nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Qualitative Treatment-Subgroup Interactions in a Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatments for Adolescents with ADHD: Exploring What Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Works for Whom.

This study explored qualitative treatment-subgroup interactions within data of a RCT with two cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT) for adolescents with ADHD: a planning-focused (PML) and a solution-focused CBT (SFT). Qualitative interactions imply that which treatment is best differs across subgroups of patients, and are therefore most relevant for personalized medicine.



Adolescents with ADHD (N = 159) received either PML or SFT. Pre-, post- and three-month follow-up data were gathered on parent-rated ADHD symptoms and planning problems. Pretreatment characteristics were explored as potential qualitative moderators of pretest to follow-up treatment effects, using an innovative analyses technique (QUINT; Dusseldorp & Van Mechelen, 2014). In addition, qualitative treatment-subgroup interactions for the therapeutic changes from pre- to posttest and from post- to follow-up test were investigated.



For the entire time span from pretest to follow-up only a quantitative interaction was found, while from posttest to follow-up qualitative interactions were found: Adolescents with less depressive symptoms but more anxiety symptoms showed more improvement when receiving PML than SFT, while for other adolescents the effects of PML and SFT were comparable.



Whereas subgroups in both treatments followed different trajectories, no subgroup was found for which SFT outperformed PML in terms of the global change in symptoms from pretest to three months after treatment. This implies that, based on this exploratory study, there is no need for personalized treatment allocation with regard to the CBTs under study for adolescents with ADHD. However, for a subgroup with comorbid anxiety symptoms but low depression PML clearly appears the treatment of preference.
SENSe: Study of the Effectiveness of Neurorehabilitation on Sensation: a randomized controlled trial.

Sensory loss is common after stroke, with negative impact on exploration of the immediate environment, hand function, and return to daily activities.



To compare the effectiveness of a perceptual-learning based sensory discrimination program versus non-specific exposure to sensory stimuli via passive movements and grasping of common objects.



The authors conducted a randomized parallel-group controlled trial, with blinding of subjects, clinical assessors, and data analysts. Fifty subjects with impaired texture discrimination, limb position sense, and/or tactile object recognition (>6 weeks, median 48 weeks poststroke) were randomized to receive somatosensory discrimination training (n = 25) or repeated exposure to sensory stimuli (n = 25) in 60-minute sessions for a total of 10 hours. The primary outcome was change in a composite standardized somatosensory deficit (SSD) index following intervention. Follow-up was at 6 weeks and 6 months posttraining.



Between-group comparisons revealed a significantly greater improvement in sensory capacity following sensory discrimination training, t(47) = 2.75, P = .004, 1-tailed; mean between-group change = 11.1 SSD; confidence interval 3.0 to 19.2. Improvements were maintained at 6 weeks and 6 months.



Sensory discrimination training can achieve significant improvements in functional sensory discrimination capacity after stroke. The clinically oriented training achieved transfer of training effects to novel stimuli. Our findings provide support for introducing SENSe discrimination training in rehabilitation of sensory deficits after stroke.
Short term effects of GnRH agonists on plasma fibrinolytic balance in patients with advanced prostate cancer

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the cornerstone of metastatic prostate cancer treatment. Cardiovascular effects of GnRH agonists are unclear. In this study, we investigated the short term effects of GnRH agonists on plasma fibrinolytic parameters in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.  Eleven patients (mean age 69.3 ± 6.5) with metastatic prostate cancer and a clinical indication for GnRH agonist therapy were selected. Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen (Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) Ag and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) activity levels were measured at baseline and at 4 weeks after the first dose of GnRH agonist, Goserelin Acetate (Zoladex®, subcutaneous administration, 10.8 mg).  Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels significantly decreased from 36.6 ± 19.3 to 1.1 ± 0.3 ng/ml after Goserelin acetate treatment (P = 0.005). Significant changes occurred in the fibrinolytic parameters. GnRH agonists decreased plasma t-PA Ag levels (16.3 ± 4.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.8 ng/ml, P = 0.047) and increased PAI-1/t-PA molar ratio (4.8 ± 3.6 vs. 6.6 ± 3.4, P = 0.16), on the other hand, plasma PAI-1 Ag (59.0 ± 48.5 vs. 56.4 ± 30.5 ng/ml, P = 0.8), and TAFI levels (130.6 ± 9.5 vs. 124.2 ± 26.5% activity, P = 0.3) did not change significantly.  This study provides evidence that GnRH agonists may inhibit fibrinolytic system by decreasing t-PA levels.
Intake of vinegar beverage is associated with restoration of ovulatory function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of major causes of irregular menstruation. It is defined as a condition involving the combination of hyperandrogenism and chronic oligomenorrhea or anovulation, and is thought to have a variety of etiologies. Insulin resistance (impaired insulin sensitivity) has been suggested to be one of the etiologies of PCOS. PCOS patients often need to take medication to treat anovulation and infertility. Therefore, it would be beneficial to patients if simple non-pharmacological treatments can be developed. Recently the efficacy of vinegar to improve insulin resistance has been reported. To study the effect of vinegar on metabolic and hormonal indices and ovulatory function in PCOS, seven patients seeking a non-pharmacological treatment for PCOS took a beverage containing 15 g of apple vinegar daily for 90 to 110 days. Ovulation, the menstrual interval, fasting serum glucose level, fasting serum insulin level, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were compared before and after intake of the vinegar beverage. Intake of the vinegar beverage resulted in a decrease of the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) in six patients, as well as a decrease of the LH/FSH ratio in five of seven patients. Ovulatory menstruation was observed within 40 day in four of seven patients. These findings suggest the possibility of vinegar to restore ovulatory function through improving insulin sensitivity in PCOS patients, thus, avoiding pharmacological treatment. Intake of vinegar might reduce medical cost and treatment time for insulin resistance, anovulation, and infertility in patients with PCOS.
Initial and repeat mammography screening in a low income multi-ethnic population in Los Angeles.

Low income, older, minority women are at high risk for underutilization of screening mammography. One strategy for increasing utilization is to conduct interventions targeting local and state health departments where a majority of these women seek health care. A prerequisite for conducting effective screening programs is to obtain current and accurate information on baseline screening rates to understand the nature and scope of the problem and to plan appropriate intervention strategies. The sample consisted of 3240 women who were 50+ years of age from 2 hospitals and 2 comprehensive health centers operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Reviews of medical records indicated that only 21% of the sample had received a mammogram in the 12 months prior to the clinic visit on which they were sampled and 23% of the sample received a mammogram in the following 9 months. Approximately 5% of the total sample received a repeat mammogram in the 21-month period over which they were tracked. Prospective independent predictors of screening were age, number of visits to primary care clinics, number of visits to specialty care clinics, and history of breast abnormalities. The results underscore the importance of implementing programs to increase mammography implementing programs to increase mammography screening within public facilities serving low income multiethnic women. An important finding is that a large number of older women are seen in specialty clinics, which represents an untapped resource for increasing screening in this population. Innovative interventions targeting such specialty clinics could substantially contribute to increasing screening rates. A comprehensive approach targeting system, physician, and patient barriers is recommended.
Usefulness of thallium-201 muscle scan to investigate perfusion reserve in the lower limbs of patients with systemic lupus erythematusus

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may develop premature atherosclerosis, notably peripheral vascular disease presenting with intermittent claudication or gangrene. This study evaluates the usefulness of thallium-201 muscle perfusion scan (Tl-201 muscle scan) for investigating perfusion reserve in the lower limbs of 25 asymptomatic, female SLE patients without peripheral ischemia findings. The patients showed no evidence of peripheral arterial disease in history, physical examination, or Doppler ultrasonography. A control group consisted of 24 healthy, age-matched women. Each subject flexed her right foot maximally both dorsally and plantarly 60 times. In the middle of this exercise, 2 mCi of Tl-201 was injected intravenously. Three minutes after the injection, a posterior image of both calves was obtained using a gamma camera. Rectangular regions of interest were symmetrically drawn over both calves. The total count in the resting calf was subtracted from the total count in the exercising calf, and the percentage of increase, termed the perfusion reserve, was determined. A significant difference was found between the perfusion reserves of the SLE patients and control groups (75.3±8.9% and 99.6±9.0%, respectively, P <0.05). In conclusion, perfusion reserve in the lower limb muscles of SLE patients may be measured by Tl-201 muscle perfusion scan.
Simultaneous evaluation of abstinence and relapse using a Markov chain model in smokers enrolled in a two-year randomized trial

GEE and mixed models are powerful tools to compare treatment effects in longitudinal smoking cessation trials. However, they are not capable of assessing the relapse (from abstinent back to smoking) simultaneously with cessation, which can be studied by transition models.



We apply a first-order Markov chain model to analyze the transition of smoking status measured every 6 months in a 2-year randomized smoking cessation trial, and to identify what factors are associated with the transition from smoking to abstinent and from abstinent to smoking. Missing values due to non-response are assumed non-ignorable and handled by the selection modeling approach.



Smokers receiving high-intensity disease management (HDM), of male gender, lower daily cigarette consumption, higher motivation and confidence to quit, and having serious attempts to quit were more likely to become abstinent (OR = 1.48, 1.66, 1.03, 1.15, 1.09 and 1.34, respectively) in the next 6 months. Among those who were abstinent, lower income and stronger nicotine dependence (OR = 1.72 for ≤ vs. > 40 K and OR = 1.75 for first cigarette ≤ vs. > 5 min) were more likely to have relapse in the next 6 months.



Markov chain models allow investigation of dynamic smoking-abstinence behavior and suggest that relapse is influenced by different factors than cessation. The knowledge of treatments and covariates in transitions in both directions may provide guidance for designing more effective interventions on smoking cessation and relapse prevention.
Is QT interval a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in nondiabetic subjects? The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS).

We studied the relationship of heart rate-corrected QT interval with subclinical atherosclerosis, as determined by ultrasonographic measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in nondiabetic subjects in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). Prolonged heart rate-corrected QT interval is an unfavorable prognostic factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and QT interval prolongation may be the result of atherosclerosis.



B-mode ultrasound imaging of the carotid artery IMT was performed in a large, triethnic, nondiabetic population free of clinical coronary artery disease (n=912). QT interval was measured on resting electrocardiograms with use of a computer program and corrected for heart rate with standard equations.



IMT of the common carotid artery correlated significantly with heart rate-corrected QT interval duration (r=0.15 for QT(60) and r=0.14 for QTc), whereas no relationship between IMT of the internal carotid artery and QT interval was found (r=-0.01). The association was somewhat stronger in women than in men. In a multiple regression analysis adjusting for demographic variables, the association of common carotid artery IMT to heart rate-corrected QT interval remained highly significant, but adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors weakened the relationship.



We found a significant relation of heart rate-corrected QT interval to carotid atherosclerosis in nondiabetic subjects that was stronger in women and partly mediated by cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension. QT interval may therefore serve as a marker for clinically undetected ("subclinical") atherosclerotic disease.
Different gene-expression profiles for the poorly differentiated carcinoma and the highly differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma in mammary glands support distinct metabolic pathways

Deregulation of Stat5 in the mammary gland of transgenic mice causes tumorigenesis. Poorly differentiated carcinoma and highly differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma tumors evolve. To distinguish the genes and elucidate the cellular processes and metabolic pathways utilized to preserve these phenotypes, gene-expression profiles were analyzed. Mammary tumors were excised from transgenic mice carrying a constitutively active variant of Stat5, or a Stat5 variant lacking s transactivation domain. These tumors displayed either the carcinoma or the papillary adenocarcinoma phenotypes. cRNAs, prepared from each tumor were hybridized to an Affymetrix GeneChip® Mouse Genome 430A 2.0 array. Gene-ontology analysis, hierarchical clustering and biological-pathway analysis were performed to distinct the two types of tumors. Histopathology and immunofluorescence staining complemented the comparison between the tumor phenotypes. The nucleus-cytoskeleton-plasma membrane axis is a major target for differential gene expression between phenotypes. In the carcinoma, stronger expression of genes coding for specific integrins, cytoskeletal proteins and calcium-binding proteins highlight cell-adhesion and motility features of the tumor cells. This is supported by the higher expression of genes involved in O-glycan synthesis, TGF-β, activin, their receptors and Smad3, as well as the Notch ligands and members of the γ-secretase complex that enable Notch nuclear localization. The Wnt pathway was also a target for differential gene expression. Higher expression of genes encoding the degradation complex of the canonical pathway and limited TCF expression in the papillary adenocarcinoma result in membranal accumulation of β-catenin, in contrast to its nuclear translocation in the carcinoma. Genes involved in cell-cycle arrest at G1 and response to DNA damage were more highly expressed in the papillary adenocarcinomas, as opposed to favored G2/M regulation in the carcinoma tumors. At least six metabolic pathways support the morphological and functional differences between carcinomas and papillary adenocarcinomas. Differential gene-expression profiles favor cell adhesion, motility and proliferation in the carcinoma. Cell-cell contact, polarity, earlier cell-cycle arrest and DNA damage control are better displayed in the papillary adenocarcinoma.
Angiotensin II contributes to arterial compliance in congestive heart failure.

Arterial compliance is determined by structural factors, such as collagen and elastin, and functional factors, such as vasoactive neurohormones. To determine whether angiotensin II contributes to decreased arterial compliance in patients with heart failure, this study tested the hypothesis that administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor improves arterial compliance. Arterial compliance and stiffness were determined by measuring carotid artery diameter, using high-resolution duplex ultrasonography, and blood pressure in 23 patients with heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Measurements were made before and after intravenous administration of enalaprilat (1 mg) or vehicle. Arterial compliance was inversely related to both baseline plasma angiotensin II (r = -0.52; P = 0.015) and angiotensin-converting enzyme concentrations (r = -0.45; P = 0.041). During isobaric conditions, enalaprilat increased carotid artery compliance from 3.0 +/- 0.4 to 5.0 +/- 0.4 x 10(-10) N(-1). m(4) (P = 0.001) and decreased the carotid artery stiffness index from 17.5 +/- 1.8 to 10.1 +/- 0.6 units (P = 0.001), whereas the vehicle had no effect. Thus angiotensin II is associated with reduced carotid arterial compliance in patients with congestive heart failure, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition improves arterial elastic properties. This favorable effect on the pulsatile component of afterload may contribute to the improvement in left ventricular performance that occurs in patients with heart failure treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Alcohol consumption at midlife and risk of stroke during 43 years of follow-up: cohort and twin analyses.

Although alcohol-stroke association is well known, the age-varying effect of alcohol drinking at midlife on subsequent stroke risk across older adulthood has not been examined. The effect of genetic/early-life factors is also unknown. We used cohort and twin analyses of data with 43 years of follow-up for stroke incidence to help address these gaps.



All 11 644 members of the population-based Swedish Twin Registry born 1886 to 1925 with alcohol data aged ≤60 years were included. The interaction of midlife alcohol consumption by age at stroke was evaluated in Cox-regression and analyses of monozygotic twins were used. Covariates were baseline age, sex, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, stress reactivity, depression, body mass index, smoking, and exercise.



Altogether 29% participants developed stroke. Compared with very-light drinkers (<0.5 drink/d), heavy drinkers (>2 drinks/d) had greater risk of stroke (hazard ratio, 1.34; P=0.02) and the effect for nondrinkers approached significance (hazard ratio, 1.11; P=0.08). Age increased stroke risk for nondrinkers (P=0.012) and decreased it for heavy drinkers (P=0.040). Midlife heavy drinkers were at high risk from baseline until the age of 75 years when hypertension and diabetes mellitus grew to being the more relevant risk factors. In analyses of monozygotic twin-pairs, heavy drinking shortened time to stroke by 5 years (P=0.04).



Stroke-risk associated with heavy drinking (>2 drinks/d) in midlife seems to predominate over well-known risk factors, hypertension and diabetes, until the age of ≈75 years and may shorten time to stroke by 5 years above and beyond covariates and genetic/early-life factors. Alcohol consumption should be considered an age-varying risk factor for stroke.
The role of physical activity and physical fitness in postcancer fatigue: a randomized controlled trial

Patients suffering from postcancer fatigue have both an inferior physical activity and physical fitness compared to non-fatigued cancer survivors. The aims of this study were (1) to examine the effect of cognitive behavior therapy, an effective treatment for postcancer fatigue, on physical activity and physical fitness and (2) to examine whether the effect of cognitive behavior therapy on postcancer fatigue is mediated by physical activity and/or physical fitness. Severely fatigued cancer survivors were randomly assigned to either the intervention (cognitive behavior therapy) or the waiting list condition. After assigning 23 patients in the intervention condition and 14 patients in the waiting list condition, they were assessed both at baseline and 6 months later. Physical activity was assessed via actigraphy and physical fitness was assessed by a maximal exercise test. A nonparametric bootstrap approach was used to test the statistical significance of the mediation effects. A significant increase in physical activity was observed in the intervention group from baseline to follow-up, whereas physical activity did not change from baseline to follow-up in the waiting list group. Physical fitness did not significantly change after cognitive behavior therapy or after 6 months of waiting for therapy. Fatigue decreased more significantly in the intervention group than in the waiting list group. The mediation hypotheses were rejected. Cognitive behavior therapy effectively reduced postcancer fatigue and increased physical activity but did not change physical fitness. The effect of cognitive behavior therapy on postcancer fatigue is not mediated by a change in physical activity or physical fitness.
Evaluation of hospital glycemic control at US academic medical centers.

To evaluate contemporary hospital glycemic management in US academic medical centers.



This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients discharged from 37 academic medical centers between July 1 and September 30, 2004; 1,718 eligible adult patients met at least 1 of the inclusion criteria: 2 consecutive blood glucose readings >180 mg/dL within 24 hours, or insulin treatment at any time during hospitalization. We assessed 3 consecutive measurement days of glucose values, glycemic therapy, and additional clinical and laboratory characteristics.



In this diverse cohort, 79% of patients had a prior diagnosis of diabetes, and 84.6% received insulin on the second measurement day. There was wide variation in hospital performance of recommended hospital diabetes care measures such as glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) assessment (range, 3%-63%) and timely admission laboratory glucose measurement (range, 39%-97%). Median glucose was significantly lower for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) compared to ward/intermediate care. ICU patients treated with intravenous insulin had significantly lower median glucose when compared to subcutaneous insulin. Only 25% of ICU patients on day 3 had estimated 6 AM glucose <or=110 mg/dL. Hyperglycemia was common, 50% of all patients had >or=1 glucose measurement >or=180 mg/dL on measurement days 2 and 3. Severe hypoglycemia (<50 mg/dL) occurred in 2.8% of all patient days.



Despite frequent insulin use, glucose control was suboptimal. Academic medical centers have opportunities to improve care to meet current American Diabetes Association hospital diabetes care standards.