nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Er:YAG ablative fractional laser-primed photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate as an alternative treatment option for patients with thin nodular basal cell carcinoma: 12-month follow-up results of a randomized, prospective, comparative trial.

Surgical excision is conventionally regarded as the treatment of choice for nodular basal cell carcinoma (nBCC), and methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) has relatively low efficacy for nBCC. However, Er:YAG ablative fractional laser (AFL)-primed MAL-PDT (Er:YAG AFL-PDT) may offer enhanced efficacy for nBCC, especially thin nBCC (thickness ≤2 mm).



We compared Er:YAG AFL-PDT with conventional MAL-PDT for thin facial nBCC in Korean patients.



Thirty-nine patients (42 lesions) with primary, histologically proven thin nBCCs were randomized to Er:YAG AFL-PDT (single session, n = 20) or conventional MAL-PDT (two sessions, 7 days apart, n = 19). Efficacy, recurrence rate, cosmetic outcomes and safety were assessed 1 week, 3 months and 12 months after the last treatment.



Three months after the final treatment, overall complete response rates were 84.2% with Er:YAG AFL-PDT and 50% with MAL-PDT (P = 0.026). The recurrence rate was significantly lower with Er:YAG AFL-PDT (6.3%) than with MAL-PDT (55.6%) at 12 months (P = 0.006). Er:YAG AFL-PDT and MAL-PDT did not differ significantly with respect to cosmetic outcomes or safety.



Er:YAG AFL-PDT can be used as an alternative treatment option for patients who have thin nBCC and are not suitable for surgical treatment.
Chinese multi-center study of lung scintigraphy and CT pulmonary angiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

To evaluate diagnostic value of the PISA-PED and PIOPED II criteria for lung scintigraphy and compare it with CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the detection of pulmonary embolism (PE). Five hundred and forty-four consecutive patients with suspected PE were enrolled. All patients underwent lung ventilation/perfusion (V/P) scan, chest radiography, and CTPA. Two readers used the PIOPED II criteria, and 2 used the PISA-PED criteria for the interpretation of lung scintigraphy. CTPA scans were interpreted by two experienced radiologists. Lung scintigraphy and CTPA were categorized as PE present, absent or non-diagnostic. PE was present in 321 of 544 patients. Using PIOPED II criteria, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 85.1, 82.5, 88.1, and 78.4% respectively for V/P scan. Using PISA-PED criteria, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 86.0, 81.2, 86.8, and 80.1% respectively, and none was non-diagnostic. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 81.7, 93.4, 94.9, and 77.3%, respectively for CTPA. PISA-PED interpretation has similar diagnostic accuracy to PIOPED II interpretation, does not have non-diagnostic scan, with lower cost and radiation, thus should be considered as a choice for patients with suspected PE.
Diet and exercise interventions reduce intrahepatic fat content and improve insulin sensitivity in obese older adults.

Both obesity and aging increase intrahepatic fat (IHF) content, which leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance. We evaluated the effects of diet and diet in conjunction with exercise on IHF content and associated metabolic abnormalities in obese older adults. Eighteen obese (BMI >or=30 kg/m(2)) older (>or=65 years old) adults completed a 6-month clinical trial. Participants were randomized to diet (D group; n = 9) or diet + exercise (D+E group; n = 9). Primary outcome was IHF quantified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Secondary outcomes included insulin sensitivity (assessed by oral glucose tolerance), body composition (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), physical function (VO(2 peak) and strength), glucose, lipids, and blood pressure (BP). Body weight (D: -9 +/- 1%, D+E: -10 +/- 2%, both P < 0.05) and fat mass (D: -13 +/- 3%, D+E -16 +/- 3%, both P < 0.05) decreased in both groups but there was no difference between groups. IHF decreased to a similar extent in both groups (D: -46 +/- 11%, D+E: -45 +/- 8%, both P < 0.05), which was accompanied by comparable improvements in insulin sensitivity (D: 66 +/- 25%, D+E: 68 +/- 28%, both P < 0.05). The relative decreases in IHF correlated directly with relative increases in insulin sensitivity index (ISI) (r = -0.52; P < 0.05). Improvements in VO(2 peak), strength, plasma triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration, and diastolic BP occurred in the D+E group (all P < 0.05) but not in the D group. Diet with or without exercise results in significant decreases in IHF content accompanied by considerable improvements in insulin sensitivity in obese older adults. The addition of exercise to diet therapy improves physical function and other obesity- and aging-related metabolic abnormalities.
Use of Plasma B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level to Identify Asymptomatic Hypertensive Patients with Abnormal Diurnal Blood Pressure Variation Profiles: Nondippers, Extreme Dippers, and Risers

We examined the relationship between plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and diurnal variability pattern of blood pressure (BP). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed in 98 patients with asymptomatic essential hypertension, and the patients were classified into four groups according to their circadian BP variation profiles: dippers (n=29), nondippers (n=36), extreme dippers (n=19), and risers (n=14). Plasma BNP was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Based on the distribution pattern of BNP values, the values were analyzed after logarithmic transformation. Significant differences in plasma BNP levels among the types of circadian BP variations were demonstrated by analysis of variance (p<0.0005). Nondippers and risers showed significantly higher plasma BNP levels (mean [range: −1 SD and +1 SD]: 16.1 [6.3, 41.6] pg/mL and 29.2 [15.9, 53.4] pg/mL, respectively) than dippers (8.4 [3.7, 19.1] pg/mL). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for distinguishing patients with abnormal circadian BP variation from those with normal variation was 0.72, indicating that plasma BNP levels were useful for distinguishing between these patients. Specificity of 69% and sensitivity of 72% were obtained with a cut-off value of 10.5 pg/mL (log plasma BNP, 1.02) for distinguishing the abnormal diurnal BP profile group from the normal group. In conclusion, hypertensive patients with abnormal diurnal BP variation patterns (nondippers, extreme dippers, and risers) showed higher plasma BNP levels than those with normal circadian BP variation (dippers). Plasma BNP level is clinically useful for the identification of hypertensive patients who have abnormal circadian BP variability, which increases the risk of cardiovascular events.
Open-mouthpiece ventilation versus nasal mask ventilation in subjects with COPD exacerbation and mild to moderate acidosis: a randomized trial.

Open mouthpiece ventilation is efficacious in patients with neuromuscular disease. We used this ventilation technique in patients with exacerbations of COPD with mild to moderate acidosis.



The study was performed in 2 respiratory monitoring care units. Fifty subjects with exacerbations of COPD, breathing frequency > 25, PaCO2 > 45, and pH between 7.25 and 7.30, as well as Kelly scale ≤ 2 were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive noninvasive ventilation (NIV) via nasal mask or mouthpiece ventilation. The primary outcome was improvement in arterial blood gases. Arterial blood gases and breathing frequency were recorded 2 h after the start of the enrollment and then after 12, 24, and 48 h. The duration of NIV, hospital stay, and acceptability of the interface (mouthpiece or nasal mask) using a Likert scale were assessed.



No subjects had deterioration of gas exchange. The 2 groups had similar trends in arterial blood gases and breathing frequency. No differences in duration of NIV or hospital stay were noted. However, a significant difference in acceptability was found: subjects preferred mouthpiece ventilation (P < .01).



Open mouthpiece ventilation is a useful technique and may prevent further deterioration of gas exchange in COPD patients with mild to moderate acidosis (similar to traditional NIV delivered by a nasal mask). www.chictr.org registration ChiCTR-TRC-12002672.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase II study of TJ-14 (Hangeshashinto) for infusional fluorinated-pyrimidine-based colorectal cancer chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Hangeshashinto (TJ-14, a Kampo medicine), which reduces the level of prostaglandin E2 and affects the cyclooxygenase activity, alleviates chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (COM). We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized comparative trial to investigate whether TJ-14 prevents and controls COM in patients with colorectal cancer. Ninety-three patients with colorectal cancer who developed moderate-to-severe COM (WHO grade ≧1) during any cycle of chemotherapy using FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and/or XELOX treatment were randomly assigned to receive either TJ-14 (n = 46) or placebo (n = 47). Patients received the administration of placebo or TJ-14 for 2 weeks at the start of the next course of chemotherapy. Patients were assessed three times per week for safety and for COM incidence and its severity using the WHO grading. Ninety eligible patients (TJ-14; 43, placebo; 47) per protocol set analysis were included in the analysis after the key-opening. Although the incidence of grade ≧2 oral mucositis was lower for patients treated with TJ-14 compared to those treated with placebo, there was no significant difference (48.8 vs. 57.4 %; p = 0.41). The median duration of grade ≧2 mucositis was 5.5 versus 10.5 days (p = 0.018). No difference in other treatment toxicity was observed between the two groups, and patients exhibited high compliance in dosing administration. The present study results did not meet the primary endpoint. However, TJ-14 demonstrated a significant effect in the treatment of grade ≧2 mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer compared to the placebo.
The behavioral effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in chronic schizophrenia

Two grams of NAD were administered orally to ten chronic schizophrenic patients for twenty-one days. Five of the patients were also receiving thioridazine. There was no gross clinical improvement noted in any of the patients despite the fact that related experiments suggested that the NAD was absorbed. In those patients who were not also receiving phenothiazines there was a distinct tendency towards increased hostility, aggressiveness and irritability beginning one week after the initiation of NAD treatment and lasting for nearly two weeks after the NAD was discontinued.
Efficacy of ACTH 4–9 analog, methylphenidate, and placebo on attention deficit disorder with hyperkinesis

The present study compared the efficacy of ACTH 4-9 analog, methylphenidate, and placebo on attention deficit disorder with 30 (HK) children with attention deficit disorder and psychometric measurements. HK children were randomly placed into three groups, according to body weight, and treated with placebo, methylphenidate, and adrenocorticotropic hormone fractions (ACTH 4-9 analog). The results revealed that HK children on methylphenidate manifested a significantly greater vasomotor reactivity, behavioral improvement, and learning receptivity than HK children taking ACTH 4-9 analog and/or placebo. Future research implications with ACTH 4-9 and HK children are discussed.
Clinical trials of nimodipine as a potential neuroprotector in ovarian cancer patients treated with cisplatin

Our previous randomised trial in patients with advanced ovarian cancer indicated a significant response and survival advantage for those receiving high-dose (100 mg/m2) as compared with low-dose (50 mg/m2) cisplatin in combination with cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2). However, this was accompanied by more toxicity; peripheral neuropathy was troublesome, with 32% of patients experiencing ≥ WHO grade 2 at the cisplatin dose of 100 mg/m2. Nimodipine is a calcium-channel antagonist that has provided protection from cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in a rat model system. We performed a pilot study in 50 patients that demonstrated the feasibility of co-administration of nimodipine in a chronic oral dosing schedule with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in an open-label non-randomised trial. This led us to initiate a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial in patients with ovarian cancer, which was prematurely discontinued because of problems with nausea and vomiting, leading to poor patient compliance, that were not predicted by the pilot study. These studies did not demonstrate a neuroprotective effect for nimodipine. The primary efficacy variable, i.e, the neurotoxicity score at the end of treatment, gave a significantly lower mean for placebo patients than for nimodipine patients. This report details our experience and discusses the reasons for premature termination of the randomised trial.
Prefrontal cortical dysfunction in abstinent cocaine abusers.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and lateral prefrontal (LPFC) cortex are brain regions important to executive cognitive functions (ECF). We determined ACC and LPFC function in 23-day abstinent cocaine abusers using positron emission tomography (PET H(2)(15)O) during performance of a modified version of the Stroop Task. Cocaine abusers showed less activation than non-drug-using comparison subjects in the left ACC and the right LPFC and greater activation in the right ACC. Average amount of cocaine used per week was negatively correlated with activity in the rostral ACC and right LPFC. Disruption of ECF in substance abusers could interfere with attempts to stop drug use and undermine treatment. Since impairment in ECF may be a common feature of various neuropsychiatric disorders, these findings have applicability beyond the neurobiology of addiction.
Screening properties of questionnaires and laboratory tests for the detection of alcohol abuse or dependence in a general practice population.

Early identification of alcohol abuse or dependence is important in general practice because many diseases are influenced by alcohol. General practitioners, however, fail to recognise most patients with alcohol problems.



To assess the diagnostic performance of the CAGE and AUDIT questionnaires, their derivatives, and laboratory tests in screening for alcohol abuse or dependence in a primary care population (male and female patients), attending their general practitioner (GP).



A diagnostic cross-sectional study.



A random sample of patients who were over 18 years of age (n = 1992) attending 69 general practices situated in the same region in Belgium.



Alcohol questionnaires (CIDI 1.1, section I, CAGE, AUDIT, AUDIT-C, Five-Shot, and AUDIT Piccinelli) were completed, demographic information was recorded, and patients underwent conventional blood tests, including mean corpuscular volume, liver function tests, the gamma-glutamyl transferase test, and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT, estimated using %CDT). Calculations of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, odds ratios with their 95% CIs, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for different scores of the questionnaires and laboratory tests, using DSM-III-R as the reference standard.



The past-year prevalence of alcohol abuse or dependence in this population was 8.9% (178/1992) of which there were 132 male and 45 female patients attending a general practice. The GPs identified 33.5% of patients with alcohol abuse or dependence. Among male patients, all questionnaires had reasonable sensitivities between 68% and 93% and hence at lower cut-points than recommended. Only the sensitivity of the CAGE, even at its lowest cut-point of > or = 1 was lower (62%). In female patients the sensitivities were lower; however, odds ratios were higher for different questionnaires. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves did not differ between the questionnaires. The laboratory tests had low diagnostic accuracy with areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) between 0.60 and 0.67 for female patients and 0.57 and 0.65 for male patients.



This is one of the largest known studies on alcohol abuse or dependence among family care practices. We confirm earlier results that the AUDIT questionnaire seems equally appropriate for males and females; however, screening properties among male patients are higher. Nevertheless, the Five-Shot questionnaire is shorter and easier to use in a general practice setting and has nearly the same diagnostic properties in male and female general practice patient populations. We confirm that conventional laboratory tests are of no use for detecting alcohol abuse or dependence in a primary care setting. Also, the %CDT cannot been used as a screening instrument in this general practice population.
The Leeds Evaluation of Efficacy of Detoxification Study (LEEDS) Prisons Project Study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing methadone and buprenorphine for opiate detoxification

In the United Kingdom (UK), there is an extensive market for the class 'A' drug heroin and many heroin users spend time in prison. People addicted to heroin often require prescribed medication when attempting to cease their drug use. The most commonly used detoxification agents in UK prisons are currently buprenorphine and methadone, both are recommended by national clinical guidelines. However, these agents have never been compared for opiate detoxification in the prison estate and there is a general paucity of research evaluating the most effective treatment for opiate detoxification in prisons. This study seeks to address this paucity by evaluating the most routinely used interventions amongst drug users within UK prisons.



This study uses randomised controlled trial methodology to compare the open use of buprenorphine and methadone for opiate detoxification, given in the context of routine care, within three UK prisons. Prisoners who are eligible and give informed consent will be entered into the trial. The primary outcome will be abstinence status eight days after detoxification, as determined by a urine test. Secondary outcomes will be recorded during the detoxification and then at one, three and six months post-detoxification.
Steroid permeation into the artificial ulcer by combined steroid gel application and balloon dilatation: prevention of esophageal stricture.

Local steroid injection therapy is effective for preventing esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) but is associated with the risk of puncture-related complications, such as bleeding. We evaluated the effectiveness of the application of triamcinolone acetonide gel following permeation into a large artificial ESD ulcer by balloon dilatation compared with steroid injection.



Forty-three patients who underwent ESD for early esophageal cancer approved by the institutional ethics committee and provided consent to participate in this prospective study were divided into two groups using a sealed-envelope randomization method as follows: 23 patients who were treated with local steroid injection and balloon dilatation and 20 patients were treated with steroid application and balloon dilatation. The stricture rate, the number of endoscopic balloon dilatation, and the mean procedure time on postoperative days (PODs) 5, 8, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60 were analyzed.



No significant difference was found in the stricture rate on PODs 5, 8, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60 between the two groups. The mean number of endoscopic balloon dilatation procedures performed for treating dysphagia that appeared on or after POD 30 was significantly different between groups (P=0.011). The mean procedure time showed no significant difference. Procedure-related bleeding during the first 30 days was observed more in the local steroid injection group than the gel application group (P=0.02).



Steroid gel application is an effective way for preventing esophageal stricture after ESD and is more effective compared with local injection in terms of prevention of stricture.
Long-term results of a prospective multicenter phase II study to preserve the larynx function using concomitant boost radiochemotherapy with Carboplatin.

This prospective phase II study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of a larynx preservation protocol with simultaneous radiochemotherapy.



Between 3/1998 and 10/2000, 42 patients with moderately advanced cancer of the larynx (n=25) and hypopharynx (n=17) eligible for total laryngectomy (LE) were treated in a prospective larynx preservation study. The study protocol scheduled 66Gy in 5 weeks using a concomitant boost technique and 70mg/m(2) Carboplatin on days 1-5 in weeks 1 and 5.



The median follow-up time of the censored study patients was 41 months (9-95 months). The 5-year overall survival was 0.66 (95% CI 0.48-0.84), the 5-year laryngectomy-free survival 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.78), and the laryngeal preservation rate at 5 years 0.67 (95% CI 0.49-0.85). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed the total tumor volume to be the only statistically significant factor on locoregional failure-free survival. Six of 23 tumor-free long-term survivors received a tracheotomy because of late laryngeal toxicity associated with dysphagia 30-79 months after radiochemotherapy.



Due to the late laryngeal toxicity observed the value of this regimen for larynx preservation is limited.
Association between arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function in relation to gender and age

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and subsequent overt heart failure are more prevalent in elderly women. Close interaction between arterial stiffness and LV morphology/function has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an age- and gender-dependent relationship between arterial stiffness and LV diastolic function. A total of 819 subjects (58.6 ± 13.3 years, 50.2% men) without structural heart disease (LV ejection fraction ≥50%) were retrospectively analyzed. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement on the same day. The association of baPWV with septal e' velocity and average E/e' was assessed. In the total study subjects, baPWV was negatively correlated with septal e' velocity (r = 0.383, P < 0.001), and positively correlated with E/e' (r = -0.266, P < 0.001). These linear correlations remained significant even after stratificaion of the study subjects by age (<65 years vs ≥65 years) and genders (P < 0.05 for each). There were obvious differences in baPWV according to groups with normal LV diastolic function, intermediate profile and LV diastolic dysfunction in young (P = 0.010) and elderly (≥65 years) women (P < 0.001) and eldery men (P = 0.012) but not in elderly men (P = 0.270). There was a significant association of baPWV with septal e' velocity (β = -0.258, P = 0.020) and E/e' (β = 0.122, P = 0.030) in elderly women even after controlling for multiple clinical covariates. This independent association was not seen in younger women and men (P > 0.05 for each). In conclusion, baPWV was independently associated with septal e' velocity and E/e' in elderly women but not in younger women or men. The results of this study provide additional evidence that increased arterial stiffness plays an important role in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction as well as LV diastolic dysfunction in elderly women.