nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Improving Adherence to Secondary Stroke Prevention Strategies Through Motivational Interviewing: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Stroke recurrence rates are high (20%-25%) and have not declined over past 3 decades. This study tested effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) for reducing stroke recurrence, measured by improving adherence to recommended medication and lifestyle changes compared with usual care.



Single-blind, prospective phase III randomized controlled trial of 386 people with stroke assigned to either MI treatment (4 sessions at 28 days, 3, 6, and 9 months post stroke) or usual care; with outcomes assessed at 28 days, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post stroke. Primary outcomes were change in systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as indicators of adherence at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included self-reported adherence, new stroke, or coronary heart disease events (both fatal and nonfatal); quality of life (Short Form-36); and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).



MI did not significantly change measures of blood pressure (mean difference in change, -0.2.35 [95% confidence interval, -6.16 to 1.47]) or cholesterol (mean difference in change, -0.0.12 [95% confidence interval, -0.30 to 0.06]). However, it had positive effects on self-reported medication adherence at 6 months (1.979; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-3.98; P=0.0557) and 9 months (4.295; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-11.84; P=0.0049) post stroke. Improvement across other measures was also observed, but the differences between MI and usual care groups were not statistically significant.



MI improved self-reported medication adherence. All other effects were nonsignificant, though in the direction of a treatment effect. Further study is required to determine whether MI leads to improvement in other important areas of functioning (eg, caregiver burden).
Evaluation of COPD progression based on spirometry and exercise capacity.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an airflow limitation that is usually progressive. The progression of COPD expressed as the rate of an annual decline in FEV 1 is very heterogeneous. Exercise capacity in COPD patients is often diminished and becomes worsened over the time. The purpose of the study was to examine how the change in FEV 1 and exercise capacity would deteriorate over long-term observation.



A total of 22 men with COPD were examined. At the beginning the average age was 59 ± 8.1 years and the mean post-bronchodilator FEV 1 was 52 ± 14.9% predicted. Pulmonary function testing was performed at entry and then each year for 10 years, and exercise testing on a cycle ergometer was performed at entry and after 10 years.



FEV 1 and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximum mechanical work (W max ), maximum minute ventilation (V Emax ) and maximum tidal volume (V Tmax ) declined significantly over the observation time. The mean annual decline in FEV 1 was 42 ± 37 mL, and the mean decline for VO 2max was 30 ± 15 mL/min/yr and 0.44 ± 0.25 mL/min/kg/yr. Regression analysis revealed that the changes in FEV 1 do not predict changes in VO2max. We observed a correlation between the annual change in V Emax and annual change in VO2max (r = 0.51 p < 0.05). The baseline FEV 1 (expressed as a percentage of predicted and in absolute values) is the predictor of FEV 1 annual decline (r = 0.74 and 0.82; p < 0.05).



We observed over time deterioration in exercise capacity in COPD patients which is independent of decline in airflow limitation. The long term follow-up of exercise capacity is important in monitoring of COPD patients in addition to pulmonary function.
Randomised controlled trial of an automated, interactive telephone intervention to improve type 2 diabetes self-management (Telephone-Linked Care Diabetes Project): study protocol

An estimated 285 million people worldwide have diabetes and its prevalence is predicted to increase to 439 million by 2030. For the year 2010, it is estimated that 3.96 million excess deaths in the age group 20-79 years are attributable to diabetes around the world. Self-management is recognised as an integral part of diabetes care. This paper describes the protocol of a randomised controlled trial of an automated interactive telephone system aiming to improve the uptake and maintenance of essential diabetes self-management behaviours.



A total of 340 individuals with type 2 diabetes will be randomised, either to the routine care arm, or to the intervention arm in which participants receive the Telephone-Linked Care (TLC) Diabetes program in addition to their routine care. The intervention requires the participants to telephone the TLC Diabetes phone system weekly for 6 months. They receive the study handbook and a glucose meter linked to a data uploading device. The TLC system consists of a computer with software designed to provide monitoring, tailored feedback and education on key aspects of diabetes self-management, based on answers voiced or entered during the current or previous conversations. Data collection is conducted at baseline (Time 1), 6-month follow-up (Time 2), and 12-month follow-up (Time 3). The primary outcomes are glycaemic control (HbA1c) and quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey version 2). Secondary outcomes include anthropometric measures, blood pressure, blood lipid profile, psychosocial measures as well as measures of diet, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, foot care and medication taking. Information on utilisation of healthcare services including hospital admissions, medication use and costs is collected. An economic evaluation is also planned.



Outcomes will provide evidence concerning the efficacy of a telephone-linked care intervention for self-management of diabetes. Furthermore, the study will provide insight into the potential for more widespread uptake of automated telehealth interventions, globally.
Truth or deception: the impact of videoconferencing for job interviews

During the experiment, 28 “interviewers” each interviewed two different “applicants,” where one was deceptive and the other told the truth. Half of the interviews were done face-to-f ace and half using desktop video-conferencing equipment. When forced to compare and choose who was more honest between the two applicants, interviewers were accurate in their choice. A significant direct effect of medium on detection of deception was not fou nd. However, communication medium affected perceived eye contact and mental workload, both of which were found to significantly affect detection accuracy. This study will be of interest to companies beginning to use videoconferencing for job interviews and to scholars engaged in research on person perception in the video context.
A pilot surrogate end point biomarker trial of perillyl alcohol in breast neoplasia.

Efficient strategies to screen promising agents in early phase development are essential for rapid progress in breast cancer chemoprevention. We report our experience with the natural compound perillyl alcohol (POH) administered in a short-term surrogate end point biomarker (SEB) protocol, using the "window" between diagnostic and definitive surgery.



Eligible patients included those with a diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, or invasive carcinoma (<3 cm in size) that required further surgery. Thirty-seven of 267 women screened were enrolled in the study (14%). Five women received single-dose POH (1.5 g/m2) 2 days before surgery, 16 received escalating doses of POH (1.2 g/m2 to 4.8 g/m2/day) for 2 days before surgery, and 16 served as untreated controls. Exploratory SEB analysis [estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, proliferation, apoptosis, M6P/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2R, IGF1, IGF2 and transforming growth factor beta] was conducted before and after POH.



Only a small portion of the population screened entered the study.  protocol ineligibility, conflict of timing of surgery, miscellaneous logistical reasons, or patient's choice. POH administration was well tolerated and did not interfere with surgical management. The power to observe changes in candidate SEB was diminished by a 44% incidence of cases in which the index lesion was not present in the definitive surgical specimen.



Preoperative POH exposure was safe and suitable for a more definitive phase II SEB study. Further investigations must overcome logistical obstacles to accrual, and they must focus on approaches to maximize tissue collection and to incorporate genomic analysis of target lesions.
Reliability of resting blood pressure measurement and classification using an oscillometric device in children with chronic kidney disease.

To compare the reliability of blood pressure (BP) readings obtained with an oscillometric device with those obtained by auscultation and assess for differences in BP status classification based on the 2 techniques.



Resting BP was measured by auscultation and with an oscillometric device at the same encounter in 235 subjects enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study. Resting auscultatory BP values were averaged and compared with averaged oscillometric readings. BP agreement by the 2 methods was assessed using Bland-Altman plots, and BP status classification agreement was assessed by calculation of kappa statistics.



Oscillometric BP readings were higher than auscultatory readings, with a median paired difference of 9 mm Hg for systolic BP (SBP) and 6 mm Hg for diastolic BP (DBP). Correlation for mean SBP was 0.624 and for mean DBP was 0.491. The bias for oscillometric BP measurement was 8.7 mm Hg for SBP (P < .01) and 5.7 mm Hg for DBP (P < .01). BP status classification agreement was 61% for SBP and 63% for DBP, with Kappa values of .31 for SBP and .20 for DBP.



Compared with auscultation, the oscillometric device significantly overestimated both SBP and DBP, leading to frequent misclassification of BP status.
Depression, heart rate variability, and acute myocardial infarction.

Clinical depression is associated with an increased risk for mortality in patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI). Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) has been suggested as a possible explanation for this association. The purpose of this study was to determine if depression is associated with reduced HRV in patients with a recent MI.



Three hundred eighty acute MI patients with depression and 424 acute MI patients without depression were recruited. All underwent 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring after hospital discharge. In univariate analyses, 4 indices of HRV were significantly lower in patients with depression than in patients without depression. Variables associated with HRV were then compared between patients with and without depression, and potential confounds were identified. These variables (age, sex, diabetes, and present cigarette smoking) were entered into an analysis of covariance model, followed by depression status. In the final model, all but one HRV index (high-frequency power) remained significantly lower in patients with depression than in patients without depression.



We conclude that greater autonomic dysfunction, as reflected by decreased HRV, is a plausible mechanism linking depression to increased cardiac mortality in post-MI patients.
SNCA polymorphisms, smoking, and sporadic Parkinson's disease in Japanese.

Several case-control studies and genome-wide association studies have examined the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SNCA gene and Parkinson's disease (PD), and have provided inconsistent results. We investigated the relationships between SNPs rs356229, rs356219, rs356220, rs7684318, and rs2736990 and the risk of sporadic PD in Japan using data from a multicenter hospital-based case-control study. Included were 229 cases within 6 years of onset of PD as defined according to the UK PD Society Brain Bank clinical diagnostic criteria. Controls were 357 inpatients and outpatients without neurodegenerative disease. Adjustment was made for sex, age, region of residence, and smoking. Based on the recessive model, compared with subjects with the CC or CT genotype of SNP rs356220, those with the TT genotype had a significantly increased risk of sporadic PD: the adjusted OR was 1.42 (95% CI: 1.002-2.02). In the additive model, SNP rs2736990 was significantly related to the risk of sporadic PD: the adjusted OR was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.002-1.68). There were no significant relationships between SNP rs356229, rs356219, or rs7684318 and the risk of sporadic PD in any genetic model. The additive interactions between SNPs rs356219 and rs356220 and smoking with respect to sporadic PD were significant although the multiplicative interactions were not significant. This study suggests that SNCA SNPs rs356220 and rs2736990 are significantly associated with the risk of sporadic PD in Japanese. We also present new evidence for biological interactions between SNPs rs356219 and rs356220 and smoking that affect sporadic PD.
A Review of Co-Saliency Detection Algorithms: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges

Co-saliency detection is a newly emerging and rapidly growing research area in the computer vision community. As a novel branch of visual saliency, co-saliency detection refers to the discovery of common and salient foregrounds from two or more relevant images, and it can be widely used in many computer vision tasks. The existing co-saliency detection algorithms mainly consist of three components: extracting effective features to represent the image regions, exploring the informative cues or factors to characterize co-saliency, and designing effective computational frameworks to formulate co-saliency. Although numerous methods have been developed, the literature is still lacking a deep review and evaluation of co-saliency detection techniques. In this article, we aim at providing a comprehensive review of the fundamentals, challenges, and applications of co-saliency detection. Specifically, we provide an overview of some related computer vision works, review the history of co-saliency detection, summarize and categorize the major algorithms in this research area, discuss some open issues in this area, present the potential applications of co-saliency detection, and finally point out some unsolved challenges and promising future works. We expect this review to be beneficial to both fresh and senior researchers in this field and to give insights to researchers in other related areas regarding the utility of co-saliency detection algorithms.
Functional independence and health-related functional status following spinal cord injury: a prospective study of the association with physical capacity.

To determine changes in functional independence following spinal cord injury and to evaluate the association between functional independence and physical capacity.



Multi-centre prospective cohort study.



Patients with spinal cord injury admitted for initial rehabilitation.



The motor Functional Independence Measure (FIMmotor) was determined at the start of rehabilitation (n = 176), 3 months later (n = 124), at discharge (n = 160) and one year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (n = 133). One year after discharge, physical and social dimensions of health-related functional status (Sickness Impact Profile 68; SIP68) were determined. On each occasion, physical capacity was established by measuring arm muscle strength, peak power output and peak oxygen uptake.



Multi-level random coefficient analyses revealed that FIMmotor improved during inpatient rehabilitation, but stabilized thereafter. Changes in FIMmotor were associated with peak power output. Multiple regression models showed that FIMmotor and peak power output at discharge were associated with FIMmotor one year after discharge (R2 = 0.85), and that peak power output at discharge was associated with the social dimension of the SIP68 (R2 = 0.18) one year after discharge.



Functional independence improves during inpatient rehabilitation, and functional independence is positively associated with peak power output.
Conformal hypofractionated and accelerated radiotherapy with cytoprotection (HypoARC) for high risk prostatic carcinoma: rationale, technique and early experience.

Recent radiobiological analysis of the radiotherapy results for prostate cancer revealed that prostate carcinoma behaves as a late responding tissue, sharing an alpha/beta ratio lower than 2Gy. These findings suggest that hypofractionation may be more effective. Reduction of the overall treatment time could further increase response by abrogating the effect of rapid tumor repopulation. In the present study we report a conformal technique applied (to pelvis and prostate) for the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer, using hypofractionated and accelerated radiotherapy (3.4Gy x 15 consecutive fractions) supported with high-dose daily amifostine (1000mg subcutaneously) to protect normal tissues against early and late effects. The biological dose delivered to the prostate cancer by this HypoARC (hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy with cytoprotection) technique is estimated to be 71.4Gy (alpha/beta= 1.5 Gy). The time-adjusted biological dose is estimated to 77-94 Gy. Amifostine tolerance was excellent. All seven patients recruited up to now have accomplished their treatment with grade 0-1 cystitis or diarrhoea (5/7 grade 0). The study is ongoing to assess efficacy and late effects of HypoARC.
Year two assessment of fenofibric acid and moderate-dose statin combination: a phase 3, open-label, extension study.

Long-term (>1 year) safety and efficacy studies of combination lipid therapy are lacking. This year 2 study evaluated fenofibric acid 135 mg in combination with moderate-dose statin (rosuvastatin 20 mg, simvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 40 mg) in patients with mixed dyslipidaemia.



This was a phase 3, open-label, year 2 extension study in patients who had completed one of three double-blind, 12-week, controlled studies and the subsequent open-label, year 1 extension study. Patients in this study had mixed dyslipidaemia (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] <40 mg/dL [<1.02 mmol/L] for men or <50 mg/dL [<1.28 mmol/L] for women, triglycerides [TG] > or =150 mg/dL [> or =1.69 mmol/L], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] > or =130 mg/dL [> or =3.37 mmol/L]) at the start of the controlled study, and had completed the year 1 extension study. Treatment was once-daily oral coadministration of fenofibric acid 135 mg and moderate-dose statin (rosuvastatin 20 mg, simvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 40 mg), and was identical to the treatment received in the year 1 study. The year 2 population safety data were summarized for the entire duration of fenofibric acid + statin therapy. Efficacy data were summarized by combination therapy group, as well as pooled across combination therapies, and summarized across the controlled and open-label studies.



Of the 310 patients enrolled into the year 2 study, 287 (93%) completed therapy. The mean cumulative exposure to combination therapy was 743 days across the studies. Adverse event rates were similar for all three combination therapy groups. No deaths or treatment-related serious adverse events occurred. The incidence of discontinuation due to adverse events was 2.9% overall. Rhabdomyolysis was not reported in any group. Overall, fenofibric acid + moderate-dose statin for > or =2 years resulted in sustained improvements in HDL-C (+17.4%), TG (-46.4%) and LDL-C (-40.4%).



This long-term study demonstrated that fenofibric acid + moderate-dose statin was generally well tolerated with no new or unexpected safety concerns, and resulted in comprehensive and sustained lipid improvements in patients with mixed dyslipidaemia.
Meropenem versus ceftazidime plus amikacin in the treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients: a randomized study.

Meropenem is the first of a new class of carbapenems which may be administered without cilastatin. This study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of meropenem monotherapy (1 g/8 h) compared with the standard combination of ceftazidime (2 g/8 h) plus amikacin (15 mg/kg/day) for the empirical treatment of infective febrile episodes in neutropenic cancer patients.



This was a three-center, randomized, non-blind parallel group trial. The primary objective was to compare the clinical efficacy of meropenem monotherapy with that of ceftazidime plus amikacin in the empirical treatment of febrile infective episodes in neutropenic patients. This was evaluated by the number of patients surviving on unmodified therapy at 72 h (primary end point) and by the clinical response at the end of therapy (secondary end point).



A total of 93 febrile episodes (46 meropenem, 47 ceftazidime/amikacin) were evaluable. Bone marrow transplant patients accounted for 49.5% of all cases. There was a high incidence of Gram-positive infections but no pseudomonal infections. Microbiologically documented infections, clinically documented infections and unexplained fever accounted for 45%, 10% and 45% of episodes, respectively. There was a similar proportion of patients in the meropenem and ceftazidime/amikacin groups on unmodified empiric therapy at 72 h (80.4% vs 76.6%, p = 0.65,) and cured at the end of therapy (37% vs 36.2%, p = 0.9). No significant difference in tolerability was observed between the groups. Meropenem was well tolerated; of note, there were no cases of nausea/vomiting or seizure related to its use.



Meropenem monotherapy was well tolerated and produced response rates similar to those obtained with ceftazidime/amikacin. The low overall success rates with both treatments concur with those of other recent studies and are probably due to a combination of several factors, including the adoption of strict assessment criteria.