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['Carotid plaque echogenicity quantified by the Gray-Scale Median (GSM) score has been associated with plaque vulnerability. The aim of this study was to assess whether intensive lipid-lowering treatment with atorvastatin in patients with carotid artery stenosis ameliorates novel vascular calcification inhibitors, such as osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), and improves GSM score.', 'Ninety-seven patients with carotid stenosis (>40%), but without indication for intervention, were treated for 6 months with atorvastatin (10mg-80mg) to target LDL<100mg/dl. Fifty-two age-and sex-matched healthy individuals served as the control group. Blood samples and GSM were obtained at the beginning and after 6 months.', 'Systolic blood pressure, hsCRP, fibrinogen, OPN and OPG levels differed significantly between patients with carotid stenosis and healthy controls at baseline (p<0.05). Atorvastatin treatment improved lipid profile and significantly reduced hsCRP (p=0.002), WBC count (p=0.041), OPN (p<0.001) and OPG levels (p<0.001). GSM score increased considerably after atorvastatin therapy (from 58.33+/-24.38 to 79.33+/-22.3; p<0.001) and that effect appeared related to OPN (p=0.001), OPG (p=0.013) and LDL (p=0.01) reduction.'] Does intensive lipid-lowering therapy ameliorate novel calcification markers and GSM score in patients with carotid stenosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9455996751785278,
-1.5493799448013306,
2.490410804748535
] |
['Patient gender influences the quality of medical care whilst the role of physician gender is not well established. To investigate the influence of physician gender on quality of care in patients with type 2 diabetes.', 'Cross-sectional study in 51 053 outpatients (48.6% male), treated by 3096 office-based physicians (66.3% male; 74.0% general practitioners, 21.8% internists and 4.2% diabetologists). Outcome measures included processes of care, intermediate outcomes and medical management. Quality of care measures were based on current ADA guidelines. Hierarchical regression models were used to avoid case-mix bias and to correct for physician-level clustering. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated controlling for age, gender, disease duration and presence of atherosclerotic disease.', 'The patients of female physicians were more often women, more obese, older and had more often atherosclerotic disease (34% in the total cohort). The patients of female physicians more often reached target values in glycaemic control (HbA1c < 6.5%; OR 1.14; 1.05-1.24, P = 0.002), blood lipoproteins (LDL-C < 100 mg dL(-1); OR 1.16; 1.06-1.27, P = 0.002), and blood pressure (systolic values < 130 mmHg; OR 1.11; 1.02-1.22, P = 0.018). They were more likely to receive antihypertensive drug therapy in general (OR 1.35; 1.24-1.46, P < 0.0001) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in particular (OR 1.17; 1.09-1.25, P < 0.0001). The patients of female physicians less often performed glucose self-monitoring (OR 0.83; 0.76-0.91, P < 0.0001) and less often received oral hypoglycaemic agents (OR 0.88; 0.82-0.95, P = 0.001).'] Is physician gender associated with the quality of type 2 diabetes care? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.655139446258545,
-1.127140998840332,
1.8509881496429443
] |
['Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in the intensive care unit. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of organ failure during sepsis. Sesame oil decreases circulating oxygen free radicals in septic rats; however, its effect on hepatic oxidative status is unknown. The authors examined the effect of sesame oil on hepatic lipid peroxidation in septic rats.', 'Hepatic injury was induced using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, rats given a sham operation without CLP; SO, rats given sesame oil alone; CLP, rats given saline and then CLP; and CS, rats given sesame oil and then CLP. All rats were first given a 1-week daily oral supplement of sesame oil or saline (4 mL/kg/d) and then CLP or a sham operation. The authors assessed hepatic oxidative stress by determining hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, and nitric oxide levels 12 hours after CLP. They also assessed xanthine oxidase activity and nitric oxide synthase expression.', 'Hepatic lipid peroxidation (P < .0001), hydroxyl radical (P < .05), superoxide anion (P < .05), and nitrite (P < .05) levels were significantly lower in sesame oil-treated septic rats. Furthermore, sesame oil significantly reduced xanthine oxidase activity (P < .01) and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression (P < .005) in septic rats.'] Does sesame oil attenuate hepatic lipid peroxidation by inhibiting nitric oxide and superoxide anion generation in septic rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.288813591003418,
-1.2874693870544434,
2.5492968559265137
] |
['There is controversy about the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. The aim of this study was to explore associations between NSAID use and mortality in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis (IP).', 'A total of 923 patients with new onset (IP), recruited to the UK Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR) between 1990-1994, were followed up to the end of 2004. Current medication was recorded annually for the first 6 years and then every 2-3 years. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Logistic regression was used to calculate all cause and CVD mortality odds ratios (OR) for NSAID use at baseline and during follow-up, adjusting for gender and time-varying covariates: RF, CRP, joint counts, smoking, steroid use, DMARD use and other medication use.', 'By 2004 there were 203 deaths, 85 due to CVD. At baseline, NSAIDs were used by 66% of patients. In final multivariate models, baseline NSAID use was inversely associated with all cause mortality (adjusted OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.84) and CVD mortality (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.86). Interval NSAID use had weaker mortality associations: all cause mortality (adjusted OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.00), CVD mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.66, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.08).'] Does non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use appear to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis : results from a primary care based inception cohort of patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6719175577163696,
-1.4476139545440674,
2.124110221862793
] |
['In chronic schizophrenia and chronic bipolar disorder, gamma band (30-100 Hz) auditory steady-state electroencephalogram responses (ASSRs) are reduced in power and phase locking, likely reflecting neural circuit dysfunction. Here we examined whether gamma ASSR deficits are also present at first hospitalization for psychosis.', 'Subjects were 16 first episode schizophrenia patients (SZ), 16 first episode affective disorder patients (AFF) (13 with bipolar disorder), and 33 healthy control subjects (HC). Stimuli were 20-, 30-, and 40-Hz binaural click trains. The ASSR phase locking and evoked power were analyzed with the Morlet wavelet transform.', 'At 40-Hz stimulation, SZ and AFF had significantly reduced phase locking compared with HC. This deficit was more pronounced over the left hemisphere in SZ. Evoked power at 40 Hz was also reduced in the patients compared with HC. At 30-Hz stimulation phase locking and evoked power were reduced in both patient groups. The 20-Hz ASSR did not differ between groups, but phase locking and evoked power of the 40-Hz harmonic of the 20-Hz ASSR were reduced in both SZ and AFF. Phase locking of this 40-Hz harmonic was correlated with total positive symptoms in SZ.'] Are gamma-band auditory steady-state responses impaired in first episode psychosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1577346324920654,
-0.6815462708473206,
1.8285481929779053
] |
['Butyric acid (sodium butyrate; BA) is a major metabolic by-product of main periodontopathic bacteria present in subgingival plaque. In the present study, we examined the effects of BA on cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, mineralized nodule formation, extracellular matrix protein expression, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in normal human osteoblasts.', 'The cells were cultured with 0, 10(-8), 10(-6) or 10(-4)M BA for up to 12 days. Mineralized nodule formation was detected by alizarin red staining, and the calcium content in mineralized nodules was determined using a calcium assay kit. The gene and protein expression levels for type I collagen, bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), M-CSF, and OPG were examined using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.', 'Mineralized nodule formation and the calcium content of mineralized nodules were increased by BA in a dose-dependent manner. Cell proliferation and ALPase activity were not affected by the addition of BA. Following the addition of 10(-4)M BA, the expression levels of BSP, OPN, and OPG increased, whereas the expression levels of type I collagen and M-CSF were not markedly affected.'] Does sodium butyrate stimulate mineralized nodule formation and osteoprotegerin expression by human osteoblasts? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4712507724761963,
-1.2197861671447754,
2.7246408462524414
] |
['Early life stress has been suggested to mediate vulnerability to affective disorders. Animal models of repeated maternal separation have shown reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in specific brain regions implicated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and memory formation. In addition, BDNF levels are also reduced in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether childhood physical neglect (CPN) and plasma BDNF levels would impact on memory performance in adult female subjects with recurrent major depression.', 'Recurrent female MDD outpatients with CPN (MDD + CPN, n = 17) and without CPN (MDD, n = 17) and healthy control subjects (n = 15) were assessed for plasma BDNF content and verbal memory performance. Memory was assessed through the logical memory component of the Weschler Memory Scale-Revised for immediate and delayed recall. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).', 'Major depressive disorder patients showed lower plasma BDNF concentrations than healthy control subjects (p < .001). Major depressive disorder + CPN had even lower BDNF levels compared with control subjects and MDD (p < .05). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were negatively related to psychological morbidity and positively correlated to memory performance. Regression models showed that severity of self-reported CPN and low plasma BDNF predicted impairment on immediate verbal recall. Delayed recall impairment was predicted by severity of CPN and depression and memory retention by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity symptoms.'] Are low plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and childhood physical neglect associated with verbal memory impairment in major depression -- a preliminary report? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3130738735198975,
-1.1303720474243164,
2.4894843101501465
] |
['The existence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in SF was previously reported. However, the behaviour and properties of MSCs derived from SF have not been fully elucidated.', 'Human SFs were obtained from 19 knee joints with anterior cruciate ligament injury around the time of reconstruction surgery, and from three healthy volunteers. SF was plated, cultured and examined for colony-forming number, in vitro differentiation, surface epitopes and gene profiles. Also, rabbit synovium-MSCs were injected into the knee joint in a rabbit partial anterior cruciate ligament defect model, and the injected cells were traced.', 'SF-MSCs from IA ligament injury patients were 100 times more in number than those from healthy volunteers. Total colony number was positively correlated with post-injury period. No significant differences were observed among the cells derived from SF around the time of the surgery in relation to surface epitopes and differentiation potentials. Cluster analysis of gene profiles demonstrated that SF-MSCs were more similar to synovium MSCs than bone marrow MSCs. In rabbit experiments, the MSCs injected into the knee in which IA ligament was partially defective were observed more on the defected area than on the intact area of the ligament at 24 h.'] Do synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells increase after intra-articular ligament injury in humans? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0389597415924072,
-1.3076667785644531,
2.340876340866089
] |
['Renal failure is associated with aortic valve calcification (AVC). Our aim was to develop an animal model for exploring the pathophysiology and reversibility of AVC, utilizing rats with diet-induced kidney disease.', "Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 23) were fed a phosphate-enriched, uraemia-inducing diet for 7 weeks followed by a normal diet for 2 weeks ('diet group'). These rats were compared with normal controls (n = 10) and with uraemic controls fed with phosphate-depleted diet ('low-phosphate group', n = 10). Clinical investigations included serum creatinine, phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, echocardiography, and multislice computed tomography. Pathological examinations of the valves included histological characterization, Von Kossa staining, and antigen and gene expression analyses. Eight diet group rats were further assessed for reversibility of valve calcification following normalization of their kidney function. At 4 weeks, all diet group rats developed renal failure and hyperparathyroidism. At week 9, renal failure resolved with improvement in the hyperparathyroid state. Echocardiography demonstrated valve calcifications only in diet group rats. Tomographic calcium scores were significantly higher in the diet group compared with controls. Von Kossa stain in diet group valves revealed calcium deposits, positive staining for osteopontin, and CD68. Gene expression analyses revealed overexpression of osteoblast genes and nuclear factor kappaB activation. Valve calcification resolved after diet cessation in parallel with normalization of PTH levels. Resolution was associated with down-regulation of inflammation and osteoblastic features. Low-phosphate group rats developed kidney dysfunction similar to that of the diet group but with normal levels of PTH. Calcium scores and histology showed only minimal valve calcification."] Does uraemic hyperparathyroidism cause a reversible inflammatory process of aortic valve calcification in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.340587854385376,
-1.3340517282485962,
2.6840970516204834
] |
['Human mammaglobin (hMAM) mRNA is a sensitive and specific marker of breast cancer cells. We evaluated if hMAM mRNA detection in serial peripheral blood samples from non-metastatic breast cancer patients predicts for disease recurrence.', 'Patients scheduled for adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy were eligible. Serial blood samples were collected up to 5 years, the first before (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. hMAM gene expression was analysed by RT-PCR. Specificity was evaluated in blood samples from healthy volunteers. A total of 321 patients were included.', 'The incidence of pre-chemotherapy hMAM-positive samples was similar in patients who latter experienced cancer recurrence (22.4%) and those who remained disease-free (17.9%; P = 0.46). Similarly, the mean number of positive follow-up samples was similar in both groups (0.15 +/- 0.22 and 0.13 +/- 013; P = 0.29). Furthermore, there was no difference in disease-free (P = 0.63) or overall survival (P = 0.57) in patients with and without positive baseline samples or between patients whose follow-up samples were always hMAM negative and those with at least one positive sample. Multivariate survival analysis confirmed that hMAM mRNA detection before or after (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy was not predictive of recurrence.'] Is detection of human mammaglobin mRNA in serial peripheral blood samples from patients with non-metastatic breast cancer predictive of disease recurrence? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9100558757781982,
-1.3993667364120483,
2.380110263824463
] |
['Nitric oxide (NO) has a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular tone and blood flow, with dysfunctional release contributing to disease pathophysiology. These effects have been attributed to NO production by the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS); however, recent evidence suggests that a neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) may also be expressed in arterial vessels.', 'We undertook a first-in-humans investigation of the role of nNOS in the local regulation of vascular blood flow in healthy subjects. Brachial artery infusion of the nNOS-specific inhibitor S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline (SMTC, 0.025 micromol/min to 0.2 micromol/min) caused a dose-dependent reduction in basal flow, with a 30.1+/-3.8% decrease at the highest dose (n=10; mean+/-SE; P<0.01). The effect of SMTC was abolished by coinfusion of the NO synthase substrate L-arginine but was unaffected by D-arginine. A similar reduction in basal flow with the nonselective NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 37.4+/-3.1%, n=10) required a 20-fold higher dose of 4 micromol/min. At doses that produced comparable reductions in basal flow, only L-NMMA (4 micromol/min) and not SMTC (0.2 micromol/min) inhibited acetylcholine-induced vasodilation; however, both SMTC and L-NMMA inhibited the forearm vasodilator response to mental stress.'] Does neuronal nitric oxide synthase regulate basal microvascular tone in humans in vivo? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2156572341918945,
-1.4289908409118652,
2.6693930625915527
] |
['Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular (LV) inotropic reserve are major prognostic indexes in heart failure (HF).', 'To investigate the relationship between N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) changes in response to dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and the LV inotropic reserve, in HF patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC).', 'We studied 41 patients with DC, LVEF 31.6+/-7.7%, NYHA class II-III and 15 controls. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured before and 60 min after three 5-min stages of dobutamine (5 to 15 microg/kg/min).', 'Based on NT-proBNP changes in response to dobutamine, patients were categorized into two groups: In Group A circulating NT-proBNP levels fell (-16.6+/-7.8%), and in Group B they increased (8.4+/-9.1%). Group A had a marked improvement in WMSI compared to Group B (32.1+/-9.7% vs. 18.8+/-15.9%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that NT-proBNP changes were an independent predictor of LV inotropic reserve (b= -0.55, p<0.001). A reduction of 21.3% in plasma NT-proBNP levels in response to dobutamine predicted an improvement in WMSI of >25% with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92.3%.'] Does nT-proBNP response to dobutamine stress echocardiography predict left ventricular contractile reserve in dilated cardiomyopathy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7638291120529175,
-1.636778712272644,
2.389448642730713
] |
['To evaluate changes in cortical excitability after long-term zonisamide (ZNS) administration.', 'Fifteen drug-naïve idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) patients (8 male, mean age 24.9 years) were enrolled. The transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) parameters obtained using two Magstim 200 stimulators were resting motor threshold (RMT), motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes, cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF). TMS parameters were compared before and after ZNS administration.', "All patients were administered ZNS monotherapy (200 mg/day) for 8 weeks. No patient reported seizures during the study period. After ZNS treatment MEP amplitudes were significantly reduced in right (-34.2%) and left hemispheres (-37.0%) (Wilcoxon's signed rank test after Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons, P < 0.05). Mean RMT, CSP, and ICI/ICF were not changed by ZNS (P > 0.05)."] Does zonisamide decrease cortical excitability in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1300477981567383,
-1.4513564109802246,
2.6430323123931885
] |
['We previously reported that 48 weeks of combination therapy with pegylated interferon-alpha2b (PEG-IFN-alpha2b) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B led to marked decreases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) (-2.4 log10 copies/ml). Combination therapy was followed by 96 weeks of ADV monotherapy.', 'Here, we report on the final outcome after 144 weeks of sequential antiviral treatment. Twenty-four patients were analysed, triplet liver biopsies (taken at baseline, week 48 and week 144) were available from 16 patients.', 'At week 144, 12/15 patients positive for hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) had lost HBeAg, alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were normal in 23 patients (96%), median serum HBV DNA had decreased by -4.9 log10 copies/ml and was undetectable (<100 copies/ml) in 11/24 individuals (46%). Median total intrahepatic HBV DNA had decreased by -2.2 log. Although no further significant cccDNA changes occurred between week 48 and week 144, two years of ADV monotherapy proved capable of controlling cccDNA levels in most patients. Analysis of intrahepatic HBV DNA species demonstrated that combination therapy with PEG-IFN-alpha2b and ADV inhibited viral productivity by 99% and subsequent ADV monotherapy by 76%, respectively. Virus suppression to undetectability within the first 12 weeks of treatment was strongly associated with long-term virological response and HBeAg and hepatitis B virus surface antigen HBsAg seroconversion. Histological improvement was determined in 11/16 patients at week 144. Two patients developed ADV resistance during the third year of treatment.'] Does sequential combination therapy lead to biochemical and histological improvement despite low ongoing intrahepatic hepatitis B virus replication? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9449995756149292,
-1.568086862564087,
2.5307841300964355
] |
['The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of paclitaxel controlled release from intratumorally injected polymer.', 'The effectiveness of paclitaxel-polymer formulation injected intratumorally was tested in mouse bladder tumor model. To determine paclitaxel biodistribution in tumor at predetermined time periods the tumor was excised, frozen and sectioned, and the paclitaxel concentrations were determined in the tumor tissue and in plasma by HPLC. Histopathological evaluation of the necrosis and inflammation was performed on tumor sections.', 'In the paclitaxel/polymer group mice were injected intratumorally with 0.2 ml of the 10% (w/w) paclitaxel formulation, the tumor disappeared completely 5 days after injection, and mice survived till the end of the study (50 days post-tumor cells inoculation). In biodistribution studies, the highest paclitaxel concentration in the tumor tissue was 40 microg/mg 1 day after the intratumoral injection and decreased gradually during 10 days to 5 microg/mg that is still high enough to induce cytotoxic effect, and the necrotic effect of paclitaxel on the tumors was confirmed by histopathology.'] Do paclitaxel tumor biodistribution and efficacy after intratumoral injection of a biodegradable extended release implant? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.259338617324829,
-1.3973255157470703,
2.745478391647339
] |
['Weak major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding of self-peptides has been proposed as a mechanism that may contribute to autoimmunity by allowing for escape of autoreactive T-cells from the thymus. We examined the relationship between the MHC-binding characteristics of a beta-cell antigen epitope and T-cell autoreactivity in a model of autoimmune diabetes.', 'The binding of a proinsulin epitope, proinsulin-1(47-64) (PI-1[47-64]), to the MHC class II molecules I-A(g7) and I-A(k) was measured using purified class II molecules. T-cell reactivity to the proinsulin epitope was examined in I-A(g7+) and I-A(k+) mice.', 'C-peptide epitopes bound very weakly to I-A(g7) molecules. However, C-peptide-reactive T-cells were induced after immunization in I-A(g7)-bearing mice (NOD and B6.g7) but not in I-A(k)-bearing mice (B10.BR and NOD.h4). T-cells reactive with the PI-1(47-64) peptide were found spontaneously in the peripancreatic lymph nodes of pre-diabetic NOD mice. These T-cells were activated by freshly isolated beta-cells in the presence of antigen-presenting cells and caused diabetes when transferred into NOD.scid mice.'] Are weak proinsulin peptide-major histocompatibility complexes targeted in autoimmune diabetes in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.500669240951538,
-1.2750798463821411,
2.8154144287109375
] |
["Disruption of the enteric glial cell (EGC) network is an early pathologic feature in Crohn's disease. To determine the contribution of antigen-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells to the breakdown of the EGC network, we studied specific autoimmune targeting of an ectopic antigen expressed by EGCs.", 'Transgenic mice (GFAP-HA), which express the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) in EGCs, were either crossed with mice transgenic for a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I epitope of HA (CL4-TCR) or were adoptively transferred with conventional CL4 T cells. These were compared with GFAP-HA mice transferred with conventional T cells specific for an MHC class II epitope of HA (6.5).', 'Both CD8 and CD4 T-cell subtypes were activated in vivo in an antigen-specific manner; however, they differed substantially in their ability to expand in the mesenteric lymph nodes, trigger proinflammatory cytokines, and induce autoimmune damage in the intestine. Direct presentation of antigen, provided by lymph node stromal cells, caused the activation and deletion of CD8 T cells. This mechanism of T-cell tolerance did not affect CD4 T cells, which produced antigen-specific lethal autoimmunity.'] Does direct presentation of antigen by lymph node stromal cells protect against CD8 T-cell-mediated intestinal autoimmunity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4749176502227783,
-1.2640609741210938,
2.8146157264709473
] |
['To determine whether the cerebral cortex contributes to modifying upcoming postural responses to external perturbations when provided with prior warning of the perturbation.', 'Electroencephalographic (EEG) potentials were recorded from 12 healthy human subjects (21-32 years of age) before perturbing their balance with backward translations of a platform under their feet. The subjects responded with and without a visual cue that warned them 2s before the perturbation (the Cue and No Cue conditions, respectively).', "Contingent negative variation (CNV) was evident before perturbation onset in only the Cue condition. In the Cue condition, the subjects also produced smaller center of pressure (CoP) displacements than in the No Cue condition. The cue-related difference in the subjects' CNV potentials correlated with the cue-related difference in their CoP displacements. No significant associations existed among the CNV potentials and any cue-related postural adjustments made before the perturbation."] Do changes in the activity of the cerebral cortex relate to postural response modification when warned of a perturbation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.7155237197875977,
-0.30617132782936096,
2.066718339920044
] |
['The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that inflammation modulates fetal erythroblastosis and/or the release of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) independent of hypoxia or fetal stress. We sought to determine whether fetal inflammation is associated with an elevation in neonatal NRBC count in the setting of inflammation-associated preterm birth.', 'The relationships between peripheral NRBC count, histological chorioamnionitis, umbilical cord interleukin (IL)-6, erythropoietin (EPO), cortisol, and acid-base status were analyzed in 68 preterm singletons, born to mothers who had an amniocentesis to rule out infection. Proteomic profiling of amniotic fluid identified presence of intraamniotic inflammation according to established parameters. NRBC counts were assessed within 1 hour of birth. Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) was established based on hematological and microbiological indices. IL-6, EPO, and cortisol levels were measured by immunoassays. Fetal acid-base status was determined within 10 minutes of delivery. Parametric or nonparametric statistics were used.', 'Fetuses with EONS (n = 19) were delivered at earlier gestational ages (mean +/- SD: 27.1 +/- 2.8 weeks, P = .001) and more often by mothers with intraamniotic inflammation (P = .022) and histological chorioamnionitis (P < .001). Neonates with EONS had higher absolute NRBC counts (P = .011). NRBC counts were directly correlated with cord blood IL-6 levels (P < .001) but not with EPO, cortisol or parameters of acid-base status levels regardless of EONS status. These relationships remained following correction for gestational age, diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction, and steroid exposure.'] Are nucleated red blood cells a direct response to mediators of inflammation in newborns with early-onset neonatal sepsis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1153314113616943,
-1.4012227058410645,
2.5747568607330322
] |
['Tuberculous sputum provides a sample of bacilli that must be eliminated by chemotherapy and that may go on to transmit infection. A preliminary observation that Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells contain triacylglycerol lipid bodies in sputum, but not when growing in vitro, led us to investigate the extent of this phenomenon and its physiological basis.', 'Microscopy-positive sputum samples from the UK and The Gambia were investigated for their content of lipid body-positive mycobacteria by combined Nile red and auramine staining. All samples contained a lipid body-positive population varying from 3% to 86% of the acid-fast bacilli present. The recent finding that triacylglycerol synthase is expressed by mycobacteria when they enter in vitro nonreplicating persistence led us to investigate whether this state was also associated with lipid body formation. We found that, when placed in laboratory conditions inducing nonreplicating persistence, two M. tuberculosis strains had lipid body levels comparable to those found in sputum. We investigated these physiological findings further by comparing the M. tuberculosis transcriptome of growing and nonreplicating persistence cultures with that obtained directly from sputum samples. Although sputum has traditionally been thought to contain actively growing tubercle bacilli, our transcript analyses refute the hypothesis that these cells predominate. Rather, they reinforce the results of the lipid body analyses by revealing transcriptional signatures that can be clearly attributed to slowly replicating or nonreplicating mycobacteria. Finally, the lipid body count was highly correlated (R(2) = 0.64, p < 0.03) with time to positivity in diagnostic liquid cultures, thereby establishing a direct link between this cytological feature and the size of a potential nonreplicating population.'] Do cytological and transcript analyses reveal fat and lazy persister-like bacilli in tuberculous sputum? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.140876054763794,
-1.2789703607559204,
2.496875524520874
] |
['Transcriptional control of embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency has been a subject of intense study. Transcriptional regulators including Oct4 (Oct3/4 index), Sox2 and Nanog are fundamental for maintaining the undifferentiated state. However, the ES cell transcriptome is not limited to their targets, and exhibits considerable complexity when assayed with microarray, MPSS, cDNA/EST sequencing, and SAGE technologies. To identify novel genes associated with pluripotency, we globally searched for ES transcripts not corresponding to known genes, validated their sequences, determined their expression profiles, and employed RNAi to test their function.', "Gene Identification Signature (GIS) analysis, a SAGE derivative distinguished by paired 5' and 3' transcript end tags, identified 153 candidate novel transcriptional units (TUs) distinct from known genes in a mouse E14 ES mRNA library. We focused on 16 TUs free of artefacts and mapping discrepancies, five of which were validated by RTPCR product sequencing. Two of the TUs were revealed by annotation to represent novel protein-coding genes: a PRY-domain cluster member and a KRAB-domain zinc finger. The other three TUs represented intergenic splicing events involving adjacent, functionally unrelated protein-coding genes transcribed in the same orientation, with one event potentially encoding a fusion protein containing domains from both component genes (Clk2 and Scamp3). Expression profiling using embryonic samples and adult tissue panels confirmed that three of the TUs were unique to or most highly expressed in ES cells. Expression levels of all five TUs dropped dramatically during three distinct chemically induced differentiation treatments of ES cells in culture. However, siRNA knockdowns of the TUs did not alter mRNA levels of pluripotency or differentiation markers, and did not affect cell morphology."] Does detailed characterization of the mouse embryonic stem cell transcriptome reveal novel genes and intergenic splicing associated with pluripotency? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.155736207962036,
-1.2203123569488525,
2.4708123207092285
] |
['To identify and characterize novel genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).', 'DNA was extracted from 29 HCC and corresponding normal tissues and amplified with 59 different 10-base arbitrary primers. A 550 bp DNA fragment amplified using primer Q-9 and which was present in 19 of 29 cases (66%) was cloned, sequenced, and compared with known nucleotide sequences deposited in Genome database, and quantified by real-time PCR.', 'DNA alterations were found on chromosomes 5q34, 6p25.2 and 8q12.1 in 11 of 29 cases (38%), 7 of 29 cases (24%), and 12 of 29 cases (41%), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the allelic loss on chromosome 5q34 was an independent prognostic factor for poor survival of HCC patients, with the median survival time of 19 weeks for allelic loss versus 109 weeks for no allelic loss (P = 0.001).'] Is allelic loss on chromosome 5q34 associated with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6133908033370972,
-1.3839836120605469,
2.0959725379943848
] |
['Induced external hypothermia during ventricular fibrillation (VF) improves resuscitation outcomes. Our objectives were twofold (1) to determine if very rapid hypothermia could be achieved by intrapulmonary administration of cold perfluorocarbons (PFC), thereby using the lungs as a vehicle for targeted cardiopulmonary hypothermia, and (2) to determine if this improved resuscitation success.', 'Part 1: Nine female swine underwent static intrapulmonary instillation of cold perfluorocarbons (PFC) during electrically induced VF. Part 2: Thirty-three female swine in VF were immediately ventilated via total liquid ventilation (TLV) with pre-oxygenated cold PFC (-15 degrees C) or warm PFC (33 degrees C), while control swine received no ventilation during VF. All swine in both Parts 1 and 2 underwent VF arrest for 11 min, then defibrillation, ventilation and closed chest massage until resumption of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The endpoint was continued spontaneous circulation for 1h without pharmacologic support.', 'Static intrapulmonary instillation of cold PFC achieved rapid cardiopulmonary hypothermia; pulmonary artery (PA) temperature of 33.5+/-0.2 degrees C was achieved by 10 min. Nine of 9 achieved ROSC. Hypothermia was achieved faster using TLV: at 6 min VF, cold TLV temperature was 32.9+/-0.4 degrees C vs. cold static instillation temperature 34.3+/-0.2 degrees C. Nine of 11 cold TLV swine achieved ROSC for 1h vs. 3 of 11 control swine (p=0.03). Warm PFC also appeared to be beneficial, with a trend toward greater achievement of ROSC than control (ROSC; warm PFC 8 of 11 vs. control 3 of 11, p=0.09).'] Does liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbons facilitate resumption of spontaneous circulation in a swine cardiac arrest model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9361411333084106,
-1.279726505279541,
2.250945568084717
] |
['This study sought to evaluate whether pulse wave velocity (PWV), a noninvasive index of arterial stiffness, is a predictor of the longitudinal changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and of incident hypertension.', 'Although arterial stiffness is believed to underlie, in part, the age-associated changes in SBP, particularly at older ages, few longitudinal studies in humans have examined the relationship between arterial stiffness and blood pressure.', 'Pulse wave velocity was measured at baseline in 449 normotensive or untreated hypertensive volunteers (age 53 +/- 17 years). Repeated measurements of blood pressure were performed during an average follow-up of 4.9 +/- 2.5 years.', 'After adjusting for covariates including age, body mass index, and mean arterial pressure, linear mixed effects regression models showed that PWV was an independent determinant of the longitudinal increase in SBP (p = 0.003 for the interaction term with time). In a subset of 306 subjects who were normotensive at baseline, hypertension developed in 105 (34%) during a median follow-up of 4.3 years (range 2 to 12 years). By stepwise Cox proportional hazards models, PWV was an independent predictor of incident hypertension (hazard ratio 1.10 per 1 m/s increase in PWV, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.30, p = 0.03) in individuals with a follow-up duration greater than the median.'] Is pulse wave velocity an independent predictor of the longitudinal increase in systolic blood pressure and of incident hypertension in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2733204364776611,
-1.401144027709961,
1.7338612079620361
] |
['The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of intermittent reloading during hindlimb unloading (HU) on the changes in intracellular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle.', 'Male Wister rats were divided randomly into one of three experimental groups: 1) nonsuspended control, 2) HU for 7 d, and 3) HU with intermittent reloading (HU/IR) for 4 h.d(-1). After each experimental period, the antigravitational soleus muscle was analyzed.', 'After 7 d of HU treatment, muscle fiber atrophy (decrease in relative muscle mass: 0.28 mg.g(-1) in the HU group vs 0.36 mg.g(-1) in the control group, P < 0.05; decrease in fiber CSA: 1682.6 microm2 in the HU group vs 2673.0 microm2 in the control group, P < 0.05) and a decrease in phosphorylation levels of anabolic signaling pathway (Akt and mTOR) were observed. Additionally, expressions of two types of muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase mRNA (muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), and muscle ring finger 1 (MuRF1)) were upregulated during muscle atrophy. Increases in binding activities of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) were also determined. In contrast, IR treatment attenuated the muscle fiber atrophy (0.33 mg.g(-1) and 2067.5 microm2) and partially increased the phosphorylation levels of anabolic signaling molecules. Expression of MAFbx and MuRF1 mRNA were returned to the control level, and binding activities of nuclear NFkappaB was suppressed with the effects of IR.'] Does intermittent reloading attenuate muscle atrophy through modulating Akt/mTOR pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3010380268096924,
-1.4151426553726196,
2.706406593322754
] |
["Anticancer drugs may frequently induce host immunosuppression and symptomatic toxicities. Once symptomatic toxicity occurs, the patient's quality-of-life (QOL) is reduced. Since little is known of the relationship between host immunity and the toxicity of chemotherapy, the host immunity before and after chemotherapy was compared to assess whether it is related to symptomatic toxicity during chemotherapy.", 'Fourteen patients with colorectal cancer underwent leucovorin /5-fluorouracil (LV/5-FU) treatment, or S-1/irinotecan (CPT-11). Host immunity (cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels and phenotypic analyses of PBMC were measured before and after the first chemotherapy.', 'An increase of sIL-2R, CD4+CD25+ T-cells and the CD4/8 ratio in patients with symptomatic adverse reactions were found. These changes in the first chemotherapy were significantly different (p = 0.0211, p = 0.0087, p = 0.0234).'] Do changes of immunological parameters reflect quality of life-related toxicity during chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3317534923553467,
-1.2678464651107788,
2.7028563022613525
] |
['Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer among men in Western countries. Inflammation appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of PCa. Recent studies have shown that many inflammatory genes are associated with the risk of PCa. Alpha 1 antichymotrypsin (ACT) is an acute phase protein and it is part of the circulating prostate specific antigen (PSA).', 'Allele and genotype frequencies of a promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ACT gene were investigated in patients with benign prostate hypertrophy (BHP) or PCa and controls.', 'The G allele was more represented in PCa patients (odds ratio = 2.349). The PSA levels and prostatic volume did not correlate with the ACT genotype. However, stratifying subjects by age, a correlation of PSA levels and the GG genotype in young PCa patients was found.'] Is alpha 1 antichymotrypsin genotype associated with increased risk of prostate carcinoma and PSA levels? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.312101364135742,
-1.367300033569336,
2.7157480716705322
] |
['No serum marker is currently available for the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) controls the proteolytic activity in cancer cells and cellular migration during angiogenesis.', 'To verify the potential of PAI-1 as a serum marker for gliomas, the serum PAI-1 concentrations were measured by ELISA in 57 glioma patients and 34 healthy volunteers.', 'We found significantly higher serum levels in the patients with high-grade gliomas than in the healthy volunteers (p = 0.0009, unpaired t-test) and those with low-grade tumors (p = 0.0074). Furthermore, high-grade glioma patients with a low serum level of PAI-1 survived significantly longer than those with high levels (p = 0.0082). Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-PAI-1 antibody revealed dense and spotty staining in the high-grade tumor tissues from the patients with high serum PAI-1 levels.'] Does high serum level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 predict histological grade of intracerebral gliomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.231736421585083,
-1.370426893234253,
2.694089889526367
] |
['To clarify the influences of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) treatments for renal and ureteropelvic junction stones on new onsets of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM).', 'We compared the new onsets of hypertension and DM after SWL in renal and ureteral stone groups. The renal stone group consisted of 772 patients treated with SWL, who had a possibility of renal and pancreatic shock wave damage. The ureteral stone group consisted of 505 patients treated with SWL, who were unlikely to have suffered SWL damage in the kidney and pancreas areas. Both treatment groups received SWL between 1984 and 1994.', 'The rates of new onset of hypertension in the renal stone and ureteral stone groups were 22.8% and 20.0% in men and 23.1% and 20.5% in women, respectively. The rates of new onset of DM in the renal stone and ureteral stone groups were 7.4% and 11.0% in men and 8.7% and 8.7% in women, respectively. There was no significant difference in the new onsets of hypertension and DM between renal and ureteral stone groups depending on each age decade or sex. Treatment for renal stone was not a significant risk factor for new onsets of hypertension and DM by logistic regression analysis.'] Is shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3863956928253174,
-0.676419198513031,
2.1071712970733643
] |
['Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been reported to accelerate collateral growth (arteriogenesis) at the circle of Willis in rat brain. However, the effect of GM-CSF on leptomeningeal collateral growth has not been established. We examined the effect of unilateral common carotid artery (CCA) occlusion and GM-CSF treatment on leptomeningeal collateral growth in mice.', 'Adult mice were subjected to unilateral CCA occlusion or sham surgery followed by an alternate-day regimen of GM-CSF (20 microg/kg) or saline injection. On day 7, latex perfusion was performed in 1 set of mice to visualize the leptomeningeal vessels, and the number of Mac-2(+) monocytes/macrophages on the dorsal surface of the brain was counted. In another set of mice, on day 7, permanent ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was performed, and infarct volume was measured.', 'Leptomeningeal collateral growth was observed after CCA occlusion, and that was enhanced by GM-CSF treatment. An increase in the number of Mac-2(+) cells on the surface of the brain occurred after CCA occlusion and was enhanced by GM-CSF treatment. Seven days after CCA occlusion, GM-CSF treatment decreased the infarct size attributable to subsequent MCA occlusion.'] Does granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhance leptomeningeal collateral growth induced by common carotid artery occlusion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3302419185638428,
-1.39378023147583,
2.738337755203247
] |
['Recent studies have highlighted the influence of alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists on ejaculatory function.', 'We evaluated the effect of a new, highly selective alpha1A-blocker, silodosin, on ejaculatory function of normal volunteers.', 'The study included 15 healthy male urologists who voluntarily participated in the study. They took 4 mg of silodosin or a placebo twice daily for 3 days in a randomized, double-blind crossover design.', 'We investigated the ejaculatory volume, sperm count in urine after ejaculation, and fructose concentration in seminal plasma before and after administration of the agents.', 'All volunteers on silodosin had a complete lack of ejaculation. Three days after completion of silodosin, the mean ejaculatory volume recovered to the baseline level. There was no sperm in urine after ejaculation under silodosin administration in any volunteer.'] Is inhibition of Seminal emission the main cause of anejaculation induced by a new highly selective alpha1A-blocker in normal volunteers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4283041954040527,
-1.1154006719589233,
2.542327404022217
] |
['The role of testosterone (T) in pathogenesis of ejaculatory symptoms has not been completely clarified.', 'To evaluate the possible contribution of T and hypogonadism in the control of the ejaculatory reflex, comparing subjects with premature ejaculation (PE) or delayed ejaculation (DE) to those without ejaculatory dysfunction.', 'A consecutive series of 2,437 (mean age 51.9 +/- 13.0 years) male patients with sexual dysfunction was studied.', 'Several hormonal and biochemical parameters were studied, along with the structured interview on erectile dysfunction (SIEDY) structured interview. Hypogonadism were defined when total testosterone (TT) was lower than 10.4 nmol/L.', 'Among the patients studied, 714 (25.9%) and 121 (4.4%) reported PE and DE, respectively. In the youngest age band (25-40 years), subjects with PE reported higher TT and free testosterone (FT) levels when compared to the other groups (subjects with DE or those without PE and DE; P < 0.05 for both). Conversely, in the oldest age band (55-70 years), lower TT and FT levels were observed in DE subjects. Accordingly, patients with PE showed the lowest (12%) and subjects with DE the highest (26%) prevalence of hypogonadism. These differences were confirmed even after adjustment for confounders such as age and libido (HR = 0.75 [0.57-0.99] and 1.83 [1.14-3.94] for PE and DE, respectively; both P < 0.05).'] Are different testosterone levels associated with ejaculatory dysfunction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.0331169366836548,
-1.4092514514923096,
1.4028480052947998
] |
['To examine the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), also known as CCN2, in gastric carcinoma (GC), and the correlation between the expression of CTGF, clinicopathologic features and clinical outcomes of patients with GC.', 'One hundred and twenty-two GC patients were included in the present study. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years. Proteins of CTGF were detected using the Powervision two-step immunostaining method.', 'Of the specimens from 122 GC patients analyzed for CTGF expression, 58 (58/122, 47.5%) had a high CTGF expression in cytoplasm of gastric carcinoma cells and 64 (64/122, 52.5%) had a low CTGF expression. Patients with a high CTGF expression showed a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis than those with a low CTGF expression (P = 0.032). Patients with a high CTGF expression had significantly lower 5-year survival rate than those with a low CTGF expression (27.6% vs 46.9%, P = 0.0178), especially those staging I + II + III (35.7% vs 65.2%, P = 0.0027).'] Is expression of connective tissue growth factor in tumor tissues an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7426091432571411,
-1.4374109506607056,
2.22645902633667
] |
['To evaluate the long-term effects of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH)-based vaccine on levels of GnRH antibody and testosterone, and vaccine-induced immunocastration on sexual behavior of male rats.', 'The rats were treated with GnRH-PE40 intraperitoneally every other day for 12 wk. GnRH antibody and testosterone level in rat blood were determined by ELISA and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Morphological changes in testes and sexual behavior of rats were evaluated.', 'GnRH-PE40 induced a high production in GnRH antibody, decreased the serum testosterone level, testis atrophy and sexual function in rats.'] Does intraperitoneal administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-PE40 induce castration in male rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.478029489517212,
-1.170729398727417,
2.727755069732666
] |
['It is not fully elucidated whether obesity enhances hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body weight and risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C patients.', 'We enrolled 1431 patients with chronic hepatitis C who visited our liver clinic between 1994 and 2004, excluding those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at their visit or with a previous history of HCC. They were divided into 4 groups according to body mass index (BMI): underweight (< or =18.5 kg/m(2), N = 112); normal (18.5 to less than 25 kg/m(2), N = 1023); overweight (25 to less than 30 kg/m(2), N = 265); and obese (>30 kg/m(2), N = 31). We assessed the impact of obesity on the hepatocarcinogenesis adjusted by multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression with other risk factors found significant in univariate analysis.', 'During the follow-up period (mean, 6.1 y), HCC developed in 340 patients, showing cumulative incidence rates of 10.5%, 19.7%, and 36.8% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The incidence differed significantly among the BMI groups (P = .007). Adjusting for other significant factors, overweight and obesity were shown to be an independent risk factor of HCC, with a hazard ratio of 1.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.16; P = .022) and 3.10 (95% confidence interval, 1.41-6.81; P = .005) as compared with the underweight patients.'] Is obesity an independent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma development in chronic hepatitis C patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.142482042312622,
-1.367305040359497,
1.5664070844650269
] |
["To investigate the long-term response to biological therapies in AS in a real life clinical setting and to quantify non-response and response to 'switching' therapies in these cases.", 'All patients prescribed TNF-blocking therapies for AS between 1999 and 2006 were studied. Response was evaluated using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and CRP results.', 'A total of 113 patients (84 males: 29 females, mean age 45 yrs, median disease duration 16 yrs, 87% HLA-B27 positive) were identified. At baseline they had a mean BASDAI of 6.57, BASFI 6.57 and CRP of 31 g/dl. At the end of follow-up, these values had reduced to mean BASDAI of 3.12, BASFI 4.16 and CRP of 7 g/dl. Improvements were sustained for 24 months and beyond with no loss of effect. Only nine patients (8%) suffered side-effects leading to cessation or switching of first-line therapy and non-response occurred in 15 patients (13%) in the long term. Fifteen patients (13%) switched to a second drug and 14 of these (93%) had a significant and sustained response. Outcomes were similar regardless of drug used, duration of disease and HLA-B27 status.'] Does real life experience confirm sustained response to long-term biologics and switching in ankylosing spondylitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2060065269470215,
-1.2183374166488647,
2.4880259037017822
] |
['Survivin shows a radiation resistance factor in colorectal cancer. In the present study, we determined whether survivin messenger RNA levels in patients with rectal cancer predict tumor response after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and whether inhibition of survivin by the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) enhances radiation responses.', 'SW480 colorectal carcinoma cells were transfected with survivin ASO (LY2181308) and irradiated with doses ranging from 0-8 Gy. Survivin expression, cell-cycle distribution, gammaH2AX fluorescence, and induction of apoptosis were monitored by means of immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and caspase 3/7 activity. Clonogenic survival was determined by using a colony-forming assay. An SW480 xenograft model was used to investigate the effect of survivin attenuation and irradiation on tumor growth. Furthermore, survivin messenger RNA levels were studied in patient biopsy specimens by using Affymetrix microarray analysis.', 'In the translational study of 20 patients with rectal cancer, increased survivin levels were associated with significantly greater risk of local tumor recurrence (p = 0.009). Treatment of SW480 cells with survivin ASOs and irradiation resulted in an increased percentage of apoptotic cells, caspase 3/7 activity, fraction of cells in the G(2)/M phase, and H2AX phosphorylation. Clonogenic survival decreased compared with control-treated cells. Furthermore, treatment of SW480 xenografts with survivin ASOs and irradiation resulted in a significant delay in tumor growth.'] Do survivin antisense oligonucleotides effectively radiosensitize colorectal cancer cells in both tissue culture and murine xenograft models? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2612364292144775,
-1.453613519668579,
2.7269108295440674
] |
['Osteopontin (OPN)-transgenic mice exhibit increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), smooth muscle cell proliferation, and atheroma formation.', 'An association of the human T-66G promoter variant with CIMT was examined in Caucasian adults grouped according to metabolic syndrome criteria: present (+MetS; n = 70) or absent (-MetS; n = 70).', 'The G-allele frequency was 22%. For the entire cohort, the G group (TG and GG) was associated with significantly lower age-adjusted and gender-adjusted CIMT compared with the TT group (P = .008); similar analysis by metabolic syndrome group found a significant difference only in the -MetS group (P = .018). Stepwise multivariate regression showed that after age and waist circumference, the T-66G variant was the next most predictive of CIMT (P = .007). These data suggest that in a normoglycemic environment, human vascular OPN gene expression contributes to arterial structure, an effect diminished in dysmetabolic states.'] Is osteopontin promoter polymorphism associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1823246479034424,
-1.4189157485961914,
2.626678466796875
] |
['The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is a novel measure of cardiopulmonary reserve. OUES is measured during an exercise test, but it is independent of the maximally achieved exercise intensity. It has a higher prognostic value in chronic heart failure (CHF) than other exercise test-derived variables such as(Equation is included in full-text article.)or(Equation is included in full-text article.)slope. Exercise training improves(Equation is included in full-text article.)and(Equation is included in full-text article.)in CHF patients. We hypothesized that exercise training also improves OUES.', 'We studied 34 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III CHF patients who constituted an exercise training group T (N=20; 19 men/1 woman; age 60+/-9 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 34+/-5%) and a control group C (N=14; 13 men/one woman; age 63+/-10 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 34+/-7%). A symptom-limited exercise test was performed at baseline and repeated after 4 weeks (C) or after completion of the training program (T). Exercise training increased NYHA class from 2.6 to 2.0 (P<0.05),(Equation is included in full-text article.)by 14% [P(TvsC)<0.01], and OUES by 19% [P(TvsC)<0.01]. Exercise training decreased(Equation is included in full-text article.)by 14% [P(TvsC)<0.05].'] Does exercise training increase oxygen uptake efficiency slope in chronic heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
0.40071430802345276,
-1.8142054080963135,
0.5214177370071411
] |
['Injury to the adult optic nerve, caused mechanically or by diseases, is still not reparable because the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are not allowed to regrow their axons and die retrogradely, although they possess the intrinsic propensity to regenerate axons in experimental conditions.', 'In vitro propagated embryonic stem cells derived from the early chicken neural tube (NTSCs) were used to examine whether transplanted NTSCs produce growth-promoting factors and pave the microenvironment, thus facilitating axonal regeneration within the rat optic nerve.', 'NTSCs survived within the site where the optic nerve had been cut and continued to be nestin-positive, thus preserving their undifferentiated cell phenotype. Transplanted NTSCs activated the matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and -14 in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive optic nerve astrocytes. MMP2 production correlated with immunohistochemically visible degradation of inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). In addition, NTSCs produced a panoply of neurite-promoting factors including oncomodulin, ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and crystallins beta and gamma. Cut axons intermingled with NTSCs and passed through the zone of injury to enter the distal optic nerve over long distances, arriving at the thalamus and midbrain.'] Do engrafted chicken neural tube-derived stem cells support the innate propensity for axonal regeneration within the rat optic nerve? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6352686882019043,
-1.120672345161438,
2.837961435317993
] |
['Renal calcium stones and hypercalciuria are associated with a reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, the effect of changes in calcium homeostasis is of interest for both stones and bones. We hypothesized that the response of calciuria, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1.25 vitamin D to changes in dietary calcium might be related to BMD.', 'A single-centre prospective interventional study of 94 hyper- and non-hypercalciuric calcium stone formers consecutively retrieved from our stone clinic. The patients were investigated on a free-choice diet, a low-calcium diet, while fasting and after an oral calcium load. Patient groups were defined according to lumbar BMD (z-score) obtained by dual X-ray absorptiometry (group 1: z-score <-0.5, n = 30; group 2: z-score -0.5-0.5, n = 36; group 3: z-score >0.5, n = 28). The effect of the dietary interventions on calciuria, 1.25 vitamin D and PTH in relation to BMD was measured.', 'An inverse relationship between BMD and calciuria was observed on all four calcium intakes (P = 0.009). On a free-choice diet, 1.25 vitamin D and PTH levels were identical in the three patient groups. However, the relative responses of 1.25 vitamin D and PTH to the low-calcium diet were opposite in the three groups with the highest increase of 1.25 vitamin D in group 1 and the lowest in group 3, whereas PTH increase was most pronounced in group 3 and least in group 1.'] Is pTH and 1.25 vitamin D response to a low-calcium diet associated with bone mineral density in renal stone formers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.926609992980957,
-1.5057367086410522,
2.4365153312683105
] |
['The postprandial lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome patients is disturbed and may add to the increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. It is not known whether postprandial high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) metabolism is also affected and whether this can be influenced by statin and/or ezetimibe treatment.', 'Prospective, randomized, double blind, crossover trial comparing simvastatin 80 mg with simvastatin/ezetimibe 10 mg/10 mg treatment for 6 weeks on postprandial HDL-c metabolism in 15, nonsmoking, male, obese metabolic syndrome patients (Adult Treatment Panel III, ATPIII). Only study medication was allowed. HDL-c concentrations, cholesteryl ester transfer (CET), CET protein (CETP) mass and adiponectin were measured before and after oral fat loading. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00189085.', 'Plasma HDL-c levels remained stable during continuous fasting following an overnight fast. Pre-fat load HDL-c concentrations without treatment, after simvastatin and simvastatin/ezetimibe treatment were 1.15 +/- 0.04, 1.16 +/- 0.05 and 1.11 +/- 0.04 mmol/l. Fat load induced a 11% drop in HDL-c plasma levels; 1.02 +/- 0.05 mmol/l (P < 0.001) which was not affected by either therapy. Triglyceride levels during fat load were similar after both treatments. Total CET increased from 9.73 +/- 0.70 to 12.20 +/- 0.67 nmol/ml/h (P = 0.004). Four hours after fat loading CETP mass was increased while adiponectin levels were decreased, irrespective of treatment.'] Does lipid-lowering therapy affect the postprandial drop in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-c ) plasma levels in obese men with metabolic syndrome : a randomized double blind crossover trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9392410516738892,
-1.5401480197906494,
2.5215797424316406
] |
['Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of death and morbidity. Connexin 43 (Cx43) content is reduced in the failing myocardium, but regulating factors have not been identified. In HF, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-induced high levels of nitric oxide (NO) cause apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. However, a direct iNOS-Cx43 link has not been demonstrated. We investigated this relationship in mice after myocardial infarction.', 'Effects of myocardial infarction were evaluated 2 weeks after coronary artery ligation in wild-type C57BL/6 (WT) and iNOS(-/-) knockout mice. Myocardial Cx43 and Cx45 content were assessed by immunofluorescence confocal imaging and western blotting. Cardiac function was evaluated in anaesthetized mice using a micro pressure-tipped catheter inserted into the left ventricle.', 'Despite similar infarct size, deficiency in iNOS resulted in significantly lower plasma nitrate/nitrite levels, better haemodynamic performance and lower mortality 2 weeks after coronary ligation. Myocardial Cx43, but not Cx45, content was lower in WT mice following ligation. The reduction in Cx43 was less in iNOS(-/-) compared with WT mice. To assess the direct effect of NO on Cx43 expression, cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes were employed. Incubation with the NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, elicited a dose-dependent decrease in Cx43 content in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes.'] Does nitric oxide depress connexin 43 after myocardial infarction in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4001896381378174,
-1.4139612913131714,
2.8290352821350098
] |
['Functional roles of calcium-activated potassium channels on the mechanical activity of epicardial coronary arteries obtained from a canine model of diabetes were investigated.', 'Coronary arteries were isolated from healthy, alloxan-diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic dogs. Basal tensions, contractions induced by the prostaglandin (PG) analogue, U46619, and endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) were modified with charybdotoxin (CHTX) + apamin (APA), inhibitors of calcium-activated potassium channels, as well as with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine (LNA) + indomethacin (INDO) to suppress the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and PGs. The relaxing effect of nitroprusside-sodium (SNP), an NO donor, was also determined.', 'In diabetic coronary arteries, CHTX + APA did not change while LNA + INDO elevated the basal tension. PG-induced contractions were enhanced by CHTX + APA and by LNA + INDO in all the three groups of animals. CHTX + APA decreased the maximal relaxations to ACh in a partly insulin-dependent manner. LNA + INDO abolished the endothelium-dependent relaxations to ACh. In diabetic coronary arteries, the sensitivity to SNP-induced relaxation was enhanced, insulin independently, suggesting that NO could be partly responsible for maintaining intact ACh-induced vasorelaxation.'] Do potassium channels sensitive to combination of charybdotoxin and apamin regulate the tone of diabetic isolated canine coronary arteries? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.548943281173706,
-1.2575035095214844,
2.786079168319702
] |
['A high prevalence of nocturnal hypoxia is noted in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Nocturnal hypoxia can be reversed by nasal oxygen or non-invasive assisted ventilation. However, controversy exists over the use of oxygen in CHF. We studied the effects of nocturnal nasal oxygen in CHF to demonstrate its effects on 6-min walk test, quality of life (QOL), NTproBNP, and echocardiographic parameters.', 'Ten patients aged 70+/-9 years received domiciliary oxygen (4 l/min) for one month. Oxygen was administered for a minimum of 8h every night via nasal prongs.', 'A 17% improvement was seen in the 6-min walk test, 298+/-98 m to 351+/-100 m (p=0.005) and a 27% improvement in the QOL, which improved from 26+/-12 to 19+/-7 (p=0.017). Acquired echocardiographic measures including ejection fraction, pulmonary pressure and diastolic parameters did not change.'] Does domiciliary oxygen therapy improve sub-maximal exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic heart failure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.158550500869751,
-1.258850336074829,
2.47114896774292
] |
['It has been suggested that extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) might be more sensitive than conventional audiometry in detecting early signs of hearing impairment. However, this technique has not been adequately tested in an occupational environment. We therefore investigated the usefulness of this method in noise-exposed workers.', 'We compared conventional frequency audiometry (0.25-8 kHz) and EHFA (9-18 kHz) in 184 noise-exposed and 98 non-noise-exposed workers.', 'Both methods showed significantly higher threshold levels (P < 0.05) in noise-exposed workers for most of the tested frequencies; however, the differences were more marked for EHFA, especially in young exposed workers. Significant differences in the EHF range were detected also in the subgroup of noise-exposed workers with normal findings at conventional audiometry. Stepwise regression analysis showed that in 21- to 40-year-old workers the noise effect was largely predominant at both conventional audiometry and EHFA, whereas in older subjects the noise effect was predominant up to 6 kHz frequency, the effect of age being significantly greater at higher frequencies.'] Do extended high-frequency audiometry and noise induced hearing loss in cement workers? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9352372884750366,
-0.21522511541843414,
1.250105857849121
] |
['KCNQ1 (alias KvLQT1 or Kv7.1) and KCNE1 (alias IsK or minK) co-assemble to form the voltage-activated K(+) channel responsible for I(Ks)-a major repolarizing current in the human heart-and their dysfunction promotes cardiac arrhythmias. The channel is a component of larger macromolecular complexes containing known and undefined regulatory proteins. Thus, identification of proteins that modulate its biosynthesis, localization, activity, and/or degradation is of great interest from both a physiological and pathological point of view.', 'Using a yeast two-hybrid screening, we detected a direct interaction between beta-tubulin and the KCNQ1 N-terminus. The interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation of beta-tubulin and KCNQ1 in transfected COS-7 cells and in guinea pig cardiomyocytes. Using immunocytochemistry, we also found that they co-localized in cardiomyocytes. We tested the effects of microtubule-disrupting and -stabilizing agents (colchicine and taxol, respectively) on the KCNQ1-KCNE1 channel activity in COS-7 cells by means of the permeabilized-patch configuration of the patch-clamp technique. None of these agents altered I(Ks). In addition, colchicine did not modify the current response to osmotic challenge. On the other hand, the I(Ks) response to protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated stimulation depended on microtubule polymerization in COS-7 cells and in cardiomyocytes. Strikingly, KCNQ1 channel and Yotiao phosphorylation by PKA-detected by phospho-specific antibodies-was maintained, as was the association of the two partners.'] Does iKs response to protein kinase A-dependent KCNQ1 phosphorylation require direct interaction with microtubules? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4799857139587402,
-1.2951257228851318,
2.8285012245178223
] |
['We previously reported the induction of stable immune tolerance following direct injection of retroviral vectors into preimmune fetal sheep. In the present studies, we conduct detailed analysis of the thymus of recipients of in utero gene transfer (IUGT) to delineate the mechanism of the observed immune tolerance and assess the impact of recipient age on this process.', 'Fetal sheep at varying gestational ages received the MSCV-NeoR-RFP retroviral vector. The thymus was then collected from these animals at 27 to 30 days postinjection and analyzed for evidence of transduction of key immunoregulatory thymic cells.', "Our results reveal that both thymic epithelial cells (TEC), crucial for presentation of self-antigen during T-cell thymic selection, and the cells comprising the Hassall's corpuscles, which can present antigen directly and also instruct dendritic cells to induce the formation of CD4(+)CD25(+) T-regulatory cells in the thymus, were only efficiently transduced if IUGT was performed early in gestation."] Does early fetal gene delivery utilize both central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance induction? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.576974630355835,
-1.0329004526138306,
2.7219531536102295
] |
["Growing evidence suggests that individual genetic susceptibility may influence the host's response to infections. Previously, we showed that a common variation in the interleukin (IL)-6 gene was associated with increased odds of detection of common periodontal pathogens from individuals with aggressive periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between IL-6 polymorphisms and periodontopathogenic bacteria in a larger, ethnically mixed population of subjects with periodontitis.", 'Genomic DNA was extracted from 107 subjects diagnosed with severe forms of periodontitis to study a cluster of polymorphisms in inflammatory genes, including IL-6. The presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis) in their subgingival biofilm was determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Serum IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.', 'Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the IL-6 -6106 polymorphism was associated with the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans (P = 0.009; odds ratio [OR] = 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38 to 9.16) and the concomitant detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis (P = 0.015; OR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.28 to 10.04). The IL-6 -174 polymorphism was associated with increased odds of the concomitant detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis (P = 0.042; OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.04 to 7.75). Haplotype analysis of all five IL-6 polymorphisms confirmed an association with the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans (P = 0.046). The IL-6 -6106 polymorphism was also associated with CRP serum levels at multivariate analysis (P = 0.024).'] Are interleukin-6 polymorphisms associated with pathogenic bacteria in subjects with periodontitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.106318235397339,
-1.4857984781265259,
2.630843162536621
] |
['The RB tumor-suppressor activity may influence the therapeutic response in human breast cancers. The effect of adjuvant therapy on clinical outcome of breast cancer patients was analyzed, and the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and methotrexate was investigated in MCF-7 and HCT-116 human cancer cells, according to their RB status.', 'RB protein (pRB) expression was prospectively evaluated by immunocytochemistry in 518 consecutive patients and its predictive value was determined according to the adjuvant therapeutic treatments. MCF-7 and HCT-116 human cancer cells silenced for RB1 expression were treated with 5-FU and methotrexate, at the same concentrations and time exposures as determined in the interstitium of breast cancers of patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.', 'Multivariate analysis of disease-free survival, including all the established clinical and histopathologic prognostic variables, indicated that the absence of pRB expression was the only predictive factor of good clinical outcome in patients treated with standard systemic chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-FU) but not in patients treated with endocrine therapy alone. 5-FU and methotrexate significantly reduced the growth rate of RB1-silenced but not of control MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells. This was likely due to the absence of a DNA damage checkpoint with accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks in RB1-silenced but not in control cells.'] Does loss of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein make human breast cancer cells more sensitive to antimetabolite exposure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3802478313446045,
-1.333181381225586,
2.790297269821167
] |
['Investigations on the combination of radiotherapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) antiangiogenic agents, which has the potential to improve the clinical outcome in cancer patients.', 'Here, we analyze the combined VEGF (SU5416) and PDGF (SU6668) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition with irradiation in human endothelium (HUVEC), prostate cancer (PC3), and glioblastoma (U87) in vitro and in vivo.', 'Combined inhibition of VEGF and PDGF signaling resulted in enhanced apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation, and clonogenic survival as well as reduced endothelial cell migration and tube formation compared with single pathway inhibition. These effects were further enhanced by additional irradiation. Likewise, in PC3 and U87 tumors growing s.c. on BALB/c nu/nu mice, dual inhibition of VEGF and PDGF signaling significantly increased tumor growth delay versus each monotherapy. Interestingly, radiation at approximately 20% of the dose necessary to induce local tumor control exerts similar tumor growth-inhibitory effects as the antiangiogenic drugs given at their maximum effective dose. Addition of radiotherapy to both mono- as well as dual-antiangiogenic treatment markedly increased tumor growth delay. With respect to tumor angiogenesis, radiation further decreased microvessel density (CD31 count) and tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 index) in all drug-treated groups. Of note, the slowly growing PC3 tumor responded better to the antiangiogenic drug treatments than the faster-growing U87 tumor. In addition to the beneficial effect of abrogating VEGF survival signaling when combined with radiation, we identified here a novel mechanism for the tumor escape from radiation damage. We found that radiation induced up-regulation of all four isoforms of PDGF (A-D) in endothelial cells supporting adjacent smooth muscle cells resulting in a prosurvival effect of radiation. The addition of SU6668 attenuated this undesirable paracrine radiation effect, which may rationalize the combined application of radiation with PDGF signaling inhibition to increase antitumor effects.'] Does combination of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor/platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibition markedly improve radiation tumor therapy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.472451686859131,
-1.2672090530395508,
2.79416823387146
] |
['Histopathologic evidence of fibrosis on surgical lung biopsy has been associated with reduced survival in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Changes of pulmonary fibrosis detected on CT may also correlate with prognosis in patients with HP.', 'We identified 69 consecutive patients with HP diagnosed between January 1997 and December 2002 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Patients were stratified into fibrotic and nonfibrotic groups based on the CT findings. Fibrosis was defined by the presence of irregular linear opacities, traction bronchiectasis, or honeycombing.', 'Of 69 patients, 26 were classified as fibrotic and 43 as nonfibrotic. Patients in the fibrotic group were older, had longer symptom duration, were more likely to have crackles on auscultation, more likely to be exposed to avian antigen, and had greater restrictive lung impairment (p<0.05 for all comparisons). There were 11 deaths in the fibrotic group and 1 death in the nonfibrotic group (p<0.0001). In the regression analysis, CT evidence of fibrosis, more severe pulmonary function abnormalities, and the presence of crackles on auscultation were predictive of reduced survival (p<0.05 for all). The presence as well as the extent of fibrosis on CT was associated with increased mortality. The age-adjusted hazard ratio for mortality in patients with fibrosis was 4.6 (95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 20.1; p<0.0001).'] Do high-resolution CT findings of parenchymal fibrosis correlate with prognosis in hypersensitivity pneumonitis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8828424215316772,
-1.410536527633667,
2.3379132747650146
] |
['The use of antibiotics in infancy and subsequent changes in the intestinal bacterial flora have been discussed as risk factors for the development of asthma. However, it has been difficult to exclude the possibility that antibiotics have been given in early episodes of wheezing. As a result, there has been a risk of reverse causation. To minimize the risk of reverse causation, we have focused on the effect of antibiotics that are already administered on the neonatal ward.', 'In a cohort study of infants born in western Sweden in 2003, we studied the development of wheezing. The families of the infants were randomly selected and sent a questionnaire at child ages 6 and 12 months. The response rate was 68.5% to the 6-month questionnaire and 68.9% to the 12-month questionnaire.', 'At 12 months, 20.2% of infants had had 1 or more episodes of wheezing, and 5.3% had had 3 or more episodes. Inhaled corticosteroids had been taken by 4.1% of the infants. Independent risk factors for wheezing disorder treated with inhaled corticosteroids were neonatal antibiotic treatment, male gender, gestational age of <37 weeks, having a mother with asthma, having a sibling with asthma or eczema, and breastfeeding for <5 months.'] Is neonatal antibiotic treatment a risk factor for early wheezing? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4233195781707764,
-0.36294493079185486,
1.805928349494934
] |
['Sensory neuronopathies (SN) represent a specific subgroup of peripheral nervous system diseases, characterized by degeneration of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and its projections. We tried to estimate the frequency and extent of spinal cord MRI abnormalities in a group of patients with SN and correlate these with clinical and neurophysiological features.', 'We performed spinal cord MRI scans in 16 chronic SN patients. Images were analyzed for the presence of posterior hyperintense lesions on T2WI and cord areas at C3 level were obtained using a previously validated method. A group of 14 healthy controls with similar age and gender distribution was used for comparison. ANOVA was employed for statistical analysis.', 'Posterior T2WI lesions were found in 13 out of 16 patients. Cord areas were significantly smaller in SN patients than controls (84.3 x 97.2 mm(2), P < .05). Atrophy correlated with severity of sensory ataxia and neurophysiologic abnormalities but not with duration of disease.'] Does mRI show dorsal lesions and spinal cord atrophy in chronic sensory neuronopathies? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2798678874969482,
-1.0598726272583008,
2.467517852783203
] |
["We previously showed that S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and its metabolite methylthioadenosine (MTA) blocked lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) expression in RAW (murine macrophage cell line) and Kupffer cells at the transcriptional level without affecting nuclear factor kappa B nuclear binding. However, the exact molecular mechanism or mechanisms of the inhibitory effect were unclear. While SAMe is a methyl donor, MTA is an inhibitor of methylation. SAMe can convert to MTA spontaneously, so the effect of exogenous SAMe may be mediated by MTA. The aim of our current work is to examine whether the mechanism of SAMe and MTA's inhibitory effect on proinflammatory mediators might involve modulation of histone methylation. In RAW cells, we found that LPS induced TNFalpha expression by both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. SAMe and MTA treatment inhibited the LPS-induced increase in gene transcription. Using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we found that LPS increased the binding of trimethylated histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) to the TNFalpha promoter, and this was completely blocked by either SAMe or MTA pretreatment. Similar effects were observed with LPS-mediated induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). LPS increased the binding of histone methyltransferases Set1 and myeloid/lymphoid leukemia to these promoters, which was unaffected by SAMe or MTA. The effects of MTA in RAW cells were confirmed in vivo in LPS-treated mice. Exogenous SAMe is unstable and converts spontaneously to MTA, which is stable and cell-permeant. Treatment with SAMe doubled intracellular MTA and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) levels. SAH also inhibited H3K4 binding to TNFalpha and iNOS promoters."] Does s-adenosylmethionine inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced gene expression via modulation of histone methylation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3722784519195557,
-1.375974178314209,
2.7608416080474854
] |
['The chemokine receptor CX3CR1 is expressed by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. CX3CR1 mediates leukocyte migration and adhesion in homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. Mice lacking Cx3cr1 have altered distribution and function of DC subpopulations in some tissue microenvironments. The present study compares the distribution of monocyte-derived cells in the normal retina and uveal tract as a prelude to the investigation of the role of CX3CR1 in murine models of ocular disease.', 'Transgenic mice in which either one (Cx3cr1 gfp/+, heterozygous) or both (Cx3cr1 gfp/gfp, homozygous) copies of the Cx3cr1 gene have been replaced by the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) reporter gene were used to investigate the role of Cx3cr1 expression on macrophages and DCs in the normal uveal tract and retina. Chimeric mice were used to investigate turnover of these cells in the normal, uninflamed eye.', 'Confocal analysis found no significant differences in the density, phenotype or morphology of eGFP+ cells between Cx3cr1 gfp/+ and Cx3cr1 gfp/+ mice in immunostained iris, ciliary body, or choroidal and retinal wholemounts. Flow cytometry also failed to detect any difference in the density or cell shape of eGFP+ cells between Cx3cr1 gfp/+ and Cx3cr1 gfp/+ mice. Chimeras revealed 73% turnover of monocyte-derived cells in the iris and 63% in the choroid by 6 weeks after transplantation.'] Are retinal microglia and uveal tract dendritic cells and macrophages CX3CR1 dependent in their recruitment and distribution in the young mouse eye? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.386605978012085,
-1.3334980010986328,
2.7777915000915527
] |
['Inherited mutations in the MLH1 gene are associated with a proportion of families with the hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome (HNPCC). The cardinal features of the syndrome are a predisposition to colon, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Recently, it has been shown that a non-coding polymorphic variant in MLH1 (G>A nt-93) predisposes to colon and endometrial cancer, but with much reduced penetrance. We sought to establish whether or not this polymorphic variant also predisposes to ovarian cancer.', 'We genotyped 899 women with invasive ovarian cancer and 931 controls for the G>A nt-93 variant.', 'The presence of the variant was associated with a modest, but highly significant risk of ovarian cancer (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.9; p=0.00005). The association was present in cancers of all histologies except clear cell, and in all ethnic groups.'] Is ovarian cancer risk associated with a common variant in the promoter sequence of the mismatch repair gene MLH1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.133441209793091,
-1.2164040803909302,
2.376293182373047
] |
['To compare the difference between the burn wound and diabetic ulcer wound, and to preliminarily analyze the nonhealing mechanism of diabetic unclear.', 'The tissue of foot ulcer of diabete patients and skin wound tissues from burn patients were harvested. The levels of (FGF)2 and VEGF in the wound tissues were determined after tissue cultivation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in micro-vascular density (MVD) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in medium containing different components, and divided into following groups: A (with treatment of 5 mmol/L glucose for 7 days), B (with treatment of 30 mmol/L glucose for 7 days) and C (with treatment of 30 mmol/L Mannitol for 7 days) groups, then the level of VEGF protein was determined by ELISA.', 'The levels of FGF2 and VEGF protein in the burn wound were (59 +/- 3) ng/ml and (56 +/- 7) pg/ml, respectively, which were obviously lower than those in diabetic ulcer wound [(89 +/- 6) ng/ml, (108 +/- 5) pg/ml, P < 0.05]. There was also obvious difference in MVD between two kinds of wound (P < 0.05). The level of VEGF protein in both wounds were similar after the addition of FGF2 to the cell culture in vitro, while there were statistically significant difference 2 and 5 days after removal of FGF.'] Do [ Comparison of the burn wound and diabetic ulcer wound ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5349857807159424,
-1.6159284114837646,
2.2022628784179688
] |
['Published condom breakage studies typically report the percentage of failures but rarely provide any evidence on the mechanism of failure.', 'Over a period of 7 years, broken condoms returned to a supplier (SSL, Durex) via consumer complaints were examined to determine the cause of failure. Also, some consumers who reported breakage but did not return condoms were sent a questionnaire on the causes of breakage. Finally, theories proposed for the mechanism of breakage were investigated on a laboratory coital model.', 'Nearly 1000 (n=972) returned condoms made from natural rubber and polyurethane were examined. Visible features on those that were broken, were classified. Evidence combined from examining returns, questionnaire responses and the coital model strongly suggests a single predominant mechanism of failure we named "blunt puncture," where the tip of the thrusting male penis progressively stretches one part of the intact condom wall until it ultimately breaks.'] Do male condoms that break in use do so mostly by a `` blunt puncture '' mechanism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0528690814971924,
0.34115102887153625,
0.6826076507568359
] |
['Prostate cancer (CaP) progression from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent state is associated with overexpression of EGFR family members or activation of their downstream signaling pathways, such as PI3K-Akt and MAPK. Although there are data implicating PI3K-Akt or MAPK pathway activation with resistance to EGFR inhibitors in CaP, the potential cross-talk between these pathways in response to EGFR or MAPK inhibitors remains to be examined.', 'Cross-talk between PTEN and MAPK signaling and its effects on CaP cell sensitivity to EGFR or MAPK inhibitors were examined in a PTEN-null C4-2 CaP cell, pTetOn PTEN C4-2, where PTEN expression was restored conditionally.', 'Expression of PTEN in C4-2 cells exposed to EGF or serum was associated with increased phospho-ERK levels compared to cells without PTEN expression. Similar hypersensitivity of MAPK signaling was observed when cells were treated with a PI3K inhibitor LY294002. This enhanced sensitivity of MAPK signaling in PTEN-expressing cells was associated with a growth stimulatory effect in response to EGF. Furthermore, EGFR inhibitors gefitinib and lapatinib abrogated hypersensitivity of MAPK signaling and cooperated with PTEN expression to inhibit cell growth in both monolayer and anchorage-independent conditions. Similar cooperative growth inhibition was observed when cells were treated with the MEK inhibitor, CI1040, in combination with PTEN expression suggesting that inhibition of MAPK signaling could mediate the cooperation of EGFR inhibitors with PTEN expression.'] Does restoration of PTEN expression alter the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.475281000137329,
-1.223097801208496,
2.731902599334717
] |
['We evaluated the relationship of insulin sensitivity (assessed with the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, QUICKI) to adiponectin and pro-inflammatory markers, levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra).', 'Cross-sectional study. Study population (N=923, i.e 411 men and 512 women) included five different population-based age groups (born in 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957 and 1962), [mean age 46 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 26 kg/m(2)]. Study protocol included an interview and measurements of anthropometric parameters and glucose, insulin, adiponectin, hs-CRP and IL-1 Ra.', 'Correlation (r) between QUICKI and adiponectin level was 0.334 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.275-0.392] and partial correlation adjusted for gender, BMI, smoking status, physical activity and age was 0.247 (95% CI, 0.185-0.308). There was negative correlation between QUICKI and IL-1 Ra (r= -0.385; 95% CI, -0.440 to -0.328) which remained statistically significant after the adjustment for confounding factors (r= -0.178; 95% CI, -0.240 to -0.113). Similarly, QUICKI was negatively correlated with hs-CRP (r= -0.241; 95% CI, -0.302 to -0.178), but after the adjustment it lost its statistical significance. There was a statistically significant gender difference (p=0.018) in correlation between QUICKI and IL-1 Ra levels (men: r= -0.348; 95% CI, -0.436 to - 0.261; women r= -0.500; 95% CI, -0.537 to -0.398).'] Are levels of adiponectin , C-reactive protein and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist associated with insulin sensitivity : a population-based study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3953649997711182,
-1.5268466472625732,
1.9569677114486694
] |
['To evaluate the inhibitory effects of a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting the cytoprotective chaperone heat-shock protein (HSP)-27 (OGX-427, OncoGeneX Technologies, Vancouver, Canada) on human bladder cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo as an intravesical agent in an orthotopic murine model.', "Human KU-7 bladder tumour cells were treated with OGX-427 or a mismatch (MM) control oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) in vitro and were assessed for HSP27 expression, proliferation and apoptosis. KU-7-luc cells that stably express luciferase were inoculated in female nude mice by intravesical instillation and tumour size was measured using bioluminescence imaging. Mice with established KU-7-luc tumours were administered uncomplexed 'naked' OGX-427 or MM ODN as well as controlled-release microparticulate chitosan/oligonucleotide formulations intravesically. Tumour growth was monitored over time and tumours were analysed after death using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.", 'In vitro, OGX-427 significantly decreased HSP27 protein levels and cellular viability. While naked OGX-427 showed only a trend in tumour suppression compared with MM ODN, OGX-427 complexed with chitosan significantly inhibited orthotopic tumour growth. The chitosan preparation induced some haematuria compared to naked ASO, but this formulation had superior tissue uptake of oligonucleotides and suppressed HSP27 tissue levels by 75%.'] Do intravesically administered antisense oligonucleotides targeting heat-shock protein-27 inhibit the growth of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.404066324234009,
-1.414430856704712,
2.808811664581299
] |
['Metastasised neuroblastoma is a largely incurable neoplasia in children over one year of age using current treatment protocols. After dissemination to the bone, the survival rate is <7%, indicating an urgent need for novel therapeutic regimes. As curcumin (diferuloylmethane) had been shown to exert strong anticancer effects against diverse human malignancies different from neurblastoma, the antiproliferative effect of curcumin on the growth of human neuroblastoma cell lines was tested.', 'Proliferation of neuroblastoma cell lines Lan-5, SK-N-SH and Kelly under the treatment of curcumin over a broad concentration range (1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(2) microM) was assessed using XTT cell proliferation assays. Possible induction of apoptosis through curcumin treatment was assessed by detection of DNA fragmentation. To investigate the effect of curcumin on NFkappaB activation, the protein levels of the NFkappaB subunit p65 of curcumin-treated cells were compared to untreated cells using Western blots.', 'Curcumin showed a significant dose-dependent antiproliferative effect on all three neuroblastoma cell lines starting at a concentration of 1 x 10(-3) microM. The highest concentration of 1 x 10(2) microM significantly reduced the viable cell count to 8-48% depending on the cell line. This antiproliferative effect was mediated through an increased induction of apoptosis by inhibition of NFkappaB, corroborating earlier findings indicating an antiapoptotic effect of NFkappaB.'] Does curcumin induce apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells via inhibition of NFkappaB? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3108632564544678,
-1.3577470779418945,
2.725409984588623
] |
['Monocytes/macrophages exhibit antitumour potential, but clinicopathological evidence suggests that they may both inhibit and enhance tumour growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of monocytes on the growth of human pancreatic cancer (HPC-4) in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice.', 'Freshly isolated human monocytes or CD14+ cells from cocultures with tumour cells were coengrafted, at various ratios, with HPC-4 cells into SCID mice. The tumour size and angiogenesis were determined.', 'At a high ratio of monocytes to cancer cells the enhancement and, at a low ratio, the inhibition of tumour growth was observed. Multiple intratumoral applications of monocytes in large numbers also enhanced tumour growth. Deactivation of monocytes by a short pre-exposure to tumour cells in vitro before engraftment led to increased tumour growth. Monocytes used in large numbers and deactivated monocytes in low doses enhanced tumour-induced angiogenesis.'] Do human monocytes both enhance and inhibit the growth of human pancreatic cancer in SCID mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.669308662414551,
-0.8744952082633972,
2.6230974197387695
] |
['Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) levels were measured in patients with esophageal cancer to assess the value of VEGF-C as a biomarker for predicting tumor recurrence.', 'Preoperative serum samples were acquired from 80 patients and healthy volunteers who served as normal controls. VEGF-C levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).', 'The preoperative serum VEGF-C level in patients with esophageal cancer was significantly higher than in healthy volunteers. Furthermore, patients with recurrence had significantly higher preoperative serum VEGF-C levels than patients without recurrence, and a high preoperative serum VEGF-C level was found to be an independent risk factor for recurrence, in addition to lymph node metastasis.'] Do preoperative serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C ( VEGF-C ) levels predict recurrence in patients with esophageal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3625824451446533,
-0.8616657853126526,
2.2878010272979736
] |
['The present study examined the role of G-protein inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels in the depressor responses elicited by intracisternal injections of imidazoline-like drugs in anesthetized rabbits.', 'Intracisternal injections of the I1-imidazoline receptor (I1R) selective ligands LNP509 (30 microg/kg) and LNP640 (2 microg/kg) (subthreshold doses), and of the GIRK channel opener flupirtine (30 microg/kg) did not affect mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). LNP509 and LNP640, however, elicited substantial depressor responses in rabbits pretreated with flupirtine (-17 +/- 2 and -18 +/- 1 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05). Injection of higher doses of LNP509 (200 microg/kg) or LNP640 (10 microg/kg) elicited substantial reductions in MAP (-45 +/- 3 and -39 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05) in naive rabbits. The depressor responses elicited by the higher doses of LNP509 or LNP640 were markedly diminished by pretreatment with the GIRK channel blocker tertiapin-Q (10 microg/kg) (-23 +/- 3 and -26 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05 compared with nonpretreated rabbits), whereas tertiapin-Q (10 microg/kg) did not affect MAP by itself. Maximal-specific binding (Bmax) of the I1R ligand [I]LNP911 to PC12 cell membranes (296 +/- 59 fmol/mg protein) was enhanced by flupirtine pretreatment whereas it was reduced by tertiapin-Q pretreatment (687 +/- 122 and 68 +/- 21 fmol/mg protein, respectively, P < 0.05 vs. control binding).'] Are g-protein inwardly rectifying potassium channels involved in the hypotensive effect of I1-imidazoline receptor selective ligands? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6931596994400024,
-1.5825737714767456,
2.239525318145752
] |
['Strontium ranelate (SrR) is suggested to function as a dual-acting agent in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with anti-resorptive and anabolic skeletal benefits. We evaluated the effects of SrR on the skeleton in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and evaluated the influence of dietary calcium.', 'Three-month old virgin female rats underwent ovariectomy (OVX, n = 50) or SHAM surgery (SHAM, n = 10). Four weeks post-surgery, rats were treated daily by oral gavage with distilled water (10 ml/kg/day) or SrR (25 or 150 mg/kg/day) for 90 days. Separate groups of animals for each dose of SrR were fed a low (0.1%) or normal (1.19%) calcium (Ca) diet. Static and dynamic histomorphometry, DXA, mu-CT, mechanical testing, and serum and skeletal concentrations of strontium were assessed.', 'SrR at doses of 25 and 150 mg/kg/day did not increase bone formation on trabecular or periosteal bone surfaces, and failed to inhibit bone resorption of trabecular bone regardless of Ca intake. There were no improvements in bone mass, volume or strength with either dose of SrR given normal Ca.'] Does strontium ranelate stimulate bone formation in ovariectomized rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1830575466156006,
-1.4124443531036377,
2.6389613151550293
] |
['Epidemiologic studies have shown that exacerbation of asthma is modulated by environmental endotoxin. High levels of endotoxin are associated with asthma symptoms and the current use of asthma medication. However, the underlying mechanisms by which endotoxin modulates asthma are not completely understood.', 'The aim of the study was to test whether endotoxin enhances the response of individuals with allergic asthma to allergen, and to determine if this interaction is associated with increased numbers of antigen-presenting cells in the airways.', 'Seventeen subjects with mild allergic asthma underwent segmental challenge with allergen, endotoxin, and the combination of both in three different lung segments via bronchoscopy. The cellular influx including monocytes, myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), as well as the level of cytokines, were assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained 24 hours after segmental challenge. Monocytes, mDCs, and pDCs were isolated and their capacity to induce T cell proliferation was determined.', 'Endotoxin enhanced the cellular response to allergen. The combination of allergen and endotoxin resulted in increased numbers of total cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and mDCs, as well as increased levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, IL-1alpha, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with allergen alone. Isolated mDCs but not pDCs induced a strong T cell proliferation in vitro.'] Does endotoxin augment myeloid dendritic cell influx into the airways in patients with allergic asthma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5382449626922607,
-1.1740751266479492,
2.802046298980713
] |
['The lungs are a common site of serious infection in both healthy and immunocompromised subjects, and the most likely route of delivery of a bioterror agent. Since the airway epithelium shows great structural plasticity in response to inflammatory stimuli, we hypothesized it might also show functional plasticity.', 'To test the inducibility of lung defenses against bacterial challenge.', 'Mice were treated with an aerosolized lysate of ultraviolet-killed nontypeable (unencapsulated) Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), then challenged with a lethal dose of live Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) delivered by aerosol.', 'Treatment with the NTHi lysate induced complete protection against challenge with a lethal dose of Spn if treatment preceded challenge by 4 to 24 hours. Lesser levels of protection occurred at shorter (83% at 2 h) and longer (83% at 48-72 h) intervals between treatment and challenge. There was also some protection when treatment was given 2 hours after challenge (survival increased from 14 to 57%), but not 24 hours after challenge. Protection did not depend on recruited neutrophils or resident mast cells and alveolar macrophages. Protection was specific to the airway route of infection, correlated in magnitude and time with rapid bacterial killing within the lungs, and was associated with increases of multiple antimicrobial polypeptides in lung lining fluid.'] Does stimulation of lung innate immunity protect against lethal pneumococcal pneumonia in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.720132827758789,
-0.886644184589386,
2.6041746139526367
] |
['Rate adaptive pacing (RAP) during cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) might improve exercise capacity through enhanced cardiac output (CO). Conversely, higher heart rates (HR) might set off a blunted force-frequency response (FFR).', 'Fourteen CRT-treated patients (62+/-3 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 30.8+/-2.7%) underwent two cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET). CPET1: rate response off; CPET2: rate response on. Conventional and tissue doppler echocardiography were obtained at rest and at peak exercise.', 'Peak values for HR (106+/-5 vs. 127+/-3 bpm; P=0.001) and CO (6.4+/-0.4 vs. 7.4+/-0.4 l/min/m; P=0.001) increased significantly comparing CPET1 and CPET2. Stroke volume index (28.8+/-1.4 vs. 27.9+/-1.2 ml/m, P=0.2) and peak oxygen consumption (17.8+/-0.9 vs. 17.4+/-0.7 ml/kg/min, P=0.6), however, did not differ. Longitudinal systolic velocities of the basal septum (SSm: 6.9+/-0.9 vs. 6.1+/-0.8 cm/s, P=0.07), basal left lateral (LSm: 6.1+/-1.3 vs. 5.9+/-0.8 cm/s, P=0.3) and basal right ventricular free wall (RVSm: 11.7+/-0.9 vs. 10.1+/-0.7 cm/s, P<0.01) remained unchanged or decreased. Inter-ventricular (Deltat LSm-RVSm) (10+/-18 vs. 15+/-9 ms) and intra-ventricular mechanical delay (Deltat SSm-LSm) (10+/-15 vs. 9+/-6 ms) did not change.'] Does rate response and cardiac resynchronisation therapy in chronic heart failure : higher cardiac output acutely improve exercise performance : a pilot trial? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.487500548362732,
-1.6941622495651245,
2.206078052520752
] |
['Psychosocial risk factors cluster together, but generally a single factor approach has been adopted when studying their influence on health outcomes in cardiac patients. We examined the impact of clustering (i.e. type D personality and anxiety) on depressive symptoms 12 months post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).', 'Prospective study.', 'Consecutive patients (n=416), treated with PCI with drug-eluting stents, completed the type D Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale at baseline, and the depression subscale at 12 months.', 'Of all patients, 27% experienced depressive symptoms at 12 months. Depressive symptoms could not be attributed to cardiac events occurring during follow-up (P=0.76). The prevalence of depressive symptoms at 12 months was highest in patients with clustering (64%), followed by the single risk factors type D (45%) and anxiety (38%), with the lowest prevalence in the no risk factor group (neither anxiety nor type D) (13%; P<0.001). The single risk factors type D personality [odds ratio (OR): 5.82; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.93-11.56] and anxiety (OR: 4.36; 95% CI: 2.23-8.55) and their co-occurrence (OR: 12.38; 95% CI: 6.11-25.09) remained independent significant predictors of depressive symptoms at 12 months compared with the no risk factor group, adjusting for baseline characteristics.'] Does clustering of psychosocial risk factors enhance the risk of depressive symptoms 12-months post percutaneous coronary intervention? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2912973165512085,
-1.100035548210144,
1.453445315361023
] |
['It has been previously suggested that hard drinking water in general, and in particular high calcium and magnesium intake from drinking water, protect against cardiovascular disease.', 'Prospective study of men from 24 British towns, with widely differing levels of hardness in drinking water.', 'A total of 7,735 men aged 40-59 years were recruited during 1978-1980. Estimates of town-level water hardness were available and tap water samples, taken from 947 participants who also answered a questionnaire about water consumption, were used to calculate individual calcium and magnesium intakes. Men were followed for incident of major coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and CHD mortality for 25 years.', 'Water hardness varied from 0.27 to 5.28 mmol/l in the 24 towns. A weak inverse association was found between water hardness and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [hazard ratio (HR), 0.96 per two-fold increase, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91-1.01, P=0.08 after adjustment for age and seven established coronary risk factors]. No association was observed with CHD incidence (adjusted HR, 0.99, 95% CI, 0.94-1.04, P=0.62) or mortality (adjusted HR, 0.96, 95% CI, 0.90-1.02, P=0.18). Individual magnesium intake showed a positive, rather than an inverse, association with CHD incidence (adjusted HR, 1.10 per two-fold increase, 95% CI, 1.01-1.20, P=0.045); individual calcium intake was unrelated to CHD or CVD end points.'] Does hard drinking water protect against cardiovascular disease : new evidence from the British Regional Heart Study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.2138479948043823,
-0.9781438708305359,
1.3356877565383911
] |
['A decade of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-based guidelines, education programmes and widespread availability of paper-based risk prediction charts have not significantly influenced targeting of CVD risk management in New Zealand primary care practice. A web-based decision support system (PREDICT-CVD), integrated with primary care electronic medical record software was developed as one strategy to address this problem.', 'A before-after audit of 3564 electronic patient records assessed the impact of electronic decision support on documentation of CVD risk and CVD risk factors. Participants were patients meeting national guideline criteria for CVD risk assessment, registered with 84/107 (78.5%) general practitioners (GPs) in one large primary care organization who used electronic patient medical records, and had PREDICT-CVD installed. The GPs received group education sessions, practice IT support and a small risk assessment payment. Four weeks of practice visit records were audited from 1 month after installation of PREDICT-CVD, and during the same 4-week period 12 months earlier.', 'Less than 3% of eligible patients had a documented CVD risk before PREDICT-CVD installation. This increased four-fold (RR=4.0; 95% confidence interval 2.4-6.5) after installation and documentation of all relevant CVD risk factors also increased significantly.'] Does integrated electronic decision support increase cardiovascular disease risk assessment four fold in routine primary care practice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.16489249467849731,
-0.8235213160514832,
-0.20724275708198547
] |
['The loco gene encodes several different isoforms of a regulator of G-protein signalling. These different isoforms of LOCO are part of a pathway enabling cells to respond to external signals. LOCO is known to be required at various developmental stages including neuroblast division, glial cell formation and oogenesis. Less is known about LOCO and its involvement in male development therefore to gain further insight into the role of LOCO in development we carried out a genetic screen and analysed males with reduced fertility.', 'We identified a number of lethal loco mutants and four semi-lethal lines, which generate males with reduced fertility. We have identified a fifth loco transcript and show that it is differentially expressed in developing pupae. We have characterised the expression pattern of all loco transcripts during pupal development in the adult testes, both in wild type and loco mutant strains. In addition we also show that there are various G-protein alpha subunits expressed in the testis all of which may be potential binding partners of LOCO.'] Is the RGS gene loco essential for male reproductive system differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6280925273895264,
-0.30437222123146057,
1.9363651275634766
] |
['Moxifloxacin is recommended in the empirical treatment of infections involving Gram-negative anaerobes. However, current European data regarding its activity against anaerobic pathogens are limited. In order to evaluate its potency, we comparatively studied the activity of moxifloxacin against recently isolated Gram-negative anaerobes.', 'Four hundred and ninety-five Gram-negative anaerobic clinical isolates (296 Bacteroides fragilis group, 58 non-fragilis Bacteroides spp. and 141 Prevotella spp.) were prospectively recovered in six Greek hospitals. Moxifloxacin MICs were determined in comparison with those of penicillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, metronidazole and clindamycin.', 'Overall moxifloxacin MIC(50) and MIC(90) were 2 and 32 mg/L, respectively. Based on the current CLSI breakpoints (susceptible, < or =2 mg/L; resistant, > or =8 mg/L), almost half of the total isolates (49%) were non-susceptible to moxifloxacin (32% resistant; 17% intermediate). This was more evident among the non-fragilis Bacteroides species, where 47% of the isolates were resistant and 14% intermediate to moxifloxacin. Species variation was noticed, with the highest non-susceptible rates detected among Prevotella oralis (90%), Prevotella bivia (80%), Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (75%), Bacteroides uniformis (70%) and Bacteroides capillosus (67%) species. Among the 19 (4%) isolates that were metronidazole non-susceptible (MIC > or = 16 mg/L), only 4 (21%) were additionally non-susceptible to moxifloxacin.'] Is moxifloxacin resistance prevalent among Bacteroides and Prevotella species in Greece? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3832001686096191,
-1.4543484449386597,
1.914168119430542
] |
['Our laboratory recently demonstrated that increases in post-exercise muscle satellite cell numbers are augmented by oestrogen. We investigated whether muscle oestrogen receptors (ORs) mediate this effect through administration of an OR antagonist, ICI 182,780.', 'Ovariectomized female rats were divided into three groups: sham, oestrogen (0.25 mg pellet) and oestrogen plus OR blocker (ICI 182,780). Each group was divided into control and exercised groups. ICI 182,780 (5 mg kg(-1) sc) was administered 1 day prior to and 6 days following oestrogen pellet implantation. After 8 days of oestrogen exposure, animals ran downhill for 90 min (17 m min(-1), -13.5 degrees grade) on a treadmill. Soleus and white vastus muscles were removed 24 and 72 h post-exercise and immunostained for total (Pax7), activated (MyoD) and proliferating (BrdU) satellite cells. Muscle damage was indirectly assessed by measuring beta-glucuronidase activity. Two markers (His48 and ED1) of leucocyte infiltration were also examined.', 'beta-Glucuronidase activities and His48+ and ED1+ leucocytes increased post-exercise, and these increases were attenuated with oestrogen. ICI 182,780 did not influence the attenuating effect of oestrogen on leucocyte infiltration or beta-glucuronidase activities in muscle. Total (Pax7+), activated (MyoD+) and proliferating (BrdU+) satellite cells increased post-exercise, and these increases were augmented with oestrogen. Interestingly, ICI 182,780 abolished both exercise- and oestrogen-mediated increases in these satellite cell markers.'] Do oestrogen receptors mediate oestrogen-induced increases in post-exercise rat skeletal muscle satellite cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.154102087020874,
-1.442821979522705,
2.58107328414917
] |
['Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is a prognostic marker in patients with cirrhosis. Transient elastography measures liver stiffness (LS).', 'To assess the correlation between LS and HVPG and to investigate the performance of transient elastography for the diagnosis of significant portal hypertension (PHT).', 'Liver stiffness was measured by Fibroscan in 150 consecutive patients who underwent a liver biopsy with haemodynamic measurements. Usual clinical and biological data were collected. Significant PHT was defined as a HVPG > or = 10 mmHg.', 'Hepatic venous pressure gradient was found to be > or = 10 mmHg in 76 patients. Cirrhosis was diagnosed in 89 patients. HVPG was found to be correlated with: LS (rho = 0.858; P < 0.001) and inversely correlated with prothrombin index (rho = -0.718; P < 0.001). Regarding significant PHT, AUROC for LS and prothrombin index were 0.945 [0.904-0.987] and 0.892 [0.837-0.947] respectively. The cut-off value of 21 kPa accurately predicted significant PHT in 92% of the 144 patients for whom LS was successful.'] Does transient elastography accurately predict presence of significant portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8761991262435913,
-1.5092816352844238,
2.4128243923187256
] |
['The objective was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), its cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and its association with peripheral arterial disease, defined by a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) (< 0.90), in primary prevention.', 'Cross-sectional study performed in the primary care general population, aged 50-79 years. CVD risk and ABI were measured in persons without known arterial disease with MetS and in a control group. MetS was defined by Adult Treatment Panel III. CVD risk was estimated using the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE).', 'A total of 581 subjects were recruited. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 30.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.0-34.5). For the CVD risk and ABI studies 217 individuals were included (138 with MetS and 49 with diabetes). Average CVD risk was high (5%) on patients with MetS and twice as much as those without MetS. ABI was low (< 0.90) on 15 subjects [6.9% (95% CI), 3.5-10.2], with higher frequency in the MetS group: 14 patients (10.1%) vs 1 patient (1.3%). The frequency of low ABI in patients with and without diabetes was 18.3% and 3.6% respectively. Low ABI was associated to MetS, diabetes, inactivity, high risk of SCORE and less alcohol habit. In the multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for the association MetS/low ABI was 14.7 (95% CI, 1.7-123.6).'] Is [ Ankle-brachial index testing particularly indicated in patients with metabolic syndrome but without known arterial disease ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9592916965484619,
-1.5473357439041138,
1.6833341121673584
] |
['In this report, we demonstrate the transcription, expression, and DNA-binding properties of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma subtype of the peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptor family to the spinal cord with real-time PCR, Western blot, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. To test the hypothesis that activation of spinal PPAR-gamma decreases nerve injury-induced allodynia, we intrathecally administered PPAR-gamma agonists and/or antagonists in rats after transection of the tibial and common peroneal branches of the sciatic nerve. Single injection of either a natural (15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2, 15d-PGJ2) or synthetic (rosiglitazone) PPAR-gamma agonist dose-dependently decreased mechanical and cold hypersensitivity. These effects were maximal at a dose of 100 microg and peaked at approximately 60 minutes after injection, a rapid time course suggestive of transcription-independent mechanisms of action. Concurrent administration of a PPAR-gamma antagonist (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, BADGE) reversed the effects of 15d-PGJ2 and rosiglitazone, further indicating a receptor-mediated effect. In animals without nerve injury, rosiglitazone did not alter motor coordination, von Frey threshold, or withdrawal response to a cool stimulus. Intraperitoneal and intracerebroventricular administration of PPAR-gamma agonists (100 microg) did not decrease mechanical and cold hypersensitivity, arguing against effects subsequent to diffusion from the intrathecal space. We conclude that ligand-induced activation of spinal PPAR-gamma rapidly reverses nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia. New or currently available drugs targeted at spinal PPAR-gamma may yield important therapeutic effects for the management of neuropathic pain.'] Does intrathecal rosiglitazone act at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma to rapidly inhibit neuropathic pain in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3614840507507324,
-1.3419280052185059,
2.745349645614624
] |
['To estimate size overlap between large choroidal nevi and small choroidal melanomas by using plotted frequency distributions of tumor size.', "Frequency distributions of largest linear basal diameter (LBD) and thickness (TH) of choroidal nevi and melanomas were plotted from published data and cases in the senior author's practice. Relative frequencies of choroidal nevi and melanomas were estimated from published data. Relative frequency distributions of the tumors were plotted to illustrate the extent of overlap between them.", 'Comparison of plotted frequency distribution curves for thickness indicated that there were approximately 125 nevi for every melanoma in the TH range 1.5 to 2 mm, approximately 25 nevi for every melanoma in the TH range 2 to 2.5 mm, and approximately 5 nevi for every melanoma in the TH range 2.5 to 3 mm. Similarly, comparison of the plotted frequency distribution curves for LBD of these tumor types indicated that there were approximately 70 nevi for every choroidal melanoma in the LBD range 5 to 6 mm, approximately 10 nevi for every melanoma in the LBD range 6 to 7 mm, and approximately 3 nevi for every melanoma in the LBD range 7 to 8 mm.'] Do size overlap between benign melanocytic choroidal nevi and choroidal malignant melanomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.673426628112793,
-1.5820562839508057,
0.05390042066574097
] |
['Changes in junctional catenin expression may compromise cadherin-mediated adhesion, increasing cell malignant properties such as invasive and metastatic abilities. Altered expression of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and p120-catenin has been reported to be associated with E-cadherin loss or decreased expression, in both breast carcinomas and breast cancer cell lines.', 'To investigate the expression and subcellular localisation of p120- and beta-catenin in a series of human invasive breast carcinomas, and correlate it with biological markers and clinicopathological parameters.', 'Both catenins frequently exhibited a reduced membranous or cytoplasmic staining pattern. These alterations were significantly correlated with lack of both E-cadherin and oestrogen receptor-alpha expression. It was possible to associate the expression of beta-catenin with histological grade, tumour size and nodal status, suggesting a relevant role for this catenin as a prognostic factor. The majority of E- and P-cadherin co-expressing tumours were related to cytoplasmic expression of p120-catenin; in this group of breast carcinomas, patient survival was poor.'] Do breast carcinomas that co-express E- and P-cadherin are associated with p120-catenin cytoplasmic localisation and poor patient survival? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6296474933624268,
-1.0854196548461914,
2.7344582080841064
] |
['We examined whether pharmacologic strategies blocking angiotensin II actions protect steatotic livers against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The effects of ischemic preconditioning (PC) on angiotensin II were also evaluated.', 'Randomized and controlled animal study.', 'Experimental laboratory.', 'Zucker rats.', 'The following experimental groups were studied: I/R, ischemia-reperfusion + angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (I/R+ACE inhibitor), ischemia-reperfusion + angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist (I/R+AT1R antagonist), ischemia-reperfusion + angiotensin II type II receptor antagonist (I/R+AT2R antagonist), and PC (5 mins of ischemia + 10 mins of reperfusion before I/R). In some of these groups, the action of bradykinin (BK) and/or peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) was altered pharmacologically.', 'I/R+ACE inhibitor, I/R+AT1R antagonist, and I/R+AT2R antagonist reduced hepatic injury in steatotic livers compared with the I/R group. PC reduced angiotensin II generation and hepatic injury in steatotic livers in comparison to I/R group. Our results revealed that I/R+ACE inhibitor, I/R+AT1R antagonist, I/R+AT2R antagonist, and PC increased BK compared with the I/R group. In addition, the effects of PC on BK and hepatic injury were abolished when angiotensin II was administered. Furthermore, administration of BK receptor antagonists to the I/R+ACE inhibitor, I/R+AT1R antagonist, I/R+AT2R antagonist, and PC groups resulted in hepatic injury similar to the I/R group, indicating that the benefits of ACE inhibitor, AT1R antagonist, AT2R antagonist, and PC were abolished when the action of BK was inhibited. Experiments aimed at investigating why BK was protective in steatotic livers indicated that BK acts as a positive regulator of PPARgamma. If PPARgamma action was inhibited, BK did not protect steatotic livers against hepatic injury.'] Does inhibition of angiotensin II action protect rat steatotic livers against ischemia-reperfusion injury? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.178147554397583,
-1.4493026733398438,
2.611664295196533
] |
['Critical illness myopathy is a common cause for difficulties in weaning from the respirator and prolonged rehabilitation of patients recovering from sepsis. Several studies have shown that the primary cause of acute generalized muscle weakness is loss of muscle membrane excitability. This study was designed to investigate a potential direct interaction of lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli with voltage-gated human skeletal muscle sodium channels (NaV1.4) in vitro.', 'In vitro laboratory investigation.', 'University laboratory.', 'NaV1.4 sodium channel alpha-subunits stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells.', 'We investigated the effect of lipopolysaccharide on voltage-dependent sodium channel gating by using two distinct modes of application: 1) acute perfusion (pharmacologic lipopolysaccharide concentrations between 5 ng/mL and 50 microg/mL) in order to establish a concentration-effect relationship; and 2) incubation with a clinically relevant concentration of lipopolysaccharide (300 pg/mL).', 'Lipopolysaccharide did not alter the kinetics of sodium current activation or inactivation when depolarizations were started from hyperpolarized holding potentials. However, when either fast or slow inactivation was induced by membrane depolarization before the test pulse, lipopolysaccharide reversibly reduced channel availability during the test pulse at concentrations of > or = 50 ng/mL revealed by a maximum hyperpolarizing shift of -25 mV in the voltage dependence of fast and slow inactivation, respectively. Incubation with a lipopolysaccharide concentration of 300 pg/mL for 1 hr reproduced the effects on slow but not on fast inactivation. After 20 hrs of low-dose lipopolysaccharide, the peak sodium current was significantly reduced.'] Does endotoxin reduce availability of voltage-gated human skeletal muscle sodium channels at depolarized membrane potentials? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3146345615386963,
-1.3804490566253662,
2.747382164001465
] |
['Warm water sitz bath is routinely recommended after anal surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of sitz bath with regards to pain scores, analgesic requirements and patient satisfaction ratings after haemorrhoidectomy.', 'Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive antibiotics and analgesics alone (control patients) or a twice-daily sitz bath along with identical antibiotics and analgesics (sitz bath group). Weekly pain score and patient satisfaction score were evaluated on visual analogue scores. The number of analgesic tablets consumed in each week was also assessed.', 'There was no significant difference in age, gender distribution and the number of excised haemorrhoid piles between the two groups. No significant difference in postoperative mean pain score between groups (P = 0.234) was noticed. Likewise, no relevant differences in analgesic requirements between sitz bath and no sitz bath group (P = 0.435) were seen. The satisfaction score was higher in the sitz bath group when compared with the control group; however, it did not reach a statistically significant level.'] Does warm sitz bath reduce symptoms in posthaemorrhoidectomy period : a randomized , controlled study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0288712978363037,
-0.9533863067626953,
2.086569309234619
] |
['Human detrusor smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs) are coupled by connexin 43 (Cx43)-positive gap junctions to form functional syncytia. Gap junctional communication likely is necessary for synchronised detrusor contractions and is supposed to be altered in voiding disturbances. Other authors have shown that the pleiotropic cytokine TGF-beta1 upregulates Cx43 expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells.', 'In this study, we examined the TGF-beta1 effects on Cx43 expression in cultured hBSMCs.', 'hBSMC cultures, established from patients undergoing cystectomy, were treated with recombinant human TGF-beta1.', 'Cx43 expression was then examined by Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunocytochemistry. Dye-injection experiments were used to study the size of functional syncytia.'] Does tGF-beta1 inhibit Cx43 expression and formation of functional syncytia in cultured smooth muscle cells from human detrusor? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4847023487091064,
-1.1813936233520508,
2.743635892868042
] |
['Low glycemic index (GI) foods are associated with improved prevention and control of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (e.g. diabetes and myocardial infarction), even if the impact of their consumption within mixed meals is difficult to predict. Since the availability of wheat based products maintaining taste and texture of traditional ones, but with a low GI, is of relevant nutritional interest, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a specific proprietary fiber mix, added to the wheat flour used for biscuits and bread preparation, on their GI.', 'Fifteen healthy non-diabetic volunteers ate on different days a portion equivalent to 75 g of available carbohydrates, of fiber enriched bread, traditional bread, fiber enriched biscuits and traditional biscuits, or a solution of 75 g of glucose in water. The glycemic index of each product was calculated by relating the area under their glycemic curve to that of glucose. The areas under the glycemic curves of fiber enriched bread and biscuits were lower than those obtained with the equivalent control food. Consequently, a marked reduction of their GI of 21% and 41% for bread and biscuits, respectively, was observed.'] Is the glycemic index of bread and biscuits markedly reduced by the addition of a proprietary fiber mixture to the ingredients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9827377796173096,
-0.7138017416000366,
0.8756591081619263
] |
['The objective of this study was to determine the function that best expressed the true shape of the regression line between transgastric short axis (TGSA) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE)) views of the left ventricle (LV) and radionuclear LVEF.', 'The literature was searched for relevant articles published between 1979 and 2007. Articles that directly compared TGSA LVEF with radionuclear LVEF were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included the provision that TGSA estimations be acquired by manual tracing of the endocardial border. Digital tabular data sets were created from electronically scanned graphic data (Photoshop, Adobe Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA). Software consisted of SPSS (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). Analysis was by regression curve fitting with standard parametric and LOWESS (locally weighted scatterplot smoothing) data-driven models.', 'Three articles met our study design criteria. The studies generated a total of 32 patients with 99 data points. These data were pooled and analyzed. The LOWESS regression surface demonstrated non-linearity. The best "goodness of fit" template function was determined by selecting the function with the highest R-squared value. The best fit (R(2) = 0.807) consisted of a polynomial function with a power trajectory.'] Is the best fit function for the tee short axis left ventricular ejection fraction and radionuclear `` gold standard '' relationship curvilinear? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0309383869171143,
-1.4829649925231934,
2.5769150257110596
] |
['We evaluated the learning curves and perioperative outcomes of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon and his trainees to assess our structured teaching program.', 'We retrieved 383 patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) from our database. Trainees completed a structured teaching program and were categorized as early (days 0 to 232), mid (days 566 to 797), and late (days 825 to 1218) according to the time period in which they were working with the mentor. We compared operative times, estimated blood loss (EBL), and positive surgical margin (PSM) rates between the trainees and the mentor (Mann-Whitney and Chi-square test). Association of EBL, body mass index (BMI), and prostate weight with operative time was evaluated in multivariate linear regression analysis.', "Median operative times of the early, mid, and late trainees (258, 220, and 200 minutes) significantly decreased and were similar to the corresponding senior surgeon's (254, 242, and 180 minutes). Operative times decreased with lower BMI, EBL, and prostate weight (P = 0.006, P <0.001, and P <0.001, respectively). Overall, EBL (150 mL vs. 150 mL, P = 0.215) and PSM rates (20% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.741) did not differ between the mentor and the trainees."] Do trainees negatively impact the institutional learning curve for robotic prostatectomy as characterized by operative time , estimated blood loss , and positive surgical margin rate? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4760023355484009,
-1.047935962677002,
1.5860298871994019
] |
['AIPL1 mutations cause the severe inherited blindness Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). The similarity of AIPL1 to tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) cochaperones that interact with the chaperone Hsp90 and the ability of AIPL1 to suppress the aggregation of NUB1 fragments in a chaperone-like manner suggest that AIPL1 might function as part of a chaperone heterocomplex facilitating retinal protein maturation. In this study the interaction of AIPL1 with molecular chaperones is revealed and functionally characterized.', 'AIPL1-interacting proteins were identified using a yeast two-hybrid system, and the effect of AIPL1 pathogenic mutations and sequence requirements mediating the identified interactions were investigated. The interactions were validated by a comprehensive set of biochemical assays, and the ability of the AIPL1-binding partners to cooperate with AIPL1 in the suppression of NUB1 fragment aggregation was assessed.', 'AIPL1 interacts with the molecular chaperones Hsp90 and Hsp70. Mutations within the TPR domain of AIPL1 or removal of the chaperone TPR acceptor site abolished the interactions. Importantly, LCA-causing mutations in AIPL1 also compromised these interactions, suggesting that the essential function of AIPL1 in photoreceptors may involve the interaction with Hsp90 and Hsp70. Examination of the role of these chaperones in AIPL1 chaperone activity demonstrated that AIPL1 cooperated with Hsp70, but not with Hsp90, to suppress the formation of NUB1 inclusions.'] Does the Leber congenital amaurosis protein AIPL1 function as part of a chaperone heterocomplex? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4655230045318604,
-1.088268518447876,
2.5891618728637695
] |
['It is a huge challenge to understand the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is a key element in neuroinflammation associated with many brain diseases. The BBB also regulates the passage of xenobiotics into the central nervous system (CNS), and therefore influences drug efficacy. This may be due to the presence of ATP binding cassette transporters such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp) on the BBB, which are efflux pumps known to transport many drugs. The peptide endothelin 1 (ET-1) is involved in different kinds of CNS diseases and neuroinflammation, and is known to modulate Pgp transport activity. Although there are data from animal models, data from human models are scarce. We evaluated Pgp expression and transport activity in adult human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) when exposing an adult human in vitro BBB model to ET-1.', 'Adult HBMECs were cocultured with human adult glial cells on a Transwells to mimic blood and CNS compartments. These human in vitro BBBs were exposed for 24 h to 100 nM and 10 nM ET-1. Pgp expression was assessed by flow cytometry and its transport activity by measuring radiolabelled digoxin passage.', 'After exposure to ET-1, flow cytometry showed no shift of fluorescence intensity for a Pgp specific antibody. The passage of digoxin increased with a significant decrease of Q ratio for 10 nM ET-1.'] Does endothelin-1 reduce p-glycoprotein transport activity in an in vitro model of human adult blood-brain barrier? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.281479597091675,
-1.3654398918151855,
2.6967053413391113
] |
['The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that ACE2 overexpression may enhance atherosclerotic plaque stability by antagonizing ACE activity and converting angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7.', 'Atherosclerotic plaques were induced in the abdominal aorta of 114 rabbits by endothelial injury and atherogenic diet. Gene therapy was performed in group A at week 4 and in group B at week 12, respectively. Each group of rabbits were randomly divided into 3 subgroups which received, respectively, a recombinant ACE2 expressing vector (AdACE2), a control vector AdEGFP and AdACE2+A779, an antagonist of angiotensin 1-7 receptor. Local ACE2 overexpression attenuated the progression of lesions from week 4 to week 8, but not progression of plaque size from week 12 to week 16. In group B rabbits, local ACE2 overexpression resulted in stable plaque compositions, ie, fewer macrophages, less lipid deposition and more collagen contents, higher plaque stability scores, decreased angiotensin II levels, and increased angiotensin 1-7 levels in plaque tissues in the AdACE2 subgroup compared with those in the AdEGFP subgroup.'] Does overexpression of ACE2 enhance plaque stability in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3311116695404053,
-1.2538690567016602,
2.548980712890625
] |
['We have previously shown that, under certain conditions, ultrasonic microbubble destruction creates arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. Here, we tested whether this neovascularization response enhances hyperemia in a rat model of arterial insufficiency and is dependent on the recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) to treated tissues via a beta2 integrin (CD18)-dependent mechanism.', 'Sprague-Dawley rats, C57BL/6 wild-type mice, and C57BL/6 chimeric mice engrafted with BMDCs from either GFP+ or CD18-/- mice received bilateral femoral artery ligations. Microbubbles (MBs) were intravenously injected, and one gracilis muscle was exposed to pulsed 1 MHz ultrasound (US). Rat hindlimbs exhibited significant increases in adenosine-induced hyperemia and arteriogenesis compared to contralateral controls at 14 and 28 days posttreatment. US-MB-treated wild-type C57BL/6 mice exhibited significant arteriogenesis, angiogenesis, and CD11b+ monocyte recruitment; however, these responses were all completely blocked in CD18-/- chimeric mice. The number of BMDCs increased in US-MB-treated muscles of GFP+ chimeric mice; however, GFP+ BMDCs did not incorporate into microvessels as vascular cells.'] Does ultrasonic microbubble destruction stimulate therapeutic arteriogenesis via the CD18-dependent recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.356058120727539,
-1.3134682178497314,
2.699431896209717
] |
['In rodents scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is a key molecule for selective uptake of cholesteryl ester from high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This study was aimed to clarify the role of the human SR-BI/CD36 and LIMP-II Analogues-1 (CLA-1) as a molecular target of selective uptake of cholesteryl ester from HDL in vivo.', 'To clarify the function and regulation of CLA-1 in vivo we produced CLA-1 BAC transgenic mice. In spite of abundant hepatic RNA expression of CLA-1, CLA-1 BAC transgenic mice had no significant effect on mouse HDL cholesterol. Although coexpression of a human scaffolding protein PDZK1 along with CLA-1 enhanced hepatic CLA-1 expression, it did not affect mouse HDL cholesterol levels, either. However, in the presence of human apoA-1, HDL cholesterol level and size were significantly reduced in CLA-1 transgenic mice, and its reduction was more pronounced in CLA-1/human PDZK1 double transgenic mouse.'] Does coexpression of CLA-1 and human PDZK1 in murine liver modulate HDL cholesterol metabolism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.446272611618042,
-1.1555335521697998,
2.619697093963623
] |
['To combine parallel imaging with 3D single-shot acquisition (echo volumar imaging, EVI) in order to acquire high temporal resolution volumar functional MRI (fMRI) data.', 'An improved EVI sequence was associated with parallel acquisition and field of view reduction in order to acquire a large brain volume in 200 msec. Temporal stability and functional sensitivity were increased through optimization of all imaging parameters and Tikhonov regularization of parallel reconstruction. Two human volunteers were scanned with parallel EVI in a 1.5T whole-body MR system, while submitted to a slow event-related auditory paradigm.', 'Thanks to parallel acquisition, the EVI volumes display a low level of geometric distortions and signal losses. After removal of low-frequency drifts and physiological artifacts, activations were detected in the temporal lobes of both volunteers and voxelwise hemodynamic response functions (HRF) could be computed. On these HRF different habituation behaviors in response to sentence repetition could be identified.'] Do high temporal resolution functional MRI using parallel echo volumar imaging? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4193968772888184,
-1.0284957885742188,
2.4926838874816895
] |
['Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the most frequent causes of respiratory tract infections in children. Our objective was to assess the prophylactic benefit of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the hMPV fusion protein in a murine model.', 'BALB/c mice received one intramuscular injection of either 5 or 10 mg/kg of mAb 338 (MedImmune, Inc.) and were infected intranasally 24 h later with 1x10(8) TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose) of hMPV. On days 5 and 42 post-infection, lung samples were collected for determination of viral titres and for histopathological studies. Pulmonary function was characterized by plethysmography.', 'Mean lung viral titres were significantly lower in mice treated with 5 or 10 mg/kg of mAb 338 compared with infected controls on day 5 (283, 45.6 and 1.49x10(5) TCID50/g, respectively; P<0.05). Similarly, lung viral RNA copies were significantly reduced in treated mice on day 42 (292, 101 and 607 copies per 0.01 g of lungs for mice that received 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg or no mAb, respectively; P<0.05). Histopathological changes characterized by important alveolar and interstitial inflammation were less severe in treated mice on days 5 and 42 compared with control. Airways obstruction was also significantly reduced in both treated groups on days 5 and 42, but development of hyperresponsiveness following the acute phase of infection was only significantly reduced in 10 mg/kg treated mice.'] Does the prophylactic administration of a monoclonal antibody against human metapneumovirus attenuate viral disease and airways hyperresponsiveness in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7614529132843018,
-1.6314737796783447,
2.373163938522339
] |
['Sucrose is divided by alpha-glucosidase into fructose and glucose, which are considered to raise plasma uric acid concentration through purine degradation and/or decreased uric acid excretion.', 'We investigated the effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on the increased plasma concentration of uric acid caused by sucrose.', '6 healthy males were studied. After an overnight fast, sucrose at 1.5 g/kg was ingested. Urine was collected 1 hour before sucrose ingestion and then twice at 1-hour intervals after ingestion. Blood was taken twice, at the midpoint of each 1-hour period. 2 weeks later, the same protocol was followed, with acarbose at 100 mg added at the beginning of the sucrose ingestion.', 'Sucrose ingestion raised the plasma concentration of uric acid by 10%, whereas with the addition of acarbose the rise in plasma concentration of uric acid was reduced (p < 0.01) without changes in urinary uric acid excretion and fractional uric acid clearance. Urinary excretion and fractional clearance of oxypurines were unchanged in both experiments.'] Does acarbose alleviate rise in plasma uric acid concentration induced by sucrose ingestion? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.073469877243042,
-1.2833149433135986,
2.3440685272216797
] |
['How colorectal cancer develops resistance to gamma-radiation is not fully understood, but the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and NF-kappaB-regulated gene products have been proposed as mediators. Because curcumin, a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been shown to suppress NF-kappaB activation, whether it can sensitize the colorectal cancer to gamma-radiation was investigated in colorectal cancer xenografts in nude mice.', 'We established HCT 116 xenograft in nude mice, randomized into four groups, and treated with vehicle (corn oil), curcumin, gamma-radiation, and curcumin in combination with gamma-radiation. NF-kappaB modulation was ascertained using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunohistochemistry. Markers of proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasion were monitored by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.', 'Curcumin significantly enhanced the efficacy of fractionated radiation therapy by prolonging the time to tumor regrowth (P=0.02) and by reducing the Ki-67 proliferation index (P<0. 001). Moreover, curcumin suppressed NF-kappaB activity and the expression of NF-kappaB-regulated gene products (cyclin D1, c-myc, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor), many of which were induced by radiation therapy and mediate radioresistance. The combination of curcumin and radiation therapy also suppressed angiogenesis, as indicated by a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density (P=0.002 versus radiation alone).'] Does curcumin sensitize human colorectal cancer xenografts in nude mice to gamma-radiation by targeting nuclear factor-kappaB-regulated gene products? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4435088634490967,
-1.3381965160369873,
2.825430393218994
] |
['Earlier studies show that medical factors and disease severity predict early readmission to hospital after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Few studies have investigated psychosocial predictors. This study investigated medical, sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors of 30-day hospital readmission.', 'A consecutive sample of 181 patients wait-listed for CABGS completed self-report questionnaires before surgery, and at 2 and 6 months after surgery.', 'Twenty-six (14.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge. Readmitted patients were older (t=2.12, df=179, P=0.035), and more likely to be unmarried (chi=5.80, df=1, P=0.016), live alone (chi=8.33, df=1, P=0.004), have a history of hypertension (chi=2.731, df=1, P=0.098) and have higher anxiety before surgery (t=1.67, df=175, P=0.097). When these variables were entered into a backward stepwise logistic regression, the only significant unique predictor of 30-day readmission was living alone (Wald=7.08, odds ratio=3.42, P=0.008). Patients living alone were over three times more likely than those living with others to be readmitted to hospital. Disease severity and other medical factors were not associated with readmission.'] Does living alone predict 30-day hospital readmission after coronary artery bypass graft surgery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.002583565190434456,
-1.063866138458252,
0.2229847013950348
] |
['Reversal of the residual effect of rocuronium or cisatracurium by neostigmine may be slow and associated with side-effects. This randomized, safety-assessor-blinded study compared the efficacy of sugammadex, a selective relaxant binding agent for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block, with that of neostigmine for reversal of cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular block. The safety of sugammadex and neostigmine was also evaluated.', 'Adult surgical patients (ASA class I-III) were randomized to sugammadex 2.0 mg kg(-1) for reversal of block induced by rocuronium 0.6 mg kg(-1), or neostigmine 50 microg kg(-1) for reversal of block induced by cisatracurium 0.15 mg kg(-1). Anaesthesia was induced and maintained using i.v. propofol and remifentanil, fentanyl, or sufentanil. Neuromuscular function was monitored using acceleromyography (TOF-Watch SX). Sugammadex or neostigmine was administered at reappearance of T(2). The primary efficacy variable was time for recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) ratio to 0.9.', 'Eighty-four patients were randomized, 73 of whom received sugammadex (n=34) or neostigmine (n=39). Time from start of administration of reversal agent to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 was 4.7 times faster with sugammadex than with neostigmine (geometric mean=1.9 vs 9.0 min, P<0.0001). Reversal of block was sustained in all patients. There were no serious adverse effects from either reversal agent and no significant changes in any measure of safety, except for similar elevations in urinary N-acetyl glucosaminidase in both groups.'] Is reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block with sugammadex faster than reversal of cisatracurium-induced block with neostigmine? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.889798641204834,
-1.6136977672576904,
2.5467329025268555
] |
['Measles virus (MV) is a highly contagious agent which causes a major health problem in developing countries. We studied the effect of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) on the replication of an AIK-HDC strain of MV and its induced apoptosis in Vero cell lines.', 'In this study, toxicity of BSO on Vero cells was investigated first, resulted in determination of sub-lethal or non-toxic concentration zone of BSO for cells. Next, anti-viral effect of BSO at various time limits was evaluated and virus titer was determined at each stage either as 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID) 50 or by plaque assay method. Using specific anti-measles IgG, anti-viral effect of BSO on MV replication cycle was evaluated through indirect immunofluorescence assay, meanwhile presence of viral RNA was investigated by RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis.', 'According to the experiments, BSO, at concentration of 50 microM, markedly inhibited the cytopathic effect (CPE) induced by MV. BSO also significantly inhibited apoptosis induced by MV. BSO either influences replication of MV genome, or may inhibit virion formation.'] Does buthionine sulfoximine inhibit cytopathic effects and apoptosis induced by infection with AIK-HDC strain of measles virus? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2616734504699707,
-1.367409586906433,
2.7123842239379883
] |
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