nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Objective and subjective memory ratings in cannabis-dependent adolescents.

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance worldwide, with an estimated 160 million users. Among adolescents, rates of cannabis use are increasing, while the perception of detrimental effects of cannabis use is declining. Difficulty with memory is one of the most frequently noted cognitive deficits associated with cannabis use, but little data exist exploring how well users can identify their own memory deficits, if present.



The current secondary analysis sought to characterize objective verbal and visual memory performance via a neurocognitive battery in cannabis-dependent adolescents enrolled in a pharmacotherapeutic cannabis cessation clinical trial (N = 112) and compare this to a single self-reported item assessing difficulties with memory loss. Exploratory analyses also assessed dose-dependent effects of cannabis on memory performance.



A small portion of the study sample (10%) endorsed a "serious problem" with memory loss. Those participants reporting "no problem" or "serious problem" scored similarly on visual and verbal memory tasks on the neurocognitive battery. Exploratory analyses suggested a potential relationship between days of cannabis use, amount of cannabis used, and gender with memory performance.



This preliminary and exploratory analysis suggests that a sub-set of cannabis users may not accurately perceive difficulties with memory. Further work should test this hypothesis with the use of a control group, comprehensive self-reports of memory problems, and adult populations that may have more years of cannabis use and more severe cognitive deficits.
MR imaging of lung parenchyma at 0.2 T: evaluation of imaging techniques, comparative study with chest radiography and interobserver analysis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate low-field MR imaging of the lung parenchyma in comparison with postero-anterior (PA) and lateral chest radiographs (CR). One hundred one prospectively randomized patients who had received routine CR were additionally examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 0.2 T. Utilized sequences were: constructive interference in steady state (CISS), true fast imaging in steady state precession (True-FISP) and T1-weighted spin-echo (T1SE). Consensus reading of two observers was performed for CR. Three other observers analyzed hardcopies of the MRI examinations for each sequence independently. The individual results for the comparisons between the sequences and CR were calculated using kappa coefficients with their corresponding confidence intervals. Additionally, an interobserver analysis was performed.The proportions of agreement for the three sequences compared with CR were high, with 0.93 for CISS, 0.89 for True-FISP and 0.91 for T1SE. The kappa coefficients and the corresponding confidence intervals were 0.81 [0.68; 0.95] for CISS, 0.72 [0.57; 0.88] for True-FISP and 0.78 [0.65; 0.92] for T1SE. Concerning CISS, differences between MRI and CR were mainly related to advantages resulting from cross-sectional imaging. The smallest 95% lower confidence bound of the three kappa measures for comparing the MR readers with each other was 0.97, indicating a high interobserver agreement. Low-field MRI of the lung parenchyma using the CISS sequence is well comparable with chest radiography and demonstrates slight advantages resulting from the cross-sectional imaging technique.
Extended use of dabigatran, warfarin, or placebo in venous thromboembolism.

Dabigatran, which is administered in a fixed dose and does not require laboratory monitoring, may be suitable for extended treatment of venous thromboembolism.



In two double-blind, randomized trials, we compared dabigatran at a dose of 150 mg twice daily with warfarin (active-control study) or with placebo (placebo-control study) in patients with venous thromboembolism who had completed at least 3 initial months of therapy.



In the active-control study, recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in 26 of 1430 patients in the dabigatran group (1.8%) and 18 of 1426 patients in the warfarin group (1.3%) (hazard ratio with dabigatran, 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78 to 2.64; P=0.01 for noninferiority). Major bleeding occurred in 13 patients in the dabigatran group (0.9%) and 25 patients in the warfarin group (1.8%) (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.27 to 1.02). Major or clinically relevant bleeding was less frequent with dabigatran (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.71). Acute coronary syndromes occurred in 13 patients in the dabigatran group (0.9%) and 3 patients in the warfarin group (0.2%) (P=0.02). In the placebo-control study, recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in 3 of 681 patients in the dabigatran group (0.4%) and 37 of 662 patients in the placebo group (5.6%) (hazard ratio, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.25; P<0.001). Major bleeding occurred in 2 patients in the dabigatran group (0.3%) and 0 patients in the placebo group. Major or clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 36 patients in the dabigatran group (5.3%) and 12 patients in the placebo group (1.8%) (hazard ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.52 to 5.60). Acute coronary syndromes occurred in 1 patient each in the dabigatran and placebo groups.



Dabigatran was effective in the extended treatment of venous thromboembolism and carried a lower risk of major or clinically relevant bleeding than warfarin but a higher risk than placebo.
Bone marrow findings in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with peripheral cytopenias

We studied 21 bone marrow specimens from 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and peripheral cytopenias: anaemia (Hb<10 g/dl), and/or leucopenia (white blood cell count <4×109/l), and/or thrombocytopenia (platelets <150×109/l). None of the patients had used immunosuppressive drugs in the 2 months before the study, and 11 (52.4%) had never used these drugs. The global and specific series cellularity, degree of fibrosis and necrosis were evaluated by bone marrow trephine; morphological abnormalities and iron stores were evaluated by cytological smears. The most important abnormalities viewed in bone marrow biopsies were: global hypocellularity (47.6%), increased reticulin proliferation (76.2%) with myelofibrosis in one patient, and necrosis (19.0%). The marrow aspirates were difficult to obtain in four patients, who showed an increased reticulin proliferation on histological analysis. Plasmocytosis was present in 26.7% of cases and in one there was a serum monoclonal component (IgG kappa). Iron stores were normal or increased in 26.7% of specimens and decreased or absent in 73.3%. The most frequent peripheral abnormality was leucopenia in 90.4% (19/21) and granulocytic hypoplasia was observed in 47.3% (9/19) of these patients. We conclude that the bone marrow may be a target organ in SLE with cytopenias.
Effect of five genetic variants associated with lung function on the risk of chronic obstructive lung disease, and their joint effects on lung function.

Genomic loci are associated with FEV1 or the ratio of FEV1 to FVC in population samples, but their association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not yet been proven, nor have their combined effects on lung function and COPD been studied.



To test association with COPD of variants at five loci (TNS1, GSTCD, HTR4, AGER, and THSD4) and to evaluate joint effects on lung function and COPD of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and variants at the previously reported locus near HHIP.



By sampling from 12 population-based studies (n = 31,422), we obtained genotype data on 3,284 COPD case subjects and 17,538 control subjects for sentinel SNPs in TNS1, GSTCD, HTR4, AGER, and THSD4. In 24,648 individuals (including 2,890 COPD case subjects and 13,862 control subjects), we additionally obtained genotypes for rs12504628 near HHIP. Each allele associated with lung function decline at these six SNPs contributed to a risk score. We studied the association of the risk score to lung function and COPD.



Association with COPD was significant for three loci (TNS1, GSTCD, and HTR4) and the previously reported HHIP locus, and suggestive and directionally consistent for AGER and TSHD4. Compared with the baseline group (7 risk alleles), carrying 10-12 risk alleles was associated with a reduction in FEV1 (β = -72.21 ml, P = 3.90 × 10(-4)) and FEV1/FVC (β = -1.53%, P = 6.35 × 10(-6)), and with COPD (odds ratio = 1.63, P = 1.46 × 10(-5)).



Variants in TNS1, GSTCD, and HTR4 are associated with COPD. Our highest risk score category was associated with a 1.6-fold higher COPD risk than the population average score.
Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention on Metabolic Syndrome. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intensive lifestyle intervention significantly reduces the progression to diabetes in high-risk individuals. It is not known whether a program of moderate intervention might effectively reduce metabolic abnormalities in the general population. Two-arm randomized controlled 1-year trial. Three hundred and thirty-five patients participated from a dysmetabolic population-based cohort of 375 adults aged 45–64 years in northwestern Italy. We compared the effectiveness of a general recommendation-based program of lifestyle intervention carried out by trained professionals versus standard unstructured information given by family physicians at reducing the prevalence of multiple metabolic and inflammatory abnormalities. At baseline, clinical/anthropometric/laboratory and lifestyle characteristics of the intervention (n = 169) and control (n = 166) groups were not significantly different. The former significantly reduced total/saturated fat intake and increased polyunsaturated fat/fiber intake and exercise level compared to the controls. Weight, waist circumference, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and most of the metabolic syndrome components decreased in the intervention group and increased in the controls after 12 months. Lifestyle intervention significantly reduced metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28; 95% CI 0.18–0.44), with a 31% (21–41) absolute risk reduction, corresponding to 3.2 (2–5) patients needing to be treated to prevent 1 case after 12 months. The intervention significantly reduced the prevalence of central obesity (OR = 0.33; 0.20–0.56), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.48; 0.31–0.75) and the incidence of diabetes (OR = 0.23; 0.06–0.85). A lifestyle intervention based on general recommendations was effective in reducing multiple metabolic/inflammatory abnormalities. The usual care by family physicians was ineffective at modifying progressive metabolic deterioration in high-risk individuals.
Breast cancer recurrence following radioguided seed localization and standard wire localization of nonpalpable invasive and in situ breast cancers: 5-Year follow-up from a randomized controlled trial.

This study compared 5-year breast cancer (BC) recurrence rates in patients randomized to radioguided seed localization (RSL) or wire localization (WL) for non-palpable BC undergoing breast conserving surgery.



Chart review of follow-up visits and surveillance imaging was conducted. Data collected included patient and tumour factors, adjuvant therapies and BC recurrence (local recurrence (LR), regional recurrence (RR), and distant metastasis (DM)). Univariate analysis was used.



Follow-up data were available for 298 patients (98%) and median follow-up time was 65 months. There were 11 (4%) cases of BC recurrence and median time to recurrence was 26 months. LR occurred in 8 patients (6 WL and 2 RSL; p = 0.28). Positive margins at first surgery (p = 0.024) and final surgery (p = 0.004) predicted for BC recurrence.



There was no detectable difference in BC recurrence between WL and RSL groups and positive margins at initial or final surgery both predicted for BC recurrence.
Phase II study of vicriviroc versus efavirenz (both with zidovudine/lamivudine) in treatment-naive subjects with HIV-1 infection.

Vicriviroc (VCV) is a CCR5 antagonist with nanomolar activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in vitro and in vivo. We report the results of a phase II dose-finding study of VCV plus dual nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in the treatment-naive HIV-1-infected subjects.



This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that began with a 14-day comparison of 3 dosages of VCV with placebo in treatment-naive subjects infected with CCR5-using HIV-1. After 14 days of monotherapy, lamivudine/zidovudine was added to the VCV arms; subjects receiving placebo were treated with efavirenz and lamivudine/zidovudine; the planned treatment duration was 48 weeks.



Ninety-two subjects enrolled. After 14 days of once-daily monotherapy, the mean viral loads decreased from baseline values by 0.07 log(10) copies/mL in the placebo arm, 0.93 log(10) copies/mL in the VCV 25 mg arm, 1.18 log(10) copies/mL in the VCV 50 mg arm, and 1.34 log(10) copies/mL in the VCV 75 mg arm (P < .001 for each VCV arm vs. the placebo arm). The combination-therapy portion of the study was stopped because of increased rates of virologic failure in the VCV 25 mg/day arm (relative hazard [RH], 21.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-168.9) and the VCV 50 mg/day arm (RH, 11.7; 95% CI, 1.5-92.9), compared with that in the control arm.



VCV administered with dual NRTIs in treatment-naive subjects with HIV-1 infection had increased rates of virologic failure, compared with efavirenz plus dual NRTIs. No treatment-limiting toxicity was observed. Study of higher doses of VCV as part of combination therapy is warranted.
Acceptability, validity and reliability of the Turkish QUALIOST® in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The quality-of-life questionnaire in osteoporosis (QUALIOST®) is commonly used and accepted generic instrument in osteoporosis. This study aimed to translate QUALIOST® into Turkish language and assess its reliability, validity and acceptability in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). After the questionnaire was translated into Turkish, it was administered to 110 with PMO. The reliability studies were assessed by test–retest reliability (ICC) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Construct validity was assessed by using correlating QUALIOST® with SF-36. Results showed that ICC values were 0.92, 0.91 and 0.92, for physical domain, emotional domain and total QUALIOST® scores, respectively. Similarly, Cronbach’s alpha was acceptable in all domains (0.85, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively). Significant moderate-to-high correlations were obtained between QUALIOST® and SF-36 dimensions (r value between −0.39 and −0.72, p < 0.001). Also, there were moderate–high correlations between the domains of questionnaire and pain intensity and disease duration (r value between 0.35 and 0.45, p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study, which reported firstly psychometric properties and usefulness of the Turkish QUALIOST®, showed that it is a potentially useful measure with a high validity and reliability standards.
Can peer educators influence healthy eating in people with diabetes? Results of a randomized controlled trial.

To assess whether the Expert Patient Programme (EPP), adapted for people with Type 2 diabetes, can be used to promote healthy eating to improve glycaemic control.



Adults with Type 2 diabetes (n = 317) were randomized to receive either a diabetes-specific EPP (n = 162) or individual one-off appointments with a dietitian (control group) (n = 155). The diabetes-specific EPP followed the standard National Health Service programme although all participants in the group had diabetes only, rather than a mix of chronic conditions. Participants attended a group session for 2 h once per week for 6 weeks. In addition, a final seventh-week 2-h session was included that was specific to issues concerning diabetes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months.



There were no statistically significant differences between the control and the intervention group in any of the clinical outcomes measured. There was no significant difference between the groups in any dietary outcome. There was a higher starch intake in the EPP group, although this did not reach statistical significance (effect size for starch adjusted for baseline values 8.8 g; 95% CI -1.3 to 18.9). There was some loss of participants between baseline measurement and randomization, although this did not appear to have had an important impact on baseline balance.



In this study of people with Type 2 diabetes, the EPP approach was not effective in changing measures of diabetes control or diet.
Thymus-independent expansion of T lymphocytes in children after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

The contribution of the thymus-dependent pathway and thymus-independent pathways for T cell regeneration after BMT in children is still unclear. We analyzed the kinetics of T cell regenerative pathways after allogeneic BMT. The number of CD4+CD45RA+ T cells, a thymus-dependent population, was very low until 3 months after BMT. The numbers of CD28− T cells and CD8+ T cells expressing CD8α/α homodimer (CD8α/α+ T cells), a thymus-independent population, increased shortly after BMT, beyond the levels of healthy children in some patients. The numbers of Vγ9+Vδ2+ and Vα24+ T cells, which represent populations of extrathymic development, were less than 200/μl during the 6 months after BMT. There was a significant inverse correlation between the percentages of CD4+CD45RA+ and CD28-T cells at 1 month, and a positive correlation between the percentages of CD28− and CD8α/α+ T cells at 2 and 3 months after BMT. The mean age at BMT was higher in patients with a high level of CD8α/α+ T cells than in those without an increase in these cells, suggesting the influence of thymic function on the regenerative pathways. These results suggest that the thymus-independent pathway is the dominant source of T cells even in children shortly after allogeneic BMT. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 647–652.
Effect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on parkinsonian gait

Clinical reports show that bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation is effective in improving parkinsonian gait. Quantitative analysis of the efficacy of STN stimulation on gait is of interest and can be carried out using a commercially available stride analyser. Ten parkinsonian patients (5 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 55.8, SD 9.6 years were included in our study. They had a mean duration of Parkinson's disease (PD) of 13.3, SD 4.5 years and a motor examination score (part III of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) (UPDRS) of 43, SD 13 in off-stimulation off-drug condition. All the patients had bilateral chronic STN stimulation which had started from 3 to 36 months before the study. Patients were evaluated in off-drug and on-drug conditions both with and without stimulation. We analysed the principal gait measures : velocity, cadence, stride length, gait cycle, duration of single and double limb support. The clinical parkinsonian signs were evaluated with the part III of the UPDRS. In the off-drug condition, STN stimulation significantly (p < 0.05) improved velocity and stride length. The effect was similar to that of levodopa. When STN stimulation was switched on at the best of the levodopa induced effect, no further improvement was observed. The UPDRS motor score was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased after both stimulation and levodopa. In conclusion, STN stimulation is effective on parkinsonian gait.
Internet-enabled interactive multimedia asthma education program: a randomized trial.

To determine whether health outcomes of children who have asthma can be improved through the use of an Internet-enabled interactive multimedia asthma education program.



Two hundred twenty-eight children with asthma visiting a pediatric pulmonary clinic were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Children and caregivers in both groups received traditional patient education based on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Intervention group participants received additional self-management education through the Interactive Multimedia Program for Asthma Control and Tracking. Pediatric Asthma Care Knowledge Survey, Pediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire, asthma symptom history, spirometry, and health services utilization data were collected at the initial visit and at 3 and 12 months.



Interactive Multimedia Program for Asthma Control and Tracking significantly increased asthma knowledge of children and caregivers, decreased asthma symptom days (81 vs 51 per year), and decreased number of emergency department visits (1.93 vs 0.62 per year) among the intervention group participants. The intervention group children were also using a significantly lower average daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids (434 vs 754 micro g [beclomethasone equivalents]) at visit 3. Asthma knowledge of all 7- to 17-year-old children correlated with fewer urgent physician visits (r = 0.37) and less frequent use of quick-relief medicines (r = 0.30).



Supplementing conventional asthma care with interactive multimedia education can significantly improve asthma knowledge and reduce the burden of childhood asthma.