSIn general, infusions had higher levels of TPs and CTs than hydroalcoholic extracts, which in turn had higher levels of TFs. Infusion of P. nitida showed higher amounts of TPs and antioxidant activity. Acceptance of passiflora infusions was similar or higher than that of green tea, except for P. alata. P. setacea presented a sensory profile similar to other commercial teas and higher acceptance by a group of consumers.CONCLUSIONPassiflora infusions showed different degrees of suitability as acceptable functional beverage. Identification of phenolics and other bitter compounds is needed to understand the intense bitterness of P. alata, as it did not present the highest contents of TPs, CTs and TFs. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Enzymatic hydrolysis optimization of Paphia undulata and lymphocyte proliferation activity of the isolated peptide fractions
Authors: He Xiao Qing , Cao Wen Hong , Pan Guang Kun , Yang Liu , Zhang Chao Hua 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe immune system is important in preventing and controlling various infectious diseases. Immunoactive peptides derived from food proteins could exert immunomodulatory activity without side effects. Paphia undulata with high‐protein is suitable for the production of immunoactive peptides. The objective of this study was to optimize the hydrolysis parameters to maximize the immune activity of hydrolysates from Paphia undulata.RESULTSHydrolysis parameters, including temperature, time and the ratio of alkaline protease to Paphia undulata meat (E/S), were optimized by response surface methodology with a central composite design. The optimum conditions were obtained as follows: temperature, 51 °C; time, 3.14 h; E/S, 4,321 U g−1 (Paphia undulata meat). Furthermore, hydrolysates obtained under the optimum conditions were fractionated by ultrafiltration and gel filtration on a Sephadex G‐25 column. After two‐step isolation, the isolated fractions (P2 and P3) including the peptides Pro‐His‐Thr‐Cys, Val‐Gly‐Try‐Thr, Glu‐Phe, Leu‐Phe, and Glu‐Gly‐Ala‐Lys, Trp‐Ile or Trp‐Leu, respectively, could significantly enhance lymphocyte proliferation ability.CONCLUSIONThese results showed that response surface methodology and two‐step separation were efficient for recovery of low‐molecular‐weight peptides with high spleen lymphocyte proliferation activity, and the isolated fractions of Paphia undulata hydrolysates are potential ingredients for development of functional foods. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Ethylene–Propylene Copolymers Prepared Using Metallocene Catalysts
Authors: Tourkmani Kenda , Casas Emilio , Paredes Beatriz , Moreno Jovita , Perez Ponciano , Escola Jose María , Van Grieken Rafael 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe synthesis in a liquid propene phase of ethylene–propylene copolymers of low molecular weights (3 000–20 000 g mol−1) is accomplished using three different metallocenes containing bridged bis(indenyl) moieties: (A) rac‐dimethylsilylbis(4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride, (B) rac‐ethylenebis(4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride, and (C) rac‐ethylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride. Hydrogen pressures higher than 1 bar were required to drop the molecular weight below 25 000 g mol−1. Metallocene B gives rise to the copolymers with lower molecular weights (<5 000 g mol−1), irrespective of the ethylene content, due to the presence of a hydrogenated six membered ring in the indenyl moiety as well as a CH2 bridge. DSC experiments indicate that for low ethylene contents (below 4 wt%), metallocene A gives rise to copolymers with the highest melting temperatures and the lowest melting enthalpies, suggesting the existence of longer isotactic propylene sequences into the copolymer backbone.
Evaluation in monkey of two candidate PET radioligands, [11C]RX‐1 and [18F]RX‐2, for imaging brain 5‐HT4 receptors
Authors: Lohith Talakad G. , Xu Rong , Tsujikawa Tetsuya , Morse Cheryl L. , Anderson Kacey B. , Gladding Robert L. , Zoghbi Sami S. , Fujita Masahiro , Innis Robert B. , Pike Victor W. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe serotonin subtype‐4 (5‐HT4) receptor, which is known to be involved physiologically in learning and memory, and pathologically in Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric disorders—has few radioligands readily available for imaging in vivo. We have previously reported two novel 5‐HT4 receptor radioligands, namely [methoxy‐11C](1‐butylpiperidin‐4‐yl)methyl 4‐amino‐3‐methoxybenzoate; [11C]RX‐1), and the [18F]3‐fluoromethoxy analog ([18F]RX‐2), and in this study we evaluated them by PET in rhesus monkey. Brain scans were performed at baseline, receptor preblock or displacement conditions using SB 207710, a 5‐HT4 receptor antagonist, on the same day for [11C]RX‐1 and on different days for [18F]RX‐2. Specific‐to‐nondisplaceable ratio (BPND) was measured with the simplified reference tissue model from all baseline scans. To determine specific binding, total distribution volume (VT) was also measured in some monkeys by radiometabolite‐corrected arterial input function after ex vivo inhibition of esterases from baseline and blocked scans. Both radioligands showed moderate to high peak brain uptake of radioactivity (2–6 SUV). Regional BPND values were in the rank order of known 5‐HT4 receptor distribution with a trend for higher BPND values from [18F]RX‐2. One‐tissue compartmental model provided good fits with well identified VT values for both radioligands. In the highest 5‐HT4 receptor density region, striatum, 50–60% of total binding was specific. The VT in receptor‐poor cerebellum reached stable values by about 60 min for both radioligands indicating little influence of radiometabolites on brain signal. In conclusion, both [11C]RX‐1 and [18F]RX‐2 showed positive attributes for PET imaging of brain 5‐HT4 receptors, validating the radioligand design strategy. Synapse 68:613–623, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Total Synthesis and Complete Structural Assignment of Gambieric Acid A, a Large Polycyclic Ether Marine Natural Product
Authors: Sasaki Makoto , Fuwa Haruhiko 
Published: August 2014

AbstractMore than thirty years after the discovery of polycyclic ether marine natural products, they continue to receive intense attention from the chemical, biological, and pharmacological communities because of their potent biological activities and highly complex molecular architectures. Gambieric acids are intriguing polycyclic ethers that exhibit potent antifungal activity with minimal toxicity against mammals. Despite the recent advances in the synthesis of this class of natural products, gambieric acids remain unconquered due to their daunting structural complexity, which poses a formidable synthetic challenge to organic chemists. This paper reviews our long‐term studies on the total synthesis, complete configurational reassignment, and structure–activity relationships of gambieric acid A over the last decade.
Transvaginal ultrasound assessment of myometrial and cervical stromal invasion in women with endometrial cancer: interobserver reproducibility among ultrasound experts and gynecologists
Authors: Eriksson L. S. E. , Lindqvist P. G. , Flöter Rådestad A. , Dueholm M. , Fischerova D. , Franchi D. , Jokubkiene L. , Leone F. P. , Savelli L. , Sladkevicius P. , Testa A. C. , Van den Bosch T. , Ameye L. , Epstein E. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess interobserver reproducibility among ultrasound experts and gynecologists in the prediction by transvaginal ultrasound of deep myometrial and cervical stromal invasion in women with endometrial cancer.MethodsSonographic videoclips of the uterine corpus and cervix of 53 women with endometrial cancer, examined preoperatively by the same ultrasound expert, were integrated into a digitalized survey. Nine ultrasound experts and nine gynecologists evaluated presence or absence of deep myometrial and cervical stromal invasion. Histopathology from hysterectomy specimens was used as the gold standard.ResultsCompared with gynecologists, ultrasound experts showed higher sensitivity, specificity and agreement with histopathology in the assessment of cervical stromal invasion (42% (95% CI, 31–53%) vs 57% (95% CI, 45–68%), P < 0.01; 83% (95% CI, 78–86%) vs 87% (95% CI, 83–90%), P = 0.02; and kappa, 0.45 (95% CI, 0.40–0.49) vs 0.58 (95% CI, 0.53–0.62), P < 0.001, respectively) but not of deep myometrial invasion (73% (95% CI, 66–79%) vs 73% (95% CI, 66–79%), P = 1.0; 70% (95% CI, 65–75%) vs 69% (95% CI, 63–74%), P = 0.68; and kappa, 0.48 (95% CI, 0.44–0.53) vs 0.52 (95% CI, 0.48–0.57), P = 0.11, respectively). Though interobserver reproducibility (in the context of test proportions ‘good’ and ‘very good’, according to kappa) regarding deep myometrial invasion did not differ between the groups (experts, 34% vs gynecologists, 22%, P = 0.13), ultrasound experts assessed cervical stromal invasion with significantly greater interobserver reproducibility than did gynecologists (53% vs 14%, P < 0.001).ConclusionPreoperative ultrasound assessment of deep myometrial and cervical stromal invasion in endometrial cancer is best performed by ultrasound experts, as, compared with gynecologists, they showed a greater degree of agreement with histopathology and greater interobserver reproducibility in the assessment of cervical stromal invasion. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.