nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Simvastatin could prevent increase of the serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in acute ischaemic stroke.

MMP-9 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AIS and predicts haemorrhagic transformation of the ischaemic focus. The aim of our study was to analyse both serum MMP-9 and its most specific endogenous inhibitor (TIMP-1) levels in AIS and to check whether HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) affects the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio value. Fifty patients with AIS were randomly divided into two groups: Group I (N = 25) treated with 40 mg/day with simvastatin within 24 hours after the onset of stroke and Group II (N = 25) non-treated with statin. To evaluate MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum levels, the ELISA method was used. The serum MMP-9 level was significantly elevated on the 7th day of stroke in both groups (from 668 to 862 ng/ml and 670 to 855 ng/ml, respectively, in Group I and II). The serum TIMP-1 level was also elevated on the 7th day of stroke in both groups but the results were not significant. The MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was elevated on the 7th day of stroke in both groups, but the result was significant only in the Group II (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that simvastatin given during 24 hours after the onset of stroke could have an influence on the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio during AIS.
Uptake and acceptability of antenatal HIV testing: randomised controlled trial of different methods of offering the test.

To determine the uptake and acceptability of different methods of a universal offer of voluntary HIV testing to pregnant women.



Randomised controlled trial involving four combinations of written and verbal communication, followed by the direct offer of a test. The control group received no information and no direct offer of a test, although testing was available on request.



Hospital antenatal clinic covering most of the population of the city of Edinburgh.



3024 pregnant women booking at the clinic over a 10 month period.



Uptake of HIV testing and women's knowledge, satisfaction, and anxiety.



Uptake rates were 6% for those in the control group and 35% for those directly offered the test. Neither the style of leaflet nor the length of discussion had an effect on uptake. Significant independent predictors of uptake were a direct test offer; the midwife seen; and being unmarried, previously tested, and younger age. Knowledge of the specific benefits of testing increased with the amount of information given, but neither satisfaction nor anxiety was affected by the type of offer.



The universal offer of HIV testing is not intrusive and is acceptable to pregnant women. A policy of offering the HIV test to all women resulted in higher uptake and did not increase anxiety or dissatisfaction. Uptake depends more on the midwife than the method of offering the test. Low uptake rates and inadequate detection of HIV infection point to the need to assess a more routine approach to testing.
[Usefulness of early tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT during subacute period to estimate salvaged myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction--comparing with tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT during chronic period and evaluating regional wall motion using QGS method].

To evaluate salvaged myocardium of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we performed rest 99mTc-tetrofosmin (TF) SPECT with rest Tl and Tc-pyrophosphate (PYP) dual SPECT within 10 days after admission in 19 patients with initial AMI, who all were reperfused successfully and without restenosis. TF SPECT was obtained at 15 minutes (E) after tracer injection, 4 hours later (D), and 5 months later (FU). We calculated the regional uptake score (RUS) of infarcted area estimated by Tc-PYP uptake and defined RUS(FU) of TF(FU) as salvaged myocardium, and then regarded RUS/RUS(FU) x 100 (%) as subacute predicted value of salvaged myocardium. Furthermore, we regarded the improvement of wall motion estimated by QGS method as the guidepost of myocardial viability. The subacute predicted value of TF(E) was 85 +/- 25%, which was significantly higher than 61 +/- 28% of Tl and 36 +/- 24% of TF(D) (p < 0.01). Sensitivity and specificity of myocardial viability based on the improvement of wall motion SPECT image were 78% and 73% for Tl, 90% and 87% for TF(E) and 52% and 87% for TF(D). TF myocardial early imaging in subacute period was useful to detect salvaged myocardium.
Screening for Parkinson's disease with response time batteries: A pilot study

Although significant response time deficits (both reaction time and movement time) have been identified in numerous studies of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), few attempts have been made to evaluate the use of these measures in screening for PD.



Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to identify cutoff scores for a unit-weighted composite of two choice response tasks in a sample of 40 patients and 40 healthy participants. These scores were then cross-validated in an independent sample of 20 patients and 20 healthy participants.



The unit-weighted movement time composite demonstrated high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (90%) in the identification of PD. Movement time was also significantly correlated (r = 0.59, p < 0.025) with the motor score of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).



Measures of chronometric speed, assessed without the use of biomechanically complex movements, have a potential role in screening for PD. Furthermore, the significant correlation between movement time and UPDRS motor score suggests that movement time may be useful in the quantification of PD severity.
Rapid three-dimensional echocardiography : clinically feasible alternative for precise and accurate measurement of left ventricular volumes.

Clinical applicability of conventional ultrasonographic systems using mechanical adapters for 3D echocardiographic imaging has been limited by long acquisition and processing times. We developed a rapid (6-s) acquisition technique that collects apical tomograms using a continuously internally rotating transthoracic transducer. This study was performed to examine the clinical feasibility of rapid-acquisition 3D echocardiography to estimate left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes using electron-beam computed tomography as the reference standard. We collected a series of 6 to 11 apical echocardiographic tomograms, depending on heart rate, in 11 patients. There was good correlation, low variability, and low bias between rapid 3D echocardiography and electron-beam computed tomography for measuring left ventricular end-diastolic volume (r=0.96; standard error of the estimate, 21.34 mL; bias, -4.93 mL) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (r=0.96; standard error of the estimate, 14.78 mL; bias, -6.97 mL).



The rapid-acquisition 3D echocardiography extends the use of a multiplane, internally rotating handheld transducer so that it becomes a precise and clinically feasible tool for assessing left ventricular volumes and function. A rapid-image acquisition time of 6 s would allow repeated image collection during the course of a clinical echocardiographic examination. Additional work must address rapid and automated data processing.
Benefits of supervised group exercise programme for women being treated for early stage breast cancer: pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

To determine functional and psychological benefits of a 12 week supervised group exercise programme during treatment for early stage breast cancer, with six month follow-up.



Pragmatic randomised controlled prospective open trial.



Three National Health Service oncology clinics in Scotland and community exercise facilities.



203 women entered the study; 177 completed the six month follow-up.



Supervised 12 week group exercise programme in addition to usual care, compared with usual care.



Functional assessment of cancer therapy (FACT) questionnaire, Beck depression inventory, positive and negative affect scale, body mass index, seven day recall of physical activity, 12 minute walk test, and assessment of shoulder mobility.



Mixed effects models with adjustment for baseline values, study site, treatment at baseline, and age gave intervention effect estimates (intervention minus control) at 12 weeks of 129 (95% confidence interval 83 to 176) for metres walked in 12 minutes, 182 (75 to 289) for minutes of moderate intensity activity reported in a week, 2.6 (1.6 to 3.7) for shoulder mobility, 2.5 (1.0 to 3.9) for breast cancer specific subscale of quality of life, and 4.0 (1.8 to 6.3) for positive mood. No significant effect was seen for general quality of life (FACT-G), which was the primary outcome. At the six month follow-up, most of these effects were maintained and an intervention effect for breast cancer specific quality of life emerged. No adverse effects were noted.



Supervised group exercise provided functional and psychological benefit after a 12 week intervention and six months later. Clinicians should encourage activity for their patients. Policy makers should consider the inclusion of exercise opportunities in cancer rehabilitation services.
BG9719 (CVT-124), an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, protects against the decline in renal function observed with diuretic therapy.

Adenosine may adversely affect renal function via its effects on renal arterioles and tubuloglomerular feedback, but effects of adenosine blockade in humans receiving furosemide and ACE inhibitors is unknown.



This was a randomized, double-blind, ascending-dose, crossover study evaluating 3 doses of BG9719 in 63 patients with congestive heart failure. Patients received placebo or 1 of 3 doses of BG9719 on 1 day and the same medication plus furosemide on a separate day. Renal function and electrolyte and water excretion were assessed. BG9719 alone caused an increase in urine output and sodium excretion (P<0.05). Although administration of furosemide alone caused a large diuresis, addition of BG9719 to furosemide increased diuresis, which was significant at the 0.75-microg/mL concentration. BG9719 alone improved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at the 2 lower doses. Furosemide alone caused a decline in GFR. When BG9719 was added to furosemide, however, creatinine clearance remained at baseline at the 2 lower doses.



In patients with congestive heart failure on standard therapy, including ACE inhibitors, BG9719 increased both urine output and GFR. In these same patients, furosemide increased urine output at the expense of decreased GFR. When BG9719 was given in addition to furosemide, urine volume additionally increased and there was no deterioration in GFR. A1 adenosine antagonism might preserve renal function while simultaneously promoting natriuresis during treatment for heart failure.
L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine treatment for gait apraxia in parkinsonian patients.

L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS) was administered to six parkinsonian patients for the treatment of gait related akinesia which was refractile to L-DOPA treatment. One responded with marked improvement and one with only mild improvement. Although number of patients who respond markedly to this noradrenaline precursor, L-DOPS, is limited, L-DOPS was felt to be the most effective treatment modality for L-DOPA refractile gait related akinesia and L-DOPA related orthostatic hypotension.
Economic and Clinical Benefits of Galantamine in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease in a Korean Population: A 52-Week Prospective Study

To evaluate the impact of galantamine treatment on the function, caregiver time, and resource used in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), costs and outcomes were evaluated during a 52-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, community-controlled trial of galantamine. Patients received either galantamine treatment (n=72) or no treatment (n=66). The analysis was performed from a societal perspective. Galantamine treatment reduced time spent caring for the patients and maintained improved functional capacity, whereas, when no treatments were given, a great increase in caregiver time and progressive functional deteriorations were observed. Saved caregiver time was equivalent to 113 working days per year. After 52 weeks, mean total annual costs per patient were 14,735,000 Korea Won (KRW) (USD 12,315) for patients with galantamine treatment and 25,325,000 KRW (USD 21,166) for patients without treatment. Adjusted annual cost saving of galantamine treatment was 6,428,000 KRW (USD 5,372) when compared to no treatment (p=0.0089). Galantamine had a beneficial effect not only to slow functional decline in patients with mild to moderate AD, but also to save a substantial amount of costs, closely related to reduction in caregiver burden and decrease in caregiver time.
Revisiting “Success”: Posttrial Analysis of a Gender-Specific HIV/STD Prevention Intervention

Alongside the recognized need to foster the development of innovative gender-specific HIV interventions, researchers face the urgent need to further understand how current interventions do or do not work. Few studies build posttrial qualitative analysis into standardized interview assessments in randomized controlled trials in order to bolster an assessment of how interventions work. The current investigation is a posttrial qualitative analysis carried out on a randomly selected subsample (N=180), representing 50% of women who participated in a 3-arm randomized controlled trial known as Project FIO (The Future Is Ours). FIO was a gender-specific HIV prevention intervention carried out with heterosexually active women in a high seroprevalence area of New York City. Posttrial qualitative results extend an understanding of the success of the trial (e.g., reductions in unsafe sex). Qualitative results reflect how the Modified AIDS Risk Reduction Model operated in the expected direction across experimental groups. Results also highlight women's empowerment narratives, reflecting the salience of bodily and sexual rights aspects of the intervention.
Frontal P300 decrements, alcohol dependence, and antisocial personality disorder

The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and interactive effects of alcohol dependence, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and age on brain function.



P300 event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 393 alcohol-dependent and 170 non-alcohol-dependent adults while they performed a visual oddball task. The two subject groups were further subdivided based upon age and the presence/absence of ASPD.



Alcohol dependence was associated with a significant P300 amplitude decrement at anterior electrode sites only. Antisocial personality disorder was also associated with reduced P300 amplitudes at anterior electrode sites; however, the effects were only significant among subjects 30 years of age or younger. To validate this association between ASPD and P300 amplitude a correlational analysis was performed; the correlation between anterior P300 amplitude and the total number of childhood conduct disorder and adult ASPD symptoms was significant.



The P300 amplitude decrement found at anterior electrode sites among subjects with ASPD is consistent with the results of numerous ERP, neuroimaging, or neuropsychologic studies of anterior brain function. Our study is unique in suggesting that the effects of ASPD on anterior brain function are best detected during early adulthood. The study also suggests that the detrimental neurophysiologic effects of alcohol dependence predominantly involve the anterior brain.
Failure of a reinforced triple course of hepatitis B vaccination in patients transplanted for HBV-related cirrhosis.

Long-term immunoprophylaxis with anti-HBs immunoglobulins (HBIg) is used to prevent hepatitis B (HBV) reinfection after liver transplantation for HBV-related cirrhosis. This approach is highly expensive. A recent report proposed posttransplant HBV vaccination with a reinforced schedule as an alternative strategy to allow HBIg discontinuation. We investigated the efficacy of a reinforced triple course of HBV vaccination in 17 patients transplanted for HBsAg-positive cirrhosis 2 to 7 years earlier. The first cycle consisted of 3 double intramuscular doses (40 microg) of recombinant vaccine at month 0, 1, and 2, respectively. This was followed, in nonresponders, by a second cycle of 6 intradermal 10 microg doses every 15 days. All nonresponders then received a third cycle identical to the first one. Vaccination started 4.5 months after HBIg discontinuation, and lamivudine (100 mg/day) was given throughout the study. All patients were seronegative for HBsAg and HBV-DNA (by PCR) and positive for anti-HBe, and 7 were positive for anti-HDV. After the first cycle one patient (#5, 53 years old, male) developed an anti-HBs titer of 154 IU/L, another (#12) reached a titer of 20 IU/L and the remainder had titers <10 IU/L. At month 7, patient #5 reached a titer of 687 IU/L. After the second cycle only one additional patient (#9) had a slight response (an anti-HBs titer of 37 IU/L). After the third cycle patient #9 rose to an anti-HBs titer of 280 IU/L, patient #12 dropped to 10 IU/L, and no other patient responded. In conclusion, a highly reinforced HBV vaccination program is effective only in a few patients who had liver transplants for HBV-related cirrhosis.
Genetic variation of alcohol dehydrogenase type 1C (ADH1C), alcohol consumption, and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors: results from the IMMIDIET study.

Moderate alcohol consumption is protective against cardiovascular disease (CAD). ADHs are major enzymes of alcohol metabolism. A polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenases 1C gene (ADH1C) was reportedly associated with the protective effect of alcohol consumption on CAD risk and risk factor levels.



The aim of our study was to investigate whether the association of alcohol consumption with metabolic risk factors for CAD is related to ADH1C variants.



IMMIDIET is a cross-sectional study of 974 healthy male-female pairs living together, randomly recruited in Belgium, Italy and England. The rs698 ADH1C polymorphism was genotyped. A 1-year recall food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate alcohol intake.



The intake of alcohol did not vary in relation to ADH1C genotypes. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, HDL or total cholesterol, triglycerides and FVII:ag levels were positively associated with alcohol intake in men (multivariate ANOVA). Regression coefficient for alcohol and BMI or WC was progressively higher in heterozygotes and gamma 2 homozygotes as compared to gamma 1 homozygotes (p=0.006 and p=0.03 for interaction, respectively). No interaction was found for other risk factors. In women, alcohol intake was positively associated with HDL, LDL and FVII:ag levels but no interaction was found between ADH1C polymorphism and any risk factor.



Regulation of ADH1C genotype on the association between alcohol consumption, BMI and WC was found in men from different European countries. In men homozygous for the gamma 2 alleles, intake of alcohol was positively associated with both BMI and WC values.
The effect of rosuvastatin on thromboinflammation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome

In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), early therapy with high-dose statins may reduce short-term adverse clinical outcomes. The mechanisms responsible are not known but could involve anti-inflammatory or anti-thrombotic effects. Compelling evidence from experimental models and clinical studies suggests that the interplay between inflammatory and thrombotic systems, typified by platelet–monocyte and platelet–neutrophil interactions, might be a key regulator of ischemic vascular events. The study sought to determine if early, high-dose administration of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin in the setting of ACS exerts beneficial vascular effects by reducing, and inhibiting biomarkers of thromboinflammation, such as platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil interactions, and biomarkers of myocardial necrosis. A total of 54 patients presenting with ACS within 8 h of symptom onset were randomized to rosuvastatin 40 mg or placebo. Rosuvastatin significantly reduced interactions between platelets and circulating neutrophils (P = 0.015) and monocytes (P = 0.009) within 24 h. No significant effects were observed on platelet aggregation or plasma levels of PF4, sP-selectin, or sCD40L, whereas significant reductions of RANTES occurred over time in both treatment groups. Plasma levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) declined more rapidly with rosuvastatin therapy than placebo. In a subset of patients with normal cardiac necrosis biomarkers at randomization, rosuvastatin therapy was associated with less myocardial damage as measured by troponin-I or CK-MB. Early administration of high-dose statin therapy in patients with ACS appears to improve biomarkers of inflammation within 8 h, which may translate into fewer ischemic events.
Foot disorders associated with overpronated and oversupinated foot function: the Johnston County osteoarthritis project.

The occurrence of musculoskeletal foot disorders differs by race and obesity, and these disorders may be related to pronated (low arch) or supinated (high arch) foot structure. This cross-sectional analysis examined relationships of foot disorders and foot function by race and obesity in a community-based observational study of adults 50+ years old with and without osteoarthritis.



Members of a prospective cohort study in North Carolina were included in this analysis (N = 1466, 67.2% women, 29.5% African American, mean age 68.5 years). Foot disorders were identified with a validated assessment tool, and each foot was categorized as overpronated, oversupinated, and referent using the center of pressure excursion index from foot pressure scans during normal-paced walking. Logistic regression models estimated associations between foot function and each foot disorder with age, body mass index (BMI), gender, and race as covariates.



Compared to referent, an overpronated foot was associated with hallux valgus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.65) and overlapping toes (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12-1.64), especially in the obese. An oversupinated foot was inversely associated with hallux valgus (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.97). An oversupinated foot was less likely to be associated with bunionettes among the obese and was more likely to be associated with plantar fasciitis in Caucasians.



Foot function was related to hallux valgus and overlapping toes, especially among the obese. In clinical patients as well as in the community of older adults, treatments for both the foot disorder and the pronated/supinated foot may be needed.