nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Effect of intravenous vitamin C on cytokine activation and oxidative stress in end-stage renal disease patients receiving intravenous iron sucrose

Reticuloendothelial blockade in hemodialysis patients prevents optimal intravenous (IV) iron utilization. Vitamin C has emerged as a potential therapy to improve anemia treatment by enhancing iron mobilization. However, Vitamin C can act as a pro-oxidant in the presence of iron. This was a prospective, open-label, crossover study. Thirteen patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis and four healthy controls were assigned to receive 100 mg of IV iron sucrose (IS) or 100 mg of IV IS co-administered with 300 mg of IV Vitamin C (IS + C) in random sequence. Serum samples for IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 and non-transferrin bound iron were obtained at baseline, 45 min and 105 min post study medication administration. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated at the same time points and stained with fluorescent probes to identify intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) by flow cytometry. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by plasma F2-isoprosatane concentration. Both IS and IS + C were associated with increased plasma F2-isoprostanes concentrations post-infusion. Maximal plasma F2-isoprostane concentrations after IS + C were significantly elevated from baseline (234 ± 0.04 vs. 0.198 ± 0.028 ng/mL, p = 0.02). After IS + C, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha were significantly elevated compared to baseline. After IS alone only IL-6 was noted to be elevated. Intracellular production of H2O2 and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) was observed after IS while IS + C was associated with increased O 2 ·− production. Both IS and IS + C induced serum cytokine activation accompanied by lipid peroxidation, however, IS + C induced higher plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostanes, IL-1, IL-10, and TNF-α post-infusion. Long-term safety studies of IV iron co-administered with Vitamin C are warranted.
Common polymorphisms of the PPAR-γ2 (Pro12Ala) and PGC-1α (Gly482Ser) genes are associated with the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes in the STOP-NIDDM trial

We investigated the effects of the common polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPAR-γ2; Pro12Ala) and in PPAR-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α; Gly482Ser) genes on the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes in participants in the STOP-NIDDM trial. This trial aimed to study the effect of acarbose in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Genotyping was performed in 770 study subjects whose DNA was available. The Gly482Ser variant in the PGC-1α gene was determined with the polymerase chain reaction amplification, Hpa II enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis. The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-γ2 gene was determined by the polymerase chain reaction–single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. The Pro12Pro genotype of the PPAR-γ2 gene predicted the conversion to diabetes in women in the acarbose group (odds ratio 2.89, 95% CI 1.20 to 6.96; p=0.018). The 482Ser allele of the PGC-1α gene had a significant interaction with the mode of treatment (p=0.012), and in the placebo group the 482Ser allele was associated with a 1.6-fold higher risk for type 2 diabetes compared to the Gly482Gly genotype (95% CI 1.06 to 2.33; p=0.023). Acarbose prevented the development of diabetes independently of the genotype of the PPAR-γ2 gene, but only the carriers of the 482Ser allele of the PGC-1α gene were responsive to acarbose treatment. We conclude that the Pro12Pro genotype of the PPAR-γ2 gene and the 482Ser allele of the PGC-1α gene are associated with the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes in the STOP-NIDDM trial.
Validation of National Institutes of Health global scoring system for chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) according to overall and GVHD-specific survival.

A new severity grading system for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus criteria (NCC). However, its prognostic value still needs to be validated. Four hundred twenty-five consecutive patients who survived beyond 100 days after allogeneic stem cell transplantation were reviewed and reclassified using NCC. GVHD-specific survival (GSS) and cumulative incidence of relapse were compared according to the NIH global score at the onset and peak of chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Of 346 patients with cGVHD diagnosed by the Revised Seattle Criteria, 317 patients were reclassified according to the NCC as classic cGVHD (n = 144) and overlap syndrome (n = 173). The NIH global scores at onset were mild (43.2%), moderate (42.3%), and severe (14.5%), whereas more moderate (55.5%) and severe (31.6%) cGVHD was observed at the peak of cGVHD. With a median follow-up duration of 34 months, the 5-year GSS was significantly worse for the severe group than the moderate/mild groups at onset and at peak: 50.9% ± 7.8% versus 89.7% ± 3.2% versus 93.5% ± 2.4% at onset (P < .001) and 69.1% ± 5.2% versus 93.2% ± 2.1% versus 97.3% ± 2.7% at peak (P < .001). Severe NIH global score at onset and peak were confirmed as a poor prognostic factor for GSS in multivariate analysis. The cumulative incidence of relapse did not differ among the severity groups at onset or peak. In conclusion, the new NIH global scoring system was shown to differentiate a high-risk group of patients (with severe grade cGVHD) in terms of long-term transplant outcomes.
Applicability of Published Guidelines for Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Adults to Children with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: An Observational Study

Guidelines for diagnosis and grading of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in children have not been established. The applicability of adult parameters of DD to children has been questioned by recent studies. Although normal diastolic parameters in children have been published, the data to support application of these indices for the non-invasive diagnosis of DD and quantifying its degree are still being developed. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is the only recognized disease entity in children that presents with isolated, irreversible DD as the predominant finding. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of current diastolic indices used for assessment of diastolic function in adults as reliable indicators of DD in children with established RCM. Retrospective review of institutional clinical database for the period of 2002–2010 was performed to identify patients with RCM who had had a comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function. The following parameters were obtained from apical four chamber view: mitral valve (MV) inflow Doppler early filling velocity (E), late filling velocity (A), deceleration time (DT), color M-mode flow propagation from MV to apex (Vp), Doppler tissue imaging derived early diastolic velocity E′ and late diastolic velocity A′ at the LV lateral wall at MV annulus, RV at the tricuspid valve annulus, septum, and LA area. All parameters were compared to age and gender matched controls using student t test. : LA area/BSA was significantly larger in RCM group than the control group, median 22.8 cm2/m2 (range 16.9–28.6) versus 10.3 cm2/m2 (range 8.3–12.3), p value <0.001. MV inflow E and A were lower, and DT was shorter in the RCM group (p = 0.04, 0.02, and 0.005, respectively). A wave was absent in 3 of 9 patients in the RCM group. Ratio of E to A (E/A) was not different between the two groups. E′ was significantly lower at all three sites in RCM group; however, there was some overlap between the two groups. E/septal E′ ratio was statistically significantly higher in RCM group. A′ was absent either at lateral wall or at septum in five patients. 7 of 9 patients in RCM group had L′ wave (at lateral wall or septum) defined as negative deflection during diastasis. Vp was higher in RCM group than in the control group 81.4 ± 44.5 versus 52.9 ± 10.9, p value <0.01. Combination of increased left atrial size, septal E/E′, and lack of A wave and presence of mid-diastolic L′-wave are the noted abnormalities in this group. Individual cut-offs for Doppler indices have very poor sensitivity in identifying restrictive physiology. These findings suggest that poor LV compliance is the hallmark of restrictive cardiomyopathy in children even in the presence of normal early relaxation and ventricular filling. These findings support the need for development of guidelines for diagnosis and physiologic grading of diastolic dysfunction in children.
Active syphilis in HIV infection: a multicentre retrospective survey. The German AIDS Study Group (GASG).

To study syphilis in HIV infection focusing on immunocompromised patients with an atypical or aggressive clinical course of syphilis, inappropriate serological reactions or an unreliable response to therapy.



A multicentre retrospective chart review using a standardised questionnaire for all patients with active syphilis.



Thirteen dermatological and medical centres throughout Germany, all members of the German AIDS Study Group (GASG).



Clinical data of 11,368 HIV infected patients have been analysed for cases of active syphilis requiring treatment. Asymptotic patients with reactive serological parameters indicating latent syphilis without a need for treatment were excluded.



Active syphilis was reported in 151 of 11,368 HIV infected patients (1.33%, range per centre 0.3%-5.1%). Most of the 151 syphilis patients were male (93%) and belonged to the homosexual or bisexual exposure category for HIV infection (79%); another 6% were iv drug users. Among the 151 syphilis patients primary syphilis was diagnosed in 17.2%, maculopapular secondary syphilis in 29.1%, ulcerating secondary syphilis in 7.3%, neurosyphilis in 16.6% and latent seropositive syphilis without clinical symptoms but serological abnormalities indicating active syphilis in 25.2%. A history of prior treatments for syphilis was reported in 50%. At the time of syphilis diagnosis 26.5% of the patients were in CDC stage II, 33.8% in stage III and 24.5% in stage IV of HIV disease (CDC classification 1987). CD4 cell count was lowest in those with ulcerating secondary syphilis (mean 307, SD 140/microliters) and neurosyphilis (351, SD 235/ microliters). The highest CD4 count was found in patients with early primary and early secondary syphilis (444, SD 163/microliters and 470, SD 355/microliters). Inappropriate serological response to syphilis infection was found in 81 of 151 patients (54%). Remarkable findings were false negative VDRL titres (11 patients with non primary syphilis), false negative TPHA (1) or 19S-IgM-FTA-ABS-tests (16), and strongly reactive VDRL (> or = 512, 8) or TPHA titres (> or = 10 240, 47). Treatment failures were reported in at least 6 of 151 cases (4%).



Atypical clinical and serological courses of syphilis were observed in HIV infected patients. Ulcerating secondary syphilis with general symptoms ("malignant syphilis") was 60 times more frequent than in historic syphilis series. Neurosyphilis was found in one sixth of those with active syphilis. Therefore lumbar puncture should be considered a routine in coinfections with HIV and syphilis. Treatment efficacy should be monitored carefully.
A cluster-randomized controlled trial to study the effectiveness of a protocol-based lifestyle program to prevent type 2 diabetes in people with impaired fasting glucose

Effective diabetes prevention strategies that can be implemented in daily practice, without huge amounts of money and a lot of personnel are needed. The Dutch Diabetes Federation developed a protocol for coaching people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG; according to WHO criteria: 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/l) to a sustainable healthy lifestyle change: 'the road map towards diabetes prevention' (abbreviated: Road Map: RM). This protocol is applied within a primary health care setting by a general practitioner and a practice nurse. The feasibility and (cost-) effectiveness of care provided according to the RM protocol will be evaluated.



A cluster randomised clinical trial is performed, with randomisation at the level of the general practices. Both opportunistic screening and active case finding took place among clients with high risk factors for diabetes. After IFG is diagnosed, motivated people in the intervention practices receive 3-4 consultations by the practice nurse within one year. During these consultations they are coached to increase the level of physical activity and healthy dietary habits. If necessary, participants are referred to a dietician, physiotherapist, lifestyle programs and/or local sports activities. The control group receives care as usual. The primary outcome measure in this study is change in Body Mass Index (BMI). Secondary outcome measures are waist circumference, physical activity, total and saturated fat intake, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and behaviour determinants like risk perception, perceived knowledge and motivation. Based on a sample size calculation 120 people in each group are needed. Measurements are performed at baseline, and after one (post-intervention) and two years follow up. Anthropometrics and biochemical parameters are assessed in the practices and physical activity, food intake and their determinants by a validated questionnaire. The cost-effectiveness is estimated by using the Chronic Disease Model (CDM). Feasibility will be tested by interviews among health care professionals.



The results of the study will provide valuable information for both health care professionals and policy makers. If this study shows the RM to be both effective and cost-effective the protocol can be implemented on a large scale.
No survival difference after successful 131I ablation between patients with initially low-risk and high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer

To compare disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after successful 131I ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) between those defined before ablation as low-risk and those defined as high-risk according to the European Thyroid Association 2006 consensus statement. Retrospective data from three university hospitals were pooled. Of 2009 consecutive patients receiving ablation, 509 were identified as successfully ablated based on both undetectable stimulated serum thyroglobulin in the absence of antithyroglobulin antibodies and a negative diagnostic whole-body scan in a follow-up examination conducted 8.1±4.6 months after ablation. Of these 509 patients, 169 were defined as high-risk. After a mean follow-up of 81±64 months (range 4–306 months), only three patients had died of DTC, rendering assessment of disease-specific survival differences impossible. Of the 509 patients, 12 (2.4%) developed a recurrence a mean 35 months (range 12–59 months) after ablation. RFS for the duration of follow-up was 96.6% according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RFS did not differ between high-risk and low-risk patients (p=0.68). RFS differed slightly but significantly between those with papillary and those with follicular thyroid carcinoma (p=0.03) and between those aged ≤45 years those aged >45 years at diagnosis (p=0.018). After (near) total thyroidectomy and successful 131I ablation, RFS does not differ between patients classified as high-risk and those classified as low-risk based on TNM stage at diagnosis. Consequently, the follow-up protocol should be determined on the basis of the result of initial treatment rather than on the initial tumour classification.
Cognition and quality of life after chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (RT) vs. RT for pure and mixed anaplastic oligodendrogliomas: radiation therapy oncology group trial 9402.

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9402 compared procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy plus radiation therapy (PCV + RT) vs. RT alone for anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Here we report longitudinal changes in cognition and quality of life, effects of patient factors and treatments on cognition, quality of life and survival, and prognostic implications of cognition and quality of life.



Cognition was assessed by Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and quality of life by Brain-Quality of Life (B-QOL). Scores were analyzed for survivors and within 5 years of death. Shared parameter models evaluated MMSE/B-QOL with survival.



For survivors, MMSE and B-QOL scores were similar longitudinally and between treatments. For those who died, MMSE scores remained stable initially, whereas B-QOL slowly declined; both declined rapidly in the last year of life and similarly between arms. In the aggregate, scores decreased over time (p = 0.0413 for MMSE; p = 0.0016 for B-QOL) and were superior with age <50 years (p < 0.001 for MMSE; p = 0.0554 for B-QOL) and Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) 80-100 (p < 0.001). Younger age and higher KPS were associated with longer survival. After adjusting for patient factors and drop-out, survival was longer after PCV + RT (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49-0.9, p = 0.0084; HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.54-1.01, p = 0.0592) in models with MMSE and B-QOL. In addition, there were no differences in MMSE and B-QOL scores between arms (p = 0.4752 and p = 0.2767, respectively); higher scores predicted longer survival.



MMSE and B-QOL scores held steady in the upper range in both arms for survivors. Younger, fitter patients had better MMSE and B-QOL and longer survival.
β 2 adrenoceptor promoter polymorphisms : extended haplotypes and functional effects in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The β2 adrenoceptor and its 5′ untranslated region contain a number of genetic variants. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for genetic variation at this locus to influence the expression of β2 adrenoceptors on circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).  Genotype was determined in 96 individuals with asthma for four polymorphisms at the β2 adrenoceptor locus. β2 adrenoceptor binding and cyclic AMP responses to isoprenaline in PBMCs were determined and the relationship between genotype/haplotype and β2 adrenoceptor expression and response to isoprenaline examined.  β2 adrenoceptor promoter polymorphisms were found to be common in white subjects. Strong linkage disequilibrium exists across this locus, resulting in the occurrence of several common haplotypes. No single polymorphism or haplotype was correlated with the level of β2 adrenoceptor expression or cyclic AMP responses to isoprenaline in vitro.  β2 adrenoceptor polymorphisms, when considered in isolation or by extended haplotypes, do not determine the basal level of expression or coupling of β2 adrenoceptors in PBMCs from asthmatic subjects.
A genome-wide association study of caffeine-related sleep disturbance: confirmation of a role for a common variant in the adenosine receptor.

To identify common genetic variants that predispose to caffeine-induced insomnia and to test whether genes whose expression changes in the presence of caffeine are enriched for association with caffeine-induced insomnia.



A hypothesis-free, genome-wide association study.



Community-based sample of Australian twins from the Australian Twin Registry.



After removal of individuals who said that they do not drink coffee, a total of 2,402 individuals from 1,470 families in the Australian Twin Registry provided both phenotype and genotype information.



A dichotomized scale based on whether participants reported ever or never experiencing caffeine-induced insomnia. A factor score based on responses to a number of questions regarding normal sleep habits was included as a covariate in the analysis. More than 2 million common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested for association with caffeine-induced insomnia. No SNPs reached the genome-wide significance threshold. In the analysis that did not include the insomnia factor score as a covariate, the most significant SNP identified was an intronic SNP in the PRIMA1 gene (P = 1.4 × 10⁻⁶, odds ratio = 0.68 [0.53 - 0.89]). An intergenic SNP near the GBP4 gene on chromosome 1 was the most significant upon inclusion of the insomnia factor score into the model (P = 1.9 × 10⁻⁶, odds ratio = 0.70 [0.62 - 0.78]). A previously identified association with a polymorphism in the ADORA2A gene was replicated.



Several genes have been identified in the study as potentially influencing caffeine-induced insomnia. They will require replication in another sample. The results may have implications for understanding the biologic mechanisms underlying insomnia.
Effects of atorvastatin added to inhaled corticosteroids on lung function and sputum cell counts in atopic asthma.

Statins have anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of asthma. A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that atorvastatin added to inhaled corticosteroids improves lung function and airway inflammation in atopic adults with asthma.



54 adults with atopic asthma were recruited to a double-blind randomised controlled crossover trial comparing the effect of oral atorvastatin 40 mg daily with that of a matched placebo on asthma control and airway inflammation. Each treatment was administered for 8 weeks separated by a 6-week washout period. The primary outcome was morning peak expiratory flow (PEF). Secondary outcomes included forced expiratory volume in 1 s, asthma control questionnaire score, airway hyper-responsiveness to methacholine, induced sputum cytology and inflammatory biomarkers.



At 8 weeks the change in mean morning PEF compared with baseline did not differ substantially between the atorvastatin and placebo treatment periods (mean difference -0.5 l/min, 95% CI -10.6 to 9.6, p = 0.921). Values for other clinical outcomes were similar between the atorvastatin and placebo treatment periods. The absolute sputum macrophage count was reduced after atorvastatin compared with placebo (mean difference -45.0 x 10(4) cells, 95% CI -80.1 to -9.7, p = 0.029), as was the sputum fluid leucotriene B4 (mean difference -88.1 pg/ml, 95% CI -156.4 to -19.9, p = 0.014).



The addition of atorvastatin to inhaled corticosteroids results in no short-term improvement in asthma control but reduces sputum macrophage counts in mild to moderate atopic asthma. The change in sputum macrophage count suggests potential areas for investigation of statins in other chronic lung diseases.