nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Communicating effectiveness of intervention for chronic diseases: what single format can replace comprehensive information?

There is uncertainty about how GPs should convey information about treatment effectiveness to their patients in the context of cardiovascular disease. Hence we study the concordance of decisions based on one of four single information formats for treatment effectiveness with subsequent decisions based on all four formats combined with a pictorial representation.



A randomized study comprising 1,169 subjects aged 40-59 in Odense, Denmark. Subjects were randomized to receive information in terms of absolute risk reduction (ARR), relative risk reduction (RRR), number needed to treat (NNT), or prolongation of life (POL) without heart attack, and were asked whether they would consent to treatment. Subsequently the same information was conveyed with all four formats jointly accompanied by a pictorial presentation of treatment effectiveness. Again, subjects should consider consent to treatment.



After being informed about all four formats, 52%-79% of the respondents consented to treatment, depending on level of effectiveness and initial information format. Overall, ARR gave highest concordance, 94% (95% confidence interval (91%; 97%)) between initial and final decision, but ARR was not statistically superior to the other formats.



Decisions based on ARR had the best concordance with decisions based on all four formats and pictorial representation, but the difference in concordance between the four formats was small, and it is unclear whether respondents fully understood the information they received.
Minimizing the evidence-practice gap – a prospective cohort study incorporating balance training into pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

We have recently demonstrated the efficacy of balance training in addition to Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) at improving measures of balance associated with an increased risk of falls in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Few knowledge translation (KT) projects have been conducted in rehabilitation settings. The goal of this study was to translate lessons learnt from efficacy studies of balance training into a sustainable clinical service.



Health care professionals (HCPs) responsible for delivering PR were given an hour of instruction on the principles and practical application of balance training and the researchers offered advice regarding; prescription, progression and practical demonstrations during the first week. Balance training was incorporated three times a week into conventional PR programs. Following the program, HCPs participated in a focus group exploring their experiences of delivering balance training alongside PR. Service users completed satisfaction surveys as well as standardized measures of balance control. At six month follow-up, the sustainability of balance training was explored.



HCPs considered the training to be effective at improving balance and the support provided by the researchers was viewed as helpful. HCPs identified a number of strategies to facilitate balance training within PR, including; training twice a week, incorporating an interval training program for everyone enrolled in PR, providing visual aids to training and promoting independence by; providing a set program, considering the environment and initiating a home-based exercise program early. Nineteen service users completed the balance training [ten male mean (SD) age 73 (6) y]. Sixteen patients (84%) enjoyed balance training and reported that it helped them with everyday activities and 18 (95%) indicated their wish to continue with it. Scores on balance measures improved following PR that included balance training (all p < 0.05). At six month follow-up balance training is being routinely assessed and delivered as part of standardised PR.



Implementing balance training into PR programs, with support and training for HCPs, is feasible, effective and sustainable.
nvestigating the effect of intra-articular PRP injection on pain and unction improvement in patients with distal radius fracture

Distal radius fractures are common injuries that cause pain and disability. There is a clear need for biomedical engineering research to develop novel strategies to improve functional results following intra-articular distal radius fractures. However, no pharmacotherapeutic agent has been investigated to resolve this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be considered a novel additional therapy to improve the outcomes of this injury.  Pain reduction and functional improvement can be noticed after PRP use in distal radius fracture.  A randomized trial study was designed with 30 patients who had intra-articular distal radius fractures (Frykman type 3, 4, 7, 8). Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning under guide of fluoroscopy were done for them. Fifteen cases received intra-articular autologus PRP. Patients were followed for 3 and 6 months and “patient-rated wrist evaluation” (PRWE) questionnaire was completed and range of motion of the wrist was measured.  The mean of pain score and the score of specific and usual activities at 3 months follow-up in the case group and in the control group were (8.33 versus 19.67), (10.66 versus 26.8), and (6.2 versus 13.4), respectively. The mean of pain score and score of specific and usual activities at 6 months followup in the case group and in the control group were (3.6 versus 12), (3 versus 15.7), and (1.2 versus 6.8), respectively. The case group was significantly different from the control group. The mean of loss of flexion and extension of the wrist at 3 months follow-up in the case group was significantly different from the control group as well.  PRP may have significant effect on reduction of pain and amount of difficulty in functions, including specific and usual activities after intra-articular distal radius fractures.
Reliability of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) among radiation oncologists: an assessment of instability secondary to spinal metastases

The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) categorizes tumor related spinal instability. It has the potential to streamline the referral of patients with established or potential spinal instability to a spine surgeon. This study aims to define the inter- and intra-observer reliability and validity of SINS among radiation oncologists.



Thirty-three radiation oncologists, across ten international sites, rated 30 neoplastic spinal disease cases. For each case, the total SINS (0-18 points), three clinical categories (stable: 0-6 points, potentially unstable: 7-12 points, and unstable: 13-18 points), and a binary scale ('stable': 0-6 points and 'current or possible instability'; surgical consultation recommended: 7-18 points) were recorded. Evaluation was repeated 6-8 weeks later. Inter-observer agreement and intra-observer reproducibility were calculated by means of the kappa statistic and translated into levels of agreement (slight, fair, moderate, substantial, and excellent). Validity was determined by comparing the ratings against a spinal surgeon's consensus standard.



Radiation oncologists demonstrated substantial (κ=0.76) inter-observer and excellent (κ=0.80) intra-observer reliability when using the SINS binary scale ('stable' versus 'current or possible instability'). Validity of the binary scale was also excellent (κ=0.85) compared with the gold standard. None of the unstable cases was rated as stable by the radiation oncologists ensuring all were appropriately recommended for surgical consultation.



Among radiation oncologists SINS is a highly reliable, reproducible, and valid assessment tool to address a key question in tumor related spinal disease: Is the spine 'stable' or is there 'current or possible instability' that warrants surgical assessment?
Efficacy of a trauma-focused treatment approach for dental phobia: a randomized clinical trial.

It has been hypothesized that treatment specifically focused on resolving memories of negative dental events might be efficacious for the alleviation of anxiety in patients with dental phobia. Thirty-one medication-free patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) criteria of dental phobia were randomly assigned to either Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or a waitlist control condition. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Dental Anxiety Questionnaire (DAS), the Dental Fear Survey (DFS), a behavior test, and dental attendance at 1-yr of follow up. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing was associated with significant reductions of dental anxiety and avoidance behavior as well as in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effect sizes for the primary outcome measures were d = 2.52 (DAS) and d = 1.87 (DFS). These effects were still significant 3 months (d = 3.28 and d = 2.28, respectively) and 12 months (d = 3.75 and d = 1.79, respectively) after treatment. After 1 yr, 83.3% of the patients were in regular dental treatment (d = 3.20). The findings suggest that therapy aimed at processing memories of past dental events can be helpful for patients with dental phobia.
Diagnosis and prognosis disclosure among cancer patients. Results from an Italian mortality follow-back survey.

The observed cultural changes in truth-telling attitudes suggest a radical change in the practice of delivering information to cancer patients, but limited research is available from countries known for their policy of non-disclosure. This study estimates the proportion of Italian who died of cancer who had received information about diagnosis and prognosis, and explores the variables associated with disclosure.



This is a mortality follow-back survey of 1271 non-professional caregivers of Italians who died of cancer in 2002, representative of the approximate 160 000 Italian annual cancer deaths. Caregivers were interviewed after the patient's death about the process of diagnosis and prognosis disclosure.



It was estimated that 37% of people who died of cancer had received information about diagnosis and 13% about poor prognosis. A consistent proportion, although non-informed, knew the diagnosis (29%) and the poor prognosis (50%). The probability to be informed was higher for patients living in the north of Italy, young, well educated, with longer survival, and with breast or head and neck tumor.



These findings suggest that not necessarily the observed cultural changes towards a less paternalistic approach in medical care translate into an effective change in the quantity of information delivered to the patients.
Supporting semantic web search and structured queries on mobile devices

There has been much recent interest in user-friendly interfaces that support queries and searching the Semantic Web, without requiring knowledge of sparql and the internal structure used by DBpedia or other knowledge bases. Although powerful, the existing proposals assume the use of desktop computers featuring rather large displays and pointing devices such as a mouse or trackpad. In this paper we tackle the problem of querying and searching the Semantic Web from mobile devices, by taking full advantage of their small touch-enabled screens. We focus on a user-friendly interface that can be used from smartphones, mini tablets, smart watches and possibly other wearable computers such as Google Glass. Indeed existing approaches become much less usable and effective on mobile since these support and require different modalities of user interaction. Our proposal is based on an adaptation of the recently proposed concept of SBE query system, developing a novel mobile interface that allows both browsing and querying the Semantic Web without using sparql nor knowledge of the underlying ontology/schema of the supporting knowledge base. To demonstrate the properties of the proposed interface we have developed QPedia1, a mobile app that allows to take full advantages of DBpedia through our mobile-enabled user-friendly interface.
Relationship of multi-biomarker disease activity score and other risk factors with radiographic progression in an observational study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

To evaluate the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score as a predictor of radiographic progression and compare it with other risk factors among patients with established RA receiving non-biologic DMARDs.



For 163 patients with RA, we assessed 271 visits for MBDA score (scale of 1-100), clinical data and subsequent 1-year radiographic progression (change in Sharp-van der Heijde score [SHS]). Scatter plot and non-parametric quantile regression curves evaluated the relationship between the MBDA score and change in SHS. Changes in joint space narrowing and erosions were compared among MBDA categories with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. The ability of the MBDA score to independently predict progression was determined by multivariate models and cross-classification of MBDA score with other risk factors. Generalized estimating equation methodology was used in model estimations to adjust for same-patient visits, always ≥1 year apart.



Patient characteristics included 67% female, 66%/67% RF(+)/anti-CCP(+); mean age 55 years, MBDA score 43 (moderate = 30-44); median disease duration 4.6 years, SHS 23. Radiographic progression was infrequent for low MBDA scores. Relative risk for progression increased continuously as the MBDA score increased, reaching 17.4 for change in SHS >5 with MBDA scores ≥60. Joint space narrowing and erosion progression were associated with MBDA score. MBDA score was associated with radiographic progression after adjustments for other risk factors. MBDA score significantly differentiated risk for progression when swollen joint count, CRP or DAS28-CRP was low, and among seropositive patients.



MBDA score enhanced the ability of conventional risk factors to predict radiographic progression in patients with established RA receiving non-biologic DMARDs.
linical Validity of Measuring Time Difference etween Onset of Mitral Inflow and Onset of arly Diastolic Mitral Annulus Velocity in the valuation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

This study was performed to validate the clinical usefulness of measuring the time difference between onset of mitral inflow and onset of early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (TE E) for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function.  In recent studies, TE E correlated well with the time constant of LV pressure decay (tau), and the ratio of IVRT/TE E, where IVRT is isovolumic relaxation time, was useful in the prediction of elevated LV filling pressure.  Simultaneous left heart catheterization and Doppler echocardiography were performed in 40 patients.  The TE E was evaluated in the same cardiac cycle and in the same hemodynamic status in 31 patients. Despite the wide range of tau (31 to 70 ms), there was no delay in the onset of mitral annulus velocity compared with the onset of mitral inflow (TE E 0) in 27 patients and, therefore, TE E did not correlate with tau. Only three patients showed prolongation in TE E, and all three showed tau 50 ms and pre–A-wave pressure 18 mm Hg. In one patient, mitral annulus velocity began earlier than the onset of mitral inflow. Because TE E was 0 in the majority of patients, the LV filling pressure could not be predicted by the previously suggested index of IVRT/TE E.  In contrast to previous studies, TE E did not correlate with tau, and IVRT/ TE E could not be applied in the prediction of filling pressure, because of the limitation of a zero denominator. However, prolongation of TE E might suggest an elevated filling pressure in the setting of prolonged tau. (
Effect of intradialytic aerobic exercise on serum electrolytes levels in hemodialysis patients.

We aimed determine the impact of an 8-week intradialytic exercise program, consisting of 15 minutes of cumulative duration low-intensity exercise during the first 2 hours of dialysis on serum electrolytes levels and hemoglobin.



In a randomized controlled trial of in an outpatient hemodialysis unit, clinically stable hemodialysis patients (n = 47) were included and assigned into the aerobic exercise group (n = 25) and the control group (n = 23). Aerobic exercises were done in groups, 15 min/d, 3 times a week, for 2 months. The main outcome measures were biochemical variables including serum levels of calcium, phosphate, and potassium levels and hemoglobin level.



After an 8-week intervention, significant improvements were seen in serum phosphate levels (decreased by 1.84 mg/dL) and serum potassium levels (decreased by 0.69 mg/dL). No side-effects were observed. Serum calcium and hemoglobin levels did not change significantly in the exercise group.



A simplified aerobic exercise program is a complementary, safe, and effective clinical treatment modality in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis.
JOMPan OpenMP-like interface for Java

This paper describes the de nition and implementation of an OpenMP-like set of directives and library routines for shared memory parallel programming in Java. A speci cation of the directives and routines is proposed and discussed. A prototype implementation, JOMP, consisting of a compiler and a runtime library, both written entirely in Java, is presented, which implements a signi cant subset of the proposed speci cation.
Correlation between physical functioning and gait measures in children with cerebral palsy.

The primary aim of this investigation was to assess the correlation between the POSNA Musculoskeletal Functional Health Questionnaire (POSNA) and gait analysis in children with cerebral palsy (CP). POSNA and computerized gait analysis were used to evaluate individuals with CP. Correlations were investigated between POSNA scales, gait parameters, and the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) in 63 children (31 males, 32 females; mean age 9.17 years [SD 3.06], age range 3.75 to 16.44 years) with spastic CP. Twelve participants had hemiplegia, 29 diplegia, 12 quadriplegia, and 10 triplegia. The result of backwards stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the Log normalcy index (NI) was a significant predictor of the POSNA Global Function and Comfort scale. Energy expenditure (EE) did not add significantly to the prediction. The POSNA scales differentiated between the different topographical types of CP. The POSNA scale is a valid and useful clinical measure. Used in conjunction with the NI, EE, and FAQ, the POSNA scale provides a more complete appraisal of change in functioning.
Transcatheter Closure of Coronary Artery Fistulae: Considerations and Approaches Based on Fistula Origin.

To investigate technical approaches for transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula based on anatomic type of the fistula.



The variability in coronary artery fistulae (CAF) anatomy that necessitates different transcatheter closure (TCC) approaches has not been well documented.



Records of patients with CAF who underwent TCC at 2 centers were reviewed for technical details and procedural outcome. CAF were classified as proximal and distal. TCC approaches employed were arterio-venous or arterio-arterial loop, retrograde arterial, and antegrade venous.



Eighteen patients with CAF, mean age 12.6 years (0.07-60), 11 male (61%), underwent TCC. All CAF drained predominantly into the right side of the heart. Types of CAF were proximal in 15 and distal in 3 patients. CAF calibers were large in 7, medium in 9, and small in 2 patients. The arterio-venous loop approach was used in the majority of the cases (11 patients) and the CAF size were medium to large. The retrograde arterial approach was used in 4; of these, 3 patients had small to medium sized CAF. In 2 patients with long tortuous CAF an antegrade venous approach was employed. TCC was successful in 17 of the 18 patients (94.4%). There were no peri-procedural deaths or vascular complications.



This study documents transcatheter closure approaches for CAF and device selection based on fistula origin. The choices of TCC technique and device selection vary, and are primarily determined by the heterogeneous anatomic characteristics of the fistulae.
Effects of treatment with oral appliance on 24-h blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension: a randomized clinical trial

Continuous positive airway pressure treatment has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aims of the present pilot study were to evaluate the potential effects of oral appliance (OA) therapy on BP, to assess various outcome BP measures, and to inform sample size calculation. Seventy-two patients with OSA and hypertension were randomly assigned to intervention with either an OA with mandibular advancement (active group) or an OA without advancement (control group). Before and after 3 months of treatment, the patients underwent nocturnal somnographic registration and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. Among the various BP measures, the largest trend toward effect of OA treatment was seen in 24-h mean systolic BP with a 1.8 mmHg stronger BP reduction in the active group compared with controls. A stronger trend toward effect was seen in a subgroup with baseline ambulatory daytime mean systolic BP >135/85 mmHg where the mean systolic BP fell, on average, 2.6 mmHg. Additional exclusion of patients with baseline apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≤15 gave a significant reduction in mean systolic BP of 4.4 mmHg (P = 0.044) in the active group compared with controls. In patients with OSA and hypertension, OA treatment had a modest trend toward effect on reducing BP. A stronger trend toward treatment effect was seen after excluding patients with normal baseline ambulatory BP. Additional exclusion of patients with baseline AHI ≤15 showed a significant treatment effect. Data to inform sample size for an adequately powered randomized study are provided.
Effect of oral insulin on insulin autoantibody levels in the Diabetes Prevention Trial Type 1 oral insulin study

Our aim was to evaluate insulin autoantibody (IAA) levels over time in the Diabetes Prevention Trial Type 1 (DPT-1) oral insulin study to determine the effect of oral insulin compared with placebo on IAA levels. The DPT-1 trial randomised 372 relatives of subjects with type 1 diabetes, positive for IAA and with normal IVGTTs and OGTTs, to oral insulin 7.5 mg daily or placebo. Subjects were followed with IVGTTs, OGTTs and serial IAA measurements. The change in IAA level over time was modelled statistically using mixed model longitudinal data analysis with spatial exponential law for unevenly spaced data. In a separate analysis, subjects were divided into four groups by treatment and diabetes status at the end of the study. IAA levels were compared amongst the groups at randomisation, last sampling and at the maximum level. Longitudinal data analysis showed that treatment did not affect levels of IAA over time. After controlling for age, the IAA levels at randomisation and the last visit and the maximum values were different in the four groups. Significantly higher levels were noted in groups that developed diabetes compared with those that did not, with no significant difference by treatment group. This suggests that IAA levels over time were not influenced by oral insulin in subjects already positive for IAA at the start of treatment.