nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Score equivalence of electronic and paper versions of the Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI-21): a randomised crossover trial in cancer patients

The Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI-21) assesses everyday problems experienced by cancer patients, including difficulties with self-care, work and relationships. Early development and psychometric evaluation studies have validated the SDI-21 for computer administration. However, several recent studies have administered the SDI-21 on paper. We sought to test the score equivalence of electronic and paper versions of the SDI-21. A randomised two-arm crossover trial in a sample of cancer patients with varied diagnoses. Patients completed electronic (via the internet) and paper versions of the SDI-21, with half randomly assigned to complete the electronic version first (n = 51) and half the paper version first (n = 60). Patients were asked to complete both versions at home, within 2 weeks. Analyses were performed for the SDI-21 summary score and three subscales. Score distributions and internal reliabilities for the paper and electronic versions were highly similar. There were no significant differences between mean summary or subscale scores for the two administration modes. All mean score differences (all <0.25 of a scale point) were well below the SDI-21’s established minimally important differences, and all 95 % confidence intervals were narrow and included zero. Intraclass correlations between paper and electronic scores were uniformly high and significant (all ≥0.85) and above the standard acceptable level of reliability. Paper and electronic versions of the SDI-21 can be considered equivalent and used interchangeably. This is important because, despite the growth of electronic formats, paper versions are currently still necessary to ensure inclusive use of the SDI-21 with representative samples.
Translation and psychometric evaluation of Persian versions of Burn Specific Pain Anxiety Scale and Impact of Event Scale.

Burn as a traumatic life incident manifests severe pain and psychological problems. Specific instruments are needed to evaluate burn patients' psychological issues related to the injury. The aim of this study was to translate and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Persian versions of Impact of Burn Specific Pain Anxiety scale (BSPAS) and Impact of Event Scale (IES).



In this cross-sectional study, convenience sampling method was utilized to select 55 Iranian hospitalized burn patients. Combined translation was utilized for translating scales. Alpha cronbach, item-total correlation, convergent and discriminative validity were evaluated.



The Cronbach's α for both BSPAS- and IES-Persian version was 0.96. Item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.70 to 0.90. Convergent construct validity was confirmed by indicating high correlation between the scales designed to measure the same concepts. The mean score of BSPAS- and IES-Persian version was lower for individuals with a lower TBSA burn percentage which assessed discriminative construct validity of scales.



BSPAS- and IES-Persian version showed high internal consistency and good validity for the assessment of burn psychological outcome in hospitalized burn patients. Future studies are needed to determine repeatability, factor structure, sensitivity and specificity of the scales.
Acute GVHD in patients receiving IL-15/4-1BBL activated NK cells following T-cell-depleted stem cell transplantation.

Natural killer (NK) cells can enhance engraftment and mediate graft-versus-leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but the potency of graft-versus-leukemia mediated by naturally reconstituting NK cells following HSCT is limited. Preclinical studies demonstrate that activation of NK cells using interleukin-15 (IL-15) plus 4-1BBL upregulates activating receptor expression and augments killing capacity. In an effort to amplify the beneficial effects of NK cells post-HSCT, we conducted a first-in-human trial of adoptive transfer of donor-derived IL-15/4-1BBL-activated NK cells (aNK-DLI) following HLA-matched, T-cell-depleted (1-2 × 10(4) T cells/kg) nonmyeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in children and young adults with ultra-high-risk solid tumors. aNK-DLI were CD3(+)-depleted, CD56(+)-selected lymphocytes, cultured for 9 to 11 days with recombinant human IL-15 plus 4-1BBL(+)IL-15Rα(+) artificial antigen-presenting cells. aNK-DLI demonstrated potent killing capacity and displayed high levels of activating receptor expression. Five of 9 transplant recipients experienced acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following aNK-DLI, with grade 4 GVHD observed in 3 subjects. GVHD was more common in matched unrelated donor vs matched sibling donor recipients and was associated with higher donor CD3 chimerism. Given that the T-cell dose was below the threshold required for GVHD in this setting, we conclude that aNK-DLI contributed to the acute GVHD observed, likely by augmenting underlying T-cell alloreactivity.
A phase II study of isoflavones, erlotinib, and gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer

The EGFR/Akt/NF-κB signalling pathway is frequently deregulated in pancreatic cancer and contributes to cell growth, metastasis and chemoresistance. An isoflavone, genistein, inactivates Akt and NF-κB and enhances the anti-tumor activity of erlotinib and gemcitabine in experimental systems of pancreas cancer. This phase II study was undertaken to determine the effects of adding isoflavone to a regimen of gemcitabine and erlotinib on survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.  Eligibility included previously untreated patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15, and erlotinib 150 mg once daily P.O. on day 1 to day 28. Soy isoflavones (Novasoy®) were administered at a dose of 531 mg twice daily P.O. starting day -7 until the end of study participation.  Twenty patients with advanced pancreas cancer were enrolled (median age 57.9 years). Sixteen patients had stage IV disease. The median number of cycles was 2 per patient. The median survival time was 5.2 months (95% CI, 4.6—N/A months). The probability of survival at 6 months was 50% (95% CI, 32–78%).  The addition of soy isoflavones to gemcitabine and erlotinib did not appear to increase the survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Towards workflow-driven database system workload modeling

Transaction relationships are usually ignored in current OLTP workload modeling and benchmark test system implementation. In this paper, two workflow driven models for real system workloads are proposed, one using Markov process, and the other Petri-net. Algorithms are also provided to keep the consistence between high-level semantic (workflow) and low level transaction mixing ratio in OLTP performance benchmarks. The experimental results have validated our approach.
Predictors of the discharge dosage of an atypical antipsychotic agent among hospitalized, treatment-naive, first-episode psychosis patients in naturalistic, public-sector settings.

Little is known about determinants of second-generation antipsychotic dosages during initial hospitalization of first-episode psychosis. This study examined potential predictors of dosage of an atypical antipsychotic agent, risperidone, at hospital discharge after initial evaluation and treatment of first-episode nonaffective psychosis in 3 naturalistic, public-sector treatment settings.



The number of psychotropic agents prescribed and discharge antipsychotic dosage were abstracted from the medical record. Demographic and extensive clinical characteristics were assessed through a clinical research study conducted at the 3 sites. One-way analyses of variance, trend tests using specific linear combinations of estimates, and χ² tests assessed for associations between atypical antipsychotic dosage and 5 hypothesized predictors, as well as 12 exploratory variables.



Among 155 hospitalized first-episode patients, 121 (78.1%) were discharged on risperidone, and subsequent analyses focused on that subset. The mean risperidone dosage among those 121 patients was 4.26 mg; 31 received 1 to 2 mg, 45 received 3 to 4 mg, 37 received 5 to 6 mg, and 8 received more than 6 mg. Analyses suggested that older age at hospitalization, the number of psychotropic agents prescribed, excited symptoms, and premorbid social functioning may be predictors of the discharge dosage.



Although several factors emerged, in general, predictors of discharge dosages of second-generation agents, here exemplified by risperidone, in real-world practice settings remain to be clarified. Given the importance of antipsychotic initiation during first hospitalization, future research should test an even broader array of potential predictors.
Access to Psychosocial Services Prior to Starting Antipsychotic Treatment Among Medicaid-Insured Youth.

To examine rates and predictors of receiving a psychosocial service before initiating antipsychotic treatment among young people in the Medicaid program.



A retrospective new-user cohort study of 8 state Medicaid programs focused on children and adolescents 0 to 20 years, initiating antipsychotic treatment (N = 24,372). The proportion receiving a psychosocial service in the 3 months before initiating antipsychotic treatment was calculated and stratified by socio-demographic and diagnostic characteristics arranged in 9 hierarchical groups, as follows: developmental, psychotic/bipolar, disruptive, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, obsessive-compulsive, stress, major depressive, anxiety, and other disorders.



Less than one-half of youth received a psychosocial service before initiating antipsychotic treatment (48.8%). Compared to younger adolescents (12-17 years) initiating antipsychotic treatment (51.5%), corresponding younger children (0-5 years; 39.2%) and older adolescents (18-20 years; 40.1%), but not older children (6-11 years; 51.5%), were significantly less likely to have received a psychosocial service. In relation to youth diagnosed with psychotic or bipolar disorder (52.7%), those diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity (43.3%), developmental (41.4%), depressive (46.5%), or anxiety (35.6%) disorder were significantly less likely to have received a psychosocial service during the 3 months before antipsychotic initiation. By contrast, youth diagnosed with stress disorders (61.2%) were significantly more likely than those diagnosed with psychotic or bipolar disorders (52.7%) to have received a psychosocial service before starting an antipsychotic.



A majority of Medicaid-insured youth initiating antipsychotic treatment have not received a psychosocial service in the preceding 3 months. This service pattern highlights a critical gap in access to psychosocial services.
A proposal on ACM organization

Several ACM Members have suggested to me that the attached memorandum, originally offered to the ACM Council as an informal proposal and since, to the Commission of Thoughtful Persons for their consideration, be offered to the Letters section of communications, to make it available for the scrutiny of the ACM membership. Jack Moshman has remarked to me that the kind of organizational structure suggested here calls to mind of that of The American Statistical Association, and that it seems to work well for that organization. HERBERT S. BRIGHT Philco Corporation 3900 Welsh Road Willow Grove,
Endovascular treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas with cortical venous drainage: new management using Onyx.

DAVFs (dural arteriovenous fistulas) represent one of the most dangerous types of intracranial AV shunts. Most of them are cured by arterial or venous embolization, but surgery/radiosurgery can be required in case of failure. Our goal was to reconsider the endovascular treatment strategy according to the new possibilities of arterial embolization using non polymerizing liquid embolic agent.



Thirty patients were included in a prospective study during the interval between July 2003 and November 2006. Ten of these had type II, 8 had type III, and 12 had type IV fistulas. Sixteen presented with hemorrhage. Five had been treated previously with other embolic materials.



Complete angiographic cure was obtained in 24 cases. Of these 24 cures, 20 were achieved after a single procedure. Cures were achieved in 23 of 25 patients who had not been embolized previously and in only 1 of 5 previously embolized patients. Among these 24 patients, 23 underwent a follow-up angiography, which has confirmed the complete cure. Partial occlusion was obtained in 6 patients, 2 were cured after additional surgery, and 2 underwent radiosurgery. Onyx volume injected per procedure ranged from 0.5 to 12.2 mL (mean, 2.45 mL). Rebleeding occurred in 1 completely cured patient at day 2 due to draining vein thrombosis. One patient had cranial nerve palsy that resolved. Two ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas were occluded. All 10 of the patients with sinus and then CVR drainage were cured.



Based on this experience, we believe that Onyx may be the treatment of choice for many patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (ICDAVF) with direct cortical venous reflux (CVR). The applicability of this new embolic agent indicates the need for reconsideration of the global treatment strategy for such fistulas.
Is a Responsive Default Mode Network Required for Successful Working Memory Task Performance?

In studies of cognitive processing using tasks with externally directed attention, regions showing increased (external-task-positive) and decreased or "negative" [default-mode network (DMN)] fMRI responses during task performance are dynamically responsive to increasing task difficulty. Responsiveness (modulation of fMRI signal by increasing load) has been linked directly to successful cognitive task performance in external-task-positive regions but not in DMN regions. To investigate whether a responsive DMN is required for successful cognitive performance, we compared healthy human subjects (n = 23) with individuals shown to have decreased DMN engagement (chronic pain patients, n = 28). Subjects performed a multilevel working-memory task (N-back) during fMRI. If a responsive DMN is required for successful performance, patients having reduced DMN responsiveness should show worsened performance; if performance is not reduced, their brains should show compensatory activation in external-task-positive regions or elsewhere. All subjects showed decreased accuracy and increased reaction times with increasing task level, with no significant group differences on either measure at any level. Patients had significantly reduced negative fMRI response (deactivation) of DMN regions (posterior cingulate/precuneus, medial prefrontal cortex). Controls showed expected modulation of DMN deactivation with increasing task difficulty. Patients showed significantly reduced modulation of DMN deactivation by task difficulty, despite their successful task performance. We found no evidence of compensatory neural recruitment in external-task-positive regions or elsewhere. Individual responsiveness of the external-task-positive ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, but not of DMN regions, correlated with task accuracy. These findings suggest that a responsive DMN may not be required for successful cognitive performance; a responsive external-task-positive network may be sufficient.



We studied the relationship between responsiveness of the brain to increasing task demand and successful cognitive performance, using chronic pain patients as a probe. fMRI working memory studies show that two main cognitive networks ["external-task positive" and "default-mode network" (DMN)] are responsive to increasing task difficulty. The responsiveness of both of these brain networks is suggested to be required for successful task performance. The responsiveness of external-task-positive regions has been linked directly to successful cognitive task performance, as we also show here. However, pain patients show decreased engagement and responsiveness of the DMN but can perform a working memory task as well as healthy subjects, without demonstrable compensatory neural recruitment. Therefore, a responsive DMN might not be needed for successful cognitive performance.
Outcomes of Minimal and Moderate Support Versions of an Internet-Based Diabetes Self-Management Support Program

Internet and other interactive technology-based programs offer great potential for practical, effective, and cost-efficient diabetes self-management (DSM) programs capable of reaching large numbers of patients. This study evaluated minimal and moderate support versions of an Internet-based diabetes self-management program, compared to an enhanced usual care condition. A three-arm practical randomized trial was conducted to evaluate minimal contact and moderate contact versions of an Internet-based diabetes self-management program, offered in English and Spanish, compared to enhanced usual care. A heterogeneous sample of 463 type 2 patients was randomized and 82.5% completed a 4-month follow-up. Primary outcomes were behavior changes in healthy eating, physical activity, and medication taking. Secondary outcomes included hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, lipids, and blood pressure. The Internet-based intervention produced significantly greater improvements than the enhanced usual care condition on three of four behavioral outcomes (effect sizes [d] for healthy eating = 0.32; fat intake = 0.28; physical activity= 0.19) in both intent-to-treat and complete-cases analyses. These changes did not translate into differential improvements in biological outcomes during the 4-month study period. Added contact did not further enhance outcomes beyond the minimal contact intervention. The Internet intervention meets several of the RE-AIM criteria for potential public health impact, including reaching a large number of persons, and being practical, feasible, and engaging for participants, but with mixed effectiveness in improving outcomes, and consistent results across different subgroups. Additional research is needed to evaluate longer-term outcomes, enhance effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and understand the linkages between intervention processes and outcomes.
Effects of strength training on muscle cellular outcomes in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves life expectancy in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, but is associated with adverse effects on muscle mass. Here, we investigated the effects of strength training during ADT on muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and regulators of muscle mass. PCa patients on ADT were randomized to 16 weeks of strength training (STG) (n = 12) or a control group (CG; n = 11). Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Muscle fiber CSA increased with strength training (898 μm(2) , P = 0.04), with the only significant increase observed in type II fibers (1076 μm(2) , P = 0.03). There was a trend toward a difference in mean change between groups myonuclei number (0.33 nuclei/fiber, P = 0.06), with the only significant increase observed in type I fibers, which decreased the myonuclear domain size of type I fibers (P = 0.05). Satellite cell numbers and the content of androgen receptor and myostatin remained unchanged. Sixteen weeks of strength training during ADT increased type II fiber CSA and reduced myonuclear domain in type I fibers in PCa patients. The increased number of satellite cells normally seen following strength training was not observed.
Effect of Patiromer on SerumPotassium Level in Patients With Hyperkalemia and Diabetic Kidney Disease The AMETHYST-DN Randomized Clinical Trial

Phase 2, multicenter, open-label, dose-ranging, randomized clinical trial (AMETHYST-DN), conducted at 48 sites in Europe from June 2011 to June 2013 evaluating patiromer in 306 outpatients with type 2 diabetes (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 15 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and serum potassium level >5.0 mEq/L). All patients received RAAS inhibitors prior to and during study treatment.
Comparison of self-reported knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score to performance measures in patients after total knee arthroplasty.

To characterize patient outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by (1) examining changes in self-report measures (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]) and performance measures over the first 6 months after TKA, (2) evaluating correlations between changes in KOOS self-report function (activities of daily living [ADL] subscale) and functional performance (6-minute walk [6MW]), and (3) exploring how changes in pain correlate with KOOS ADL and 6MW outcomes.



Retrospective cohort evaluation.



Clinical research laboratory.



Thirty-nine patients scheduled for a unilateral, primary TKA for end-stage unilateral knee osteoarthritis.



Patients were evaluated 2 weeks before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.



KOOS, 6MW, timed-up-and-go (TUG), and stair climbing tests (SCT), quadriceps strength.



Three of 5 KOOS subscales significantly improved by 1 month after TKA. All 5 KOOS subscales significantly improved by 3 and 6 months after TKA. In contrast, performance measures (6MW, TUG, SCT, and quadriceps strength) all significantly declined from preoperative values by 1 month after TKA and significantly improved from preoperative values by 3 and 6 months after TKA; yet, improvements from preoperative values were not clinically meaningful. Pearson correlations between changes in the KOOS ADL subscale and 6MW from before surgery were not statistically significant at 1, 3, or 6 months after TKA. In addition, KOOS Pain was strongly correlated with KOOS ADL scores at all times, but KOOS Pain was not correlated with 6MW distance at any time.



Patient self-report by using the KOOS did not reflect the magnitude of performance deficits present after surgery, especially 1 month after TKA. Self-report KOOS outcomes closely paralleled pain relief after surgery, whereas performance measures were not correlated with pain. These results emphasize the importance of including performance measures when tracking recovery after TKA as opposed to solely relying on self-reported measures.
Cilostazol could ameliorate platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Cilostazol increases the cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in platelets and might ameliorate the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel. This study investigated the additional effect of cilostazol on platelet aggregation measured by a VerifyNow analyzer and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) as a marker of activated platelet in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).



Sixty cases of primary PCI were randomly assigned to dual (aspirin and clopidogrel) or triple (dual plus cilostazol) therapy. The antiplatelet effects of aspirin and clopidogrel were evaluated by VerifyNow tests. The plasma sCD40L levels at admission, 24 h and 21 days were measured by the ELISA method. The arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation was similar in both groups. However, the triple group had a significantly lower P2Y12 reaction unit (dual 208.8+/-69.0 vs triple 168.2+/-79.2, p=0.041) and higher % inhibition of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation (dual 23.8+/-21.4% vs triple 40.5+/-21.0%, p=0.004). In the multivariate analysis, cilostazol was a negative predictor for low responders to clopidogrel (95% confidence interval 0.067-0.711). The plasma sCD40L levels were not significantly different between the 2 groups at the same point of time.



The addition of cilostazol to the combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel significantly increases the inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. However, there was no additive effect on aspirin-induced antiplatelet activity or lowering of sCD40L.