nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Patient-specific image-based computer simulation for theprediction of valve morphology and calcium displacement after TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve and the Edwards SAPIEN valve.

Our aim was to validate patient-specific software integrating baseline anatomy and biomechanical properties of both the aortic root and valve for the prediction of valve morphology and aortic leaflet calcium displacement after TAVI.



Finite element computer modelling was performed in 39 patients treated with a Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS; n=33) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT (ESV; n=6). Quantitative axial frame morphology at inflow (MCS, ESV) and nadir, coaptation and commissures (MCS) was compared between multislice computed tomography (MSCT) post TAVI and a computer model as well as displacement of the aortic leaflet calcifications, quantified by the distance between the coronary ostium and the closest calcium nodule. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a strong correlation between the observed (MSCT) and predicted frame dimensions, although small differences were detected for, e.g., Dmin at the inflow (mean±SD MSCT vs.


MODEL
21.6±2.4 mm vs. 22.0±2.4 mm; difference±SD: -0.4±1.3 mm, p<0.05) and Dmax (25.6±2.7 mm vs. 26.2±2.7 mm; difference±SD: -0.6±1.0 mm, p<0.01). The observed and predicted calcium displacements were highly correlated for the left and right coronary ostia (R2=0.67 and R2=0.71, respectively p<0.001).



Dedicated software allows accurate prediction of frame morphology and calcium displacement after valve implantation, which may help to improve outcome.
Context therapy: a new intervention approach for children with cerebral palsy.

To describe the development of context therapy, a new intervention approach designed for a randomized controlled trial.



Therapists were trained to change task and environmental factors to achieve parent-identified functional goals for children with cerebral palsy. Therapists did not provide any remediation strategies to change the abilities of the child. Theoretical constructs were developed using dynamic systems theory and the principles of family-centered care. A primary therapist model was used. A three-step intervention strategy was developed.



Therapists adhered to the treatment protocol. Parents participated in the development of both functional goals and intervention strategies.



A therapy approach focusing on changing the task and the environment rather than children's impairments can be a viable treatment strategy and merits further investigation. The detailed description of the context therapy approach allows replication by both researchers and clinicians. Such intervention descriptions are an important methodological consideration in rehabilitation research.
Tocilizumab, a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Interleukin (IL)-6 has a variety of biological functions. For example, it stimulates the production of acute-phase reactants (C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A) and hepcidin which interferes with iron recycling and absorption, causing iron-deficient anemia, and augments expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in synovial cells, leading to neovascularization and osteoclast formation. IL-6 also acts on lymphocytes, not only on B cells to stimulate autoantibody production, but also on naïve T helper cells to promote Th17 cell differentiation. Thus, an imbalance between T cell subsets possibly contributes to development of rheumatoid arthritis. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, improves clinical symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis. Tocilizumab prevented radiographic progression of joint destruction by inhibiting cartilage/bone resorption. Tocilizumab also improved hematological abnormalities, including hypergammaglobulinemia, high levels of autoantibodies, and elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and acute-phase proteins. Importantly, tocilizumab improved quality of life by reducing systemic symptoms, including fatigue, anemia, anorexia, and fever. These findings have confirmed that hyperproduction of IL-6 is responsible for the above clinical symptoms, including joint destruction. Many patients treated with tocilizumab achieved clinical remission associated with decreased serum IL-6, suggesting that IL-6 enhances autoimmunity. Tocilizumab is a new therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis.
Combined effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker and either a calcium channel blocker or diuretic on day-by-day variability of home blood pressure: the Japan Combined Treatment With Olmesartan and a Calcium-Channel Blocker Versus Olmesartan and Diuretics Randomized Efficacy Study.

Day-by-day home blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) was reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the angiotensin II receptor blocker/calcium-channel blocker combination decreases day-by-day BPV more than the angiotensin II receptor blocker/diuretic combination does and investigated the mechanism underlying the former reduction. We enrolled 207 hypertensive subjects treated with olmesartan monotherapy for 12 weeks. The subjects were randomly assigned to treatment with hydrochlorothiazide (n = 104) or azelnidipine (n = 103) for 24 weeks. Home BP was taken in triplicate with a memory-equipped device in the morning and evening, respectively, for 5 consecutive days before each visit. Visits occurred at 4-week intervals. Home BPV was defined as within-individual SD of the 5-day home BP. Arterial stiffness was assessed by aortic pulse wave velocity at baseline and 24 weeks later. The reductions in home systolic BP were similar between the 2 groups, whereas the SD of home systolic BP decreased more in the azelnidipine group than in the hydrochlorothiazide group during the follow-up period (follow-up mean: 6.3 versus 7.1 mm Hg; P = 0.007). In the azelnidipine group, the change in aortic pulse wave velocity was independently associated with the change in SD of home systolic BP (regression coefficient ± SE = 0.79 ± 0.37; P = 0.036). This study demonstrated that the angiotensin II receptor blocker/calcium-channel blocker combination improved home BPV in addition to home BP reduction and that the reduction in home BPV was partly attributable to the arterial stiffness reduction by this combination.
Superiority of alfacalcidol compared to vitamin D plus calcium in lumbar bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis

In a randomized multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study a comparison of the efficacy and safety of 1 μg alfacalcidol to 880 IU vitamin D plus calcium carbonate (1 g calcium) once daily per os was performed on 148 postmenopausal osteoporotic Caucasian patients with normal vitamin D serum levels for 18 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline, 12 and 18 months. Safety parameters were followed during the entire study period. Sixty-nine (90.8%) in the alfacalcidol group and 67 (93.1%) in the vitamin D group were included in the ITT analysis. Lumbar BMD in the alfacalcidol group increased by 0.017  g/cm2 (2.33%) and 0.021 g/cm2 (2.87%) from baseline (P<0.001) at 12 and 18 months, respectively, whereas in the vitamin D plus calcium group the increase was 0.005 g/cm2 (0.70%) from baseline (N.S.) at both 12 and 18 months. The higher changes from baseline in the alfacalcidol group, as compared to the changes in the vitamin D plus calcium group at both 12 and 18 months, were found to be statistically significant (P=0.018, 0.005). A small increase of mean femoral BMD was achieved in both groups (N.S.). Adverse events were similar in both groups. No significant differences were noted between the groups in serum calcium. In conclusion, alfacalcidol was found to be superior in significantly increasing lumbar BMD as compared to vitamin D plus calcium while safety characteristics were found to be similar in both treatments.
A high-legume low-glycemic index diet reduces fasting plasma leptin in middle-aged insulin-resistant and -sensitive men

Fasting leptin and ghrelin levels were measured in 36 insulin-sensitive (IS) and 28 insulin-resistant (IR) men who consumed a legume-enriched low-glycemic index (LG) diet or healthy American (HA) diet in a randomly ordered cross-over feeding study consisting of two 4-week periods. Weight remained stable over the entire study. Fasting plasma leptin was significantly reduced from pre-study levels by both the LG (18.8%, P<0.001) and HA (16.1%, P<0.001) diets, whereas fasting ghrelin did not change. By subgroup analysis according to prestudy insulin status, leptin was reduced in IR subjects after both the LG (17.1%, P<0.01) and the HA (33.3%, P<0.001) diets, whereas IS subjects responded only after the LG diet (23.1%, P<0.01). Thus, a legume-rich LG index diet may be a beneficial strategy for reducing circulating leptin concentrations, even under conditions of weight maintenance.
Creatine kinase MB, troponin I, and troponin T release patterns after coronary artery bypass grafting with or without cardiopulmonary bypass and after aortic and mitral valve surgery.

lease Patterns after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with or without Cardiopulmonary Bypass and after Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery, Joost C.J.M. Swaanenburg, Bert G. Loef, Marcel Volmer, Piet W. Boonstra, Jan G. Grandjean, Massimo A. Mariani, and Anne H. Epema ( Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 2 Thoracic Center, and 3 Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; * address correspondence to this author at: Sint Jans Gasthuis, Clinical Chemical and Hematological Laboratory, Postbus 29, 6000 AA Weert, The Netherlands;
Can we predict the failure of electrical cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation? The FinCV study.

Data on predictors of failure of electrical cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation are scarce.



We explored 6,906 electrical cardioversions of acute (<48 hours) atrial fibrillation in 2,868 patients in a retrospective multicenter study.



The success rate of electrical cardioversion was 94.2%. In 26% of unsuccessful cardioversions, the cardioversion was performed successfully later. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy, short (<12 hours) duration of atrial fibrillation episode, advanced age, permanent pacemaker, history of atrial fibrillation episodes within 30 days before cardioversion, and β-blockers were independent predictors of unsuccessful electrical cardioversion. In the subgroup of patients with cardioversion of the first atrial fibrillation episode (N = 1,411), the short duration of episode (odds ratio [OR] = 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-3.90, P = 0.003) and advanced age (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.02-1.05, P < 0.001) were the only independent predictors of unsuccessful cardioversion. After successful cardioversion, the rate of early (<30 days) clinical recurrence of atrial fibrillation was 17.3%. The index cardioversion being performed due to the first atrial fibrillation episode was the only predictor of remaining in the sinus rhythm.



A short (<12 hours) duration of acute atrial fibrillation is a significant predictor of unsuccessful cardioversion, especially during the first attack. First atrial fibrillation episode was the only predictor of remaining in the sinus rhythm.
Orbitofrontal dysfunction in a monozygotic twin discordant for postpartum affective psychosis: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Incomplete concordance for psychosis in monozygotic (MZ) twins has been interpreted as indicative of non-genetic cofactors in transmission of the illness. In this case study, we consider childbirth a landmark in the onset of psychotic symptoms, leading to the diagnosis of puerperal psychosis and then to bipolar/schizoaffective disorder. At the end of the third trimester, there is a sudden drop in estrogen, which exerts prominent effects on the serotonergic system in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC).



The purpose of the present study was to investigate OFC activation during emotional processing in MZ twins discordant for affective psychosis.



Blood-oxygen-level-dependent activation using functional magnetic resonance imaging was measured during the passive viewing of emotional film excerpts.



Consistent with our hypothesis, a significant locus of activation was found in the left OFC in the normal MZ twin, but not in the psychosis MZ twin.



The personality changes noted in the psychosis MZ twin (postpartum psychosis) may be related to dysfunctional OFC. Ms J's childbirth may have triggered the onset of psychotic symptoms, leading to the diagnosis of bipolar or schizoaffective disorder.
Saccades and Vergence Performance in a Population of Children with Vertigo and Clinically Assessed Abnormal Vergence Capabilities

Early studies reported some abnormalities in saccade and vergence eye movements in children with vertigo and vergence deficiencies. The purpose of this study was to further examine saccade and vergence performance in a population of 44 children (mean age: 12.3±1.6 years) with vertigo symptoms and with different levels of vergence abnormalities, as assessed by static orthoptic examination (near point of convergence, prism bar and cover-uncover test).



Three groups were identified on the basis of the orthoptic tests: group 1 (n = 13) with vergence spasms and mildly perturbed orthoptic scores, group 2 (n = 14) with moderately perturbed orthoptic scores, and group 3 (n = 17) with severely perturbed orthoptic scores. Data were compared to those recorded from 28 healthy children of similar ages. Latency, accuracy and peak velocity of saccades and vergence movements were measured in two different conditions: gap (fixation offset 200 ms prior to target onset) and simultaneous paradigms. Binocular horizontal movements were recorded by a photoelectric device.



Group 2 of children with vergence abnormalities showed significantly longer latency than normal children in several types of eye movements recorded. For all three groups of children with vergence abnormalities, the gain was poor, particularly for vergence movement. The peak velocity values did not differ between the different groups of children examined.



Eye movement measures together with static orthoptic evaluation allowed us to better identify children with vergence abnormalities based on their slow initiation of eye movements. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis of a central deficit in the programming and triggering of saccades and vergence in these children.
Make it Simple, or Force Users to Read?: Paraphrased Design Improves Comprehension of End User License Agreements

Users often react negatively towards applications that track their personal information, even though they have consented to such tracking by hitting the "I Agree" button on the application's end user license agreement (EULA). This is because most users do not read the EULA carefully. The language and presentation of EULAs are often dull, dense and inaccessible. Researchers have proposed design options for heightening comprehension of EULA content, but the effectiveness of these suggestions is unclear. To address this gap, we conducted an experiment that examined how users' attitudes towards EULAs are affected by paraphrased and forced EULA formats. Paraphrased EULA presentations increased the time spent on reading the EULA. Moreover, they elicited more positive attitudes toward the EULA, which in turn predicted better comprehension. These findings hold implications for design of EULAs by showing that complex content displayed in simple terms across multiple windows can increase reader comprehension.
Comparisons of the Effects of Stent Eccentricity on the Neointimal Hyperplasia between Sirolimus-Eluting Stent versus Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent

Previous studies suggested that asymmetric stent expansion did not affect suppression of neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) after sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) implantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stent eccentricity (SE) on NIH between SES versus paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) using an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis from the randomized trial.



Serial IVUS data were obtained from Post-stent Optimal Expansion (POET) trial, allocated randomly to SES or PES. Three different SE (minimum stent diameter divided by maximum stent diameter) were evaluated; SE at the lesion site with maximal %NIH area (SE-NIH), SE at the minimal stent CSA [SE-minimal stent area (SE-MSA)], and averaged SE through the entire stent (SE-mean). We classified each drug-eluting stents (DES) into the concentric (≥ mean SE) and eccentric groups (< mean SE) based on the mean value of SE.



Among 301 enrolled patients, 233 patients [SES (n = 108), PES (n = 125)] underwent a follow-up IVUS. There was no significant correlation between %NIH area and SE-NIH (r = - 0.083, p = 0.391) or SE-MSA (r = - 0.109, p = 0.259) of SES. However, SE-NIH of PES showed a weak but significant correlation with %NIH area (r = 0.269, p < 0.01). As to the associations between SEmean and NIH volume index, SES revealed no significant correlation (r = - 0.001, p = 0.990), but PES showed a weak but significant correlation (r = 0.320, p < 0.01). However, there was no difference in the restenosis rate between the eccentric versus concentric groups of both DES.



This study suggests that lower SE of both SES and PES, which means asymmetric stent expansion, may not be associated with increased NIH.
Differential effects of stress and African ancestry on preterm birth and related traits among US born and immigrant Black mothers

Preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks of gestation) is influenced by a wide range of environmental, genetic and psychosocial factors, and their interactions. However, the individual and joint effects of genetic factors and psychosocial stress on PTB have remained largely unexplored among U.S. born versus immigrant mothers.We studied 1121 African American women from the Boston Birth Cohort enrolled from 1998 to 2008. Regression-based analyses were performed to examine the individual and joint effects of genetic ancestry and stress (including lifetime stress [LS] and stress during pregnancy [PS]) on PTB and related traits among U.S. born and immigrant mothers.Significant associations between LS and PTB and related traits were found in the total study population and in immigrant mothers, including gestational age, birthweight, PTB, and spontaneous PTB; but no association was found in U.S. born mothers. Furthermore, significant joint associations of LS (or PS) and African ancestral proportion (AAP) on PTB were found in immigrant mothers, but not in U.S. born mothers.Although, overall, immigrant women had lower rates of PTB compared to U.S. born women, our study is one of the first to identify a subset of immigrant women could be at significantly increased risk of PTB and related outcomes if they have high AAP and are under high LS or PS. In light of the growing number of immigrant mothers in the U.S., our findings may have important clinical and public health implications.
Older Adults’ Mental Health Function and Patient-Centered Care: Does the Presence of a Family Companion Help or Hinder Communication?

Late-life mental health disorders are prevalent, costly, and commonly under-diagnosed and under-treated. To investigate whether family companion presence in routine primary care visits helps or hinders patient-centered processes among older adults with poor mental health function. Observational study of accompanied (n = 80) and unaccompanied (n = 310) primary care patients ages 65 and older. Audio-taped medical visit communication, coded with the Roter Interactional Analysis System, and three process measures: visit duration (in minutes), patient/companion verbal activity, and a ratio of patient-centered communication, adjusted for patient age, gender, race, and physical function. Participants were stratified by SF-36 mental health subscale (MCS) using two approaches (1) standardized population midpoint to delineate “good” (50+) and “poor” health (< 50) and (2) clinically derived cut-points (<35; 35–49; 50+). When patients with poor mental health were accompanied by a family companion, patient/companions provided less psychosocial information, physicians engaged in less question-asking and partnership-building, and both patient/companions and physicians contributed more task-oriented, biomedical discussion. Accompanied patients with poor mental health were less likely to experience patient-centered communication relative to unaccompanied patients (aOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.68); no difference was observed for patients with good mental health (aOR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.46, 2.27). Verbal activity was comparable for accompanied patients/companions and unaccompanied patients in both mental health strata. Medical visits were 2.3 minutes longer when patients with good mental health were accompanied (b = 2.31; p = 0.006), but was comparable for patients with poor mental health (b = −0.37; p = 0.827). Study findings were amplified in the lowest functioning mental health subgroup (MCS < 35): medical visits were shorter, and communication was least patient-centered (p = 0.019) when these patients were accompanied. Older adults with poor mental health function may experience more communication challenges in the form of shorter visits and less patient-centered communication when a family companion is present.
Acupuncture regulates the glucose metabolism in cerebral functional regions in chronic stage ischemic stroke patients---a PET-CT cerebral functional imaging study

Acupuncture has been applied to aid in the recovery of post-stroke patients, but its mechanism is unclear. This study aims to analyze the relationship between acupuncture and glucose metabolism in cerebral functional regions in post-stroke patients using 18 FDG PET-CT techniques. Forty-three ischemic stroke patients were randomly divided into 5 groups: the Waiguan (TE5) needling group, the TE5 sham needling group, the sham point needling group, the sham point sham needling group and the non-needling group. Cerebral functional images of all patients were then acquired using PET-CT scans and processed by SPM2 software. Compared with the non-needling group, sham needling at TE5 and needling/sham needling at the sham point did not activate cerebral areas. However, needling at TE5 resulted in the activation of Brodmann Area (BA) 30. Needling/sham needling at TE5 and needling at the sham point did not deactivate any cerebral areas, whereas sham needling at the sham point led to deactivation in BA6. Compared with sham needling at TE5, needling at TE5 activated BA13, 19 and 47 and did not deactivate any areas. Compared with needling at the sham point, needling at TE5 had no associated activation but a deactivating effect on BA9. Needling at TE5 had a regulating effect on cerebral functional areas shown by PET-CT, and this may relate to its impact on the recovery of post-stroke patients.