nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Comparison of FDG PET and positron coincidence detection imaging using a dual-head gamma camera with 5/8-inch NaI(Tl) crystals in patients with suspected body malignancies

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) images obtained with (a) a dual-head coincidence gamma camera (DHC) equipped with 5/8-inch-thick NaI(Tl) crystals and parallel slit collimators and (b) a dedicated positron emission tomograph (PET) in a series of 28 patients with known or suspected malignancies. Twenty-eight patients with known or suspected malignancies underwent whole-body FDG PET imaging (Siemens, ECAT 933) after injection of approximately 10 mCi of 18F-FDG. FDG DHC images were then acquired for 30 min over the regions of interest using a dual-head gamma camera (VariCam, Elscint). The images were reconstructed in the normal mode, using photopeak/photopeak, photopeak/Compton, and Compton/photopeak coincidence events. FDG PET imaging found 45 lesions ranging in size from 1 cm to 7 cm in 28 patients. FDG DHC imaging detected 35/45 (78%) of these lesions. Among the ten lesions not seen with FDG DHC imaging, eight were less than 1.5 cm in size, and two were located centrally within the abdomen suffering from marked attenuation effects. The lesions were classified into three categories: thorax (n=24), liver (n=12), and extrahepatic abdominal (n=9). FDG DHC imaging identified 100% of lesions above 1.5 cm in the thorax group and 78% of those below 1.5 cm, for an overall total of 83%. FDG DHC imaging identified 100% of lesions above 1.5 cm, in the liver and 43% of lesions below 1.5 cm, for an overall total of 67%. FDG DHC imaging identified 78% of lesions above 1.5 cm in the extrahepatic abdominal group. There were no lesions below 1.5 cm in this group. FDG coincidence imaging using a dual-head gamma camera detected 90% of lesions greater than 1.5 cm. These data suggest that DHC imaging can be used clinically in well-defined diagnostic situations to differentiate benign from malignant lesions.
Acute doses of d-amphetamine and bupropion increase cigarette smoking

Bupropion is used clinically as a treatment for smoking cessation, but the processes by which it reduces smoking are poorly understood. Bupropion shares some neurochemical actions and behavioral effects with the psychostimulant amphetamine, and it has been shown that amphetamine increases smoking when administered acutely. The effects of single doses of bupropion on smoking have not been studied but, based on its similarities to amphetamine, we postulated that acute bupropion would also increase smoking.  To measure the effects of single doses of amphetamine and bupropion on smoking and craving for cigarettes in smokers.  Cigarette smokers who were not trying to quit participated in a three-session study in which they received placebo and a single dose of either d-amphetamine sulfate (10 and 20 mg; n=10) or bupropion hydrochloride (150 and 300 mg; n=12) after overnight abstinence. The three outcome measures were: i) subjective and behavioral effects of amphetamine and bupropion after a period of acute abstinence, ii) effects of amphetamine and bupropion on subjective responses to a single, smoked cigarette, and iii) effects of the drugs on number of cigarettes smoked during an ad libitum smoking period.  After the acute abstinence and before smoking, both amphetamine and bupropion increased self-reported mood and euphoria, but did not change ratings of craving or withdrawal. After subjects smoked a single smoked cigarette, they reported that bupropion reduced ratings of "buzzed" and "intensity". During the period of ad libitum smoking both amphetamine and bupropion increased the number of cigarettes smoked.  Acute doses of both bupropion and amphetamine increase smoking in non-treatment-seeking smokers without altering ratings of craving or withdrawal. Bupropion reduced some of the sensory responses to the smoked cigarette. It remains to be determined why bupropion increases smoking when administered acutely under controlled conditions, while it helps to reduce smoking in patients trying to quit.
A randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of providing self-help information to people with symptoms of acute stress disorder following a traumatic injury.

Patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) may develop long-term psychological difficulties. Psycho-education has been suggested to reduce the risk of post-injury disorders.



We tested the efficacy of providing self-help information to a high-risk sample.



A&E attenders were screened for acute stress disorder and randomised to two groups: patients (n=116) receiving a self-help booklet and those who did not (n=111). A sample of 'low' scorers was also included (n=120); they did not receive a booklet. Psychological assessments were completed at baseline (within 1 month post-injury) and 3 and 6 months post-injury.



Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression decreased (p<0.001) across time but there were no group differences in these measures or quality of life. However, subjective ratings of the usefulness of the self-help booklet were very high.



This trial failed to support the efficacy of providing self-help information, as a preventative strategy to ameliorate PTSD.
Relationships between state and trait anxiety inventory and alcohol use disorder identification test scores among Korean twins and families: the healthy twin study.

We explored heritabilities of the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and associations including genetic and environmental correlations between the phenotypes among Korean twins and their families. We analyzed the data of 1,748 participants (835 men, 913 women, 656 individuals of monozygotic twins, 173 individuals of same-sexed dizygotic twins, 919 non-twin family members, age 30-79 years) from the Healthy Twin study. Heritabilities and bivariate analyses were assessed using the SOLAR package software. In the methods of generalized estimation equations, women in the 4th quartile of state and trait scores were 17% and 15%, respectively more likely to be hazardous alcohol users compared to women in the lower three quartiles (P < .05). However, there were no significant associations between these phenotypes in men. After adjusting for age and squared age, the heritability estimates were 0.26 in men and 0.34 in women for the state score; for the trait score, 0.35 in men and 0.31 in women; for the AUDIT score, 0.32 in men and 0.37 in women (P < .001). After adjusting for age and squared age, there was a significant genetic correlation between the trait score and the AUDIT score, and a significant non-genetic correlation between the state score and the AUDIT score in women, while there were no significant genetic or non-genetic correlations between these phenotypes in men. The STAI and AUDIT scores are heritable in Koreans and the relationships between these phenotypes may be inconsistent by sex.
Failure of Noninvasive Ventilation for De Novo Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: Role of Tidal Volume.

A low or moderate expired tidal volume can be difficult to achieve during noninvasive ventilation for de novo acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (i.e., not due to exacerbation of chronic lung disease or cardiac failure). We assessed expired tidal volume and its association with noninvasive ventilation outcome.



Prospective observational study.



Twenty-four bed university medical ICU.



Consecutive patients receiving noninvasive ventilation for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure between August 2010 and February 2013.



Noninvasive ventilation was uniformly delivered using a simple algorithm targeting the expired tidal volume between 6 and 8 mL/kg of predicted body weight.



Expired tidal volume was averaged and respiratory and hemodynamic variables were systematically recorded at each noninvasive ventilation session.



Sixty-two patients were enrolled, including 47 meeting criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 32 failed noninvasive ventilation (51%). Pneumonia (n = 51, 82%) was the main etiology of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. The median (interquartile range) expired tidal volume averaged over all noninvasive ventilation sessions (mean expired tidal volume) was 9.8 mL/kg predicted body weight (8.1-11.1 mL/kg predicted body weight). The mean expired tidal volume was significantly higher in patients who failed noninvasive ventilation as compared with those who succeeded (10.6 mL/kg predicted body weight [9.6-12.0] vs 8.5 mL/kg predicted body weight [7.6-10.2]; p = 0.001), and expired tidal volume was independently associated with noninvasive ventilation failure in multivariate analysis. This effect was mainly driven by patients with PaO2/FIO2 up to 200 mm Hg. In these patients, the expired tidal volume above 9.5 mL/kg predicted body weight predicted noninvasive ventilation failure with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 87%.



A low expired tidal volume is almost impossible to achieve in the majority of patients receiving noninvasive ventilation for de novo acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and a high expired tidal volume is independently associated with noninvasive ventilation failure. In patients with moderate-to-severe hypoxemia, the expired tidal volume above 9.5 mL/kg predicted body weight accurately predicts noninvasive ventilation failure.
Cultural tailoring for the promotion of Hepatitis B screening in Turkish Dutch: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is an important health problem in the Turkish community in the Netherlands, and promotion of screening for HBV in this risk group is necessary. An individually tailored intervention and a culturally tailored intervention have been developed to promote screening in first generation 16-40 year old Turkish immigrants. This paper describes the design of the randomized controlled trial, which will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the two tailored internet interventions as compared to generic online information on HBV, and to assess the added value of tailoring on socio-cultural factors.



A cluster randomized controlled trial design, in which we invite all Rotterdam registered inhabitants born in Turkey, aged 16-40 (n = 10,000), to visit the intervention website is used. A cluster includes all persons living at one house address. The clusters are randomly assigned to either group A, B or C. On the website, persons eligible for testing will be selected through a series of exclusion questions and will then continue in the randomly assigned intervention group. Group A will receive generic information on HBV. Group B will receive individually tailored information related to social-cognitive determinants of screening. Group C will receive culturally tailored information which, next to social-cognitive factors, addresses cultural factors related to screening. Subsequently, participants may obtain a laboratory form, with which they can be tested free of charge at local health centres. The main outcome of the study is the percentage of eligible persons tested for HBV through to participation in one of the three groups. Measurements of the outcome behaviour and its determinants will be at baseline and five weeks post-intervention.



This trial will provide information on the effectiveness of a culturally tailored internet intervention promoting HBV-screening in first generation Turkish immigrants in the Netherlands, aged 16-40. The results will contribute to the evidence base for culturally tailored (internet) interventions in ethnic minority populations. An effective intervention will lead to a reduction of the morbidity and mortality due to HBV in this population. This may not only benefit patients, but also help reduce health inequalities in western countries.
Effect of home-based water chlorination and safe storage on diarrhea among persons with human immunodeficiency virus in Uganda.

Diarrhea is frequent among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but few interventions are available for people in Africa. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a home-based, safe water intervention on the incidence and severity of diarrhea among persons with HIV living in rural Uganda. Between April 2001 and November 2002, households of 509 persons with HIV and 1,521 HIV-negative household members received a closed-mouth plastic container, a dilute chlorine solution, and hygiene education (safe water system [SWS]) or simply hygiene education alone. After five months, HIV-positive participants received daily cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (160 mg of trimethoprim and 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole) and were followed for an additional 1.5 years. Persons with HIV using SWS had 25% fewer diarrhea episodes (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.59-0.94, P = 0.015), 33% fewer days with diarrhea (IRR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.48-0.94, P = 0.021), and less visible blood or mucus in stools (28% versus 39%; P < 0.0001). The SWS was equally effective with or without cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (P = 0.73 for interaction), and together they reduced diarrhea episodes by 67% (IRR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.24-0.46, P < 0.0001), days with diarrhea by 54% (IRR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.32-0.66, P < 0.0001), and days of work or school lost due to diarrhea by 47% (IRR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.34-0.83, P < 0.0056). A home-based safe water system reduced diarrhea frequency and severity among persons with HIV living in Africa and large scale implementation should be considered.
DCE-MRI analysis methods for predicting the response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: pilot study findings.

The purpose of this pilot study is to determine (1) if early changes in both semiquantitative and quantitative DCE-MRI parameters, observed after the first cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, show significant difference between responders and nonresponders and (2) if these parameters can be used as a prognostic indicator of the eventual response.



Twenty-eight patients were examined using DCE-MRI pre-, post-one cycle, and just prior to surgery. The semiquantitative parameters included longest dimension, tumor volume, initial area under the curve, and signal enhancement ratio related parameters, while quantitative parameters included K(trans), v(e), k(ep), v(p), and τ(i) estimated using the standard Tofts-Kety, extended Tofts-Kety, and fast exchange regime models.



Our preliminary results indicated that the signal enhancement ratio washout volume and k(ep) were significantly different between pathologic complete responders from nonresponders (P < 0.05) after a single cycle of chemotherapy. Receiver operator characteristic analysis showed that the AUC of the signal enhancement ratio washout volume was 0.75, and the AUCs of k(ep) estimated by three models were 0.78, 0.76, and 0.73, respectively.



In summary, the signal enhancement ratio washout volume and k(ep) appear to predict breast cancer response after one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This observation should be confirmed with additional prospective studies.
A Phase I study to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of AZD4877, an intravenous Eg5 inhibitor in patients with advanced solid tumors

Inhibition of kinesin spindle protein or Eg5 causes the formation of monoastral mitotic spindles, which leads to cell death. AZD4877 is a specific, potent inhibitor of Eg5. This was a Phase I, open-label, two-part study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and safety and tolerability of AZD4877 in patients with advanced solid malignancies. In part A, the MTD of AZD4877, administered as three weekly 1-h intravenous (iv) infusions in a 28-day schedule, was determined by evaluating dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). In part B, the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of AZD4877 at the MTD were evaluated. In part A, 29 patients received at least one dose of AZD4877 (5 mg, n = 4; 7.5 mg, n = 4; 10 mg, n = 3; 15 mg, n = 3; 20 mg, n = 3; 30 mg, n = 6; 36 mg, n = 3; 45 mg, n = 3). The MTD was defined as 30 mg, with the primary DLT being neutropenia. Although exposures appeared to be similar at the AZD4877 20 and 30 mg doses, dose reductions and omissions were higher in the 30-mg cohort; therefore, an intermediate dose, 25 mg, was evaluated in part B (n = 14). In part B, neutropenia remained the most commonly reported causally related adverse event. Exposure to AZD4877 was approximately dose proportional. Severity of neutropenia was related to exposure. The MTD of AZD4877 given as a 1-h iv infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle was 30 mg. At the selected 25 mg dose, AZD4877 had an acceptable safety profile.
Risperidone monotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder related to sexual assault and domestic abuse in women.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common, chronic, and often disabling mental illness. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the usual first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, but many patients fail to respond adequately. Thus, other treatment options, including the atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, need to be tested. Women between the ages of 19 and 64 years with post-traumatic stress disorder were enrolled. Symptom severity was rated at baseline using the Treatment Outcomes Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-8, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Clinician Administered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale. After washout from other psychotropic medications, 20 participants were randomized to either risperidone or placebo. Total score on the Treatment Outcomes Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-8 served as the primary outcome measure. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was followed by Newman-Keuls tests. A significant main effect exists for visits using the Treatment Outcomes Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-8 raw score. For the treatment group, the difference between baseline Treatment Outcomes Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-8 scores and treatment visit scores was significant beginning at visit 6 and continued through visit 11. No significant difference observed between baseline and any treatment visit for the placebo group. The Clinician Administered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression data revealed a similar pattern. In this small pilot study, risperidone monotherapy was more effective than placebo in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Treatment of insomnia with hypnotics resulting in improved sexual functioning in post-menopausal women.

This study sought to determine whether trazodone used in hypnotic doses, compared to the hypnotic agent zopiclone, had any specific positive effect on sexual function in non-depressive post-menopausal women with insomnia.



Fifty (50) subjects participated in the study. Insomnia and sexual performance were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of hypnotic treatment.



At week four, both treatments improved sleep quality to a similar degree. Sexual function also improved significantly with both treatments, with no significant difference between the groups.



In post-menopausal women, sexual problems and sleep problems may be related and solving sleep problems may help sexual functioning, independently of depression.
Recovery of hand function through mental practice: A study protocol

The study aims to assess the therapeutic benefits of motor imagery training in stroke patients with persistent motor weakness. There is evidence to suggest that mental rehearsal of movement can produce effects normally attributed to practising the actual movements. Imagining hand movements could stimulate the redistribution of brain activity, which accompanies recovery of hand function, thus resulting in a reduced motor deficit.



A multi-centre randomised controlled trial recruiting individuals between one and six months post-stroke (n = 135). Patients are assessed before and after a four-week evaluation period. In this trial, 45 patients daily mentally rehearse movements with their affected arm under close supervision. Their recovery is compared to 45 patients who perform closely supervised non-motor mental rehearsal, and 45 patients who are not engaged in a training program. Motor imagery training effectiveness is evaluated using outcome measures of motor function, psychological processes, and level of disability.



The idea of enhancing motor recovery through the use of motor imagery rehabilitation techniques is important with potential implications for clinical practice. The techniques evaluated as part of this randomised controlled trial are informed by the current understanding in cognitive neuroscience and the trial is both of scientific and applied interest.
A phase I pharmacokinetics study of 9-nitrocamptothecin in patients with advanced solid tumors

9-Nitrocamptothecin (9-NC) is a novel orally administered camptothecin analog. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of 9-nitrocamptothecin in patients with advanced solid tumors. The 23 patients for a single-dose pharmacokinetic experiment were divided into 3 dosing cohorts. The dosage of 9-nitrocamptothecin capsule was 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75 mg/m2, respectively. The 8 patients for a multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study were orally administered 9-nitrocamptothecin 1.5 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days. Determination of the plasma concentration of 9-nitrocamptothecin was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector technique, and determination of plasma concentration of 9-aminocamptothecin was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector technique. In the single-dose pharmacokinetic study, the mean ± SD 9-nitrocamptothecin C max were 94.49 ± 41.38, 115.56 ± 63.27 and 147.57 ± 38.19 ng/mL; AUC0–36 were 877.14 ± 360.90, 961.33 ± 403.58 and 1,189.75 ± 405.80 ng h/mL, respectively; the mean ± SD 9-aminocamptothecin C max were 12.85 ± 6.46, 10.72 ± 6.58 and 28.74 ± 31.94 ng/mL; AUC0–36 were 157.61 ± 111.61, 88.71 ± 39.51 and 173.52 ± 122.19 ng h/mL, respectively. In the multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study, the mean ± SD 9-nitrocamptothecin AUCss was 907.04 ± 736.47 ng h/mL, C max was 85.98 ± 47.52 ng/mL, C min was 18.91 ± 22.50 ng/mL, C av was 37.79 ± 30.69 ng/mL, DF was 2.16 ± 0.87; the mean ± SD 9-aminocamptothecin AUCss was 442.73 ± 308.39 ng h/mL, C max was 34.83 ± 18.31 ng/mL, C min was 10.32 ± 6.95 ng/mL, C av was 18.45 ± 12.85 ng/mL, DF was 1.34 ± 0.42. Comparing single-dose 1.5 mg/m2 group with multiple-dose 1.5 mg/m2 group, no significant difference was observed in 9-NC pharmacokinetic parameters, but with respect to the metabolite, significant differences were observed in C max and AUC. The toxicity of 9-NC varied from mild to moderate. No grade 3 or grade 4 toxicity was observed during the study. There was 2- to 13-fold variabilities in 9-NC and 9-AC exposure among different patients for any given dose of 9-NC. All participants had good tolerance throughout the study. 9-NC and 9-AC exposure did not increase proportionally to the dose ranging from 1.25 to 1.75 mg/m2. After 5-day continuous administration, accumulation was observed in the metabolite 9-AC, but not in 9-NC.