nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Plasma concentrations of maraviroc and raltegravir after dual therapy in patients with long-term suppressed viraemia: ROCnRAL ANRS 157 study.

1. There were satisfactory C max and C min only in Patient 2, whereas in Patient 1 there was an increased CL and reduced AUC. Since the PK/pharmacodynamic parameter of importance for linezolid activity is the AUC/MIC ratio, assessing changes in AUC exposure by body size is of paramount importance. 6 Only Patient 2 had satisfactory values of AUC and AUC/MIC. Furthermore, since linezolid PK is not related to renal function, the creatinine clearance values of .120 and 40 mL/min in Patients 1 and 2, respectively, are not helpful in understanding the alteration of plasma clearance. Moreover, the observation of higher V (141.6 and 80.9 L in Patients 1 and 2, respectively) when compared with healthy volunteers (52 L) confirms the suggestion of a relationship between weight and V in determining a significant decrease of plasma exposure. 7 Taken together, these data suggest that linezolid PK may be strongly influenced by the degree of obesity and standard doses are not sufficient, further noting that linezolid undergoes slow non-enzymatic oxidation mediated by ubiquitous reactive species in vivo. 8 Accordingly, since a higher production of reactive oxygen species was found in adipose tissues of obese mice, it was also hypothesized that linezolid could be highly metabolized in obesity, thus explaining low linezolid concentrations. 9 This is the first known report where the PK targets of linezolid are not achieved even with 'every 8 h' administration and an MIC within the range of susceptibility in morbidly obese patients, which should be considered at risk of underdosing linezolid. According to these data, therapeutic drug monitoring is needed to check if 'every 8 h' or perhaps 'every 6 h' or continuous infusions are required in critically ill obese patients. 4 Canut A, Isla A, Betriu C et al. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic evaluation of daptomycin, tigecycline, and linezolid versus vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA infections in four western European countries. et al. Clinical pharmacokinetic/pharmacody-namic profile of linezolid in severely ill intensive care unit patients. 7 Muzevich KM, Lee KB. Subtherapeutic linezolid concentrations in a patient with morbid obesity and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia: case report and review of the literature. 9 Furukawa S, Fujita T, Shimabukuro M et al. Increased oxidative stress in obesity and its impact on metabolic syndrome. †Members are listed in the Acknowledgements section. Sir, In a growing population of ageing and polymedicated HIV-infected patients, long-term tolerance remains a major public health issue. Current …
Reduction in the need for operation after conservative treatment of osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint: a seven year prospective study.

The effect of occupational therapy for patients awaiting surgery for isolated osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb was assessed. Thirty-three patients awaiting joint replacement because of pain were randomised into three groups. One group was treated with technical accessories, two other groups had in addition one of two types of splints, and all patients received extensive advice on how to accommodate activities of daily living. They all had an initial seven months' trial on this regimen at which time 23/33 (70%) no longer required an operation. During the following seven years four patients died, but only two of the remaining 19 patients wanted an operation. We therefore recommend that patients with osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb are offered a similar programme in addition to access to accessories and splints preoperatively.
Hospital and ambulatory management, and compliance to treatment in HIV infection: regional health insurance agency analysis.

We had for objective to study HIV management (hospital, ambulatory, and mixed) and assess compliance with health insurance database.



We conducted a retrospective study using the French Social Security (CPAM) database. The inclusion criteria were: age>18years of age, at least 2 prescriptions of antiretroviral therapy.



Five hundred and seventy-five patients were included: extra-hospital (12), hospital (162), mixed (401). The prescriptions were exclusively hospital issued for 76.2% of the patients. Among the mixed group patients, 91% of treatments were delivered at least once in the community, and 45.6% of biological tests were performed in private laboratories at least once. The sex ratio (2.1 vs. 1.3), the number of patients having switched antiretroviral therapy (36.7% vs. 27.8%), and the frequency of biological tests (3.1 vs. 2.6) were significantly higher in the mixed group compared to the hospital group. The mean compliance was 90% in the hospital group and 91.8% in the mixed group. The compliance was<80% for 104 patients (21.8%). Patients with≥80% compliance were older (46.1years of age vs. 42.7years of age), with more frequent biological tests (3 per year vs. 2.5 per year), and more frequent switches in treatment (35.4% vs. 26.0%).



Prescriptions of ARV were almost exclusively hospital issued. Their dispensation and biological tests were split between hospital and extra-hospital settings. Most patients demonstrated an optimal compliance. The CPAM database allows describing HIV management and assessing compliance.
Imatinib plasma trough concentration and its correlation with characteristics and response in Chinese CML patients

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of imatinib in Chinese chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients.Fourty-six naïve Chinese CML patients treated with imatinib (400 and 600 mg daily, n=36 and 10, respectively) were recruited. The correlations of imatinib (400 mg) trough plasma concentrations (Cmins) with the patients' characteristics and responses were analyzed.The overall mean (±SD, CV%) steady-state Cmins for imatinib at 400 mg (n=36) and 600 mg (n=10) daily was 1325.61 ng/mL (±583.53 ng/mL; 44%) and 1550.90 ng/mL (±462.63 ng/mL; 30%), respectively, and no statistically significant differences were found between them (P=0.267). At 400 mg daily, female patients had significantly higher Cmins than the male patients (P=0.048), and molecular responses were not correlated with imatinib Cmins, but they were correlated with time elapsed before imatinib therapy.The results suggest that Chinese CML patients have higher imatinib Cmins than their Caucasian counterparts and that the optimal initial imatinib dose for them requires further investigation.
Evaluation of the efficacy and usability of NCI's Facing Forward booklet in the cancer community setting.

The NCI developed the print-based educational brochure, Facing Forward, to fill a gap in helping cancer patients meet the challenges of transitioning from active treatment to survivorship; however, little research has been conducted on its efficacy.



The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of Facing Forward in promoting the uptake of recommended behaviors (e.g., ways to manage physical changes) and to explore its usability.



At the last treatment appointment, early-stage breast, prostate, colorectal, and thoracic cancer patients (N = 340) recruited from community clinical oncology practices and an academic medical center completed a baseline assessment and were randomized to receive either Facing Forward (n = 175) or an attention control booklet about the NCI's Cancer Information Service (n = 165). Patients completed follow-up assessments at 8 weeks and 6 months post-baseline.



The reported uptake of recommended stress management behaviors was greater among intervention than control participants at both 8 weeks post-baseline (p = 0.016) and 6 months post-baseline (p = 0.017). At 8 weeks post-baseline, the intervention control group difference was greater among African-American than Caucasian participants (p < 0.03) and significant only among the former (p < 0.003); attendance at a cancer support group was also greater among the intervention than control group participants (p < 0.02). There were no significant intervention control group differences in the reported uptake of recommended behaviors in three other categories (p > 0.025). Intervention participants rated Facing Forward as understandable and helpful and indicated a high level of intention to try the behaviors recommended.



Facing Forward can enhance early-stage survivors' reported ability to manage stress and increase support group use during the reentry period.



Facing Forward can help survivors meet the challenges of the reentry period.
sCD95L in serum after spinal cord injury

A prospective observational study reporting correlation between sCD95L (serum cluster of differentiation 95 ligand) serum levels and remission after traumatic spinal cord injury (To describe the correlation between sCD95L serum levels and remission after traumatic SCI in a human protocol compared with animal studies.Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), Germany.We included 45 patients with traumatic SCI. According to their neurological outcome, patients were divided into two groups, patients with (G1, n=26) and without (G2, n=19) remission. Blood was collected on post-admission and according to a fixed scheme, that is, after 4, 9, 12 h, 1, 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks.By comparing G1 with G2, we found a correlation between neurological remission and sCD95L serum concentrations. Consistently elevated levels of sCD95L in G1 between 9 h and 1 month after injury show significantly differing values 7 days after injury. This indicates a correlation between patients with clinically documented neurological remission and elevated sCD95L serum concentrations.In opposite to animal studies, our patients with neurological remission show on average higher levels of sCD95L compared with patients without. Therefore, spinal cord-injured patients would probably not profit from neutralizing CD95L. Our results present that the transfer of findings from animal studies to humans must always be considered critically. We were able to show that peripheral serum cytokine expression is suitable to state processes after SCI in humans.
Some socioeconomic characteristics of acute myocardial infarction patients in the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Comparison of two decades: 1954-1964 and 1997-2007.

The purpose of this study was to compare some social and economic conditions of patients with myocardial infarction (AMI), admitted to the Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chávez (INC-ICh), in two decades: 1954-1964 vs. 1997-2007.



an observational and retrospective study was carried out.



All discharged patients between 1997-2007 with AMI diagnosis according to International Statistical Classification of Disease 10th Revision codes I 21 - I 21.9 were included. Information about age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic level, occupation and current address were obtained from the patient's file. The findings were compared with a previous published paper from 1954-64.



The number of AMI cases increased five times between both decades, and significant changes were observed in occupational activity and in the socioeconomic level.



Some social and economic factors have changed over the years; however, age and gender of patients with AMI are variables that did not showed significant changes: most young patients are male, and women are older when they have a fist AMI.
[Efficacy of a treatment program for sexually abused children].

An evaluation study was conducted in order to evaluate the impact of the treatment program for sexually abused children.



Forty-one (41) children (aged 6-17 years), victims of a sexual abuse by a family member, were assessed at pre- and post-treatment (16 months following the pre-test). The evolution of children's psychological well-being was measured by the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Picturial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children (PSPCA), the Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External control scale (CNS-IE), the Children's Action Tendency Scale (CATS), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Pediatric Behavior Scale (PBS). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the level of participation in both individual (including dyadic and family therapy) and group therapy and the evolution of Ss' psychological well-being.



Results indicate that the child's mental health was generally positively related to the level of participation in individual therapy but not related or negatively related with the level of participation in group sessions except for the PBS.



These results indicate the need: (a) to consider the adoption of a dose measurement in the appreciation of the therapeutic impact; (b) to have a better grasp of the nature and the effects of specific therapeutic activities included in a program; (c) to have a better understanding of the disparities observed between parents' and children's evaluation of the psychological status of the child.
Left ventricular mass reduction during salt depletion in arterial hypertension.

Long-term therapy with antihypertensive agents that reduce sympathetic nervous system activity has been demonstrated by echocardiographic measurements to reverse left ventricular hypertrophy. This investigation evaluated the effects of salt depletion obtained by both chlorthalidone (25 mg/day) and severe restriction of salt intake (about 1016 mg ) on left ventricular mass (LVM) in as short a time as 12 weeks. Before the study, the patients had been off medication and on a balanced diet without salt restriction for at least 2 weeks; they were then randomly allocated to either the diuretic or low-salt regimen for 6 weeks and finally to alternative treatment according to a crossover model. Blood pressure, body weight, myocardial mass, and noninvasive measurements of left ventricular function (LVF) were determined at baseline and at the end of both periods of treatment. Results were evaluated by two-way analysis of variance in randomized blocks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and LVM were significantly and similarly reduced by diuretic therapy or salt restriction. A significant correlation was demonstrated between noninvasive measurements of LVM, expressed as cross-sectional area, and systolic blood pressure. No impairment of LVF could be detected over the treatment period.
Interferon in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

The role of interferon (IFN) in the treatment of multiple myeloma has been investigated for nearly two decades. The mechanisms underlying antitumor activity of IFN may be mediated by antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. The benefits of treatment remain controversial, and guidelines for the use of IFN in myeloma are needed. This review evaluates available data on the impact of IFN therapy on multiple myeloma.  A MEDLINE search of published prospective, randomized trials of IFN in multiple myeloma provided the data included in this review, as well as selected abstracts presented at international meetings.  IFN has complex and pleiotropic effects on human myeloma lines and ex vivo myeloma cells. An antiproliferative effect with disruption of the IL-6-mediated growth loop may be crucial, but biologic heterogeneity in myeloma may have important clinical implications for response to IFN. IFN has demonstrable antitumor activity in multiple myeloma but appears to have a modest effect on overall survival when combined with chemotherapy during induction or when used as maintenance therapy. Most studies have shown a prolongation of the plateau phase of disease with IFN of variable duration of between four and 12 months.  A reliable estimate of the benefit of IFN in the overall population of patients with myeloma is difficult to determine with discordant results from different trials. Possible sources of heterogeneity in randomized trials need to be identified, and recognition of subsets of patients who may benefit is important. Cost-benefit analyses with integration of quality-of-life data are essential for developing guidelines for the use of IFN in myeloma.
A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF WHITE MATTER TRACTS AND CONNECTOMETRY IN MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating disorder characterized by widespread brain abnormalities. The literature is mixed as to whether or not white matter abnormalities are associated with MDD. This study sought to examine fractional anisotropy (FA) in white matter tracts in individuals with MDD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).



139 participants with MDD and 39 healthy controls (HC) in a multisite study were included. DTI scans were acquired in 64 directions and FA was determined in the brain using four methods: region of interest (ROI), tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS), and diffusion tractography. Diffusion connectometry was used to identify white matter pathways associated with MDD.



There were no significant differences when comparing FA in MDD and HC groups using any method. In the MDD group, there was a significant relationship between depression severity and FA in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, and between age of onset of MDD and FA in the right caudal anterior cingulate cortex using the ROI method. There was a significant relationship between age of onset and connectivity in the thalamocortical radiation, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and cerebellar tracts using diffusion connectometry.



The lack of group differences in FA and connectometry analysis may result from the clinically heterogenous nature of MDD. However, the relationship between FA and depression severity may suggest a state biomarker of depression that should be investigated as a potential indicator of response. Age of onset may also be a significant clinical feature to pursue when studying white matter tracts.
Systolic and diastolic component of orthostatic hypotension and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients: the Captopril Prevention Project.

Impact of SBP vs. DBP decrement during orthostasis on cardiovascular events in hypertension is not clear.



We assessed prospective association of orthostatic hypotension with mortality and major cardiovascular events [myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke] among 8788 treated hypertensive patients (52.2% men; mean age 52 years, mean BP 161/99  mmHg) without history of MI or stroke at baseline. Orthostatic hypotension was defined according to combined international consensus criteria, and as either systolic (decrease ≥20  mmHg) or diastolic orthostatic hypotension (decrease ≥10  mmHg). Final Cox regression model was adjusted for age, sex, supine SBP and DBP, diabetes, smoking, and total cholesterol.



A total of 1060 (12.1%) study participants fulfilled combined orthostatic hypotension criteria, of these 886 (10.1%) met systolic and 290 (3.3%) diastolic criterion. In the crude analysis, combined orthostatic hypotension criteria were predictive of the composite endpoint, major cardiovascular event, total mortality, and stroke but not MI. After full adjustment, combined orthostatic hypotension criteria and systolic orthostatic hypotension were independently associated with stroke only (hazard ratio: 1.48, 1.07-2.05, P = 0.019, and 1.53, 1.08-2.15, P = 0.015, respectively), whereas the composite endpoint tended in the same direction (hazard ratio: 1.21, 0.98-1.51, P = 0.075, and 1.24, 0.99-1.55, P = 0.066, respectively). In contrast, diastolic orthostatic hypotension was associated with increased risk of MI (hazard ratio: 2.04, 1.20-3.46, P = 0.008).



Orthostatic hypotension has a dual role in cardiovascular events among hypertensive patients: SBP fall indicates higher risk of stroke, whereas DBP fall confers higher risk of MI.
Incidence of primary central nervous system germ cell tumors in childhood: a regional survey in Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan.

Central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNS-GCTs) are relatively rare. While their incidence was thought to be higher in East Asia than the USA, recent evidence suggests the difference between Japan and the USA is not statistically significant. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of pediatric primary CNS-GCTs in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.



We surveyed 6,615 new cases of primary intracranial tumors diagnosed in Kumamoto prefecture between 1989 and 2011. Among these, 251 (3.8%) occurred in patients younger than 15 years. The age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated by the direct method using 5-year age groupings; the incidence in the total Japanese population in the year 2000 was the standard.



During the 23-year period, 70 cases of primary GCT were diagnosed. Of these tumors, 31 (44.3%) arose in patients aged between 0 and 14 years (22 boys, 9 girls). Their tumor location was pineal in 45.2%; the other sites were nonpineal. There were more germinomas (64.5%) than nongerminomas (35.5%) in this group. The age-adjusted annual incidence rate was 0.45 cases (boys: 0.64, girls: 0.28) per 10(5) children. At 2.29, the ratio of CNS-GCTs was higher in these boys than girls. Our data showed higher rates than data from CBTRUS 2012 (0.18/10(5)), SEER 2008 (0.15/10(5)) and Germany (0.10/10(5)).



Our survey showed that the incidence of primary CNS-GCTs in children was higher in Kumamoto prefecture than in the USA and other Western countries, suggesting that racial backgrounds play a role.
Activity and acceptability of piribedil in Parkinson's disease: a multicentre study

Several controlled trials have shown that the dopamine agonist, Trivastal (piribedil), is active in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, particularly with regard to tremor. To determine its efficacy as monotherapy in patients previously untreated with levodopa, a 3-month multicentre study was conducted with Trivastal 50 mg LP in 113 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The study population consisted of 66 men and 47 women, aged 63.1, SD 0.6 (43–79) years with a 2.1, SD 0.2 (1–15) year history of Parkinson's disease. Mean disease stage was 1.82 (1–4) by the Hoehn and Yahr classification. Tremor was the predominant clinical feature in 42 patients; the remaining 71 patients displayed the full parkinsonian syndrom. Trivastal 50 mg LP was prescribed stepwise up to doses of 150–250 (207, SD 6.4) mg/day at the end of 3 months. No concomitant antiparkinsonian medication was given. Patients were clinically assessed at 1, 2 and 3 months on the Webster scale, a specific tremor scale and the HARD depression scale. Mean results were as follows in the 90 patients completing the study. On the Webster scale, tremor fell from 1.7 to 1 (−41%,P<0.001), bradykinesia from 1.5 to 0.8 (−47%,P<0.001) and rigidity from 1.3 to 0.9 (−31%,P < 0.001); on the specific scale, rest tremor decreased in daily duration and amplitude from 3.9 to 2.4 (−39%,P < 0.001) and from 2.9 to 2.1 (−35%,P < 0.001), respectively. The 32 patients in whom tremor was the predominant feature improved their total score on the Webster scale from 5.8 to 4.7 (−19%,P<0.05) and their tremor score from 1.7 to 1.2 (−29%,P < 0.05). The 58 patients with the full parkinsonian syndrom improved their total Webster score from 11.8 to 6.9 (−42%,P < 0.001). Eight of the ten items on the scale were significantly reduced, from between 33% (facial expression) to 53% (manual bradykinesia). The depression rating fell from 10.2 to 7.3 (P < 0.001), the most marked improvement being in mood and inhibition. In conclusion, monotherapy with Trivastal 50 mg LP at a mean dose of 200 mg/day is effective within 1 month regarding the major features of Parkinson's disease.