nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic vaccination expands and improves the function of the HIV-specific memory T-cell repertoire.

The licensing of herpes zoster vaccine has demonstrated that therapeutic vaccination can help control chronic viral infection. Unfortunately, human trials of immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine have shown only marginal efficacy.



In this double-blind study, 17 HIV-infected individuals with viral loads of <50 copies/mL and CD4(+) T-cell counts of >350 cells/µL were randomly assigned to the vaccine or placebo arm. Vaccine recipients received 3 intramuscular injections of HIV DNA (4 mg) coding for clade B Gag, Pol, and Nef and clade A, B, and C Env, followed by a replication-deficient adenovirus type 5 boost (10(10) particle units) encoding all DNA vaccine antigens except Nef. Humoral, total T-cell, and CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses were studied before and after vaccination. Single-copy viral loads and frequencies of latently infected CD4(+) T cells were determined.



Vaccination was safe and well tolerated. Significantly stronger HIV-specific T-cell responses against Gag, Pol, and Env, with increased polyfunctionality and a broadened epitope-specific CTL repertoire, were observed after vaccination. No changes in single-copy viral load or the frequency of latent infection were observed.



Vaccination of individuals with existing HIV-specific immunity improved the magnitude, breadth, and polyfunctionality of HIV-specific memory T-cell responses but did not impact markers of viral control.
Long-term follow-up after cancer rehabilitation using high-intensity resistance training: persistent improvement of physical performance and quality of life

The short-term beneficial effects of physical rehabilitation programmes after cancer treatment have been described. However, little is known regarding the long-term effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of high-intensity resistance training compared with traditional recovery. A total of 68 cancer survivors who completed an 18-week resistance training programme were followed for 1 year. During the 1-year follow-up, 19 patients dropped out (14 due to recurrence of cancer). The remaining 49 patients of the intervention group were compared with a group of 22 patients treated with chemotherapy in the same period but not participating in any rehabilitation programme. Outcome measures were muscle strength, cardiopulmonary function, fatigue, and health-related quality of life. One year after completion of the rehabilitation programme, the outcome measures in the intervention group were still at the same level as immediately after rehabilitation. Muscle strength at 1 year was significantly higher in patients who completed the resistance training programme than in the comparison group. High-intensity resistance training has persistent effects on muscle strength, cardiopulmonary function, quality of life, and fatigue. Rehabilitation programmes for patients treated with chemotherapy with a curative intention should include high-intensity resistance training in their programme.
Effect of Brief Mindfulness Practice on Self-Reported Affect, Craving, and Smoking: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

Despite efficacious pharmacological and behavioral treatments, most smokers attempt to quit without assistance and fail to quit. Mindfulness practice may be useful in smoking cessation.



This ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study was a pilot parallel group randomized controlled trial of a brief mindfulness practice (Brief-MP) intervention on self-reported smoking behavior delivered to smokers on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) in the field. Adult community smokers (N = 44) were randomly assigned to a Brief-MP (n = 24) or Control (sham meditation; n = 20) group. Participants were instructed to smoke as much or as little as they liked. Participants carried a PDA for 2 weeks and were instructed to initiate 20 minutes of meditation (or control) training on the PDA daily, completing an assessment of cognitive and affective processes immediately afterwards. Additionally, they completed assessments at random times up to four times per day. Primary outcome variables were negative affect, craving, and cigarettes smoked per day, all self-reported.



Thirty-seven participants provided EMA data totaling 1874 assessments. Linear Mixed Model analyses on EMA data revealed that Brief-MP (vs. Control) reduced overall negative affect, F(1, 1798) = 13.8, P = .0002; reduced craving immediately post-meditation, (Group × Assessment Type interaction, F(2, 1796) = 12.3, P = .0001); and reduced cigarettes smoked per day over time (Group × Day interaction, F(1, 436) = 5.50, P = .01).



Brief-MP administered in the field reduced negative affect, craving, and cigarette use, suggesting it may be a useful treatment.
A phase II study of imatinib mesylate and capecitabine in metastatic breast cancer: Southwest Oncology Group Study 0338.

Imatinib mesylate is a potent inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl, c-Kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) tyrosine kinases. On the basis of variable expression of c-Kit and PDGFR in breast cancer and of in vitro data supporting synergy between imatinib and capecitabine, the Southwest Oncology Group conducted a phase II trial of the combination in metastatic breast cancer.



Eligible patients had progressive, measurable metastatic breast cancer and received<or=2 previous chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease. Previous 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine for metastatic disease was not allowed. Patients were accrued on a 2-stage design and received imatinib mesylate 400 mg by mouth daily and capecitabine at 1000 mg/m2 by mouth twice daily for 14 days of a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint was the confirmed response rate (RR). Tumors were evaluated for c-Kit, PDGFR-beta, and hormone receptor expression.



Nineteen fully evaluable patients were enrolled, with a confirmed RR of 11% (95% CI, 1%-33%). Eleven percent had unconfirmed partial responses, and 42% had stable disease. The trial did not accrue to the second stage. The estimated 6-month progression-free survival was 16% (95% CI, 0%-32%), and the median overall survival was 14 months (95% CI, 7-15 months). The combination was well tolerated. Of 8 available tumor samples, 2 stained for c-Kit, and all had stromal staining for PDGFR-beta.



In unselected patients, the combination of imatinib mesylate and capecitabine was well tolerated but did not result in improved RRs compared to those reported with capecitabine alone.
Effect of a stroke-specific follow-up care model on the quality of life of stroke patients and caregivers: A controlled trial.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a stroke-specific follow-up care model on quality of life for stroke patients, being discharged home, and their caregivers.



A non-randomized, controlled trial, comparing an intervention group with a control group (usual care).



Stroke patients and their caregivers.



Intervention involved 5 home visits by a stroke care coordinator over a period of 18 months, using a structured assessment tool. Outcome measures were conducted at baseline (T0) and every 6 months thereafter (T6, T12 and T18) in the domains of quality of life (primary), activities of daily living, social activities, depression, anxiety and caregiver strain.



The intervention group (n = 62) had significantly increased its social activities after 18 months, whereas the control group (n = 55) showed significantly decreased levels of social activities. In the first 6 months, levels of depression decreased significantly in caregivers of the intervention group. No differences were found for quality of life and the other outcome measures.



The intervention was not effective in improving quality of life, but was effective in improving levels of social activities. The intervention may have focussed too much on screening for stroke-related problems and not as much on adequate follow-up care and referral.
Outcomes of men with screen-detected prostate cancer eligible for active surveillance who were managed expectantly.

The incidence of small, localised, well-differentiated prostate cancer (PCa) is increasing, mainly as a result of screening. Many of these cancers will not progress, and radical therapy may lead to substantial overtreatment. Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as an alternative.



To retrospectively validate the currently used criteria for eligibility for AS.



For this cohort study, data from 616 men who were diagnosed with PCa between 1994 and 2007 at a mean age of 66.3 yr in four centres of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) were combined. All patients fit the criteria for AS (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] < or = 10.0 ng/ml, PSA-density < 0.2 ng/ml per ml, stage T1C/T2, Gleason score < or = 3 + 3 = 6, and < or = 2 positive biopsy cores), and initially they were managed expectantly. Median follow-up was 3.91 yr.



Disease specific-, overall-, and treatment-free survival were studied. Present PSA characteristics were assessed and also compared between men who were switching to deferred active therapy during follow-up and men remaining untreated.



The calculated (Kaplan-Meier) 10-yr PCa-specific survival (21 patients at risk) was 100%, which sharply contrasted with 77% overall survival. Men still alive showed favourable PSA characteristics. Although the calculated 10-yr treatment-free survival was only 43%, objective signs of progression often did not indicate the shift to radical treatment. The cohort consisted of men on AS and those on watchful waiting (WW); information on comorbidity or psychological distress was not available.



AS seems justified in selected men with screen-detected PCa. Prospective protocol-based AS programs are necessary to optimise selection criteria and to find the appropriate trigger points for switching to active therapy. Possible negative psychological reactions with AS against improved quality of life by withholding side-effects from radical treatment should be considered.
Reduced infections with perioperative immunonutrition in head and neck cancer: exploratory results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Head and neck cancer surgery is affected by complications in 20-60% of cases, with risk factors being malnutrition, alcoholism and immunosuppression due to cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate whether preoperative or perioperative immunonutrition could reduce postoperative infectious complications (IC) and surgical-site infections (SSI) in this population.



This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Patients with oropharyngeal and pharyngolaryngeal tumour were randomly allocated to three groups: a) perioperative formula of Impact(®) without immune nutrients, named "reference diet" (group A, control); b) preoperative Impact(®) and "reference diet" postoperatively (group B); c) Impact(®) perioperatively (group C). Products were available in oral and enteral formula and were given 7 days before surgery and for 7-15 days postoperatively. The primary and secondary endpoints were the incidence of IC and SSI, respectively.



Of 312 randomized patients, 205 were evaluable for ITT analysis. There was no significant difference in IC and SSI. However out of this population, only 64 patients had taken at least 75% of the theoretical intake from surgery to day 10 (per-protocol population). In this condition, a significant difference in IC (OR = 0.24, p = 0.05), SSI (OR = 0.17, p = 0.04) and also in the median length of postoperative stay (18 vs. 25 days, p = 0.05) was demonstrated between groups A and C.



In the ITT population, no significant difference in IC, SSI and LOS was demonstrated. Positive exploratory results on the perioperative Impact(®) per-protocol population, encourage further study in head and neck cancer patients. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT00765440.
Long-term outcome of high-intensity focused ultrasound in advanced pancreatic cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for advanced pancreatic cancer (PC).



Patients with PC TNM stage III or IV were included. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 2 weeks before and after the HIFU. The ablating tumor volume was calculated by ratio of the nonperfused necrotic area of the planned area on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image on post-HIFU magnetic resonance imaging. The ablation results were stratified into 4 ranges: 100% to 90% unenhanced area of targeting area, 90% to 50%, within 50%, and no change.



High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment was performed without severe adverse event in 46 patients, 49 times (male-female = 25:21; mean age, 60.7 ± 10.0; TNM stage 3-stage 4 = 18:28). Average size of the PC lesion was 4.2 ± 1.4 cm (1.6-9.3 cm). After HIFU treatment, ablating tumor volume was as follows: 90% to 100% in 38 lesions, 90% to 50% in 8, and within 50% in 3. Overall median survival (S1) from initial PC diagnosis was 12.4 months. Overall survival (S2) rates at 6, 12, and 18 months from HIFU were 52.2%, 30.4%, and 21.79%, respectively, with a median survival of 7.0 months



High-intensity focused ultrasound is safe and effective, which induced excellent local tumor control in most patients with advanced PC.
Influence of BMI, Age and duration of diabetes mellitus on glycaemic control with twice-daily injections of biphasic insulin aspart 30 versus multiple daily injections of insulin aspart (JDDM 18): retrospective reanalysis of a 6-month, randomized, open-label, multicentre trial in Japan.

Good glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus often requires insulin supplementation therapy. Recent developments of analogue insulin and premixed formulations have increased the therapeutic options for patients who need such therapy. This study aimed to retrospectively clarify appropriate treatment regimens according to age, body mass index (BMI) and duration of diabetes in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes previously entered in an open-label, randomized trial that compared convenience-oriented biphasic insulin aspart 30 versus multiple injections of insulin aspart with or without NPH insulin.



Japanese insulin-naïve patients were randomized to receive either biphasic insulin aspart 30 twice daily or insulin aspart three times daily with or without multiple injections of NPH insulin for a treatment period lasting 6 months.



Reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) at the end of 6 months was not different in the two treatment groups irrespective of BMI, age and duration of diabetes. However, the achievement rate of HbA(1c) <7.0% was significantly higher in patients with a BMI <25 kg/m2 in the multiple-injection group and tended to be higher in patients with a diabetes duration <10 years in the twice-daily injection group.



Twice-daily injections of biphasic insulin aspart 30 may be more suitable for obese patients whereas multiple injections of insulin aspart with or without NPH insulin may be preferable for those with a longer duration of diabetes.
Dose-dependent pulmonary vein reconnection in response to adenosine: relevance of atrioventricular block during infusion

Adenosine infusion during atrial fibrillation ablation is often used to evaluate for dormant pulmonary vein (PV) conduction. Several physiologic effects of adenosine may be seen during infusion, including atrioventricular (AV) block, hypotension, sinus tachycardia (as a reflex mechanism), and sinus bradycardia. However, hypotension and sinus tachycardia may be seen in the absence of AV block. Whether the dose required to achieve AV block versus any physiologic effect (e.g., hypotension) is relevant when evaluating for PV reconnection is unclear. In consecutive patients undergoing first-time atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation for persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, adenosine testing was performed 30 min after successful PV isolation. When testing each PV after isolation, a circular mapping catheter was placed at the ostium and a 12-mg bolus of adenosine was given via peripheral line. The presence of some physiologic effect (e.g., sinus tachycardia or hypotension) versus AV block was recorded as was PV reconnection. If no AV block and no PV reconnection were seen, the dose was escalated by 6-mg increments to assess for PV reconnection until AV block or PV reconnection was achieved. Among 50 patients, there were 3 to 5 PVs isolated (median 4; mean 4.4). In 35 patients, a 12-mg bolus resulted in AV block and 16/155 (10 %) veins exhibited reconnection requiring additional ablation. In all other patients, sinus tachycardia and hypotension were seen in response to 12-mg infusion but no AV block and no PV reconnection was seen. No sinus bradycardia was seen in any patients. In 10/15 patients without AV block with 12 mg, 18 mg of adenosine was sufficient to achieve AV block and 5/43 (12 %) PVs exhibited reconnection. Among the remaining 5 patients, 3 patients required a dose of 24 mg to achieve AV block, and PV reconnection was seen in 1/14 (7 %) PVs. The remaining two patients required a dose of 30 mg to achieve AV block, but no PV reconnection was seen. There was no difference in symptomatic recurrence rate between those who exhibited adenosine-induced reconnection and those who did not after 1-year follow-up. A fixed dose of adenosine may be insufficient to assess for PV reconnection. Furthermore, the presence of a physiologic effect (e.g., sinus tachycardia or hypotension) in the absence of AV block may reflect an insufficient dose. The dose needed may vary between patients, and AV block may reflect a minimal requirement when administering adenosine to assess for PV reconnection.
Development of a validated clinical case definition of generalized tonic-clonic seizures for use by community-based health care providers.

To develop and test a clinical case definition for identification of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs) by community-based health care providers.



To identify symptoms that can help identify GTCSs, patients with history of a jerky movements or rigidity in any part of the body ever in life were recruited from three sites: the community, secondary care hospital, and tertiary care hospital. These patients were administered a 14-item structured interview schedule focusing on the circumstances surrounding the seizure. Subsequently, a neurologist examined each patient and, based on available investigations, classified them as GTCS or non-GTCS cases. A logistic regression analysis was performed to select symptoms that were to be used for case definition of GTCSs. Validity parameters for the case definition at different cutoff points were calculated in another set of subjects.



In total, 339 patients were enrolled in the first phase of the study. The tertiary care hospital contributed the maximal number of GTCS cases, whereas cases of non-GTCS were mainly from the community. At the end of phase I, the questionnaire was shortened from 14 to eight questions based on statistical association and clinical judgment. After phase II, which was conducted among 170 subjects, three variables were found to be significantly related to the presence of GTCSs by logistic regression: absence of stress (13.1; 4.1-41.3), presence of frothing (13.7; 4.0-47.3), and occurrence in sleep (8.3; 2.0-34.9). As a case definition using only three variables did not provide sufficient specificity, three more variables were added based on univariate analysis of the data (incontinence during the episode and unconsciousness) and review of literature (injury during episode). A case definition consisting of giving one point to an affirmative answer for each of the six questions was tested. At a cutoff point of four, sensitivity was 56.9 (47.4-66.0) and specificity, 96.3 (86.2-99.4). Among the 197 GTCS and 26 new non-GTCS patients recruited from hospitals from select SEAR Member Countries, in phase III, the sensitivity of this clinical case definition was 72% and specificity, 100%. A stratified analysis by gender in all the three phases did not show any differences between the sexes.



Based on these criteria, we recommend that all patients with a history of two or more episodes of jerking or rigidity of limbs, having a score of > or =4 in the case definition, be identified as having GTCSs and started on antiepileptic medications. This clinical case definition can be very useful for community-based health care providers to identify and manage cases of GTCSs in the community. This should play a major role in the reduction of treatment gap for epilepsy in developing countries.
Measurement of symptoms, lung hyperinflation, and endurance during exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Changes in lung hyperinflation, dyspnea, and exercise endurance are important outcomes in assessing therapeutic responses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, we studied the reproducibility of Borg dyspnea ratings, inspiratory capacity (IC; to monitor lung hyperinflation), and endurance time during constant-load symptom-limited cycle exercise in 29 patients with COPD (FEV1 = 40 +/- 2% predicted; mean +/- SEM). Responsiveness was also studied by determining the acute effects of nebulized 500 micrograms ipratropium bromide (IB) or saline placebo (P) on these measurements. During each of four visits conducted over an 8-wk period, spirometry and exercise testing were performed before and 1 h after receiving IB or P (randomized, double-blinded). Highly reproducible measurements included: endurance time (intraclass correlation R = 0.77, p < 0.0001); Borg ratings and IC at rest, at a standardized exercise time (STD), and at peak exercise (R > 0.6, p < 0.0001); and slopes of Borg ratings over time, oxygen consumption (V O2), and ventilation (R > 0.6, p < 0.0001). Responsiveness was confirmed by finding a significant drug effect for: change (Delta) in endurance time (p = 0.0001); DeltaBorgSTD and DeltaBorg-time slopes (p < 0.05); and DeltaIC at rest, at STD, and at peak exercise (p = 0.0001). With all completed visits, DeltaBorgSTD correlated better with DeltaICSTD than any other resting or exercise parameter (n = 115, r = -0.35, p < 0.001). We concluded that Borg dyspnea ratings, and measurements of IC and endurance time during submaximal cycle exercise testing are highly reproducible and responsive to change in severe COPD.
VisCAT: spatio-temporal visualization and aggregation of categorical attributes in twitter data

In the last few years, Twitter data has become so popular that it is used in a rich set of new applications, e.g., real-time event detection, demographic analysis, and news extraction. As user-generated data, the plethora of Twitter data motivates several analysis tasks that make use of activeness of 271+ Million Twitter users. This demonstration presents VisCAT; a tool for aggregating and visualizing categorical attributes in Twitter data. VisCAT outputs visual reports that provide spatial analysis through interactive map-based visualization for categorical attributes---such as tweet language or source operating system---at different zoom levels. The visual reports are built based on user-selected data in arbitrary spatial and temporal ranges. For this data, VisCAT employs a hierarchical spatial data structure to materialize the count of each category at multiple spatial levels. We demonstrate VisCAT, using real Twitter dataset. The demonstration includes use cases on tweet language and tweet source attributes in the region of Gulf Arab states, which can be used for deducing thoughtful conclusions on demographics and living levels in local societies.