nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Computer-Based Intervention in HIV Clinical Care Setting Improves Antiretroviral Adherence: The LifeWindows Project

We evaluated the efficacy of LifeWindows, a theory-based, computer-administered antiretroviral (ARV) therapy adherence support intervention, delivered to HIV + patients at routine clinical care visits. 594 HIV + adults receiving HIV care at five clinics were randomized to intervention or control arms. Intervention vs. control impact in the intent-to-treat sample (including participants whose ARVs had been entirely discontinued, who infrequently attended care, or infrequently used LifeWindows) did not reach significance. Intervention impact in the On Protocol sample (328 intervention and control arm participants whose ARVs were not discontinued, who attended care and were exposed to LifeWindows regularly) was significant. On Protocol intervention vs. control participants achieved significantly higher levels of perfect 3-day ACTG-assessed adherence over time, with sensitivity analyses maintaining this effect down to 70% adherence. This study supports the utility of LifeWindows and illustrates that patients on ARVs who persist in care at clinical care sites can benefit from adherence promotion software. Evaluamos la eficacia de LifeWindows, una intervención de apoyo para la adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral (TAR) basada en teoría y con administración informatizada para pacientes con VIH + en sus visitas clínicas rutinarias. 594 adultos de cinco clínicas con VIH + y bajo tratamiento fueron aleatoriamente asignados a un grupo de intervención o de control. No se alcanzó significación estadística al comparar ambos grupos bajo la estrategia de ‘intención de tratar’ (incluyendo los participantes cuyos TAR se habían interrumpido por completo, habían asistido a la clínica en pocas ocasiones, o usaron LifeWindows con poca frecuencia). Sin embargo, la intervención obtuvo un impacto significativo cuando se evaluó con la muestra bajo Protocolo (un total de 328 participantes cuyos TAR no fueron interrumpidos, asistieron a sus visitas clínicas y se expusieron a LifeWindows regularmente). Los participantes bajo Protocolo de intervención obtuvieron niveles más altos de adherencia que el grupo control en tres días de Estudios de Grupos Clinicos con SIDA (EGCS) con repetidas evaluaciones y manteniendo como mínimo un 70% de la adherencia. Este estudio apoya la utilidad de LifeWindows e indica que los pacientes con TAR que asisten a las visitas clínicas, pueden beneficiarse de este software de promoción de la adherencia.
Learning Strategies by Reasoning about Rules

One of the major 'weaknesses of current automated reasoning systems is that they lack the ability to con­ trol inference in a sophisticated, context-directed fashion. General strategies such as the set-of-support strategy are useful, but have proven inadequate for many individual problems. A strategy component is needed that possesses knowledge about many particu­ lar domains and problems. Such a body of knowledge would require a prohibitive amount of time to con­ struct by hand. This leads us to consider means of automatically acquiring control knowledge from exam­ ple proofs. One particular means of learning is explanation-based learning. This paper analyzes the basis of explanations — finding weakest preconditions that enable a particular rule to fire — to derive a representation within which explanations can be extracted from examples, generalized and used to guide the actions of a problem-solving system.
The ADDITION-Cambridge trial protocol: a cluster – randomised controlled trial of screening for type 2 diabetes and intensive treatment for screen-detected patients

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes poses a major public health challenge. Population-based screening and early treatment for type 2 diabetes could reduce this growing burden. However, the benefits of such a strategy remain uncertain.



The ADDITION-Cambridge study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of (i) a stepwise screening strategy for type 2 diabetes; and (ii) intensive multifactorial treatment for people with screen-detected diabetes in primary care. 63 practices in the East Anglia region participated. Three undertook the pilot study, 33 were allocated to three groups: no screening (control), screening followed by intensive treatment (IT) and screening plus routine care (RC) in an unbalanced (1:3:3) randomisation. The remaining 27 practices were randomly allocated to IT and RC. A risk score incorporating routine practice data was used to identify people aged 40-69 years at high-risk of undiagnosed diabetes. In the screening practices, high-risk individuals were invited to take part in a stepwise screening programme. In the IT group, diabetes treatment is optimised through guidelines, target-led multifactorial treatment, audit, feedback, and academic detailing for practice teams, alongside provision of educational materials for newly diagnosed participants. Primary endpoints are modelled cardiovascular risk at one year, and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity at five years after diagnosis of diabetes. Secondary endpoints include all-cause mortality, development of renal and visual impairment, peripheral neuropathy, health service costs, self-reported quality of life, functional status and health utility. Impact of the screening programme at the population level is also assessed through measures of mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, health status and health service use among high-risk individuals.



ADDITION-Cambridge is conducted in a defined high-risk group accessible through primary care. It addresses the feasibility of population-based screening for diabetes, as well as the benefits and costs of screening and intensive multifactorial treatment early in the disease trajectory. The intensive treatment algorithm is based on evidence from studies including individuals with clinically diagnosed diabetes and the education materials are informed by psychological theory. Cambridge will provide timely evidence concerning the benefits of early intensive treatment and will inform policy decisions concerning screening for type 2 diabetes.
A multicentre phase III randomised controlled single-masked clinical trial evaluating the clinical efficacy and safety of light-masks at preventing dark-adaptation in the treatment of early diabetic macular oedema (CLEOPATRA): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

This study will evaluate hypoxia, as a novel concept in the pathogenesis of diabetic macular oedema (DMO). As the oxygen demand of the eye is maximum during dark-adaptation, we hypothesize that wearing light-masks during sleep will cause regression and prevent the development and progression of DMO. The study protocol comprises both an efficacy and mechanistic evaluation to test this hypothesis.



This is a phase III randomised controlled single-masked multicentre clinical trial to test the clinical efficacy of light-masks at preventing dark-adaptation in the treatment of non-central DMO. Three hundred patients with non-centre-involving DMO in at least one eye will be randomised 1:1 to light-masks and control masks (with no light) to be used during sleep at night for a period of 24 months. The primary outcome is regression of non-central oedema by assessing change in the zone of maximal retinal thickness at baseline on optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Secondary outcomes will evaluate the prevention of development and progression of DMO by assessing changes in retinal thickness in different regions of the macula, macular volume, refracted visual acuity and level of retinopathy. Safety parameters will include sleep disturbance. Adverse events and measures of compliance will be assessed over 24 months. Participants recruited to the mechanistic sub-study will have additional retinal oximetry, multifocal electroretinography (ERG) and microperimetry to evaluate the role of hypoxia by assessing and comparing changes induced by supplemental oxygen and the light-masks at 12 months.



The outcomes of this study will provide insight into the pathogenesis of DMO and provide evidence on whether a simple, non-invasive device in the form of a light-mask can help prevent the progression to centre-involving DMO and visual impairment in people with diabetes.
Post-conditioning reduces infarct size and edema in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

This study aimed to determine whether post-conditioning at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention could reduce reperfusion-induced myocardial edema in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).



Myocardial edema is a reperfusion injury with potentially severe consequences. Post-conditioning is a cardioprotective therapy that reduces infarct size after reperfusion, but no previous studies have analyzed the impact of this strategy on reperfusion-induced myocardial edema in humans.



Fifty patients with STEMI were randomly assigned to either a control or post-conditioned group. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed within 48 to 72 h after admission. Myocardial edema was measured by T2-weighted sequences, and infarct size was determined by late gadolinium enhancement sequences and creatine kinase release.



The post-conditioned and control groups were similar with respect to ischemia time, the size of the area at risk, and the ejection fraction before percutaneous coronary intervention. As expected, post-conditioning was associated with smaller infarct size (13 ± 7 g/m(2) vs. 21 ± 14 g/m(2); p = 0.01) and creatine kinase peak serum level (median [interquartile range]: 1,695 [1,118 to 3,692] IU/l vs. 3,505 [2,307 to 4,929] IU/l; p = 0.003). At reperfusion, the extent of myocardial edema was significantly reduced in the post-conditioned group as compared with the control group (23 ± 16 g/m(2) vs. 34 ± 18 g/m(2); p = 0.03); the relative increase in T2W signal intensity was also significantly lower (p = 0.02). This protective effect was confirmed after adjustment for the size of the area at risk.



This randomized study demonstrated that post-conditioning reduced infarct size and edema in patients with reperfused STEMI.
No significant improvement of cardiovascular disease risk indicators by a lifestyle intervention in people with Familial Hypercholesterolemia compared to usual care: results of a randomised controlled trial

People with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) may benefit from lifestyle changes supporting their primary treatment of dyslipidaemia. This project evaluated the efficacy of an individualised tailored lifestyle intervention on lipids (low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides), systolic blood pressure, glucose, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in people with FH. Adults with FH (n = 340), recruited from a Dutch cascade screening program, were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The personalised intervention consisted of web-based tailored lifestyle advice and personal counselling. The control group received care as usual. Lipids, systolic blood pressure, glucose, BMI, and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after 12 months. Regression analyses were conducted to examine differences between both groups. After 12 months, no significant between-group differences of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk indicators were observed. LDL-C levels had decreased in both the intervention and control group. This difference between intervention and control group was not statistically significant. This project suggests that an individually tailored lifestyle intervention did not have an additional effect in improving CVD risk indicators among people with FH. The cumulative effect of many small improvements in all indicators on long term CVD risk remains to be assessed in future studies. NTR1899 at ww.trialregister.nl
New perspectives and methods in link prediction

This paper examines important factors for link prediction in networks and provides a general, high-performance framework for the prediction task. Link prediction in sparse networks presents a significant challenge due to the inherent disproportion of links that can form to links that do form. Previous research has typically approached this as an unsupervised problem. While this is not the first work to explore supervised learning, many factors significant in influencing and guiding classification remain unexplored. In this paper, we consider these factors by first motivating the use of a supervised framework through a careful investigation of issues such as network observational period, generality of existing methods, variance reduction, topological causes and degrees of imbalance, and sampling approaches. We also present an effective flow-based predicting algorithm, offer formal bounds on imbalance in sparse network link prediction, and employ an evaluation method appropriate for the observed imbalance. Our careful consideration of the above issues ultimately leads to a completely general framework that outperforms unsupervised link prediction methods by more than 30% AUC.
Abdominal rectopexy with sigmoidectomy vs. rectopexy alone for rectal prolapse: A prospective, randomized study

A prospective, randomized study comparing abdominal rectopexy and sigmoid resection (Group I; n=15) with polyglycolic acid mesh rectopexy without sigmoidectomy (Group II; n=15) for complete rectal prolapse was carried out. One patient in Group I died of myocardial infarction, one patient in Group II had a small bowel obstruction and two patients in Group I an asymptomatic stricture of the anastomosis. Otherwise a safe and efficient control of the prolapse was achieved in both groups. Eleven (73%) patients in Group I and 12 (80%) patients in Group II were more or less incontinent before surgery. After correction of prolapse incontinence improved in eight and ten patients in Groups I and II, but became slightly worse in one patient in Group II. A similar rise in anal pressures was measured in both groups after surgery. Constipation disappeared in three and seven patients in Groups I and II six months after surgery, but five additional patients in Group II became severely constipated and colectomy had to be performed in one of them. Surgery caused no significant change in colonic transit times even though increased transit times were measured in each group six months postoperatively. Sigmoid resection in conjunction with rectopexy does not seem to increase operative morbidity but tends to diminish postoperative constipation possibly by causing less outlet obstruction. Une étude prospective randomisée a été faite comparant la rectopexie abdominale avec résection sigmoïdienne (groupe I n-15) avec la rectopexie utilisant une mèche d'acide polyglycolique sans sigmoïdectomie (groupe II n=15) pour traiter le prolapsus rectal complet. Un patient du groupe I est mort d'infarctus du myocarde, un patient du groupe II a eu une occlusion intestinale et deux patients du groupe II une sténose asymptomatique de leur anastomose. Par ailleurs un contrôle sur et efficace du prolapsus a été obtenu dans les deux groupes. 11 (73%) patients du groupe I et 12 (80%) patients du groupe II étaient plus ou moins incontinents avant l'opération. Après correction du prolapsus l'incontinence s'est amélioré chez 8 et 10 patients respectivement, mais a augmenté légèrement chez un patient du groupe II. Une augmentation similaire des pressions anales a été constatée dans les deux groupes après chirugie. La constipation a disparu chez 3 et 7 patients des groupes I et II six mois après chirurgie mais 5 patients supplémentaires du groupe II ont développé une constipation sévère et une colectomie a dû être pratiquée chez un d'entre eux. La chirurgie n'a provoqué aucune modification significative du temps de transit colique même un temps de transit augmenté a été trouvé dans chacun des groupes six mois après l'opération. La résection sigmoïdienne associée à la rectopexie ne semble pas augmenter la morbidité opératoire mais tend à diminuer la constipation postopératoire peut-être en diminuant l'obstruction terminale.
HIV, syphilis and sexual risk behaviours among men who have sex with men in Agadir and Marrakesh, Morocco

To collect baseline measurements of HIV and syphilis prevalence and sexual risk behaviours among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Agadir and Marrakech, Morocco, and provide strategic information to improve outreach programmes.



Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit men who reported having anal sex with another man in the last 6 months, aged 18 years and older and living in either Agadir or Marrakech for the past 6 months, regardless of nationality. Data were analysed with the multiplicity estimator using respondent-driven sampling analysis tool V.6.0.



323 MSM in Agadir and 346 in Marrakech were recruited into the survey. Most MSM in both cities reported being < 25 years, being unemployed, bisexual and in a couple with both a man and a woman. Most reported selling sex and having sex with women. HIV prevalence was 5.6% in Agadir and 2.8% in Marrakesh; syphilis was 7.0% in Agadir and 10.8% in Marrakesh. Among MSM who tested positive for HIV, 31.6% in Agadir and 56.4% in Marrakesh were co-infected with syphilis.



HIV and syphilis findings coupled with high risk activities indicate the need for expanding programmes targeting MSM throughout Morocco. Selling sex and sex with women may be a strategy to cope with extreme stigma towards MSM. Criminalisation and discrimination of MSM in Morocco underscores the urgent need for long-term and sustainable risk reduction through legal reforms and promotion and protection of human rights.
Decreased circulating microRNA-223 level predicts high on-treatment platelet reactivity in patients with troponin-negative non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome

To investigate the relationship between circulating microRNA 223 (miR-223) levels and clopidogrel responsiveness in patients with coronary heart disease. A total of 62 consecutive patients with troponin-negative non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) scheduled for elective percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. The plasma circulating miR-223 levels were quantified by real-time PCR, and platelet reactivity was determined by platelet reactivity index (PRI), measured by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation flow cytometry after 300 mg (for at least 24 h) or 75 mg clopidogel (for at least 5 days) plus aspirin treatment. All subjects were dichotomized according to PRI median (normal-responders: PRI ≤ 56.3 %, n = 31 and low-responders: PRI > 56.3 %, n = 31). Compared with normal-responders, circulating miR-223 level was significantly decreased in low-responders (P = 0.007). In addition, miR-223 level was statistically correlated with PRI (Spearman r = −0.379, P = 0.002). Stepwise binary logistic regression analysis revealed that among factors that potentially influence platelet reactivity (CYP2C19*2/*3 loss-of-function genotypes, use of calcium channel blockers/proton-pump inhibitors, age, diabetes and smoking), decreased circulating miR-223 level was the only independent predictor for the presence of PRI-determined lower responders (OR 0.111, 95 % CI 0.018–0.692, P = 0.019). Our data suggest that circulating miR-223 may serve as a novel biomarker for assessment of clopidogrel responsiveness in troponin-negative NSTE-ACS patients.
Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of weekly oral therapy with vinorelbine in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC).

A phase I dose-escalation study of a new formulation of oral vinorelbine was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a once weekly regimen and preliminary pharmacokinetic profile in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Twenty-six patients were treated at dose levels ranging from 60 to 100 mg/m2/week. Pharmacokinetics was assessed during the first administration.



All patients had histologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and had received no more than two prior chemotherapy regimens for ABC.



The MTD was 100 mg/m2/week due to the occurrence of dose-limiting neutropenia, nausea/vomiting and constipation in five of six patients. Toxicities at 80 mg/m2/week were manageable, neutropenia being the main toxicity (grade 3-4 seen in 10 of 13 patients). Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea were common but rarely severe. Vinorelbine was rapidly absorbed with maximum blood concentration (Cmax) of 103.8 +/- 41.6 ng x ml(-1) observed 1.2 +/- 0.8 hours (Tmax) after administration of 80 mg/m2. Pharmacokinetic exposure increased linearly with dose. Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and concentration measured 24 hours after drug intake (C24h) were significantly correlated with depletion of neutrophils. Objective tumour responses were reported in 6 of the 14 evaluable patients treated at doses > or = 80 mg/m2/week.



The safety profile of oral vinorelbine appears comparable to that of intravenous dosing. The recommended phase II dose is 80 mg/m2/week and requires regular monitoring of neutrophil counts.
Pre-Antiretroviral Therapy Serum Selenium Concentrations Predict WHO Stages 3, 4 or Death but not Virologic Failure Post-Antiretroviral Therapy

A case-cohort study, within a multi-country trial of antiretroviral therapy (ART) efficacy (Prospective Evaluation of Antiretrovirals in Resource Limited Settings (PEARLS)), was conducted to determine if pre-ART serum selenium deficiency is independently associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression after ART initiation. Cases were HIV-1 infected adults with either clinical failure (incident World Health Organization (WHO) stage 3, 4 or death by 96 weeks) or virologic failure by 24 months. Risk factors for serum selenium deficiency (<85 μg/L) pre-ART and its association with outcomes were examined. Median serum selenium concentration was 82.04 μg/L (Interquartile range (IQR): 57.28-99.89) and serum selenium deficiency was 53%, varying widely by country from 0% to 100%. In multivariable models, risk factors for serum selenium deficiency were country, previous tuberculosis, anemia, and elevated C-reactive protein. Serum selenium deficiency was not associated with either clinical failure or virologic failure in multivariable models. However, relative to people in the third quartile (74.86-95.10 μg/L) of serum selenium, we observed increased hazards (adjusted hazards ratio (HR): 3.50; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.30-9.42) of clinical failure but not virologic failure for people in the highest quartile. If future studies confirm this relationship of high serum selenium with increased clinical failure, a cautious approach to selenium supplementation might be needed, especially in HIV-infected populations with sufficient or unknown levels of selenium.