nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Is determination between complete and incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury clinically relevant? Validation of the ASIA sacral sparing criteria in a prospective cohort of 432 patients

Prospective multicenter longitudinal cohort study.To validate the prognostic value of the acute phase sacral sparing measurements with regard to chronic phase-independent ambulation in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (European Multicenter Study of Human Spinal Cord Injury (EM-In 432 patients, acute phase (0–15 days) American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)/International Spinal Cord Society neurological standard scale (AIS) grades, ASIA sacral sparing measurements, which are S4–5 light touch (LT), S4–5 pin prick (PP), anal sensation and voluntary anal contraction; and chronic phase (6 or 12 months) indoor mobility Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) measurements were analyzed. Calculations of positive and negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed in all four sacral sparing criteria. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) ratios of all regression equations was calculated.To achieve independent ambulation 1-year post injury, a normal S4–5 PP score showed the best PPV (96.5%, P<0.001, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 87.9–99.6). Best NPV was reported in the S4–5 LT score (91.7%, P<0.001, 95% CI: 81.6–97.2). The use of the combination of only voluntary anal contraction and the S4–5 LT and PP sensory scores (AUC: 0.906, P<0.001, 95% CI: 0.871–0.941) showed significantly better (P<0.001, 95% CI: 0.038–0.128) discriminating results in prognosticating 1-year independent ambulation than with the use of currently used distinction between complete and incomplete SCI (AUC: 0.823, P<0.001, 95% CI: 0.781–0.864).Conclusions:Out of the four sacral sparing criteria, the acute phase anal sensory score measurements do not contribute significantly to the prognosis of independent ambulation. The combination of the acute phase voluntary anal contraction and the S4–5 LT and PP scores, predicts significantly better chronic phase-independent ambulation outcomes than the currently used distinction between complete and incomplete SCI.Sponsorship:This study was granted by ‘Acute Zorgregio Oost’ and the ‘Internationale Stiftung für Forschung in Paraplegie (IFP)’.
The effect of acupuncture in chronic intractable epilepsy

We examined the effect of acupuncture on epileptic seizures in humans in a controlled clinical setting. Treatment was administered by two Chinese professors of acupuncture. Effect was measured by change in seizure frequency. Twenty-nine patients with chronic intractable epilepsy completed the study. They were randomized in two groups; 15 were given classical acupuncture and 14 were given sham acupuncture. There was a reduction in seizure frequency in both groups, which did not reach a level of statistical significance. There was also an increase in the number of seizure-free weeks in both groups, which reached a level of significance in the sham group. Thus, we have not been able to prove a beneficial effect of acupuncture in chronic intractable epilepsy.
Orientation Passport: using gamification to engage university students

Adding game elements to an application to motivate use and enhance the user experience is a growing trend known as gamification. This study explores the use of game achievements when applied to a mobile application designed to help new students at university. This paper describes the foundations of a design framework used to integrate game elements to Orientation Passport, a personalised orientation event application for smart phones.  Passport utilises game achievements to present orientation information in an engaging way and to encourage use of the application. The system is explained in terms of the design framework, and the findings of a pilot study involving 26 new students are presented. This study contributes the foundations of a design framework for general gamified achievement design. It also suggests that added game elements can be enjoyable but can potentially encourage undesirable use by some, and aren't as enjoyable if not enforced properly by the technology. Consideration is also needed when enforcing stricter game rules as usability can be affected.
Early Inflammatory Markers Are Independent Predictors of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Heart-Transplant Recipients

Identification of risk is essential to prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and graft failure due to CAV (GFDCAV) in heart transplant patients, which account for 30% of all deaths. Early CAV detection involves invasive, risky, and expensive monitoring approaches. We determined whether prediction of CAV and GFDCAV improves by adding inflammatory markers to a previously validated atherothrombotic (AT) model.



AT and inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in heart biopsies and sera of 172 patients followed prospectively for 8.9±5.0 years. Models were estimated for 5- and 10-year risk using (1) the first post-transplant biopsy only, or (2) all biopsies obtained within 3 months. Multivariate models were adjusted for other covariates and cross-validated by bootstrapping. After adding IL-6 and CRP to the AT models, we evaluated the significance of odds ratios (ORs) associated with the additional inflammatory variables and the degree of improvement in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). When inflammatory markers were tested alone in prediction models, CRP (not IL-6) was a significant predictor of CAV and GFDCAV at 5 (CAV: p<0.0001; GFDCAV: p = 0.005) and 10 years (CAV: p<0.0001; GFDCAV: p = 0.003). Adding CRP (not IL-6) to the best AT models improved discriminatory power to identify patients destined to develop CAV (using 1st biopsy: p<0.001 and p = 0.001; using all 3-month biopsies: p<0.04 and p = 0.008 at 5- and 10-years, respectively) and GFDCAV (using 1st biopsy: 0.92 vs. 0.95 and 0.86 vs. 0.89; using all 3-month biopsies: 0.94 vs. 0.96 and 0.88 vs. 0.89 at 5- and 10-years, respectively), as indicated by an increase in AUROC.



Early inflammatory status, measured by a patient's CRP level (a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive test), independently predicts CAV and GFDCAV. Adding CRP to a previously established AT model improves its predictive power.
Patients lacking classical poor prognostic markers might also benefit from a step-down glucocorticoid bridging scheme in early rheumatoid arthritis: week 16 results from the randomized multicenter CareRA trial

Considering a lack of efficacy data in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) presenting without classical markers of poor prognosis, we compared methotrexate (MTX) with or without step-down glucocorticoids in the CareRA trial.



Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with eRA were stratified into a low-risk group based on prognostic markers that included non-erosiveness, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and rheumatoid factor negativity and low disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP)) ≤3.2). Patients were randomized to 15 mg of MTX weekly (MTX with tight step-up (MTX-TSU)) or 15 mg of MTX weekly with prednisone bridging, starting at 30 mg and tapered to 5 mg daily from week 6 (COmbinatie therapie bij Reumatoïde Artritis (COBRA Slim)). A TSU approach was applied. Outcomes assessed were DAS28(CRP)-determined remission, cumulative disease activity, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores and adverse events (AEs) after 16 treatment weeks.



We analyzed 43 COBRA Slim and 47 MTX-TSU patients and found that 65.1% in the COBRA Slim group and 46.8% in the MTX-TSU group reached remission (P = 0.081). Mean ± standard deviation area under the curve values of DAS28(CRP) were 13.84 ± 4.58 and 11.18 ± 4.25 for the MTX-TSU and COBRA Slim patients, respectively (P = 0.006). More COBRA Slim patients had an HAQ score of 0 (51.2% versus 23.4%, P = 0.006) at week 16. Therapy-related AEs between groups did not differ.



In patients with low-risk eRA, MTX with step-down glucocorticoid bridging seems more efficacious than MTX step-up monotherapy, with a comparable number of AEs observed over the first 16 treatment weeks.
Compliance with nutrition prescription improves outcomes in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

There are few well-designed studies evaluating the effect of oral nutrition supplements in patients with cancer cachexia. The aim of this study, in a posthoc analysis, was to examine the effect of dietary compliance on intake and body composition in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.



Two hundred patients were randomised to receive 2 cans/day of a protein and energy dense, oral nutrition supplement+/-n-3 fatty acids in an international, multi-centre randomised trial over 8 weeks. Dietary compliance was defined a priori as consumption of a minimum of 1.5 cans/day of either supplement. Body composition, dietary intake and quality of life were measured at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks.



On average, there were significant differences in energy intake (501 kcal), protein intake (25.4 g) and weight (1.7 kg) between patients who were compliant with the nutrition prescription compared to noncompliant patients controlling for n-3 fatty acid randomisation, baseline weight and quality of life. Over the 8-week period, there was significant improvement in weight only. There was no significant difference in the energy intake from meals of the total group over the 8 weeks.



Compliance with the prescription of 1.5 cans of a protein and energy dense, oral nutrition supplement +/-n-3 fatty acids improved nutrition related outcomes in untreated pancreatic cancer patients. This level of supplement intake does not inhibit meal intake.
Comparison of early thallium-201 scintigraphy and gated blood pool imaging for predicting mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The extent of abnormality in early thallium-201 and gated cardiac blood pool scintigrams has been reported to be useful for predicting mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). To compare the two techniques, 91 patients admitted consecutively with evident or strongly suspected AMI underwent both imaging studies within 15 hours of the onset of symptoms. Patients with pulmonary edema or shock were excluded. AMI developed in 84% of patients, and 6-month mortality for the entire group was 16%. A thallium defect score of 7.0 or greater (corresponding to at least a moderate reduction of activity involving 40% of the left ventricular circumference) identified a subgroup of 14 patients with 64% 6-month mortality rate. Similarly, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less identified a high-risk subgroup of 10 patients with a 6-month mortality of 60%. Mortality in the remaining patients was 8% for thallium score less than 7 and 11% for ejection fraction greater than 35%. The mortality rate was highest among patients who had concordant high-risk scintigrams (five of six, 83%), lowest in those with concordant low-risk studies (five of 64, 8%) and intermediate in those with discordant results (four of 11, 36%). Of a number of clinical variables, only the appearance of Q waves, peak creatine kinase greater than 1000 IU/I, and history of infarction were significantly associated with mortality. High-risk thallium or blood pool scintigraphic results were significantly more predictive and a thallium score of 7 or greater was more sensitive for detecting nonsurvivors than ejection fraction 35% or less at a similar level of specificity. Stepwise multiple logistic analysis showed that the thallium score was the best predictor of mortality, but that appearance of Q waves and ejection fraction were additive. Using these three variables, 11 patients were calculated to have a 50% or greater chance of dying and eight (73%) actually died, compared with six of 70 (9%) with a calculated chance of death of less than 50%. These results in a prospectively identified and consecutive group of patients support the value of early thallium and blood pool scintigraphy for separating high- and low-risk subgroups of hemodynamically stable infarct patients.
Process quality indicators targeting cognitive impairment to support quality of care for older people with cognitive impairment in emergency departments.

The objective of this study was to develop process quality indicators (PQIs) to support the improvement of care services for older people with cognitive impairment in emergency departments (ED).



A structured research approach was taken for the development of PQIs for the care of older people with cognitive impairment in EDs, including combining available evidence with expert opinion (phase 1), a field study (phase 2), and formal voting (phase 3). A systematic review of the literature identified ED processes targeting the specific care needs of older people with cognitive impairment. Existing relevant PQIs were also included. By integrating the scientific evidence and clinical expertise, new PQIs were drafted and, along with the existing PQIs, extensively discussed by an advisory panel. These indicators were field tested in eight hospitals using a cohort of older persons aged 70 years and older. After analysis of the field study data (indicator prevalence, variability across sites), in a second meeting, the advisory panel further defined the PQIs. The advisory panel formally voted for selection of those PQIs that were most appropriate for care evaluation.



In addition to seven previously published PQIs relevant to the care of older persons, 15 new indicators were created. These 22 PQIs were then field tested. PQIs designed specifically for the older ED population with cognitive impairment were only scored for patients with identified cognitive impairment. Following formal voting, a total of 11 PQIs were included in the set. These PQIs targeted cognitive screening, delirium screening, delirium risk assessment, evaluation of acute change in mental status, delirium etiology, proxy notification, collateral history, involvement of a nominated support person, pain assessment, postdischarge follow-up, and ED length of stay.



This article presents a set of PQIs for the evaluation of the care for older people with cognitive impairment in EDs. The variation in indicator triggering across different ED sites suggests that there are opportunities for quality improvement in care for this vulnerable group. Applied PQIs will identify an emergency services' implementation of care strategies for cognitively impaired older ED patients. Awareness of the PQI triggers at an ED level enables implementation of targeted interventions to improve any suboptimal processes of care. Further validation and utility of the indicators in a wider population is now indicated.
Relationship between Immune Parameters and Organ Involvement in Children with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common type of connective tissue diseases which increasingly occurs in children in recent years and its pathogenesis remains unclear. In order to explore the immune parameters and underlying pathogenesis mechanism of children with HSP, the study involved 1232 patients with HSP having different clinical symptoms and their laboratory indicators were evaluated. Th1/Th2 imbalance and overactivity of Th2 cells can cause increase in the synthesis and release of immunoglobulins in children with HSP. The number of red blood cells and white blood cells in urine was directly proportional to the level of IgA and inversely proportional to the level of serum complements (C3 and C4). Activation of these complements caused by immunoglobulin in patients with HSP plays an important role in renal injury. The urinary protein content in children with HSP along with proteinuria was positively correlated with IgE level, and IgE mediated type 1 hypersensitivity can cause increase in capillary permeability and weakened the charge barrier; hence, it could be considered as one of the causes of proteinuria in HSP. Additionally, the NK cells percentage was reduced and impaired immune function of NK cells were related to the immune injury of the digestive tract and kidney.
Efficacy of Appropriate Antimicrobial Therapy on the Survival of Patients With Carbapenem Nonsusceptible Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infection

The impact of antimicrobial treatment on the outcome of carbapenem nonsusceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae (CnsKP) infections needs to be elucidated. This nationwide, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the impact of appropriate antimicrobial therapy on 14-day mortality among patients with CnsKP infection in Taiwan.Patients with CnsKP infections from 11 medical centers and 4 regional hospitals in Taiwan were enrolled in 2013. Carbapenem nonsusceptibility was defined as a minimum inhibitory concentration of ≥2 mg/L for imipenem or meropenem. Predictors of 14-day mortality were determined using the Cox proportional regression model. The influence of infection severity on the impact of appropriate use of antimicrobials on 14-day mortality was determined using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score.Overall 14-day mortality was 31.8% (49/154). Unadjusted mortality for appropriate antimicrobial therapy was 23.1% (18/78 patients). Appropriate therapy was independently associated with reduced mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.80; P = 0.007). A subgroup analysis revealed that the benefit of appropriate therapy was limited to patients with higher APACHE II scores (HR for patients with scores >15 and ≤35, 0.46; 95% CI 0.23-0.92; and for those with scores >35, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-0.99).In conclusion, appropriate antimicrobial therapy significantly reduces 14-day mortality for CnsKP infections. Survival benefit is more notable among more severely ill patients.
Analogical Inference over a Common Sense Database

This paper shows that by applying analogical inference techniques to a large natural language common sense database, we can generate new, plausible common sense facts. Two systems that do this are described. Being able to generate new facts in this manner allows quick augmentation of the common sense database. The role of analogical inference in common sense reasoning has been discussed before (Carbonell 1983), but only recently have large common sense databases become publicly available. We used the Open Mind Common Sense (OMCS) database, which contains several hundred thousand English common sense statements (Singh 2002). The OMCS database is built by internet users who are prompted to enter common sense facts at a website. The reason we use the OMCS database instead of the CYC common sense database (Lenat and Guha 1994) is because this analogical inference work is concurrently being integrated into OMCS's data collection mechanism. The idea is that an internet user can enter a fact at the OMCS website, then the system uses techniques described by this paper to respond with 30 plausible deductions based off the fact. Then, the user decides whether each deduction is true or false. True deductions become additional database facts, while false ones become negative expertise. Doing this allows for much faster data input by users. To carry out the analogical inference, we first represent the OMCS database as a set of concepts and a set of relations. A concept is a noun phrase or an adjective. A relation looks like “A ? is for playing ?”. Each original sentence becomes a relation after its concepts are replaced by question marks.
Testosterone undecanoate improves lipid profile in patients with type 1 diabetes and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

Testosterone deficiency (Td) has been associated with the metabolic syndrome. Few studies have evaluated this condition in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of testosterone undecanoate (TU) on insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and lipid profile in patients with Td and T1D. We performed a randomized placebo-controlled multicenter study.



a) age ≥ 18 years; b) autoimmune diabetes; c) Td (total testosterone <10 nmol/L or calculated free testosterone <225 pmol/L and low/normal LH; d) ability to sign informed consent; e) comply with the study protocol.



a) pituitary tumor, empty sella, hyperprolactinemia, panhypopituitarism or secondary hypogonadism; b) contraindications for treatment with testosterone undecanoate (TU); c) patients who did not agree to sign their informed consent. Six patients were randomly assigned to testosterone undecanoate (TU) treatment and 7 to placebo with the following dosing schedule: baseline, 6 weeks and 16 weeks. Blood test, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and insulin sensitivity were determined at baseline, 6, 16 and 22 weeks. No differences were observed regarding insulin sensitivity, HbA1c or basal glucose, anthropometric parameters or blood pressure. At 22 weeks, the decrease in total cholesterol was 37.4 ± 27.5 mg/dL in the TU group compared with an increase of 13.2 ± 17.8 mg/dL in the placebo group (P<0.005), and LDL cholesterol concentration decreased 30.2 ± 22.1 mg/dL, compared with an increase of 10.5 ± 13.4 mg/dL in the placebo group (P=0.004). We conclude that treatment with TU in patients with T1D and Td improves lipid profile, with no effects on metabolic control or anthropometric parameters.
A phase I study of S-1 administration and a 24-h infusion of cisplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

The objective of this study was to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the recommended dose (RD) and the preliminary antitumor activity of S-1, oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitory fluoropyrimide, in combination with cisplatin and paclitaxel for advanced gastric cancer.



Paclitaxel was administered on day 1. A fixed dose of S-1 (70 mg/m2/day) was orally administered for 14 consecutive days from day 1 and a 24-h infusion of a fixed dose of cisplatin (60 mg/m2) was administered on day 14 of every 28-day cycle. Four dose escalation levels of paclitaxcel were studied (120, 140, 160 and 180 mg/m2).



Twenty patients were enrolled. The toxicities were generally mild no grade 4 hematological toxicity or grade 3 non-hematological toxicity were observed. Level 4 was considered as the MTD because of a treatment delay of more than 2 weeks in 3 out of 6 patients. The RD of paclitaxcel was 160 mg/m2. The overall response rate was 75%.



A triple combination chemotherapy consisting of S-1, cisplatin and paclitaxel showed a tolerable level of adverse reactions and favorable antitumor activity.