nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Prospective validation study of transorbital Doppler ultrasound imaging for the detection of transient cerebral microemboli.

Transient cerebral microemboli are independent biomarkers of early risk of ischaemic stroke in acute carotid syndromes. Transcranial Doppler imaging (TCD) through the temporal bone is the standard method for detection of cerebral microemboli, but an acoustic temporal bone window for TCD is not available in around one in seven patients. Transorbital Doppler imaging (TOD) has been used when TCD is not possible. The aim of this study was to validate the use of TOD against TCD for detecting cerebral microemboli.



The study included patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy; all had confirmed temporal and orbital acoustic windows. Subjects gave written informed consent to postoperative TCD and TOD monitoring, which was performed simultaneously for 30 min by two vascular scientists.



The study included 100 patients (mean(s.e.m.) age 72(1) years; 65 men). Microemboli were detected by one or both methods in 40·0 per cent of patients: by TOD and TCD in 24 patients, by TOD alone in ten and by TCD alone in six. For detecting microemboli, TOD had a sensitivity of 80·0 per cent, specificity of 86·1 per cent, positive predictive value of 71·6 per cent and negative predictive value of 91·2 per cent. Bland-Altman analysis revealed no significant bias (bias 0·11 (95 per cent c.i. -0·52 to 0·74) microemboli; P = 0·810) with upper and lower limits of agreement of +6 and -6 microemboli.



TOD appears a valid alternative to TCD for detecting microembolic signals in patients with no suitable temporal acoustic window.
A phase II study of REOLYSIN® (pelareorep) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for patients with advanced malignant melanoma

REOLYSIN® (pelareorep) is an investigational new drug, consisting of a live, replication-competent, Reovirus Type 3 Dearing strain in a proprietary formulation. Several preclinical and clinical trials with REOLYSIN® on a wide range of cancer indications have demonstrated antineoplastic activity on cells with activated RAS-signaling pathway. Furthermore, long-term survival benefits were evident in post-treatment patients indicating a potential antitumor immune response triggered by REOLYSIN®. Numerous mono and/or combination therapy studies with the agent showed a consistent safety profile. The current study is a phase II, single-arm, open label trial of REOLYSIN® in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for patients with advanced melanoma. Results from the 14 patients enrolled in the study exhibited no grade 4 adverse events or deaths but manageable grade-3 toxicities commonly attributed to REOLYSIN®, including pyrexia, chills, myalgia, pain, fatigue, and nausea. The number of treatment cycles ranged from 2 to 20 with a median of 6 cycles. The study met its treatment and efficacy goal for the first stage with three partial responses (ORR was 21%). No complete responses were noted. The median PFS and OS were 5.2 and 10.9 months, respectively. The 1-year OS was 43% with a disease control rate of 85%. In conclusion, REOLYSIN® combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel is a safe and potentially efficacious therapy for patients with advanced malignant melanoma. Additional combination studies using REOLYSIN® with chemo/immunotherapy drugs may support more favorable outcomes for patients in this indication.
Does sodium nitroprusside decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation after myocardial revascularization?: a pilot study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after coronary artery bypass grafting and can result in increased morbidity and mortality. In the present pilot study, our aim was to investigate whether sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a nitric oxide donor, can reduce the frequency of post-coronary artery bypass grafting AF.



To investigate the effectiveness of SNP in the prophylaxis of AF, we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study on 100 consecutive patients in whom we performed elective and initial CABG operations. A control group of 50 patients were treated with placebo (dextrose 5% in water), whereas the SNP group (n=50 patients) was treated with SNP (0.5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) during the rewarming period. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured before surgery and 5 days postoperatively. All patients were monitored postoperatively with telemetry. Baseline characteristics were similar in both treatment groups. AF occurred in 12% of the SNP group and 27% of the control group. The occurrence of AF was significantly lower in the SNP group (P=0.005). The duration of AF in the SNP group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (5.33+/-1.86 and 7.55+/-1.94 hours, respectively; P=0.023). C-reactive protein levels were higher postoperatively in the control group than in the SNP group (P<0.05). Postoperative AF significantly prolonged postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05).



The incidence of postoperative AF in the SNP group was reduced significantly. Further studies are needed to better delineate the anti-AF profile of SNP.
Evaluation and Comparison of Entity based search Implied by SVM and Neural Network

With the increasing amounts of data generated in the cyber world the need for an efficient and robust technique has been felt. Keyword based search provides a solution for the problems mentioned before. Keyword search has been proven an effective information discovery method for unstructured data (e.g. textual documents), semi-structured data (e.g. XML databases), and structured data (e.g. relational databases). The power of keyword based search lies in the fact that the user needs not to know the working and technicalities of the data structure in which the data has been stored. This paper discusses the differences between two types of search engine i.e. Entity based search engine and keyword based search engine. Then the paper goes on and discusses the working and disadvantages of the two.
Multicenter evaluation of dynamic three-dimensional magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging for the detection of coronary artery disease defined by fractional flow reserve.

First-pass myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging yields high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, standard 2D multislice CMR perfusion techniques provide only limited cardiac coverage, and hence considerable assumptions are required to assess myocardial ischemic burden. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the diagnostic performance of 3D myocardial perfusion CMR to detect functionally relevant CAD with fractional flow reserve (FFR) as a reference standard in a multicenter setting.



A total of 155 patients with suspected CAD listed for coronary angiography with FFR were prospectively enrolled from 5 European centers. 3D perfusion CMR was acquired on 3T MR systems from a single vendor under adenosine stress and at rest. All CMR perfusion analyses were performed in a central laboratory and blinded to all clinical data. One hundred fifty patients were successfully examined (mean age 62.9±10 years, 45 female). The prevalence of CAD defined by FFR (<0.8) was 56.7% (85 of 150 patients). The sensitivity and specificity of 3D perfusion CMR were 84.7% and 90.8% relative to the FFR reference. Comparison to quantitative coronary angiography (≥50%) yielded a prevalence of 65.3%, sensitivity and specificity of 76.5% and 94.2%, respectively.



In this multicenter study, 3D myocardial perfusion CMR proved highly diagnostic for the detection of significant CAD as defined by FFR.
Worldwide Management of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy: the ISAM Study

A multicenter, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients, receiving oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) for stroke prophylaxis in chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) was conducted in the US, Canada, France, Italy and Spain according to their predominant model of care [routine medical care (RMC) or Anticoagulation Clinic care (ACC)]. The study objectives were to assess anticoagulation control (time in target range), and to describe the features of the local model of care. Consecutive patients were recruited on the basis of a minimum of 60 days of oral anticoagulant treatment over a 12 month period, and clinic and physician details were captured by means of a structured face-to-face or telephone interview. Time in therapeutic range (TTR) was calculated by using linear interpolation between INR values. A total of 1511 patients were recruited, of whom 1445 were included in the analysis of TTR. TTR was higher in ACC (69.5% and 64.9% for Italy and Spain, respectively) with respect to RMC (58.1%, 62.8% and 59.3% for the US, Canada and France, respectively). Mean intervals between INR determinations were between 3 and 4 weeks. Dose changes in case of INR outside therapeutic range were more frequent in Spain and less frequent in France. Striking differences were observed in type of VKA used, specialists involved in patient management, and dosage instructions. Studying of anticoagulation management based on local models of care highlights important discrepancies among countries and suggests further standardization of the management of this important therapy is necessary.
Functional Outcomes in High-function-demand patients after total knee arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty is a safe last-resort treatment for osteoarthritis that has excellent results in low-function-demand elderly patients. Current implants offer the same results in high-function-demand patients. However, supportive data do not exist.One-year Krackow Activity Scores (KAS) of 552 patients from 2 prospective studies were used to retrospectively determine low- and high-function-demand populations. Low function demand was defined as a KAS between 1 and 9 points, and high function demand was defined as a KAS between 10 and 18 points. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively per the Knee Society Score-function domain, KAS, SF-36, range of motion, and pain. Comparability between groups was tested for demographics and comorbidities.Both groups showed significant improvement in function, range of motion, and pain 2 years postoperatively. High-function-demand patients had comparable improvement in function compared with low-function-demand patients. Excellent function can be achieved in high-function-demand patients.
Alterations in apolipoprotein B-48 in the postprandial state in NIDDM

The intestine is a major site of cholesterol synthesis and produces apolipoprotein B-48, which is critical for intestinal cholesterol absorption and secretion. The purpose of this study was to examine postprandial changes in apolipoprotein B-48 in diabetes. Six non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients and six non-diabetic control subjects were given a high-fat meal (1300 kcal) and blood samples were taken pre- and postprandially, from which the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction was isolated by ultracentrifugation (density<1.006 g/ml). Apolipoprotein B-48 was separated on 4–15% gradient gels and quantified as a percentage of the fasting concentration by densitometric scanning. Total protein, triglyceride and cholesterol in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction, blood glucose, and serum insulin were also measured. Diabetic patients exhibited a postprandial triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein B-48 profile significantly different from that of control subjects (p<0.05). The triglyceride and total protein concentration in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction mirrored the post-prandial profile and apolipoprotein B-48 in both groups. Significantly different patterns for triglyceride (p<0.02) and total protein (p<0.05) following the fat-rich meal were observed in the two groups. Fasting and postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein cholesterol and total apolipoprotein B were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects (p<0.05). Since apolipoprotein B-48 is the structural protein of intestinally-derived lipoprotein particles, these studies suggest an abnormality in intestinal lipoprotein metabolism in diabetes.
Operational definitions of outcome indicators related to ineffective breathing patterns in children with congenital heart disease.

The development of operational definitions leads to accurate assessments of health conditions. Many health indicators in the Nursing Outcomes Classification require the development of operational definitions. We sought to determine the validity of operational definitions for indicators of nursing outcomes that assess respiratory status in children with congenital heart disease.



Eight trained nurses evaluated 45 children with congenital heart disease who were aged ≤ 1 year and previously diagnosed with ineffective breathing patterns. The statistical analysis included median differences, intraclass correlations, and cluster analyses.



The nonuse of definitions produced inconsistencies in evaluations among evaluators. This inconsistency was not evident in the group using operational definitions. Two indicators were significant in all statistical analyses: asymmetrical chest expansion and percussed sounds.
Spontaneous software: a Web-based, object computing paradigm

1 INTRODUCTION Software systems can be seen as living entities under constant evolution, requiring dynamic mechanisms to extend and adapt their behavior in order to meet changing user needs. Software engineering addresses evolution by providing design methodologies that minimize the impact of changes in code. In distributing settings, however, evolution implies rebuilding whole software systems at user desktops, a complex and time-consuming task. Such approach is too cumbersome for Internet-centric software systems. Some limited software distribution systems have been proposed based upon Web technologies; however, they suffer from critical problems related to referential integrity, location transparency, scalability and customizability. Furthermore, since user needs are in general extremely diversified and changes over time and space are not completely foreseen, software systems should be able to evolve differently on user desktops. Such evolution requires individual, high granularity, software components being installed on demand, according to user needs. Current proposals do not provide such flexibility, adaptability and extensibility.
Thromboembolic and major bleeding events in relation to perioperative bridging of vitamin K antagonists in 649 fast-track total hip and knee arthroplasties

The benefit of preoperative bridging in surgical patients with continuous anticoagulant therapy is debatable, and drawing of meaningful conclusions may have been limited by mixed procedures with different thromboembolic and bleeding risks in most published studies. Patients and methods - This was an observational cohort treatment study in consecutive primary unilateral total hip and knee arthroplasty patients between January 2010 and November 2013 in 8 Danish fast-track departments. Data were collected prospectively on preoperative comorbidity and anticoagulants in patients with preoperative vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment. We performed 30-day follow-up on in-hospital complications and re-admissions through the Danish National Patient Registry and patient records.  Of 13,375 procedures, 649 (4.7%) were in VKA patients with a mean age of 73 (SD 9) years and a median length of stay of 3 days (IQR: 2-4). Preoperative bridging was used in 430 (67%), while 215 (33%) were paused. Of 4 arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) (0.6%), 2 were in paused patients and 2 were in bridged patients (p = 0.6). Of 3 venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) (0.5%), 2 were in paused patients and 1 was in a bridged patient (p = 0.3). Of 8 major bleedings (MBs) (1.2%), 1 was in a paused patient and 7 were in bridged patients (p = 0.3), 5 of whom received therapeutic bridging. Similar results were found in a propensity-matched cohort.  In contrast to recent studies in mixed surgical procedures, no statistically significant differences in ATE, VTE, or MB were found between preoperative bridging and pausation of VKA patients. However, the higher number of thromboembolic events in paused patients and the higher number of major bleedings in bridged patients warrant more extensive investigation.
Acute Medical Costs of Fluoxetine versus Tricyclic Antidepressants

Despite demonstrated differences in toxicity profiles between tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; S-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), no studies have examined hospital costs associated with acute antidepressant overdoses. Given the high incidence of such overdoses, it is important to examine treatment patterns and associated costs. This prospective, multicentre cohort study compared the hospital and physician costs associated with TCA and fluoxetine drug overdoses. Over a 30-month period, 622 consecutive patients with a fluoxetine or TCA overdose presented to the emergency departments. or were admitted to intensive care or medical units. of9 participating medical centres across the US. Inclusion criteria were: ingestion of a single antidepressant (fluoxetine or a TCA), without clinically significant co-ingestants; laboratory confirmation of the overdose; and retrievable hospital bills. Patients were followed until discharge from the emergency department or hospital. Hospital and physician charges were collected from billing data. Hospital charges were adjusted using Health Care Financing Administration cost: charge ratios to estimate costs; physician charges were adjusted to estimate costs. Patient demographic and clinical data were prospectively gathered during the course of medical treatment. Clinical data recorded included level of consciousness, cardiopulmonary complications. vital sign or ECG abnormalities. agitation. seizures, CNS depression and death. 136 patients (121 with TCA overdose and IS with fluoxetine overdose), representing 21.8% of the 622 patients entered, met the inclusion criteria. Mean length of stay varied from 0.73 [± standard error of the mean (SEM) 0.33] days for fluoxetine overdose patients to 3.59 ( SEM 0.48) days for TCA overdose patients (p = 0.038). Mean hospital costs were $US668 for patients with a fluoxetine overdose compared with $US4691 for those with a TCA overdose (p > 0.0001). No significant differences were observed between the TCA and fluoxetine overdose groups with regard to physician costs. Median hospital and physician costs increased from $US3029 to $US4396 from the first IS-month period of the study to the second 15-month period of the study for the TCA overdose group. but decreased from $US881 to $US396 for the fluoxetine overdose group. Patients with fluoxetine overdoses had lower hospital and total medical costs compared with patients with TCA overdoses. There was some evidence supporting a reduction in the medical costs of treating fluoxetine overdoses over the 3D-month study period.
HIV type 1 subtype surveillance in central Kenya.

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection is characterized by genetic diversity such that specific viral subtypes are predominant in specific geographic areas. To determine circulating subtypes of HIV-1 in different parts of central Kenya, a cross-sectional study was carried out on HIV-1-positive blood samples collected from consenting individuals in eight hospitals of Kenya's central province. Proviral DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing using primers generated from a highly conserved region of HIV-1 env gp41 were carried out. Ninety-six samples were successfully amplified and sequenced. Analysis of the sequences showed that a majority of them belonged to subtype A1 (67/96, 69.8%), followed by subtypes D (18, 18.7%) and C (11/96, 11.5%). Consistent with findings in other parts of Kenya, HIV-1 subtype A1 was the most dominant virus in circulation. Continued surveillance of circulating subtypes of HIV-1 in Kenya is important in determining the evolution of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya.
Effects of unilateral pedunculopontine stimulation on electromyographic activation patterns during gait in individual patients with Parkinson’s disease

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the effects of deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPTg-DBS) on gait has been object of international debate. Some evidence demonstrated that, in the late swing-early stance phase of gait cycle, a reduced surface electromyographic activation (sEMG) of tibialis anterior (TA) is linked to the striatal dopamine deficiency in PD patients. In the present study we report preliminary results on the effect of PPTg-DBS on electromyographic patterns during gait in individual PD patients. To evaluate the sEMG amplitude of TA, the root mean square (RMS) of the TA burst in late swing-early stance phase (RMS-A) was normalized as a percent of the RMS of the TA burst in late stance-early swing (RMS-B). We studied three male patients in the following conditions: on PPTg-DBS/on l-dopa, on PPTg-DBS/off l-dopa, off PPTg-DBS/on l-dopa, off PPTg-DBS/off l-dopa. For each assessment the UPDRS III was filled in. We observed no difference between on PPTg-DBS/off l-dopa and off PPTg-DBS/off l-dopa in UPDRS III scores. In off PPTg-DBS/off l-dopa, patient A (right implant) showed absence of the right and left RMSA, respectively, in 80% and 83% of gait cycles. Patient B (right implant) showed absence of the right RMS-A in 86% of cycles. RMS-A of the patient C (left implant) was bilaterally normal. In on PPTg- DBS/off l-dopa, no patient showed reduced RMS-A. Although the very low number of subjects we evaluated, our observations suggest that PPTg plays a role in modulating TA activation pattern during the steady state of gait.
Effects of aerobic training intensity on resting, exercise and post-exercise blood pressure, heart rate and heart-rate variability

We aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training intensity (1) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) at rest before exercise, and during and after a maximal exercise test; and (2) on measures of HR variability at rest before exercise and during recovery from the exercise test, in at least 55-year-old healthy sedentary men and women. A randomized crossover study comprising three 10-week periods was performed. In the first and third period, participants exercised at lower or higher intensity (33% or 66% of HR reserve) in random order, with a sedentary period in between. Training programmes were identical except for intensity, and were performed under supervision thrice for 1 h per week. The results show that in the three conditions, that is, at rest before exercise, during exercise and during recovery, we found endurance training at lower and higher intensity to reduce SBP significantly (P<0.05) and to a similar extent. Further, SBP during recovery was, on average, not lower than at rest before exercise, and chronic endurance training did not affect the response of SBP after an acute bout of exercise. The effect of training on HR at rest, during exercise and recovery was more pronounced (P<0.05) with higher intensity. Finally, endurance training had no significant effect on sympathovagal balance. In conclusion, in participants at higher age, both training programmes exert similar effects on SBP at rest, during exercise and during post-exercise recovery, whereas the effects on HR are more pronounced after higher intensity training.