nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Colonoscopy uptake for high-risk individuals with a family history of colorectal neoplasia

Colonoscopic screening is recommended for first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) or colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP) before the age of 60 years. This has the potential to reduce CRC-related morbidity and mortality, but uptake is currently inadequate.



The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of standard information versus a nurse-led tailored intervention designed to promote uptake of colonoscopy screening by siblings of CRC or CAP patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Digestive surgeons and gastroenterologists recruited index patients who developed CRC or CAP before the age of 60 years. All index patients received standard screening information for their siblings, in keeping with current guidelines. Centrally computerized randomization of index patients resulted in allocating all their siblings to the same group, intervention or control. The tailored intervention targeted the index patient first, to help them convey information to their siblings. The nurse then provided the siblings with tailored information based on their answers to a self-questionnaire which explored health behaviors, derived from psychosocial models of prevention. Then the siblings were given a personalized information leaflet to hand to their regular physician. The primary endpoint was the rate of documented colonoscopy performed in siblings within 1 year after diagnosis of the index patient. The intent-to-treat analysis included siblings who refused to participate in the study. Statistical analysis was adjusted for intrafamilial correlation.



A total of 304 siblings of 125 index patients were included: 160 in the intervention group and 144 in the control group. The rate of colonoscopy uptake among siblings was 56.3% in the intervention group and 35.4% in the control group (P = 0.0027). The respective rates after exclusion of refusals were 69.2% and 37.0% (P < 0.0001). More lesions were detected in the intervention group (1 invasive cancer and 11 advanced adenomas vs 5 advanced adenomas; P = 0.022).



This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a nurse-led tailored intervention designed to promote colonoscopy screening uptake by siblings of patients diagnosed with CRC or CAP before age 60 years. Such tailored interventions that also involve physicians should help to reduce CRC-related mortality.
A gene variation (rs12691) in the CCAT/enhancer binding protein α modulates glucose metabolism in metabolic syndrome.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is a transcription factor involved in adipogenesis and energy homeostasis. Caloric restriction reduces CEBPA protein expression in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A previous report linked rs12691 SNP in CEBPA to altered concentration of fasting triglycerides. Our objective was to assess the effects of rs12691 in glucose metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) patients.



Glucose metabolism was assessed by static (glucose, insulin, adiponectin, leptin and resistin plasma concentrations) and dynamic (disposition index, insulin sensitivity index, HOMA-IR and acute insulin response to glucose) indices, performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of 4 dietary interventions (high saturated fatty acid (SFA), high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), low-fat and low-fat-high-n3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)) in 486 subjects with MetS. Carriers of the minor A allele of rs12691 had altered disposition index (p = 0.0003), lower acute insulin response (p = 0.005) and a lower insulin sensitivity index (p = 0.025) indicating a lower insulin sensitivity and a lower insulin secretion, at baseline and at the end of the diets. Furthermore, A allele carriers displayed lower HDL concentration.



The presence of the A allele of rs12691 influences glucose metabolism of MetS patients.
Reduced treatment intensity in patients with early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Whether it is possible to reduce the intensity of treatment in early (stage I or II) Hodgkin's lymphoma with a favorable prognosis remains unclear. We therefore conducted a multicenter, randomized trial comparing four treatment groups consisting of a combination chemotherapy regimen of two different intensities followed by involved-field radiation therapy at two different dose levels.



We randomly assigned 1370 patients with newly diagnosed early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma with a favorable prognosis to one of four treatment groups: four cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) followed by 30 Gy of radiation therapy (group 1), four cycles of ABVD followed by 20 Gy of radiation therapy (group 2), two cycles of ABVD followed by 30 Gy of radiation therapy (group 3), or two cycles of ABVD followed by 20 Gy of radiation therapy (group 4). The primary end point was freedom from treatment failure; secondary end points included efficacy and toxicity of treatment.



The two chemotherapy regimens did not differ significantly with respect to freedom from treatment failure (P=0.39) or overall survival (P=0.61). At 5 years, the rates of freedom from treatment failure were 93.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.5 to 94.8) with the four-cycle ABVD regimen and 91.1% (95% CI, 88.3 to 93.2) with the two-cycle regimen. When the effects of 20-Gy and 30-Gy doses of radiation therapy were compared, there were also no significant differences in freedom from treatment failure (P=1.00) or overall survival (P=0.61). Adverse events and acute toxic effects of treatment were most common in the patients who received four cycles of ABVD and 30 Gy of radiation therapy (group 1).



In patients with early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma and a favorable prognosis, treatment with two cycles of ABVD followed by 20 Gy of involved-field radiation therapy is as effective as, and less toxic than, four cycles of ABVD followed by 30 Gy of involved-field radiation therapy. Long-term effects of these treatments have not yet been fully assessed. (Funded by the Deutsche Krebshilfe and the Swiss Federal Government; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00265018.)
Safety and factors predicting the duration of first and second treatment interruptions guided by CD4+ cell counts in patients with chronic HIV infection.

To evaluate the safety of treatment interruption (TI) guided by CD4+ count in HIV-infected patients followed-up prospectively.



Patients on HAART with a CD4+ cell count >500 cells/mm3 discontinued therapy with instructions to start therapy again before their CD4+ count dropped below 200 cells/mm3.



We report data on 112 HIV-infected patients. The median follow-up after starting the first TI was 34.7 months (IQR: 23.1-43.8). The median duration of the first TI was 12 months (IQR: 5.2-25). In the multivariate analysis the factor which most strongly correlated with the duration of the first TI was the CD4+ cell count at the end of the TI. Among the 34 patients who had completed a second TI, the duration of the two periods of interruption was similar if the treatment was recommenced at the end of the first TI at a CD4+ count higher than the nadir count.



The strategy of TI is safe if the criteria for restarting therapy are applied correctly. The factor with the greatest influence on the duration of the first TI is the number of CD4+ cells at the end of the TI.
Genetic polymorphisms in key hypoxia-regulated downstream molecules and phenotypic correlation in prostate cancer

In this study we sought if, in their quest to handle hypoxia, prostate tumors express target hypoxia-associated molecules and their correlation with putative functional genetic polymorphisms.



Representative areas of prostate carcinoma (n = 51) and of nodular prostate hyperplasia (n = 20) were analysed for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), lysyl oxidase (LOX) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR2) immunohistochemistry expression using a tissue microarray. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and used to genotype functional polymorphisms at the corresponding genes (HIF1A +1772 C > T, rs11549465; CA9 + 201 A > G; rs2071676; LOX +473 G > A, rs1800449; KDR - 604 T > C, rs2071559).



Immunohistochemistry analyses disclosed predominance of positive CAIX and VEGFR2 expression in epithelial cells of prostate carcinomas compared to nodular prostate hyperplasia (P = 0.043 and P = 0.035, respectively). In addition, the VEGFR2 expression score in prostate epithelial cells was higher in organ-confined and extra prostatic carcinoma compared to nodular prostate hyperplasia (P = 0.031 and P = 0.004, respectively). Notably, for LOX protein the immunoreactivity score was significantly higher in organ-confined carcinomas compared to nodular prostate hyperplasia (P = 0.015). The genotype-phenotype analyses showed higher LOX staining intensity for carriers of the homozygous LOX +473 G-allele (P = 0.011). Still, carriers of the KDR-604 T-allele were more prone to have higher VEGFR2 expression in prostate epithelial cells (P < 0.006).



Protein expression of hypoxia markers (VEGFR2, CAIX and LOX) on prostate epithelial cells was different between malignant and benign prostate disease. Two genetic polymorphisms (LOX +473 G > A and KDR-604 T > C) were correlated with protein level, accounting for a potential gene-environment effect in the activation of hypoxia-driven pathways in prostate carcinoma. Further research in larger series is warranted to validate present findings.
Combination of an ACE inhibitor and indapamide improves blood pressure control, but attenuates the beneficial effects of ACE inhibition on plasma adiponectin in patients with essential hypertension.

Antihypertensive agents differentially influence the plasma adiponectin concentration and the effects of fixed-dose combination regimens remain unclear. The influence of a combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and a thiazide-type diuretic or an ACEI alone on plasma adiponectin concentrations in patients with essential hypertension was evaluated in the present study.



After a 2-week placebo run-in phase, 30 patients with essential hypertension were randomized to receive preterax (2 mg perindopril/0.625 mg indapamide) or cilazapril (2.5 mg) once daily for 12 weeks. Plasma adiponectin and insulin concentrations were measured before and after treatment. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis assessment index (HOMA-IR). Treatment with preterax (P=0.003) and cilazapril (P=0.031) significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (BP), but only preterax reduced diastolic BP (P=0.024). Cilazapril treatment significantly increased the plasma adiponectin concentration (P=0.025) and reduced plasma triglycerides (P=0.041), whereas preterax treatment increased the plasma insulin concentration (P=0.041) and tended to increase HOMA-IR.



The combination of an ACEI and indapamide improved BP control, but attenuated the beneficial effects of ACE inhibition on plasma adiponectin in patients with essential hypertension. Such a combination may be best reserved for improved BP control rather than for metabolic protection in clinical hypertension.
Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of the effect of botulinum toxin on walking in cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is the commonest cause of severe physical disability in childhood. For many years treatment has centred on the use of physiotherapy and orthotics to overcome the problems of leg spasticity, which interferes with walking and can lead to limb deformity. Intramuscular botulinum toxin (BT-A) offers a targeted form of therapy to reduce spasticity in specific muscle groups.



To determine whether intramuscular BT-A can improve walking in children with cerebral palsy.



Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.



Forty patients with spastic diplegia or hemiplegia were enrolled. Twenty two received botulinum toxin and 18 received placebo. The primary outcome measure was video gait analysis and secondary outcome measures were gross motor function measure (GMFM), physiological cost index (PCI), and passive ankle dorsiflexion.



Video gait analysis showed clinically and statistically significant improvement in initial foot contact following BT-A at six weeks and 12 weeks compared to placebo. Forty eight per cent of BT-A treated children showed clinical improvement in VGA compared to 17% of placebo treated children. The GMFM (walking dimension) showed a statistically significant improvement in favour of the botulinum toxin treated group. Changes in PCI and passive ankle dorsiflexion were not statistically significant.



The study gives further support to the use of intramuscular botulinum toxin type A as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy and orthoses to reduce spasticity and improve functional mobility in children with spastic diplegic or hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Treatment patterns and clinical characteristics prior to initiating depot typical antipsychotics for nonadherent schizophrenia patients

Nonadherence with antipsychotic medication is an important clinical and economic problem in the treatment of schizophrenia. This study identified treatment patterns and clinical characteristics that immediately precede the initiation of depot typical antipsychotics in the usual treatment of schizophrenia patients with a recent history of nonadherence with oral antipsychotic regimens.



Data were drawn from a large, multisite, 3-year prospective noninterventional observational study of persons treated for schizophrenia in the United States, which was conducted between 7/1997 and 9/2003. The analytical sample included patients who, in the 6 months prior to enrollment, were considered nonadherent with oral antipsychotics and were not treated with depot antipsychotics (N = 314). Patients who were subsequently initiated on typical depots during the 3-year follow-up were compared with patients who continued therapy with only oral antipsychotic agents. Group comparisons were made on patient baseline characteristics and precedent variables that were assessed 1 to 6 months prior to depot initiation. Patient assessments were made at predetermined intervals throughout the 3-year study using standard psychiatric measures, a patient-reported questionnaire, and medical record information.



A small proportion of patients (12.4%) who were recently nonadherent with oral antipsychotics were subsequently initiated on depot therapy during the 3-year study. Compared to patients treated with only oral antipsychotics, those subsequently initiated on a depot were significantly more likely to be hospitalized at depot initiation or the previous 30 days, to have recent involvement with the criminal justice system (arrests), recent illicit drug use, recent switching or augmentation of oral antipsychotics, and recent treatment with oral typical antipsychotics.



Despite prior nonadherence with oral antipsychotic medication, only a small proportion of nonadherent schizophrenia patients were initiated on depot antipsychotics in this 3-year prospective study. Patients subsequently initiated on depot had a more severe treatment pattern and clinical profile immediately preceding depot initiation. This profile may have triggered the decision to initiate a depot. Findings have important clinical and economic ramifications for practitioners, policy makers, and other decision makers, highlighting the need for early identification of and tailored therapeutics for schizophrenia patients with a history of nonadherence with their recent oral antipsychotic regimens.
Evidence for association of SNPs in ABCB1 and CBR3, but not RAC2, NCF4, SLC28A3 or TOP2B, with chronic cardiotoxicity in a cohort of breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.

Validation of associations for SNPs in RAC2, NCF4 and SLC28A3, identification of a novel association with a TOP2B SNP and screening 23 SNPs putatively relevant to anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.



A total of 166 breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin underwent echocardiogram, including 19 cases with systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <55%) and 147 controls. Four high priority SNPs were tested in the primary analysis, with appropriate statistical correction, and 23 additional SNPs were screened in an uncorrected secondary analysis.



Previously reported associations for RAC2, NCF4 and SLC28A3 could not be validated and a novel association with TOP2B was not discovered in this cohort (all p > 0.05), likely due to inadequate power. Two SNPs were identified in the uncorrected secondary analysis including a protective SNP in ABCB1 (3435C>T, p = 0.049) and a risk allele in CBR3 (V244M, p = 0.012).



The associations reported in prior publications and those discovered in this secondary analysis require further replication in independent cohorts.
"Echocardiography in Nigeria: use, problems, reproducibility and potentials"

Although echocardiography is a useful and cost-effective technique for the detection of morphological and functional cardiac abnormalities, it has a main limitation in its subjectivity. Therefore the aim of the present study was to assess the intra-observer reproducibility and validity of 2-dimensional guided M-mode echo measurements at a Nigerian metropolitan Hospital.



Standard echocardiographic examination was performed on twenty randomly selected patients (11 men and 9 women) aged 59.8 +/- 12.6 years in two different sessions seven days apart.



A good degree of intraobserver agreement was observed between test 1 and test 2. The correlation coefficient between the first and second studies ranged between 0.60 and 0.96; measurement errors between 0.050 and 0.205.



We would conclude that 2-dimensional guided M-mode measurements at echocardiography performed at our centre are reproducible with low intra-observer variability.
Validation of the simplified Chinese version of the quality of life questionnaire of the European foundation for osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-31)

To translate quality of life questionnaire of the European foundation for osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-31) into a simplified Chinese version, and test its reliability and validity in osteoporosis patients from mainland Chinese population. Postmenopausal osteoporosis women with history of vertebral fracture were included as cases, and age-matched healthy female were included as controls. All subjects were from mainland China. The simplified Chinese version of QUALEFFO-31 and SF-36 were assigned to the two groups. Reliability was assessed using kappa statistics of agreement for each item and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s α. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess convergent and discriminant validity. Overall, 66 cases and 66 age-matched controls were included. The ICC for the test–retest reliability ranged from 0.76 to 0.91. Cronbach’s α for pain, physical function, and mental function domains were 0.94, 0.87, and 0.79, respectively. Convergent validity and discriminant validity showed that each correlation coefficient between score of each item with total score of related domain was higher than that with total score of unrelated domain. Pearson’s correlation coefficients indicated significantly high correlations between corresponding domains of QUALEFFO-31 and SF-36. The simplified Chinese version of the QUALEFFO-31 is a reliable and valid outcome measure of functional status in patients with osteoporosis. This Chinese version of the QUALEFFO-31 can be utilized for future clinical studies in mainland China.
Modified technique of levator plication for the correction of Marcus Gunn jaw-winking ptosis: a case series

To conduct a study on ptotic eyelids with Marcus Gunn jaw-winking ptosis operated via a technique of modified levator plication, prospective interventional case series. Ten ptotic eyelids with Marcus Gunn jaw-winking phenomenon (MGJWP) underwent modified levator plication surgery. Postoperatively, all cases were followed up for at least 6 months. Outcome parameters included amount of ptosis correction, amount of MGJWP correction, palpebral aperture height, lid lag, and lagophthalmos. The mean amount of ptosis was 4.25 ± 0.79 mm (range of 3–6 mm), mean amount of MGJWP was 5.10 ± 2.27 mm (range 2–9 mm), and the mean levator function was 8.3 ± 2.27 mm (range of 4–12 mm). At 6 months follow-up, good correction of ptosis was seen in nine out of ten patients. Resolution of MGJWP (≤1 mm of excursion of upper eyelid with synkinetic mouth movement) was seen in three patients. Improvement in MGJWP (>1 mm of excursion of upper eyelid with synkinetic mouth movement) was seen in seven patients. The mean post-operative lagophthalmos was 0.80 ± 0.88 mm. The modified levator plication technique was effective in the treatment of MGJWP. This modified technique of levator plication is anatomically less destructive and hence more acceptable, with the added advantages of less post-operative lagophthalmos and no lid contour defects.
The transmyocardial laser revascularization international registry report.

This report aimed to provide an analysis of the data submitted from Europe and Asia on transmyocardial laser revascularization.



Prospective data was recorded on 967 patients with intractable angina not amenable to conventional revascularization in 21 European and Asian centres performing transmyocardial laser revascularization using the PLC Medical Systems CO2 laser. Patient characteristics, operative details and early complications following transmyocardial laser revascularization were recorded. The in-hospital death rate was 9.7% (95% confidence interval 7.8% to 11.6%). Other early complications were consistent with similar cardiothoracic surgical procedures. There was a decrease of two or more Canadian Cardiovascular Score angina classes in 47.3%, 45.4% and 34.0% of survivors at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively (P=0.001 for each). Treadmill exercise time increased by 42 s at 3 months (P=0.008), 1 min 43 s at 6 months (P<0.001) and 1 min 50 s at 12 months (P<0.001) against pre-operative times of 6 min.



Uncontrolled registry data suggest that transmyocardial laser revascularization may lead to a decrease in angina and improved exercise tolerance. It does, however, have a risk of peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Definitive results from randomized controlled trials are awaited.
The feasibility and acceptability of a diet and exercise trial in overweight and obese black breast cancer survivors: The Stepping STONE study.

Black breast cancer survivors have high rates of obesity and low physical activity levels. Little is known about the acceptability and feasibility of interventions in this population.



A two-arm RCT was launched to assess the efficacy of a culturally targeted 12-week multimodal lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese black survivors.



Intervention components included nutrition education, exercise groups, and survivor-led motivational interviewing phone sessions. The analytic sample included women who completed the trial (intervention n=10; control n=12). Anthropometric measures, physical activity, and VO2max were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Change scores (intervention vs. control) were assessed with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. A process evaluation assessed intervention acceptability.



Overall adherence was 70% and overall satisfaction was high (86%). Despite the 5% weight loss target, the intervention group lost 0.8% but BMI improved. Total physical activity levels increased in the intervention vs. control arm (+3501METmin/week vs. +965METmin/week, respectively). VO2max improved in the intervention group (+0.10±1.03kg/L/min). Intervention participants reduced energy intake (-207.3±31.5kcals) and showed improvements in fat intake (-15.5±3.8g), fiber (+3.2±1.2g) and % energy from fat (-4.8±3.1%). Survivors suggested providing diet/exercise information within a cancer context.



Group and individualized intervention strategies are acceptable to black survivors. Observed differences between self-report and objective outcomes may suggest reporting bias or changes in body composition. Increasing supervised intervention components and assessment of body composition will be important for future trials.