nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Abolished Interferon-beta Bioavailability

Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to interferon-beta (IFN-β) are associated with reduced bioactivity and efficacy of IFN-β in multiple sclerosis (MS). The myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) gene expression is one of the most appropriate markers of biological activity of exogenous IFN-β. We hypothesized that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) can restore the ability of IFN-β to induce the MxA mRNA expression and that maintenance plasmapheresis can sustain the bioavailability of IFN-β.



Eligible patients underwent 4 primary separate plasma exchange sessions. After the induction TPE sessions, they were transferred to maintenance plasmapheresis. Bioactivity of IFN-β was expressed as in vivo MxA mRNA induction in whole blood using RT-qPCR.



Six patients with low IFN-β bioavailability detected by the MxA mRNA response were included. Four patients became biological responders after induction plasmapheresis. In 2 patients an increase of MxA mRNA expression was found, but the values persisted below the cut-off and the patients remained as "poor biological responders". The effect of maintenance plasmapheresis was transient: MxA mRNA expression values reverted to the baseline levels after 1-2 months.



Therapeutic plasma exchange is able to restore the bioavailability of IFN-β in the majority of studied patients, but the effect of TPE on the IFN-β bioavailability was transient.
Elevated M2-muscarinic and β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibody levels are associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying lone atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been clearly demonstrated yet. Emerging evidence has indicated that autoimmunity may play a role in the development of AF. Relationship between serum anti-M2-muscarinic receptor autoantibody (anti-M2-R) and anti-β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibody (anti-β1-R) levels and lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has not been investigated. We aimed to compare anti-M2-R and anti-β1-R levels between lone PAF patients and healthy control subjects. 75 patients with lone PAF (age: 52.80 ± 6.80 years, 53 % male) and 75 healthy control subjects (age: 53.30 ± 6.80 years, 54 % male) were enrolled in the study. Serum anti-M2-R and anti-β1-R levels were measured by ELISA and compared between two groups. Anti-M2-R [142.30 (77.65–400.00) vs. 69.00 (39.48–299.04) ng/mL; p < 0.001) and anti-β1-R [102.56 (65.18–348.41) vs. 44.17 (30.89–158.54) ng/mL; p < 0.001] levels were significantly higher in patients with lone PAF compared to healthy controls. Multivariate regression analysis showed that left atrial diameter (OR: 1.471, p < 0.001), hs-CRP(OR: 1.940, p < 0.001), anti-M2-R (OR: 1.158, p < 0.001) and anti-β1-R (OR: 1.296, p < 0.001) levels were independent predictors for the presence of lone PAF. Using a cut-off level of 101.83 ng/mL, anti-M2-R levels predicted presence of lone PAF with a sensitivity of 94.68 % and specificity of 81.33 %. Anti-β1-R levels predicted presence of lone PAF with a sensitivity of 92.00 % and specificity of 73.30 %, using a cut-off level of 72.16 ng/mL. Our results demonstrated that higher serum anti-M2-R and anti-β1-R levels are associated with lone PAF. Autoantibodies related to autonomic system may play an important role in the development of lone AF.
Accuracy of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma.

To determine the accuracy of Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma in patients presenting with post-menopausal bleeding while taking histopathological findings as the gold standard.



The cross-sectional study was done at the Department of Radiology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from April 1 to September 30, 2009, and comprised 128 patients above 50 years of age having history of post-menopausal bleeding and who were referred to the department. Name, age and hospital registration number were recorded on a proforma. Doppler ultrasound was performed and endometrial thickness and uterine artery resistive index were recorded on transabdominal ultrasonography. Patients with endometrial thickness of more than 5 mm and uterine artery resistive index of less than 0.7 were considered to be having endometrial carcinoma. Histopathology findings were also recorded using the hospital registration number of the patient. The findings of Doppler ultrasound scan were validated with the findings of histopathology.



Of the 128 patients, 48 (37.5%) were between the ages of 51 and 55 years; 46 (35.93%) were in the 56-60 age group; and 34 (26.57%) were over 65 years. On the basis of Doppler ultrasound findings, 106 (82.8%) patients were diagnosed as having endometrial carcinoma, while 22 (17.19%) were declared negative. Ultrasonography results were compared with histopathology findings. The percentages of true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative were calculated. There were 103 (80.47%) true positive; 12 (9.37%) false positive; 10 (7.81%) true negative; and 3 (2.35%) false negative. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were found to be 97.16%, 76%, 89.56% and 76.92% respectively.



The use of Doppler ultrasonography in non-invasive diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma in patients presenting with post-menopausal bleeding was quite useful with good sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values. There were no procedural complications.
Anti-inflammatory treatment with colchicine in stable chronic heart failure: a prospective, randomized study.

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a 6-month course of anti-inflammatory treatment with colchicine in improving functional status of patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF).



CHF has been shown to be associated with inflammatory activation. Inflammation has been designated as a therapeutic target in CHF.



Patients with stable CHF were randomly assigned to colchicine (0.5 mg twice daily) or placebo for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving at least one-grade improvement in New York Heart Association class.



Two hundred sixty-seven patients were available for final evaluation of the primary endpoint: its rate was 11% in the control group and 14% in the colchicine group (odds ratio: 1.40; 95% confidence interval: 0.67 to 2.93; p = 0.365). The rate of the composite of death or hospital stay for heart failure was 9.4% in the control group, compared with 10.1% in the colchicine group (p = 0.839). The changes in treadmill exercise time with treatment were insignificant and similar in the 2 groups (p = 0.938). C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were both significantly reduced in the colchicine group (-5.1 mg/l and -4.8 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.001 for both, compared with the control group).



According to this prospective, randomized study, anti-inflammatory treatment with colchicine in patients with stable CHF, although effective in reducing inflammation biomarker levels, did not affect in any significant way patient functional status (in terms of New York Heart Association class and objective treadmill exercise tolerance) or the likelihood of death or hospital stay for heart failure.
A randomized controlled trial of a self-regulation intervention for older adults with asthma.

To evaluate a self-regulation intervention for asthma for older adults.



A blinded randomized controlled trial.



Single-center tertiary care academic center.



Seventy older adults aged 65 and older with persistent asthma randomized to an intervention or control group.



Participants participate in a six-session program conducted over the telephone and in group sessions. Participants selected an asthma-specific goal, identified problems, and addressed potential barriers.



Outcomes were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months and included the mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mAQLQ), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), healthcare utilization, exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%).



The mAQLQ score was significantly higher in the intervention group at 1, 6, and 12 months, even after controlling for confounding factors. The between-group difference decreased over time, although at 12 months, it remained greater than 0.5 points. The ACQ was better in the intervention group than in the control group at 1, 6, and 12 months. At 12 months, those in the intervention group were 4.2 times as likely as those in the control group to have an ACQ score in the controlled range. Healthcare utilization was lower in the intervention group, although no difference was observed in FENO or predicted FEV1%.



A self-regulation intervention can improve asthma control, quality of life, and healthcare utilization in older adults.
Quantitative and Qualitative Antibody Responses to Immunization With the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in HIV-Infected Patients After Initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment: Results From a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) persons; the best timing for immunization with respect to initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is unknown.



Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in HIV+ with CD4(+) T cells/µL (CD4) ≥ 200 randomized to receive the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) or placebo at enrollment, followed by placebo or PPV23, respectively, 9-12 months later (after ≥6 months of ART). Capsular polysaccharide-specific immunoglobin (Ig) G and IgM levels to serotypes 1, 3, 4, 6B, and 23F, and opsonophagocytic killing activity (OPA) to serotypes 6B and 23F were evaluated 1 month postvaccination.



One hundred seven subjects were enrolled, 72 (67.3%) were evaluable (36/group). Both groups had significant increases in pre- to 1-month postvaccination IgG levels, but negligible to IgM, and significant increases in OPA titers to serotype 6B but not to 23F. There were no significant differences between groups in serotype-specific IgM or IgG levels or OPA titers. For the combined groups, there was a significant correlation between serotype-specific IgG and OPA titers to 23F but not to 6B. There was no correlation between CD4, viral load and IgG responses.



In HIV+ with CD4 ≥ 200, delaying PPV23 until ≥6 months of ART does not improve responses and may lead to missed opportunities for immunization.
Randomized controlled trial of albendazole in new onset epilepsy and MRI confirmed solitary cerebral cysticercal lesion: Effect on long-term seizure outcome

No trials to date have focused on long-term seizure outcome in solitary cerebral cysticercal lesion (SCCL), which is believed to produce a relatively benign form of epilepsy. This is a prospective randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of Albendazole on long-term seizure outcome in patients with MRI-confirmed solitary cerebral cysticercal lesion (SCCL). One hundred and twenty-three patients with new-onset seizures and SCCL on contrast MRI were randomized to treatment with albendazole and followed for up to five years with serial MRI and clinical evaluation. At final analysis 103 patients (M-54, F-49) with a mean age of 18.6+/-10.7 years and follow-up period more than 12 months were included. The mean follow-up duration was 31.4+/-14.8 months (12-64). At one month follow-up more patients receiving albendazole were seizure-free (62% versus 49% for controls). Subsequently there was no significant difference in overall seizure outcome between the two groups. There was no correlation between seizure semiology, albendazole therapy and long-term seizure outcome. Baseline MRI showed active lesions in all; 23% remained active at 12 months with no difference between the albendazole and control groups. Patients whose lesions resolved at 12 months showed better seizure outcome. Reduction in mean cyst area was greater in the albendazole group as compared to the controls and the difference at six months was significant (p<0.05). At three months follow-up perilesional edema also resolved faster in albendazole group (p<0.05). Thus, albendazole did not alter the long-term seizure outcome in patients with SCCL and epilepsy. However, albendazole hastened resolution of SCCL on MRI, but interestingly 23% of lesions were still active 12 months after treatment.
Gene Flow Results in High Genetic Similarity between Sibiraea (Rosaceae) Species in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Studying closely related species and divergent populations provides insight into the process of speciation. Previous studies showed that the Sibiraea complex's evolutionary history on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) was confusing and could not be distinguishable on the molecular level. In this study, the genetic structure and gene flow of Sibiraea laevigata and Sibiraea angustata on the QTP was examined across 45 populations using 8 microsatellite loci. Microsatellites revealed high genetic diversity in Sibiraea populations. Most of the variance was detected within populations (87.45%) rather than between species (4.39%). We found no significant correlations between genetic and geographical distances among populations. Bayesian cluster analysis grouped all individuals in the sympatric area of Sibiraea into one cluster and other individuals of S. angustata into another. Divergence history analysis based on the approximate Bayesian computation method indicated that the populations of S. angustata at the sympatric area derived from the admixture of the 2 species. The assignment test assigned all individuals to populations of their own species rather than its congeneric species. Consistently, intraspecies were detected rather than interspecies first-generation migrants. The bidirectional gene flow in long-term patterns between the 2 species was asymmetric, with more from S. angustata to S. laevigata. In conclusion, the Sibiraea complex was distinguishable on the molecular level using microsatellite loci. We found that the high genetic similarity of the complex resulted from huge bidirectional gene flow, especially on the sympatric area where population admixtures occurred. This study sheds light on speciation with gene flow in the QTP.
Dealing with Synchronization and Timing Variability in the Playback of Interactive Session Recordings

In this paper, we describe scheduling and synchronization support for a novel multimedia document, referred to as a session object. The session object captures a voice-annotated, interactive session with an application | it contains audio and window streams. This paper addresses media scheduling and synchronization issues for the support of faithful replay of session objects when subject to timing variability at the replay workstation. The replay is supported by an adaptive scheduling algorithm. The algorithm preserves relative interstream synchronization between window and audio streams. Run-time temporal deformations are applied over the schedule of the window stream. We show that the inter-stream asynchrony oats under statistical control as a function of the scheduling interval. The mechanisms could be generalized to the replay of streams that are subject to timing variability. Our object-oriented toolkit, ReplayKit, enables an application to become replay-aware through access to session capture and replay functionality.
The evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of Hylan G-F 20 in bilateral thumb base osteoarthritis: 6 months follow-up

The aims of this randomized controlled trial were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 on the pain, pinch strength, and functional status in patients with thumb base osteoarthritis (OA). Sixty-six hands of 33 female patients (mean age, 62.6 ± 6.4 years) with bilateral clinical and radiological thumb base OA were included into this study. Hands of the same patient were divided to Hylan G-F 20 and saline-injection groups. VAS pain 100 mm, pinch strength (key, tripod and pulp to pulp pinch) and functionality (Dreiser functional index) were assessed at baseline, at sixth and 24th weeks. Statistically significant improvements were detected in function (p = 0.001), VAS pain (p = 0.002), and pinch strength (p = 0.004) at the 24th week in the Hylan G-F 20 group. However, only VAS pain scores decreased temporarily in control hands at the 6th week (p = 0.02). Although short-term placebo analgesic effect could not be ignored, intra-articular hylan was effective on pain, pinch strength, and function at the 24th week.
SLC47A1 gene rs2289669 G>A variants enhance the glucose-lowering effect of metformin via delaying its excretion in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.

The SLC47A1 gene encodes the multi-drug and toxic excretion-1(MATE1) protein, which plays a key role in the transport and excretion of metformin. This study is to clarify the influence of variants in SLC47A1 (rs2289669 G→A) on metformin pharmacokinetics and the long-term glucose-lowering effect of metformin.



A total of 220 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients were recruited, genotyped and divided into three groups by SLC47A1 genotypes (G/G, G/A, A/A). Ten patients in each group were randomly selected for metformin pharmacokinetics. All the participants received metformin oral treatment and were followed for one year.



After one-year follow-up, the decline of HbA1c level was significantly greater in subjects with variant genotype (AA) than other two groups (-2.32% [-25.4 mmol/mol] in AA vs. -1.16% [-12.7 mmol/mol] in GA, -1.07% [-11.7 mmol/mol] in GG, P<0.05). Then taking GG genotype as the referent, the association between AA genotype and change of HbA1c still existed after adjusted for age, sex, BMI, baseline HbA1c and diabetes duration (P<0.05). Pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin indicated that patients carrying MATE1 homozygous A had higher area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC12h), but lower renal clearance (CLR) and renal clearance by secretion (CLSR) than other patients (all P<0.01). Multivariate lineal stepwise analysis further revealed that SLC47A1 genotype was an independent impact factor for urine excretion of metformin (P<0.01).



SLC47A1 rs2289669 G>A variants improve the glucose-lowering effect of metformin through slowing its excretion in type 2 diabetes populations.
Intravesical oxybutynin for spinal cord injury patients

The treatment of choice for the failure to restore neurogenic bladder dysfunction, managed with clean intermittent catheterization program with incontinence, is anticholinergic medication. The goal is to increase bladder capacity, and decrease intravesical pressure in order to maintain continence between catheterizations. The most commonly used anticholinergic medication in the United States is Oxybutynin. Previous clinical studies have shown that 61% of the patients on oral Oxybutynin report adverse systemic side effects and are noncompliant in taking it. In 48% of the patients, possibly due to their noncompliance, oral Oxybutynin Hydrochloride is ineffective.1,2In this study, 13 spinal cord injured patients with a failure to restore bladder dysfunction were treated with intravesical Oxybutynin. Nine patients improved on the regimen while one patient underwent surgical bladder augmentation. Postoperatively, this patient continued to be incontinent between catheterizations. Reinstitution of intravesical Oxybutynin stabilized the patient's bladder with clean intermittent catheterization without further intervention.After 3 months post instillation in the urodynamic studies, the mean bladder capacity increased, the mean volume at first contraction increased and the leak point pressure decreased. The decrease in leak point pressure was statistically significant. Leak point pressure is one of the most important parameters we monitor to preserve upper urinary tract function. We recommend the trial of intravesical Oxybutynin for patients who fit the criteria of the protocol prior to surgical bladder augmentation.
Validation of fibromyalgia survey questionnaire and polysymptomatic distress scale in a Persian population

The aim of this study was to assess validity of the fibromyalgia survey questionnaire (FSQ) and polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD) in an Iranian population. We also sought to classify the severity levels of fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms according to the PSD scale. Participants were divided into FM and non-FM chronic pain disorder groups according to expert physician diagnosis. Patients in both groups answered to Persian-translated version of FSQ, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and Short-Form-12 (SF-12). Both 1990 ACR criteria and FSDC were assessed in participates of two groups. Internal consistency and construct validity were evaluated. There was good internal consistency measured by Cronbach’s alpha (0.814 for FSQ). FSQ and its subscales correlated significantly with FIQ scores and SF-12 subscales, indicating acceptable construct validity. The concordance rates of FSQ with 1990 ACR criteria and expert diagnosis were 61.2 and 75.7, respectively (convergence validity). The mean score of PSD and its components in FM group were significantly more than in control groups (discriminative validity). Using lower PSD score cutoff (≥8.5) for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia appeared to be the most effective approach in our population. ROC analysis of the PSD scores revealed 8.5–11.5, 11.5–15 and more than 15, respectively, as a mild, moderate and severe FM. Persian version of FSQ was a valid instrument for application in survey research among Iranian patients with chronic pain disorders. The current study revealed that PSD could be used as a valid tool for assessment of symptoms intensity regardless of fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Correlates and outcomes of depressed out-patients with greater and fewer anxious symptoms: a CO-MED report.

The objective of this paper was to determine whether the presence of more vs. fewer anxious symptom features, at baseline, are associated with other clinical features and treatment outcomes in out-patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This single-blind, randomized trial enrolled 665 MDD out-patients to compare the efficacy of two antidepressant medication combinations against escitalopram after 12-wk acute treatment and follow-up (total 28 wk). The sample was divided into those with greater (vs. fewer) anxiety features using the anxiety/somatization subscale of the baseline 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Baseline sociodemographic and clinical features, treatment features and outcomes compared these two groups. Overall, 74.7% of participants met the threshold for 'anxious features'. They were more likely to be female, have other concurrent anxiety disorders, more severe depression, more lethargic and melancholic features and poorer cognitive and physical functioning, quality of life and work and social adjustment. In acute treatment, participants with anxious features received comparatively higher doses of mirtazapine and venlafaxine and reported more side-effects. The groups with and without anxious features did not differ in treatment outcomes and side-effect burden. Despite being associated with a distinct clinical profile, baseline anxious features were not clinically useful in predicting acute treatment outcomes or differential treatment response.