nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Validation of measures of satisfaction with and impact of continuous and conventional glucose monitoring.

The evaluation of patient-reported outcomes (e.g. impact, satisfaction) is important in trials of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). We evaluated psychometric properties of the CGM Satisfaction Scale (CGM-SAT) and the Glucose Monitoring Survey (GMS).



CGM-SAT is a 44-item scale on which patients (n=224) or parents (n=102) rated their experience with CGM over the prior 6 months. GMS is a 22-item scale on which patients (n=447) or parents (n=221) rated the blood glucose monitoring system they were using (home glucose meter with or without CGM) at baseline and 6 months.



The alpha coefficient for the CGM-SAT was > or = 0.94 for all respondents and for the GMS was > or = 0.84 for all respondents at baseline and 6 months. Parent-youth agreement was 0.52 for the CGM-SAT at 6 months and 0.24 and 0.20 for the GMS at baseline and 6 months for the Standard Care Group, respectively. Test-retest reliability of the GMS at 6 months for controls was r=0.76 for adult patients, 0.63 for pediatric patients, and 0.43 for parents. Factor analysis isolated measurement factors for the CGM-SAT labeled Benefits of CGM and Hassles of CGM, accounting for 33% and 9% of score variance, respectively. For the GMS, two factors emerged: Glucose Control and Social Complications, accounting for 28% and 9% of variance, respectively. Significant correlations of CGM-SAT with frequency of CGM use between 6 months and baseline and GMS with frequency of conventional daily self-monitoring of blood glucose at baseline support their convergent validity.



The CGM-SAT and GMS are reliable and valid measures of patient-reported CGM outcomes.
Long-term skill proceduralization in schizophrenia.

Previous studies had revealed no specific effect under haloperidol (typical) and risperidone (atypical) neuroleptic (NLP) treatments for schizophrenia (SZ) on a variety of neurocognitive functions relying on the dopaminergic meso-cortico-limbic system (Rémillard et al., 2005, 2008). Considering the different affinities of D2 dopamine receptors for typical and atypical NLPs, these drugs may differentially affect the functions of the striatum, a determinant brain structure involved in procedural learning. The influence of risperidone (2-6 mg) and haloperidol (2-40 mg) on a nonmotor procedural task involving semantically related pairs of words with inverted letters was investigated in this double-blind study. The performance of 26 patients with SZ, randomly assigned to risperidone or haloperidol, was compared to that of 18 healthy controls at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results revealed that all patients with SZ exhibited slower reading speed of the word pairs than healthy controls at all assessment periods. In addition, procedural learning - characterized as a significant decrease in the time taken to read aloud the target word pairs - was more impaired in the haloperidol- than in the risperidone-treated group at all assessment periods. Healthy controls showed steady improvement in reading speed over the 12 months of the study, in contrast to SZ patients, who reached a plateau in their capacity to improve mirror-reading skill over time. However, all SZ participants in the study showed near normal learning profiles from exposure to semantic associations embedded in the procedural memory task, providing evidence for the preservation of associative connections in the semantic network of these patients. The observed impairment in procedural learning in SZ may thus reflect, at least in part, the influence of neuroleptic medication on striatal functions.
Conjugated linoleic acid improves glycemic response, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial

To investigate if conjugated linoleic acid supplementation (CLA) affects metabolic factors and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).



The study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial conducted in specialized and subspecialized clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from January 2014 to March 2015. 38 obese NAFLD patients were randomly allocated into either the intervention group, receiving three 1000 mg softgel of CLA with a weight loss diet and 400 IU vitamin E, or into the control group, receiving only weight loss diet and 400 IU vitamin E for eight weeks. Dietary data and physical activity, as well as anthropometric, body composition, metabolic factors, and oxidative stress were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study.



Weight, body composition, and serum oxidative stress, insulin, and lipid profile significantly improved in both groups, while hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (P=0.004), total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein ratio (P=0.008), low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein ratio (LDL/HDL) (P=0.002), and alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio (P=0.025) significantly decreased in the intervention group. At the end of the study, fat mass (P=0.001), muscle mass (P=0.023), total body water (P=0.004), HbA1c (P<0.001), triglycerides (P=0.006), LDL/HDL ratio (P=0.027), and ALT/AST ratio (P=0.046) were significantly better in the CLA group than in the control group.



CLA improved insulin resistance, lipid disturbances, oxidative stress, and liver function in NAFLD. Therefore, it could be considered as an effective complementary treatment in NAFLD.
Intravenous streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction. Effects on global and regional systolic function.

The Western Washington Intravenous Streptokinase Trial randomized 368 patients with acute myocardial infarction to receive either intravenous streptokinase or standard therapy. The ventriculograms and coronary angiograms obtained in 170 patients 10.4 +/- 7.4 days after infarction were analyzed to evaluate the effects of thrombolytic therapy on global and regional systolic function. Streptokinase treatment resulted in a higher patency rate of the infarct-related artery (68.5%) than did standard therapy (44.8%) (p = 0.003). Ejection fraction was higher in streptokinase-treated patients (54% vs. 51%, p = 0.056), and the difference was most marked in patients with anterior myocardial infarction (53% vs. 44%, p = 0.03). Regional wall motion was measured by the centerline method and expressed in mean +/- SD motion in 52 normal subjects. There was a trend toward better function of the infarct zone in streptokinase-treated patients (SD, -2.48 vs. -2.70, p = 0.24). Additionally, streptokinase-treated patients had significantly better wall motion of noninfarct areas (SD, 0.36 vs. -0.08, p = 0.02). Treatment effects on function of noninfarct regions were most apparent in the subset of patients with multivessel disease. Thus, intravenous streptokinase preserves left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This benefit includes favorable effects on the function of regions remote from the site of infarction.
Psychophysiological Responses to Stress after Stress Management Training in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Stress management interventions may prove useful in preventing the detrimental effects of stress on health. This study assessed the effects of a stress management intervention on the psychophysiological response to stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).



Seventy-four patients with RA, who were randomly assigned to either a control group or a group that received short-term stress management training, performed a standardized psychosocial stress task (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) 1 week after the stress management training and at a 9-week follow-up. Psychological and physical functioning, and the acute psychophysiological response to the stress test were assessed.



Patients in the intervention group showed significantly lower psychological distress levels of anxiety after the training than did the controls. While there were no between-group differences in stress-induced tension levels, and autonomic (α-amylase) or endocrine (cortisol) responses to the stress test 1 week after the intervention, levels of stress-induced tension and cortisol were significantly lower in the intervention group at the 9-week follow-up. Overall, the response to the intervention was particularly evident in a subgroup of patients with a psychological risk profile.



A relatively short stress management intervention can improve psychological functioning and influences the psychophysiological response to stress in patients with RA, particularly those psychologically at risk. These findings might help understand how stress can affect health and the role of individual differences in stress responsiveness.
Relationship between resistant hypertension and arterial stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in the older patient

Resistant hypertension (RH) is a common clinical condition associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in older patients. Several factors and conditions interfering with blood pressure (BP) control, such as excess sodium intake, obesity, diabetes, older age, kidney disease, and certain identifiable causes of hypertension are common in patients resistant to antihypertensive treatment. Arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic index and potential therapeutic target in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between RH and arterial stiffness.



This study included 1,620 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were referred or self-referred to the outpatient hypertension unit located at a single cardiovascular center. They were separated into normotensive, controlled BP, and resistant hypertension groups. Home BP, blood laboratory parameters, echocardiographic studies and baPWV all were measured.



The likelihood of diabetes mellitus was significantly greater in the RH group than in the group with controlled BP (odds ratio 2.114, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.194-3.744, P=0.010). Systolic BP was correlated in the RH group significantly more than in the group with controlled BP (odds ratio 1.032, 95% CI 1.012-1.053, P=0.001). baPWV (odds ratio 1.084, 95% CI 1.016-1.156, P=0.015) was significantly correlated with the presence of RH. The other factors were negatively correlated with the existence of RH.



In patients aged ≥ 65 years, the patients with RH have elevated vascular stiffness more than the well controlled hypertension group. baPWV increased with arterial stiffness and was correlated with BP levels. Strict BP control is necessary to prevent severe functional and structural vascular changes in the course of hypertensive disease.
EROS: a fast capability system

EROS is a capability-based operating system for commodity processors which uses a single level storage model. The single level store's persistence is transparent to applications. The performance consequences of support for transparent persistence and capability-based architectures are generally believed to be negative. Surprisingly, the basic operations of EROS (such as IPC) are generally comparable in cost to similar operations in conventional systems. This is demonstrated with a set of microbenchmark measurements of semantically similar operations in Linux.The EROS system achieves its performance by coupling well-chosen abstract objects with caching techniques for those objects. The objects (processes, nodes, and pages) are well-supported by conventional hardware, reducing the overhead of capabilities. Software-managed caching techniques for these objects reduce the cost of persistence. The resulting performance suggests that composing protected subsystems may be less costly than commonly believed.
Ki67 index is an independent prognostic factor in epithelioid but not in non-epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma: a multicenter study

Estimating the prognosis in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains challenging. Thus, the prognostic relevance of Ki67 was studied in MPM.Methods:Ki67 index was determined in a test cohort of 187 cases from three centres. The percentage of Ki67-positive tumour cells was correlated with clinical variables and overall survival (OS). The prognostic power of Ki67 index was compared with other prognostic factors and re-evaluated in an independent cohort (Patients with Ki67 higher than median (>15%) had significantly (P<0.001) shorter median OS (7.5 months) than those with low Ki67 (19.1 months). After multivariate survival analyses, Ki67 proved to be—beside histology and treatment—an independent prognostic marker in MPM (hazard ratio (HR): 2.1, P<0.001). Interestingly, Ki67 was prognostic exclusively in epithelioid (P<0.001) but not in non-epithelioid subtype. Furthermore, Ki67 index was significantly lower in post-chemotherapy samples when compared with chemo-naive cases. The prognostic power was comparable to other recently published prognostic factors (CRP, fibrinogen, neutrophil-to-leukocyte ratio (NLR) and nuclear grading score) and was recapitulated in the validation cohort (P=0.048).Conclusion:This multicentre study demonstrates that Ki67 is an independent and reproducible prognostic factor in epithelioid but not in non-epithelioid MPM and suggests that induction chemotherapy decreases the proliferative capacity of MPM.
Feasibility of using automated insufflated carbon dioxide (CO2) for luminal distension in 3.0T MR colonography.

Primary aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of automated carbon dioxide (CO(2)) delivery as luminal distending agent in 3.0T MR colonography.



Rectally insufflated CO(2) was evaluated in four groups with different bowel preparation (A-D). Bowel preparation regimes were: gadolinium-based tagging (A), bowel purgation (B), barium-based tagging (C) and iodine-based tagging (D). Supine (3D)T1w-FFE and (2D)T2w-SSFSE series were acquired. Each colon was divided into six segments (cecum S1-rectum S6). Two observers independently assessed the presence of artefacts, diagnostic confidence and segmental colonic distension. Also characteristics of the residual stool (presence, composition and signal-intensity) were assessed per segment. Discomfort was assessed with questionnaires.



Fourteen healthy subjects were included. Colonic distension by means of rectally insufflated CO(2) was not associated with susceptibility artefacts. Overall image quality was affected by the presence of bowel motion-related artefacts: none of the segments in 3DT1w-series and 10/84 (12%) colon segments in 2DT2w-series were rated artefact-free by both observers. Diagnostic confidence ratings were superior for the 2DT2w-SSFSE series. Overall bowel distension was rated adequate to optimal in 312/336 (93%) colon segments.



MR colonography at 3.0T using carbon dioxide (CO(2)) for colonic distension is technically feasible. The presence of intraluminal CO(2) did not result in susceptibility artefacts, although overall image quality was influenced by artefacts.
Acute effects of intravenous cocaine on pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac index in habitual crack smokers.

Some habitual crack cocaine smokers who deny IV drug abuse show decreased pulmonary transfer of carbon monoxide (DCO). We speculated that repeated elevations in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) might cause pulmonary capillary damage and result in a lowered DCO, or that the reduction could be due to anoxic lung injury secondary to repeated episodes of cocaine-induced pulmonary vascular constriction.



Compare the acute effects of i.v. cocaine HCl and placebo on PAP, cardiac stroke volume, and cardiac output estimated indirectly by continuous Doppler echocardiography.



A single-blind crossover study in which placebo always preceded the active drug.



Ten current crack-smoking subjects, 32 to 47 years of age, with a history of limited previous i.v. cocaine use.



PAP, cardiac stroke volume, heart rate, and BP were measured continuously after injection of placebo followed by cocaine HCl (0.5 mg/kg).



i.v. cocaine resulted in no significant change in PAP (-0.14 +/- 3.3[SD] mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI] for difference -2.48, +2.21). Stroke volume index showed no significant change after cocaine (-0.1 +/- 2.0 mL; 95% CI, -1.5, +1.3). Heart rate showed a significant increase (10.0 +/- 7.2 min-1; p = 0.0017, 95% CI, +4.9, +15.1). Cardiac index showed a significant increase (0.48 +/- 0.32 L/min; p = 0.0012, 95% CI, +0.25, +0.71). Pulmonary vascular resistance showed no significant change (-44 +/- 101 dyne.s.cm-5/m2, 95% CI, -116, +29).



i.v. cocaine HCl does not cause short-term increases in PAP or stroke volume index, but causes an increase in cardiac index due to its chronotropic effect.
Four anthropometric indices and cardiovascular risk factors in Taiwan

To examine the relationships between four anthropometric measurements and cardiovascular risk factors in Taiwan. The data was collected from four nationwide health screen centers in Taiwan from 1998 to 1999.SUBJECTS: A total of 38 556 subjects: 18 280 men and 20 276 women, mean age=37.0±11.1 y. None had any known major systemic diseases or were currently on medication. Individual body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol level, low-density and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol level) were assessed and their relationships were examined. In both sexes, with increasing body mass index (BMI), WC, WHpR (waist-to-hip ratio) and WHtR (waist-to-height ratio), there were significantly higher risks of hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, diabetes and dyslipidemia (P<0.001) in almost all age groups. In the age groups older than 65, however, the relationships were statistically inconsistent. In Taiwan, the four anthropometric indexes (BMI, WC, WHpR, WHtR) are closely related to cardiovascular risk factors.
Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Hepsulfam ( NSC 329680 ) 1

Hepsulfam (NSC 329680), a bifunctional alkylating agent structurally related to busulfan, has entered clinical trial based on its broader preclinical antitumor activity compared with that of busulfan and its i.v. for mulation which may circumvent the many problems arising from the p.o. administration of busulfan, such as significant individual differences in bioavailability. In this Phase I study, 53 patients received 95 courses of hepsulfam at doses ranging from 30 to 480 mg/m2 administered i.v. over 30 min every 28 days. Hematological toxicity was dose limiting. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were dose related, delayed in onset, and sustained for long durations. Toxicity was cumulative in most patients receiving more than one course. This pattern of myelosuppression sug gests that hepsulfam is cytotoxic to hematopoietic stem cells. Although hematological toxicity was not particularly severe during most courses, its lengthy duration precluded the prompt administration of subsequent courses. Minimal nonhematological effects were observed. Pharmacoki netic studies revealed that the clearance rate of hepsulfam is linear over the dose range studied and that its plasma disposition is biphasic with mean a and H half-lives of 19 Â±18 (SE) min and 337 Â±248 (SE) min, respectively. The area under the plasma clearance curve correlated with the percentage of change in WBC using a sigmoidal /:'â€ž,â€ž model and with the duration of thrombocytopenia in patients with hematological toxicity. Based on the protracted duration of the toxicity of multiple doses that were >210 mg/m2, the recommended starting dose for Phase II trials is 210 mg/m2. However, these trials should be pursued with caution because of the protracted nature of hepsulfam's myelosuppression. Because hep sulfam produced minimal nonhematological toxicity, substantial dose escalation above 480 mg/m2 may be possible with hematopoietic stem
Effect of Ezetimibe on Hepatic Fat, Inflammatory Markers, and Apolipoprotein B-100 Kinetics in Insulin-Resistant Obese Subjects on a Weight Loss Diet

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is highly prevalent in obese and type 2 diabetic individuals and is strongly associated with dyslipidemia and inflammation. Weight loss and/or pharmacotherapy are commonly used to correct these abnormalities.



We performed a 16-week intervention trial of a hypocaloric, low-fat diet plus 10 mg/day ezetimibe (n = 15) versus a hypocaloric, low-fat diet alone (n = 10) on intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content, plasma high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), adipocytokines, and fetuin-A concentrations and apolipoprotein (apo)B-100 kinetics in obese subjects. ApoB-100 metabolism was assessed using stable isotope tracer kinetics and compartmental modeling; liver and abdominal fat contents were determined by magnetic resonance techniques.



Both weight loss and ezetimibe plus weight loss significantly (all P < 0.05) reduced body weight, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues, insulin resistance and plasma triglycerides, VLDL-apoB-100, apoC-III, fetuin-A, and retinol-binding protein-4 and increased plasma adiponectin concentrations. Compared with weight loss alone, ezetimibe plus weight loss significantly (all P < 0.05) decreased IHTG content (-18%), plasma hs-CRP (-53%), interleukin-6 (-24%), LDL cholesterol (-18%), campesterol (-59%), and apoB-100 (-14%) levels, with a significant increase in plasma lathosterol concentrations (+43%). The LDL-apoB-100 concentration also significantly fell with ezetimibe plus weight loss (-12%), chiefly owing to an increase in the corresponding fractional catabolic rate (+29%). The VLDL-apoB-100 secretion rate fell with both interventions, with no significant independent effect of ezetimibe.



Addition of ezetimibe to a moderate weight loss diet in obese subjects can significantly improve hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and LDL-apoB-100 metabolism.
Attitudes and beliefs of adolescents and parents regarding adolescent suicide.

The goal was to understand the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of adolescents and parents of adolescents, from a variety of backgrounds, regarding adolescent suicide.



This qualitative study used focus groups to elicit the thoughts of distinct sociodemographic groups. A professional moderator guided the sessions by using a semistructured script. All groups were audiotaped. The transcripts and transcript summaries were analyzed for recurrent themes. The study was performed in community centers and schools in Chicago, Illinois (urban), and the Kansas City, Kansas, area (suburban and rural). A total of 66 adolescents (13-18 years of age) and 30 parents of adolescents participated in 13 focus groups.



Both adolescents and parents recognized adolescent suicide as a major problem, but not for their own communities. All parent and adolescent groups identified many risk factors for suicide. Most adolescents reported drug and alcohol use as risk factors for suicide. However, parents often viewed drug and alcohol use as normal adolescent behavior. Both adolescent and parent groups suggested securing or removing guns if an adolescent was known to be suicidal. All participants requested information about adolescent suicide.



Adolescents and parents need help understanding that suicide is an underidentified problem in their own communities. Both adolescents and parents are interested in learning more about how to identify and to intervene with a suicidal adolescent. Pediatricians are well positioned to provide this information in the office and in the community.