nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
NT-pro-BNP in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is decreased by nasal continuous positive airway pressure

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and to determine the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) treatment on BNP levels. Increased sympathetic activity, repetitive rises in blood pressure, and apnea-induced wall stress may contribute as a trigger to release BNP in OSAS. However, there is uncertainty about whether OSAS affects BNP and whether application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) ventilation affects release of BNP. A prospective study in 69 consecutive patients with suspected sleep disordered breathing referred to our sleep laboratory was conducted. OSAS was confirmed in 26 normotensive and 34 hypertensive patients and ruled out in nine normotensive patients (controls) by polysomnography (PSG). Baseline N-terminal fragment of BNP prohormone (NT-pro-BNP) did not differ significantly between OSAS patients (hypertensive: mean ±SEM 60.8±9.9 pg/ml, normotensive: 43.2±6.8 pg/ml) and controls (36.5±8.5 pg/ml). Application of CPAP resulted in a significant decrease of NT-pro-BNP in hypertensive (60.8±9.9 pg/ml to 47.6±7.4 pg/ml, p=0.023) and normotensive OSAS (43.2±6.8 pg/ml to 29.6±5.3 pg/ml, p=0.0002). In contrast, controls showed no significant differences in NT-pro-BNP after a second PSG (36.5±8.5 pg/ml to 40.7±12.3 pg/ml, p=0.597). Normotensive and hypertensive OSAS was not associated with a significant elevation of NT-pro-BNP. Application of nCPAP decreased NT-pro-BNP levels significantly in normotensive and, in particular, hypertensive OSAS. These findings may provide further evidence of the potential for nCPAP to improve cardiovascular comorbidity and co-mortality in OSAS and sleep disordered breathing, in general.
A single untimed plasma drug concentration measurement during low-level HIV viremia predicts virologic failure.

Suboptimal untimed plasma drug levels (UDL) have been associated with lower rates of virologic suppression and the emergence of drug resistance. Our aim was to evaluate whether UDL among patients with low-level viremia (LLV) while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can predict subsequent virologic failure (plasma viral load ≥1000 copies/mL) and emergence of resistance. The first documented LLV episode of 328 consenting patients was analysed in terms of drug levels, viral load and resistance, which were monitored while patients were on a consistent HAART regimen. UDL of protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), were categorized as 'therapeutic' or 'subtherapeutic' based on predefined target trough concentrations. Drug resistance genotype was assessed using the Stanford algorithm. Time to virologic failure was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. We found 78 of 328 patients (24%) with subtherapeutic drug levels at time of first detectable LLV, while 19% harboured drug-resistant virus. Both subtherapeutic UDL and drug resistance independently increased the risk of subsequent virologic failure (p <0.001 and p 0.04, respectively). In a multivariable model, variables associated with LLV and virologic failure included subtherapeutic UDL, elevated plasma viral load, and drug resistance. Patients with subtherapeutic UDL accumulated further drug resistance faster during follow-up (p 0.03). Together, resistance and UDL variables can explain a higher proportion of virologic failure than either measure alone. Our results support further prospective evaluation of UDL in the management of low-level viremia.
A text messaging intervention to improve retention in care and virologic suppression in a U.S. urban safety-net HIV clinic: study protocol for the Connect4Care (C4C) randomized controlled trial

Few data exist on the use of text messaging as a tool to promote retention in HIV care and virologic suppression at the clinic level in the United States. We describe the protocol for a study designed to investigate whether a text messaging intervention that supports healthy behaviors, encourages consistent engagement with care, and promotes antiretroviral persistence can improve retention in care and virologic suppression among patients in an urban safety-net HIV clinic in San Francisco.



Connect4Care (C4C) is a single-site, randomized year-long study of text message appointment reminders vs. text message appointment reminders plus thrice-weekly supportive, informational, and motivational text messages. Eligible consenting patients are allocated 1:1 to the two arms within strata defined by HIV diagnosis within the past 12 months (i.e. "newly diagnosed") vs. earlier. Study participants must receive primary care at the San Francisco General Hospital HIV clinic, speak English, possess a cell phone and be willing to send/receive up to 25 text messages per month, a have viral load >200 copies/μL, and be either new to the clinic or have a history of poor retention. The primary efficacy outcome is virologic suppression at 12 months and the key secondary outcome, which will also be examined as a mediator of the primary outcome, is retention in HIV care, as operationalized by kept and missed primary care visits. Process outcomes include text message response rate and percent of time in study without cell phone service. Generalized estimating equation log-binomial models will be used for intent to treat, per protocol, and mediation analyses. An assessment of the cost and cost-effectiveness of the intervention is planned along with a qualitative evaluation of the intervention.



Findings from this study will provide valuable information about the use of behavioral-theory based text messaging to promote retention in HIV care and virologic suppression, further elucidate the challenges of using texting technology with marginalized urban populations, and help guide the development of new mobile health strategies to improve HIV care cascade outcomes.
Virtual bronchoscopy using FDG-PET/CT images for the evaluation of lung cancer.

We aimed to put forward the contribution of virtual bronchoscopy in the determination and diagnosis of tracheobronchial system pathologies. We compared the data obtained from PET/CT and virtual bronchoscopy (VB) with the fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) data of the cases with a diagnosis or pre-diagnosis of lung tumor.



A total of 261 (male=238, female=23) lung cancer cases with a mean age of 53±7.3 years (range =35-77 years), who had undergone FOB and had bronchoalveolar lavage and/or biopsy results, were included in this multicenter, prospective study conducted between 2006 and 2008. FOB data confirmed with cytohistopathology were considered as the gold standard. Five cases that had peripheral lesions, with negative cytopathological results were excluded from the study. Positron emission tomography images were fused with 16/slice multi-detector computed tomography system images (Discovery ST PET/16 slice CT fusion system HPOWER 60; General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA). Thereafter, all of the cases were evaluated with virtual bronchoscopy, using a special multidisplay workstation with multiplanar reformatting (MPR) and minimum intensity projection (MINIP) to see the fused images simultaneously. The data obtained with both virtual bronchoscopy (PET/CT VB) and FOB in different centers were recorded, and the evaluation and comparison of these data were done by an independent researcher. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of making an accurate diagnosis and defining concomitant pathologies by both methods, were calculated.



The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy values of VB and PET/CT-VB in determining the segment involved by malignancy were as follows, 91%, 83%, 94%, 77%, and 89%, and 95%, 97%, 99%, 87%, and 96%, respectively.



The sensitivity of PET/CT-VB in determining the involved tracheobronchial segment(s) in malignancy and concomitant pathologies in cases with lung tumor was remarkably higher than that with CT-VB. Therefore, PET/CT-VB is recommended to be included in routine lung cancer examinations since it provides similar outcomes to that of FOB+cytohistopathological examination.
Effect of spironolactone on 30-day death and heart failure rehospitalization (from the COACH Study).

The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of spironolactone on 30-day outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and the association between treatment and outcomes stratified by biomarkers. We conducted a secondary analysis of the biomarker substudy of the multicenter COACH (Co-ordinating Study Evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counseling in Heart Failure) trial involving 534 AHF patients for 30-day mortality and HF rehospitalizations. Spironolactone therapy was initiated and terminated at the discretion of the treating physician; 30-day outcomes were compared between patients who were treated with spironolactone and those who were not. Outcomes with spironolactone therapy were explored based on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, ST2, galectin-3, and creatinine levels. Spironolactone was prescribed to 297 (55.6%) patients at discharge (158 new and 139 continued). There were 19 deaths and 30 HF rehospitalizations among 46 patients by 30 days. Patients discharged on spironolactone had significantly less 30-day event (hazard ratio 0.538, p = 0.039) after adjustment for multiple risk factors. Initiation of spironolactone in patients who were not on spironolactone before admission was associated with a significant reduction in event rate (hazard ratio 0.362, p = 0.027). The survival benefit of spironolactone was more prominent in patient groups with elevations of creatinine, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, ST2, or galectin-3. In conclusion, AHF patients who received spironolactone during hospitalization had significantly fewer 30-day mortality and HF rehospitalizations, especially in high-risk patients.
Reproducibility of measurements of cerebral infarct volume on CT scans.

Infarct volume is increasingly used as an outcome measure in clinical trials of therapies for acute ischemic stroke. We tested which of 5 different methods to measure infarct size or volume on CT scans has the highest reproducibility.



Infarct volume and total intracranial volume were measured with Leica Q500 MCP image analysis software, or with a caliper, on 38 CT scans of patients who participated in the Tirilazad Efficacy Stroke Study II (TESS II). The scans were performed 8 days (+/-2 days) after the onset of symptoms. The 5 methods tested were based on (1) semiautomated pixel thresholding, (2) manual tracing of the perimeter, (3) a stereological counting grid, (4) measurement of the 3 largest diameters, and (5) the single largest diameter. The measurements were performed independently by 2 observers; the first observer performed all measurements twice.



The single largest diameter did not correlate well with infarct volume. Of the other methods, manual tracing of the perimeter of the infarct had the lowest intraobserver and interobserver variability: coefficients of variation were 8.6% and 14.1%, respectively. For total intracranial volume, manual tracing also provided the highest reproducibility: intraobserver and interobserver coefficients of variation were 3.3% and 4.9%, respectively.



Manual tracing of the perimeter is the most reproducible method for measuring the volumes of the infarct and the total intracranial space in multicenter trials of therapies for acute ischemic stroke.
Customized Treatment in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Based on EGFR Mutations and BRCA1 mRNA Expression

Median survival is 10 months and 2-year survival is 20% in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. A small fraction of non-squamous cell lung cancers harbor EGFR mutations, with improved outcome to gefitinib and erlotinib. Experimental evidence suggests that BRCA1 overexpression enhances sensitivity to docetaxel and resistance to cisplatin. RAP80 and Abraxas are interacting proteins that form complexes with BRCA1 and could modulate the effect of BRCA1. In order to further examine the effect of EGFR mutations and BRCA1 mRNA levels on outcome in advanced NSCLC, we performed a prospective non-randomized phase II clinical trial, testing the hypothesis that customized therapy would confer improved outcome over non-customized therapy. In an exploratory analysis, we also examined the effect of RAP80 and Abraxas mRNA levels.



We treated 123 metastatic non-squamous cell lung carcinoma patients using a customized approach. RNA and DNA were isolated from microdissected specimens from paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. Patients with EGFR mutations received erlotinib, and those without EGFR mutations received chemotherapy with or without cisplatin based on their BRCA1 mRNA levels: low, cisplatin plus gemcitabine; intermediate, cisplatin plus docetaxel; high, docetaxel alone. An exploratory analysis examined RAP80 and Abraxas expression. Median survival exceeded 28 months for 12 patients with EGFR mutations, and was 11 months for 38 patients with low BRCA1, 9 months for 40 patients with intermediate BRCA1, and 11 months for 33 patients with high BRCA1. Two-year survival was 73.3%, 41.2%, 15.6% and 0%, respectively. Median survival was influenced by RAP80 expression in the three BRCA1 groups. For example, for patients with both low BRCA1 and low RAP80, median survival exceeded 26 months. RAP80 was a significant factor for survival in patients treated according to BRCA1 levels (hazard ratio, 1.3 [95% CI, 1-1.7]; P = 0.05).



Chemotherapy customized according to BRCA1 expression levels is associated with excellent median and 2-year survival for some subsets of NSCLC patients , and RAP80 could play a crucial modulating effect on this model of customized chemotherapy.
Effects of homocysteine-lowering with folic acid plus vitamin B12 vs placebo on mortality and major morbidity in myocardial infarction survivors: a randomized trial.

Blood homocysteine levels are positively associated with cardiovascular disease, but it is uncertain whether the association is causal.



To assess the effects of reducing homocysteine levels with folic acid and vitamin B(12) on vascular and nonvascular outcomes.



Double-blind randomized controlled trial of 12,064 survivors of myocardial infarction in secondary care hospitals in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2008.



2 mg folic acid plus 1 mg vitamin B(12) daily vs matching placebo.



First major vascular event, defined as major coronary event (coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization), fatal or nonfatal stroke, or noncoronary revascularization.



Allocation to the study vitamins reduced homocysteine by a mean of 3.8 micromol/L (28%). During 6.7 years of follow-up, major vascular events occurred in 1537 of 6033 participants (25.5%) allocated folic acid plus vitamin B(12) vs 1493 of 6031 participants (24.8%) allocated placebo (risk ratio [RR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.12; P = .28). There were no apparent effects on major coronary events (vitamins, 1229 [20.4%], vs placebo, 1185 [19.6%]; RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97-1.13), stroke (vitamins, 269 [4.5%], vs placebo, 265 [4.4%]; RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.86-1.21), or noncoronary revascularizations (vitamins, 178 [3.0%], vs placebo, 152 [2.5%]; RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.95-1.46). Nor were there significant differences in the numbers of deaths attributed to vascular causes (vitamins, 578 [9.6%], vs placebo, 559 [9.3%]) or nonvascular causes (vitamins, 405 [6.7%], vs placebo, 392 [6.5%]) or in the incidence of any cancer (vitamins, 678 [11.2%], vs placebo, 639 [10.6%]).



Substantial long-term reductions in blood homocysteine levels with folic acid and vitamin B(12) supplementation did not have beneficial effects on vascular outcomes but were also not associated with adverse effects on cancer incidence.
Plasma microRNA-100 is associated with coronary plaque vulnerability.

Although numerous studies have reported altered plasma levels of various microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with cardiovascular disease, there are no data on the relationship between plasma miRNAs and vulnerable coronary plaque. In this study, we investigated whether plasma miRNAs might be a sensitive marker of coronary plaque vulnerability.



Integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS) was performed in 32 consecutive patients with angina pectoris who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Three-dimensional analysis of IB-IVUS was performed to determine the percentage of lipid volume (%LV) and fibrous volume (%FV). Circulating miRNAs were measured in EDTA-plasma simultaneously obtained from the aorta and the coronary sinus (CS). Muscle-enriched (miR-133a, miR-208a, miR-499), vascular-enriched (miR-92a, miR-100, miR-126, miR-127, miR-145), and myeloid cell-enriched miRNAs (miR-155, miR-223) were measured. Plasma miR-100 was higher in the CS than in the aorta, but there were no significant differences in the levels of other miRNAs between the aorta and CS. Plasma miR-100 in the aorta was positively correlated with %LV (r=0.48, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with %FV (r=-0.41, P<0.05). Importantly, transcoronary concentration gradient of circulating miR-100 was more strongly correlated with %LV (r=0.53, P<0.01) and %FV (r=-0.56, P<0.01).



miR-100 might be released into the coronary circulation from vulnerable coronary plaques. This study provides insights into the role of miRNAs in coronary atherosclerotic disease.
Effect of Aspirin on Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Study

Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug, peroxyl radical scavenger, and antioxidant agent that inhibits phospholipases, nitric oxide synthetases, and cyclooxygenase enzymes. The existing literature contains no studies on the effects of various doses of aspirin on spinal cord injury (SCI). Therefore, we sought to investigate the putative effects of aspirin on experimental SCI. The weight-drop injury model was used to produce SCI in 100 albino Wistar rats. The animals were allocated to five groups: a control group, where the rats did not undergo any surgical or medical intervention except for anesthesia; a sham-treated group, where laminectomy was performed without SCI and no further therapy was administered; and three other groups, where the rats with SCI received low-dose aspirin [20 mg/kg], high-dose aspirin [80 mg/kg], and a vehicle, respectively. Half of the rats were sacrificed 24 hours later, and their spinal cords were excised for biochemical studies. The other rats were subjected to Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale scoring once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Aspirin decreased lipid peroxidation following SCI as the mean (± standard error) catalase level was significantly higher in the high-dose aspirin group (46.10±12.01) than in the sham-treated group (16.07±2.42) and the vehicle-treated group (15.31±3.20) (P<0.05; P<0.05, respectively). Both of the groups treated with high-dose and low-dose aspirin demonstrated a higher mean BBB score than did the control group (P<0.001) and the sham-treated group (P<0.001). Our data provide evidence in support of the potential effects of aspirin in biochemical and neurobehavioral recovery after SCI.
Predictors of smoking reduction outcomes in a sample of 287 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Many studies have investigated whether a type of antipsychotics or type of adjuvant is associated with smoking reduction in patients with schizophrenia. However, there has been no study exploring a comprehensive range of factors related to smoking reduction in schizophrenia patients. We analyzed a dataset of 287 smoking patients with schizophrenia who participated in an 8-week open-label study with high- (n = 90) or low-dose nicotine dermal patches (n = 132) or bupropion (n = 65). A logistic regression model and a linear mixed model were used to explore factors associated with the outcomes of smoking cessation and reduction, i.e., the number of cigarettes smoked and the level of nicotine dependence. The total cessation rate was 6.3 % (18/287). There were no significant predictors of cessation. The time effect of reduction was significant during the program (p = 0.001). Type of antipsychotics (p = 0.018), readiness to quit (p = 0.014), baseline number of cigarettes smoked per day (p = 0.001), and nicotine dependence level (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with smoking reduction. Patients on first-generation antipsychotics (n = 129) or clozapine (n = 70) reduced their smoking more than those on non-clozapine second-generation antipsychotics (n = 74). Patients in the preparation stage (n = 97) or in the contemplation (n = 70) reduced their smoking more than those in the precontemplation stage (n = 120). The mechanisms of tobacco addiction need to be better understood for further development of effective cessation programs in patients with schizophrenia.
Effect of exercise on biomarkers, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms in older women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy.

To compare the effectiveness of a prescribed home-based walking exercise intervention with usual care in older women receiving hormonal treatment for breast cancer, and to examine relationships among levels of the cortisol, serotonin, interleukin-6, and bilirubin biomarkers and fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms.



Longitudinal randomized clinical trial.



A National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the southeastern United States.


SAMPLE
20 women (aged 55 years or older) with breast cancer receiving hormonal treatment.



Participants were randomized to a walking exercise intervention or usual care. Laboratory samples and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Piper Revised Fatigue Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale were collected at the initial clinic visit and at 12 weeks from the groups. Questionnaires also were collected at weeks 2 and 14.



Fatigue, sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, biomarkers, and exercise.



Effect of the exercise intervention on sleep scores was highly significant between groups. Exercise group scores on the PSQI decreased significantly over time (indicating improved sleep quality), although scores did not change significantly within the control group. Sleep actigraphy also showed significantly shorter actual wake time and less movement in the exercise group. Serotonin levels also were significantly affected by the intervention.



Data suggest that a walking exercise intervention improves sleep in older women receiving hormonal treatment for their breast cancer. Serotonin levels may be a useful biomarker when assessing sleep disturbances in this group.



Clinicians need to be aware that older women receiving hormonal treatment for their breast cancer may experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms. Homebased walking activity may reduce symptom severity in this group.