nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Effect of combination exercise training on metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Studies have shown that physical activity or exercise training may decrease the metabolic syndrome.



The aim of the present study is to clarify the effect of combination exercise training on metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.



Twenty nine postmenopausal women (58.27 +/- 6.31 years) with breast cancer were divided into two groups randomly as experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=15).



Subjects of experimental group were performed 15 weeks combination exercise training including walking (2 sessions per week) and resistance training (2 sessions per week that was different from walking days). Before and after 15 weeks, fasting insulin and glucose, insulin resistance, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were calculated. Also, Vo2peak, rest heart rate (RHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured in two groups.


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Mean values of two groups in pre and post test were compared by independent and paired t-test for all measurements (P ≤ 0.05).



Significant differences were observed for VO2peak, RHR, BW, BMI, WHR, SBP, fasting insulin and glucose, HDL-C and TG between experimental and control groups after 15 weeks (P< 0.05).



Combination exercise training can improve metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
Individual exercise sessions alter circulating hormones and cytokines in HIV-infected men.

Exercise has the potential to impact disease by altering circulating anabolic and catabolic factors. It was the goal of this study to determine how different regimens of low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise affected circulating levels of these anabolic and catabolic factors in HIV-infected men. Exercise-naive, HIV-infected men, medically cleared for study participation, were randomized into one of the following groups: a moderate-intensity group (MOD, who completed 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic training followed by 30 min of moderate-intensity resistance training; a low-intensity group (LOW), who completed 60 min of treadmill walking; or a control group (CON), who attended the clinic but participated in no activity. Blood and saliva samples were collected at selected time points before, during, and after each of the 3 required sessions. Compared with baseline, the MOD group (n=14) had a 135% increase in growth hormone (GH) (p<0.05) and a 34% decrease in cortisol (CORT) (p<0.05) at the post time point, a 31% increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p<0.05) at 30-min post exercise, and a 23% increase in IL-6 (p<0.05) and a 13% decrease in soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFrII) (p<0.05) at 60-min post exercise. The LOW (n=11) group had a 3.5% decrease in sTNFrII (<0.05) at 30-min post exercise compared with baseline and a 49% decrease (p<0.05) in GH at 60-min post exercise. The CON group (n=13) had a decrease in GH at 30-min (62%, p<0.05) and 60-min (61%, p<0.05) post exercise compared with baseline. The increase in GH from baseline to post was greater in the MOD group (p<0.05) and the decrease in CORT from pre to post was greater in the MOD group (p<0.05) than in the other groups. These data suggest that individual sessions of both low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise can alter circulating anabolic and catabolic factors in HIV-infected men. The changes in the MOD group present potential mechanisms for the increases in lean tissue mass seen with resistance exercise training.
Further international adaptation and validation of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire was developed directly from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to measure quality of life (QoL). Since then, it has become widely used in clinical studies and trials and has been adapted for use in 24 languages. The objective was to develop and validate 11 additional language versions of the RAQoL in US English, Mexican Spanish, Argentinean Spanish, Belgian French, Belgian Flemish, French, Romanian, Czech, Slovakian, Polish and Russian. The language adaptation and validation required three stages: translation, cognitive debriefing interviews and validation survey. The translation process involved a dual-panel methodology (bilingual panel followed by a lay panel). The validation survey tested the psychometric properties of the new scales and included either the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) or the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) as comparators. Internal consistency of the new language versions ranged from 0.90 to 0.97 and test–retest reliability from 0.85 to 0.99. RAQoL scores correlated as expected with the HAQ. Correlations with NHP sections were as expected: highest with energy level, pain and physical mobility and lowest with emotional reactions, sleep disturbance, and social isolation. The adaptations exhibited construct validity in their ability to distinguish subgroups of RA patients varying by perceived disease severity and general health. The new language versions of the RAQoL meet the high psychometric standards of the original UK English version. The new adaptations represent valid and reliable tools for measuring QoL in international clinical trials involving RA patients.
Clinical accuracy of a continuous glucose monitoring system with an advanced algorithm.

We assessed the performance of a modified Dexcom G4 Platinum system with an advanced algorithm, in comparison with frequent venous samples measured on a laboratory reference (YSI) during a clinic session and in comparison to self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) during home use. Fifty-one subjects with diabetes were enrolled in a prospective multicenter study. Subjects wore 1 sensor for 7-day use and participated in one 12-hour in-clinic session on day 1, 4, or 7 to collect YSI reference venous glucose every 15 minutes and capillary SMBG test every 30 minutes. Carbohydrate consumption and insulin dosing and timing were manipulated to obtain data in low and high glucose ranges. In comparison with the laboratory reference method (n = 2,263) the system provided a mean and median absolute relative differences (ARD) of 9.0% and 7.0%, respectively. The mean absolute difference for CGM was 6.4 mg/dL when the YSIs were within hypoglycemia ranges (≤ 70 mg/dL). The percentage in the clinically accurate Clarke error grid A zone was 92.4% and in the benign error B zone was 7.1%. Majority of the sensors (73%) had an aggregated MARD in reference to YSI ≤ 10%. The MARD of CGM-SMBG for home use was 11.3%. The study showed that the point and rate accuracy, clinical accuracy, reliability, and consistency over the duration of wear and across glycemic ranges were superior to current commercial real-time CGM systems. The performance of this CGM is reaching that of a self-monitoring blood glucose meter in real use environment.
Genetic susceptibility to cancer. Family physicians' experience.

To explore family physicians' experiences in dealing with genetic susceptibility to cancer.



Qualitative study using focus groups.



Four Ontario sites: northern, rural, urban, and inner city.



Forty rural and urban FPs participated in four focus groups: 28 were male; average age was 41.



Focus groups using a semistructured interview guide were audiotaped and transcribed. The constant comparative method of data analysis was used. Key words and concepts were identified. Data were sorted using NUD*IST software.



Participants realized the escalating expectations for genetic testing and its effect on family practice. They explored an expanded role for themselves in genetic testing. Possible activities included risk assessment, gatekeeping, and ordering genetic tests. They were concerned about the complexity of genetic testing, the lack of evidence regarding management, and the implications for families.



We must help FPs struggling to integrate genetics into their practices, by addressing their concerns, enhancing the way they communicate information on genetics, and developing appropriate educational tools.
Spirituality and Optimism: A Holistic Approach to Component-Based, Self-management Treatment for HIV

For people living with HIV (PLWH), spirituality and optimism have a positive influence on their health, can slow HIV disease progression, and can improve quality of life. Our aim was to describe longitudinal changes in spirituality and optimism after participation in the SystemCHANGE™-HIV intervention. Upon completion of the intervention, participants experienced an 11.5 point increase in overall spiritual well-being (p = 0.036), a 6.3 point increase in religious well-being (p = 0.030), a 4.8 point increase in existential well-being (p = 0.125), and a 0.8 point increase in total optimism (p = 0.268) relative to controls. Our data suggest a group-based self-management intervention increases spiritual well-being in PLWH.
Further observations on respiratory flow-volume loops: clinical evaluation of a new oral bronchodilator, CP-12,521-1.

PRESSUBE, VOLUME, AND FLOW DATA obtained during spirometry and plotted as pressure-volume or flow-volume loops have been used in the study of respiratory mechanics. Pressure-volume loops are used for the display of data generated in the measurement of static and dynamic compliance of the lungs and/or chest wall. 1-~ Flow-volume loops have been used for the quick pattern-recognition of various pulmonary diseases ~-6 and in the evaluation of the effects of drugs on the lower airways. 7,8 Based on a technical modiflcation 9 of the original method described by Fry and Hyatt, we evaluated a new oral bronehodilator, cp-12,521-1  in the management of patients with asthma.
Effect of manual versus mechanically assisted manipulations of the thoracic spine in neck pain patients: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition with a point prevalence of around 15% in males and 23% in females that often presents in physiotherapy practice. Physical therapy and/or manipulation therapy is generally the first management option for patients with mechanical neck pain. Physical therapists treat mechanical neck pain with a number of interventions including joint mobilization and/or manipulation, therapeutic exercises or education. However, manipulation of the cervical spine carries some risks. Treating the thoracic spine for neck pain is an alternative approach. Emerging evidence suggests that it may be effective for treating neck pain without the risks associated with cervical spine manipulation. A new electromechanical device has recently been developed and tested for delivering multiple high velocity, low amplitude thrust manipulations to the spine. This device incorporates both auditory and visual systems that provide real time feedback on the applied treatment. The objective of this study is to compare the short- and long-term effects of manual versus mechanically assisted manipulations of the thoracic spine for neck pain patients.



A 6-month, randomized controlled trial consisting of 54 patients with acute or chronic neck pain patients will be conducted. Patients with no signs of major pathology and with little or no interference with daily activities will be recruited. Three treatment sessions with 4-day intervals will be carried out. The patients will be randomly assigned to receive either manually performed manipulations or electromechanical manipulations at the thoracic spine. The primary outcome is pain intensity as measured by the Visual Analogue Pain Rating Scale. The secondary outcome measures are neck physical disability using the Neck Disability Index, quality of life measured by the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Levels and patients' improvement using the Patient's Global Impression of Change Scale.



It is expected that both interventions will improve neck pain. This would be a significant finding, as thoracic spine manipulation for neck pain does not carry the same risk of injury as cervical spine manipulation. In addition, the results may provide useful information about therapeutic options for health care providers and patients for the problem of neck pain.
Semantics of interactive rotations

We first outline an overall design philosophy for rigid geometric manipulations, then examine a manipulation's characteristics: nesting, scope, pivot constraints, and axis, constraints. We show how a mnemonic notation helps us explain how a simple matrix operation can make manipulations (both rotations and translations) nested within rotations easy to control. Finally, we mention some practical considerations to increase calculation speed and control numerical error. An appendix collects formulas useful for working with rotations.
Calcium and vitamin D3 supplements in calcium and vitamin D3 sufficient early postmenopausal healthy women

To study the calcium homeostasis in healthy, calcium and vitamin D replete early postmenopausal women during oral supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3.Design: A prospective, placebo-controlled, randomised, double-single-blind, 3-week study. Outpatient clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. In all, 17 started, one was excluded. Totally, 16 healthy women, 45–61 y of age (mean 57.3 y) who were at least 4 y after menopause (mean 6.7 y) completed. All underwent three consecutive 7-day study periods. Each began with 4 days of normal diet followed by 3 days treatment of either C:one tablet of 1.250 mg calcium carbonate (ie 500 mg Ca2+ per tablet) twice daily (breakfast and dinner), or CD3:as in C but plus 400 IU vitamin D3 b.i.d., or P(only) placebo tablets b.i.d. At baseline plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was normal (66±22 nmol/l) and the calcium intake without supplements 850 mg/day. In group C, the 24-h urinary calcium increased by 35% (6.9±2.0 mmol), vs the placebo group P (5.1±1.6 mmol) (P<0.05). Addition of 800 IU vitamin D3 daily (CD3) did not increase calcium excretion further (6.6±2.1 mmol) but decreased plasma 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 by 21% (P<0.05).Conclusions: In this carefully controlled study calcium plus vitamin D3 supplements only had minor influences of uncertain significance on the calcium balance in healthy, calcium and vitamin D sufficient early postmenopausal women. Copenhagen University, Karolinska Institutet and Nycomed A/S.
Low frequency of skin reactions in a cohort of patients on raltegravir.

6 Kouda S, Ohara M, Onodera M et al. Increased prevalence and clonal dissemination of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the blaIMP-1 gene cassette in Hiroshima.  Diverse mobilized class 1 integrons are common in the chromosome of pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56: 2169–72.
STAR: a dementia-specific training program for staff in assisted living residences.

This article describes, and provides data on, an innovative, comprehensive, dementia-specific training program designed to teach direct care staff in assisted living residences to improve care and reduce problems in residents with dementia.



STAR-which stands for Staff Training in Assisted living Residences-provides two 4-hr workshops augmented by four individualized on-site consultations and three leadership sessions. Developed by means of an iterative process of implementation and revision, it was then evaluated in a small randomized controlled trial. A total of 114 staff and 120 residents in 15 residences participated.



STAR was exceptionally well received. Training details are provided with a discussion of unique challenges inherent in implementation. Following training, STAR residents evidenced significantly reduced levels of affective and behavioral distress compared with control residents. Furthermore, STAR residents improved whereas control residents worsened (p < .05). Staff with STAR staff training reported less adverse impact and reaction to residents' problems (p < .05) and more job satisfaction (p < .10) compared with control staff.



STAR is an effective training program for direct care staff working with dementia residents in assisted living. The importance of continued development and investigation of STAR efficacy and effectiveness is underscored by the growing numbers of residents with dementia who are receiving care in these settings.
Ethnic differences in risk perception among women at increased risk for breast cancer

There has been increasing interest in the role of cultural and ethnic factors in breast cancer risk perceptions and screening practices. This study examined ethnic differences in breast cancer risk perception in 112 African American and 224 white women ages 35 and older who had at least one first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer. These samples were matched for education and age. Data on breast cancer risk factors, risk perceptions, breast cancer worries, and breast cancer screening practices were collected through structured telephone interviews. The results show that African American women were significantly less likely than white women to report heightened perceptions of personal risk after their relative was diagnosed with breast cancer (61% vs 82%; p<.001). Despite this, African American women had significantly greater concerns about their personal risk of breast cancer and worries about their affected relative. African American women also scored significantly higher than white women on a measure of avoidance of breast cancer-related thoughts and feelings. These psychological variables were associated independently with breast cancer risk perception in multivariate models, taking precedence over demographic and risk factor predictors. Observed ethnic differences in breast cancer risk perceptions and psychological distress may be attributable to the influence of cultural factors particular to people of African descent, such as the importance of interpersonal relationships, spirituality, and time orientation. An Africentric perspective is used to interpret these findings and to provide suggestions for delivering effective breast cancer risk counseling to African American women.
Decision-making and outcomes of feeding tube insertion: a five-state study.

To examine family member's perceptions of decision-making and outcomes of feeding tubes.



Mortality follow-back survey. Sample weights were used to account for oversampling and survey design. A multivariate model examined the association between feeding tube use and overall quality of care rating regarding the last week of life.



Nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities.



Respondents whose relative had died from dementia in five states with varying feeding tube use.



Respondents were asked about discussions, decision-making, and outcomes related to their loved ones' feeding problems.



Of 486 family members surveyed, representing 9,652 relatives dying from dementia, 10.8% reported that the decedent had a feeding tube, 17.6% made a decision not to use a feeding tube, and 71.6% reported that there was no decision about feeding tubes. Of respondents for decedents with a feeding tube, 13.7% stated that there was no discussion about feeding tube insertion, and 41.6% reported a discussion that was shorter than 15 minutes. The risks associated with feeding tube insertion were not discussed in one-third of the cases, 51.8% felt that the healthcare provider was strongly in favor of feeding tube insertion, and 12.6% felt pressured by the physician to insert a feeding tube. The decedent was often physically (25.9%) or pharmacologically restrained (29.2%). Respondents whose loved ones died with a feeding tube were less likely to report excellent end-of-life care (adjusted odds ratio=0.42, 95% confidence interval=0.18-0.97) than those who were not.



Based on the perceptions of bereaved family members, important opportunities exist to improve decision-making in feeding tube insertion.
Cortical sources of resting state electroencephalographic alpha rhythms deteriorate across time in subjects with amnesic mild cognitive impairment

Cortical sources of resting state electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms are abnormal in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Here, we tested the hypothesis that these sources in amnesic MCI subjects further deteriorate over 1 year. To this aim, the resting state eyes-closed EEG data were recorded in 54 MCI subjects at baseline (Mini Mental State Examination I = 26.9; standard error [SE], 0.2) and at approximately 1-year follow-up (13.8 months; SE, 0.5; Mini Mental State Examination II = 25.8; SE, 0.2). As a control, EEG recordings were also performed in 45 normal elderly and in 50 mild Alzheimer's disease subjects. EEG rhythms of interest were delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha1 (8-10.5 Hz), alpha2 (10.5-13 Hz), beta1 (13-20 Hz), and beta2 (20-30 Hz). Cortical EEG sources were estimated using low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography. Compared with the normal elderly and mild Alzheimer's disease subjects, the MCI subjects were characterized by an intermediate power of posterior alpha1 sources. In the MCI subjects, the follow-up EEG recordings showed a decreased power of posterior alpha1 and alpha2 sources. These results suggest that the resting state EEG alpha sources were sensitive-at least at the group level-to the cognitive decline occurring in the amnesic MCI group over 1 year, and might represent cost-effective, noninvasive and widely available markers to follow amnesic MCI populations in large clinical trials.
The association between secondhand smoke and the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes, among non-smokers, under the presence of several cardiovascular risk factors: The CARDIO2000 case-control study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between secondhand smoke and the risk of developing a first event of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), i.e. acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina, among non-smokers, in relation to the presence of several other cardiovascular risk factors.



Eight hundred and forty-eight patients with first event of ACS and 1078 cardiovascular disease-free matched controls completed a detailed questionnaire regarding their exposure to secondhand smoke, among other investigated parameters.



Two hundred and ninety-seven (35%) of the patients and 259 (24%) of the controls were defined as secondhand smokers. After controlling for several potential confounders, the results showed that non-smokers occasionally (< 3 time per week) exposed to cigarette smoke were associated with 26% higher risk of ACS (OR = 1.26, P-value < 0.01) compared to non-smokers not exposed to smoke, while regular exposure is associated with 99% higher risk of developing ACS (OR = 1.99, P-value < 0.001). Moreover, the previous risk increases progressively from 15% to 256% if one or more of the classical cardiovascular risk factors (i.e. hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, sedentary life and family history of premature coronary heart disease) are present.



Consequently, this study supports the hypothesis that even occasional secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes, especially when other risk factors are present. Given the high prevalence of cigarette smoking, the public health consequences of passive smoking with regard to coronary heart disease are important.