nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Impact of red blood cells count and high density lipoproteins with the prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease

We have hypothesized that high red blood cells (RBC) count can potentially play an atheroprotective role in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. We, therefore, have investigated the relationship between high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) and RBC levels in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality. Impaired lipid profile represents a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is a key factor in atherosclerosis disease development. RBC can mimic HDL’s reverse cholesterol transportation with a potential atheroprotective role. Coronary angiography has been evaluated in 3,534 patients. Fasting samples were collected for haematology and lipids levels assessment. Coronary disease was defined for at least 1 vessel stenosis >50 %. Patients were divided according to HDL-C and RBC tertiles. Lower HDL-C was significantly associated to the prevalence of CAD (84.8 vs 78.5 vs 67.3 %, p ≤ 0.001; adjusted OR [95 % CI] = 1.55 [1.3–1.8], p < 0.001) and severe CAD (30 % vs 30 % vs 24.4 %, p = 0.002; adjusted OR [95 % CI] = 1.08 [1.01–1.16], p = 0.02), this relationship was maintained even dividing our population according to RBC tertiles (p < 0.001).In conclusion, HDL-C levels are directly related to RBC count and inversely to the prevalence and extent of coronary disease. Higher RBC levels can reduce the risk of CAD in patients with lower HDL-C levels, suggesting an important atheroprotective role.
The Treatment Results of a Standard Algorithm for Choosing the Best Entry Vessel for Intravenous Port Implantation

Vascular cutdown and echo guide puncture methods have its own limitations under certain conditions. There was no available algorithm for choosing entry vessel. A standard algorithm was introduced to help choose the entry vessel location according to our clinical experience and review of the literature. The goal of this study is to analyze the treatment results of the standard algorithm used to choose the entry vessel for intravenous port implantation.During the period between March 2012 and March 2013, 507 patients who received intravenous port implantation due to advanced chemotherapy were included into this study. Choice of entry vessel was according to standard algorithm. All clinical characteristic factors were collected and complication rate and incidence were further analyzed.Compared with our clinical experience in 2006, procedure-related complication rate declined from 1.09% to 0.4%, whereas the late complication rate decreased from 19.97% to 3.55%. No more pneumothorax, hematoma, catheter kinking, fractures, and pocket erosion were identified after using the standard algorithm. In alive oncology patients, 98% implanted port could serve a functional vascular access to fit therapeutic needs.This standard algorithm for choosing the best entry vessel is a simple guideline that is easy to follow. The algorithm has excellent efficiency and can minimize complication rates and incidence.
Tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid as an aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles and dystrophic neurites are characteristic pathological features found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. A major constituent of these lesions is the cytoskeletal protein tau. This study examined whether the measurement of tau in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) has value in the diagnosis of AD. Seventy-seven subjects were enrolled in this prospective study: These included AD (N = 24), Neurological Controls (dementing diseases/syndromes, N = 26), Normal Controls (N = 14), and Others (N = 13). CSF was obtained by lumbar puncture, and tau concentrations (pg/mL) were determined using a dual monoclonal antibody microplate immunoassay. The mean tau value for AD subjects (1,430 +/- 739) was significantly different from Neurological Control subjects (790 +/- 579) (p < 0.001) and Normal Control subjects (816 +/- 355) (p < 0.001). Tau values were elevated in two Neurological Control subjects, one with Binswanger's disease (age 75) and one with depression (age 90). Tau values were also elevated in three Normal Control subjects; two were subjects with a family history of AD. Tau concentrations did not correlate significantly with age in AD subjects (r = 0.05, p = 0.82) or in Normal Control subjects (r = -0.49, p = 0.08). Tau also did not correlate with severity of cognitive impairment in AD subjects (r = -0.03, p = 0.91) or duration of AD symptoms (r = 0.16, p = 0.52). Based on these results and others, CSF levels of tau protein may provide a useful biochemical marker to aid in the clinical diagnosis of AD.
Effect of a high-density foam seating wedge on back pain intensity when used by 14 to 16-year-old school students: a randomised controlled trial.

No previous randomised controlled trials had been undertaken investigating the effect of school seating on back pain in 14 to 16 year olds. This study was designed to test the effect of the use of a high-density foam wedge on normal school seating on the intensity of back pain.



Randomised controlled trial.



Suffolk, a predominantly rural county in eastern England.



One hundred and eighty-five students with back pain were recruited from 12 schools. Randomisation was stratified by school. The control and intervention groups included 92 and 83 students, respectively.



Following a 1-week baseline observation period, each student in the intervention group was given a wedge to use on their school chairs.


OUTCOME MEASURE
The primary outcome measure was pain intensity (numerical rating scale, 0 to 10) recorded in pain diaries over 4 weeks. Random effects models were used to analyse the pain intensity data.



Ninety-seven students (46 control group, 51 intervention group) completed the trial. For the intervention group, pain intensity was reduced significantly over the 3 weeks of wedge use. The average reduction in pain intensity was estimated to be 0.709 points (95% confidence interval 0.341 to 1.077), representing a 58% reduction in back pain for those in the intervention group.



Use of a wedge reduced the intensity of back pain significantly, especially in the evenings. The results suggest that further research into the longer-term effect of seating on pain intensity in adolescents should be considered.
Virtual HDR CyberKnife treatment for localized prostatic carcinoma: dosimetry comparison with HDR brachytherapy and preliminary clinical observations.

We tested our ability to approximate the dose (38 Gy), fractionation (four fractions), and distribution of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer with CyberKnife (CK) stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans. We also report early clinical observations of CK SBRT treatment.



Ten patients were treated with CK. For each CK SBRT plan, an HDR plan was designed using common contour sets and simulated HDR catheters. Planning target volume coverage, intraprostatic dose escalation, and urethra, rectum, and bladder exposure were compared.



Planning target volume coverage by the prescription dose was similar for CK SBRT and HDR plans, whereas percent of volume of interest receiving 125% of prescribed radiation dose (V125) and V150 values were higher for HDR, reflecting higher doses near HDR source dwell positions. Urethra dose comparisons were lower for CK SBRT in 9 of 10 cases, suggesting that CK SBRT may more effectively limit urethra dose. Bladder maximum point doses were higher with HDR, but bladder dose falloff beyond the maximum dose region was more rapid with HDR. Maximum rectal wall doses were similar, but CK SBRT created sharper rectal dose falloff beyond the maximum dose region. Second CK SBRT plans, constructed by equating urethra radiation dose received by point of maximum exposure of volume of interest to the HDR plan, significantly increased V125 and V150. Clinically, 4-month post-CK SBRT median prostate-specific antigen levels decreased 86% from baseline. Acute toxicity was primarily urologic and returned to baseline by 2 months. Acute rectal morbidity was minimal and transient.



It is possible to construct CK SBRT plans that closely recapitulate HDR dosimetry and deliver the plans noninvasively.
The effect of modafinil on cognitive function in breast cancer survivors.

The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial examining the effects of modafinil in reducing persistent fatigue in patients after treatment for cancer and performed secondary analyses to assess the effect of modafinil on cognitive function.



Breast cancer patients who reported a score of >or=2 on the Brief Fatigue Inventory were enrolled in the study. In phase 1 (P1), patients received 200 mg modafinil open-label once daily for 4 weeks. In phase 2 (P2), patients with a positive response after P1 were randomized either to an additional 4 weeks of modafinil or to placebo. Tests of memory and attention selected from the Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) computerized cognitive assessment were performed at baseline (before modafinil) and after completing phases 1 and 2. The paired differences for each test score were subjected to a Wilcoxon signed rank test.



Of the 82 women who were enrolled, 76 completed P1, and 68 completed all assessments in the study. Modafinil had a significant effect on the Speed of Memory (P = .0073) and Quality of Episodic Memory (P < .0001) during P1 of the study. After randomization at Week 8, those patients who continued modafinil demonstrated significantly greater improvement in Speed of Memory (P = .029), Quality of Episodic Memory (P = .0151), and mean Continuity of Attention (P = .0101) relative to the group that was switched to placebo.



The authors found that modafinil improved cognitive performance in breast cancer survivors by enhancing some memory and attention skills. Although confirmation is needed, these findings suggest that modafinil may enhance quality of life in this patient population.
Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) may involve new-onset anxiety and depression post-discharge. However, long-term population-based studies have lacked access to follow-up conditions in terms of new-onset anxiety and depression. The objective of this study was to estimate the long-term risk of new-onset anxiety and depression post-discharge.



The Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID2000) from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was used in this study. Individuals with tSCI were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic codes of 806 and 952 from 1999-2008. The comparison cohort (other health conditions group) was randomly selected from the LHID2000 and was 1:1 matched by age, sex, index year, and comorbidities to reduce the selection bias. All study participants were retrospectively followed for a maximum of 3 years until the end of follow-up, death, or new-onset anxiety (ICD-9-CM: 309.2-309.4) or depression (ICD-9-CM: 296.2, 296.5, 296.82, 300.4, 309.0-309.1, and 311). Persons who were issued a catastrophic illness card for tSCI were categorized as having a severe level of SCI (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥16). Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence rate ratios of anxiety or depression between patients with tSCI and other health conditions. The relative risk of anxiety or depression was estimated using a Cox regression analysis, which was adjusted for potential confounding factors.



Univariate analyses showed that the tSCI patients (n = 3556) had a 1.33 times greater incidence of new-onset anxiety or depression (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.57) compared to the other health conditions group (n = 3556). After adjusting for potential risk factors, the tSCI patients had a significant 1.29-fold increased risk of anxiety or depression compared to the group with other health conditions (95% CI: 1.09-1.53). Individuals with tSCI, including patients who were under the age of 35, patients who were males, patients who had a low income, and patients without a Charlson Comorbidity Index score, all had a higher long-term risk of anxiety or depression than the other health conditions group (IRRs: 1.84, 1.63, 1.29, and 1.39, respectively). For all tSCI patients, those with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16 had an almost 2-fold higher risk of anxiety or depression (adjusted Hazard Ratio: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.17-2.92) compared to those with ISS <16.



Our findings indicated that tSCI patients have a high risk of anxiety or depression post-discharge, especially among the younger tSCI patients (age <50 years), compared with the other health conditions group. This information could help physicians understand the long-term risk of new-onset anxiety or depression in tSCI patients post-discharge.
Comparison of the effects of dexamphetamine and 1-benzylpiperazine in former addicts

The subjective, behavioural and autonomic effects of dexamphetamine 10 mg, 1-benzylpiperazine 100 mg and lactose dummy were compared in a group of 18 former amphetamine addicts. All subjects received the three preparations according to a balanced design under double blind conditions. 1-Benzylpiperazine and dexamphctamine produced indistinguishable subjective effects and both were liked. The effects of both compounds differed significantly from the effects following the dummy preparation. Increases in pulse rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were similar following the two active compounds, but 1-benzylpiperazine produced pupillary dilation whereas no significant change in pupil size followed dummy or dexamphetamine. It was concluded that 1-benzylpiperazine is a compound liable to abuse by an addict population, and that this type of study might be of value in predicting abuse liability of other new drugs.
Antiinflammatory effect of sevoflurane in open lung surgery with one-lung ventilation

To prospectively assess the antiinflammatory effect of volatile anesthetic sevoflurane in patients undergoing open lung surgery with one lung ventilation (OLV).



This prospective, randomized study included 40 patients undergoing thoracic surgery with OLV (NCT02188407). The patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups that received either propofol or sevoflurane. Four patients were excluded from the study because after surgery they received blood transfusion or non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs. Inflammatory mediators (interleukins 6, 8, and 10, C-reactive protein [CRP], and procalcitonin) were measured perioperatively. The infiltration of the nonoperated lung was assessed on chest x-rays and the oxygenation index was calculated. The major postoperative complications were counted.



Interleukin 6 levels were significantly higher in propofol than in sevoflurane group (P=0.014). Preoperative CRP levels did not differ between the groups (P=0.351) and in all patients they were lower than 20 mg/L, but postoperative CRP was significantly higher in propofol group (31±6 vs 15±7 ng/L; P=0.035); Pre- and postoperative procalcitonin was within the reference range (<0.04 µg/L) in both groups. The oxygenation index was significantly lower in propofol group (339±139 vs 465±140; P=0.021). There was no significant difference between the groups in lung infiltrates (P=0.5849). The number of postoperative adverse events was higher in propofol group, but the difference was not-significant (5 vs 1; P=0.115).



The study suggests an antiinflammatory effect of sevoflurane in patients undergoing thoracotomy with OLV.
Molecular modeling of lipid drug formulations

Lipid formulations can improve the bioavailability of drugs that have low aqueous solubility. A variety of chemical compounds, including triglyceride oils (lipids), fatty acid esters and surfactants, can be included in lipid formulations. This heterogeneity makes spectroscopic study of the in ternal structure of formulation difficult. Understanding of lipid formulations at a molecular level will greatly improve our knowledge of in vivo dispersion and solubilisation patterns of lipid formulations. Molecular dynamics studies have provided useful insight into the structure and dynamics of different types of aggregates, including mixed glycerides with and without propylene glycol  and bile salts . To date, such studies have not been performed on lipid drug formulations . The objective of this research is to develop a molecular dynamics protocol to examine the interaction between drugs and formulations at the atomic level. To evaluate and parameterize the force field of choice we are calculating Gibbs free energy of solvation of a number of alcohols and short poly -(ethylene glycol) polymers. Following this, the aggregation behaviour of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), sodium glycochenodeoxycholate (GDX), different digestion products and polyethylene glycol surfactants will be investigated. Moreover, the phase diagram s of three component systems composed of i) bile salts, digested products and water and ii) surfactants, lipids and water will be modelled. Simulations are being performed using the molecular dynamics software suite GROMACS. Calculations are being performed on a high performance computing cluster at the Victorian Life Sciences Com putation Initiative (VLSCI). The methods highlighted in this study will prove to be an essential tool for formulators of lipid systems for oral administration.  1 May 2012
Coronary anatomy and left ventricular function in the first 12 hours of acute myocardial infarction: the Western Washington Randomized Intracoronary Streptokinase Trial.

The relationships among clinical variables, coronary anatomy, and left ventricular function during the early hours of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were evaluated from data acquired in the Western Washington Intracoronary Streptokinase Trial. All patients had symptoms and electrocardiographic changes typical of AMI. All data were obtained before treatment with streptokinase. Mean time to catheterization was 4.1 hr after onset of symptoms. Coronary angiograms (n = 245) were analyzed for location of infarct-related occlusion and collateral flow to the infarct bed. Left ventricular ejection fraction and regional left ventricular function were quantitated in 227. Sixty-two percent of occlusions were in the most proximal segment of the involved coronary artery. Collateral circulation was seen in 42% overall, in 31% with left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion, and in 52% with right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion (p less than .005). Left ventricular ejection fraction was lowest and regional function was most abnormal in the group with proximal LAD occlusion. Hyperkinesis was present in 32%; in those with hyperkinesis, hyperkinetic segment length was longest in those with RCA or circumflex occlusion. Multivariate analysis identified proximal LAD occlusion as the factor most closely associated with left ventricular ejection fraction and with measures of left ventricular regional hypofunction. We conclude that (1) AMI is usually caused by occlusion or subtotal occlusion in the most proximal portion of the involved coronary artery, (2) collateral circulation is more frequent with RCA than with LAD occlusion, and (3) location of the infarct-related occlusion is the most important determinant of global and regional left ventricular function in the early hours of AMI.
Air pollution and acute respiratory infections among children 0-4 years of age: an 18-year time-series study.

Upper and lower respiratory infections are common in early childhood and may be exacerbated by air pollution. We investigated short-term changes in ambient air pollutant concentrations, including speciated particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), in relation to emergency department (ED) visits for respiratory infections in young children. Daily counts of ED visits for bronchitis and bronchiolitis (n = 80,399), pneumonia (n = 63,359), and upper respiratory infection (URI) (n = 359,246) among children 0-4 years of age were collected from hospitals in the Atlanta, Georgia, area for the period 1993-2010. Daily pollutant measurements were combined across monitoring stations using population weighting. In Poisson generalized linear models, 3-day moving average concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and the organic carbon fraction of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) were associated with ED visits for pneumonia and URI. Ozone associations were strongest and were observed at low (cold-season) concentrations; a 1-interquartile range increase predicted a 4% increase (95% confidence interval: 2%, 6%) in visits for URI and an 8% increase (95% confidence interval: 4%, 13%) in visits for pneumonia. Rate ratios tended to be higher in the 1- to 4-year age group compared with infants. Results suggest that primary traffic pollutants, ozone, and the organic carbon fraction of PM2.5 exacerbate upper and lower respiratory infections in early life, and that the carbon fraction of PM2.5 is a particularly harmful component of the ambient particulate matter mixture.
Long-term outcome and its predictors among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by shock: insights from the GUSTO-I trial.

This study sought to assess long-term outcome and determine its predictors among 30-day survivors of cardiogenic shock.



Patients with cardiogenic shock have high in-hospital and 30-day mortality, but there are little data about those who survive beyond 30 days.



We analyzed baseline, in-hospital, and survival data from patients in the U.S. with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and cardiogenic shock enrolled in the GUSTO (Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries)-I trial and compared them with patients in the same trial who did not have shock.



Of 22,883 patients enrolled in the U.S., shock occurred in 1,891 (8.3%); 953 (50.4%) survived 30 days and 527 (27.8%) survived 11 years. Of 20,992 U.S. patients without shock, 20,360 (96.9%) survived 30 days and 14,131 (67.3%) survived 11 years. After the first year, 2% to 4% of patients died each year regardless of whether they had cardiogenic shock. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we were able to predict long-term mortality in all U.S. GUSTO-I 30-day survivors from their baseline demographics and in-hospital complications. The strongest predictors were diabetes mellitus, cardiogenic shock, hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, current smoking, anterior infarct, higher Killip class, higher heart rate, and older age; patients >75 years were at highest risk. Percutaneous revascularization during the index hospitalization was associated with a reduced risk of death.



Among patients with cardiogenic shock who survive 30 days after STEMI, annual mortality rates of 2% to 4% approximate those of patients without shock.