nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Learning in Alzheimer's disease is facilitated by social interaction.

Seminal work in Gary Van Hoesen's laboratory at Iowa in the early 1980s established that the hallmark neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD; neurofibrillary tangles) had its first foothold in specific parts of the hippocampal formation and entorhinal cortex, effectively isolating the hippocampus from much of its input and output and causing the distinctive impairment of new learning that is the leading early characteristic of the disease (Hyman et al., 1984). The boundaries and conditions of the anterograde memory defect in patients with AD have been a topic of intense research interest ever since (e.g., Graham and Hodges, 1977; Nestor et al., 2006). For example, it has been shown that patients with AD may acquire some new semantic information through methods such as errorless learning, but learning under these conditions is typically slow and inefficient. Drawing on a learning paradigm (a collaborative referencing task) that was previously shown to induce robust and enduring learning in patients with hippocampal amnesia, we investigated whether this task would be effective in promoting new learning in patients with AD. We studied five women with early-stage AD and 10 demographically matched healthy comparison participants, each interacting with a familiar communication partner. AD pairs displayed significant and enduring learning across trials, with increased accuracy and decreased time to complete trials, in a manner indistinguishable from healthy comparison pairs, resulting in efficient and economical communication. The observed learning here most likely draws on neural resources outside the medial temporal lobes. These interactive communication sessions provide a potent learning environment with significant implications for memory intervention.
Safety and efficacy of dual therapy with GSK233705 and salmeterol versus monotherapy with salmeterol, tiotropium, or placebo in a crossover pilot study in partially reversible COPD patients

GSK233705 is an inhaled, long-acting muscarinic antagonist in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was performed to see if the addition of GSK233705 to salmeterol would provide greater bronchodilation than salmeterol or tiotropium alone in COPD.



In an incomplete-block, three-period, crossover design, dually responsive patients received three of the following five treatments: GSK233705 20 μg plus salmeterol 50 μg twice-daily; GSK233705 50 μg plus salmeterol 50 μg twice-daily; salmeterol 50 μg or placebo, each twice-daily; and tiotropium 18 μg or placebo once-daily for 7 days. Each treatment period was separated by a 14-day washout. The primary efficacy endpoint was morning (trough) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) on Day 8, following 7 days of treatment. Secondary endpoints included pulmonary function, plethysmography, pharmacokinetics of GSK233705 and salmeterol, adverse events (AEs), electrocardiograms (ECGs), vital signs, and laboratory parameters.



A total of 47 patients were randomized. The mean % predicted normal postbronchodilator FEV(1) was 55% at screening. Compared with placebo (n = 24), the adjusted mean change from baseline in trough FEV(1) on Day 8 was 215 mL higher with GSK233705 20 μg + salmeterol (n = 23) and 203 mL higher with GSK233705 50 μg + salmeterol (n = 27), whereas with salmeterol (n = 27) and tiotropium (n = 28) the changes were 101 mL and 118 mL higher, respectively. The primary efficacy results were supported by the results from the other secondary lung function assessments. AEs were reported by similar proportions of patients across the treatment groups, with headache the most frequently reported treatment-related AE reported by one subject receiving each of GSK233705 20 μg + salmeterol, tiotropium, and placebo. No significant differences were seen in vital signs, ECGs, or laboratory parameters between the groups.



The addition of GSK233705 to salmeterol in partially reversible COPD patients resulted in greater bronchodilation than salmeterol or tiotropium alone and was well tolerated.
Resynchronization of the left ventricular contraction by tailored programming of right and left ventricular pacing.

The prerequisite and the rationale for the benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is that it is able to resynchronize left ventricular (LV) walls that have a delayed activation.



In 69 consecutive patients who underwent biventricular (BIV) pacemaker implantation, we assessed the magnitude of intraventricular resynchronization achieved by means of simultaneous (BIV 0) and sequential BIV pacing (with an individually optimized VV interval value among +80 ms and -80 ms) using pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging techniques and in particular the measurement of the intra-LV electromechanical delay. The intra-LV delay was defined as the difference between the longest and the shortest activation time in the six basal segments of the LV. An abnormal intra-LV delay was defined as a value >41 ms. The intra-LV delay was 63 +/- 28 ms baseline, decreased to 44 +/- 26 ms with BIV 0 and to 26 +/- 15 ms with optimized BIV (P = 0.001). BIV 0 determined the shortest delay in 28 (41%) patients (23 +/- 12 ms). In 41 (59%) patients, a better resynchronization was achieved with optimized VV intervals (LV first in 32 and RV first in 5) or single-chamber pacing (LV in 3 and RV in 1). With BIV 0, the intra-LV delay remained abnormal in 41% and was longer than baseline in 30% of patients compared with 9 and 12% with optimized BIV, respectively (P = 0.001).



A sub-optimal resynchronization is achieved with simultaneous BIV pacing in most patients. A tailored programming of the relative contribution of RV and LV pacing forms the prerequisite for improving CRT results.
Odanacatib, a cathepsin-K inhibitor for osteoporosis: a two-year study in postmenopausal women with low bone density.

Cathepsin K, a cysteine protease expressed in osteoclasts, degrades type 1 collagen. Odanacatib selectively and reversibly inhibited cathepsin K and rapidly decreased bone resorption in preclinical and phase I studies. A 1-year dose-finding trial with a 1-year extension on the same treatment assignment was performed in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of weekly doses of placebo or 3, 10, 25, or 50 mg of odanacatib on BMD and biomarkers of skeletal remodeling. Women with BMD T-scores of -2.0 or less but not less than -3.5 at the lumbar spine or femoral sites were randomly assigned to receive placebo or one of four doses of odanacatib; all received vitamin D with calcium supplementation as needed. The primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline lumbar spine BMD. Other endpoints included percentage change in BMD at hip and forearm sites, as well as changes in biomarkers of skeletal remodeling. Twenty-four months of treatment produced progressive dose-related increases in BMD. With the 50-mg dose of odanacatib, lumbar spine and total-hip BMD increased 5.5% and 3.2%, respectively, whereas BMD at these sites was essentially unchanged with placebo (-0.2% and -0.9%). Biochemical markers of bone turnover exhibited dose-related changes. The safety and tolerability of odanacatib generally were similar to those of placebo, with no dose-related trends in any adverse experiences. In summary, 2 years of weekly odanacatib treatment was generally well-tolerated and increased lumbar spine and total-hip BMD in a dose-related manner in postmenopausal women with low BMD.
Effect of change in renal replacement therapy modality on laboratory variables: a cohort study from the UK Renal Registry.

Although previous comparisons have shown differences in biochemical and haematological variables between patients on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and those with functioning transplants, these could be due to case mix rather than being due to differences in the types of renal replacement therapy (RRT). The longitudinal follow-up of individual patients after the change in modality has not hitherto been described.



From the UK Renal Registry (UKRR) database of patients receiving RRT between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2004, we identified two cohorts: 2033 patients who had been on either haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) for at least a year and who subsequently underwent transplantation and then survived at least a year (PD + HD to Tp); and 892 patients who had been on PD for at least a year who changed to HD and then survived at least a year (PD to HD). In both cohorts, the following variables were studied for the four quarters before and after the change of modality: blood haemoglobin and serum, ferritin, albumin, bicarbonate, cholesterol, calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. No information on drug treatment was available.



In the PD + HD to Tp cohort, transplantation was associated with a rise in haemoglobin, albumin and bicarbonate, a fall in ferritin and phosphate, no change in calcium, a fall (but not to normal) in PTH and a transient rise in cholesterol concentrations. In the PD to HD group, the change in modality was associated with a significant temporary fall in haemoglobin, a progressive rise in ferritin, albumin, phosphate and PTH, no change in calcium and fall in bicarbonate and cholesterol concentrations.



The change from HD to PD is associated with a significant fall in the haemoglobin concentration; anticipation of this change might enable clinicians to ameliorate it. Persistent hyperparathyroidism is common after kidney transplantation.
Endurance exercise training improves heart rate recovery in patients with COPD.

Abnormalities of autonomic function have been reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The effect of the exercise training in heart rate recovery (HRR) has not been established in patients with COPD.



To assess the effects of 8-weeks' endurance training program on parasympathetic nervous system response measured as heart rate recovery in a sample of moderate-to-severe COPD patients.



We recruited a consecutive sample of patients with COPD candidates to participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation program from respiratory outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital. HRR was calculated, before and after training, as the difference in heart rate between end-exercise and one minute thereafter (HRR1) in a constant-work rate protocol.



A total of 73 COPD patients were included: mean (SD) age 66 (8) years, median (P25-P75) post-bronchodilator FEV1 39 (29-53)%. The prevalence of slow HRR1 (≤12 beats) at baseline was 63%, and was associated with spirometric severity (mean FEV1 35% in slow HRR1 vs 53 in normal HRR1, p < 0.001). After 8-weeks training, HRR1 improved from mean (SD) 10 (7) to 12 (7) beats (p = 0.0127). Multivariate linear regression models showed that the only variable related to post-training HRR1 was pre-training HRR1 (p < 0.001).



These results suggest that training enhances HRR in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. HRR is an easy tool to evaluate ANS such that it may be a useful clinical marker of parasympathetic nervous system response in patients with COPD.
Neurofeedback as a nonpharmacological treatment for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Neurofeedback has been applied effectively in various areas, especially in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study protocol is designed to investigate the effect of slow cortical potential (SCP) feedback and a new form of neurofeedback using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on symptomatology and neurophysiological parameters in an adult ADHD population. A comparison of SCP and NIRS feedback therapy methods has not been previously conducted and may yield valuable findings about alternative treatments for adult ADHD.



The outcome of both neurofeedback techniques will be assessed over 30 treatment sessions and after a 6-month follow-up period, and then will be compared to a nonspecific biofeedback treatment. Furthermore, to investigate if treatment effects in this proof-of-principle study can be predicted by specific neurophysiological baseline parameters, regression models will be applied. Finally, a comparison with healthy controls will be conducted to evaluate deviant pretraining neurophysiological parameters, stability of assessment measures, and treatment outcome.



To date, an investigation and comparison of SCP and NIRS feedback training to an active control has not been conducted; therefore, we hope to gain valuable insights in effects and differences of these types of treatment for ADHD in adults.
Hepcidin-25 in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients Is Related to Residual Kidney Function and Not to Treatment with Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents

Hepcidin-25, the bioactive form of hepcidin, is a key regulator of iron homeostasis as it induces internalization and degradation of ferroportin, a cellular iron exporter on enterocytes, macrophages and hepatocytes. Hepcidin levels are increased in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, but as of yet, limited information on factors associated with hepcidin-25 in these patients is available. In the current cross-sectional study, potential patient-, laboratory- and treatment-related determinants of serum hepcidin-20 and -25, were assessed in a large cohort of stable, prevalent HD patients. Baseline data from 405 patients (62% male; age 63.7 ± 13.9 [mean SD]) enrolled in the CONvective TRAnsport STudy (CONTRAST; NCT00205556) were studied. Predialysis hepcidin concentrations were measured centrally with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Patient-, laboratory- and treatment related characteristics were entered in a backward multivariable linear regression model. Hepcidin-25 levels were independently and positively associated with ferritin (p<0.001), hsCRP (p<0.001) and the presence of diabetes (p = 0.02) and inversely with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.01), absolute reticulocyte count (p = 0.02) and soluble transferrin receptor (p<0.001). Men had lower hepcidin-25 levels as compared to women (p = 0.03). Hepcidin-25 was not associated with the maintenance dose of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) or iron therapy. In conclusion, in the currently studied cohort of chronic HD patients, hepcidin-25 was a marker for iron stores and erythropoiesis and was associated with inflammation. Furthermore, hepcidin-25 levels were influenced by residual kidney function. Hepcidin-25 did not reflect ESA or iron dose in chronic stable HD patients on maintenance therapy. These results suggest that hepcidin is involved in the pathophysiological pathway of renal anemia and iron availability in these patients, but challenges its function as a clinical parameter for ESA resistance.
Ofatumumab is active in patients with fludarabine-refractory CLL irrespective of prior rituximab: results from the phase 2 international study.

Ofatumumab, the human CD20 monoclonal antibody that binds a distinct epitope from rituximab, has demonstrated clinical benefit as monotherapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab (FA-ref) and patients refractory to fludarabine with bulky (> 5 cm) lymph nodes (BF-ref). To potentially gain insight into outcomes in patients previously treated with or refractory to rituximab, we performed an ad hoc retrospective analysis in the final 96 FA-ref and 111 BF-ref patients. There were 117 patients previously treated with rituximab (98 rituximab-refractory); 89 patients were rituximab-naive. For rituximab-treated, rituximab-refractory, and rituximab-naive patients, overall response rate was 43%, 44%, and 53%; median progression-free survival was 5.3, 5.5, and 5.6 months; and median overall survival was 15.5, 15.5, and 20.2 months. There were no significant differences in ofatumumab-related infusion reactions, or hematologic or infectious adverse events between subgroups. In summary, ofatumumab monotherapy was effective and well tolerated in patients with fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, including in patients with previous rituximab exposure.
Polymeric diet alone versus corticosteroids in the treatment of active pediatric Crohn's disease.

Nutritional therapy has been reported to have an almost equivalent efficacy to that of corticosteroids in achieving clinical remission in active Crohn’s disease (CD). However, the effects of both treatments on intestinal mucosal inflammation rarely are reported. In a randomized controlled trial in children with active CD, the authors compared the efficacy of nutritional therapy alone with that of corticosteroids on clinical variables and intestinal mucosal healing.
The Revised Cardiac Risk Index performs poorly in patients undergoing major vascular surgery: a prospective observational study.

The preoperative assessment of the likelihood of a postoperative cardiac event is complex. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) is a commonly used scoring system for the stratification of cardiac risk of patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. The RCRI scores patients according to six clinical categories: high-risk surgery (thoracic, abdominal and supra-inguinal vascular surgery); history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD); history of congestive heart failure; cerebrovascular disease; insulin-dependent diabetes; and renal failure. Since the publication of the original article in 1999, the RCRI has become a widely used stratification tool for cardiac risk. A recent meta-analysis has examined the predictive value of the RCRI in these studies. It concluded that the RCRI performed moderately well at discriminating between low and high perioperative risk. However, the authors felt that it performed poorly in vascular cohorts, and that the studies included were of variable quality. This report highlights the need for further studies evaluating the RCRI.
An Automated Registration Algorithm for Measuring MRI Subcortical Brain Structures

An automated registration algorithm was used to elastically match an anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) atlas onto individual brain MR images. Our goal was to evaluate the accuracy of this procedure for measuring the volume of MRI brain structures. We applied two successive algorithms to a series of 28 MR brain images, from 14 schizophrenia patients and 14 normal controls. First, we used an automated segmentation program to differentiate between white matter, cortical and subcortical gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. Next, we elastically deformed the atlas segmentation to fit the subject's brain, by matching the white matter and subcortical gray matter surfaces. To assess the accuracy of these measurements, we compared, on all 28 images, 11 brain structures, measured with elastic matching, with the same structures traced manually on MRI scans. The similarity between the measurements (the relative difference between the manual and the automated volume) was 97% for whole white matter, 92% for whole gray matter, and on average 89% for subcortical structures. The relative spatial overlap between the manual and the automated volumes was 97% for whole white matter, 92% for whole gray matter, and on average 75% for subcortical structures. For all pairs of structures rendered with the automated and the manual method, Pearson correlations were between r = 0.78 and r = 0.98 (P < 0.01, N = 28), except for globus pallidus, where r = 0.55 (left) and r = 0. 44 (right) (P < 0.01, N = 28). In the schizophrenia group, compared to the controls, we found a 16.7% increase in MRI volume for the basal ganglia (i.e., caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus), but no difference in total gray/white matter volume or in thalamic MR volume. This finding reproduces previously reported results, obtained in the same patient population with manually drawn structures, and suggests the utility/efficacy of our automated registration algorithm over more labor-intensive manual tracings.
Validation of initial serum creatinine as a predictive factor for development of end stage renal disease in posterior urethral valves.

The aim of this study was to determine the value of initial serum creatinine in prediction of End-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children with posterior urethral valves PUV.



In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with PUV admitted in Aliasghar Children's Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 1991 through 2001 were studied. Based on the development of ESRD (need for dialysis) they were classified in two groups and their demographics, initial presentations, laboratory data, imaging findings and outcomes were reviewed and compared.



Thirty six male patients with PUV, treated with valve ablation (13), vesicostomy (13), or high ureterostomy (10) were followed for developing ESRD. Sixteen of the 36 patients developed ESRD at their last follow-up. There was no significant difference in age at initial presentation, presence of urinary tract infections, incidence of vesicoureteral reflux, renal dysplasia or type of primary surgical intervention between the patients with or without ESRD. Patients who progressed to ESRD had serum creatinine concentration > 1.0 mg/dl at diagnosis as compared to those without ESRD (P = 0.001).



Initial serum creatinine is a valuable factor for prediction of renal outcome in patients with PUV.
Plasma Cathepsin S and Cystatin C Levels and Risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Randomized Population–Based Study

Human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) lesions contain high levels of cathepsin S (CatS), but are deficient in its inhibitor, cystatin C. Whether plasma CatS and cystatin C levels are also altered in AAA patients remains unknown.



Plasma samples were collected from 476 male AAA patients and 200 age-matched male controls to determine CatS and cystatin C levels by ELISA. Student's t test demonstrated higher plasma levels of total, active, and pro-CatS in AAA patients than in controls (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis confirmed higher plasma total, active, and pro-CatS levels in AAA patients than in controls (P<0.001). Logistic regression suggested that plasma total (odds ratio [OR] = 1.332), active (OR = 1.21), and pro-CatS (OR = 1.25) levels were independent AAA risk factors that associated positively with AAA (P<0.001). Plasma cystatin C levels associated significantly, but negatively, with AAA (OR = 0.356, P<0.001). Univariate correlation demonstrated that plasma total and active CatS levels correlated positively with body-mass index, diastolic blood pressure, and aortic diameter, but negatively with the lowest ankle-brachial index (ABI). Plasma cystatin C levels also correlated negatively with the lowest ABI. Multivariate linear regression showed that plasma total, active, and pro-CatS levels correlated positively with aortic diameter and negatively with the lowest ABI, whereas plasma cystatin C levels correlated negatively with aortic diameter and the lowest ABI, after adjusting for common AAA risk factors.



Correlation of plasma CatS and cystatin C with aortic diameter and the lowest ABI suggest these serological parameters as biomarkers for human peripheral arterial diseases and AAA.