LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Lenalidomide, bortezomib, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 1/2 Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium trial.

This phase 1/2 trial evaluated combination lenalidomide, bortezomib, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (RVDD) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Patients received RVDD at 4 dose levels, including the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Patients with a very good partial response or better (≥ VGPR) after cycle 4 proceeded to autologous stem cell transplantation or continued treatment. The primary objectives were MTD evaluation and response to RVDD after 4 and 8 cycles. Seventy-two patients received a median of 4.5 cycles. The MTDs were lenalidomide 25 mg, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2), pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 30 mg/m(2), and dexamethasone 20/10 mg, as established with 3-week cycles. The most common adverse events were fatigue, constipation, sensory neuropathy, and infection; there was no treatment-related mortality. Response rates after 4 and 8 cycles were 96% and 95% partial response or better, 57% and 65% ≥ VGPR, and 29% and 35% complete or near-complete response, respectively. After a median follow-up of 15.5 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached. The estimated 18-month PFS and OS were 80.8% and 98.6%, respectively. RVDD was generally well tolerated and highly active, warranting further study in newly diagnosed MM patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00724568.
In-season strength maintenance training increases well-trained cyclists’ performance

We investigated the effects of strength maintenance training on thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), leg strength, determinants of cycling performance, and cycling performance. Well-trained cyclists completed either (1) usual endurance training supplemented with heavy strength training twice a week during a 12-week preparatory period followed by strength maintenance training once a week during the first 13 weeks of a competition period (E + S; n = 6 [♂ = 6]), or (2) usual endurance training during the whole intervention period (E; n = 6 [♂ = 5, ♀ = 1]). Following the preparatory period, E + S increased thigh muscle CSA and 1RM (p < 0.05), while no changes were observed in E. Both groups increased maximal oxygen consumption and mean power output in the 40-min all-out trial (p < 0.05). At 13 weeks into the competition period, E + S had preserved the increase in CSA and strength from the preparatory period. From the beginning of the preparatory period to 13 weeks into the competition period, E + S increased peak power output in the Wingate test, power output at 2 mmol l−1 [la−], maximal aerobic power output (W max), and mean power output in the 40-min all-out trial (p < 0.05). The relative improvements in the last two measurements were larger than in E (p < 0.05). For E, W max and power output at 2 mmol l−1 [la−] remained unchanged. In conclusion, in well-trained cyclists, strength maintenance training in a competition period preserved increases in thigh muscle CSA and leg strength attained in a preceding preparatory period and further improved cycling performance determinants and performance.
A Comparative Evaluation for Biologic Width following Surgical Crown Lengthening Using Gingivectomy and Ostectomy Procedure

Surgical crown lengthening has been proposed as a means of facilitating restorative procedures and preventing injuries in teeth with structurally inadequate clinical crown or exposing tooth structure in the presence of deep, subgingival pathologies which may hamper the access for proper restorative measures. Histological studies utilizing animal models have shown that postoperative crestal resorption allowed reestablishment of the biologic width. However, very little has been done in humans. Aims. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential changes in the periodontal tissues, particularly the biologic width, following surgical crown lengthening by two surgical procedures before and after crown placement. Methods and Material. Twenty (20) patients who needed surgical crown lengthening to gain retention necessary for prosthetic treatment and/or to access caries, tooth fracture, or previous prosthetic margins entered the study. The following parameters were obtained from line angles of treated teeth (teeth requiring surgical crown lengthening) and adjacent sites: Plaque and Gingival Indices (PI) & (GI), Position of Gingival Margin from reference Stent (PGMRS), Probing depth (PD), and Biologic Width (BW). Statistical Analysis Used. Student "t" Test. Results. Initial baseline values of biologic width were 2.55 mm (Gingivectomy procedure B1 Group) and 1.95 mm (Ostectomy procedure B2 Group) and after surgical procedure the values were 1.15 mm and 1.25 mm. Conclusions. Within the limitations of the study the biologic width, at treated sites, was re-established to its original vertical dimension by 3 months. Ostectomy with apically positioned flap can be considered as a more effective procedure than Gingivectomy for Surgical Crown Lengthening.
Efficacy and safety of duloxetine 30 mg/d in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine 30 mg/d in adults with fibromyalgia.


METHODS
This 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in the United States, Mexico, Argentina, and Israel and enrolled patients meeting the criteria for primary fibromyalgia as defined by the American College of Rheumatology. The primary endpoint was the average pain severity item from the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)-Modified Short Form, assessed by an analysis of covariance model using change from baseline to the modified baseline-observation-carried-forward endpoint. Secondary endpoints included the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) total score and those measuring pain, depression, anxiety, health outcomes, and safety.


RESULTS
Patients (mean age, 51 y; 95% female; 87% White; 22% with major depressive disorder) received duloxetine 30 mg/d (N=155) or placebo (N=153). Duloxetine-treated patients did not have a statistically significant BPI-Modified Short Form average pain severity reduction versus placebo-treated patients (-2.04 vs. -1.70; P=0.202). There was a significant difference between duloxetine-treated and placebo-treated patients (P<0.05) for the PGI-I endpoint score (2.97 vs. 3.35) and the changes in FIQ total score (-14.62 vs. -9.75) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF)-36 mental component score. Discontinuations due to adverse events did not differ significantly between treatment groups; nausea and dry mouth were the only adverse events with a significantly higher incidence with duloxetine versus placebo.


DISCUSSION
Duloxetine 30 mg/d did not significantly reduce pain severity in patients with fibromyalgia. However, duloxetine-treated patients reported global improvement in symptoms and function. Safety findings were consistent with the known duloxetine safety profile.
Clinical failure after uterine artery embolization: evaluation of patient and MR imaging characteristics.

PURPOSE
To investigate the patient and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics associated with clinical failure after uterine artery embolization (UAE).


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent UAE were examined. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed before and 4 months after the procedure, and clinical follow-up was performed at 15 months. Patients were divided into success and failure groups strictly on the basis of their clinical outcomes. Clinical follow-up included evaluation of fibroid symptoms and the need for further treatment after UAE. Findings at pre- and postprocedural MR imaging were compared, and data collected included changes in uterine and fibroid volumes, fibroid location, and fibroid perfusion.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients were placed into the success group and 20 into the failure group. There were no differences between the baseline characteristics of the two groups. The reduction in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes was greater in the success group compared with the failure group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (success group: [295/845] 34.9% vs [80/282.5] 28.3%, respectively, P=.18; failure group: [317/733] 43.2% vs [114/337.6] 33.9%, P=.32). The reduction in total fibroid volume was greater in the success group than the failure group ([189.6/393.5] 48.2% vs [148.7/439.9] 33.8%, respectively; P=.02) despite the fact that the percentage of fibroids completely infarcted was similar between the two groups ([136/172] 79% vs [41/50] 82%, P=.77). Pedunculated subserosal fibroids were more common in the failure group than in the success group (P<.03) and did not reduce in volume as significantly (53.8% vs 14.7%, respectively; P=.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the reduction in total fibroid volume after embolization is smaller in patients with poor clinical improvement. In addition, these patients have a higher number of pedunculated subserosal fibroids, and these fibroids tend to reduce in volume to a lesser extent.
The Retrieval of Stratocumulus Cloud Properties by Ground-Based Cloud Radar

The radiative characteristics of stratocumulus clouds are dependent upon their microphysical properties, primarily the liquid water content and effective radius of the drop population. Aircraft observations of droplet spectra in warm stratocumulus over the North Atlantic and around the British Isles by the Hercules C-130 aircraft of the U.K. Meteorological Office Meteorological Research Flight have been used to calculate the radar reflectivity, liquid water content, and effective radius. Empirically derived relationships, found from more than 4000 km of flight data on 11 separate days, that link reflectivity with either liquid water content or effective radius have been derived. These empirical relationships are significantly different from those predicted if the cloud droplet spectrum is modeled as a gamma function. Occasional drizzle-sized drops are frequently present within the cloud, and even though their concentration is very low, they dominate the reflectivity and these empirical relationships fail. However, although the drizzle drops increase the reflectivity, they have a negligible effect on the liquid water content and effective radius of the cloud. As these drops have a significant fall velocity in comparison to the cloud droplets, it is suggested that a ground-based Doppler radar could separate the components of the reflectivity due to bimodal drop spectra and the vertical structure of the cloud properties that determine radiative transfer could be retrieved.
A Simple/Short Introduction to Pre-Big-Bang Physics/Cosmology

A simple, non-technical introduction to the pre-big bang scenario is given, emphasizing physical motivations, considerations, and consequences over formalism.
Fed-batch fermentation for enhanced lactic acid production from glucose/xylose mixture without carbon catabolite repression.

There has been tremendous growth in the production of optically pure l-lactic acid from lignocellulose-derived sugars. In this study, Enterococcus mundtii QU 25 was used to ferment a glucose/xylose mixture to l-lactic acid. Maintenance of the xylose concentration at greater than 10 g/L achieved homo-lactic acid fermentation and reduced the formation of byproducts. Furthermore, carbon catabolite repression (CCR) was avoided by maintaining the glucose concentration below 25 g/L; therefore, initial concentrations of 25 g/L glucose and 50 g/L xylose were selected. Supplementation with 5 g/L yeast extract enhanced the maximum xylose consumption rate and consequently increased lactic acid production and productivity. Finally, a 129 g/L lactic acid without byproducts was obtained with a maximum lactic acid productivity of 5.60 g/(L·h) in fed-batch fermentation with feeding a glucose/xylose mixture using ammonium hydroxide as the neutralizing agent. These results indicate a potential for lactic acid production from glucose and xylose as the main components of lignocellulosic biomasses.
Randomized clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of sitagliptin and metformin co‐administered to Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION
The results of a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of initial combination therapy with sitagliptin and metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control are reported here.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, 24-week clinical trial carried out in China. Patients (n = 744) with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin ≥7.5 and ≤11.0%) who were either drug-naïve or washed out of previous therapy were randomized in equal ratios to sitagliptin 100 mg once daily (q.d.; S100), metformin 500 mg twice daily (b.i.d.; M1000), metformin 850 mg b.i.d. (M1700), sitagliptin 50 mg b.i.d. plus metformin 500 mg b.i.d. (S100/M1000), sitagliptin 50 mg b.i.d. plus metformin 850 mg b.i.d. (S100/M1700), or placebo.


RESULTS
The mean baseline glycated hemoglobin in randomized patients was 8.7%. Least squares mean changes from baseline in glycated hemoglobin were -0.59% (placebo), -0.99% (S100), -1.29% (M1000), -1.56% (M1700), -1.67% (S100/M1000) and -1.83% (S100/M1700) (P < 0.05 for each active group vs placebo, for S100/M1700 and S100/M1000 vs S100, and for S100/M1000 vs M1000). All treatments were generally well-tolerated. The overall incidence of hypoglycemia (symptomatic or asymptomatic) was higher in the two co-administration groups (S100/M1700 and S100/M1000) compared with the placebo. The incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia was low, and similar, across all treatment groups. The incidences of gastrointestinal adverse events were generally higher in high-dose metformin groups than in the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
In Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, initial combination therapy with sitagliptin and metformin was generally well-tolerated, and provided improvement in glycemic control.
Effects of Thrips palmi and western flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the yield, growth, and carbon allocation pattern in cucumbers.

J. Econ.EntomoI. 83(5): 2092-2101 (1990) ABSTRACT Mixed infestations of thrips, composed of ::.:94% Thrips palmi Karny and 6% Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). resulted in significant reductions in total cucumber yield, mean fruit size, and total fruit. No significant reductions were observed at <9.4 thripsdays/em' (0.48 thrips/em' at peak densities). As the number of thrips-days increased to a maximum of 45.0 per em', reductions of 54.2% in total fruit weight at final harvest were observed. Highly significant linear regressions between the total number of thrips-days per leaf and the various agronomic variables were obtained. Total yields for the season were reduced 10% by the highest level of thrips damage, possibly because 70% of all yield was harvested before significant build up of thrips populations. Moderate, yet significant, changes in growth patterns were associated with feeding damage by thrips. Less total leaf dry weight was associated with heavy feeding damage.
Low back pain education and short term quality of life: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND
Different interventions can reduce the burden of the chronic low back pain. One example is the use of a 'Back School Programme'. This is a brief therapy that uses a health education method to empower participants through a procedure of assessment, education and skill development. This study aimed to evaluate to what extent the programme could improve quality of life in those who suffer from the condition.


METHODS
This was a randomized controlled trial. One-hundred and two female patients with low back pain (n = 102) were randomly allocated into two groups, matched in terms of age, weight, education, socioeconomic status, occupation and some aspects of risk behavior. Group 1 (back school group, n = 50) but not group 2 (clinic group, n = 52) received the 'Back School Programme'. Then quality of life using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was assessed at two time points: at baseline and at three months follow-up. The findings were compared both within and between two groups.


RESULTS
The 'Back School Programme' was effective in improving patients' quality of life; significant differences were found on all eight subscales of the SF-36 for group 1. In the clinic group (group 2), improvement was observed on three scales (bodily pain, vitality and mental health) but these improvements were less than in group 1. The mean improvement over all eight subscales of the SF-36 was significantly better for the 'Back School Programme' group.


CONCLUSION
The 'Back School Programme' is an effective intervention and might improve the quality of life over a period of 3 months in patients who experience chronic low back pain.
A rapid outcomes ascertainment system improves the quality of prognostic and pharmacogenetic outcomes from observational studies.

PURPOSE
Case-control and observational studies are popular choices for evaluating molecular prognostic/pharmacogenetic outcomes, but data quality is rarely tested. Using clinical trial and epidemiologic methods, we assessed the quality of prognostic and outcomes data obtainable from a large case-control study of lung cancer.


METHODS
We developed an explicit algorithm (set of standard operating procedures forming a rapid outcomes ascertainment system) that encompassed multiple tests of quality assurance, and quality of data for a range of prognostic and outcomes variables, in several cancers, across several centers and two countries were assessed. Based on these assessments, the algorithm was revised and physicians' clinical practice changed. We reevaluated the quality of outcomes after these revisions.


RESULTS
Development of an algorithm with internal quality controls showed specific patterns of data collection errors, which were fixable. Although the major discrepancy rate in retrospective data collection was low (0.6%) when compared with external validated sources, complete data were found in <50% of patients for treatment response rate, toxicity, and documentation of patient palliative symptoms. Prospective data collection and changes to clinical practice led to significantly improved data quality. Complete data on response rate increased from 45% to 76% (P = 0.01, Fisher's exact test), for toxicity data, from 26% to 56% (P = 0.02), and for palliative symptoms, from 25% to 70% (P < 0.05), in one large lung cancer case-control study.


CONCLUSIONS
Observational studies can be a useful source for studying molecular prognostic and pharmacogenetic outcomes. A rapid outcomes ascertainment system with strict ongoing quality control measures is an excellent means of monitoring key variables.
Intentional Weight Loss and Longevity in Overweight Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE
This study examined the influence of weight loss on long-term morbidity and mortality in overweight (BMI≥25 kg/m2) patients with type 2 diabetes, and tested the hypothesis that therapeutic intentional weight loss supervised by a medical doctor prolongs life and reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease in these patients.


METHODS
This is a 19 year cohort study of patients in the intervention arm of the randomized clinical trial Diabetes Care in General Practice. Weight and prospective intentions for weight loss were monitored every third month for six years in 761 consecutive patients (≥40 years) newly diagnosed with diabetes in general practices throughout Denmark in 1989-92. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate the association between weight change during the monitoring period (year 0 to 6) and the outcomes during the succeeding 13 years (year 6 to 19) in 444 patients who were overweight at diagnosis and alive at the end of the monitoring period (year 6). The analysis was adjusted for age, sex, education, BMI at diagnosis, change in smoking, change in physical activity, change in medication, and the Charlson comorbidity 6-year score. Outcomes were from national registers.


RESULTS
Overall, weight loss regardless of intention was an independent risk factor for increased all-cause mortality (P<0.01). The adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular morbidity attributable to an intentional weight loss of 1 kg/year was 1.20 (95%CI 0.97-1.50, P = 0.10), 1.26 (0.93-1.72, P = 0.14), and 1.06 (0.79-1.42, P = 0.71), respectively. Limiting the analysis to include only those patients who survived the first 2 years after the monitoring period did not substantially change these estimates. A non-linear spline estimate indicated a V-like association between weight change and all-cause mortality, suggesting the best prognosis for those who maintained their weight.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population-based cohort of overweight patients with type 2 diabetes, successful therapeutic intentional weight loss, supervised by a doctor over six years, was not associated with reduced all-cause mortality or cardiovascular morbidity/mortality during the succeeding 13 years.
Antibiotics and steroids for exacerbations of COPD in primary care: compliance with Dutch guidelines.

BACKGROUND
The Dutch College of General Practitioners' guidelines specify that antibiotics should only be used for severe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, GPs tend to administer antibiotics rather than a short course of steroid treatment regardless of severity.


AIM
The aim of this study was to determine how GPs use current guidelines in treating exacerbations of COPD, in particular whether short courses of oral steroids and antibiotics are prescribed in accordance with the Dutch guidelines for COPD.


DESIGN OF STUDY
Retrospective analysis of medical records.


SETTING
Primary healthcare centres.


METHOD
Medical records of patients registered at four primary healthcare centres in the Netherlands were retrospectively analysed for the period March 2001-March 2003.


RESULTS
Of 35,589 patients, 1.3% were registered as having a diagnosis of COPD. In 2 years, 47% of the patients had no exacerbation, 35% had one or two exacerbations, and 18% had three or more exacerbations. Of 536 exacerbations, GPs prescribed a short course of oral steroids in 30% of cases, antibiotics in 29%, steroids combined with an antibiotic in 23%, and no oral steroid course or antibiotic was prescribed in 18%. Prescriptions for patients with three or more exacerbations differed significantly from those for patients with one or two exacerbations.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment is often not in accordance with current guidelines; in particular, antibiotics are prescribed more often than recommended.