nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Restoration of miR-1228* Expression Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer

Dysregulated miRNAs play critical roles during carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In the present study, the function of miR-1228* in regulating cancer progression was investigated in gastric cancer. Decreased expression of miR-1228* was observed in human gastric cancer tissues comparing to normal tissues. Subsequently, the role of miR-1228* was evaluated in vivo using the tumor xenograft model. In this model, miR-1228* overexpression suppressed xenograft tumor formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated miR-1228* negatively regulated NF-κB activity in SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells and found that CK2A2 was a target of miR-1228*. Upregulation of miR-1228* decreased the expression of mesenchymal markers and increased the epithelial marker E-cadherin, suggesting its potential role in suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Collectively, these findings provide the first evidence that miR-1228* plays an important role in regulating gastric cancer growth and suggest that selective restoration of miR-1228* might be beneficial for gastric cancer therapy.
HIV care continuum among men who have sex with men and persons who inject drugs in India: barriers to successful engagement.

We characterize the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care continuum for men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons who inject drugs (PWID) across India.



We recruited 12 022 MSM and 14 481 PWID across 26 Indian cities, using respondent-driven sampling (September 2012 to December 2013). Participants were aged ≥18 years and either self-identified as male and reported sex with a man in the prior year (MSM) or reported injection drug use in the prior 2 years (PWID). Correlates of awareness of HIV-positive status were characterized using multilevel logistic regression.



A total of 1146 MSM were HIV infected, of whom a median of 30% were aware of their HIV-positive status, 23% were linked to care, 22% were retained before antiretroviral therapy (ART), 16% had started ART, 16% were currently receiving ART, and 10% had suppressed viral loads. There was site variability (awareness range, 0%-90%; suppressed viral load range, 0%-58%). A total of 2906 PWID were HIV infected, of whom a median of 41% were aware, 36% were linked to care, 31% were retained before ART, 20% had started ART, 18% were currently receiving ART, and 15% had suppressed viral loads. Similar site variability was observed (awareness range: 2%-93%; suppressed viral load range: 0%-47%). Factors significantly associated with awareness were region, older age, being married (MSM) or female (PWID), use of other services (PWID), more lifetime sexual partners (MSM), and needle sharing (PWID). Ongoing injection drug use (PWID) and alcohol use (MSM) were associated with lower awareness.



In this large sample, the major barrier to HIV care engagement was awareness of HIV-positive status. Efforts should focus on linking HIV testing to other essential services.
Smoking affects quality of life in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas

Smoking is a causative factor in oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Unfortunately, only poor data exist regarding the quality of life of smokers vs non-smokers with SCC. The purpose of this study is to show a correlation between variables for comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation and better patient quality of life (LQ). A total collective of 1,761 patients from 38 hospitals within the German-language area of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DÖSAK-REHAB-STUDIE) yielding 1,652 patients’ questionnaires containing 147 items were evaluated. They refer to the periods before (t1) and immediately after surgery (t2), as well as at least 6 months later (t3). LQ was determined by the patient and ranges from 0% to 100%. Significant differences were found between smokers (80%) and non-smokers (20%) with respect to diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation. Disabilities and impairments in speech, appearance, chewing/swallowing, pain and LQ were examined. Smokers were more often and more severely affected. Differences were found in the size of the tumour, scar tissue, ingestion, functionality of the facial muscles and a numb feeling in the head and shoulder area. Smoking has a severe effect on the oral cavity. Non-smokers suffer far less from the effects of SCC and the ensuing therapy. During therapy and rehabilitation, the LQ is much higher in non-smokers. This supports the importance of enhanced efforts to inform people about the consequences of smoking so as to prevent them from smoking. Moreover, psychological support might be helpful to give up smoking.
Comparative efficacy of different methods of nebulising terbutaline

The efficacy of terbutaline inhaled from different aerosol systems was studied in 13 adult asthmatics. Terbutaline 1 mg was delivered from a pressurised aerosol, 1 and 4 mg were inhaled from a nebuliser, 1 mg was inhaled through a pressurised aerosol with a pear-shaped, 750 ml spacer, and 1 mg was inhaled from a nebuliser with Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (I.P.P.V.). An open, randomized, cross-over design was used. The bronchodilator effect was evaluated by recording hourly flow-volume curves and the FEV1.0 for 5 h after treatment. No significant difference in bronchodilatation was observed after inhalation of 1 mg terbutaline from different aerosol systems, except following use of the nebuliser, which required approximately four times as much terbutaline to obtain the same effect as the ordinary spray.
Prevalence study of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis: preliminary data

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). From November 2009 to February 2010, 74 participants (40 MS patients and 34 healthy controls) were enrolled in a randomised singleblind prospective study. All participants underwent ultrasonography (US) to detect signs of CCSVI. CCSVI was detected in 55% of patients in the MS group and 35% in the control group; the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.089). In our experience, a slight difference exists in the prevalence of CCSVI between MS and healthy controls, but it is not as yet clear which parameters may be most significant. This preliminary study failed to show a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of CCSVI among patients affected by MS. It did, however, reveal a tendency that requires a larger number of patients to achieve statistically significant results. Scopo del presente lavoro è stato valutare la prevalenza dell’insufficienza venosa cerebrospinale cronica (CCSVI) in soggetti affetti da sclerosi multipla (SM). Da novembre 2009 a febbraio 2010 74 soggetti (40 affetti da SM e 34 casi controllo) sono stati arruolati in uno studio prospettico randomizzato a singolo cieco. Tutti i soggetti sono stati sottoposti ad ecografia per la ricerca di segni di CCSVI. Lo studio ha evidenziato una percentuale di pazienti affetti da CCSVI del 55%, nel gruppo dei pazienti affetti da SM, e del 35% nel gruppo controllo con una differenza statisticamente non significativa (p=0,089). Esiste una lieve differenza di prevalenza di CCSVI tra i soggetti affetti da SM e quelli sani nella nostra valutazione, ma ad oggi non sono stati individuati quali tra i numerosi parametri siano i più significativi. Da questo studio preliminare, non è emersa una differenza statisticamente significativa nella prevalenza della CCSVI in pazienti affetti da SM. Tuttavia i dati indicano una tendenza che richiede un più alto numero di pazienti per ottenere risultati definitivi.
Impact of Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) Supplementation on Atherogenic Lipoproteins and Menopausal Symptoms in Hyperlipidemic South Asian Women - A Randomized Controlled Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) on atherogenic lipoproteins, inflammation, and menopausal symptoms.



Fifty-nine hyperlipidemic women were randomized into control (n = 30) and intervention groups (n = 29). Intervention group was administered 3.5 g of freeze-dried wheatgrass powder in encapsulated form daily for 10 weeks, while the control group received no intervention.



The intervention group experienced a reduction of 5.4% in total cholesterol (TC), 4.4% in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 9.5% in triacylglycerols (TAG); however, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) also reduced by 6% following 10 weeks of intervention. Compared with the control group, the baseline-adjusted post-intervention levels of TC, TAG, and Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group (p = 0.043, 0.045, and 0.016, respectively). Prevalence of menopausal symptoms saw nonsignificant reductions: vasomotor, 42%; somatic, 33%; and psychological, 50%, while urogenital symptoms remained unaltered.



Wheatgrass supplementation at a dose of 3.5 g per day for a period of 10 weeks results in significant reductions in Apo B fraction, TC, and TAG without significantly reducing the HDL cholesterol.
Pharmacodynamic Modeling of the Entire Time Course of Leukopenia after a 3‐Hour Infusion of Paclitaxel

The entire time course of leukopenia after anticancer treatment is clinically more relevant than a singly measured nadir count. In order to identify factors associated with neutropenic fever, a mechanistic pharmacodynamic model with two compartments corresponding to leukocytes in bone marrow and peripheral blood was applied to describe the time course of leukopenia. Seventeen patients with breast cancer were treated with 210 mg / m(2) of paclitaxel infused over 3 h as a single agent in a phase II study. Adequate fitting of the time course of leukopenia was achieved in all patients, and time-dependent parameters, including the time period during which leukocyte counts remained below 2000 / microl and the area between the curve for time versus leukocyte counts and the line of a leukocyte count of 2000 / microl (A < 2000), were calculated in each patient. Leukopenia was not significantly correlated with pharmacokinetic parameters, including time above a threshold concentration or the area under the time-concentration curve. A negative correlation between age and the sensitivity parameter of the pharmacodynamic model was observed (r (2) = 0.21, P = 0.07). Patients who experienced neutropenic fever had a larger A < 2000 than patients who did not experience fever (4512 vs. 6 days / microl, P = 0.05), but fever was not significantly related to any pharmacokinetic parameter or the leukocyte nadir count. Febrile episodes were better associated with the time course of leukopenia than the singly measured nadir count, and the pharmacodynamic model presents a novel platform to analyze the entire time course of leukopenia.
Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: effect on chemotherapy-related toxicity and hospitalization during treatment.

To evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and the association between these and chemotherapy-related adverse events in older adults with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.



Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data.



Outpatient oncology clinics in seven academic medical centers.



Adults aged 65 and older with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.



Measures included number of daily medications (polypharmacy); PIM use based on three indices (Beers, Zhan, and Drugs to Avoid in the Elderly criteria), and use of six "high risk" medication classes for adverse drug events (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, opioids, insulin, oral hypoglycemics, antiarrhythmics). Using multivariate logistic regression, the relations were evaluated between these criteria and Grade 3 to 5 chemotherapy-related toxicity and between these criteria and hospitalization during chemotherapy.



Participants (N=500; mean age 73, 61% Stage IV disease) took a mean of 5±4 daily medications (range 0-23). PIM use was common (up to 29% according to Beers criteria). No association was found between number of daily medications (reference 0-3 medications) and toxicity (4-9 medications, odds ratio (OR)=1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.92-1.97; ≥10 medications, OR=0.82, 95% CI=0.45-1.49) or hospitalization (≥4 medications, OR=1.34, 95% CI=0.82-2.18, P=.24). There was also no association between PIM use and toxicity (P=.93) or hospitalization (P=.98). No medication class was associated with either outcome.



Polypharmacy and PIM use were common but were not associated with chemotherapy-related toxicity or hospitalization in older adults with cancer.
Rapid Quantification of the Latent Reservoir for HIV-1 Using a Viral Outgrowth Assay

HIV-1 persists in infected individuals in a stable pool of resting CD4(+) T cells as a latent but replication-competent provirus. This latent reservoir is the major barrier to the eradication of HIV-1. Clinical trials are currently underway investigating the effects of latency-disrupting compounds on the persistence of the latent reservoir in infected individuals. To accurately assess the effects of such compounds, accurate assays to measure the frequency of latently infected cells are essential. The development of a simpler assay for the latent reservoir has been identified as a major AIDS research priority. We report here the development and validation of a rapid viral outgrowth assay that quantifies the frequency of cells that can release replication-competent virus following cellular activation. This new assay utilizes bead and column-based purification of resting CD4(+) T cells from the peripheral blood of HIV-1 infected patients rather than cell sorting to obtain comparable resting CD4(+) T cell purity. This new assay also utilizes the MOLT-4/CCR5 cell line for viral expansion, producing statistically comparable measurements of the frequency of latent HIV-1 infection. Finally, this new assay employs a novel quantitative RT-PCR specific for polyadenylated HIV-1 RNA for virus detection, which we demonstrate is a more sensitive and cost-effective method to detect HIV-1 replication than expensive commercial ELISA detection methods. The reductions in both labor and cost make this assay suitable for quantifying the frequency of latently infected cells in clinical trials of HIV-1 eradication strategies.
Strengthening and stretching for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (SARAH): design of a randomised controlled trial of a hand and upper limb exercise intervention - ISRCTN89936343

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) commonly affects the hands and wrists with inflammation, deformity, pain, weakness and restricted mobility leading to reduced function. The effectiveness of exercise for RA hands is uncertain, although evidence from small scale studies is promising. The Strengthening And Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) trial is a pragmatic, multi-centre randomised controlled trial evaluating the clinical and cost effectiveness of adding an optimised exercise programme for hands and upper limbs to best practice usual care for patients with RA.



480 participants with problematic RA hands will be recruited through 17 NHS trusts. Treatments will be provided by physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Participants will be individually randomised to receive either best practice usual care (joint protection advice, general exercise advice, functional splinting and assistive devices) or best practice usual care supplemented with an individualised exercise programme of strengthening and stretching exercises. The study assessors will be blinded to treatment allocation and will follow participants up at four and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the Hand function subscale of the Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire, and secondary outcomes include hand and wrist impairment measures, quality of life, and resource use. Economic and qualitative studies will also be carried out in parallel.



This paper describes the design and development of a trial protocol of a complex intervention study based in therapy out-patient departments. The findings will provide evidence to support or refute the use of an optimised exercise programme for RA of the hand in addition to best practice usual care.
[Establishment of an Animal Based Therapy at a University Hospital for Psychiatry: Results of a Preliminary Study and Future Prospects].

Dogs have been integrated in human society over centuries. This process has selected unique social and communicative skills. Dogs are thus able to represent social substitutes for human counterparts in cases of social withdrawal. Furthermore, dogs act as "social catalysts" in promoting interhuman encounters. Thus, the integration of dogs in psychotherapeutic concepts addressing social and interpersonal deficits may be of special interest.  The present investigation reports the results of a pilot study to establish animal-assisted therapy (dogs) at a psychiatric department. The animal-assisted intervention straddled the following areas: (1) contact making, communication and orientation to needs, (2) recreation and play, (3) outward orientation, (4) release and farewell. The sample comprised 22 subjects.  The results demonstrated in particular that the animal-assisted intervention significantly promoted unspecific aspects of positive affectivity and wellbeing. Evaluation of the overall acceptance of the dog on the psychiatric ward revealed very positive feedback.  We conclude that animal-assisted therapies represent a significant enchrichment of the therapeutic context, that may be used to enhance the patients' openness and adherence to conventional therapies.
Cortical control of visually guided reaching: evidence from patients with optic ataxia.

The dorsal stream of visual information processing connecting V1 to the parietal cortex is thought to provide a fast control of visually guided reaching. Important for this assumption was the observation that in both the monkey and the human, parietal lesions may provoke disturbance of visually goal-directed hand movements. In the human, severe misreaching termed 'optic ataxia' has been ascribed to lesions of the superior parietal lobule (SPL) and/or the intraparietal sulcus. Using new tools for lesion analysis, here we re-evaluated this view investigating the typical lesion location in a large group of unilateral stroke patients with optic ataxia, collected over a time period of 15 years. We found no evidence for the assumption that disruption of visually guided reaching in humans is associated with a lesion typically centering on the SPL on the convexity. In both left and right hemispheres, we found optic ataxia associated with a lesion overlap that affected the lateral cortical convexity at the occipito-parietal junction, i.e. the junction between the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and superior occipital cortex and--in the left hemisphere even more posteriorly--also the junction between occipital cortex and the SPL. Via the underlying parietal white matter, the lesion overlap extended in both hemispheres to the medial cortical aspect, where it affected the precuneus close to the occipito-parietal junction. These lateral and medial structures seem to be integral to the fast control of visually guided reaching in humans.
Intracranial angioplasty and/or stent placement in octogenarians is associated with a threefold greater risk of periprocedural stroke or death.

To compare the clinical and angiographic outcomes of endovascular treatment of symptomatic intracranial stenosis between octogenarian and younger patients.



Data for 244 consecutive patients (173 men; mean age 61.6 years) who underwent angioplasty and/or stenting for intracranial atherosclerotic disease at 5 specialized centers were pooled. Baseline, 30-day, and follow-up clinical and angiographic information were collected. Rates of clinical and angiographic endpoints were compared between patients >or=80 years old versus those <80 years.



Patients >or=80 years (n = 15) were more likely to be hypertensive (87% versus 69%) and have underlying coronary artery disease (73% versus 36%, p<0.05) compared to younger patients (n = 229). The rate of periprocedural stroke and/or death was 3-fold higher among patients aged >or=80 years compared with those <80 years (20% versus 7%, p = 0.11). No recurrent stroke or death (excluding periprocedural events) was observed during follow-up in the octogenarian group. In patients who had follow-up angiography, a similar rate of >or=50% restenosis was observed among patients aged >or=80 years and those aged <80 years (25% versus 29%, p>0.1).



The 3-fold higher periprocedural death and/or stroke rate suggests cautious use of intracranial angioplasty and/or stent placement in octogenarians.
Perception of disease burden and treatment satisfaction in patients with ulcerative colitis from outpatient clinics in Spain: UC-LIFE survey.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) conditions patients' everyday life. With this survey, we aimed to assess the perceived disease burden, preferred treatment attributes, and treatment satisfaction reported by Spanish UC patients.



Consecutive unselected UC patients aged at least 18 years were recruited from outpatient hospital clinics. Patients completed the survey at home, returning it by postmail. With test-like questions, they described UC behavior, preferences, and satisfaction with treatment.



Of 585 patients invited, 436 (75%) returned the survey (mean age 46 years, 53% men). Of these, 47.1% described their disease during the past year as 'controlled or nearly controlled', 28.0% as 'symptoms not impairing everyday life,' and 24.9% 'disruptive symptoms'. Only 8.7% reported the complete absence of symptoms during the previous year, and 18.8, 30.7, and 47.4%, respectively, described at least one hospital admission, emergency room visit, or nonscheduled visit because of UC activity. Urgency of defecation was the most disruptive symptom. The most important therapy attribute was continuous control of symptoms (44.6%). Most patients (78.8%) were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with current treatment, even those reporting a high burden of symptoms.



Half of the patients considered their UC as 'controlled or nearly controlled' and the degree of satisfaction with their therapies was high. However, they reported a high burden of symptoms and resource consumption during the previous year. These findings indicate that patients may get used to living with symptoms, underestimating the potential of therapy for achieving a complete remission. Urgency of defecation was mentioned as highly disrupting and should probably be included in scores and patient-reported outcomes.