nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Annexin A5 prevents post-interventional accelerated atherosclerosis development in a dose-dependent fashion in mice.

Activated cells in atherosclerotic lesions expose phosphatidylserine (PS) on their surface. Annexin A5 (AnxA5) binds to PS and is used for imaging atherosclerotic lesions. Recently, AnxA5 was shown to inhibit vascular inflammatory processes after vein grafting. Here, we report a therapeutic role for AnxA5 in post-interventional vascular remodeling in a mouse model mimicking percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).



Associations between the rs4833229 (OR = 1.29 (CI 95%), p(allelic) = 0.011) and rs6830321 (OR = 1.35 (CI 95%), p(allelic) = 0.003) SNPs in the AnxA5 gene and increased restenosis-risk in patients undergoing PCI were found in the GENDER study. To evaluate AnxA5 effects on post-interventional vascular remodeling and accelerated atherosclerosis development in vivo, hypercholesterolemic ApoE(-/-) mice underwent femoral arterial cuff placement to induce intimal thickening. Dose-dependent effects were investigated after 3 days (effects on inflammation and leukocyte recruitment) or 14 days (effects on remodeling) after cuff placement. Systemically administered AnxA5 in doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0mg/kg compared to vehicle reduced early leukocyte and macrophage adherence up to 48.3% (p = 0.001) and diminished atherosclerosis development by 71.2% (p = 0.012) with a reduction in macrophage/foam cell presence. Moreover, it reduced the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker GRP78/BiP, indicating lower inflammatory activity of the cells present.



AnxA5 SNPs could serve as markers for restenosis after PCI and AnxA5 therapeutically prevents vascular remodeling in a dose-dependent fashion, together indicating clinical potential for AnxA5 against post-interventional remodeling.
Validation of self-reported diabetes in a representative sample of São Paulo city

To validate the self-reported diabetes mellitus in adults and older adults living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.  We have used data of 569 subjects (284 adults and 285 older adults), participants of the population-based cross-sectional study Inquérito de Saúde do Município de São Paulo (Health Survey of São Paulo). Fasting glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) and/or use of drugs (oral hypoglycemic and/or insulin) defined the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. We have validated the self-reported diabetes mellitus by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values. We have used Poisson regression with robust variance to verify the factors associated with the sensitivity of the self-reported datum. For all analyses, we have considered the sample design of the study.  The sensitivity of self-reported diabetes mellitus was 63.8% (95%CI 49.2-76.3), specificity was 99.7% (95%CI 99.1-99.9), positive predictive value was 95.5% (95%CI 84.4-98.8), and negative predictive value was 96.9% (95%CI 94.9-98.2). The correct reporting of diabetes mellitus was more prevalent among older adults (PR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.2-3.5) than among adults.  The use of the datum of self-reported diabetes mellitus is valid, especially among older adults living in the city of São Paulo. The results highlight the need to track diabetes mellitus in asymptomatic subjects who have one or more risk factors for it, mainly in the adult population of this city.
Balance disorders in childhood: Main etiologies according to age. Usefulness of the video head impulse test.

Balance disorders are common in adult patients but less usual in the pediatric population. When this symptomatology appears in children it is a cause for concern, both for parents and health-care professionals.



To explain the balance disorders in children describing a case series and to discuss the main etiologies found according to age.



A retrospective, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted.



Patients aged 1-18 years who consulted because of balance disorders at the otolaryngology department of a pediatric tertiary-care hospital between March 2012 and July 2015.



Two hundred and six patients were included in the study. Median age was 10 years. The most common diagnoses were vestibular migraine in 21.8% of the children, ataxia in 9.22%, benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood in 7.77%, and post-traumatic vertigo in 6.31%.Overall, 61 videonystagmographies- of which 46 were normal - and 55 video head impulse tests - which were normal in 45 and showed abnormalities in the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain in 10 - were performed.



In a child with balance disorders, the medical history and neurotological examination are essential. Vestibular migraine is the most commonly found disorder in every age group, and most of the patients have a family history of migraine. Ancillary studies, especially the video head-impulse test, provide important data to confirm the diagnosis.
The effects of balance training on gait late after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

To investigate the effects of balance training, using force platform biofeedback, on quantitative gait characteristics of hemiparetic patients late after stroke.



Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial.



Rehabilitation ward and gait laboratory of a university hospital.



Forty-one patients (mean (standard deviation; SD) age of 60.9 (11.7) years) with hemiparesis late after stroke (median time since stroke six months) were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group.



The control group (n = 19) participated in a conventional stroke inpatient rehabilitation programme, whereas the experimental group (n = 22) received 15 sessions of balance training (using force platform biofeedback) in addition to the conventional programme.



Selected paretic side time-distance, kinematic and kinetic gait parameters in sagittal, frontal and transverse planes were measured using a three-dimensional computerized gait analysis system, one week before and after the experimental treatment programme.



The control group did not show any statistically significant difference regarding gait characteristics. Pelvic excursion in frontal plane improved significantly (P = 0.021) in the experimental group. The difference between before-after change scores of the groups was significant for pelvic excursion in frontal plane (P = 0.039) and vertical ground reaction force (P = 0.030) in favour of experimental group.



Balance training using force platform biofeedback in addition to a conventional inpatient stroke rehabilitation programme is beneficial in improving postural control and weight-bearing on the paretic side while walking late after stroke.
Primary treatment of multiple myeloma with thalidomide, vincristine, liposomal doxorubicin and dexamethasone (T-VAD doxil): a phase II multicenter study.

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation after initial cytoreductive chemotherapy with the combination vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD) is considered an effective therapy for many patients with newly diagnosed, symptomatic multiple myeloma. Response to initial cytoreductive chemotherapy is important for the long-term outcome of such patients. Thalidomide has recently shown significant antimyeloma activity. We studied the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of a liposomal doxorubicin-containing VAD regimen with thalidomide, administered on an outpatient basis, as initial cytoreductive treatment in previously untreated patients with symptomatic myeloma.



Thirty-nine myeloma patients were treated with vincristine 2 mg intravenously (i.v.), liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2) i.v. administered as single dose on day 1, and dexamethasone 40 mg per os daily for 4 days. Dexamethasone was also given on days 15-18 of the first cycle of treatment. The regimen was administered every 4 weeks for four courses. Thalidomide was given daily at a dose of 200 mg at bedtime. Response to treatment was evaluated after four cycles of treatment. After completion of four cycles, the patients were allowed to proceed to high-dose chemotherapy or to receive two additional cycles of the same treatment.



On an intention-to-treat basis, 29 of the 39 patients (74%) responded to treatment. Four patients (10%) achieved complete and 25 (64%) partial response. Three patients (8%) showed minor response and seven (18%) were rated as non-responders. Major grade 3 or 4 toxicities consisted of neutropenia (15%), thrombocytopenia (15%), deep vein thrombosis (10%), constipation (10%), skin rash (5%) and peripheral neuropathy (5%). Two patients (5%) experienced early death due to infection.



The combination of vincristine, liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD doxil) with thalidomide is an effective and relatively well-tolerated initial cytoreductive treatment. Prospective randomized studies are required in order to assess the effect of this regimen on the long-term outcome of patients with multiple myeloma.
The Association of Four-Limb Blood Pressure with History of Stroke in Chinese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

We investigated the association of ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI), interarm blood pressure (BP) difference and interankle BP difference, obtained by simultaneous four-limb BP measurement, with history of stroke in a Chinese adult population.



This cross-sectional study included 1485 participants aged ≥35 years in the framework of the China Hypertension Survey. We performed simultaneous four-limb BP measurement using oscillometric devices with the participants in the supine position and calculated ABI and interarm/interankle BP differences between the 4 limbs. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of these BP parameters and other factors with a history of stroke.



In univariate analyses, participants with ABI <0.9, interarm BP difference ≥15 mmHg, and interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg had a higher prevalence of stroke than those without (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0152, p = 0.002, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analyses suggested, ABI <0.9 was independently associated with a history of stroke after adjustment for interarm BP difference ≥15 mmHg, interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg, and traditional risk factors for stroke (p = 0.001). An interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg was associated with prior stroke after the two variables of hypertension and ABI were removed from the logistic regression model (p = 0.0142). Net reclassification improvement analysis showed that inclusion of interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg to the independent risk factors (age, family history of stroke, hypertension, and ABI) improved net reclassification by 11.92%.



ABI <0.9 is an independent risk factor for stroke prevalence in Chinese adults and it just detected a small propotion of paticipants. The addition of interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg to the independent risk factors for stroke may improve the prediction of stroke.
Impact of tryptophan metabolism on the vulnerability to alcohol-related blackouts and violent impulsive behaviours.

We examined (1) the association of SLC6A4 genotypes and alcohol dependence (AD) in a sample of alcoholics; (2) the validity of lifetime occurrence of blacked-out violent impulsive behaviour (BOVIB) during binge drinking bouts as a criterion for subtyping AD patients and (3) a mechanistic hypothesis for BOVIB involving tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity.



Three common polymorphisms of the SLC6A4 gene (5-HTTLPR, A/G SNP of LPR region and VNTR in intron 2) were genotyped. An oral tryptophan (Trp) load (OTL) was administered to a sample of patients seeking help for AD. BOVIB history and psychological status were screened by BOVIB-Q, depression (BDI), anxiety (BAI, STAI) and personality (TCI) questionnaires. During the 7 h following Trp load, serum kynurenine (Kyn) and Trp were monitored.



BOVIB+ patients showed significantly higher scores on depression, anxiety and character scales but no significant association was found between SLC6A4 polymorphisms and BOVIB. Patients with a history of BOVIB (BOVIB+ subgroup) differed from those exempt from such episodes (BOVIB- subgroup) for TDO activity response to OTL assessed by the Kyn:Trp ratio (P = 0.043) and the slope of concentration increase ratio (SCIR) of serum Kyn (P = 0.043).



Put together, these findings support the validity of the BOVIB criterion to differentiate a sub-group of vulnerable AD subjects and suggest that OTL may help to concurrently define a specific endophenotype.
Pretreatment neurophysiological and clinical characteristics of placebo responders in treatment trials for major depression

High placebo response rates are a confound in treatment trials for major depressive disorder (MDD). A method for prospective identification of placebo responders could enhance the efficiency of clinical trials. The objective was to identify the neurophysiological, symptomatic, and cognitive characteristics of subjects who were likely to respond to placebo in clinical trials for MDD. Fifty-one subjects with MDD were treated in clinical trials with either fluoxetine (n=24) or venlafaxine (n=27) versus placebo. All subjects underwent pretreatment assessment with quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) power and cordance, as well as symptom ratings and neuropsychological testing. After a 1-week single-blind placebo lead-in, subjects were randomized to double-blind placebo controlled treatment with a medication or placebo. At the end of 8 weeks, the blind was broken and treatment response assessed. Response was defined by a final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of ≤10. Of the medication-treated and placebo-treated subjects, 52% (13/25) and 38% (10/26) responded. Placebo responders had lower pretreatment frontocentral cordance in the theta frequency band than all other subjects (P<0.006) and medication responders in particular (P<0.004). Placebo responders also had faster cognitive processing time, as assessed by neuropsychological testing, and lower reporting of late insomnia (P<0.03). Exploratory examination of a multiple variable model for predicting placebo response was conducted using logistic regression, in which these three pretreatment measures accurately identified 97.6% of eventual placebo responders. These findings suggest that combined clinical, neurophysiological, and cognitive assessments of prospective subjects for clinical trials may be useful for identifying MDD subjects who are likely to show robust response to placebo. Prospective validation of these results in a larger, independent sample of subjects is necessary to establish the reliability and usefulness of this method for prospective identification of placebo responders.
Right anterior mini-thoracotomy direct aortic self-expanding trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: A single center experience.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been designed to treat elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery. These patients are also often affected by severe iliac-femoral arteriopathy, rendering the trans-femoral approach unusable. We report our experience with the direct-aortic approach to treat these patients.



From May 2008 to November 2013 two hundred and thirty-two patients (131 female, 56%) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and no reasonable surgical option due to excessive risk were evaluated for TAVI at our department. Of these patients, 202 were deemed eligible for TAVI. Of this group, 50 underwent CoreValve implantation by the direct aortic approach through a right anterior mini-thoracotmy (28 female, 56%), mean age 81.2±6.9. A combined team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons with expertise in hybrid procedures, and anesthetists performed all the procedures.



Twenty-eight (56%) patients were female and 11 (22%) were redo at TAVI. We used a 23-mm CoreValve Evolute in 3 patients (6%), and the most used valve size was the 29mm in 46% of patients. Mean hemodynamic trans-aortic gradient was less than 5mmHg. The paravalvular regurgitation was ≤ grade 1 in 46 patients as assessed by peri-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Seven patients (7/43, 16%) required a permanent pacemaker implantation; 30-day mortality was 6% (3 patients). Seven patients (14.8%) died during follow-up. Actuarial survival at 2years is 84.7±5.3%.



Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the direct aortic approach is safe and feasible, offering a new attractive option to treat selected high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and peripheral vasculopathy, including those requiring a re-do procedure.
Effect of Methylphenidate on Attention in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ERP Evidence

Methylphenidate is the most common treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has been shown to improve attention and behaviour. However, the precise nature of methylphenidate on specific aspects of attention at different dose levels remains unclear. We studied methylphenidate effects in ADHD from a neurophysiological perspective, recording event-related potentials (ERPs) during attention task performance in normal controls and children with ADHD under different dose conditions. Twenty children with ADHD and 20 age matched controls were assessed with a continuous performance task requiring subjects to identify repeating alphabetic characters. ERPs and behavioural measures were recorded and analyzed for trials where a correct response was made. The ADHD group was assessed off drug (baseline) and on placebo, low (0.28 mg/kg) and high (0.56 mg/kg) dose levels of methylphenidate. The results showed that the ADHD group at baseline was more impulsive and inattentive than controls and had shorter P2 and N2 latencies and longer P3 latencies. Low dose methylphenidate was associated with reduced impulsivity (fewer false alarms) and decreased P3 latencies, whereas the higher dose level was associated with reduced impulsivity and less inattention (more hits), as well as increased P2 and N2 latencies and decreased P3 latencies. Amplitudes were unaffected and there were no adverse effects of the higher dose for any of the children. These results suggest differential dosage effects and a dissociation between dose levels and aspects of processing.
Effects of sevelamer hydrochloride on mortality, lipid abnormality and arterial stiffness in hemodialyzed patients: a propensity-matched observational study

Cause-and-effect associations between sevelamer hydrochloride (HCl) and mortality have yet to be clarified. The effects of sevelamer HCl on mortality, lipid abnormality and arterial stiffness were examined in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5D. The effects of sevelamer HCl were studied by a single-center cohort study that was conducted from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008 (n = 483). By the end of the study, 172 patients (Sevelamer group) had succeeded in continuing sevelamer HCl for >6 months (median 37 months), and 300 patients (Control group) had received calcium carbonate (n = 264) or no phosphate binder (n = 36). The mortality and other outcomes were compared between these two groups after matching by a propensity score calculated using age, gender, diabetes prevalence, and dialysis vintage. All-cause [hazard ratio (HR) 0.4, P = 0.02] and cardiovascular (CV)-cause [HR 0.29, P = 0.03] cumulative mortality were significantly lower in the matched Sevelamer group than in the matched Control group. The matched Sevelamer group showed increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.003) and no change in pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), whereas the matched Control group showed increased serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.003), increased PWV (P = 0.03), and decreased ABI (P = 0.0009). Change in serum LDL cholesterol level correlated inversely with sevelamer HCl dosage (P = 0.02). Reduced mortality in patients with sevelamer HCl may, at least in part, be explained by an improvement in dyslipidemia and arterial stiffness by sevelamer HCl.
Quality of life discordance between terminal cancer patients and family caregivers: a multicenter study

Research studies on quality of life (QOL) discordance between cancer patients and family caregivers are limited, and the results are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to examine QOL discordance between patients and family caregivers in a hospice setting and to identify factors associated with the discordance. We enrolled 178 patient-family caregiver pairs from six tertiary hospital hospice palliative care units in South Korea in this cross-sectional study. To establish groupings based on patient and family caregiver QOL levels, we measured the QOL of patient and family caregiver pairs using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 for Palliative Care and the Caregiver QOL Index-Cancer, respectively. Pairs were categorized into the following three groups: both good QOL pairs, only poor patient QOL, and only poor family caregiver QOL. Factors associated with only poor patient or only poor family caregiver QOL were compared to both good QOL pairs. A stepwise multivariate regression model was used to identify relevant factors. The QOL of family caregivers did not correlate significantly (P = 0.227) with QOL in terminally ill cancer patients. As well, poor emotional function in patients was the only significant factor associated with the only poor patient QOL group [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 4.1; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.5–11.5]. However, emotionally distressed family caregivers (aOR, 10.2; 95 % CI, 2.8–37.5), family caregivers who professed a religion (aOR, 4.1; 95 % CI, 1.5–11.3), and family caregivers with low social support (aOR, 3.9; 95 % CI, 1.5–10.6) were independent predictors for the only poor family caregiver QOL group. Assessing the respective emotional status of both the patient and family caregiver is needed in hospice care to reduce the gap in QOL between the two groups. Further, more attention should be paid to the lack of social support for family caregivers.