nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Identification of biomarkers to improve diagnostic sensitivity of sporadic colorectal cancer in patients with low preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen by clinical proteomic analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) assays usually give false negative results. To improve the diagnosis of primary sporadic CRC, there is an urgent need to identify new biomarkers.



We used laser pressure catapulting and proteomics to analyze overexpressed cancer associated proteins from 48 sporadic CRC patients with low preoperative serum CEA (LPSC) (<5 ng/ml). Real-time Q-PCR was used to identify the target gene transcripts. Immunoblots were carried out to validate the biomarkers.



Alpha-enolase, HSP27 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were overexpressed in all tumor tissues from 48 LPSC CRC patients, as assessed by 2DE image analysis. The genes were also overexpressed at the transcript level in all tumor tissues from the same patients. In the immunoblot assay, only serum levels of Alpha-enolase and MIF were significantly overexpressed in the LPSC group compared to the mean levels in the control group. Combined with the determinations of preoperative CEA levels, screening for serum Alpha-enolase and MIF were shown to improve the diagnosis of primary CRC.



Serum Alpha-enolase and MIF may be potential biomarkers that can be used to improve clinical predication of primary CRC with LPSC.
Further validation of the psychopathic personality inventory among offenders: personality and behavioral correlates.

The Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996) is a relatively new self-report measure that has shown considerable promise as an index of psychopathic traits in both nonoffender and offender samples. The present study examined the construct validity and predictive utility of the PPI by examining its association with theoretically relevant scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991) among 60 male prison inmates, and its ability to predict institutional misbehavior in an expanded sample (n = 89). As expected, correlations with the PAI scales were highest for the Antisocial Features (ANT) and Aggression (AGG) scales (rs = .68 and .57, respectively). The PPI also predicted various forms of nonviolent and physically aggressive disciplinary infractions significantly better than chance (point biserial correlations ranging from .26 to .37).
Pinealoblastomas in children

Series of pinealoblastomas (PB) usually comprise small number of cases as this tumor type is extremely rare and occurs mainly in childhood (especially under 9 years of age). Frequently, PB are reported together with others pineal parenchymal tumors (PPT) or pineal tumors, making characterization far from adequate. Our series of CNS pediatric tumors comprises 1,350 cases of whom 16 are PPT, 12 PB, two pineocytomas (PC), and two mixed or transitional tumors (PC/PB). We have only analyzed the PB considering clinical features, treatment strategy, prognosis, recurrences, and mortality. PB represented 0.89%. Mean age was 7 years. Male–female ratio was 8/4. All patients complained of increased intracranial pressure, eight presented ocular symptoms, two cerebellar, and one endocrine disturbances. Patients underwent CT scans and/or MRI. All children had negative serum and CSF markers and only one case had positive tumor cells in the CSF on admission. Hydrocephalus (12/12) was treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 11/12 and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in 1/12. We performed 11 surgical procedures (seven by occipital transtentorial approach) and one endoscopic biopsy. Total removal was achieved in two, partial removal (50–90%) in seven, and biopsy in three patients or <50%. Adjuvant therapy included radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recurrences appeared in 8/12 cases (mean time of recurrence=27.28 months). Six patients died (mean survival=29.55 months). Mean follow up for the six patients alive was 54 months and mean follow up for all 12 children was 38.7 months. In our opinion, PB have a poor prognosis and are very aggressive, especially in small children. Survival rate at 1 and 5 years in the present series is 66.6% (8/12) and 50% (6/12), respectively. We propose an algorithm for the treatment of pediatric patients with PB.
International variation in lung cancer mortality rates and trends among women.

There is no recent comprehensive global analysis of lung cancer mortality in women. We describe contemporary mortality rates and trends among women globally.



We used the World Health Organization's Cancer Mortality Database covering 65 populations on six continents to calculate age-standardized (1960 Segi world standard) lung cancer death rates during 2006 to 2010 and annual percent change in rates for available years from 1985 to 2011 and for the most recent five data years by population and age group (30-49 and 50-74 years).



Lung cancer mortality rates (per 100,000) among young women (30-49 years) during 2006 to 2010 ranged from 0.7 in Costa Rica to 14.8 in Hungary. Rates among young women were stable or declining in 47 of 52 populations examined. Rates among women 50 to 74 years ranged from 8.8 in Georgia and Egypt to 120.0 in Scotland. In both age groups, rates were highest in parts of Europe (Scotland, Hungary, Denmark) and North America and lowest in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Rates in older women were increasing for more than half (36/64) of populations examined, including most countries in Southern, Eastern, and Western Europe and South America.



Although widespread reductions in lung cancer in young women provide evidence of tobacco control success, rates continue to increase among older women in many countries.



More concentrated efforts to initiate or expand tobacco control programs in these countries globally will be required to attenuate the future lung cancer burden. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(6); 1025-36.
Body fatness and breast cancer risk in women of African ancestry

Obesity has been shown to be inversely associated with breast cancer risk in premenopausal women, while increasing risk in postmenopausal women. However, the current evidence is largely based on studies in Caucasian populations. Associations in women of African ancestry (AA), who have a higher prevalence of obesity, have been evaluated in few studies and results suggest different effects. We evaluated the impact of body size, body fat distribution, and body composition on breast cancer risk among AA women (978 cases and 958 controls) participating in the Women’s Circle of Health Study, a multi-site case–control study in New York City (NYC) and New Jersey (NJ). Cases were newly diagnosed with histologically confirmed ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer, age 20–75 yrs. In NYC, cases were recruited through hospitals with the largest referral patterns for AA women and controls through random digit dialing (RDD). In NJ, cases were identified in seven counties in NJ thorough the NJ State Cancer Registry, and controls through RDD and community-based recruitment. During in-person interviews, questionnaires were administered and detailed anthropometric measurements were obtained. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. BMI did not have a major impact on pre- or post-menopausal breast cancer, but was significantly associated with reduced risk of ER-/PR- tumors among postmenopausal women (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15-0.96 for BMI > 30 vs. BMI < 25). Furthermore, increased premenopausal breast cancer risk was found for higher waist and hip circumferences after adjusting for BMI, with ORs of 2.25 (95% CI: 1.07-4.74) and 2.91 (95% CI: 1.39-6.10), respectively, comparing the highest vs. lowest quartile. While ORs for higher fat mass and percent body fat among postmenopausal women were above one, confidence intervals included the null value. Our study suggests that in AA women BMI is generally unrelated to breast cancer. However, higher waist and hip circumferences were associated with increased pre-menopausal breast cancer risk, while general obesity was associated with decreased risk of ER-/PR- tumors. Larger studies are needed to confirm findings and to evaluate the impact of obesity on breast cancer subtypes.
Effects of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium carbonate on renal osteodystrophy in hemodialysis patients.

Disturbances in mineral metabolism play a central role in the development of renal bone disease. In a 54-wk, randomized, open-label study, 119 hemodialysis patients were enrolled to compare the effects of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium carbonate on bone. Biopsy-proven adynamic bone disease was the most frequent bone abnormality at baseline (59%). Serum phosphorus, calcium, and intact parathyroid hormone were well controlled in both groups, although calcium was consistently lower and intact parathyroid hormone higher among patients who were randomly assigned to sevelamer. Compared with baseline values, there were no changes in mineralization lag time or measures of bone turnover (e.g., activation frequency) after 1 yr in either group. Osteoid thickness significantly increased in both groups, but there was no significant difference between them. Bone formation rate per bone surface, however, significantly increased from baseline only in the sevelamer group (P = 0.019). In addition, of those with abnormal microarchitecture at baseline (i.e., trabecular separation), seven of 10 in the sevelamer group normalized after 1 yr compared with zero of three in the calcium group. In summary, sevelamer resulted in no statistically significant changes in bone turnover or mineralization compared with calcium carbonate, but bone formation increased and trabecular architecture improved with sevelamer. Further studies are required to assess whether these changes affect clinical outcomes, such as rates of fracture.
Management of patients with acute coronary syndromes in the United States by platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition. Insights from the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in unstable angina: receptor suppression using integrilin therapy (PURSUIT) trial.

A multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable Angina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin Therapy, PURSUIT) demonstrated that the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist eptifibatide reduced the incidence of death or myocardial infarction among patients with acute ischemic syndromes without ST-segment elevation. Because of expected differences in practice patterns, a prospectively planned analysis of outcomes as a function of regions of the world was performed. The current study provides a detailed assessment of eptifibatide among the subgroup of patients enrolled within the United States.



Patients presenting with chest pain within the previous 24 hours and ischemic ECG changes or creatine kinase-MB elevation were eligible for enrollment. Of the 10 948 patients randomized worldwide, 4035 were enrolled within the United States. Patients were allocated to placebo or eptifibatide infusion for up to 72 to 96 hours. Other medical therapies and revascularization strategies were at the discretion of the treating physician. Eptifibatide reduced the rate of the primary end point of death or myocardial infarction by 30 days from 15.4% to 11.9% (P=0.003) among patients in the United States. The treatment effect was achieved early and maintained over a period of 6 months (18.9% versus 15.2%; P=0.004). Bleeding events were more common in patients receiving eptifibatide but were predominantly associated with invasive procedures. The magnitude of clinical benefit from eptifibatide was greater among patients in the United States than elsewhere in the world.



Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade with eptifibatide reduces the incidence of death or myocardial infarction among patients treated for acute ischemic syndromes without ST-segment elevation within the United States.
Effect of CC chemokine receptor 2 CCR2 blockade on serum C-reactive protein in individuals at atherosclerotic risk and with a single nucleotide polymorphism of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 promoter region.

CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), expressed on the surface of circulating monocytes, and its ligand monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; also known as CC-chemokine ligand 2) are present in atherosclerotic plaques and may have important roles in endothelial monocyte recruitment and activation. MLN1202 is a highly specific humanized monoclonal antibody that interacts with CCR2 and inhibits MCP-1 binding. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to measure reductions in circulating levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, an established biomarker of inflammation associated with coronary artery disease, on MLN1202 treatment in patients at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (≥2 risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein >3 mg/L). Additionally, patients were genotyped for the 2518 A→G polymorphism in the promoter of the MCP-1 gene to investigate the correlation between this polymorphism and reduced C-reactive protein levels with MLN1202 treatment. Patients who received MLN1202 exhibited significant decreases in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, beginning at 4 weeks and continuing through 12 weeks after dosing. Patients with A/G or G/G genotypes in the MCP-1 promoter had significantly greater reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than patients with the wild-type A/A genotype. In conclusion, MLN1202 treatment was well tolerated in this patient population and resulted in significant reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.
Sotalol in the treatment of fetal dysrhythmias.

Fetal tachycardia may cause hydrops fetalis and lead to fetal death. No unanimity of opinion exists regarding the optimum treatment. This study evaluates our experience with transplacental sotalol therapy to treat fetal tachycardias in terms of safety and efficacy.



The charts of 21 patients who were treated with sotalol for fetal tachycardia were reviewed. Ten fetuses had atrial flutter (AF), 10 had supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and 1 had VT. Hydrops fetalis was present in 9 fetuses. Drug treatment was successful in establishing sinus rhythm in 8 of 10 fetuses with AF and in 6 of 10 fetuses with SVT. The mortality rate in this study was 19% (4 of 21 fetuses; 3 had SVT and 1 had AF); 3 deaths occurred just days after the initiation of sotalol therapy, and 1 occurred after a dosage increase. At birth, tachycardia was present in 6 infants. Two patients who converted to sinus rhythm in utero suffered from neurologic pathology postnatally.



Fetal tachycardia is a serious condition in which treatment should be initiated, especially in the presence of hydrops fetalis. The high success rate in fetuses with AF suggests that sotalol should be considered a drug of first choice to treat fetal AF. The low conversion rate and the fact that 3 of the 4 deaths in this study occurred in fetuses with SVT indicate that the risks of sotalol therapy outweigh the benefits in this group and that sotalol should, therefore, be limited in the treatment of fetal SVT.
Clinical efficacy of three assays for cardiac troponin I for risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes: a Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 11B Substudy.

Significant analytic variability exists between the multiple assays for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) approved for clinical use. Until adequate cTnI standardization is possible, an evidence-based approach evaluating each assay at specific thresholds appears warranted.



We examined the efficacy of three cTnI assays for predicting death, myocardial infarction (MI), or the composite of death, MI, or urgent revascularization at 43 days among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes enrolled in the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 11B study.



Six hundred eighty-one patients with serum samples obtained at baseline and/or 12-24 h had cTnI determined using all three assays. Baseline cTnI was > or = 0.1 microg/L for 368, 395, and 418 patients with the Bayer Immuno 1(TM), ACS:180, and Dimension RxL assays, respectively. Correlation coefficients for the RxL with the ACS:180 and Bayer Immuno 1 results were 0.89 (P = 0.0001) and 0.87 (P = 0.0001), with a coefficient of 0.92 (P = 0.0001) for the ACS:180 and Bayer Immuno 1 assays. Patients with cTnI > or = 0.1 microg/L were at increased risk fo death or MI by 43 days (relative risk, 2.2-3.0; P <0.0006), regardless of the assay used. This prognostic capacity persisted among those with creatine kinase MB isoenzyme concentrations within the reference interval. Moreover, cTnI was the strongest multivariate predictor of death, MI, or urgent revascularization with adjusted odds ratios of 2.1-2.9 (P <0. ).



This study demonstrates the prognostic efficacy of three independently developed cTnI assays at a threshold of 0.1 microg/L for the prediction of adverse clinical outcomes among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.
Indoor air quality, ventilation and respiratory health in elderly residents living in nursing homes in Europe.

Few data exist on respiratory effects of indoor air quality and comfort parameters in the elderly. In the context of the GERIE study, we investigated for the first time the relationships of these factors to respiratory morbidity among elderly people permanently living in nursing homes in seven European countries. 600 elderly people from 50 nursing homes underwent a medical examination and completed a standardised questionnaire. Air quality and comfort parameters were objectively assessed in situ in the nursing home. Mean concentrations of air pollutants did not exceed the existing standards. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio was highly significantly related to elevated levels of particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of <0.1 µm (PM0.1) (adjusted OR 8.16, 95% CI 2.24-29.3) and nitrogen dioxide (aOR 3.74, 95% CI 1.06-13.1). Excess risks for usual breathlessness and cough were found with elevated PM10 (aOR 1.53 (95% CI 1.15-2.07) and aOR 1.73 (95% CI 1.17-10.3), respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (aOR 1.58 (95% CI 1.15-2.20) and aOR 1.56 (95% CI 1.03-2.41), respectively). Excess risks for wheeze in the past year were found with PM0.1 (aOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.15-7.02) and for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and exhaled carbon monoxide with formaldehyde (aOR 3.49 (95% CI 1.17-10.3) and aOR 1.25 (95% CI 1.02-1.55), respectively). Breathlessness and cough were associated with higher carbon dioxide. Relative humidity was inversely related to wheeze in the past year and usual cough. Elderly subjects aged ≥80 years were at higher risk. Pollutant effects were more pronounced in the case of poor ventilation. Even at low levels, indoor air quality affected respiratory health in elderly people permanently living in nursing homes, with frailty increasing with age. The effects were modulated by ventilation.
A community based epidemiological study of epilepsy in Assiut Governorate/Egypt

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of different types of epilepsy and their possible risk factors in the region of the Assiut Governorate/Egypt.



A community based study with random sampling of 7 districts, involving 6498 inhabitants. Out of this sample, 578 dropped out leaving 3066 males (51.8%) and 2854 females (48.2%). There were 3660 (61.8%) urban residents and 2260 (38.2%) from the rural community. Patients were evaluated using a screening questionnaire for epilepsy, and then referred to the hospital to be re-evaluated by a qualified neurologist and with electroencephalography (EEG) and computed tomography of the brain (CT).



Seventy-five cases were diagnosed with epilepsy giving an overall the crude lifetime prevalence rate (CPR) for epilepsy of 12.67/1000 (95% CI: 9.8-15.54). The active prevalence rate was 9.3/1000 and the incidence rate was 1.5/1000 (95% confidence interval: 0.53-2.51). Fifty-six cases (75%) had idiopathic epilepsy (CPR 9.5/1000). Symptomatic epilepsy was recorded in 19 (25%) cases (CPR 3.2/1000). Generalized seizures were more common (CPR 6.75/1000) than partial seizures (CPR 2.5/1000). The prevalence rate of partial seizures evolving to secondary generalization was 0.84/1000 while simple partial and complex partial seizures had CPR 1.4/1000 and 0.34/1000, respectively. The CPR of mixed seizures was 0.17/1000. Epilepsy was slightly but not significantly more common among males than females (CPR of 14.4 and 10.9 per 1000 population, respectively). The CPR was higher in rural than urban populations (17.7/1000, with 95% CI 12.2-23.18 and 9.56/1000, with 95% CI: 6.39-12.7, respectively) and in the illiterate group than the literate population (12.02/1000 and 9.94/1000, respectively). The highest prevalence rate was recorded in the early and late childhood period (69.78/100,000 and 43.78/100,000, respectively). Prenatal insults and infection represented major causes of symptomatic epilepsy.



We found a high prevalence rate of epilepsy (comparable with that in other Arabic and European countries) in our community particularly among children and teenagers. Overall the prevalence was higher in the rural than in the urban population. A family history of epilepsy, prenatal insults, and infection represented major risk factors of symptomatic epilepsy.
New noninvasive method for coronary flow reserve assessment: contrast-enhanced transthoracic second harmonic echo Doppler.

We tested the hypothesis that blood flow velocity could be recorded in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) during transthoracic echocardiography by use of second harmonic echo Doppler modality along with contrast enhancement (intravenous Levovist) at rest and after pharmacologically induced maximal vasodilation to assess coronary flow reserve (CFR) with a totally noninvasive approach.



Fifty-six consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography underwent transthoracic contrast-enhanced pulsed-wave Doppler recording of blood flow velocity in the LAD by use of harmonic color Doppler as a guide at rest and after maximal vasodilation by dipyridamole infusion. Contrast enhancement with the harmonic mode greatly improved the success rate of recording adequate pulsed-wave Doppler signal in the LAD. CFR was (mean+/-SD) 1.54+/-0.7 in patients with (group 1) and 2. 79+/-0.9 in patients without (group 2) significant LAD stenosis (lumen narrowing >70%) (P<0.001); sensitivity and specificity in detecting significant LAD stenosis were 86% and 90%, respectively. There was close agreement between CFRs determined by this new method and intracoronary Doppler flow wire.



Contrast-enhanced transthoracic echo Doppler with the harmonic mode is a feasible and promising technique for assessing CFR in a totally noninvasive way.