nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Randomized response estimates for the 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use in university students.

To estimate the 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use.



Paper-and-pencil questionnaire that used the randomized response technique.



University in Mainz, Germany.



A total of 2569 university students who completed the questionnaire.



An anonymous, specialized questionnaire that used the randomized response technique was distributed to students at the beginning of classes and was collected afterward. From the responses, we calculated the prevalence of students taking drugs only to improve their cognitive performance and not to treat underlying mental disorders such as attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder, depression, and sleep disorders. The estimated 12-month prevalence of using cognitive-enhancing drugs was 20%. Prevalence varied by sex (male 23.7%, female 17.0%), field of study (highest in students studying sports-related fields, 25.4%), and semester (first semester 24.3%, beyond first semester 16.7%). To our knowledge, this is the first time that the randomized response technique has been used to survey students about cognitive-enhancing drug use.



Using the randomized response technique, our questionnaire provided data that showed a high 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use in German university students. Our study suggests that other direct survey techniques have underestimated the use of these drugs. Drug prevention programs need to be established at universities to address this issue.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a long-acting formulation of the new somatostatin analogue, lanreotide, in normal healthy volunteers.

1. The aims of the study were to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters and the hormonal effects of the slow-release formulation of the somatostatin analogue (SR-L) in normal male volunteers. 2. Eight healthy males were studied. For the determination of basal values blood was sampled before the injection of vehicle and then every other hour for 8 h in order to measure plasma GH, prolactin (PRL), TSH, free thyroxin (fT4), insulin and glucagon levels. Plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were measured on a single sample. On day 1 of the study, 30 mg SR-L was administered intramuscularly. Blood was drawn just before injection and then every other hour for a period of 8 h. Thereafter, blood was sampled three times a week for 3 weeks in order to measure lanreotide, IGF-1, TSH, fT4 and PRL concentrations. Plasma GH was determined on days 6 and 11 of the study. 3. Plasma lanreotide concentrations rose to 38.3 +/- 4.1 ng ml-1 2 h following injection. The levels then progressively decreased, remaining above 1.5 ng ml-1 until day 11 and reaching 0.92 +/- 0.28 ng ml-1 2 weeks after injection. The apparent plasma half-life and mean residence time were 4.52 +/- 0.50 and 5.48 +/- 0.51 days respectively. 4. By comparison with the control day, plasma insulin concentrations only decreased 2 h following injection, whereas plasma glucagon did not change at any time. 5. Plasma TSH concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced from 2 h to day 4 following SR-L injection.2+ '
Weighted Strategy for Error-Correcting Output Codes

Error Correcting Output Codes technique (ECOC) represents a general framework capable to extend any binary classification process to the multi-class case. In this work, we present a novel decoding strategy that takes advantage of the ECOC coding to outperform the up to now existing decoding strategies. The results show that the presented methodology considerably increases the performance of the state-of-the-art ECOC designs.
Treatment for Tobacco Dependence: Effect on Brain Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Density

Cigarette smoking leads to upregulation of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), including the common α4β2* nAChR subtype. Although a substantial percentage of smokers receive treatment for tobacco dependence with counseling and/or medication, the effect of a standard course of these treatments on nAChR upregulation has not yet been reported. In the present study, 48 otherwise healthy smokers underwent positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with the radiotracer 2-FA (for labeling α4β2* nAChRs) before and after treatment with either cognitive-behavioral therapy, bupropion HCl, or pill placebo. Specific binding volume of distribution (VS/fP), a measure proportional to α4β2* nAChR density, was determined for regions known to have nAChR upregulation with smoking (prefrontal cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum). In the overall study sample, significant decreases in VS/fP were found for the prefrontal cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum of −20 (±35), −25 (±36), and −25 (±31)%, respectively, which represented movement of VS/fP values toward values found in non-smokers (mean 58.2% normalization of receptor levels). Participants who quit smoking had significantly greater reductions in VS/fP across regions than non-quitters, and correlations were found between reductions in cigarettes per day and decreases in VS/fP for brainstem and cerebellum, but there was no between-group effect of treatment type. Thus, smoking reduction and cessation with commonly used treatments (and pill placebo) lead to decreased α4β2* nAChR densities across brain regions. Study findings could prove useful in the treatment of smokers by providing encouragement with the knowledge that decreased smoking leads to normalization of specific brain receptors.
Low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of restenosis after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Restenosis after angioplasty is essentially due to intimal hyperplasia. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have experimentally been shown to have antiproliferative effects in addition to their antithrombotic properties. Their potential in reducing restenosis remains to be established. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis that LMWH plus aspirin is more effective than aspirin alone in reducing the incidence of restenosis/reocclusion in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of femoropopliteal arteries. Further, different effects of LMWH in patients treated for critical limb ischemia (CLI) or claudication only should be investigated.



After successful PTA, 275 patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (claudication or critical limb ischemia) and femoropopliteal obstructions were randomized to receive either 2500 IU of dalteparin subcutaneously for 3 months plus 100 mg of aspirin daily (n = 137), or 100 mg aspirin daily alone (n = 138). The primary end point was restenosis or reocclusion documented by duplex ultrasonography imaging at 12 months.



Restenosis/reocclusion occurred in 58 patients (44%) in the dalteparin group and in 62 patients (50%) in the control group (P = .30). In a subgroup analysis according to the severity of peripheral arterial disease, we found that in patients treated for claudication, restenosis/reocclusion developed in 43 (43%) in the dalteparin group, and in 35 (41%) in the control group (P = .70); in patients treated for CLI, restenosis/reocclusion was significantly lower in the dalteparin group (15, 45%) than in the control group (27, 72%; P = .01). No major bleeding events occurred in either group.



Treatment with 2500 IU dalteparin subcutaneously given for 3 months after femoropopliteal PTA failed to reduce restenosis/reocclusion at 12 months. However, dalteparin may be beneficial in the subgroup of patients with CLI at 12 months follow-up.
Profile of patients treated with omalizumab in routine clinical practice in Spain.

Omalizumab is indicated in patients with severe allergic asthma not controlled by high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting beta-agonists. Few data are available on the profile of patients treated with this drug in routine clinical practice in Spain.



To describe the profile of patients with severe allergic asthma treated with omalizumab and the course of the disease after a period of treatment.



Retrospective, multicentre study, recording the data on patients of either sex and ≥12 years with uncontrolled severe allergic asthma, previously treated with omalizumab. Data were evaluated in relation to pulmonary function, symptoms, quality of life, and concomitant anti-asthma treatment before the prescription of omalizumab and at the time of the study visit.



214 patients were evaluable (mean age=48.2±17.7 years; mean age at the time of diagnosis=26.6±16.5 years). 90.7% had experienced exacerbations the year before receiving omalizumab, and the mean total IgE level was 273±205.4IU/ml. The mean monthly dose was 380.5±185.4mg. Compared with the baseline situation, differences were observed after treatment with omalizumab in mean FEV1 (62.7±15.9% vs. 70.8±18.7%), in the proportion of patients requiring oral corticosteroids (47.7% vs. 14.0%), and in the ACQ and AQLQ scores. 32.7% of the patients received doses not recommended by the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).



Profile of asthmatic patients treated with omalizumab predominantly corresponds to uncontrolled severe asthma cases, in accordance with SPC's indications. The results of the study suggest a favourable clinical course similar to that observed in other studies.
Postoperative oral amiodarone versus oral bisoprolol as prophylaxis against atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective randomized trial.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in up to 50% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery and is associated with complications. Amiodarone and beta blockers are effective as prophylaxis for AF after CABG. The purpose of this study was to compare oral amiodarone versus oral bisoprolol for prevention of AF after CABG.



In this randomized study, 200 patients admitted for elective CABG were given oral amiodarone (n=98 patients) or oral bisoprolol (n=102 patients) beginning 6 h after surgery. Amiodarone patients received 15 mg/Kg then 7 mg/Kg/day for one month. Bisoprolol patients received 2.5 mg then 2.5 mg bid indefinitely.



Postoperative AF occurred in 15.3% of the patients in the amiodarone group and 12.7% of the patients in the bisoprolol group (p=0.60). Maximal ventricular rate tended to be lower in the bisoprolol group (125+/-6 beats/min) compared with the amiodarone group (144+/-7 beats/min, p=.06). Preoperative beta blockage did not affect AF incidence in either study group. There was no difference between the 2 groups for the onset time of AF episodes, total AF duration, AF recurrence and postoperative length of hospital stay. No serious postoperative complications occurred in the two study groups. Two reversible low cardiac output cases occurred with bisoprolol.



Postoperative oral bisoprolol and amiodarone are equally effective for prophylaxis of AF after CABG. Treatment with bisoprolol resulted in a trend to lower ventricular response rate in AF cases. Both regimens were well tolerated.
Factors contributing to high-cost hospital care for patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of hospital admission, the fifth leading cause of death in North America, and is estimated to cost $49 billion annually in North America by 2020. The majority of COPD care costs are attributed to hospitalizations; yet, there are limited data to understand the drivers of high costs among hospitalized patients with COPD. In this study, we aimed to determine the patient and hospital-level factors associated with high-cost hospital care, in order to identify potential targets for the reorganization and planning of health services. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a Canadian academic hospital between September 2010 and 2014, including adult patients with a first-time admission for COPD exacerbation. We calculated total costs, ranked patients by cost quintiles, and collected data on patient characteristics and health service utilization. We used multivariable regression to determine factors associated with highest hospital costs. Among 1,894 patients included in the study, the mean age was 73±12.6 years, median length of stay was 5 (interquartile range 3-9) days, mortality rate was 7.8% (n=147), and 9% (n=170) required intensive care. Hospital spending totaled $19.8 million, with 63% ($12.5 million) spent on 20% of patients. Factors associated with highest costs for COPD care included intensive care unit admission (odds ratio [OR] 32.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.3, 51.7), death in hospital (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.3, 5.2), discharge to long-term care facility (OR 5.7; 95% CI 3.5, 9.2), and use of the alternate level of care designation during hospitalization (OR 23.5; 95% CI 14.1, 39.2). High hospital costs are driven by two distinct groups: patients who require acute medical treatment for severe illness and patients with functional limitation who require assisted living facilities upon discharge. Improving quality of care and reducing cost in this high-needs population require a strong focus on early recognition and management of functional impairment for patients living with chronic disease.
A multicenter study of the pharmacokinetics of lisinopril in pediatric patients with hypertension

The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of lisinopril were obtained in 46 children aged 6 months to 15 years. A lisinopril suspension (0.15 mg/kg per day) was administered to patients <6 years of age; the remaining children received lisinopril tablets, the daily dose being adjusted according to body weight, i.e., 2.5 mg if <25 kg, 5 mg if 25–45 kg, and 10 mg if >45 kg. Blood was drawn predose and on eight occasions postdose in children aged 4–15 years, and on five occasions in those aged <4 years. PK data are reported for the 46 children in terms of age groups: Group I (n = 9), aged 6–23 months; Group II (n = 8), aged 2–5 years; Group III (n = 12), aged 6–11 years; Group IV (n = 17), aged 12–15 years. The dose of lisinopril ranged from 3.07 mg/m2 per day in Group I to 4.78 mg/m2 per day in Group IV. Cmax of lisinopril, which occurred 5–6 h postdose, varied from 22 ng/ml in Groups I and II to 44 ng/ml in Groups III and IV; AUC0–24 h ranged from 301–311 ng·h/ml in Groups I and II to 550–570 ng·h/ml in Groups III and IV. No serious adverse events related to lisinopril were reported.
Substance use and high risk sexual behaviors among women in psychosocial outpatient and methadone maintenance treatment programs.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between substance use/diagnosis and sexual risk behaviors among women enrolled in both psychosocial outpatient (PS) and methadone maintenance (MM) treatment and involved in a HIV prevention intervention study within the National Institute for Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network.



515 sexually active women reported on unprotected sexual occasions (USO), anal sex, sex trading, sex with drug occasions, and multiple male sex partners at the baseline assessment.



Within the PS sample, cocaine use diagnosis was associated with more than twice the risk of having multiple partners, trading sex for drugs, having anal sex, or having sex with drugs; alcohol or opioid use diagnosis was associated with fewer risk behaviors. Within the MM sample, cocaine use, alcohol use and opiate use diagnoses were each associated with one to two risk behaviors. Associations between sexual risk and substance using days were less frequent in both samples.



These findings highlight the need for integration of HIV sexual prevention interventions that address the relationship between sexual risk behavior and substance use diagnoses into substance abuse treatment programs.
Examining the quality of name code record linkage: what is the impact on death and cancer risk estimates? A validation study.

To examine the validity and impact of record linkage using name code compared to full name records.



A registry of 45,419 opioid substitution clients (1985-2007) was linked with national population-based death and cancer registries using registrant's name, date of birth, sex, state, postcode and date of death. Records were linked using full name and then using the first two letters of the given and surname (2×2 name code). Sensitivity and specificity were computed and regression analysis used to identify factors related to linkage accuracy. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and standardised cancer incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated.



The sensitivity and specificity of name code compared to full name linkage were 65.31% and 99.91% for death records and 76.81% and 99.89% for cancer records. Registrants' age and sex and accuracy of the registries were associated with risk of false linkages. Death and cancer risks (SMR 6.98, 95%CI 6.77-7.19; SIR 1.16, 95%CI 1.08-1.24) were significantly under-estimated using name code linkage (SMR 4.39, 95%CI 4.23-4.56; SIR 0.92, 95%CI 0.85-0.99).



Record linkage using 2×2 name code has low sensitivity but high specificity, resulting in conservative estimates of death and cancer risk. This may translate to meaningful differences in outcomes.
Long-term effects of adrenalectomy or spironolactone on blood pressure control and regression of left ventricle hypertrophy in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) represents the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Beyond increased blood pressure, additional harmful effects of aldosterone excess including inappropriate left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy were found. We evaluated the effect of adrenalectomy and spironolactone on blood pressure and myocardial remodelling in a long-term follow-up study.



Thirty-one patients with PA were recruited. Fifteen patients with confirmed aldosterone-producing adenoma underwent adrenalectomy; in the remaining 16 patients, treatment with spironolactone was initiated. Laboratory data, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and echocardiography parameters were evaluated at baseline and at a median follow-up of 64 months.



Both approaches reduced blood pressure (p = 0.001 vs. baseline). In both groups we observed a decrease in end-diastolic (p = 0.04, p = 0.01) and end-systolic LV cavity diameters (p = 0.03, p = 0.01). Interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness reduction was significant only after adrenalectomy (p = 0.01, p = 0.03) as was reduction of LV mass index (p = 0.004). A trend to lower LV mass on spironolactone was caused predominantly by diminution of the LV cavity, which was reflected in increased relative wall thickness (p = 0.05).



Although both surgical and conservative treatment can induce a long-term decrease of blood pressure, adrenalectomy seems to be more effective in reduction of LV mass, as it reverses both wall thickening and enlargement of the LV cavity.
5-Year control and treatment of edema and increased capillary filtration in venous hypertension and diabetic microangiopathy using O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides: a prospective comparative clinical registry.

This independent prospective controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides (HR) during 5 years of administration against signs and symptoms and further degeneration of microcirculatory disturbances. The protective effect of HR in preventing end-point complications such as venous ulceration is evaluated. This study is based on evaluation of edema and the capillary filtration rate (CFR) in association with a clinical score scale. Patients having a severe degree of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous microangiopathy and completing at least 5 years of treatment are included. The following 4 groups are considered: group A (patients with CVI but without diabetes mellitus, receiving 1500 mg/d of HR), group B (patients with CVI and diabetes mellitus, receiving 2 g/d of HR), group C (control subjects receiving no pharmacologic or compression treatment), and group D (patients using elastic compression stockings only). All patients received the "best" available treatment. No adverse effects or intolerance is noted, with good compliance (>85%). In group A, there is a statistically significant decrease in the CFR during 5 years of follow-up. In group B, the decrease in the CFR is greater than that in group A. Reductions in edema, swelling, and the CFR during 5 years are notable, and values approach normal levels. During 5 years, HR is effective in treating venous edema and hypertension and in preventing deterioration of the distal venous system. The prevention of ulcerations with HR is another important observation. The effects of HR seem to be partially dose related, and tolerability and compliance are good.
Artemisinin-based combination therapies are efficacious and safe for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in HIV-infected Ugandan children.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are highly efficacious and safe, but data from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children concurrently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ACTs are limited.



We evaluated 28-day outcomes following malaria treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in 2 cohorts of HIV-infected Ugandan children taking various ART regimens. In one cohort, children <6 years of age were randomized to lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based ART and treated with AL for uncomplicated malaria. In another cohort, children <12 months of age were started on nevirapine-based ART if they were eligible, and randomized to AL or DP for the treatment of their first and all subsequent uncomplicated malaria episodes.



There were 773 and 165 treatments for malaria with AL and DP, respectively. Initial response to therapy was excellent, with 99% clearance of parasites and <1% risk of repeat therapy within 3 days. Recurrent parasitemia within 28 days was common following AL treatment. The risk of recurrent parasitemia was significantly lower among children taking LPV/r-based ART compared with children taking nevirapine-based ART following AL treatment (15.3% vs 35.5%, P = .009), and those treated with DP compared with AL (8.6% vs 36.2%, P < .001). Both ACT regimens were safe and well tolerated.



Treatment of uncomplicated malaria with AL or DP was efficacious and safe in HIV-infected children taking ART. However, there was a high risk of recurrent parasitemia following AL treatment, which was significantly lower in children taking LPV/r-based ART compared with nevirapine-based ART.
Idelalisib, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110δ, for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In a phase 1 trial, idelalisib (GS-1101, CAL-101), a selective inhibitor of the lipid kinase PI3Kδ, was evaluated in 54 patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with adverse characteristics including bulky lymphadenopathy (80%), extensive prior therapy (median 5 [range 2-14] prior regimens), treatment-refractory disease (70%), unmutated IGHV (91%), and del17p and/or TP53 mutations (24%). Patients were treated at 6 dose levels of oral idelalisib (range 50-350 mg once or twice daily) and remained on continuous therapy while deriving clinical benefit. Idelalisib-mediated inhibition of PI3Kδ led to abrogation of Akt phosphorylation in patient CLL cells and significantly reduced serum levels of CLL-related chemokines. The most commonly observed grade ≥3 adverse events were pneumonia (20%), neutropenic fever (11%), and diarrhea (6%). Idelalisib treatment resulted in nodal responses in 81% of patients. The overall response rate was 72%, with 39% of patients meeting the criteria for partial response per IWCLL 2008 and 33% meeting the recently updated criteria of PR with treatment-induced lymphocytosis.(1,2) The median progression-free survival for all patients was 15.8 months. This study demonstrates the clinical utility of inhibiting the PI3Kδ pathway with idelalisib. Our findings support the further development of idelalisib in patients with CLL. These trials were registered at clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00710528 and #NCT01090414.