nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Impaired High‐Density Lipoprotein Anti‐Oxidative Function Is Associated With Outcome in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Oxidative stress is mechanistically linked to the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF). Antioxidative functions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles have been found impaired in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy; however, the impact of antioxidative HDL capacities on clinical outcome in CHF patients is unknown. We therefore investigated the predictive value of antioxidative HDL function on mortality in a representative cohort of patients with CHF.



We prospectively enrolled 320 consecutive patients admitted to our outpatient department for heart failure and determined antioxidative HDL function using the HDL oxidative index (HOI). During a median follow-up time of 2.8 (IQR: 1.8-4.9) years, 88 (27.5%) patients reached the combined cardiovascular endpoint defined as the combination of death due to cardiovascular events and heart transplantation. An HOI ≥1 was significantly associated with survival free of cardiovascular events in Cox regression analysis with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.28 (95% CI 1.48-3.51, P<0.001). This association remained significant after comprehensive multivariable adjustment for potential confounders with an adjusted HR of 1.83 (95% CI 1.1-2.92, P=0.012). Determination of HOI significantly enhanced risk prediction beyond that achievable with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide indicated by improvements in net reclassification index (32.4%, P=0.009) and integrated discrimination improvement (1.4%, P=0.04).



Impaired antioxidative HDL function represents a strong and independent predictor of mortality in patients with CHF. Implementation of HOI leads to a substantial improvement of risk prediction in patients with CHF.
The effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on return-to-work after low back pain; a prospective two year cohort study in six countries on low back pain patients sicklisted for 3-4 months.

To study occurrence and effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on return-to-work applied for workers with low back pain (LBP).



A multinational cohort of 1631 workers fully sicklisted 3-4 months due to LBP (ICD-9 codes 721, 722, 724) was recruited from sickness benefit claimants databases in Denmark, Germany, Israel, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. Medical, ergonomic, and other interventions, working status, and return-to-work were measured using questionnaires and interviews at three months, one and two years after the start of sickleave. Main outcome measure was time to return-to-work. Cox's proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios regarding the time to return-to-work, adjusted for prognostic factors.



Ergonomic interventions varied considerably in occurrence between the national cohorts: 23.4% (mean) of the participants reported adaptation of the workplace, ranging from 15.0% to 30.5%. Adaptation of job tasks and adaptation of working hours was applied for 44.8% (range 41.0-59.2%) and 46.0% (range 19.9-62.9%) of the participants, respectively. Adaptation of the workplace was effective on return-to-work rate with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.47 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.72; p < 0.0001). Adaptation of job tasks and adaptation of working hours were effective on return-to-work after a period of more than 200 days of sickleave with an adjusted HR of 1.78 (95% CI 1.42 to 2.23; p < 0.0001) and 1.41 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.76; p = 0.002), respectively.



Results suggest that ergonomic interventions are effective on return-to-work of workers long term sicklisted due to LBP.
An appropriate use criterion is very important to reduce overuse for SPECT in coronary heart disease: economic burden in time of crises.

heart disease: Economic burden in time of crises Alberto Dominguez-Rodriguez ⁎, María Angeles Gomez , Maria del Carmen Garcia-Baute , Pedro Abreu-Gonzalez , Antonieta Gonzalez-Diaz , Ignacio Laynez-Cerdeña a a Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Department of Cardiology, Tenerife, Spain b Universidad Europea de Canarias, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Tenerife, Spain c Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Tenerife, Spain d Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tenerife, Spain e Universidad de La Laguna, Department of Physiology, Tenerife, Spain
Benefits of partnered strength training for prostate cancer survivors and spouses: results from a randomized controlled trial of the Exercising Together project.

Prostate cancer can negatively impact quality of life of the patient and his spouse caregiver, but interventions rarely target the health of both partners simultaneously. We tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a partnered strength training program on the physical and mental health of prostate cancer survivors (PCS) and spouse caregivers.



Sixty-four couples were randomly assigned to 6 months of partnered strength training (Exercising Together, N = 32) or usual care (UC, N = 32).  included body composition (lean, fat and trunk fat mass (kg), and % body fat) by DXA, upper and lower body muscle strength by 1-repetition maximum, and physical function by the physical performance battery (PPB). Self-reported measures included the physical and mental health summary scales and physical function and fatigue subscales of the SF-36 and physical activity with the CHAMPS questionnaire.



Couple retention rates were 100 % for Exercising Together and 84 % for UC. Median attendance of couples to Exercising Together sessions was 75 %. Men in Exercising Together became stronger in the upper body (p < 0.01) and more physically active (p < 0.01) than UC. Women in Exercising Together increased muscle mass (p = 0.05) and improved upper (p < 0.01) and lower body (p < 0.01) strength and PPB scores (p = 0.01) more than UC.



Exercising Together is a novel couples-based approach to exercise that was feasible and improved several health outcomes for both PCS and their spouses.



A couples-based approach should be considered in cancer survivorship programs so that outcomes can mutually benefit both partners.
Dosimetric rationale and early experience at UFPTI of thoracic proton therapy and chemotherapy in limited-stage small cell lung cancer.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Treatment with conventional x-ray therapy (XRT) is associated with high toxicity rates, particularly acute grade 3+ esophagitis and pneumonitis. We present outcomes for the first known series of limited-stage SCLC patients treated with proton therapy and a dosimetric comparison of lung and esophageal doses with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).



Six patients were treated: five concurrently and one sequentially. Five patients received 60-66 CGE in 30-34 fractions once daily and one patient received 45 CGE in 30 fractions twice daily. All six patients received prophylactic cranial irradiation. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v3.0, was used to grade toxicity. IMRT plans were also generated and compared with proton plans.



The median follow-up was 12.0 months. The one-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 83% and 66%, respectively. There were no cases of acute grade 3+ esophagitis or acute grade 2+ pneumonitis, and no other acute grade 3+ non-hematological toxicities were seen. One patient with a history of pulmonary fibrosis and atrial fibrillation developed worsening symptoms four months after treatment requiring oxygen. Three patients died: two of progressive disease and one after a fall; the latter patient was disease-free at 36 months after treatment. Another patient recurred and is alive, while two patients remain disease-free at 12 months of follow-up. Proton therapy proved superior to IMRT across all esophageal and lung dose volume points.



In this small series of SCLC patients treated with proton therapy with radical intent, treatment was well tolerated with no cases of acute grade 3+ esophagitis or acute grade 2+ pneumonitis. Dosimetric comparison showed better sparing of lung and esophagus with proton therapy. Proton therapy merits further investigation as a method of reducing the toxicity of CRT.
Humoral Epitope-Spreading Following Immunization with a HER-2/neu Peptide Based Vaccine in Cancer Patients

HER-2/neu is a tumor antigen in patients with breast and ovarian cancer. Multiple varieties of vaccine strategies are being developed to immunize patients against HER-2/neu. Studies in animal models have demonstrated both T cell and antibody immunity are needed to mediate an antitumor response. Thirty-five patients, immunized with HER-2/neu peptide based vaccines, were evaluated for the generation of HER-2/neu-specific antibody immunity. Sixty percent of patients developed HER-2/neu IgG specific antibody responses to at least one peptide included in their vaccine. Twenty-nine percent of patients developed IgG immunity to the native HER-2/neu protein after peptide immunization. Humoral intramolecular epitope-spreading within the HER-2/neu protein occurred in 49% of immunized patients. Intermolecular epitope-spreading to p53 was evident in 20% of vaccinated patients. Of those patients who developed new immunity to p53, 71% had demonstrated antibody epitope-spreading within HER-2/neu.
LGB-affirmative cognitive-behavioral therapy for young adult gay and bisexual men: A randomized controlled trial of a transdiagnostic minority stress approach.

We tested the preliminary efficacy of a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral treatment adapted to improve depression, anxiety, and co-occurring health risks (i.e., alcohol use, sexual compulsivity, condomless sex) among young adult gay and bisexual men. Treatment adaptations focused on reducing minority stress processes that underlie sexual orientation-related mental health disparities.



Young gay and bisexual men (n = 63; M age = 25.94) were randomized to immediate treatment or a 3-month waitlist. At baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessments, participants completed self-reports of mental health and minority stress and an interview of past-90-day risk behavior.



Compared to waitlist, treatment significantly reduced depressive symptoms (b = -2.43, 95% CI: -4.90, 0.35, p < .001), alcohol use problems (b = -3.79, 95% CI: -5.94, -1.64, p < .001), sexual compulsivity (b = -5.09, 95% CI: -8.78, -1.40, p < .001), and past-90-day condomless sex with casual partners (b = -1.09, 95% CI: -1.80, -0.37, p < .001), and improved condom use self-efficacy (b = 10.08, 95% CI: 3.86, 16.30, p < .001). The treatment yielded moderate and marginally significant greater improvements than waitlist in anxiety symptoms (b = -2.14, 95% CI: -4.61, 0.34, p = .09) and past-90-day heavy drinking (b = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.71, 0.07, p = .09). Effects were generally maintained at follow-up. Minority stress processes showed small improvements in the expected direction.



This study demonstrated preliminary support for the first intervention adapted to address gay and bisexual men's co-occurring health problems at their source in minority stress. If found to be efficacious compared to standard evidence-based treatments, the treatment will possess substantial potential for helping clinicians translate LGB-affirmative treatment guidelines into evidence-based practice.
Cerebrospinal fluid magnesium level as a prognostic factor in ischaemic stroke

Magnesium has been reported to have a dilatatory effect on cerebral arteries. Reduction of extracellular Mg+2 has been shown to be directy correlated with the intensity of cerebral spasm. A neuroprotective effect of magnesium in stroke has also been hypothesized. The aim of our study was to examine the Mg+2 levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the early stage of stroke and to evaluate the correlation between Mg+2 levels and the development of neurological deficits. Between 1986 and 1994, 96 patients who had a stroke of 24- to 48-h duration were enrolled in the study. Serum and CSF levels of magnesium were checked on admission, 24–48 h after the onset of stroke. Using a neurological score, the neurological deficit was assessed on the 1st day, 1 and 4 weeks later. Computed tomography (CT) was performed after 1 week, and the volume and location of infarction were calculated and measured. Statistical analysis was performed for cortical and subcortical patients separately, using Spearman correlation and multiple linear and logistic regression analyses. Significant correlation was found between CSF Mg+2 and the size of the infarct (P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between serum Mg+2 and CSF Mg+2 levels. Regression analysis demonstrated an increase in the values of the Mathew Neurological Score with higher CSF Mg+2 levels. This association remained true after other factors such as age, associated heart disease, diabetes and infarction size had been taken into account by the regression model. The results confirm that there is a relationship between a low Mg+2 concentration in CSF during the first 48 h after onset of ischaemic stroke and the intensity of the neurological deficit. The therapeutic consequence of this finding may have some importance.
Computational models in the debate over language learnability

Computational models have played a central role in the debate over language learnability. This article discusses how they have been used in different “stances”, from generative views to more recently introduced explanatory frameworks based on embodiment, cognitive development and cultural evolution. By digging into the details of certain specific models, we show how they organize, transform and rephrase defining questions about what makes language learning possible for children. Finally, we present a tentative synthesis to recast the debate using the notion of learning bias.
NORCCAP (Norwegian colorectal cancer prevention): a randomised trial to assess the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide versus air insufflation in colonoscopy.

To eliminate the risk of combustion during electrosurgical procedures and to reduce patient discomfort, carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation has been recommended during colonoscopy. However, air insufflation is still the standard method, perhaps due to the lack of suitable equipment and shortage of randomised studies.



This randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess patient tolerance and safety when using CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy.



Over an eight month period a successive series of patients referred for a baseline colonoscopy due to findings in a flexible sigmoidoscopy screening trial were randomly assigned to the use of either air or CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy.



End tidal CO2 (ETCO2), a non-invasive parameter of arterial pCO2, was registered before and repeatedly during and after the examination. The patient's experience of pain during and after the examination was registered using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Sedation was not used routinely.



CO2 insufflation was used in 121 patients (51%) and air in 119 patients (49%). The groups were similar in age, sex, and caecal intubation rate. No rise in ETCO2 was registered. There were statistically significant differences in VAS scores between the groups with less pain reported when using CO2.



This randomised study of unsedated patients shows that CO2 insufflation is safe during colonoscopy with no rise in ETCO2 level. CO2 was found to be superior to air in terms of pain experienced after the examination.
Substance use patterns among first-year college students: secondary effects of a combined alcohol intervention.

This study explored secondary effects of a multisite randomized alcohol prevention trial on tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit drug use among a sample of incoming college students who participated in high school athletics. Students (n = 1,275) completed a series of Web-administered measures at baseline during the summer before starting college and 10 months later. Students were randomized to one of four conditions: a parent-delivered intervention, a brief motivation enhancement intervention (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students [BASICS]), a condition combining the parent intervention and BASICS, and assessment-only control. A series of analyses of variance evaluating drug use outcomes at the 10-month follow-up assessment revealed significant reductions in marijuana use among students who received the combined intervention compared to the BASICS-only and control groups. No other significant differences between treatment conditions were found for tobacco or other illicit drug use. Our findings suggest the potential utility of targeting both alcohol and marijuana use when developing peer- and parent-based interventions for students transitioning to college. Clinical implications and future research directions are considered.
Myeloid Cells and Related Chronic Inflammatory Factors as Novel Predictive Markers in Melanoma Treatment with Ipilimumab.

Immunotherapy with ipilimumab improves the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. Because only around 20% of patients experience long-term benefit, reliable markers are needed to predict a clinical response. Therefore, we sought to determine if some myeloid cells and related inflammatory mediators could serve as predictive factors for the patients' response to ipilimumab.



We performed an analysis of myeloid cells in the peripheral blood of 59 stage IV melanoma patients before the treatment and at different time points upon the therapy using a clinical laboratory analysis and multicolor flow cytometry. In addition, the production of related inflammatory factors was evaluated by ELISA or Bio-Plex assays.



An early increase in eosinophil count during the treatment with ipilimumab was associated with an improved clinical response. In contrast, elevated amounts of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (moMDSC), neutrophils, and monocytes were found in nonresponders (n = 36) as compared with basal levels and with responding patients (n = 23). Moreover, in nonresponders, moMDSCs produced significantly more nitric oxide, and granulocytic MDSCs expressed higher levels of PD-L1 than these parameters at baseline and in responders, suggesting their enhanced immunosuppressive capacity. Upon the first ipilimumab infusion, nonresponders displayed elevated serum concentrations of S100A8/A9 and HMGB1 that attract and activate MDSCs.



These findings highlight additional mechanisms of ipilimumab effects and suggest levels of eosinophils, MDSCs, as well as related inflammatory factors S100A8/A9 and HMGB1 as novel complex predictive markers for patients who may benefit from the ipilimumab therapy.
Byzantine Generals in Action: Implementing Fail-Stop Processors

A fail-stop processor halts instead of performing an erroneous state transformation that might be visible to other processors, can detect whether another fail-stop processor has halted (due to a failure), and has a predefined portion of its storage that will remain unaffected by failures and accessible to any other fail-stop processor. Fail-stop processors can simplify the construction of fault-tolerant computing systems. In this paper, the problem of approximating fail-stop processors is discussed. Use of fail-stop processors is compared with the state machine approach, another general paradigm for constructing fault-tolerant systems.
Voxel-based analysis of 11C-PIB scans for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

The positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand N-methyl-11C-2-(4-methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (also known as 11C-6-OH-BTA-1 or 11C-PIB) binds to amyloid-beta (Abeta), which accumulates pathologically in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although 11C-PIB accumulation is greater in patients with AD than in healthy controls at a group level, the optimal method for discriminating between these 2 groups has, to our knowledge, not been established. We assessed the use of data-determined standardized voxels of interest (VOIs) to improve the classification capability of 11C-PIB scans on patients with AD.



A total of 16 controls and 14 AD age-matched patients were recruited. All subjects underwent a 11C-PIB scan and structural MRI. Binding potential (a measure of amyloid burden) was calculated for each voxel using the Logan graphical method with cerebellar gray matter as the reference region. Voxel maps were then partial-volume corrected and spatially normalized by MRI onto a standardized template. The subjects were divided into 2 cohorts. The first cohort (control, 12; AD, 9) was used for statistical parametric mapping analysis and delineation of data-based VOIs. These VOIs were tested in the second cohort (control, 4; AD, 5) of subjects.



Statistical parametric mapping analysis revealed significant differences between control and AD groups. The VOI map determined from the first cohort resulted in complete separation between the control and the AD subjects in the second cohort (P < 0.02). Binding potential values based on this VOI were in the same range as other reported individual and mean cortical VOI results.



A standardized VOI template that is optimized for control or AD group discrimination provides excellent separation of control and AD subjects on the basis of 11C-PIB uptake. This VOI template can serve as a potential replacement for manual VOI delineation and can eventually be fully automated, facilitating potential use in a clinical setting. To facilitate independent analysis and validation with more and a broader variety of subjects, this VOI template and the software for processing will be made available through the Internet.
Dynamic comparison between Daan real-time PCR and Cobas TaqMan for quantification of HBV DNA levels in patients with CHB

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels are crucial for managing chronic hepatitis B (CHB). It was unclear whether Daan real-time polymerase chain reaction test (Daan test) or COBAS TaqMan HBV DNA Test (Cobas TaqMan) was superior in measuring different HBV DNA levels in clinical specimens.



We enrolled 67 treatment-naïve, HBV surface antigen-positive CHB patients (high baseline viral levels) who received either lamivudine/adefovir or entecavir. Serum samples were tested at baseline and treatment week 24 using the Daan test and Cobas TaqMan.



In the 67-baseline samples, the HBV DNA levels with the Cobas TaqMan (7.90 ± 0.73 log10 IU/mL) were significantly greater than those of the Daan test (7.11 ± 0.44 log10 IU/mL; P < 0.001). Of the 67 24-week samples (low viral levels), the Cobas TaqMan detected 59 (88.1%; 8 undetected); the Daan test detected 33 (49.3%; 34 undetected; P < 0.001). The Cobas TaqMan detected HBV DNA in 26 of 34 samples undetectable by the Daan test (range, 1.4-3.7 log10 IU/mL) or 38% of samples (26/67). The reductions in viral load after 24 weeks of oral antiviral treatment in the 33 samples that were positive for both the Daan test and the Cobas TaqMan test were significantly different (3.59 ± 1.11 log10 IU/mL versus 4.87 ± 1.58 log10 IU/mL, respectively; P = 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed positive correlation between results from two tests (rp = 0.602,P<0.001). The HBV genotypes and the anti-viral treatment did not affect the measurements of the HBV DNA by the Daan assay and the Cobas Taqman assay.



The Cobas Taqman was more sensitive at low viral loads than the Daan test and the change from complete to partial virological response could affect clinical decisions. The Cobas Taqman may be more appropriate for detection of HBV DNA levels.