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['We evaluate the diagnostic use of cytokeratin 20 messenger (m) RNA quantitation in urine as a marker of urothelial transitional cell carcinoma using the real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).', 'Spontaneously voided urine was obtained from 47 patients with urothelial transitional cell carcinoma (carcinoma group), 19 other urological diseases (noncarcinoma group) and 27 healthy volunteers (control group). Quantification of cytokeratin 20 was performed with mRNA extracted from urine samples with primers and hybridization probes specific for cytokeratin 20 on a LightCycler instrument (Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana).', 'This method allowed reproducible quantitation of 10 to 106 cytokeratin 20 expressing colon carcinoma cells per 107 peripheral blood leukocytes, comparable to the sensitivity of conventional RT-PCR with a wide linear measuring range. Cytokeratin 20 mRNA values in the carcinoma group (mean 35,850) were significantly higher than noncarcinoma (171) and control groups (4.55, p <0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively). Urinary cytokeratin 20 mRNA values significantly correlated with tumor grade, urinary cytological class, immunostaining pattern and depth of tumor invasion. Sensitivity and specificity of real time RT-PCR with a cutoff value of 15 were 81% and 83%, whereas those of conventional cytology were 28% and 100%, respectively.'] Does real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of urinary cytokeratin 20 detect transitional cell carcinoma cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0102787017822266,
-1.4977011680603027,
2.535916566848755
] |
['In view of the effects of stress on synaptic plasticity, the regulation of synaptophysin and synaptotagmin expression by immobilization was analyzed by in situ hybridization.', 'Rats were exposed to immobilization stress, which induced typical behavioral alterations, such as reduced locomotor activity after stress exposure. Determination of mRNA levels of the integral synaptic vesicle proteins was performed immediately after acute or chronic immobilization.', 'The results demonstrate that stress exposure leads to reduced expression of synaptophysin but increased expression of synaptotagmin in the hippocampus.'] Does stress differentially regulate synaptophysin and synaptotagmin expression in hippocampus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6534664630889893,
-0.6634032130241394,
2.3563132286071777
] |
['Conventional treatments are often ineffective for patients having painful abdominal scars. There are painful points in and around scar tissue. We tested the hypothesis that insertion of intradermal needles into these painful points reduces scar pain.', 'Patients with abdominal scar pain with painful points that is not relieved by conventional treatments were allocated to a treatment group (n = 23), a sham-treatment group (n = 23), or a control group (n = 24). In the treatment group, intradermal needles were inserted into painful points detected by a pressure threshold meter (pain < or = 2.5 kg/cm(2)). In the sham-treatment group, the same needles were inserted into nonpainful points. The needles were kept in place for 24 hours. This process was repeated 20 times over a 4-week period. Responses were evaluated before and at the end of treatment, and 4 and 26 weeks after the treatment. Continuous and lancinating pain was evaluated on a 10-cm visual analog scale. We measured the area of pain and the pressure required to initiate painful-point pain. All patients took diclofenac as needed and completed a diary of daily diclofenac consumption.', 'Patients in the treatment group showed a marked reduction in all pain parameters (>70%). In contrast, analgesia was minimal in the other groups. The decreases in the pain threshold pressure correlated with the decreases in continuous and lancinating pain (r =.57 and r =.63, respectively).'] Does insertion of intradermal needles into painful points provide analgesia for intractable abdominal scar pain? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7480273246765137,
-1.1428859233856201,
1.8962939977645874
] |
['To determine whether the FHIT gene at 3p14.2 is abnormal in Chinese lung cancers.', 'Matched normal and cancerous tissues from 21 cases of primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SQC) and 10 cases of adenocarcinoma (ADC) were obtained immediately after surgery. Total RNA was extracted and the FHIT gene was detected by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing technology.', 'Normal-sized FHIT transcript was detected in all 31 cases of normal matched tissues. Aberrant transcripts were observed in 15 (48%) of 31 cases of cancerous tissues, 57% (12/21) in SQC and 33% (3/10) in ADC, respectively. All the abnormal transcripts observed lacked exon 5, the first coding exon. The sequence analyses of the aberrant cDNAs revealed deletions of various regions between exon 4 and 10. A synonymous mutation in E8, codon98CAT(H)-->CAC(H), was found in a SQC.'] Is [ FHIT gene abnormal in Chinese lung cancers ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.022081136703491,
-1.1831547021865845,
2.3543198108673096
] |
['Management of strabismus relies on accurate evaluation of binocular alignment in standard gaze positions. In 1962, Stuart & Burian noted that, without adopting a standard routine, "measurements of various patients could not be compared, and there will be considerable difference in measurement from one examination to another and by different examiners" (1). Diagnostic position gaze angles are not routinely measured. Is this important?', 'Subjects were 82 volunteer experts recruited from attendees at the 1998 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) scientific meeting. One author served as examinee for all testing. The actual head posture was measured for the expert designated primary position, right and left gazes, head tilts and up- and downgazes using the CROM device. The examinee fixated at a six meter distance accommodative target. Examiners were asked to mimic their office routine. Eighty-two subjects ranging from 29 to 69 years of age, consisting of 24 females and 58 males were recruited. Sixty-nine were pediatric ophthalmologists, 7 orthoptists, 4 international members and 2 members in training. Eight subjects also underwent re-testing. Years in practice averaged 11.5.', 'Range of head posture measurements: For "Horizontal Gaze": 10 to 50 degrees; For "Vertical Gaze": 4 to 58 degrees; For "Head Tilts": 20 to 50 degrees. There was no substantial difference between initial and repeat measurements.'] Do marked variability amongst pediatric ophthalmologists in designating the diagnostic gaze position angles in ocular motility evaluations? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2896896600723267,
-1.0218878984451294,
1.3900030851364136
] |
["Cytokeratin (CK) 7 and 20 patterns are specific for long and short segments of Barrett's oesophagus but their use has not been assessed in intestinal metaplasia arising in macroscopically normal gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ).", 'This study was carried out in a large prospective series of 254 patients who underwent upper endoscopy, had normal gastro-oesophageal anatomy, and who had biopsies of the antrum, fundus, cardia, GOJ, and lower oesophagus. Intestinal metaplasia of the GOJ was typed by histochemistry with high iron diamine-alcian blue staining and by immunohistochemistry using CK7 and CK20 antibodies. Results were correlated with clinical, endoscopic, and pathological data.', "Sixty (23.6%) of our patients presenting with a normal GOJ had intestinal metaplasia. The CK7/CK20 pattern identified two groups of patients: one highly correlated with Barrett's and the other with characteristics of Helicobacter pylori gastritis. The Barrett's type CK7/CK20 pattern was related to a high frequency of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (p<0.02) and normal endoscopic appearance of the stomach (p<0.03). In contrast, the gastric type CK7/CK20 pattern was linked to atrophic (p<0.02) or erythematous (p<0.05) appearance of the stomach (p<0.03), high frequency of H pylori infection (p<0.04), antral inflammation (p<0.006) with atrophy (p<0.02), and intestinal metaplasia (p<0.02)."] Does cytokeratin immunoreactivity of intestinal metaplasia at normal oesophagogastric junction indicate its aetiology? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.171433210372925,
-1.443629264831543,
2.705580234527588
] |
['The antidiarrheal drug loperamide is frequently used to treat ritonavir-associated diarrhea in patients with human immunodeficiency virus. The absence of marked central opioid effects has been attributed to its low bioavailability and its poor penetration of the blood-brain barrier, both of which might be altered by ritonavir, a potent P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P4503A inhibitor.', 'A 16-mg dose of loperamide was administered to 12 healthy male and female volunteers together with either 600 mg of ritonavir or placebo. Detailed pharmacokinetics of loperamide and its metabolites were determined over 72 hours. Central opioid effects were measured by evaluation of pupil diameter, cold pressor test, and transcutaneous PCO2 and PO2.', 'Ritonavir caused a major pharmacokinetic interaction, increasing the area under the concentration-time curve of loperamide from 104 +/- 60 h x pmol/ml after placebo to 276 +/- 68 h. pmol/ml and delayed formation of the major metabolite desmethylloperamide (time to reach maximum concentration after drug administration [t(max)], 7.1 +/- 2.6 hours versus 19.6 +/- 9.1 hours). The urinary metabolic ratio of loperamide increased 3 times whereas the total molar amount of loperamide and metabolites excreted in urine remained unchanged. No central pharmacodynamic effects were observed after coadministration of loperamide with either ritonavir or placebo.'] Does ritonavir increase loperamide plasma concentrations without evidence for P-glycoprotein involvement? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1470487117767334,
-1.4486418962478638,
2.64469051361084
] |
['To investigate the dose-effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation on burn wound healing in rats.', '218 Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 200-250 g) were subjected to 10% deep partial thickness scald burns and were randomized into six groups. Groups A, B, C, D, E and F received 800, 400, 200, 100, 50 and 0 mg.kg-1.d-1 L-arginine in the form of L-arginine solution, and 0, 727, 1090, 1272, 1364, and 1454 mg.kg-1.d-1 glycine, respectively. Each solution was isonitrogenous. The times of completing re-epithelization were recorded. The contents of hydroxyproline (OHP) in burn wound area (index of reparative collagen synthesis) and the ratios of type I and type III collagen were examined in all groups.', 'The times of completing re-epithelization (day) in groups A, B, C, D, E, and F were 24.9 +/- 1.95, 22.5 +/- 2.0, 20.2 +/- 2.4, 23.5 +/- 2.6, 23.8 +/- 3.5, and 24.7 +/- 2.3, respectively. The contents of hydroxyproline in groups B, C and D were higher than in groups A, E and F on PBD 7, 10 and 14. The ratios of type I and type III collagen in groups B, C and D were lower than in groups A, E and F.'] Do dose-effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation on burn wound healing in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.805698812007904,
-1.6993565559387207,
1.503752589225769
] |
['We have previously reported that activated CD8+TCRalphabeta+ cells that express high levels of the beta7 integrin CD103 (formerly alphaE, MLA) are present at the graft site during clinical renal allograft rejection. This observation potentially provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying renal allograft destruction because the ligand of CD103 is the epithelial cell-specific molecule E-cadherin, which is known to be expressed by critical graft functional elements such as the renal tubular epithelium. We herein used combined fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of transplant nephrectomy (TN) specimens to demonstrate that CD103+ cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specifically home to the graft epithelium during rejection episodes.', 'Serial sections of TN specimens undergoing histologically confirmed cellular rejection (n=7) were stained with anti-CD8 or anti-CD103 and were scored for the presence of positively stained cells within the tubular basement membrane. Freshly isolated graft-infiltrating lymphocytes were subjected to three-color FACS analyses to define the extended phenotypic characteristics of CD103+ cells detected by IHC.', 'CD103+ cells in all specimens were biased towards an intratubular localization. On average, the percentage of CD103+ cells with an intraepithelial localization was 52.2+/-13.1 compared to 12.0+/-3.5 for pan CD8+ cells (mean+/-SE, n=5). FACS analyses confirmed that CD103+ cells detected by IHC exhibited the salient characteristics of CD8+ CTLs (large CD8+TCRalphabeta+CD62L-CD11a(hi)perforin+). The CD103- subset of graft-infiltrating CD8 cells also exhibited a CTL phenotype, but these were predominantly restricted to the graft interstitium.'] Do cD103+ CTL accumulate within the graft epithelium during clinical renal allograft rejection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9706084728240967,
-1.6050703525543213,
2.5790250301361084
] |
['Impaired functional capacity during exercise is used to assess need for transplantation in congestive heart failure patients, although impaired capacity is present in several chronic illnesses. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that ventilatory abnormalities during exercise, rather than functional capacity, are specific to congestive heart failure patients.', 'We compared exercise-related gas exchange among a group of congestive heart failure patients and a group of patients who had chronic liver disease and normal cardiac function, matched for functional impairment, and a group of normal controls.', 'Patients with congestive heart failure and patients with chronic liver disease experienced marked reduction in peak exercise oxygen consumption compared with normal controls (14.0 +/- 1.4 and 14.2 +/- 3.7 ml/kg/min, respectively, vs 25.8 +/- 5.6 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01). Minute ventilation at peak exercise was significantly higher in congestive heart failure subjects than in chronic liver disease patients (59.3 +/- 16.8 liter/min vs 41.4 +/- 14.2 liter/min, p < 0.05), although carbon dioxide production was similar (1,380 +/- 308 ml vs 1,180 +/- 389 ml, p = not significant), so that the ratio of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide, an index of ventilatory drive) was significantly elevated in congestive heart failure subjects (43 +/- 9 vs 36 +/- 7, p < 0.05).'] Are exercise-related ventilatory abnormalities more specific for functional impairment in chronic heart failure than reduction in peak exercise oxygen consumption? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1145414113998413,
-0.9963343143463135,
1.2279953956604004
] |
['To evaluate high-dose external beam irradiation (EBRT) in a pig coronary stent preparation because low and intermediate-dose EBRT failed to show inhibition of neointima formation in stented animal models.', 'Thirty-five stents were implanted in the coronary arteries of 17 pigs. Seven pigs were exposed to a single dose of 21 Gy EBRT immediately after stenting. Ten stented, nonirradiated pigs served as controls. After 4 weeks, the study arteries and myocardium were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy.', 'Compared with controls, 21 Gy EBRT resulted in a larger lumen area (7.57 +/- 1.67 mm2 vs. 4.00 +/- 1.63 mm2, p <0.001), a smaller neointima area (0.47 +/- 0.43 mm2 vs. 3.36 +/- 2.26 mm2, p <0.001) and a smaller maximal intimal thickness (0.16 +/- 0.09 mm vs. 0.68 +/- 0.31 mm, p <0.001). Unresorbed intramural hemorrhages and adherent mural thrombi were present in the irradiated vessels, which also showed incomplete re-endothelialization. The irradiated hearts demonstrated diffuse interstitial and perivascular inflammation and fibrosis.'] Does high-dose external beam irradiation inhibit neointima formation in stented pig coronary arteries? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2634670734405518,
-1.3736974000930786,
2.7045645713806152
] |
['The present study was undertaken to test whether methylene blue a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, can initiate delivery in the mouse. The potential adverse effects of methylene blue on the fetal growth process were also investigated.', 'ICR (CD-I) mice were injected subcutaneously with Methylene blue at 0 (vehicle), 5, 30, 50, 60 or 85 mg/Kg on gestation days 15.5 and 16 (plug day = gestation day 0).', 'Methylene blue caused the mice to deliver before gestation day 18 (term gestation). This response was observed in 45%, 50% and 83% of animals receiving Methylene blue at 50, 60 or 85 mg/Kg, respectively (p < 0.05 vs. controls). In a dose-dependent fashion, Methylene blue induced a statistically significant (p < 0.05) derangement of the fetal growth process.'] Does the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue evoke preterm delivery and fetal growth restriction in a mouse model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9983192682266235,
-1.3809319734573364,
2.4528284072875977
] |
['The indications for surgical perforator interruption remain undefined. Previous work has demonstrated an association between clinical status and the number of incompetent perforating veins (IPVs). Other studies have demonstrated that correction of IPV physiology results from abolition of saphenous system reflux. The purpose of this study was to identify which, if any, patterns of venous reflux and obstruction are particularly associated with IPV.', 'Two hundred thirty patients and subjects (103 men, 127 women, 308 limbs) with varying grades of venous disease were examined both clinically and with duplex ultrasound scan. The odds ratios (ORs) for the presence of IPVs were calculated for different anatomical distributions of main-stem venous reflux and obstruction. The base group are those with no main-stem venous disease.', 'There were no significant associations between the proportions of limbs demonstrating IPVs and patient age or sex. The ORs for the presence of IPVs in association with other venous disease are as follows (age/sex adjusted): long saphenous vein reflux, OR = 1.86, range = 1.32-2.63; short saphenous vein reflux, OR = 1.36, range = 1.02-1.82; deep system venous reflux, OR = 1.61, range = 1.2-2.15; superficial system reflux, OR = 3.17, range = 1.87-5.4; and deep system obstruction, OR = 1.09, range = 0.51-2.33. The ORs for combinations of venous disorders were calculated. Combinations of disease produced higher odds for the presence of IPVs than those above, the highest being long saphenous vein, short saphenous vein, and deep reflux combined, OR = 6.85 (95% CI, 2.97-15.83; P =.0001).'] Are most incompetent calf perforating veins found in association with superficial venous reflux? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6828961372375488,
-1.7955522537231445,
1.4390673637390137
] |
['An increase in natural killer (NK)-cell activity has been observed in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages. Because of the many similarities between infertility and early pregnancy loss patients, we investigated whether infertile women had raised NK-cell activity.', 'We tested 94 infertile women who, in spite of treatment, were unable to conceive for 6 or more months. NK-cell activity was measured by using a chromium-51 release cytotoxicity assay. with K562 human myeloid leukemia cells as targets.', 'NK-cell activity of the infertile group (mean +/- SD; 40.2%+/-14.7) was significantly higher than the control group (31.5%+/-11.9, P < 0.0001). The increased NK-cell activity was not associated with age, infertile duration, depression scores, treated hyperprolactinemia, or treated endometriosis.'] Is increased natural killer-cell activity associated with infertile women? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2142088413238525,
-1.0188841819763184,
2.280487060546875
] |
['To evaluate the cardiac autonomic effects of abrupt withdrawal of carbamazepine (CBZ) during sleep in patients with epilepsy.', 'The pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is uncertain, with ictal or peri-ictal cardiorespiratory compromise appearing probable. Risk factors for SUDEP include multiple antiepileptic drugs (AED), poor compliance, and abrupt AED withdrawal. The spectral analysis of the beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) displays two main components: low frequency (LF), representing sympathetic and parasympathetic influence and high frequency (HF), representing parasympathetic influence. The LF/HF ratio is commonly regarded as an indicator of sympathovagal balance.', 'Twelve patients with medically intractable seizures underwent abrupt withdrawal of CBZ to facilitate seizure recording during controlled circuit TV-EEG monitoring. Continuous EKG recording was begun 24 hours before CBZ reduction. Spectral analysis of the HRV was performed during selected samples of non-REM sleep before and after CBZ reduction. Analyses were made at least 6 hours after from (complex) partial and 12 hours from generalized seizures.', 'The mean LF/HF ratio before withdrawal of CBZ was 2.15 compared with a ratio of 2.65 on day 4 after withdrawal, an increase of 19% (geometric mean; 95% CI, 2% to 34%; Wilcoxon test, z = 2.36; p = 0.018). The ratio increased in 10 patients compared with a decrease in only one patient.'] Does sudden withdrawal of carbamazepine increase cardiac sympathetic activity in sleep? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6158276796340942,
-1.62807035446167,
2.1948816776275635
] |
['An aggressive surgical approach with en bloc resection of involved structures is often possible with anterior rectal cancers that invade adjacent visceral organs, but is rarely possible in tumors that invade the pelvic wall. However, most staging systems include both situations in the same group of T4 rectal cancers. We performed a retrospective study of patients with stage T4 rectal cancer undergoing surgery to assess the influence of different organ involvement on resectability and survival.', 'A retrospective review was conducted of 84 patients with T4 rectal cancer treated at the University of Minnesota and affiliated hospitals over a ten-year period. Forty-seven patients (56 percent) were staged for local invasion on the basis of final pathology, 19 (23 percent) on the basis of operative findings, and 18 (21 percent) on the basis of ultrasound images. Patients were divided into two groups, those with or without pelvic wall involvement. Resectability, local control, and overall survival were compared between groups. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed with Cox proportional and logistic regression.', 'Thirty-one patients (37 percent) had involvement of the pelvic wall, whereas 53 patients (63 percent) had visceral involvement only. All 29 patients with distant metastasis died of their disease. Forty-seven of the 55 patients without distant metastasis underwent tumor resection. Age and pelvic wall involvement were the only two factors independently associated with the probability of resection in logistic regression analysis (P = 0.0067 and P = 0.037, respectively). The only factor that affected median survival in patients without distant metastasis was tumor resection (49.1 months for resection vs. 6.1 months for no resection, P = 0.017). Patients with visceral involvement had a longer median survival (49.2 months) than those with pelvic wall involvement (13.2 months), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.058).'] Does pelvic wall involvement denote a poor prognosis in T4 rectal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2897096872329712,
-1.4885540008544922,
1.7880043983459473
] |
['Increased P-wave dispersion (P-disp) and maximum P-wave duration (P-max) predict the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population. The present study evaluates the time-dependent relationship of P-disp and P-max after open heart surgery.', 'P-disp and P-max were measured in the perioperative period of open heart surgery (one day before surgery through postoperative day 4). Compared with the baseline, P-max decreased immediately after open heart surgery (112.63 +/- 7.4 ms vs 106.9 +/- 8.2 ms, P =.005). An increase in P-disp was observed between postoperative days 1 and 2 (37.5 +/- 6.8 ms vs 43.1 +/- 4.5 ms, P <.05), and postoperative days 1 and 3 (37.5 +/- 6.8 ms vs 44.1 +/- 6.6 ms, P <.05). There was also an increase in the P-max between postoperative day 1 and 3 (103 +/- 8.3 ms vs 110 +/- 7.7 ms, P <.05).'] Are changes in P-wave dispersion and P-wave duration after open heart surgery associated with the peak incidence of atrial fibrillation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9821169972419739,
-1.433295488357544,
1.4557294845581055
] |
['Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are accompanied by infiltration of the nasal mucosa with inflammatory cells, predominantly eosinophils and metachromatic cells (basophils and mast cells). Specific immunotherapy (IT) reduces mucosal eosinophilia and numbers of metachromatic cells in the epithelium. A specific marker distinguishing basophils from mast cells was recently developed.', 'The basophil-specific monoclonal antibody 2D7 was used to determine the influence of subcutaneous IT on numbers of nasal mucosal basophils compared with the effects of IT on neutrophils, eosinophils and mast cells.', 'During a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of grass pollen IT in 44 adults with severe summer hay fever, nasal biopsies were taken at baseline, out of the pollen season, and at the peak of the pollen season following 2 years treatment. Biopsies were processed for immunohistochemistry for basophils (2D7+), mast cells (AA1+), eosinophils (MBP+) and neutrophils (neutrophil elastase+).', 'In placebo-treated (PL) patients there were significant seasonal increases in basophils (P < 0.01), mast cells (P < 0.05) and eosinophils (P = 0.002) in the nasal submucosa. In IT-treated patients significant increases in 2D7+ cells (P < 0.01) and eosinophils (P = 0.01) but not AA1+ cells (P = 0.9) were observed. These differences were significant between groups for eosinophils (P < 0.05). In the epithelium there were seasonal increases in AA1+ cells and eosinophils in both groups (PL: P < 0.01, IT: P < 0.05 for both). The between-group difference was significant for eosinophils (P = 0.05). Basophils were observed in the epithelium of six out of 17 in the placebo group and one out of 20 in the IT group (P = 0.03). Neutrophil numbers remained constant in both epithelium and submucosa.'] Does grass pollen immunotherapy inhibit seasonal increases in basophils and eosinophils in the nasal epithelium? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.18583083152771,
-1.4334856271743774,
2.639864683151245
] |
['The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pregnancy-related pelvic pain (PRPP) and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) laxity.', 'A cross-sectional analysis was performed in a group of 163 women, 73 with moderate or severe (PRPP+) and 90 with no or mild (PRPP-) PRPP at 36 weeks of pregnancy. SIJ laxity was measured by means of Doppler imaging of vibrations in threshold units (TU). Pain, clinical signs and disability were assessed with visual analog scale (VAS), posterior pelvic pain provocation (PPPP) test, active straight leg raise (ASLR) test, and Quebec back pain disability scale (QBPDS), respectively.', 'Mean SIJ laxity in the PRPP+ group was not significantly different from the PRPP- group (3.0 versus 3.4 TU). The mean left-right difference, however, was significantly higher in the PRPP+ group (2.2 TU) than in the PRPP- group (0.9 TU). In the PRPP- group, only 4% had asymmetric laxity of the SIJs in contrast to 37% of the PRPP+ group. Between the PRPP+ subjects with asymmetric and symmetric laxity of the SIJs significant differences were found with respect to mean VAS for pain (7.9 versus 7.0), positive PPPP test (59% versus 35%), positive ASLR test (85 versus 41%) and mean QBPDS score (61 versus 50).'] Is pelvic pain during pregnancy associated with asymmetric laxity of the sacroiliac joints? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.249289870262146,
-1.6145074367523193,
1.899763822555542
] |
['To investigate the efficacy and safety of miglitol vs. placebo in type 2 diabetic outpatients insufficiently controlled (HbA1c between 7.5 and 10.5%) with diet and metformin.', 'Patients treated with diet and metformin (1500-2250 mg/day) were randomized to receive additional treatment with either miglitol or placebo for 32 weeks. The dosages were force-titrated: 4 weeks at 25 mg miglitol t.i.d., 12 weeks at 50 mg miglitol t.i.d., and 16 weeks at 100 mg miglitol t.i.d. or matching placebo. If the highest dosage could not be tolerated, patients could be down-titrated to 50 mg t.i.d. The primary efficacy criterion was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary efficacy parameters included fasting and 1 h postprandial blood glucose, serum insulin, and fasting and 1 h postprandial triglyceride levels. Safety and tolerability were evaluated by the incidence of adverse events and changes in vital signs or routine biochemical and haematological parameters.', 'One hundred and fifty-two patients were valid for the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis. There was a significant decrease in HbA1c on adding miglitol to metformin compared to adding placebo (miglitol treatment effect, - 0.21%; placebo treatment effect, + 0.22%; p = 0.011). Postprandial blood glucose declined in both the miglitol/metformin and placebo/metformin groups with a statistically significant difference in favour of miglitol/metformin (end of treatment adjusted means 13.8 mmol/l for miglitol vs. 15.8 mmol/l for placebo, p = 0.0007). Adverse events (AEs) were reported by only 8% more patients in the miglitol/metformin group than placebo/metformin. No cases of hypoglycaemia were reported.'] Does miglitol combined with metformin improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.853744387626648,
-1.593026876449585,
2.4276208877563477
] |
['To explore the association of risk for human cerebral hemorrhage with blood cholesterol, free radicals, oxidation and lipoperoxidation.', '351 cerebral hemorrhage patients (CHP) in the acute phase and 100 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were investigated by testing the contents of cholesterol (CH), lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma and erythrocytes (RBC), and by assessing the contents of CH and LPO in RBC with spectrophotometric assays.', 'Compared with the average values (AV) of the above biochemical parameters (BP) in the HAV group, the AV of CH in plasma and RBC, VC and VE in plasma as well as SOD in plasma and RBC in the CHP group were significantly decreased (P = 0.0000), while the AV of the LPO in plasma and RBC as well as NO in plasma in the CHP group were significantly increased (P = 0.0000). The findings of linear correlation analysis for the CHP group showed that the above biochemical parameters were significantly correlated with both intracranial hemorrhagic sizes (IHS) and neurotic functional defective scales (NDS). The findings of stepwise correlation analysis for the CHA group suggested that HIS was closely correlated with the values of CH and LPO in RBC as well as NO and VE in plasma, and that NDS was closely correlated with the values of CH and LPO in RBC as well as NO and VC in plasma.'] Are low cholesterol in erythrocyte membranes and high lipoperoxides in erythrocytes the potential risk factors for cerebral hemorrhagic stroke in human? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.151348829269409,
-1.4054458141326904,
2.5419681072235107
] |
['The cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the organization of bladder urothelium into basal, intermediate and superficial cell layers remain poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7 is essential for generating a multilayered stratified bladder epithelium.', 'The morphological and molecular characteristics of bladder urothelium in age and sex matched FGF-7 +/+ wild-type and -/- null mice were evaluated. In addition, the effect of exogenous FGF-7 on the growth and differentiation of primary murine urothelial cells was assessed.', 'Morphometric analyses demonstrate that FGF-7 null urothelium is markedly thinned compared with wild-type urothelium. Electron microscopy revealed that null urothelium lacks the intermediate cell layers and molecular marker analyses confirmed this observation. In vitro cell culture experiments indicated that FGF-7 regulates urothelial cell growth, differentiation and stratification. Primary urothelial cultures maintained without FGF-7 ceased to divide and expressed proteins characteristic of terminally differentiated umbrella cells. In contrast, cultures maintained with exogenous FGF-7 contained proliferating epithelial cells with protein expression patterns consistent with those of intermediate cells in addition to terminally differentiated, post-mitotic umbrella cells. Importantly, isolated urothelial cells maintained with exogenous FGF-7 formed a multilayered epithelium in vitro.'] Does fibroblast growth factor-7 regulate stratification of the bladder urothelium? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5038869380950928,
-1.1212146282196045,
2.717421293258667
] |
['Aggravating effect of estrogen replacement therapy on glomerular injury associated with an elevation of growth hormone (GH) levels has been reported. Therefore, in the present study, to clarify an association between GH elevation and the aggravating effect of estrogen on glomerular injury, we investigated the effect of somatostatin, an inhibitor of GH secretion, on glomerular injury in estrogen-treated hypercholesterolemic female Imai rats.', 'Control female rats were assigned to group 1 (Cont, n = 10). Group 2 (Cont-E, n = 10) received estrogen, and groups 3 (Cont-E-LS, n = 10) and 4 (Cont-E-HS) received estrogen and either a low dose of somatostatin analogue or a high dose of somatostatin analogue. Body weight, urinary protein, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were investigated every 4 weeks from 10 weeks through 30 weeks of age. At 30 weeks of age, rats were studied morphologically.', 'Estrogen administration resulted in an increase in urinary protein excretion rates and serum total cholesterol levels, and aggravated glomerular injury associated with an increase in GH. In contrast, somatostatin treatment reduced both urinary protein excretion rates and total cholesterol levels and attenuated glomerular injury to levels close to those of controls associated with a reduction of GH levels.'] Does somatostatin analogue attenuate estrogen-induced augmentation of glomerular injury in spontaneous hypercholesterolemic female Imai rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4230470657348633,
-1.2538201808929443,
2.7404749393463135
] |
['Myotonia and periodic paralysis caused by sodium channel mutations show variable responses to the anti-myotonic drug mexiletine.', 'To investigate whether variability among sodium channel mutants results from differences in drug binding affinity or in channel gating.', 'Whole-cell sodium currents (I(Na)) were recorded in tsA201 cells expressing human wild-type (WT) and mutant skeletal muscle sodium channels (A1156T, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis; R1448C, paramyotonia congenita; G1306E, potassium-aggravated myotonia).', 'At a holding potential (hp) of -120 mV, mexiletine produced a tonic (TB, 0.33 Hz) and a use-dependent (UDB, 10 Hz) block of peak I(Na) with a potency following the order rank R1448C > WT approximately equal A1156T > G1306E. Yet, when assayed from an hp of -180 mV, TB and UDB by mexiletine were similar for the four channels. The different midpoints of channel availability curves found for the four channels track the half-maximum inhibitory value (IC50) measured at -120 mV. Thus differences in the partitioning of channels between the closed and fast-inactivated states underlie the different IC50 measured at a given potential. The mexiletine-derivative, Me7 (alpha-[(2-methylphenoxy)methyl]-benzenemethanamine), behaved similarly but was approximately 5 times more potent than mexiletine. Interestingly, the higher drug concentrations ameliorated the abnormally slower decay rate of myotonic I(Na).'] Does gating of myotonic Na channel mutants define the response to mexiletine and a potent derivative? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0506818294525146,
-1.421985149383545,
2.453779697418213
] |
['To examine the functional consequences of episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2)-causing nonsense and missense mutations in vitro and to characterize the basis of fluctuating weakness in patients with E2A.', 'Mutations in CACNA1A encoding the Ca(v)2.1 calcium channel subunit cause EA2 through incompletely understood mechanisms. Although the Ca(v)2.1 subunit is important for neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction, weakness has not been considered a feature of EA2.', 'The disease-causing mutations in three unrelated patients with EA2 and fluctuating weakness were identified by mutation screening and sequencing. Mutant constructs harboring mutations R1281X, F1406C, R1549X were transfected into COS7 cells and expressed for patch clamp studies. Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) was performed in patients to examine synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction.', 'Functional studies in COS7 cells of nonsense and missense EA2 mutants demonstrated markedly decreased current densities compared with wild type. SFEMG demonstrated jitter and blocking in these patients with EA2, compared with normal subjects and three patients with SCA-6.'] Are loss-of-function EA2 mutations associated with impaired neuromuscular transmission? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.562101364135742,
-1.080896019935608,
2.6525044441223145
] |
['We studied the effect of atorvastatin on arterial compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.', 'Seventeen patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels above 170 mg/dL, were included in the study, none of whomever received hypolipidemic medication or had other risk factors. Patients were followed for five visits, every 4 weeks.', 'After 20 weeks of treatment, lipid profile improved significantly. Large artery elasticity index did not change significantly, but small artery elasticity index increased by 21% (4.6+/-0.5 to 5.6+/-0.9, P < .01). Although none of our patients suffered from hypertension, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased significantly (6 mm Hg and 3 mm Hg, respectively).'] Does treatment with atorvastatin improve small artery compliance in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.048002004623413,
-1.1929068565368652,
2.2766876220703125
] |
['A correlation between changes in ionized calcium status and changes in systolic blood pressure (BP) has previously been observed during induced euglycemic hyperinsulinemia in patients with essential hypertension. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between alterations in ion status and BP changes during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia in healthy normotensive subjects.', 'Ion status in plasma and BP were measured before and at the end of euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp tests performed in 41 healthy normotensive volunteers.', 'During euglycemic hyperinsulinemia plasma sodium increased by 1% (P < .0001), ionized calcium (iCa) by 5% (P < .0001), and ionized magnesium (iMg) by 4% (P < .01), whereas potassium decreased by 10% (P < .0001). The changes in plasma iCa and iMg correlated significantly to changes in systolic BP (r = -0.38, P < .02; r = -0.32, P < .05, respectively), but the correlation between changes in iMg and changes in systolic BP did not remain significant in a multiple regression model. The glucose infusion rate correlated inversely to the change in iMg (r = -0.39, P < .01).'] Are systolic blood pressure alterations during hyperinsulinemia related to changes in ionized calcium status? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1237428188323975,
-1.1285114288330078,
2.2921018600463867
] |
['The relationship between urinary vasoactive factors and sodium excretion has not been adequately addressed in humans.', 'Excretion rates of sodium, nitrates/nitrites (NOx), cGMP, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured before and after ingestion of a mixed electrolyte solution (8 oz Gatorade) while undergoing a routine cardiovascular evaluation in a sample of 51 normotensive young adults.', 'Significant correlations were detected for changes in excretion between all four variables, r ranged from 0.50 to 0.86 (P < .001). Correlations were higher in African Americans than white Americans.'] Are urinary excretion of vasoactive factors correlated to sodium excretion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0577170848846436,
-0.980766236782074,
2.026881694793701
] |
['To study the role of nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide pathway in the pathophysiological process of intussusception (IN).', 'The IN model of rat was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The content of NOx in plasma and the NOS activity in colic smooth muscle tissues were measured. The content of cGMP was determined by radioimmunoassay.', 'LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) induced IN in up to 40% of the rats 6 hours after treatment with LPS. The incidence of IN was significantly increased by 58.3% (P < 0.05) and by 66.8% (P < 0.01) in L-arginine (L-Arg)-treated rats (2% in drinking water) and in sodium nitroprusside (NSP)-treated rats (1 mg/kg, i.p.), respectively, but it is significantly decreased by 66.8% (P < 0.01) after administration of M-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 15 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Furthermore, LPS increased total NOS activity, NOx production and cGMP levels in plasma or in colic smooth muscle tissues. These parameters in LPS-IN rats were significantly elevated by 38.8%, 50.7%, and 48.7% respectively (P < 0.01) compared with LPS-non-IN rats.'] Does nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide pathway mediate intussusception pathogenesis in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9976729154586792,
-1.505218267440796,
2.5010488033294678
] |
['To construct the recombinant adenovirus encoding antisense c-myc fragment and to investigate its effect on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.', 'The shuttle plasmid encoding antisense c-myc was constructed by cloning c-myc cDNA fragment in the reverse direction into the pAdCMV. Then the plasmid pJM17 and the shuttle plasmid were co-transferred into 293 cells with liposome for homologous recombination to acquire recombinant adenovirus. The cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of related genes of the in vitro transferred human adenocarcinoma cell lines GLC-82 and SPC-A-1, as well as the human embryonic diploid lung cell line 2BS were studied. The effects on colony formation and treating effect on transplanted tumor in nude mice were also studied.', 'The recombinant adenovirus encoding antisense c-myc fragment was obtained with the titer of 3.3 x 10(10) pfu/ml. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expression of c-myc was reduced 3-5 days after infection. Simultaneously, obvious G1 arrest and apoptosis as well as the alteration of cyclin D1, bcl-2 and bax gene expression were observed in the infected tumor cells. The infected 2BS cells showed no such changes. The colony formation ability in vitro and the growth of the hetero-transplanted tumor in nude mice were also reduced.'] Does [ Adenovirus-transferred antisense c-myc selectively induce tumor cell cycle arrest and apoptosis ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4198129177093506,
-1.2744710445404053,
2.777252197265625
] |
['We tested the hypothesis that breathing 100% oxygen could result in selective pulmonary vasodilatation in patients with pulmonary hypertension, including those patients who would not meet current Health Care Finance Administration guidelines for long-term oxygen therapy.', 'From 1996 to 1999, 23 adult patients (mean +/- SEM age, 51 +/- 4 years) with pulmonary arterial hypertension without left-heart failure underwent cardiac catheterization in a university teaching hospital while breathing air and then 100% oxygen.', 'Treatment with 100% oxygen increased arterial oxygen saturation (91 +/- 1% to 99 +/- 0.1%, p < 0.05) and PaO(2) (64 +/- 3 to 309 +/- 28 mm Hg, p < 0.05). Treatment with 100% oxygen also decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure (56 +/- 3 to 53 +/- 2 mm Hg, p < 0.05) and increased cardiac index (2.1 +/- 0.1 to 2.5 +/- 0.2 L/min/m(2), p < 0.05). Calculated mean pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased from 14.1 +/- 1.4 to 10.6 +/- 1.0 Wood units (p < 0.05). Vasodilatation with 100% oxygen occurred preferentially in the pulmonary circulation (PVR/systemic vascular resistance, 0.53 +/- 0.04 to 0.48 +/- 0.03; p < 0.05). The magnitude of the PVR response to oxygen therapy was correlated only with decreasing patient age (r = 0.45, p < 0.05).'] Does oxygen therapy improve cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary hypertension? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2358393669128418,
-1.521775722503662,
1.7496600151062012
] |
['Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by a poor prognosis. This study was undertaken to investigate possible correlations between endothelin (ET)-1 and big ET-1 plasma levels and the severity of PPH.', 'Sixteen consecutive patients with PPH were included.', 'Hemodynamics of patients with PPH were measured by right-heart catheterization, and a 6-min walk test was performed.', 'Plasma levels of the biologically active peptide ET-1 and its precursor big ET-1 were determined in blood samples from the pulmonary artery, peripheral artery, and peripheral vein by radioimmunoassay.', 'A strong correlation was shown between pulmonary vascular resistance, mean pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, 6-min walk data, and elevated plasma levels of big ET-1 as well as mature ET-1 plasma levels at all sites of blood sampling (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively).'] Are big endothelin-1 and endothelin-1 plasma levels correlated with the severity of primary pulmonary hypertension? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1060633659362793,
-1.3523386716842651,
2.484494686126709
] |
['Patients having in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) failures show an increased incidence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies; but controversy exists whether aPL can induce IVF-failure. This study was designed to compare aPL specificities between recurrent IVF-failure patients versus repeated early pregnancy loss (RPL) patients.', 'Anticardiolipin (aCL), lupus anticoagulant (LA), antiphosphatidylserine (aPS), antiphosphatidylethanolamine (aPE), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were measured in 74 recurrent IVF-ET failure patients and compared with 273 early RPL patients ( < 10 weeks).', 'An increased incidence of IgG-aPE and ANA was observed for both groups in comparison with controls. Patients with recurrent IVF-ET failure showed a significantly higher prevalence of IgG-aPS (P = 0.02) and IgG-aCL (P = 0.02) when compared with early RPL patients or controls.'] Are different antiphospholipid antibody specificities found in association with early repeated pregnancy loss versus recurrent IVF-failure patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.267529010772705,
-1.3200503587722778,
2.627366065979004
] |
['To complement previous studies that employed indirect methods of measuring anesthesia drug waste.', 'Prospective, blinded observational study.', 'Operating rooms of a single university hospital.', 'Anesthesia providers practicing in this setting who were completely unaware of the conduct of the study.', 'All opened and unused or unusable intravenous (IV) anesthesia drugs left over at the end of each workday were collected over a randomly selected typical 2-week period.', '166 weekday cases were performed. Thirty different drugs were represented in the 157 syringes and 139 ampoules collected. Opioid waste as well as opened vials that became outdated were counted in the tally. Based on actual hospital drug acquisition costs, $1,802 of drugs were wasted during this 2-week period ($300/OR), amounting to an average cost per case of $10.86. On a cost basis, six drugs accounted for three quarters of the total wastage: phenylephrine (20.8%), propofol (14.5%), vecuronium (12.2%), midazolam (11.4%), labetalol (9.1%), and ephedrine (8.6%). Because incompletely used syringes or vials that were discarded in the trash were not measured in this analysis, the results may underestimate the total cost of drug wastage at this institution by up to 40%.'] Does drug wastage contribute significantly to the cost of routine anesthesia care? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5950905084609985,
-0.8887712359428406,
1.4885778427124023
] |
['To determine if an association exists between postdilation restenosis and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is induced by balloon injury and inhibits neointimal formation through the action of endogenous carbon monoxide. A dinucleotide repeat in the promoter region of the HO-1 gene shows a length polymorphism that modulates the level of gene transcription.', 'This cohort study included 96 consecutive patients (64 men; median age 69 years, interquartile range 60-75) who underwent successful balloon dilation in the femoropopliteal segment. Six-month patency was evaluated using oscillography, ankle-brachial index, and duplex sonography. The association of patency and the length of (GT) repeats in the HO-1 gene promoter was assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses.', 'Restenosis was found in 23 (24%) patients within the first 6 months. Patients with short (<25 GT) dinucleotide repeats in the HO-1 gene promoter on either allele had restenosis significantly less often than patients with longer (> or = 25 GT) dinucleotide repeats (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly reduced risk for restenosis in these patients compared to patients without the short allele (odds ratio 0.2, 95% Cl 0.06 to 0.70, p = 0.007).'] Is heme oxygenase-1 gene promoter microsatellite polymorphism associated with restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.118528366088867,
-1.500133752822876,
2.634605646133423
] |
["A positive test result from universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) has been suspected to cause maternal concern. However, findings so far are inconclusive. Against the background of a 2-stage UNHS protocol, we investigated the extent of maternal concern in 2 different situations: 1) mothers' immediate reactions after a positive result at the first-stage test and 2) maternal concern during a 1-month period while waiting for the infant's hearing assessment after the infant also failed the retest (ie, the screening). In addition, we checked whether mothers who are informed by an audiologist about the low predictive validity of positive test results in hearing screening are less concerned about a positive result than mothers who are not informed.", 'A prospective study was conducted over a 1-year period, in which all mothers whose infants tested positive in the first stage or failed the screening were questioned about their level of concern attributable to the positive test result.', 'Of 85 mothers whose infants tested positive in the first-stage test (situation 1), 34 (40%) did not know the result. Of the remaining 51 mothers, 59% were not at all concerned and 27% were only slightly concerned about the result, whereas 14% stated that they were highly concerned. In an additional sample of 43 mothers whose infants failed the screening (situation 2), 42% reported not being worried and 37% only slightly worried, whereas 21% were highly concerned about the positive screening result. No effect of information about the low predictive validity of positive test results on the extent of maternal concern could be ascertained.'] Does maternal concern about positive test result in universal newborn hearing screening? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1001838445663452,
0.041609033942222595,
0.1471996158361435
] |
['Human septic shock can be replicated in the endotoxaemic pig. Endotoxaemia causes a multitude of events, including reduced PaO(2) and increased lipid peroxidation. This study was designed to evaluate the possible effects of a commonly used anaesthetic drug with known antioxidant properties (propofol) during porcine endotoxaemia.', 'Ten pigs were anaesthetised and given a 6 h E. coli endotoxin infusion. The animals received, randomly, a supplementary continuous infusion of propofol emulsion (containing 0.005% EDTA) or the corresponding volume of vehicle (controls). Pathophysiologic responses were determined. Non-enzymatic (by measuring plasma 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha) and enzymatic (by measuring plasma 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2 alpha)) lipid peroxidations were evaluated. Plasma levels of the endogenous antioxidants alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, were also analysed.', 'Endotoxaemia increased plasma levels of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha) (1st-4th h) and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2 alpha) (1st-4th h) significantly more in controls than in the propofol+endotoxin group. PaO(2) was significantly less affected by endotoxin in the propofol treated animals (2nd-4th h). Mean arterial pressure (4th-6th h) and systemic vascular resistance (6th h) were reduced significantly more by endotoxin among the propofol-treated animals. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) increased in all animals, significantly more in the propofol+endotoxin group (1/2-6th h) than in the control group.'] Does propofol ( Diprivan-EDTA ) counteract oxidative injury and deterioration of the arterial oxygen tension during experimental septic shock? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2085907459259033,
-1.4641579389572144,
2.6893091201782227
] |
['Chronic alcohol abuse is one of the major contributors to the onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have previously identified increased expression and function of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (Gi-proteins) in primary human and animal models of HCC. Stimulation of Gi-proteins in HCC stimulates cell mitogenesis, an effect not observed in hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol and ethanol metabolism on Gi-protein expression in an experimental model of HCC.', 'Pharmacological agents that inhibit alcohol metabolism were used in conjunction with ethanol or ethanol metabolites. We were also able to assess the relative contribution of alcohol and acetaldehyde, the major metabolite of alcohol, on Gi-protein expression in HCC and hepatocytes.', 'These studies used the rat hepatic tumorigenic H4IIE cell line in conjunction with isolated rat hepatocytes. Cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to ethanol, ethanol in the presence of an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibitor, or acetaldehyde for varying lengths of time. Ethanol metabolism and changes in Gi-protein expression were subsequently determined by assay.', 'Exposure to ethanol alone led to significant dose and time dependent increases in Gialpha1/2 and Gialpha3 protein and mRNA expression in HCC cells. In contrast, ethanol failed to alter Gialpha1/2, and only moderately affected Gialpha3 protein expression in isolated cultured hepatocytes. Pretreatment of HCC cells and hepatocytes with 4-methyl pyrazole (4-MP, 10 microm) significantly inhibited alcohol metabolism. Treatment of HCC cells with 4-MP inhibited changes in Gi-protein expression following exposure to ethanol (25 mm, 24 h). In addition, the increased expression of Gi-proteins observed after exposure to ethanol in HCC were mimicked by direct exposure of HCC cells to acetaldehyde in a dose and time dependent manner.'] Does inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase block enhanced Gi-protein expression following ethanol treatment in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.52250075340271,
-1.256644368171692,
2.793200969696045
] |
['The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of increased incidence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus in patients with alpha-thalassaemia major and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without cirrhosis of the liver.', 'The study included 28 alpha-thalassaemic multi-transfused patients (14 females and 14 males; age, 25.7 +/- 6.3 years) with normal fasting glucose levels. Sixteen were seropositive for HCV and they had biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels were measured every 30 min for 2 h. Fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI) was calculated according to the formula: FIRI = (fasting glucose x fasting insulin)/25.', 'All patients had a normal OGTT except for two HCV positive and two HCV negative patients who had impaired glucose tolerance. HCV positive patients had higher fasting insulin levels (P = 0.02), higher fasting insulin/fasting glucose ratio (P = 0.017) and higher FIRI (P = 0.016) than HCV negative patients. During the OGTT, peak insulin levels occurred at 30 min in HCV negative patients but at 60 min in HCV positive. HCV infected patients had higher mean value of insulin at 60 (P = 0.017), 90 (P = 0.04), and 120 min (P = 0.04), and higher mean increment above basal at 60 (P = 0.015), 90 (P = 0.018) and 120 min (P = 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of insulin was also greater in HCV positive patients as compared to HCV negative (P = 0.04), although the AUC of glucose and the glucose levels at all time points of the OGTT were similar in both groups.'] Does chronic hepatitis C virus infection without cirrhosis induce insulin resistance in patients with alpha-thalassaemia major? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.5428801774978638,
-1.794128179550171,
1.3455159664154053
] |
['Autonomic dysfunction is frequently observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) but the evolution over time and the relationship to clinical characteristics are not yet established.', 'We investigated the correlation of disease activity and progression of disability with composite scores of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and serum levels of catecholamines in a cross-sectional study of patients with clinically active and clinically stable MS. In a longitudinal study of clinically active MS patients, we performed cardiovascular reflex tests for up to 2 years.', 'Twenty-six patients with clinically active relapsing-remitting MS, age 33.0 +/- 7.3 years, and nine patients with clinically stable MS, age 41.3 +/- 10.9 were studied. Twenty-four healthy volunteers served as controls. Standard autonomic tests were repeated at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months in 18 of the 26 active patients participating in a placebo-controlled trial with interferon-beta-1a. Parasympathetic dysfunction was assessed by heart rate response to the Valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing and active change of posture, while sympathetic dysfunction was analysed by blood pressure response to active change of posture and to sustained handgrip, and by measuring levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine in serum obtained in the supine position.', "In the cross-sectional study, the number of patients with at least one abnormal sympathetic test was higher in the 'active' patient group (39%) than in healthy controls (8%, P< 0.02) or 'stable' patients (0%, P< 0.04), while no difference was seen in the parasympathetic score. Median catecholamine levels were significantly lower in 'active' MS patients than in those with stable disease (norepinephrine, 204 ng/l (interquartile range 158-310 ng/l) vs 363 ng/l (269-507 ng/l), P<0.02 and epinephrine, 23 ng/l (16-28 ng/l) vs 32 ng/l (24-107 ng/l), P<0.04). In the subgroup of patients studied longitudinally, parasympathetic but not sympathetic dysfunction increased slightly during the follow-up period, with a significant correlation to the increase in clinical disability (r=0.7, P<0.002). No difference was seen for any of the autonomic scores between patients treated with interferon-beta (n=12) and those receiving placebo (n=6). During acute exacerbations, only parasympathetic dysfunction tended to increase in parallel with a deterioration in the EDSS."] Is autonomic dysfunction in multiple sclerosis related to disease activity and progression of disability? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7664726972579956,
-1.5219736099243164,
2.2249996662139893
] |
['Natural genetic polymorphisms within the CCR5 gene and promoter have been linked to patterns of HIV-1 clinical disease progression in untreated individuals. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the influence of the CCR5Delta32 mutation and promoter polymorphisms on virological and immunological treatment outcome in 436 antiretroviral-naive individuals initiating their first therapy, over a mean follow-up time of 22 months.', 'Genotypes for the CCR5Delta32 and promoter were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of human DNA from plasma, followed by gel electrophoresis for CCR5Delta32 or DNA sequencing for the promoter polymorphisms. Time to virological failure [defined as the second plasma viral load > or = 400 copies HIV-1 RNA/ml) and immunological failure (defined as time to achieve two successive CD4 cell counts below baseline) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier methods.', 'The five most common CCR5 promoter polymorphisms were observed at positions 208(G/T), 303(A/G), 627(C/T), 676(A/G), and 927(C/T). Allele frequencies were 0.24(208T), 0.38(303G), 0.44(627T), 0.35(676G) and 0.18(927T). The CCR5Delta32 allele frequency was 0.08. The promoter polymorphisms existed in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other and the Delta32. No significant effect of the individual CCR5Delta32 or promoter polymorphisms could be demonstrated with respect to time to treatment failure as defined by virological or immunological parameters (P > or = 0.07). Similarly, when combined CCR5Delta32 and promoter genotypes were analyzed in order to account for linkage disequilibrium, no significant effect was observed on time to virological or immunological failure (P > 0.6).'] Are cCR5Delta32 and promoter polymorphisms correlated with initial virological or immunological treatment response? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.808702826499939,
-1.5887113809585571,
2.4120655059814453
] |
['To investigate the influence of PaCO(2) manipulation on the cerebral hemodynamic response to surgical stimulation.', 'Twenty-one female patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery performed through a lower median abdominal incision were enrolled. After obtaining steady general anesthesia with 1.7% sevoflurane and 60% nitrous oxide, the patients were randomly assigned to three groups, hypocapnia (PaCO(2)=30 mmHg), normocapnia (PaCO(2)=38 mmHg), and hypercapnia (PaCO(2)=44 mmHg) groups. The changes in mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (Vmca) were evaluated using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during nine minutes after surgical incision.', 'The change in Vmca (Delta Vmca) with surgical incision during hypercapnia (30-36 cm*sec(-1)) was significantly greater than during normocapnia (20-22 cm*sec(-1)) and hypocapnia (13-15 cm*sec(-1)). The Delta Vmca in the hypocapnia group was significantly smaller than in the normocapnia group. Arterial blood pressure increased with incision but there was no significant difference among the three groups.'] Are changes in cerebral blood flow velocity elicited by surgical stimulation dependent on the PaCO ( 2 ) level? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1857430934906006,
-1.3464384078979492,
2.584843158721924
] |
['The purpose of the ventilatory management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is to avoid any barotrauma to the lungs by decreasing the tidal volume at the expense of permissive hypercapnia. This hypercapnia is extremely dangerous for severe head trauma patients because it increases intracranial pressure. The solution could be the use of tracheal gas which insufflation (TGI) allows the reduction of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO(2)) while controlling airway pressures.', "We report the cases of two patients with ARDS and severe head trauma. The decrease of tidal volume ( by 60 and 25% respectively) in association with tracheal gas insufflation allowed to reduce plateau airway pressure (<35 cm d'H(2)O) and PaCO(2) (in the first case by 23% and in the second case, by 11% for the second hour then by 24%), while intracranial pressure remained constant or was lowered (in the second case by 39% for the second hour). TGI consisted in insufflating fresh gas via a small catheter placed in the trachea (0(2) at 6 L*min(-1) in the first patient and 4 L*min(-1) in the second case)."] Does [ Tracheal gas insufflation avoid hypercapnia in patients with severe head trauma and acute lung injury ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2506136894226074,
-1.0955355167388916,
2.4595680236816406
] |
['To assess and compare the effects of normothermic and mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on hepatosplanchnic oxygenation.', 'We studied 14 patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery who underwent normothermic (>35 degrees C; group I, n=7) or mild hypothermic (32 degrees C; group II, n=7) CPB. After induction of anesthesia, a hepatic venous catheter was inserted into the right hepatic vein to monitor hepatic venous oxygen saturation (ShvO(2)) and hepatosplanchnic blood flow by a constant infusion technique that uses indocyanine green.', 'The ShvO(2) decreased from a baseline value in both groups during CPB and was significantly lower at ten minutes and 60 min after the onset of CPB in group I (39.5 +/- 16.2% and 40.1 +/- 9.8%, respectively) than in group II (61.1 +/- 16.2% and 61.0 +/- 17.9%, respectively; P <0.05). During CPB, the hepatosplanchnic oxygen extraction ratio was significantly higher in group I than in group II (44.0 +/- 7.2% vs 28.7 +/- 13.1%; P <0.05).'] Is hepatosplanchnic oxygenation better preserved during mild hypothermic than during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7826656103134155,
-1.5449942350387573,
2.313159465789795
] |
['The goal of this investigation was to provide evidence that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be performed safely and effectively on cochlear implant patients who require diagnosis of additional diseases.', "A retrospective study was performed over 5 years. In a total of 300 patients with cochlear implants at the authors' center, MRI was performed whenever it was medically indicated.", 'All patients underwent scanning in a Philips Gyroscan T10-NT MRI machine, using commercially available Powertrac 3000 software.', 'All patients with cochlear implants for whom MRI was indicated (n = 30) were included in this study. They had a wide variety of conditions necessitating MRI, including cervical discus prolapse, hypophyseal adenoma, epipharynx carcinoma, knee degeneration, parotid tumor, and preoperative evaluation for reimplantation and bilateral implantation.', 'No adverse effects from the MRI were reported by any of the patients. The cochlear implants all retained their function. All images were of diagnostic value. Because of the MRI, the patients did not need to undergo additional, more invasive and expensive diagnostic procedures. Examples of MRI images from 5 patients are shown.'] Do clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging in 30 cochlear implant patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.277757406234741,
-0.9815670847892761,
2.3052759170532227
] |
['Glyceryl trinitrate ointment applied to the anal verge lowers anal resting pressure, but its duration of action is uncertain. This study investigated the effect and duration of action of 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate on anal resting pressure and hemodynamic parameters.', 'A total of 15 volunteers, 9 male, with a median age of 30 (range, 20-71) years, underwent continuous static anal manometry using a solid state catheter for ten minutes before and two hours after applying 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate ointment to the anoderm with a gloved finger. Pulse and blood pressure were recorded every 15 minutes.', 'A significant reduction in maximal anal resting pressure compared with preglyceryl trinitrate values was observed at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after application, but no significant difference thereafter. There was no significant change in pulse during the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures dropped significantly after application of glyceryl trinitrate, but had recovered and were not significantly different from original values after 90 minutes. A significant fall in blood pressure did not correlate with the onset or duration of side effects.'] Does topical 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate ointment have a short-lived effect on resting anal pressure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.109830856323242,
-1.3763940334320068,
2.5667967796325684
] |
['Prostaglandin D(2) synthase (PGD(2)S), a unique member of the lipocalin family, is found at elevated levels in the serum of patients with renal impairment and has recently been implicated as a new biochemical marker of renal insufficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptotic effects of PGD2S on a pig kidney epithelial cell line (LLC-PK1) and to investigate the effects of prostaglandins and growth factors on this process.', 'Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), annexin V staining, and electron microscopy.', 'A four- to fivefold increase in apoptosis was observed in PGD(2)S-treated cells as compared with controls and the apoptosis appeared to act via caspase-3. A cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, anti-PGD(2)S antibody, and selenium all significantly inhibited the apoptosis induced by PGD(2)S; however, none had any effect on the apoptosis induced by the known apoptotic inducer camptothecin. Furthermore, prostaglandins E(1) and E(2), known to induce mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation and exhibit cytoprotective effects, both inhibited PGD(2)S-induced apoptosis, while prostaglandin H(2) had no significant effect. Growth factors such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and platelet-derived growth factor also decreased PGD(2)S-induced apoptosis. In addition, PGD(2)S isolated from human serum seemed slightly more effective at inducing apoptosis than recombinantly expressed protein.'] Does prostaglandin D ( 2 ) synthase induce apoptosis in pig kidney LLC-PK1 cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.433821201324463,
-1.3377964496612549,
2.7751522064208984
] |
['It is well established that the diuretic- and renin-stimulated effects of loop diuretics can be attenuated by nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Since it is yet unclear which of the isoforms of cyclooxygenases, COX-1 and COX-2, is relevant in this context, our study aimed to determine the effects of selective COX-2 inhibition on the renal effects of the loop diuretic furosemide, as well as the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, which acts on the distal tubule.', 'Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with furosemide (12 mg/day subcutaneously by osmotic pump) or hydrochlorothiazide (30 mg/kg body weight/day orally by gavage). In addition, parallel groups received rofecoxib (1 to 10 mg/kg body weight/day) for selective inhibition of COX-2. Controls were treated with vehicle.', 'Induction of COX-2 mRNA expression due to furosemide was paralleled by increased renal excretion of prostanoids. Also, hydrochlorothiazide led to a rise in prostanoid excretion. Rofecoxib blunted the diuretic-induced increase in prostanoid excretion, thus confirming an effective blockade of COX-2. Moreover, the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib dose-dependently attenuated diuresis and saluresis, as well as the stimulation of the renin system induced by furosemide. Furthermore, rofecoxib completely reversed diuresis and saluresis and prevented the increase of plasma renin activity induced by hydrochlorothiazide.'] Does inhibition of COX-2 counteract the effects of diuretics in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4678311347961426,
-1.2974119186401367,
2.7870736122131348
] |
['To evaluate the production rate of CSF in patients with differing disease states.', "The authors measured the production rate of CSF in three groups of patients: five patients with PD below age 60 (aged 51 +/- 4 years, mean +/- SD), nine with PD over age 60 (aged 69 +/- 6 years, mean +/- SD), and seven with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (AD) (aged 72 +/- 9 years, mean +/- SD). This method, based on the Masserman technique, employs ventricular rather than a lumbar access to the CSF space. Furthermore, the volume of CSF removed during the procedure is only 3 mL rather than 10 mL.", 'These measurements indicate that the mean rate of CSF production in patients with PD under age 60 was 0.47 +/- 0.13 mL/minute, in patients with PD aged 60 or older the mean rate was 0.40 +/- 0.12 mL/minute, and in patients with AD the mean rate was 0.20 +/- 0.06 mL/minute.'] Is the cerebrospinal fluid production rate reduced in dementia of the Alzheimer 's type? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6592710614204407,
-1.3140500783920288,
1.0936139822006226
] |
['Although plasma total homocysteine has been identified as an independent risk factor for vascular disease in a multitude of studies, there is a considerable overlap in values between patients at risk and control subjects. The difference in values can be used to distinguish statistically between the 2 groups, provided each group is large enough; however, discriminating between individual patients at risk and control subjects is difficult.', 'We investigated whether the precursor of homocysteine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, is a more sensitive indicator of risk.', 'We measured plasma total homocysteine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, creatinine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in 30 patients with proven cardiovascular disease and 29 age- and sex-matched control subjects.', 'The homocysteine values (+/-SD) were 12.8 +/- 4.9 (95% CI: 11.0, 14.7) micromol/L for patients and 11.0 +/- 3.2 (9.8, 12.2) micromol/L for control subjects. The S-adenosylhomocysteine values were 40.0 +/- 20.6 (32.3, 47.7) nmol/L for patients and 27.0 +/- 6.7 (24.5, 30.0) nmol/L for control subjects (P = 0.0021). The S-adenosylmethionine values were 121.8 +/- 42.9 (105.8, 137.8) nmol/L for patients and 103.9 +/- 21.8 (95.6, 112.2) nmol/L for control subjects (P = 0.0493). The creatinine values were 110 +/- 27 (97, 120) micromol/L for patients and 97 +/- 9 (80, 100) micromol/L for control subjects (P = 0.0025). Values for folate and vitamin B-12 did not differ significantly between groups.'] Is plasma S-adenosylhomocysteine a more sensitive indicator of cardiovascular disease than plasma homocysteine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.38531234860420227,
-1.6280460357666016,
1.0438482761383057
] |
['Taxanes and anthracyclines are active against breast cancer. In this study we investigated the combined antitumor activity of these drugs, with particular regard to sequence-dependency.', 'The combined antitumor activity of docetaxel and tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) against two human breast cancer xenografts was assessed using an in vitro histoculture drug-response assay. The sequence-dependency of the combined cytotoxicity was evaluated by isobologram.', 'A synergistic antitumor activity of combined docetaxel + THP was exhibited against the R-27 xenograft when docetaxel was given first or simultaneously with THP. However, this synergism was diminished when THP was used before docetaxel. While an additive effect of combined docetaxel + THP was observed against MX-1 xenograft when docetaxel was given first or simultaneously with THP, this effect was not marked using the THP/docetaxel sequence.'] Does docetaxel enhance the cytotoxicity of tetrahydropyranyladriamycin in a sequence-dependent manner? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3991711139678955,
-1.2671294212341309,
2.7282028198242188
] |
['Circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are often detected in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) but little is known about the causes of their formation.', 'We have evaluated whether ethanol mediated oxidative injury might promote the development of aPL in ALD.', 'IgG against beta(2) glycoprotein 1 (beta(2)-GP1), cardiolipin, and human serum albumin (HSA) complexed with either oxidised arachidonic acid (HSA-APP) or malondialdehyde (HSA-MDA) were assayed by ELISA in heavy drinkers with or without ALD and in healthy subjects.', 'Circulating IgG recognising cardiolipin were significantly higher in ALD patients than in controls. However, anticardiolipin reactivity of ALD sera was only evident using, as the antigen, oxidised cardiolipin but not oxidation protected cardiolipin. In ALD patients, individual values of IgG antioxidised cardiolipin were associated with the titres of antibodies against HSA-MDA and HSA-APP (r=0.68 and 0.72, respectively; p<0.0001) used as markers of oxidative stress. ALD patients also displayed increased levels of antibodies against phospholipid binding protein beta(2)-GP1, and individual reactivity towards oxidised cardiolipin and beta(2)-GP1 were highly correlated (r=0.85; p<0.0001). IgG binding to oxidised cardiolipin, HSA-MDA, and HSA-APP was also significantly higher in beta(2)-GP1 positive than in beta(2)-GP1 negative sera. However, preadsorption of beta(2)-GP1 positive sera on beta(2)-GP1 coated ELISA plates reduced reactivity to oxidised cardiolipin by 80%, without affecting that to HSA-APP or HSA-MDA.'] Do antiphospholipid antibodies associated with alcoholic liver disease specifically recognise oxidised phospholipids? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1695988178253174,
-1.487099528312683,
2.6497554779052734
] |
['To study course of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).', 'The relationship was observed between SIRS and the effect of burn injury on cellular and humoral immunity between survivors. Nonsurvivors were also compared. The gastric mucosal pHi was measured.', 'The SIRS initiated 22 hours after burn injury and peaked 3 days to 7 days postburn. Compared to the survivors significan increase of content of TNF and decrease of content of G-CSF were detected in the nonsurvivors serum. Obvious immunosuppression could be found. In patients with SIRS accompanied with infection or organ failure, marked increase of mortality was seen. The value of pHi was very low.'] Do [ The relationship between severe burn injury and systemic inflammatory response syndrome ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5159761905670166,
-0.7675418257713318,
2.3979458808898926
] |
['TXA(2) (thromboxane A(2)) is a lipid mediator believed to be produced primarily by platelets in normal subjects, although macrophages are capable of synthesis. There is increased production of TXA(2) in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), which may reflect augmented production by macrophages. The objective of this study was to determine if macrophages are activated in PPH and whether they contribute to the increased production of TXA(2).', 'Case control.', 'University hospital.', 'We measured the urinary metabolites of three mediators that predominantly derive from different cell types in vivo: (1) TX-M (platelets and macrophages), a TXA(2) metabolite; (2) prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) metabolite (PGD-M); and (3) N-methylhistamine (mast cells), a histamine metabolite, in 12 patients with PPH and 11 normal subjects.', 'The mean (+/- SEM) excretion of both TX-M and PGD-M at baseline was increased in PPH patients, compared to normal subjects (460 +/- 50 pg/mg creatinine vs 236 +/- 16 pg/mg creatinine [p = 0.0006], and 1,390 +/- 221 pg/mg creatinine vs 637 +/- 65 pg/mg creatinine [p = 0.005], respectively). N-methylhistamine excretion was not increased compared to normal subjects. There was a poor correlation between excretion of TX-M and PGD-M (r = 0.36) and between excretion of PGD-M and methylhistamine (r = 0.09) in individual patients.'] Do increased levels of prostaglandin D ( 2 ) suggest macrophage activation in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5653773546218872,
-1.6339250802993774,
2.158156394958496
] |
['We previously showed that mortality from infectious diseases among young adults in rural Gambia is strongly correlated with the season of their birth. This suggests that early life insults that involve fetal malnutrition, exposure to natural toxins, or highly seasonal infections affecting the infant or pregnant mother cause permanent damage to the immune system. Excess mortality begins after puberty and has a maximal odds ratio of >10 for deaths between ages 25 and 50 y.', 'We investigated the immune function of children according to birth weight, season of birth, and exposure to maternal dietary supplementation during pregnancy.', 'Immune function was measured in 472 prepubertal children aged 6.5-9.5 y from 28 villages in rural Gambia. The mothers of these children had been randomly assigned to a high-energy prenatal supplementation program, which significantly increased birth weight. This permitted supplementation status, birth weight, and season of birth to be investigated as exposure variables. The outcome variables tested were naive responses to rabies and pneumococcus vaccines, delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reactions, and mucosal defense (secretory immunoglobulin A and dual-sugar permeability).', 'Immune responses were strongly related to current age and sex, suggesting a high level of sensitivity, but were not consistently related to birth weight, season of birth, or maternal supplementation (control compared with intervention).'] Is immune function in rural Gambian children related to season of birth , birth size , or maternal supplementation status? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7379140853881836,
0.23385147750377655,
1.6816935539245605
] |
['To investigate the actual time of onset of osteonecrosis (ON) after high dose corticosteroid treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).', '72 patients with active SLE, who received high dose corticosteroid for the first time, for the development of ON at hips and knees were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging for at least 12 months.', 'ON lesions were detected in 32/72 patients (44%) between one and five months (3.1 months on average) after starting high dose corticosteroid treatment. No osteonecrotic lesion was newly detected from the sixth month of treatment until the end of the follow up period.'] Does osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus develop very early after starting high dose corticosteroid treatment? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.285116195678711,
-0.911647617816925,
2.2913527488708496
] |
['Estrogen is vasoprotective in animal models of vascular injury, yet the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. The role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in vascular repair is controversial, but many lines of evidence indicate that it plays a role in neointima formation after arterial injury and that 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) modulates iNOS expression. This study tested the hypothesis that E(2) reduces neointima formation after vascular injury via a mechanism that is dependent on modulation of iNOS expression.', 'Male and female wild-type (iNOS(+/+)) mice and mice with homozygous deletion of the iNOS gene (iNOS(-/-)) were studied intact (INT) or after ovariectomy (OVX) and implantation of E(2) or vehicle (V) pellets. Mice were randomized to 8 groups based on sex, iNOS status, OVX, and treatment with E(2) or V. Twenty-eight days after carotid artery ligation, mice were euthanized, and occluded vessels were evaluated for neointima formation by morphometric analysis. There was a marked sexual dimorphism in neointima formation in both the iNOS(+/+) mice and the iNOS(-/-) mice. iNOS(+/+) INT females had a >90% reduction in neointima formation compared with iNOS(+/+) males, and iNOS(-/-) INT females had a 65% reduction in neointima formation compared with iNOS(-/-) males. The sexually dimorphic response was attenuated by OVX and restored by E(2) replacement in both iNOS(+/+) and iNOS(-/-) mice.'] Is estrogen-induced vasoprotection independent of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression : evidence from the mouse carotid artery ligation model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.242130756378174,
-1.4227720499038696,
2.6018776893615723
] |
['To determine the frequency of Lewy bodies (LB) in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).', 'LB are characteristic of PD, but are also found in normal controls and in other neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD.', 'The authors evaluated the brains of 72 consecutive cases of pathologically confirmed PSP and 98 normal controls, ranging in age from 60 to 100 years, with immunohistochemistry for alpha-synuclein.', 'LB and Lewy neurites were found in 13 cases of PSP, with the most numerous LB and Lewy neurites in the basal forebrain and amygdala; most cases also had LB in the substantia nigra. The frequency of LB in the substantia nigra (12%) was comparable to the frequency of LB in controls (9%).'] Are lewy bodies increased in progressive supranuclear palsy compared with normal controls? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8234878778457642,
-1.1016240119934082,
1.9367799758911133
] |
['We were interested to know whether regional anaesthesia allowed improved respiratory function postoperatively in very low birth weight babies.', 'We performed a retrospective study to examine the association between regional anaesthesia and postoperative ventilation after herniorrhaphy in very low birth weight infants. Thirty-four prematurely born infants underwent herniorrhaphy from 1995 to 1997 at St Louis Children Hospital. Eighteen patients had general anaesthesia, 16 had regional anaesthesia. The mean gestational age was 26 weeks, mean postconceptual age at surgery was 38 weeks, mean birth weight was 860 g.', 'There was significant difference in postoperative ventilation support requirements between the two study groups (7/18 versus 1/16, P < 0.05).'] Does regional anaesthesia decrease the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation in very low birth weight infants undergoing herniorrhaphy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3874828815460205,
-0.3065482974052429,
0.7193844318389893
] |
['To examine the putative protective effect of HIV-2 infection against subsequent HIV-1 infection.', 'Retrospective analysis of data from two cross-sectional surveys in the same community.', 'Two surveys between 1989 and 1998 in a rural area in northwestern Guinea-Bissau provided data from residents aged 15-59 years. HIV testing was done in the first survey. In the second survey, tests were made for both HIV and syphilis, and data on sociodemographic factors and sexual behaviour, including commercial sex work, were gathered. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction amplification of HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral DNA was performed on serologically dually reactive samples.', 'Of the 2276 eligible adult villagers initially tested, 60% (1360) provided a second sample. Of 110 HIV-2-infected subjects, 17 became additionally infected with HIV-1 [incidence rate (IR), 26.3/1000 person-years observation]. Of the 1250 HIV-seronegative subjects, 24 became infected with HIV-1 (IR, 2.8/1000 person-years observation). The incidence rate ratio (IRR), comparing the incidence rate in HIV-2-infected people with the rate in HIV-seronegative subjects, was > 1 in all three "risk groups": men, female commercial sex workers, and other women. The overall estimate of the IRR, adjusted for age group and risk group, was 3.24 (confidence interval, 1.5-7.1).'] Does hIV-2 protect against HIV-1 infection in a rural community in Guinea-Bissau? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.364251971244812,
-0.9304828643798828,
0.43721097707748413
] |
['To evaluate long-term immune reconstitution of children treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).', 'The long-term immunological response to HAART was studied in 71 HIV-1-infected children (aged 1 month to 18 years) in two prospective, open, uncontrolled national multicentre studies. Blood samples were taken before and after HAART was initiated, with a follow-up of 96 weeks, and peripheral CD4 and CD8 T cells plus naive and memory subsets were identified in whole blood samples. Relative cell counts were calculated in relation to the median of the age-specific reference.', 'The absolute CD4 cell count and percentage and the CD4 cell count as a percentage of normal increased significantly (P < 0.001) to medians of 939 x 106 cells/l (range, 10-3520), 32% (range, 1-50) and 84% (range, 1-161), respectively, after 48 weeks. This increase was predominantly owing to naive CD4 T cells. There was a correlation between the increase of absolute naive CD4 T cell counts and age. However, when CD4 T cell restoration was studied as percentage of normal values, the inverse correlation between the increase of naive CD4 T cell count and age was not observed. In addition, no difference in immunological reconstitution was observed at any time point between virological responders and non-responders.'] Is therapeutic immune reconstitution in HIV-1-infected children independent of their age and pretreatment immune status? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.071791410446167,
-1.2826505899429321,
2.479092597961426
] |
['The aim of this study is to test the utility os serum isoamylases and isolipases as determined from patients with renal insufficiency.', 'Serum levels of isoamylases and isolipases were determined in a group of sixty-eight patients with renal disease, 32 of them suffering acute insufficiency and 36 with chronic renal failure undergoing regular hemodialysis, results obtained were compared from a population of 44 healthy adults. We used a new method for isolipases determination in serum based on its separation on agarose gel. Two forms of lipase, L1 and L2, were identified by this method and quantitated by densitometry.', 'Were found a significant increase of pancreatic isoamylase P2 and P/S isoenzymatic ratio in acute patients (p < 0.001) as chronic (p < 0.05). In both groups, the isolipase L1 activity and L1/L2 isoform ratio were showed significantly elevated (p < 0.01). We studied the relationship between isoamylases and isolipases establishing the P2/L2 ratio (normal range < 0.6) showing, in the two pathologic groups, significantly elevated values compared with the control group (p < 0.001) and a positive and significant correlation between the P2/L2 and P/S isoform ratios (r = 0.76, p < 0.05 in acute patients; r = 0.58, p < 0.05 in chronic patients).'] Do [ Isoamylases and isolipases values in the serum from patients wtih renal insufficiency ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8868211507797241,
-1.5000159740447998,
2.394911527633667
] |
['In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver fibrosis stage is a prognostic factor for therapy outcome. So far, a liver biopsy is necessary to determine disease stage accurately. We sought to develop a simple, noninvasive method of accurately predicting the degree of liver fibrosis in chronic HCV infection.', 'We retrospectively studied 211 consecutive patients with chronic HCV, who received a liver biopsy at the Liver Center of the University of California, San Diego. A total of 58 of these patients had a positive history of alcohol abuse, and we analyzed them separately in a sensitivity analysis. AST/ALT ratio and platelet counts were determined in all patients. Fibrosis was staged using the METAVIR score.', 'Both AST/ALT ratio and platelet counts correlated significantly with the disease stage (r = 0.190, p = 0.006, and r = -0.543, p < 0.00, respectively). In a sensitivity analysis, there was no correlation between AST/ALT ratio and disease stage for patients with a history of alcohol abuse. For patients without history of alcohol abuse, the correlation between disease stage, AST/ALT ratio, and platelet counts was r = 0.297, p < 0.00, and r = 0.560, p < 0.00, respectively. In these patients, AST/ALT ratio > or =1 in combination with a platelet count of <150,000/mm3 can identify patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (stages 3 and 4) with a positive predictive value of 93.1%. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value were 41.2%, 99.1%, and 85.0%, respectively. In patients with ALT/AST ratio of <1 or platelet counts of >150,000/mm3, these laboratory parameters cannot predict liver fibrosis stage.'] Does serum aminotransferase levels and platelet count as predictors of degree of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.7758409380912781,
-1.795764446258545,
1.540471076965332
] |
['The aim of the present study was to identify Treponema socranskii in addition to Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to clarify the relationship between the presence of these microorganisms and the severity of clinical periodontal parameters.', 'Saliva and subgingival plaque collected from 123 subjects (38 aggressive periodontitis patients, 65 chronic periodontitis patients, 20 healthy patients) were subjected to PCR to detect the aforementioned 3 microorganisms.', 'Detection frequencies of T. socranskii, T. denticola, and P. gingivalis in plaque samples from aggressive periodontitis patients (71.1%, 73.7%, 84.2%, respectively) and chronic periodontitis patients (89.2%, 93.8%, 95.3%) were much higher than those from healthy subjects (30%, 5.0%, 10.0%). In aggressive and chronic periodontitis patients, these 3 species of bacteria were detected frequently at sites that showed deep periodontal pockets and severe attachment loss. The percentage of these bacteria-positive sites increased as the gingival index score of chronic periodontitis patients increased. T. socranskii was frequently detected together with T. denticola or P. gingivalis at the same sites, and coexistence of these microorganisms was frequently observed in deep periodontal pockets of aggressive periodontitis patients.'] Are treponema socranskii , Treponema denticola , and Porphyromonas gingivalis associated with severity of periodontal tissue destruction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3879292011260986,
-1.1892468929290771,
2.709566593170166
] |
['Ultrasonography has been used as a non-invasive approach to measure skin thickness. To date there have been no studies on diurnal variations in skin thickness.', 'To evaluate diurnal variations in skin thickness and to compare these with corresponding echogenicity and skin elasticity.', 'Measurements by ultrasonography B-mode and by Cutometer SEM 575 were carried out in the morning and in the afternoon on 20 men and 20 women (mean age 30 years) on three areas of the face (forehead, corner of the eye and cheek), the forearm and the upper arm, and the flank, thigh and calf.', 'From the morning to the afternoon, the skin thickness in both sexes significantly decreased on three areas of the face, the forearm and the upper arm, but significantly increased on the thigh and calf. In parallel, the echogenicity significantly increased from the morning to the afternoon on the three areas of the face, the forearm and the upper arm, but decreased significantly on the thigh and calf. Measurements of mechanical properties at four sites demonstrated that from the morning to the afternoon, the major parameters of skin elasticity Ue* and Uf* increased significantly in both sexes on two areas of the face and slightly on the forearm, but decreased significantly on the calf.'] Is dermal fluid translocation an important determinant of the diurnal variation in human skin thickness? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.474404811859131,
-0.9434424042701721,
2.51789927482605
] |
['Despite the enormous increase in sunscreen use, allergic contact (AC) and photoallergic (PA) reactions to ultraviolet (UV) filters are considered rare.', "To analyse the data from 2715 patients who underwent photopatch testing at St John's Institute of Dermatology during the period 1983-98.", 'A retrospective analysis of all positive photopatch test episodes was undertaken with the results retrieved from the environmental dermatology database and further verified with the original archived patch test documentation for each individual patient.', 'In 111 patients with positive reactions (4.1%), there were 155 AC or PA reactions to allergens in the photopatch test series. Eighty PA reactions were observed in 62 (2.3%) patients (32 men and 30 women, age range 28-75 years), with UV filters accounting for 52 positive reactions (65%), drugs 16 (20%), musk ambrette 11 (14%) and the antiseptic trichlorocarbanilide one (1%). The most common UV filter photoallergen was benzophenone-3 with 14 positive results, followed by benzophenone-10 (n = 9), isopropyl dibenzoylmethane (n = 6), p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) (n = 5), octyl dimethyl PABA (n = 5), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (n = 4), isoamyl methoxycinnamate (n = 2), ethyl methoxycinnamate (n = 2), octyl methoxycinnamate (n = 2), amyl dimethyl PABA (n = 2) and phenylbenzimidazole sulphonic acid (n = 1). A similar number of AC reactions to UV filters was detected in this study. Thus 49 patients (1.8%) had a total of 75 reactions: 51 due to UV filters and 24 as a result of exposure to fragrances and therapeutic agents. Benzophenone-10 accounted for 13 AC reactions and benzophenone-3 for eight reactions. Twenty-two patients had a PA reaction alone, whereas 19 patients had chronic actinic dermatitis and 15 patients polymorphic light eruption (PLE) in addition. Thus, 34 of the 62 patients (55%) had a preceding underlying photodermatosis.'] Is photoallergic contact dermatitis uncommon? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.944551706314087,
-1.5104371309280396,
2.497282028198242
] |
['Keratins are a multigene family of intermediate filament proteins that are differentially expressed in specific epithelial tissues. To date, no type II keratins specific for the inner root sheath of the human hair follicle have been identified.', 'To characterize a novel type II keratin in mice and humans.', 'Gene sequences were aligned and compared by BLAST analysis. Genomic DNA and mRNA sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed by direct sequencing. Gene expression was analysed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in mouse and human tissues. A rabbit polyclonal antiserum was raised against a C-terminal peptide derived from the mouse K6irs protein. Protein expression in murine tissues was examined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence.', "Analysis of human expressed sequence tag (EST) data generated by the Human Genome Project revealed a fragment of a novel cytokeratin mRNA with characteristic amino acid substitutions in the 2B domain. No further human ESTs were found in the database; however, the complete human gene was identified in the draft genome sequence and several mouse ESTs were identified, allowing assembly of the murine mRNA. Both species' mRNA sequences and the human gene were confirmed experimentally by PCR and direct sequencing. The human gene spans more than 16 kb of genomic DNA and is located in the type II keratin cluster on chromosome 12q. A comprehensive immunohistochemical survey of expression in the adult mouse by immunofluorescence revealed that this novel keratin is expressed only in the inner root sheath of the hair follicle. Immunoblotting of murine epidermal keratin extracts revealed that this protein is specific to the anagen phase of the hair cycle, as one would expect of an inner root sheath marker. In humans, expression of this keratin was confirmed by RT-PCR using mRNA derived from plucked anagen hairs and epidermal biopsy material. By this means, strong expression was detected in human hair follicles from scalp and eyebrow. Expression was also readily detected in human palmoplantar epidermis; however, no expression was detected in face skin despite the presence of fine hairs histologically."] Is keratin K6irs specific to the inner root sheath of hair follicles in mice and humans? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2979986667633057,
-1.3214163780212402,
2.701930522918701
] |
['Besides surgery, treatment of rectal cancer increasingly comprises (neo-)adjuvant strategies. To optimise the selection process for these therapy regimens especially in the field of cellular and molecular biology, new prognostic factors besides the established TNM system are being investigated.', 'Retrospectively, two groups of patients (n = 2 x 85) with rectal carcinoma curatively treated by surgery alone were studied (median follow-up: 6.1 years). The patients were selected to be free of local disease, in order to exclude surgical influence. Patient groups were matched for age, gender, UICC stage and year of operation (1982-1991) and differed only in subsequent metachronous distant metastatic spread, the criterion to be studied. The factors to be investigated in uni- and multivariate analysis were angiogenesis, density of dendritic cells, grading, venous and lymphatic invasion.', 'Grading always proved to be the only significant prognostic factor (P < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, absent venous invasion also correlated significantly with increased disease-free survival (P = 0.0170).'] Do [ Angiogenesis and density of dendritic cells correlate with metachronous distant metastases after curative surgery of rectal carcinoma ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4356672763824463,
-1.1720249652862549,
2.7395219802856445
] |
['To report the clinical, auditory, and vestibular characteristics of a nonsyndromic otovestibular dysfunction in a large Belgian family caused by a missense mutation of the DFNA9 gene: COCH.', 'Retrospective study of the clinical, audiologic, and vestibular data of 60 genetically affected cases.', 'Tertiary referral center.', 'All members of a Belgian kindred who carry the genetic (P51S) defect linked to the inherited hearing and vestibular impairment.', 'Diagnostic otologic, audiometric, and vestibular analysis and imaging.', 'Pure tone audiometry, supraliminary audiometry. and vestibular investigation.', 'The autosomal dominant inherited impairment was characterized by peripheral degeneration of the inner ear, leading to total deafness and bilateral vestibular areflexia.'] Is hereditary otovestibular dysfunction and Ménière 's disease in a large Belgian family caused by a missense mutation in the COCH gene? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.711557626724243,
-0.872279703617096,
2.6846866607666016
] |
['Recent evidence points to a relationship between the down-regulation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) and parathyroid cell hyperplasia that is associated with chronic renal failure. It is not known, however, if down-regulation of the CaR precedes, and perhaps initiates, parathyroid cell proliferation, or if a decrease in the expression of the CaR occurs subsequently to hyperplasia or the conditions promoting it. The current study examined the temporal relationship of these two events.', 'Rats were made uremic by subtotal nephrectomy and were (1) placed immediately on a high phosphate (HP) diet that promotes parathyroid gland hyperplasia, or (2) maintained on a low phosphate (LP) diet that inhibits development of secondary hyperparathyroidism before being switched to the HP diet. Serum chemistries and parathyroid gland (PTG) weights were examined; CaR content and parathyroid cell proliferation (PCNA/Ki-67) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.', 'When rats were nephrectomized and placed immediately on a HP diet, parathyroid cell proliferation was significantly increased by day 2 and continued to increase at day 4. CaR content was unchanged at 1 and 2 days post-nephrectomy, but fell by day 4. When nephrectomized rats were maintained for 1 week on a LP diet, then switched to a HP diet, an increase in parathyroid cell proliferation was again seen at day 2; down-regulation of the CaR did not occur until after 7 days of uremia and the HP diet.'] Does parathyroid hyperplasia in uremic rats precede down-regulation of the calcium receptor? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.498896360397339,
-0.9515524506568909,
2.4960508346557617
] |
['Accumulation of mesangial extracellular matrix is a major characteristic of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Expression of several extracellular matrix proteins is up-regulated in human mesangial cells (HMC) cultured in high glucose. One protein, fibronectin (FN), associates to form an insoluble disulfide-linked matrix and possesses inherent protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) activity. Bacitracin is a known PDI inhibitor. We tested the hypothesis that inhibiting FN-PDI activity with bacitracin would disrupt excessive FN-matrix assembly by cultured HMCs grown under high glucose conditions.', 'The effect of bacitracin on FN-PDI activity was tested using an RNase-refolding assay. High glucose cultures of HMC were labeled with (3)H-leucine, with and without bacitracin, and (3)H-FN immunoprecipitated from the medium and sequential extracts of cell layers to distinguish insoluble FN. FN transcription was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Pericellular FN-matrix was examined by immunohistology.', 'Bacitracin inhibited the PDI activity of FN, with maximal inhibition at 1.0 mmol/L. Treatment of HMC cultures grown in high glucose with bacitracin brought about changes in the distribution of newly synthesized FN. With increasing concentrations of bacitracin there was a significant reduction in the level of FN present as an insoluble matrix of HMC cultures maintained in high glucose, and a corresponding increase in FN in medium. Decreases in FN matrix laid down by HMCs treated with different concentrations of bacitracin were seen by immunohistology. FN mRNA levels were unchanged.'] Does bacitracin inhibit fibronectin matrix assembly by mesangial cells in high glucose? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3968851566314697,
-1.3591430187225342,
2.7673678398132324
] |
["Autoimmunity to kidney antigens causes membranous nephropathy and Goodpasture's disease and very likely is pivotal in many other glomerular diseases. We investigated the potential for central tolerance to the best-characterized kidney autoantigen, the NC1 domain of the alpha3 chain of type IV collagen [alpha3(IV)NC1], which is the target of autoimmune attack in Goodpasture's disease.", 'Indirect immunofluorescence on human thymus and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis of cDNA reverse transcribed from RNA extracted from human thymus and kidney.', "Indirect immunofluorescence on human thymus demonstrated the presence of alpha3(IV)NC1 in all six thymus samples examined. The homologous collagen IV chain, alpha5(IV)NC1, also was detected with a similar intra-thymic distribution. Strikingly, thymic alpha3 and alpha5 localized around and within Hassall's corpuscles in the thymic medulla, which are structures implicated in T cell apoptosis and possibly negative selection. In contrast, alpha1(IV)NC1 localized to the basement membranes of interlobular septa and blood vessels, as is typical of collagen IV chains situated outside the thymus. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed the presence of mRNA encoding alpha3(IV)NC1 and alpha5(IV)NC1 in thymic tissue establishing that the antigens were likely to have been synthesized locally."] Is the Goodpasture antigen expressed in the human thymus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.406881093978882,
-1.309727430343628,
2.866048812866211
] |
['The interaction between the surfaces of renal epithelial cells and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD), the most common crystal in human urine, was studied to identify critical determinants of kidney stone formation.', 'A novel technique utilizing vapor diffusion of oxalic acid was employed to nucleate COD crystals onto the apical surface of living cells. Confluent monolayers were grown in the inner 4 wells of 24-well culture plates. To identify cell surface molecules that regulate crystal nucleation, cells were pretreated with a protease (trypsin or proteinase K) to alter cell surface proteins, neuraminidase to alter cell surface sialoglycoconjugates, or buffer alone. COD crystals were nucleated on the surface of cells by diffusion of oxalic acid vapor into a calcium-containing buffer overlying the cells. Crystal face-specific nucleation was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy.', 'Nucleation and growth of a COD crystal onto an untreated control cell occurred almost exclusively via its (001) face, an event rarely observed during COD crystallization. In contrast, when COD crystals were nucleated onto protease- or neuraminidase-treated cells, they did so via the (100) face of the crystal.'] Do sialic acid-containing glycoproteins on renal cells determine nucleation of calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.582399845123291,
-1.001708745956421,
2.70674991607666
] |
['To investigate the effects of mode and place of delivery on first mother-infant contact and maternal emotional wellbeing.', 'A prospective, longitudinal study.', 'A sociodemographically representative sample of 203 consecutive primiparous women was recruited, of whom 81% (n = 164) were followed up.', 'Four metropolitan hospitals, including one accredited baby friendly hospital, in Melbourne, Australia, 1997.', 'During the postnatal hospital stay women were interviewed and medical records were inspected.', 'completed two self-report psychometric measures: the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Profile of Moods States (POMS). Follow up at eight months postpartum comprised completion of a postal questionnaire and repeat administration of the standardised self-report psychometric mood questionnaires.', 'The First Contact Index provides a measure of the first contact between a mother and her baby after the birth. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in First Contact Index between three modes of delivery groups: spontaneous, instrumentally-assisted, and caesarean section (P < 0.001) and four hospital of delivery groups (P < 0.001), but there was no significant interaction effect (P = 0.55). Significant negative correlations existed between the First Contact Index and both the POMS and EPDS scores at two days postpartum (POMS, r = -0.339, 95% Cl -0.46 to -0.22; EPDS, r = -0.279, 95% CI -0.41 to -0.16), even within delivery groups, and these were still present at eight months postpartum (POMS, r = -0.298, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.14, EPDS, r = -0.206, 95% CI -0.36 to -0.03).'] Is operative intervention in delivery associated with compromised early mother-infant interaction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9219890832901,
-1.2347092628479004,
2.2220115661621094
] |
['The Notch receptor triggers a wide range of cell fate choices in higher organisms. In Drosophila, segregation of neural from epidermal lineages results from competition among equivalent cells. These cells express achaete/scute genes, which confer neural potential. During lateral inhibition, a single neural precursor is selected, and neighboring cells are forced to adopt an epidermal fate. Lateral inhibition relies on proteolytic cleavage of Notch induced by the ligand Delta and translocation of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to the nuclei of inhibited cells. The activated NICD, interacting with Suppressor of Hairless [Su(H)], stimulates genes of the E(spl) complex, which in turn repress the proneural genes achaete/scute.', 'Here, we describe new alleles of Notch that specifically display loss of microchaetae sensory precursors. This phenotype arises from a repression of neural fate, by a Notch signaling distinct from that involved in lateral inhibition. We show that the loss of sensory organs associated with this phenotype results from a constitutive activation of a Deltex-dependent Notch-signaling event. These novel Notch alleles encode truncated receptors lacking the carboxy terminus of the NICD, which is the binding site for the repressor Dishevelled (Dsh). Dsh is known to be involved in crosstalk between Wingless and Notch pathways.'] Do novel Notch alleles reveal a Deltex-dependent pathway repressing neural fate? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.586026430130005,
-0.9444763660430908,
2.5913901329040527
] |
['The PEA3 Ets transcription factor is overexpressed in the vast majority of human breast tumors and in nearly all of those of the HER2/Neu-positive subclass. PEA3 is also overexpressed in various transgenic mouse models of this disease. Whether PEA3 plays an essential role in HER2/Neu-mediated oncogenesis has heretofore not been addressed.', 'Here, we report that each of the three highly related ets genes of the pea3 subfamily (pea3, er81, and erm) were coordinately overexpressed in mammary tumors of MMTV-neu transgenic mice. Other ets genes normally expressed in the mammary gland were not upregulated in these tumors. Expression of a dominant-negative pea3 transgene under the control of the MMTV promoter in mammary epithelial cells of MMTV-neu transgenic mice dramatically delayed the onset of mammary tumors and reduced the number and size of such tumors in individual mice. Those tumors that arose in bitransgenic mice expressed the MMTV-neu transgene, but not the MMTV-dominant-negative pea3 transgene.'] Are the pea3 subfamily ets genes required for HER2/Neu-mediated mammary oncogenesis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.417358636856079,
-0.7546988129615784,
2.1665616035461426
] |
['The nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors directs gene expression through DNA sequence-specific interactions with target genes. Nuclear import of these receptors involves recognition of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) by importins, which mediate translocation into the nucleus. Nuclear receptors lack a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES), and export is insensitive to leptomycin B, indicating that nuclear export is not mediated by Crm1.', 'We set out to define the NES in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and to characterize the export pathway. We found that the 69 amino acid DNA binding domain (DBD) of GR, which is unrelated to any known NES, is necessary and sufficient for export. Mutational analysis revealed that a 15 amino acid sequence between the two zinc binding loops in the GR-DBD confers nuclear export to a GFP reporter protein, and alanine-scanning mutagenesis was used to identify the residues within this sequence that are critical for export. The DBD is highly related (41%-88% identity) in steroid, nonsteroid, and orphan nuclear receptors, and we found that the DBDs from ten different nuclear receptors all function as export signals. DBD-dependent nuclear export is saturable, and prolonged nuclear localization of the GR increases its transcriptional activity.'] Do dNA binding domains in diverse nuclear receptors function as nuclear export signals? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4354422092437744,
-0.8512505292892456,
2.27980375289917
] |
['Recent studies have demonstrated that systemic pharmacological induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the inducible isoform of the initial and rate-limiting enzyme for heme catabolism, attenuates neointima formation after experimental vascular injury. We have now investigated the ability of localized adenovirus-mediated HO-1 (Ad-HO-1) gene delivery to modify arterial remodeling after balloon angioplasty.', 'Two weeks after balloon angioplasty in the rat carotid artery, elevated HO-1 protein was observed in the Ad-HO-1 arteries compared with those exposed to empty adenovirus (Ad-E) or to PBS. The arteries exposed to Ad-HO-1 exhibited significantly reduced neointimal area, medial wall area, neointimal area/medial wall area ratio, and neointimal thickness compared with arteries exposed to Ad-E. The Ad-E vessels showed subtle reductions in each morphometric parameter compared with PBS vessels. In a separate group of animals, concomitant treatment of Ad-HO-1 with the HO-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin completely restored each morphometric parameter to control levels. Arteries exposed to Ad-HO-1 demonstrated significantly increased TUNEL labeling of apoptotic nuclei and significantly decreased PCNA labeling of DNA synthesis in the medial wall 48 hours after injury.'] Does adenovirus-mediated heme oxygenase-1 gene delivery inhibit injury-induced vascular neointima formation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.512666940689087,
-1.3063076734542847,
2.8658132553100586
] |
['During maximal hyperemia, capillaries provide the greatest resistance to flow. A major determinant of capillary resistance is viscosity. We, therefore, hypothesized that abnormal coronary blood flow (CBF) reserve observed during hyperlipidemia is secondary to increased blood viscosity and not abnormal coronary vasomotion.', 'Maximal hyperemia was induced in 9 dogs using adenosine. Serum triglyceride levels were increased by incremental doses of Intralipid. A good correlation was noted between serum triglyceride levels and blood viscosity (r=0.82). Neither total coronary blood volume nor myocardial blood volume changed with increasing serum triglyceride levels, indicating lack of vasomotion. Myocardial vascular resistance (MVR) increased with increasing triglyceride levels (r=0.84), while hyperemic myocardial blood flow (MBF) decreased (r=-0.64). The decrease in hyperemic MBF was associated with a decrease in blood velocity (r=-0.56). These findings were confirmed with direct intravital microscopic observations in the mice cremaster muscle.'] Is decrease in coronary blood flow reserve during hyperlipidemia secondary to an increase in blood viscosity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.294529438018799,
-1.3051973581314087,
2.6737546920776367
] |
['Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion both in vivo and in vitro. Ghrelin is mainly produced in and released from the stomach but it is probably also produced in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Whether pituitary GH release is under the control of ghrelin from the stomach and/or from the arcuate nucleus is not known. Moreover, no data on the feedback of GH on systemic ghrelin concentrations are available. It has recently been suggested that ghrelin may induce obesity.', 'In this study, we addressed the following two questions: a) are circulating ghrelin levels increased in human GH deficiency (GHD), and b) does GH treatment modify ghrelin levels in human GHD?', 'The study group consisted of 23 patients with GHD. Eighteen had developed adult-onset GHD and five had developed GHD in their childhood (childhood-onset GHD). Ghrelin was measured with a commercially available radioimmunoassay. All measurements were performed twice, first at baseline, before the start of GH replacement therapy, and then again after one year of therapy. GH doses were adjusted every 3 months, targeting serum total IGF-I levels within the normal gender- and age-related reference values for the healthy population. Maintenance doses were continued once the target serum total IGF-I levels were reached.', 'The sum of skinfolds and body water increased significantly, body fat mass and percentage body fat decreased significantly and body mass index and waist-hip ratio were not significantly changed by one year of GH replacement therapy. Before the start of GH replacement therapy, mean value and range for fasting ghrelin in the studied GHD subjects tended to be lower in comparison with healthy subjects in the control group although the difference did not reach significance (GHD ghrelin mean 67.8 pmol/l, range 37.6-116.3 pmol/l; control mean 83.8 pmol/l, range 35.4-132 pmol/l; P=0.11). One year of GH replacement therapy did not modify circulating ghrelin levels (ghrelin before GH therapy: 67.8 pmol/l, range 37.6-116.3 pmol/l; after GH therapy: 65.3 pmol/l, range 35.8-112.6; P=0.56).'] Are systemic ghrelin levels in subjects with growth hormone deficiency modified by one year of growth hormone replacement therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5484367609024048,
-1.5241791009902954,
1.9871020317077637
] |
['The Finnish orthopaedic tradition has preferred hemiarthroplasty to internal fixation in femoral neck fracture treatment, while in Sweden internal fixation has been the method of choice. We decided to study whether internal fixation would prove superior to hemiarthroplasty even in displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years old.', 'We randomized 32 displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years old to receive internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty.', 'Fifteen (47%) patients died within two years. Seven of 16 (44%) patients in the internal fixation group were reoperated, none in the hemiarthroplasty group (p = 0.007). Seven of the complications in the internal fixation group developed during the first year and it would have been unethical to continue the study.'] Is thompson hemiarthroplasty superior to Ullevaal screws in treating displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over 75 years . A prospective randomized study with two-year follow-up? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9131444692611694,
-0.8776772618293762,
1.849674105644226
] |
['Estramustine phosphate (EMP) is an oral cytotoxic agent that depolymerizes tubuline, a mechanism of action that has been revisited during the last decade. Because of its lack of haematological toxicity and favourable tolerance profile, EMP is a good candidate for palliative chemotherapy. The aim of the study was to assess its tolerance and efficacy in advanced breast cancer after failure with usual regimens.', 'Patients with a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks and bi-dimensionally measurable disease having received at least 1 line of chemotherapy (including taxanes and/or anthracyclines) for advanced breast cancer (ABC) were eligible. EMP was given daily at a dose of 10 mg/kg until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal to continue chemotherapy.', 'Forty patients were included between June 1998 and December 1999. Patients had previously received one to eight chemotherapy regimens (median is two) for ABC. Twenty-two patients (55%) had visceral involvement and eighteen patients (45%) had osseous, chest wall or soft tissue metastases. Adverse events leading to early interruption of EMP were grade 2 allergy (n = 1), grade 2-3 nausea (n = 6), deep-vein thrombosis (n = 1), grade 3 sepsis (n = 1). One patient died at twenty-four weeks from pulmonary embolism, and another at fourteen weeks from unknown cause. Seven objective responses were observed (17.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6%-30%). Median time to failure was 24 weeks (14-52+) in responding patients. All objective responses but one were observed in patients with visceral metastases. In 10 other patients (25%), disease remained stable with a median time to failure of 27 weeks (16-50); 6 of these experienced a decrease of consumption of analgesics or an improvement of performance status.'] Is single-agent estramustine phosphate ( EMP ) active in advanced breast cancer after failure with anthracyclines and taxanes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5295827388763428,
-1.6481996774673462,
2.1384315490722656
] |
['The anti-arthritic properties of FK506 were compared with methotrexate (MTX) in established adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats.', 'Female Lewis rats.', 'Arthritic rats were orally administered with FK506 (1-5.6 mg/kg) and MTX (0.1-1 mg/kg) from days 15-24.', 'Arthritis was induced by injection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the right hind footpad on day 0. Efficacy was determined on the basis of paw inflammation measured by paw volume and histological change, hyperalgesia and grip strength. Grip strength measurement was employed as an indication of function of paws in arthritic rats. Peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts and thymus weights were measured, mainly as indicators of toxic side effects.', 'FK506 suppressed paw inflammation and hyperalgesia without toxic effects on WBC and thymus in established AIA. MTX slightly suppressed paw inflammation and hyperalgesia at the highest dose (1 mg/kg). Toxic effects were observed at lower doses than the effective treatment dose with MTX. Grip strength was found to decrease during development of AIA. FK506, but not MTX, treated rats recovered grip strength loss.'] Is fK506 superior to methotrexate in therapeutic effects on advanced stage of rat adjuvant-induced arthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.118486166000366,
-1.3727331161499023,
2.5125322341918945
] |
['The doses given to the intima, media, and adventitia are very crucial quantities in intravascular brachytherapy. To facilitate accurate computerized treatment planning calculations, we have determined dose distributions in away-and-along table format around an 192Ir wire source and developed pertinent dosimetric parameters in cylindrical coordinates.', 'The Monte Carlo method (MCNP4C code) was used to calculate the dose distributions for the AngioRad 192Ir wire source (model SL-77HS, Interventional Therapies). The calculations were carried out for photon, beta, and electron (conversion and Auger) contributions for radial distances from 0.03 to 2.0 cm with 0.01-cm increments, and up to 2.24 cm from the source center in the longitudinal direction with 0.04-cm resolution. Dose rate values are determined in away-and-along format (cylindrical coordinates) and then converted to spherical coordinate format. Dosimetric parameters, such as the geometry factor, G(r, theta), and anisotropy function, F(r, theta), are generated in both cylindrical (R, Z, phi) and spherical (r, theta, phi) coordinates. The use of a cylindrical coordinate system for treatment planning parameters is proposed as a more suitable approach for accurate calculations.', 'The photon contribution to dose varies nearly inversely with radial distance (from the source center) along the perpendicular bisector with 0.199 x 10(-3) cGy U(-1) s(-1) (0.802 cGy Ci(-1) s(-1)) at 1 cm. The beta and electron contributions start at very high values of about 35.5 x 10(-3) cGy U(-1) s(-1) and 11.0 x 10(-3) cGy U(-1) s(-1), respectively, at 0.03 cm and fall off exponentially to negligible amount near 0.2 cm. The total dose rate at 0.2 cm is 1.428 x 10(-3) cGy U(-1) s(-1) (5.754 cGy Ci(-1) s(-1)). The radial dose function, g(R), is nearly unity between 0.2 cm and 2 cm. Due to the beta and electron dose contributions, g(R) increases steeply to 5.5 as radial distance decreases from 0.2 cm down to 0.03 cm. The F(R, Z) values are close to unity for the majority of the region of interest. In contrast, F(r, theta) experiences a steep rise as shallow angles are approached (closer to the source), related to the beta dose contributions. Accurate treatment planning calculations would be possible with linear interpolation of F(R, Z), but difficult with F(r, theta) in the spherical coordinate system and the original normalization point as recommended in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 60 (AAPM TG-60) formalism.'] Does the use of cylindrical coordinate for treatment planning parameters of an elongated 192Ir source? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9034122824668884,
-1.7730234861373901,
1.82053804397583
] |
['In conventional treatment planning for permanent I-125 prostate implants, it has been suggested that lower seed activities result in more homogeneous dose distributions and also less overdose of the critical structures. We sought to determine if this hypothesis holds by analyzing treatment plans constructed using an automated optimized approach.', 'We studied treatment plans for 10 patients using mixed-integer programming and the branch-and-bound method. Two mixed-integer models (that yielded somewhat different treatment plans) were developed: a "basic" model and a "dose homogeneity" model. For each resulting treatment plan, we examined dose homogeneity (by evaluating the dose non-uniformity ratio [DNR] and the full-width half-maximum [FWHM] of the differential dose-volume histogram [DVH]) as a function of three different source activities (0.35 mCi, 0.44 mCi, and 0.66 mCi). In addition, target coverage and critical structure dose distributions were evaluated. Plans using multiple source activities were also evaluated for resulting dose inhomogeneities.', 'The homogeneity model results in a more homogeneous dose distribution than the basic model. DNR is lowered by an average of 42% (standard deviation [SD] = 19%), 39% (SD = 21%), and 33% (SD = 21%) for the 0.35 mCi, 0.44 mCi, and 0.66 mCi seeds, respectively, when the homogeneity model is employed over the basic model. Corresponding average decreases in the FWHM of the DVH for 0.35 mCi, 0.44 mCi, and 0.66 mCi, respectively, are 29 Gy (SD = 28 Gy), 24 Gy (SD = 22 Gy), and 27 Gy (SD = 13 Gy). Seeds of 0.35 mCi and 0.44 mCi result in the lowest DNR and narrower FWHM of the DVH relative to 0.66 mCi seeds. In general, the 0.44 mCi seeds produce greater target coverage and require fewer seeds and needles than the 0.35 mCi seeds. Although 0.66 mCi seeds result in the greatest target coverage, they yield highest critical structure doses. They also yield solutions requiring the least number of seeds and needles. However, the dose distributions from 0.66 mCi seeds are highly inhomogeneous. Multiple source activities in the same treatment plan produce dose distributions that are comparable in homogeneity to 0.44 mCi seed implants.'] Do dose homogeneity as a function of source activity in optimized I-125 prostate implant treatment plans? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6816045641899109,
-1.8005739450454712,
1.5071029663085938
] |
['We administered antioxidant vitamins to rabbits with pacing-induced cardiomyopathy to assess whether antioxidant therapy retards the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF).', 'Although oxidative stress is increased in CHF, whether progression of heart failure could be prevented or reduced by antioxidants is not known.', 'Rabbits with chronic cardiac pacing and sham operation were randomized to receive a combination of beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol alone or placebo over eight weeks. Echocardiography was used to measure cardiac function weekly. Resting hemodynamics and in vivo myocardial beta-adrenergic responsiveness were studied at week 8. Animals were then sacrificed for measuring myocardial beta-receptor density, norepinephrine (NE) uptake-1 site density, sympathetic neuronal marker profiles, tissue-reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio and oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).', 'Rapid cardiac pacing increased myocardial oxidative stress as evidenced by reduced myocardial GSH/GSSG ratio and increased oxidized mtDNA and produced cardiac dysfunction, beta-adrenergic subsensitivity, beta-receptor downregulation, diminished sympathetic neurotransmitter profiles and reduced NE uptake-1 carrier density. A combination of antioxidant vitamins reduced the myocardial oxidative stress, attenuated cardiac dysfunction and prevented myocardial beta-receptor downregulation and sympathetic nerve terminal dysfunction. Administration of alpha-tocopherol alone produced similar effects, but the effects were less marked than those produced by the three vitamins together. Vitamins produced no effects in sham-operated animals.'] Do antioxidant vitamins attenuate oxidative stress and cardiac dysfunction in tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5199549198150635,
-1.2501146793365479,
2.76176118850708
] |
['Structural requirements for the beta1 integrin functions in cell adhesion, spreading and signaling have been well documented mainly for fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the reason for the reduced surface expression of beta1 integrin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells compared to normal human breast epithelial (HBE) cells, both of which adhered to collagen type IV.', 'The beta1 integrin immunoprecipitates from either HBE or MCF-7 cells involved alpha-actinin while actin coprecipitated with beta1 integrin from HBE cells but not from MCF-7 cells. Immunoblotting using the anti-phosphotyrosine (PY) antibody indicated the phosphorylation of beta1 integrin at least at tyrosine in both cells. Dephosphorylation of beta1 integrin from HBE cells by protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), but not by protein serine/threonine phosphatase (PP), caused dissociation of actin from beta1 integrin, although dephosphorylation of it from MCF-7 cells by either PTP or PP caused association of the two proteins. In MCF-7 cells beta1 integrin coprecipitated doublet of proteins having the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II activity that was susceptible to KN-62, a specific inhibitor of CaMKII.'] Is the linkage between beta1 integrin and the actin cytoskeleton differentially regulated by tyrosine and serine/threonine phosphorylation of beta1 integrin in normal and cancerous human breast cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4413201808929443,
-1.303641438484192,
2.830986976623535
] |
['Following cleavage by caspase 8, the C-terminus of Bid translocates from the cytosol to the mitochondria that is dependent upon structures formed by the mitochondrial-specific lipid cardiolipin. Once associated with mitochondria, truncated Bid (tBid) causes the potent release of cytochrome c, endonuclease G, and smac.', 'We investigated whether tBid localizes specifically to the contact sites of mitochondria purported to be rich in cardiolipin. A point mutation changing the glycine at position 94 to glutamic acid in the BH3 domain of tBid (tBidG94E) was principally used because mitochondria treated with this mutant tBid displayed better preservation of the outer membrane than those treated with wild type tBid. Additionally, tBidG94E lowers the cytochrome c releasing activity of tBid without affecting its targeting to mitochondria. Electron microscope tomography coupled with immunogold labeling was used as a new hybrid technique to investigate the three-dimensional distributions of tBid and tBidG94E around the mitochondrial periphery. The statistics of spatial point patterns was used to analyze the association of these proteins with contact sites.'] Does the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member tBid localize to mitochondrial contact sites? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4667422771453857,
-1.1950255632400513,
2.738473653793335
] |
['Diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma is difficult and frequently delayed owing to the insidious, non-specific nature of the symptoms. We present our experience with surgery for this rare disease.', 'Between 1995 and 1998, four patients underwent surgery for pulmonary trunk sarcomas. They presented with similar symptoms and were initially treated for thromboembolic disease of the lung. Preoperative diagnosis was established using computer tomography and echocardiography. Postoperatively, two patients received radiotherapy and one combined radio-/chemotherapy.', 'One patient underwent thrombendarteriectomy of the trunk with adjuvant radiotherapy and remains tumor-free after three years and one showed complete regression of metastases after chemotherapy and remains well after more than one year. The other two patients died within two months of surgery, one due to a tumor mass in the inferior caval vein and the other because of cerebral metastases.'] Does combined resection and adjuvant therapy improve prognosis of sarcomas of the pulmonary trunk? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.619406223297119,
-0.8994014859199524,
2.5532712936401367
] |
['Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare disease, and it is often confused with other diseases since the symptoms, abdominal pain, paresis and depression are rather common. The disease most often becomes manifest after puberty, but cases in childhood have been described. The present paper deals with a child with onset of acute intermittent porphyria at eight years of age.', 'This case story is based on journals from different hospitals and the diary of the father of the boy. The analytical methods are those commonly used at the National Centre for Porphyria in Norway.', 'Six years passed from the debut of symptoms to the diagnosis acute intermittent porphyria was obtained, and the boy has now permanent paresis. Further examination of the family disclosed that both his father and brother were affected.'] Is [ Acute intermittent porphyria a difficult diagnosis -- especially in children ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.5035979747772217,
1.4461421966552734,
0.17835260927677155
] |
['Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis is a disorder, the precise etiology and pathomechanism of which remain unknown. An elevated sleep arousal threshold leading to deep sleep, and an amplitude disturbance in circadian arginine vasopressin secretion and urine production have been suggested as possible causes of the disease. The pineal hormone melatonin is allegedly implicated in the physiological sleep mechanism and circadian system. Melatonin serum levels are high at night and low during the day. The major metabolite of melatonin, 6-hydroxy-melatonin-sulfate (aMT6s), is excreted in the urine and is a good indicator of its production. We explore whether alterations in melatonin secretion assessed by its aMT6s excretion might be implicated in the pathomechanism of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.', 'Urine was collected for 24-hour periods from 44 children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, 10 children with other forms of enuresis/incontinence (nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis) and 25 controls, and its aMT6s concentration was estimated using a commercially available radioimmunoassay. The total amount of aMT6s excreted per day was calculated.', 'We found no significant differences in the amount of aMT6s excreted in a 24-hour period among patients with or without monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and controls with values of 17.6 microg. (1st to 3rd percentile 10.0 to 27.8) versus 13.4 (9.1 to 19.6) versus 21.5 (13.5 to 31.4), respectively. If aMT6s excretion was related to body weight, the result did not change.'] Is melatonin production similar in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis or other forms of enuresis/incontinence and in controls? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5784615278244019,
-1.5276179313659668,
2.036161422729492
] |
['Fetal cells have been demonstrated in the active lesions of adult women with systemic sclerosis. Because the juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIM) share clinical and histopathological features with systemic sclerosis and graft-vs-host disease, we explored the possibility that maternal cells persist and play a role in the pathogenesis of JIIM.', 'DNA samples extracted from peripheral blood of 28 JIIM patients (14 females, 14 males) and 23 healthy controls were assessed for microchimerism by the HLA Cw polymerase chain reaction method. HLA Cw alleles from eight mothers and three healthy siblings of JIIM patients were also examined.', 'A microchimeric allele was identified in 19 of 26 JIIM patients whose data were able to be interpreted, compared with two of 21 healthy controls (P<0.001). Subjects with microchimerism ranged in age from 4 to 28 yr. In eight cases in which maternal peripheral blood was available, the additional Cw allele present in the patients was confirmed to be identical to a maternal allele. Three healthy siblings of JIIM patients did not have evidence of a microchimeric Cw allele.'] Is persistent maternally derived peripheral microchimerism associated with the juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.315985679626465,
-1.1429728269577026,
2.5059773921966553
] |
['beta-blocker (BB) use reduces infarct size in spontaneously occurring nonreperfused infarcts but probably does not change infarct size in patients treated with reperfusion therapy. A recent observational study suggested that BB use concurrent with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) decreased the risk of creatine kinase (CK)-MB elevation. The cogency of such a conclusion is dependent on the ability to risk-adjust for the multiple differences in patients treated with and without BBs.', 'Using propensity score and multivariate regression analyses, 6200 consecutive patients were analyzed to assess the relationship between BB use before PCI and per protocol-measured CK and CK-MB rise. There were several highly significant (P<0.001) differences between patients with and without BB treatment (eg, age, prior infarction, unstable angina). Maximum CK and CK-MB levels were higher in patients taking BBs (CK median, 95 U [interquartile range: 61, 175]; CK-MB, 3 U [2, 5]) than in patients not taking BBs (CK, 91 U [60, 157]; CK-MB, 3 U [2, 4]) (P=0.011 and P=0.021 for CK and CK-MB, respectively). After adjustment for significant differences in baseline characteristics there was no difference in either maximum CK rise (P=0.21) or maximum CK-MB rise (P=0.99).'] Do beta-blockers before percutaneous coronary intervention attenuate postprocedural creatine kinase isoenzyme rise? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6892002820968628,
-1.6130024194717407,
2.289212703704834
] |
['Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a naturally occurring phospholipid metabolite, accumulates in the ischemic heart and causes extracellular K(+) accumulation and action potential shortening. LPC has been incriminated as a biochemical trigger of lethal cardiac arrhythmias, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.', 'We studied the effect of 1-palmitoyl-LPC (Pal-LPC) on currents resulting from human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) expression in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Bath application of Pal-LPC consistently and reversibly increased HERG current (I(HERG)). The effects of Pal-LPC were apparent as early as 3 minutes after application of the drug, reached maximum within 10 minutes, and were reversible on washout. Pal-LPC increased I(HERG) at voltages between -20 and +30 mV, with greater effects at stronger depolarization. However, Pal-LPC did not affect the voltage-dependence of I(HERG) activation. In contrast, Pal-LPC significantly shifted the inactivation curve toward more positive potentials, causing a mean 20.0+/-2.2 mV shift in half-inactivation voltage relative to control.'] Does phospholipid metabolite 1-palmitoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine enhance human ether-a-go-go-related gene ( HERG ) K ( + ) channel function? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.331159830093384,
-1.3282564878463745,
2.6864967346191406
] |
["The association between decreased drug clearance and decreased activity of cytochrome P4502C19 (CYP2C19), the inherited nature of the deficiency, and its frequency and clinical importance were evaluated extensively in the past over one decade. There is an interethnic difference in the frequency of poor metabolizers and mutant alleles of CYP2C19 among Chinese nationalities. Different frequency of mutations that code for CYP2C19 results in interethnic differences in distribution of the polymorphic trait for this enzyme. CYP2C19 genotype is a major determined factor for metabolisms of S-mephenytoin (S-MP), diazepam, and omeprazole (OP). The formations of their metabolites, 4'-hydroxymephenytoin (4'-OH-MP), demethyldiazepam, and 5-hydroxyomeprazole (5-OH-OP) are CYP2C19 genotype dependent. The inducibility of CYP2C19 activity is also related to CYP2C19 genotype."] Does cYP2C19 genotype determine enzyme activity and inducibility of S-mephenytoin hydroxylase? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.529344081878662,
-1.0774297714233398,
2.680860996246338
] |
['Recent studies suggest that mutations in cardiac mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may contribute to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. The mechanisms that regulate those mutations, however, remain undefined. Thus, we studied cardiac mtDNA repair mechanisms, mtDNA damage, and mitochondrial structure and function in mice with heart failure secondary to overexpression of TNF-alpha (TNF1.6 mice).', 'We studied mtDNA repair by measuring the uracil DNA glycosylase (mtUDG) and base excision repair activities. mtDNA damage was assessed by Southern blot of Fpg protein-digested mtDNA. Mitochondrial ultrastructural changes were examined by electron microscopy, and function by cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase activity assays. The results showed that both mtUDG and base excision repair activities were significantly reduced in TNF1.6 mouse heart. Fpg-sensitive sites were markedly increased in TNF1.6 mouse cardiac mtDNA, suggesting increased mtDNA damage. Mitochondrial function as demonstrated by cardiac cytochrome c oxidase activity was also markedly reduced. Cardiac ATP content was not changed, however, suggesting a shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, as shown by increased LDH and ALT activities and lactate/pyruvate ratio. Ultrastructurally, the TNF1.6 mouse cardiac mitochondria became irregular in shape and smaller, and the cristae were decreased and appeared disorganized, with breaks.'] Are mitochondrial abnormalities in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced heart failure associated with impaired DNA repair activity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5254013538360596,
-1.097220778465271,
2.700852870941162
] |
['The cytokine network in peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) grafts may affect hematopoietic reconstitution or the risk of postransplant relapse of malignant disorders through effects on normal progenitor cells or contaminating malignant cells. Whether thrombopoietin (TPO), SCF, and platelet-secreted mediators are parts of this network was investigated.', 'Peripheral blood and PBPC plasma samples were collected consecutively from patients with malignant disorders who underwent PBPC harvest. Blood samples were collected immediately before and after apheresis. Patients underwent mobilization by chemotherapy plus G-CSF, except for one patient who received only G-CSF. Plasma levels were also determined for healthy controls.', "PBPC grafts had greater levels of platelet-secreted platelet factor 4 (PF4), beta-thromboglobulin, and platelet-derived growth factor isoform AB, as compared with venous levels in patients and controls. Although platelet and PF4 levels in autografts were significantly correlated, the graft:blood ratio was higher for PF4 than for platelets. In both the patients' blood and the autografts, TPO levels were increased from the levels in normal controls. Blood and graft levels of SCF were within the normal range."] Do peripheral blood progenitor cell grafts contain high levels of platelet-secreted mediators? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4202969074249268,
-1.2084890604019165,
2.6820602416992188
] |
['Binding of human platelet antigen-1a (HPA-1a)-specific antibodies to target platelets can trigger platelet activation and mediator release. Here we tested the effect of HPA-1a antibody-containing sera on platelet release of the chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal, T-cell expressed, and presumably secreted) in vitro.', 'HPA-1a-containing sera obtained from 11 mothers delivered of an infant with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) and from six patients with post-transfusion purpura (PTP) were incubated with HPA-1a/a target platelets. Antibody-induced release of soluble RANTES was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).', 'A significant release of soluble RANTES was induced by four out of the 17 sera. Two out of the four reactive sera were obtained from mothers who were delivered of a baby with NAIT and the remaining two sera were from patients with PTP. Chemokine release was specific for binding of anti-HPA-1a to the platelet membrane, as none of the reactive sera induced the release of soluble RANTES when incubated with HPA-1b/b platelets. The blockade of platelet-expressed Fc gamma receptor type II (FcgammaRII) inhibited anti-HPA-1a-mediated RANTES release when incubated with the reactive sera of patients with NAIT, but not when platelets were incubated with sera of patients with PTP.'] Do human platelet antigen-1a antibodies induce the release of the chemokine RANTES from human platelets? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3162171840667725,
-1.2912864685058594,
2.6637511253356934
] |
['To study the correction phenotype of temperature sensitive mutant rad24LR of S. cerevisiae and to clone wild human functional homologue.', 'The temperature sensitive mutant rad24LR was studied by complementation test. Transformation of rad24LR was performed with human cDNA expression library to screen for reversion phenotype.', 'RAD24L can complement the radiation sensitive phenotype of the mutation. Its homologue of human cDNA was cloned by screening transformed rad24LR with human expression library for reversion phenotype.'] Is [ Human hR24L gene involved in DNA excision repair and recombination repair ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1020572185516357,
-1.0615386962890625,
2.269866466522217
] |
['To examine the mechanism of radiation enhancement by motexafin gadolinium (Gd-Tex) in vitro.', 'Oxidation of ascorbate and NADPH by Gd-Tex was evaluated in a neutral buffer. Growth inhibition of human uterine cancer cell line MES-SA was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye. Clonogenic assays were used to measure radiation response in MES-SA, A549 human lung carcinoma, E89, a CHO cell line variant deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and murine lymphoma cell lines LYAR and LYAS.', 'Gd-Tex catalyzed the oxidation of NADPH and ascorbate under aerobic conditions, forming hydrogen peroxide. Decreased viability was observed in MES-SA cells incubated with Gd-Tex in media containing NADPH or ascorbate. Gd-Tex and ascorbate increased fluorescence in dichlorofluorescin acetate-treated cultures. Synergistic effects on the aerobic radiation response in MES-SA and A549 were seen using Gd-Tex in combination with L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). Incubation with Gd-Tex in the presence of ascorbate increased the aerobic radiation response of E89 and the apoptosis-sensitive B-cell line (LYAS).'] Does redox cycling by motexafin gadolinium enhance cellular response to ionizing radiation by forming reactive oxygen species? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.435455083847046,
-1.313999056816101,
2.8268070220947266
] |
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