nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Nightcap: a reliable system for determining sleep onset latency.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the Nightcap home-based sleep-monitoring system can differentiate waking, NREM and REM sleep based on eyelid movements (ELMs) and head movement behavior. The present study aims at determining the reliability of the Nightcap in determining the human sleep onset latency (SOL) as revealed by standard polysomnography (PSG). Four naps were recorded in each of ten normal subjects using both PSG and the Nightcap simultaneously. The Nightcap algorithm scored sleep onset as the first of 4 consecutive 30-sec epochs with less than 5 ELMs. The mean percentage of agreement between the Nightcap and PSG was 93% (k = 0.79), and the average absolute difference was 45 sec (13.3% of SOL(PSG)). SOL(NC) differed by less than 1 min in 85% of onsets. Recordings of EEG activity from 90 sec before and after PSG-identified sleep onsets were subjected to spectral analysis. Changes in spectral power in the theta (4-7 Hz) and alpha (8-12 Hz) frequency bands during the transition into light sleep correlated well with eyelid behavior. However, changes in ELM density predicted sleep onset better than did changes in theta and alpha spectral power. These results suggest that the Nightcap may be a potential alternative to the PSG technique in the assessment of SOL in normal subjects.
Assessment of disease-related knowledge and possible factors associated with the knowledge level among Chilean patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

To assess disease-related knowledge among patients with inflammatory bowel disease and to identify the factors that are possibly associated with the knowledge level.



Disease-related knowledge can positively influence the acceptance of the disease, increase treatment compliance and improve the quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.



An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted and prospectively included patients from the inflammatory bowel disease programme between October 2014-July 2015.



A Spanish-translated version of the 24-item Crohn's and Colitis Knowledge score was used to assess disease-related knowledge. Patients also completed a demographic and clinical questionnaire.



A total of 203 patients were included, 62% were female, and 66% were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis; the median age was 34 years (range 18-79), and the median disease duration was four years. The median disease-related knowledge score was 9 (range 1-20). Only 29% of the patients answered more than 50% of the questions correctly. Lower disease-related knowledge was observed in questions related to pregnancy/fertility and surgery/complications. Patients older than 50 years, with ulcerative colitis, with disease durations less than five years and patients without histories of surgery exhibited lower disease-related knowledge. There was no association between the knowledge scores and the educational levels.



The patients who attended our inflammatory bowel disease programme exhibited poor disease-related knowledge that was similar to the knowledge levels that have been observed in developed countries. It is necessary to assess patient knowledge to develop educational strategies and evaluate the influences of these strategies on patient compliance and quality of life.


 TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
These results will allow the inflammatory bowel disease team to develop educational programmes that account for the disease-related knowledge of each patient. Inflammatory bowel disease nurses should evaluate their interventions to provide evidence that educating our patients contributes to improving their treatment outcomes and overall health statuses.
Domperidone versus cisapride in the treatment of infant regurgitation and increased acid gastro-oesophageal reflux: a pilot study.

Although domperidone is used frequently to treat infant regurgitation, efficacy data are scarce. Cisapride was previously used in the same indication.



Domperidone and cisapride were compared in an investigator-blinded, prospective comparative trial by evaluating (a) the frequency of regurgitation, (b) acid reflux and (c) cardiac side effects in infants regurgitating >4 times/day since >2 weeks and with reflux-associated symptoms of discomfort, after conservative treatment failure.



Within the first treatment week, the frequency of regurgitation decreased in both groups, more rapidly in the cisapride group: the median regurgitation decreased from 6.22 to 3.50 in the cisapride group versus from 4.80 to 3.70 in the domperidone group. The decrease in regurgitation was still significant after 1 month: cisapride from 6.22 to 1.55 versus domperidone from 4.80 to 1.25. However, the natural decrease in the incidence of regurgitation induced by age should also be considered. The median reflux index decreased after 1 month in the cisapride group from 3.60 to 1.75 versus from 2.70 to 2.45 in the domperidone group. One child treated with cisapride developed a significant QT prolongation.



The decrease in regurgitation was comparable in both groups, although acid reflux decreased more in the cisapride group. Cisapride induced QT prolongation in one infant.
Noninvasive measurement of aortic pressure waveform by ultrasound

At present, the aortic pressure (Pa) waveform can only be measured invasively. In this paper, we describe a new noninvasive method of measuring Pa. The aortic diameter (Da) pulse waveform was measured noninvasively from the suprasternal fossa using an echo-tracking system that was applied to the anterior and posterior aortic wall echoes. To eliminate viscoelastic distortion, the measured Da was converted to an estimate of Pa, named Pβ, using the stiffness parameter β, which revealed the viscoelastic relationship between the vessel diameter and its internal pressure. Pβ was then compared with the Pa pattern that was measured directly. Eight patients with ischemic heart disease who had undergone cardiac catheterization were examined by this method. Results showed that (1) the Da and Pa waveforms were similar; (2) the Pβ waveform resembled the Pa waveform more closely than did the Da waveforms for a single cardiac cycle (r = 0.970); and (3) in particular, Pβ resembled Pa most closely during the upslope phase of the ejection period (r = 0.996). Our results suggest that the Pa waveform can be accurately estimated from noninvasive measurements by this method.
Randomized trial of fructosamine home monitoring in patients with diabetes.

Recognition of the importance of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes has generated interest in developing ways to improve such control. Levels of fructosamine, 1-amino-1-deoxyfructose, are highly correlated with those of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and can be monitored in the home.



Randomized trial.



140 adult patients with HbA1c values of 8% or greater were recruited to the trial through referral from physicians and a direct mailing to potentially eligible persons.



Weekly home fructosamine monitoring in addition to daily glucose monitoring. Control patients monitored daily glucose only. Both groups of patients were contacted regularly by telephone and were given the same instructions on diet and exercise.



Measures of glycemic control 3 and 6 months after randomization.



No significant difference was found between the two groups in the mean absolute decrease of HbA1c levels at 3 months (0.5% in the fructosamine group vs. 0.8% in the control group; P > 0.2), and the difference favored the control group at 6 months (0.7% fructosamine vs. 1.2% control; P = 0.04). Both groups had a statistically significant improvement in glycemic control.



The addition of home fructosamine monitoring to routine glucose monitoring did not improve glycemic control.
High-dose corticosteroids in severe acute asthma

SIR,-In the light of recent articles concerning bromocriptine your leading article "Hormone receptors and breast cancer" (10 July, p 67) raises the possibility of the use of this drug to suppress the growth of prolactin-dependent breast tumours since, as you say, "the main peptide hormone implicated in promoting the growth of breast tumours is thought to be prolactin." The theoretical and to some extent substantiated fear of oestrogens and other hormones as carcinogenic agents should, however, perhaps now be extended to include other drugs which interfere with man's delicately balanced endocrine functions-for example, phenothiazines, methyldopa, and even indeed bromocriptine, which is used to suppress puerperal lactation, a physiological state which in itself affords some protection against breast cancer.
Cost Analysis of 2 Empiric Antibacterial Regimens Containing Glycopeptides for the Treatment of Febrile Neutropenia in Patients with Acute Leukaemia

Patients with cancer-associated neutropenia are at high risk of developing severe infections which can be fatal if treatment is not promptly administered. For this reason, fever is treated as soon as possible with broad spectrum antibacterial therapy. The objective of this study was to conduct a cost analysis in Italy comparing 2 empiric glycoprotein-containing antibacterial regimens for the treatment of febrile neutropenia in patients with acute leukaemia.  A retrospective cost analysis was conducted, using the records of 527 febrile neutropenic patients with acute leukaemia who participated in an 18-month multicentre (29 Italian haematological units) randomised trial during 1991. All patients received either of the following 2 empiric intravenous regimens, each containing 3 antibacterial agents: ceftazidime (2g, 3 times daily) and amikacin (15 mg/kg/day, in 3 separate doses) plus teicoplanin (6 mg/kg, in a single dose) or vancomycin (30 mg/kg/day, in 2 separate doses). Economic analyses were carried out from a hospital perspective. Only the direct costs per patient, i.e. mean antibacterial treatment and management cost, mean overall treatment failure cost and mean cost of adverse effects, were included. Main outcome measures and results: No differences were found in the clinical response, defined as the improvement in the rate of fever or infection (if documented), between the 2 regimens. However, tolerability, defined as the incidence of adverse effects probably or definitely related to the assigned treatment, was reported to be better with the teicoplanin- rather than the vancomycin-containing regimen.  This retrospective cost analysis showed that despite the higher acquisition cost of teicoplanin relative to vancomycin, the lower incidence of adverse effects associated with teicoplanin and its ease of administration (single daily dose) resulted in equivalent overall treatment costs between teicoplaninand vancomycin-containing regimens.
Spironolactone abolishes the relationship between aldosterone and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in humans.

Recent studies have defined a link between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and fibrinolysis. The present study tests the hypothesis that endogenous aldosterone regulates plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) production in humans. Hemodynamic parameters, PAI-1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, potassium, PRA, angiotensin II, and aldosterone were measured in nine male hypertensive subjects after a 3-wk washout, after 2 wk of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ; 25 mg plus 20 mmol KCl/d), and after 2 wk of spironolactone (100 mg/d plus KCl placebo). Spironolactone (P = 0.04), but not HCTZ (P = 0.57 vs. baseline; P = 0.1 vs. spironolactone), significantly lowered systolic blood pressure. Angiotensin II increased from baseline during both HCTZ (P = 0.02) and spironolactone (P = 0.02 vs. baseline; P = 0.19 vs. HCTZ) treatments. Although both HCTZ (P = 0.004) and spironolactone (P < 0.001 vs. baseline) increased aldosterone, the effect was greater with spironolactone (P < 0.001 vs. HCTZ). HCTZ increased PAI-1 antigen (P = 0.02), but did not alter t-PA antigen. In contrast, there was no effect of spironolactone on PAI-1 antigen (P = 0.28), whereas t-PA antigen was increased (P = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between PAI-1 antigen and serum aldosterone during both baseline and HCTZ study days (r(2) = 0.57; P = 0.0003); however, treatment with spironolactone abolished this correlation (r(2) = 0.13; P = 0.33). This study provides evidence that endogenous aldosterone influences PAI-1 production in humans.
Stimulation of reactive oxygen species production and cytotoxicity in human neutrophils in vitro and after oral administration of a polyenzyme preparation.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) can be primed for enhanced release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by exposure to cytokines and biological response modifiers. ROS are considered to possess tumoricidal activity. The polyenzyme preparation Wobenzym (WE) contains pancreatin, papain, bromelain trypsin and chymotrypsin and is used in adjuvant tumor therapy. We investigated killing of WE-exposed PMN against tumor cells and analyzed WE influence on ROS production in a chemiluminescence assay in PMN in vitro and in vivo. Depending on dose WE stimulates the cytotoxic capacity of PMN in vitro against tumor cells (50 micrograms/ml:p < 0.01). Exposure of PMN to Wobenzym caused a time-dependent significant (p < 0.02) increase in release of ROS. Similarly, oral administration of Wobenzym to healthy volunteers (n = 28) resulted in significant increases (p < 0.01) in ROS production, depending on dose (peak with 20 tablets) and time (peak 4 hours after Wobenzym administration). In contrast, ROS production was not elevated in the PMN of healthy volunteers receiving placebo (n = 8) or no treatment (n = 16). These findings point to an immunomodulatory capacity of WE in adjuvant tumor therapy.
Controlled airway pressure therapy, nitric oxide inhalation, prone position, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as components of an integrated approach to ARDS.

Recent years have seen the introduction of innovative additive therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, because there are no reliable predictors of response to a particular therapy, potential responders to a specific therapeutic intervention may be lost. Therefore, the authors evaluated the effect of a combined therapeutic approach on the survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, when treated according to a strict algorithm.



During a 2.5-yr period, 84 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were assigned to a standardized treatment protocol. Data analysis was performed by retrospective review of patient charts. Patients were treated using a stepwise treatment algorithm of pressure-controlled ventilation (peak airway pressure < 35 cm H2O), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP; 12-15 cm H2O), permissive hypercapnia, inhaled nitric oxide (5-20 ppm), and prone positioning. These interventions were termed "conventional therapy." Response to treatment was defined as a more than 20% increase in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2). Nonresponders were triaged to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.



The overall survival rate was 80%. All patients received conventional therapy up to 96 h; 71 responded to conventional therapy and 59 survived (83%). Thirteen patients (15%) did not respond to conventional therapy and underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; 8 of these patients (62%) survived. For the group, the mean admission lung injury score was 3.3+/-0.5, the PaO2/fractional inspired oxygen tension (F(I)O2) ratio was 96+/-45, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 18+/-6.



The 80% overall survival rate achieved in this group of patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome may in part reflect the additive beneficial effects of combined treatment methods, such as airway pressure control, nitric oxide inhalation, prone position, and early triage of nonresponders to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Physical activity for men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: benefits from a 16-week intervention

Prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are vulnerable to a number of potentially debilitating side effects, which can significantly impact quality of life. The role of alternate therapies, such as physical activity (PA), in attenuating these side effects is largely understudied for such a large population. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PA intervention for men receiving ADT on PA behavior, quality of life, and fitness measures. One hundred participants were randomized into an intervention (n = 53) or a wait-list control group (n = 47), with 11 dropping out of the intervention group and 23 dropping out of the wait-list control group prior to post-testing. The intervention consisted of both an individually tailored home-based aerobic and light resistant training program and weekly group sessions. PA, quality of life, fitness, and physiological outcomes were assessed pre and post the 16-week intervention. Significant increases in PA, supported by changes in girth measures and blood pressure, support the beneficial impact of the intervention. Positive trends were also evident for depression and fatigue. However, due to the high dropout rate, these results must be interpreted with caution. PA effectively attenuates many of the side effects of ADT and should be recommended to prostate survivors as an alternate therapy. Determining the maintenance of this behavior change will be important for understanding how the long-term benefits of increased activity levels may alleviate the late effects of ADT.
Psychometric properties of the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery.

The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB) was designed to measure performance accuracy and speed on specific neurobehavioral domains using tests that were previously validated with functional neuroimaging. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the neuropsychological theory used to construct the CNB by confirming the factor structure of the tests composing it.



In a large community sample (N = 9,138; age range 8-21), we performed a correlated-traits confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) on the 12 CNB measures of Efficiency (which combine Accuracy and Speed). We then performed EFAs of the Accuracy and Speed measures separately. Finally, we performed a confirmatory bifactor analysis of the Efficiency scores. All analyses were performed with Mplus using maximum likelihood estimation.



RESULTS strongly support the a priori theory used to construct the CNB, showing that tests designed to measure executive, episodic memory, complex cognition, and social cognition aggregate their loadings within these domains. When Accuracy and Speed were analyzed separately, Accuracy produced 3 reliable factors: executive and complex cognition, episodic memory, and social cognition, while speed produced 2 factors: tests that require fast responses and those where each item requires deliberation. The statistical "Fit" of almost all models described above was acceptable (usually excellent).



Based on the analysis from these large-scale data, the CNB offers an effective means for measuring the integrity of intended neurocognitive domains in about 1 hour of testing and is thus suitable for large-scale clinical and genomic studies.
Validation of clinical scores predicting severe acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is associated strongly with adverse patient outcomes. Recently, 3 predictive risk models for RRT have been developed. The aims of our study are to validate the predictive scoring models for patients requiring postoperative RRT and test applicability to the broader spectrum of patients with postoperative severe AKI.



Diagnostic test study.



12,096 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, from 2000 through 2007.


INDEX TEST
Cleveland Clinic score, Mehta score, and Simplified Renal Index (SRI) score.



RRT was used in 254 (2.1%) patients, whereas severe AKI was present in 467 (3.9%). Discrimination for the prediction of RRT and severe AKI was good for all scoring models measured using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs): 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84-0.88) for RRT and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.79-0.83) for severe AKI using the Cleveland score, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.86) and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73-0.80) using the Mehta score, and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.77-0.82) and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.72-0.77) using the SRI score. The Cleveland score and Mehta score consistently showed significantly better discrimination compared with the SRI score (P < 0.001). Despite lower AUROCs for the prediction of severe AKI, the Cleveland score AUROC was still >0.80. The Mehta score is applicable in only a subgroup of patients.



Single-center retrospective cohort study.



The Cleveland scoring system offers the best discriminative value to predict postoperative RRT and covers most patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It also can be used for prediction of the composite end point of severe AKI, which enables broader application to patients at risk of postoperative kidney dysfunction.
Electronegative Low-Density Lipoprotein Increases C-Reactive Protein Expression in Vascular Endothelial Cells through the LOX-1 Receptor

Increased plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with the occurrence and severity of acute coronary syndrome. We investigated whether CRP can be generated in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) after exposure to the most electronegative subfraction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), L5, which is atherogenic to ECs. Because L5 and CRP are both ligands for the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), we also examined the role of LOX-1.



Plasma LDL samples isolated from asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic (LDL cholesterol [LDL-C] levels, 154.6±20 mg/dL; n = 7) patients and normocholesterolemic (LDL-C levels, 86.1±21 mg/dL; P<0.001; n = 7) control individuals were chromatographically resolved into 5 subfractions, L1-L5. The L5 percentage (L5%) and the plasma L5 concentration ([L5]  =  L5% × LDL-C) in the patient and control groups were 8.1±2% vs. 2.3±1% (P<0.001) and 12.6±4 mg/dL vs. 1.9±1 mg/dL (P<0.001), respectively. In hypercholesterolemic patients treated with atorvastatin for 6 months (10 mg/day), [L5] decreased from 12.6±4 mg/dL to 4.5±1.1 mg/dL (P = 0.011; n = 5), whereas both [L5] and L5% returned to baseline levels in 2 noncompliant patients 3 months after discontinuation. In cultured human aortic ECs (HAECs), L5 upregulated CRP expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner up to 2.5-fold (P<0.01), whereas the least electronegative subfraction, L1, had no effect. DiI-labeled L1, internalized through the LDL receptor, became visible inside HAECs within 30 seconds. In contrast, DiI-labeled L5, internalized through LOX-1, became apparent after 5 minutes. L5-induced CRP expression manifested at 30 minutes and was attenuated by neutralizing LOX-1. After 30 minutes, L5 but not L1 induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Both L5-induced ROS and CRP production were attenuated by ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine.



Our results suggest that CRP, L5, and LOX-1 form a cyclic mechanism in atherogenesis and that reducing plasma L5 levels with atorvastatin disrupts the vascular toxicity of L5.
Association of polymorphisms in regulatory regions of interleukin-12p40 gene and cytokine serum level with colorectal cancer.

The present study investigates the association between IL12Bpro and +16974A/C in 3' -untranslated region (UTR) polymorphisms of IL12B and IL-12p40 serum level related to development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our results showed similar distribution of both the investigated polymorphisms among CRC patients and healthy donors, which suggests that these polymorphisms in IL12B were not associated with the development of CRC. However, we found an increased IL-12p40 level in sera from patients compared to healthy donors and the highest level was observed in stage I compared to more advanced stages of CRC. These findings demonstrated that IL-12p40 serum level has an association with the progression of CRC.