nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Nicotine enhances antisaccade performance in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.

Nicotine has been proposed to be a cognitive enhancer, particularly in schizophrenia patients. So far, the published studies of nicotine effects on antisaccade performance in schizophrenia patients only tested participants who were deprived smokers. Thus, we aimed to test both smoking and non-smoking patients as well as healthy controls in order to extend previous findings. Moreover, we employed a paradigm using standard and delayed trials. We hypothesized that, if nicotine is a genuine cognitive enhancer, its administration would improve antisaccade performance both in smoking and non-smoking participants. A total of 22 patients with schizophrenia (12 smokers and 10 non-smokers) and 26 controls (14 smokers and 12 non-smokers) completed the study. The effects of a nicotine patch (14 mg for smokers, 7 mg for non-smokers) on antisaccade performance were tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Schizophrenia patients made significantly more antisaccade errors than controls (p = 0.03). Both patients and controls made fewer antisaccade errors in the delayed trials than in the standard trials (p < 0.0001). Nicotine significantly reduced antisaccade error rate in the standard trials, but not in the delayed trials (p = 0.02). Smoking status did not influence the nicotine effect on antisaccade error rate (p = 0.10) indicating an equal procognitive effect of nicotine in smokers and non-smokers. Overall the present findings indicate that beneficial effects of nicotine on antisaccade performance are not confined to smoking schizophrenia patients. Instead, the findings likely represent genuine nicotine-induced enhancement of cognitive performance.
Begin with the real-world patients of non-goal-achieved hypercholesterolemia in taiwan through the ezetimibe/simvastatin tablet - The BRAVO Study.

To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a combination of 10 mg ezetimibe and 20 mg simvastatin in Taiwanese patients with hypercholesterolemia.



A prospective, open-label, multi-center, hospital-based cohort study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a single tablet combination of ezetimibe/simvastatin for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Taiwanese adults without low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement, based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, were treated with ezetimibe/simvastatin once daily for 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving LDL-C treatment goals after 6 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints included percentage change from baseline of LDL-C, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride. Safety and tolerability were assessed via clinical and laboratory examinations. The clinicaltrial.gov identifier of this study was NCT00654628.



In total, 173 patients with a mean age of 57.9 ± 10.4 years were included. Of these, 57.8% were female and the average body mass index was 25.5 ± 3.4 kg/m(2). After 6 weeks of treatment, the great majority of the patients had reached their treatment goals (90.4% for LDL-C; 87% for TC; and 59% for TG). LDL-C levels were significantly reduced from 156.8 ± 30.8 mg/dL at baseline to 75.9 ± 25.4 mg/dL (51.4%, P < 0.0001) after only 6 weeks of therapy. Forty-nine adverse events (AEs), including one non-drug related serious AE, were reported. For non-serious AEs, the most common reported AEs during the entire study period were myalgia and upper respiratory infection (both n = 7). Nine patients dropped out of the study, reportedly due to AEs.



A single tablet combination of 10 mg ezetimibe and 20 mg simvastatin in Taiwanese patients with hypercholesterolemia provided high LDL-C goal attainment rates and resulted in significant reductions in LDL-C.
China type 2 diabetes treatment status survey of treatment pattern of oral drugs users

The aim of the present study was to investigate the current status of oral anti-diabetic drug (OAD) therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and influencing factors in a real-world setting in China.



A total of 9872 outpatients with type 2 diabetes, who had received OADs (monotherapy or combination therapy) for at least 3 months were recruited in this study. Current antidiabetic treatment regimen and related clinical data were collected from medical records and analyzed.



The most common OADs in use were insulin secretagogues (70.2%) such as sulfonylureas (SUs; 42.7%) or glinides (27.5%), followed by metformin (53.7%), α-glucosidase inhibitors (35.9%), thiazolidinediones (17.2%), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (0.8%). Dual-drug combination therapy was more common (45.4%) than monotherapy (35.8%) and combination therapy with at least three drugs (17.0%). Patients on SU or glinide monotherapy were more likely to alter their treatment frequently (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% CI, 1.38-2.08; P < 0.001).



The status of OAD use in China is varied with a majority of the patients altering their treatment regimen citing poor effectiveness. These observations from a real-world setting may serve as guidance for improving diabetes management in China.
Effects of clinical nutrition education and educator discipline on glycemic control outcomes in the Indian health service.

We used the Indian Health Service (IHS) Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit to assess the effectiveness of clinical nutrition education in reducing HbA(1c) levels and to test the relative effectiveness of clinical nutrition education when it was delivered by a registered dietitian (RD) compared with an educator from another discipline (non-RD).



We examined clinical care data collected by the IHS Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit of 7490 medical records during 2001. Glycemic control was assessed by using the difference between the two most recent HbA(1c) levels during 2001. Age, BMI, duration of diabetes, type of treatment, proteinuria, and facility were included as covariates. Clinical nutrition education was defined as documentation in the record of any diet instruction and educator discipline classified as RD or non-RD. ANCOVA methods were used to assess the effects of diet education and educator discipline on differences between the two HbA(1c) measurements and to adjust for differences in the distribution of covariates among the education groups.



After adjustment for age, sex, type of treatment, duration of diabetes, BMI, initial HbA(1c) level, and clinical facility, clinical nutrition education and educator discipline were each associated with changes in HbA(1c) levels (P < 0.001). Those receiving clinical nutrition education from an RD or from an RD as well as a non-RD had the largest improvements in HbA(1c) levels (-0.26 and -0.32, respectively) compared with those receiving either only non-RD or no clinical nutrition education (-0.19 and -0.10, respectively).



Clinical nutrition education in the IHS is associated with favorable trends in glycemic control. To be effective, clinical nutrition education should be delivered by an RD or a team that includes an RD.
Long Term Outcomes of a Geriatric Liaison Intervention in Frail Elderly Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term effects after discharge of a hospital-based geriatric liaison intervention to prevent postoperative delirium in frail elderly cancer patients treated with an elective surgical procedure for a solid tumour. In addition, the effect of a postoperative delirium on long term outcomes was examined.



A three month follow-up was performed in participants of the Liaison Intervention in Frail Elderly study, a multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Patients were randomized to standard treatment or a geriatric liaison intervention. The intervention consisted of a preoperative geriatric consultation, an individual treatment plan targeted at risk factors for delirium and daily visits by a geriatric nurse during the hospital stay. The long term outcomes included: mortality, rehospitalisation, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functioning, return to the independent pre-operative living situation, use of supportive care, cognitive functioning and health related quality of life.



Data of 260 patients (intervention n = 127, Control n = 133) were analysed. There were no differences between the intervention group and usual-care group for any of the outcomes three months after discharge. The presence of postoperative delirium was associated with: an increased risk of decline in ADL functioning (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.02-6.88), an increased use of supportive assistance (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.02-5.87) and a decreased chance to return to the independent preoperative living situation (OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07-0.49).



A hospital-based geriatric liaison intervention for the prevention of postoperative delirium in frail elderly cancer patients undergoing elective surgery for a solid tumour did not improve outcomes 3 months after discharge from hospital. The negative effect of a postoperative delirium on late outcome was confirmed.
Development and validation of the insulin treatment satisfaction questionnaire.

Treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is complex, requiring multifaceted lifestyle change or regulation and, for many, self-regulation of insulin levels in the blood. Historically, daily insulin treatment has been viewed as burdensome to patients, prompting newer formulations and improved delivery methods.



This multicenter, clinical study was designed to develop a conceptually sound, clinically meaningful, and psychometrically valid measure of insulin treatment satisfaction, applicable to a wide range of insulin therapies.



A 3-phase iterative process was employed to develop and validate the Insulin Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (ITSQ): (1) conceptual development of items, (2) preliminary validation among patients with DM, and (3) confirmatory validation among patients with DM.



The ITSQ was validated with 170 patients in phase 2 and 402 patients in phase 3. Confirmatory factor analysis produced a 5-factor, 22-item instrument assessing regimen inconvenience, lifestyle flexibility, glycemic control, hypoglycemic control, and satisfaction with the insulin delivery device. Results for reliability and construct validity of the final version were consistent in both samples of patients treated with insulin, with different data collection methods. Internal consistency (using Cronbach alpha coefficient) of the subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.91. Test-retest reliability (using Spearman rank correlation coefficients) ranged from 0.63 to 0.94. ITSQ scores showed moderate to high correlation with related measures of treatment burden. The ITSQ differentiated among insulin delivery methods, glycosylated hemoglobin values, the number of times the patient required assistance administering insulin, and insulin adherence.



In our study samples, the ITSQ appeared to be conceptually and psychometrically sound and applicable to a wide range of insulin therapies.
Is routine chemical thromboprophylaxis after total hip replacement really necessary in a Japanese population?

Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after elective total hip replacement is routinely recommended. Our preference has been to use mechanical prophylaxis without anticoagulant drugs. A randomised controlled trial was performed to evaluate whether the incidence of post-operative venous thromboembolism was reduced by using pharmacological anticoagulation with either fondaparinux or enoxaparin in addition to our prophylactic mechanical regimen. A total of 255 Japanese patients who underwent primary unilateral cementless total hip replacement were randomly assigned to one of three postoperative regimens, namely injection of placebo (saline), fondaparinux or enoxaparin. There were 85 patients in each group. All also received the same mechanical prophylaxis during and after the operation, regardless of their assigned group. The primary measurement of efficacy was the presence of a venous thromboembolic event by day 11, defined as deep-vein thrombosis detected by ultrasonography, documented symptomatic deep-vein thrombosis or documented symptomatic pulmonary embolism. The duration of follow-up was 12 weeks. The rate of venous thromboembolism was 7.2% with the placebo, 7.1% with fondaparinux and 6.0% with enoxaparin (p = 0.95 for the comparison of all three groups). Our study confirmed the effectiveness and safety of mechanical thromboprophylaxis without the use of anticoagulant drugs after total hip replacement in Japanese patients.
Complete versus partial distal embolic protection during renal artery stenting.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether complete embolic protection is superior to partial embolic protection for preservation of kidney function during renal artery angioplasty and stenting.



Renal artery angioplasty and stenting (RAAS) is a common treatment for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. However, RAAS may be complicated by peri-procedural loss of kidney function.



In total, 44 patients were randomized to embolic protection devices (EPD) use; 25 complete and 19 partial embolic protection. These patients were further randomized to receive abciximab (n = 23) or placebo (n = 21).  MDRD glomerular filtration rate (GFR), was used as the primary measure of renal function. Creatinine was measured by a modified Jaffe reaction using the IDMS-traceable assay. The primary endpoint was the percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 1 month following stent placement.



There was no difference in percent change eGFR at 1 month between complete or partial protection (-4 +/- 25 vs. +3 +/- 30, P = 0.45). Abciximab was associated with a net improvement in eGFR when compared with placebo (+0.5 +/- 27 vs. -11 +/- 20, P = 0.04). On subgroup analysis, the use of abciximab was associated with significantly improved eGFR in the partial distal embolic protection group (+14 +/- 33 vs. -17 +/- 13 %, P = 0.018) but not in the complete distal embolic protection group (+2.5 +/- 26 vs. -11 +/- 24, P = 0.42), however, there was no interaction between completeness of protection and abciximab on eGFR (P = ns). Capture of embolic material was more likely with complete protection when compared with those receiving partial protection (51% vs. 21%, P < 0.05).



Complete protection was superior to partial protection for the capture of athermanous debris during renal artery stenting. However, this was not associated with improved renal function. Importantly, Abciximab conferred a benefit for renal function that was independent of the degree of embolic protection.
Hemodynamic interactions between diuretics and calcium antagonists in the treatment of hypertensive patients

To investigate the hypotensive and hemodynamic effects of plain and extended-release (ER) formulations of felodipine added to a diuretic in the treatment of moderate essential hypertension, we studied 18 patients in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), hemodynamics (bioimpedance), foot volume (Archimedes' principle), and symptoms were evaluated after a 1-month placebo washout, after 1-month's treatment with a fixed combination of hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg plus amiloride 5 mg (HA), and then after felodipine 5 mg twice daily (F) or felodipine ER 10 mg daily (FER) (double-blind phase), each given for 2 weeks in a randomized sequence together with the diuretic. All measurements were performed at the end of the dosing interval. At baseline, supine SBP/DBP was 175.6±12.9/113.4±8.1 mmHg; HR was 77.3±7.0 beats/min; CO was 5.3±1.4 l/min; SVR was 2166±707 dynes sec. cm5, and foot volume was 433±195 ml (FV). HA induced a reduction (p<0.05) in BP; one patient had a DBP=90 mmHg and was excluded from the combination study; eight patients had a DBP reduction of ≥10 mmHg (responders), and their blood pressure was mainly reduced by a fall in SVR. HR, CO, and FV were unchanged. The addition of felodipine to a diuretic induced a further significant (p<0.001) reduction in BP with respect to HA alone, with no differences between F and FER. All patients had a DBP fall >10 mmHg, which had no relationship to their response to the diuretic. The antihypertensive effect of felodipine was due to a reduction in SVR (p<0.05). CO and HR were significantly (p>0.05) increased by felodipine added to HA. FV was increased by felodipine. During felodipine treatment, side effects were significantly decreased in comparison with placebo. Thus, a once-daily administration of 10 mg extended-release felodipine was equieffective with felodipine 5 mg twice daily in hypertensives who were sufficiently controlled by diuretic alone. The antihypertensive effect of felodipine is due to a reduction in SVR and is not prevented by diuretic treatment.
Relationships between epistaxis, migraines, and triggers in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

To identify whether relationships exist between epistaxis and migraines in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), to potentially provide further preventative and therapeutic options for the debilitating nosebleeds that are often very difficult to manage in clinical practice.



Study participants were recruited from a UK specialist service, and online following advertisement by the HHT Foundation International. They completed a nonbiased questionnaire in which paired questions on nosebleeds and migraines were separated by at least 17 other questions.



Migraines were defined as headaches with associated autonomic and/or neurological features. The reported frequencies and precipitants of epistaxis and migraines were compared using numerical scales applied equally for each condition.



The 220 HHT-affected respondents reported frequent nosebleeds, 153 (69.5%) used iron tablets, and 39 (17.7%) had received at least 10 blood transfusions. Migraines displaying typical features were reported by 51 (23.2%), and were more common with pulmonary or cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Thirty of 51 (58.8%) migraine sufferers reported that nosebleeds occurred at the same time as their migraines. More frequent migraines were reported by patients with more frequent nosebleeds (r2=15%, P=.007), or transfusions (r2=16.9%, P=.004). In menstrual, lifestyle, and dietary analyses, consistency was observed between factors having no effect, and those provoking both nosebleeds and migraines in multiple patients (premenses; activity; lack of sleep; stress; caffeine, cheese, alcohol, and chocolate).



We demonstrate an unexpected and provocative association between nosebleeds and migraines in HHT patients. Evaluation of whether antimigraine approaches limit HHT nosebleeds may be appropriate.
S100B Serum Levels Predict Treatment Response in Patients with Melancholic Depression.

There is an ongoing search for biomarkers in psychiatry, for example, as diagnostic tools or predictors of treatment response. The neurotrophic factor S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) has been discussed as a possible predictor of antidepressant response in patients with major depression, but also as a possible biomarker of an acute depressive state. The aim of the present study was to study the association of serum S100B levels with antidepressant treatment response and depression severity in melancholically depressed inpatients.



After a wash-out period of 1 week, 40 inpatients with melancholic depression were treated with either venlafaxine or imipramine. S100B levels and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores were assessed at baseline, after 7 weeks of treatment, and after 6 months.



Patients with high S100B levels at baseline showed a markedly better treatment response defined as relative reduction in HAM-D scores than those with low baseline S100B levels after 7 weeks (P=.002) and 6 months (P=.003). In linear regression models, S100B was a significant predictor for treatment response at both time points. It is of interest to note that nonresponders were detected with a predictive value of 85% and a false negative rate of 7.5%. S100B levels were not associated with depression severity and did not change with clinical improvement.



Low S100B levels predict nonresponse to venlafaxine and imipramine with high precision. Future studies have to show which treatments are effective in patients with low levels of S100B so that this biomarker will help to reduce patients' burden of nonresponding to frequently used antidepressants.
Prevalence of Complicated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Barrett’s Esophagus Among Racial Groups in a Multi-Center Consortium

The Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative database was used to evaluate ethnic trends in complicated reflux disease and suspected Barrett’s esophagus among various racial groups.  Endoscopic findings for procedures performed January 2000–December 2005 for any indication and for reflux-related indications were reviewed by racial group.  Of 280,075 procedures examined, Hispanics were the most likely to have esophagitis (Hispanic 19.6%, white 17.3%, black 15.8%, Asian/Pacific Islander 9.5%, P-value < 0.0001), and white subjects were most likely to have suspected BE (white 5.0%, Hispanic 2.9%, Asian/Pacific Islander 1.8%, black 1.5%, P-value < 0.0001). Endoscopies performed for reflux-related indications had similar trends for esophagitis and esophageal stricture. Among reflux/Barrett’s screening procedures adjusted for age and gender, Hispanics were most likely to have esophagitis (OR = 1.28, P-value < 0.0001) compared to Caucasians.  Our results demonstrate an association of suspected Barrett’s esophagus and stricture with white patients and esophagitis with Hispanic patients. These findings need to be followed-up with further study.
Genome-wide association study identifies multiple susceptibility loci for multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy with a significant heritable basis. Genome-wide association studies have transformed our understanding of MM predisposition, but individual studies have had limited power to discover risk loci. Here we perform a meta-analysis of these GWAS, add a new GWAS and perform replication analyses resulting in 9,866 cases and 239,188 controls. We confirm all nine known risk loci and discover eight new loci at 6p22.3 (rs34229995, P=1.31 × 10(-8)), 6q21 (rs9372120, P=9.09 × 10(-15)), 7q36.1 (rs7781265, P=9.71 × 10(-9)), 8q24.21 (rs1948915, P=4.20 × 10(-11)), 9p21.3 (rs2811710, P=1.72 × 10(-13)), 10p12.1 (rs2790457, P=1.77 × 10(-8)), 16q23.1 (rs7193541, P=5.00 × 10(-12)) and 20q13.13 (rs6066835, P=1.36 × 10(-13)), which localize in or near to JARID2, ATG5, SMARCD3, CCAT1, CDKN2A, WAC, RFWD3 and PREX1. These findings provide additional support for a polygenic model of MM and insight into the biological basis of tumour development.
Consistent floorplanning with super hierarchical constraints

Sequence-Pair based floorplanning has been revealed its limit of usefulness in VLSI physical design. Among reasons, the key issue is in its being non-hierarchical and indifferent to the preceding step of partitioning. This paper restructure the algorithm by the idea that the partition algorithm produces the constraint that is imposed on the sequence-pair data. The partition algorithm is the one based on the balanced-bipartition that works hierarchically. Thus a new floorplan algorithm that is consistent with the hierarchical partition algorithm is constructed. This is enhanced to include other algorithms that are based on the binary search. Here, a clock-tree synthesis by H-tree is shown to be consistent. Experiments are given to show better achievements in length and wire-density.