nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Effect of short message service as a reminder on breast self-examination in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of SMS as a reminder for breast self-examination (BSE). Participants who underwent surgery for breast cancer were recruited and randomized to the intervention group or the control group. Subjects in the intervention group received one text message on the first day of every month that reminded them to complete monthly BSE and the other text message on the fifteenth day of every month that contained information about breast cancer. Primary and secondary outcomes were self-reported BSE adherence and the frequency of BSE over 6 months. Between August 2010 and December 2011, 216 patients were randomly assigned to the SMS group (n = 110) or the control group (n = 106). A total of 202 patients were included in the final analysis. Self-reported BSE adherence and the frequency of BSE over the past six months were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that the SMS was the only significant factor for BSE adherence (p < 0.001). The short-term results of our study suggest that SMS is an effective and low-cost method to enhance adherence to BSE with existing information technology infrastructure.
Nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure improves ventilatory efficiency during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure is closely related to impaired cardiorespiratory reflex control, including decreased ventilatory efficiency during exercise (Ve/Vco(2)-slope) and central sleep apnea (CSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and nocturnal oxygen therapy alleviate CSA. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of nocturnal CPAP and oxygen therapy on Ve/Vco(2)-slope.



Prospective controlled trial at a university hospital.



Twenty-six stable patients with chronic heart failure and CSA.



Ten patients received nocturnal oxygen, and 16 patients were assigned to CPAP treatment. At baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment, symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed on a cycle ergometer. Expiratory gas was analyzed breath by breath for evaluation of ventilation and ventilatory efficiency in combination with arteriocapillary blood gas analysis during rest and exercise.



CPAP treatment significantly reduced the Ve/Vco(2)-slope (31.2 +/- 1.6 vs 26.2 +/- 1.0, p = 0.005) and improved the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [31.7 +/- 2.6% vs 35.7 +/- 2.7%, p = 0.041]. CPAP treatment significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) [35.9 +/- 4.0/h vs 12.2 +/- 3.6/h, p = 0.002]. Peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) [16.2 +/- 1.1 L/min/kg vs 16.3 +/- 1.2 L/min/kg, p = 0.755] remained similar after CPAP treatment. Oxygen therapy reduced the AHI (28.8 +/- 3.2/h vs 8.7 +/- 4.1/h, p = 0.019), but did not improve exercise capacity (peak Vo(2), 15.4 +/- 1.5 L/min/kg vs 15.6 +/- 1.9 L/min/kg, p = 0.760), LVEF (30.9 +/- 2.4% vs 32.5 +/- 2.3%, p = 0.231), or the Ve/Vco(2)-slope (30.0 +/- 1.5 vs 29.8 +/- 1.5, p = 0.646).



Nocturnal CPAP and oxygen therapy alleviate CSA to a similar degree. Only CPAP therapy may improve ventilatory efficiency during exercise and may have favorable effects on LVEF. Therefore, our data suggest that CPAP is advantageous compared to oxygen in the treatment of CSA in patients with chronic heart failure.
Examining the validity of the unitary theory of clinical relationships: comparison of observed and experienced parent-doctor interaction.

We explored parent-doctor relationships in the care of children with leukaemia from three perspectives simultaneously: parents', doctors' and observers'. Our aim was to investigate convergence and divergence between these perspectives and thereby examine the validity of unitary theory of emotionality and authority in clinical relationships.



33 audiorecorded parent-doctor consultations and separate interviews with parents and doctors, which we analysed qualitatively and from which we selected three prototype cases.



Across the whole sample doctors' sense of relationship generally converged with our observations of consultation, but parents' sense of relationship diverged strongly from each. Contrary to current assumptions, parents' sense of emotional connection with doctors did not depend on doctors' emotional behaviour, and parents did not feel disempowered by doctors' authority. Moreover, authority and emotionality were not conceptually distinct for parents, who gained emotional support from doctors' exercise of authority.



The relationships looked very different from the three perspectives. These divergences indicate weaknesses in current ideas of emotionality and authority in clinical relationships and the necessity of multisource datasets to develop these ideas in a way that characterises clinical relationships from all perspectives.



Methodological development will be needed to address the challenges posed by multisource datasets.
Variation in survival after diagnosis of breast cancer in Switzerland.

Survival after diagnosis of cancer is a key criterion for cancer control. Major survival differences between time periods and countries have been reported by the EUROCARE studies. We investigated whether similar differences by period and region existed in Switzerland.



Survival of 11,376 cases of primary invasive female breast cancer diagnosed between 1988 and 1997 and registered in seven Swiss cancer registries covering a population of 3.5 million was analysed.



Comparing the two periods 1988-1992 and 1993-1997, age-standardized 5 year relative survival improved globally from 77% to 81%. Furthermore, multivariate analysis adjusting for age, tumour size and nodal involvement identified regional survival differences. Survival was lowest in the rural parts of German-speaking eastern Switzerland and highest in urbanised regions of the Latin- and German-speaking northwestern parts of the country.



This study confirms that survival differences are present even in a small and affluent, but culturally diverse, country like Switzerland, raising the issue of heterogeneity in access to care and quality of treatment.
Lessons Learned from Whole Exome Sequencing in Multiplex Families Affected by a Complex Genetic Disorder, Intracranial Aneurysm

Genetic risk factors for intracranial aneurysm (IA) are not yet fully understood. Genomewide association studies have been successful at identifying common variants; however, the role of rare variation in IA susceptibility has not been fully explored. In this study, we report the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) in seven densely-affected families (45 individuals) recruited as part of the Familial Intracranial Aneurysm study. WES variants were prioritized by functional prediction, frequency, predicted pathogenicity, and segregation within families. Using these criteria, 68 variants in 68 genes were prioritized across the seven families. Of the genes that were expressed in IA tissue, one gene (TMEM132B) was differentially expressed in aneurysmal samples (n=44) as compared to control samples (n=16) (false discovery rate adjusted p-value=0.023). We demonstrate that sequencing of densely affected families permits exploration of the role of rare variants in a relatively common disease such as IA, although there are important study design considerations for applying sequencing to complex disorders. In this study, we explore methods of WES variant prioritization, including the incorporation of unaffected individuals, multipoint linkage analysis, biological pathway information, and transcriptome profiling. Further studies are needed to validate and characterize the set of variants and genes identified in this study.
Effects of aerobic exercise training in anemic cancer patients receiving darbepoetin alfa: a randomized controlled trial.

Anemia in patients with solid tumors is a common problem that is associated with impaired exercise capacity, increased fatigue, and lower quality of life (QoL). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been shown to improve these outcomes; however, it is unknown if additional benefits can be achieved with aerobic exercise training.



We conducted a single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial in 55 mild-to-moderately anemic patients with solid tumors. Patients were randomized to either darbepoetin alfa alone (DAL, n = 29) or darbepoetin alfa plus aerobic exercise training (DEX; n = 26). The DEX group performed aerobic exercise training three times per week at 60%-100% of baseline exercise capacity for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was QoL assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia scale. Secondary endpoints were fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO(2peak)), hemoglobin (Hb) response, and darbepoetin alfa dosing.



Intention-to-treat analyses indicated significant improvements in QoL and fatigue in both groups over time but there were no between-group differences. The DEX group had a significantly greater VO(2peak) than the DAL group (mean group difference, +3.0 ml/kg per minute; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.7; p = .001) and there were borderline significant differences in favor of the DEX group for Hb response and darbepoetin alfa dosing.



Aerobic exercise training did not improve QoL or fatigue beyond the established benefits of DAL but it did result in favorable improvements in exercise capacity and a more rapid Hb response with lower dosing requirements. Our results may be useful to clinicians despite the more recent restrictions on the indications for ESAs.
Effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of a group-based cognitive behavioural therapy-based indicative prevention program for children with elevated anxiety levels

Anxiety is a problem for many children, particularly because of its negative consequences not only on the wellbeing of the child, but also on society. Adequate prevention and treatment might be the key in tackling this problem. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found effective for treating anxiety disorders. "Coping Cat" is one of the few evidence-based CBT programs designed to treat anxiety symptoms in children. The main aim of this project is to conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a Dutch version of Coping Cat as an indicative group-based prevention program. The second aim is to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying its effectiveness.



Coping Cat will be tested in Dutch primary school children grades five through eight (ages 7 to 13) with elevated levels of anxiety. This RCT has two conditions: 130 children will be randomly assigned to the experimental (N=65, Coping Cat) and control groups (N=65, no program). All children and their mothers will be asked to complete baseline, post intervention, and 3-month follow-up assessments. In addition, children in both the experimental and control group will be asked to complete 12 weekly questionnaires matched to the treatment sessions. Main outcome measure will be the child's anxiety symptoms level (SCAS). Four potential mediators will be examined, namely active coping, positive cognitive restructuring, self efficacy and cognitions about ones coping ability (from now on coping cognitions).



It is hypothesized that children in the experimental condition will experience reduced levels of anxiety in comparison with the control group. Further, active coping, positive cognitive restructuring, and coping cognitions are expected to mediate program effectiveness. If Coping Cat proves effective as a prevention program and working mechanisms can be found, this group-based approach might lead to the development of a cost-effective program suitable for prevention purposes that would be easily implemented on a large scale.
Evaluation of the second generation of a bioresorbable everolimus drug-eluting vascular scaffold for treatment of de novo coronary artery stenosis: six-month clinical and imaging outcomes.

The first generation of the bioresorbable everolimus drug-eluting vascular scaffold showed signs of shrinkage at 6 months, which largely contributed to late luminal loss. Nevertheless, late luminal loss was less than that observed with bare metal stents. To maintain the mechanical integrity of the device up to 6 months, the scaffold design and manufacturing process of its polymer were modified.



Quantitative coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound with analysis of radiofrequency backscattering, and as an optional assessment, optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. Forty-five patients successfully received a single bioresorbable everolimus drug-eluting vascular scaffold. One patient had postprocedural release of myocardial enzyme without Q-wave occurrence; 1 patient with OCT-diagnosed disruption of the scaffold caused by excessive postdilatation was treated 1 month later with a metallic drug-eluting stent. At follow-up, 3 patients declined recatheterization, 42 patients had quantitative coronary angiography, 37 had quantitative intravascular ultrasound, and 25 had OCT. Quantitative coronary angiography disclosed 1 edge restenosis (1 of 42; in-segment binary restenosis, 2.4%). At variance with the ultrasonic changes seen with the first generation of bioresorbable everolimus drug-eluting vascular scaffold at 6 months, the backscattering of the polymeric struts did not decrease over time, the scaffold area was reduced by only 2.0% with intravascular ultrasound, and no change was noted with OCT. On an intention-to-treat basis, the late lumen loss amounted to 0.19±0.18 mm with a limited relative decrease in minimal luminal area of 5.4% on intravascular ultrasound. OCT showed at follow-up that 96.8% of the struts were covered and that malapposition of at least 1 strut, initially observed in 12 scaffolds, was detected at follow-up in only 3 scaffolds. Mean neointimal growth measured by OCT between and on top of the polymeric struts equaled 1.25 mm(2), or 16.6% of the scaffold area.



Modified manufacturing process of the polymer and geometric changes in the polymeric platform have substantially improved the medium-term performance of this new generation of drug-eluting scaffold to become comparable to those of current drug eluting stents.
Significant improvement of left atrial and left atrial appendage function after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation.

The long-term effects of catheter ablation (CA) on the left atrium and left atrial appendage (LAA) are unknown in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This study investigated left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling and evolution of LA/LAA function after successful CA for persistent AF and identified predictors for maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) and LA reverse remodeling.



CA was performed in 123 patients with persistent AF. LA volumes, LA strain and LAA wall velocity were assessed both at baseline and at 12 months after ablation. Patients who maintained SR were divided into 2 groups according to whether LA volume decreased by ≥15% at follow-up (responders) or not (non-responders). During a follow-up period of 18±2 months, AF recurred in 45 patients (37%). Of the remaining 78 patients (63%) without recurrent AF, 62 patients (79%) were classified as responders. LA/LAA function significantly improved and the prevalence of spontaneous echo contrast decreased only in responders at follow-up. LA systolic strain and LAA wall velocity were independent predictors of both maintenance of SR (odds ratio [OR], 2.57; P=0.003; OR, 3.02; P=0.002, respectively) and LA reverse remodeling (OR, 4.44; P=0.007; OR, 3.52; P=0.01, respectively).



Successful CA is associated with LA reverse remodeling and LA/LAA functional recovery in patients with persistent AF. LA systolic strain and LAA wall velocity at baseline predicted both maintenance of SR and LA reverse remodeling.
Double-blind trial of aspirin in patients receiving tranexamic acid for subarachnoid haemorrhage

Antifibrinolytic agents have been claimed to reduce the rebleed rate in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage from intracranial aneurysms. However, these agents may in themselves increase the incidence of delayed cerebral ischaemia in these patients. We have used aspirin in an attempt to reduce the incidence of this complication. In a prospective, double-blind trial of aspirin against placebo, 53 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage were all treated with the antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid. Twenty-seven patients received aspirin and 26 patients received placebo. The morbidity and mortality was similar in each group. A further breakdown into patients who had their aneurysms clipped at craniotomy (21 patients) similarly failed to show a more favourable outcome in either group. It is concluded that aspirin does not affect the outcome in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage treated with tranexamic acid.
Shock efficacy of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for prevention of sudden cardiac death: initial multicenter experience.

Recently, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) has become available. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of S-ICD in a clinical setting.



Between June 2010 and July 2011, 40 consecutive patients (42 ± 15 years; body mass index, 27 ± 6 kg/m(2); left ventricular ejection fraction, 47 ± 15%; 28 men) received an S-ICD for primary (n=17) or secondary prevention (n=23 [58%]) at 3 institutions in Germany. Intraoperative defibrillation efficacy testing failed in 1 patient with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction; testing was effective in all other patients. All episodes stored in the S-ICD were analyzed for appropriate and inappropriate detection, as well as effective shock delivery to convert ventricular tachyarrhythmia into sinus rhythm. During a median follow-up of 229 (interquartile range, 116-305) days, 4 patients experienced 21 episodes, with correct detection of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and subsequent shock therapy. A total of 28 shocks were delivered in these 4 patients. Mixed logistic regression modeling revealed a shock efficacy of 96.4% (95% CI, 12.8%-100%). The efficacy of first shocks, however, was only 57.9% (95% CI, 35.6%-77.4%). Four episodes were incorrectly classified as ventricular tachyarrhythmia, which led to inappropriate shock delivery in 2 patients.



Ineffective shock delivery may occur in patients with S-ICD, even after successful intraoperative testing. Multicenter trials are required with close monitoring of safety and efficacy end points to identify patients who may be at risk for shock failure.
Impact of platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate before implantation of drug-eluting stents on subsequent adverse cardiac events in patients with stable angina.

Diverse pharmacological effects of anti-platelet thienopyridines due to individual differences in metabolism have been reported. However, an association between on-treatment platelet reactivity and adverse ischemic events after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in Japanese patients has not been fully elucidated.



A total of 450 consecutive patients on dual anti-platelet therapy (aspirin and ticlopidine) with stable angina who underwent DES implantation were enrolled. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation was measured before DES implantation using the screen filtration pressure method. The ADP concentration necessary for 50% aggregation was designated as the platelet aggregation threshold index (PATI). A composite primary endpoint of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and stent thrombosis occurring within 1 year after stenting, was evaluated. A PATI value <4.8 µmol/L was defined as high on-treatment reactivity to ADP. The composite primary endpoint occurred in 55 patients (12.2%) in the 1-year-period after DES implantation, and the prevalence was 19.0% and 5.1% in groups with high and low on-treatment reactivity to ADP, respectively, showing a significantly higher prevalence in the high reactivity group (P<0.001). The main event was TLR (18.1% vs. 5.1%, P<0.001).



These data suggested that high on-treatment platelet reactivity to ADP and subsequent occurrence of adverse ischemic events (particularly TLR) were correlated in patients with stable angina who underwent DES implantation.
Resonance in subthalamo-cortical circuits in Parkinson's disease

Neuronal activity within and across the cortex and basal ganglia is pathologically synchronized, particularly at approximately 20 Hz in patients with Parkinson's disease. Defining how activities in spatially distributed brain regions overtly synchronize in narrow frequency bands is critical for understanding disease processes like Parkinson's disease. To address this, we studied cortical responses to electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) at various frequencies between 5 and 30 Hz in two cohorts of eight patients with Parkinson's disease from two different surgical centres. We found that evoked activity consisted of a series of diminishing waves with a peak latency of 21 ms for the first wave in the series. The cortical evoked potentials (cEPs) averaged in each group were well fitted by a damped oscillator function (r > or = 0.9, P < 0.00001). Fits suggested that the natural frequency of the subthalamo-cortical circuit was around 20 Hz. When the system was forced at this frequency by stimulation of the STN at 20 Hz, the undamped amplitude of the modelled cortical response increased relative to that with 5 Hz stimulation in both groups (P < or = 0.005), consistent with resonance. Restoration of dopaminergic input by treatment with levodopa increased the damping of oscillatory activity (as measured by the modelled damping factor) in both patient groups (P < or = 0.001). The increased damping would tend to limit resonance, as confirmed in simulations. Our results show that the basal ganglia-cortical network involving the STN has a tendency to resonate at approximately 20 Hz in Parkinsonian patients. This resonance phenomenon may underlie the propagation and amplification of activities synchronized around this frequency. Crucially, dopamine acts to increase damping and thereby limit resonance in this basal ganglia-cortical network.
Do long-term hospitalised patients benefit from discharge into the community?

The study investigated whether long-stay patients would benefit from discharge into the community in Berlin, Germany.  In a prospective controlled study, all long-term hospitalised psychiatric patients from a defined catchment area were assessed using established standardised instruments. Quality of life, treatment satisfaction, needs and psychopathology were re-assessed in 63 non-discharged patients 1.5 years later, and in 65 resettled patients 1 year after discharge.  Discharged patients were younger and had spent less time in psychiatric hospitalisation. Whilst patients who remained in hospital care did not show significant changes over time, discharged patients did. Changes in subjective quality of life and total number of needs – but not in psychopathology, unmet needs, and treatment satisfaction – were significantly more favourable in resettled patients as compared to the control group.  The findings are in line with other studies and suggest that long-stay patients can benefit from discharge into the community, particularly with respect to their quality of life. Positive changes in the process of deinstitutionalisation seem not dependent on the specific national context, and also apply to younger patients who have not yet spent 10 or more years in psychiatric hospitals.