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['Portal hypertension is one of the most important clinical conditions that cause intraoperative intensive hemorrhage in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation. Pre-transplant portal decompression may reduce the intraoperative bleeding during liver transplantation.', 'Splenic artery trunk embolization (SATE) was performed one month prior to liver transplantation. Platelet count, prealbumin, international normalized ratio, and blood flow in the portal vein and hepatic artery were monitored before and one month after SATE. The measurements above were collected on admission and before surgery in the non-SATE patients, who served as controls. We also recorded the intraoperative blood loss, operating time, required transfusion, post-transplant ascites, and complications within three months after operation in all patients.', 'SATE significantly reduced portal venous blood flow, increased hepatic arterial blood flow, normalized platelet count, and improved prealbumin and international normalized ratio in the patients before liver transplantation. Compared to the non-SATE patients, the pre-transplant SATE significantly decreased the operating time, intraoperative bleeding, post-transplant ascites and severe surgical complications.'] Does splenic artery trunk embolization reduce the surgical risk of liver transplantation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5421228408813477,
-0.8484057188034058,
2.378671884536743
] |
['Several members of the SIRT family (SIRT1-7), which are a highly conserved family of NAD(+)-dependent enzymes, play an important role in tumor formation. Recently, several studies have suggested that SIRT4 can regulate glutamine metabolism yet have tumor suppressor function too. However, our understanding of SIRT4 expression and its association with the clinicopathological parameters remains poor.', 'We evaluated SIRT4 protein expression levels in gastric adenocarcinoma and corresponding normal gastric tissue by immunohistochemical staining on a tissue microarray that included 75 gastric adenocarcinoma patients. We also determined the association between SIRT4 expression levels and selected clinicopathological parameters in gastric adenocarcinoma.', 'We found that the expression level of SIRT4 in gastric adenocarcinoma was significantly lower than the corresponding normal tissue levels (P=0.003). Besides, lower SIRT4 levels were observed in pathological grade (P=0.002), depth of tumor invasion (P=0.034), positive lymph node numbers (P=0.005) and UICC stage (P=0.002).'] Is sirtuin-4 ( SIRT4 ) downregulated and associated with some clinicopathological features in gastric adenocarcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3111071586608887,
-1.2886905670166016,
2.6396169662475586
] |
['Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) deriving from cirrhosis with HBV infection harbors higher morbidity and poor prognosis. The diagnosis of HCC at its early stage is essential for improving the effect of treatment and survival rate of patients.', 'Affymetrix GeneChip was practiced to establish gene expression profile and significance analysis of microarray (SAM) as well as prediction analysis of microarray (PAM) was utilized to screen candidate marker genes in tissue of carcinoma and para-cancerous with cirrhosis from 15 hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC patients.', 'Total 497 differential genes were selected by microarray (fold change >2; P value<0.01). Then 162 significant genes were determined by SAM (fold change -1.46 to 1.28). A number of 8-genes showing "poor risk signature" was validated with threshold of 6.2, which was associated with cirrhosis progressing to HCC. Only 3 down-regulated and 2 up-regulated predictor genes had statistical difference in HCC and cirrhosis groups by RT-PCR (P value<0.01). Forkhead box protein 1 (FOXP1) and serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) proteins were found significantly increased in carcinoma tissues than para-cancerous cirrhotic tissues by IH and WB.'] Do fOXP1 and SPINK1 reflect the risk of cirrhosis progression to HCC with HBV infection? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.20047664642334,
-1.4054977893829346,
2.6929595470428467
] |
['The riser pattern, an abnormal blood pressure (BP) rhythm in which sleep BP exceeds awake BP, is a predictor of future stroke events. Although the riser pattern is caused by autonomic dysfunction, its significance in heart failure (HF) patients is not established. HF patients often suffered from cognitive impairment (CI), but the relationship between riser pattern and CI is not clearly understood. We tested the hypothesis that the riser pattern is associated with mild CI, a form of brain damage that could develop to dementia.', 'We performed Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography, and blood tests in 444 HF patients just before leaving hospitals. Mild CI, a measure of cognitive function, was defined as the score <26.', 'The mean age of the patients was 68±13 years; 61.5% were male; 22.5% were riser pattern. The MMSE score was significantly lower in the Riser group than in the Non-dipper and Dipper group (23±4 vs. 25±5, 26±4, respectively, P < 0.01). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, a riser pattern was significantly associated with mild CI (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence intervals 1.29-4.42, P < 0.01) after adjusting for significant covariates.'] Does riser Blood Pressure Pattern be Associated With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure Patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.728127121925354,
-1.2610654830932617,
2.053799867630005
] |
['Allergy-related studies that include biological measurements of vitamin D preceding well-measured outcomes are needed.', 'We sought to examine the associations between early-life vitamin D levels and the development of allergy-related outcomes in the racially diverse Wayne County Health, Environment, Allergy, and Asthma Longitudinal Study birth cohort.', "25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured in stored blood samples from pregnancy, cord blood, and age 2 years. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for a 5 ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D levels for the following outcomes at age 2 years: eczema, skin prick tests (SPTs), increased allergen-specific IgE level (≥ 0.35 IU/mL), and doctor's diagnosis of asthma (3-6 years).", 'Prenatal 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with eczema (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96). The association was stronger in white children (white children: OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.57-1.09; black children: OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.82-1.12), although this was not statistically significant. Cord blood 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with having 1 or more positive SPT responses and aeroallergen sensitization. Both associations were statistically significant in white children (positive SPT response: OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32-0.80; ≥ 1 aeroallergen sensitization: OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.28-0.92) in contrast with black children (positive SPT response: OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.68-1.14; ≥ 1 aeroallergen sensitization: OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.65-1.11). 25(OH)D levels measured concurrently with outcome assessment were inversely associated with aeroallergen sensitization (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.96) only among black children (white children: OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.87-1.69).'] Do association between vitamin D levels and allergy-related outcomes vary by race and other factors? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7193458080291748,
-1.5211284160614014,
2.21156644821167
] |
['We have previously reported that brief pressure overload of the left ventricle reduced myocardial infarct (MI) size. However, the role of protein kinase C (PKC) remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated whether pressure overload reduces MI size by activating PKC.', 'MI was induced by a 40-minute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and a 3-hour reperfusion in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. MI size was determined using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Brief pressure overload was achieved by two 10-minute partial snarings of the ascending aorta, raising the systolic left ventricular pressure 50% above the baseline value. Ischemic preconditioning was elicited by two 10-minute coronary artery occlusions and 10-minute reperfusions. Dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle) or calphostin C (0.1\xa0mg/kg, a specific inhibitor of PKC) was administered intravenously as pretreatment.', 'The MI size, expressed as the percentage of the area at risk, was significantly reduced in the pressure overload group and the ischemic preconditioning group (19.0\xa0±\xa02.9% and 18.7\xa0±\xa03.0% vs. 26.1\xa0±\xa02.6% in the control group, where p\xa0<\xa00.001). Pretreatment with calphostin C significantly limited the protection by pressure overload and ischemic preconditioning (25.2\xa0±\xa02.4% and 25.0\xa0±\xa02.3%, where p\xa0<\xa00.001). Calphostin C itself did not significantly affect MI size (25.5\xa0±\xa02.4%). Additionally, the hemodynamics, area at risk, and mortality were not significantly different.'] Does brief pressure overload of the left ventricle reduce myocardial infarct size via activation of protein kinase C? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8848921060562134,
-1.6277401447296143,
2.5235960483551025
] |
['The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is not fully understood, but bone changes are suggested to be important. Bone turnover and bone volume (BV) in human hip OA were investigated in relation to the overlying cartilage degeneration using design-based stereological estimators.', 'Femoral heads were obtained from 25 end-stage OA patients and 24 controls (CTL). Design-based stereological methods were used for sampling and quantification to obtain absolute estimates of volume and surface in the central trabecular and the subarticular bone region. The subarticular bone was further subdivided into regions according to the OARSI-score of the overlying articular cartilage in which erosion and osteoid surfaces were estimated.', 'In the subarticular region, bone volume (BV/TV) was 15.0% higher in OA patients compared to CTL; The fraction of erosive (ES/BS) and osteoid surfaces (OS/BS) were 56.2% and 72.8% higher in OA compared to CTL. In subarticular regions with none to mild cartilage degeneration (OARSI grade 0-2), ES/BS and OS/BS were 48.6% and 59.9% higher in OA compared to CTL, whereas BV/TV did not differ between OA and CTL.'] Is subchondral bone turnover , but not bone volume , increased in early stage osteoarthritic lesions in the human hip joint? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.068723440170288,
-1.3547759056091309,
2.472853899002075
] |
['Although leptin appears to be an important local and systemic factor influencing cartilage homeostasis, the role of leptin in chondrocyte death is largely unknown. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the pathogenesis of articular diseases. This study examines whether leptin modulates TNF-α-induced articular chondrocyte death.', 'Primary rat articular chondrocytes were isolated from knee joint cartilage slices. To induce cell death, the chondrocytes were treated with TNF-α. To examine whether leptin modulates the extent of TNF-α-mediated chondrocyte death, the cells were pretreated with leptin for 3\xa0h before TNF-α treatment followed by viability analysis. To examine the mechanism by which leptin modulates the extent of TNF-α-mediated chondrocyte death, we utilized mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurements, flow cytometry, nuclear morphology observation, co-immunoprecipitation, western blot analysis and confocal microscopy.', 'We demonstrated that leptin suppresses TNF-α induced chondrocyte death. We further found that apoptosis partially contributes to TNF-α induced chondrocyte death while necroptosis primarily contributes to TNF-α induced chondrocyte death. In addition, we observed that leptin exerts anti-TNF-α toxicity via c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in rat articular chondrocytes.'] Does leptin protect rat articular chondrocytes from cytotoxicity induced by TNF-α in the presence of cyclohexamide? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5354349613189697,
-1.1896456480026245,
2.7964305877685547
] |
['You-Gui pills (You-Gui-Wan; YGW) can promote T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation, and restore Th1/Th2 balance in the treatment of asthma, but their mechanism of action is not fully known. This study aims to explore whether YGW can induce histone deacetylation or acetylation in memory T lymphocytes (Tm) for improvement of airway inflammation in asthma.', 'CD4(+)CD45RB(low) cells, as Tm, were obtained by magnetic-activated cell sorting and flow cytometry from the spleens of BALB/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. Tm were cocultured with hydrocortisone (CORT; 1000 nM), serum containing low (0.225\xa0g/kg), moderate (0.9\xa0g/kg), or high (3.6\xa0g/kg) doses of YGW, or medium only, and then adoptively transferred into naïve mice (n\u2009=\u20095 per group). Recipient mice were challenged with aerosolized OVA. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-γ in culture supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the OVA-challenged mice were measured by ELISA. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activities and protein expressions of T-bet, GATA-3, and HDAC1-11 in lung tissue were measured by western blotting analyses. The alveolar eosinophilic inflammation index (AEII) was evaluated in the lungs of adoptive transfer recipient mice.', 'YGW reduced inflammation and eosinophil infiltration into the lung tissues as evidenced by histology, with similar effects to those of CORT. High-, moderate-, and low-YGW increased HDAC (P\u2009<\u20090.0001, P\u2009=\u20090.0009 and P\u2009=\u20090.0253 respectively) and decreased HAT (P\u2009=\u20090.0001, P\u2009=\u20090.0000 and P\u2009=\u20090.0039, respectively) activities in dose-dependent manners in the lung tissues of adoptive transfer recipient mice. Increased histone deacetylation of Tm by YGW reduced the AEII by reducing GATA-3 (P\u2009=\u20090.014),IL-4 (P\u2009=\u20090.0004), IL-5 (P\u2009=\u20090.0067), and IL-13 (P\u2009=\u20090.0002), and inducing IFN-γ release (P\u2009=\u20090.0375). Moreover, YGW reduced inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 by upregulating the activities of HDAC7 (P\u2009=\u20090.003)/10 (P\u2009=\u20090.003), HDAC11 (P\u2009<\u20090.0001), and HDAC9-11 (P\u2009<\u20090.0001, P\u2009<\u20090.0001 and P\u2009<\u20090.0001, respectively), respectively, and increased IFN-γ release by increasing HDAC9 (P\u2009<\u20090.0001).'] Does histone deacetylation of memory T lymphocytes by You-Gui-Wan alleviate allergen-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2527501583099365,
-1.4926626682281494,
2.7186713218688965
] |
['Recent studies applied laser-evoked potentials (LEP) for the analysis of small nerve fibre function and focused on the detection of stable C-fibre-mediated potentials (C-LEPs); high technical requirements were needed. The diagnostic significance is still controversially discussed. So far, only few studies focused on the susceptibility of C-LEPs to distraction and other influences. We hypothesized that C-LEPs are altered by habituation processes and distraction.', 'Twelve subjects were tested with a C-fibre laser set-up (neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-perovskite laser with a 10-mm beam diameter and 10-ms stimulus time) at the left perioral area. In condition I, the subjects received repetitive painful laser stimuli at the right hand to induce habituation. In condition II, the subjects had to fulfil an auditory discrimination task (where the subjects had to estimate the pitch of different tones on a scale for 20\xa0min). C-LEPs were retrieved before and after the habituation or distraction paradigm. C-LEPs were also measured in a control group who was not influenced by laser stimuli or other disturbances during a 23-min break between the two test sessions.', 'In both test conditions, there was significant C-LEP amplitude reduction. The LEP amplitudes of the control group remained unchanged.'] Do central habituation and distraction alter C-fibre-mediated laser-evoked potential amplitudes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.398740530014038,
-1.1249357461929321,
2.5583600997924805
] |
['An important role has emerged for calpain enzymes in regulating inflammation with one isoform, calpain-2, particularly important for macrophage activation. The goal of this study was to determine the therapeutic potential of a synthetic calpain-2 inhibitor, zLLY-CH2F, for colitis and inflammation-associated colorectal cancer.', 'Mice were then subjected to the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium model of colitis and colitis-associated cancer incorporating intervention with daily injections of 0.75 mg/kg calpain-2 inhibitor beginning after the first signs of colitis.', 'Calpain-2 inhibitor treatment alleviated weight loss and bloody diarrhea, and reduced inflammatory infiltration into colon tissues and inflammatory cytokine mRNA. Calpain-2 inhibitor intervention also reduced total colitis-associated cancer tumor volume by up to 70% in vehicle control mice and decreased cancer pathology scores of blinded histological colon tissue analyses. Mechanistic investigations showed that calpain-2 inhibition during macrophage activation reduced inhibitor of kappa beta (IκB) degradation and nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB) nuclear localization as well as secretion of specific inflammatory cytokines. In addition, calpain-2 inhibitor treatment of CT26.WT mouse and HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells decreased proliferation and reduced IκB degradation and NFκB translocation.'] Does calpain-2 Inhibitor Therapy reduce Murine Colitis and Colitis-associated Cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3940041065216064,
-1.2529809474945068,
2.70357346534729
] |
['Adherence to medication is a major issue in bipolar disorder. Non-planning impulsivity, defined as a lack of future orientation, has been demonstrated to be the main impulsivity domain altered during euthymia in bipolar disorder patients. It was associated with comorbidities.', 'To investigate relationship between adherence to medication and non-planning impulsivity, we included 260 euthymic bipolar patients. Adherence to medication was evaluated by Medication Adherence Rating Scale and non-planning impulsivity by Barrat Impulsiveness Scale. Univariate analyses and linear regression were used. We conducted also a path analysis to examine whether non-planning impulsivity had direct or indirect effect on adherence, mediated by comorbidities.', 'Adherence to medication was correlated with non-planning impulsivity, even after controlling for potential confounding factors in linear regression analysis (Beta standardized coefficient = 0.156; p = 0.015). Path analysis demonstrated only a direct effect of non-planning impulsivity on adherence to medication, and none indirect effect via substance use disorders and anxiety disorders.'] Is adherence to medication associated with non-planning impulsivity in euthymic bipolar disorder patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.356062412261963,
-0.5849631428718567,
2.0689475536346436
] |
['Increasing evidences link T helper 17 (Th17) cells with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this context, interleukin-22 (IL-22), a Th17-linked cytokine, has been implicated in blood brain barrier breakdown and lymphocyte infiltration. Furthermore, polymorphism between MS patients and controls has been recently described in the gene coding for IL-22 binding protein (IL-22BP). Here, we aimed to better characterize IL-22 in the context of MS.', 'IL-22 and IL-22BP expressions were assessed by ELISA and qPCR in the following compartments of MS patients and control subjects: (1) the serum, (2) the cerebrospinal fluid, and (3) immune cells of peripheral blood. Identification of the IL-22 receptor subunit, IL-22R1, was performed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in human brain tissues and human primary astrocytes. The role of IL-22 on human primary astrocytes was evaluated using 7-AAD and annexin V, markers of cell viability and apoptosis, respectively.', 'In a cohort of 141 MS patients and healthy control (HC) subjects, we found that serum levels of IL-22 were significantly higher in relapsing MS patients than in HC but also remitting and progressive MS patients. Monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells contained an enhanced expression of mRNA coding for IL-22BP as compared to HC. Using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we found that IL-22 and its receptor were detected on astrocytes of brain tissues from both control subjects and MS patients, although in the latter, the expression was higher around blood vessels and in MS plaques. Cytometry-based functional assays revealed that addition of IL-22 improved the survival of human primary astrocytes. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor α-treated astrocytes had a better long-term survival capacity upon IL-22 co-treatment. This protective effect of IL-22 seemed to be conferred, at least partially, by a decreased apoptosis.'] Is interleukin-22 increased in multiple sclerosis patients and targets astrocytes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3873021602630615,
-1.348280429840088,
2.783416986465454
] |
['Flap necrosis is generally regarded as the result of vasospasm, thrombosis, and infection.', 'To improve skin flap survival and lower the risk of side effects due to systemic drug delivery, we formulated and evaluated compound gels for transdermal application. The transdermal delivery of 1% azithromycin (AZM), 0.5% amlodipine besylate (AB), and 300 IU/g low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in compound gels, singly or in combinations, was measured across rat skin in vitro. The effects of AB and LMWH on flap blood circulation was investigated using fluorescein angiography, by transdermally applying the gel onto the surface of an in vivo ischaemic flap rat model; concentrations of the drugs were detected in both blood plasma and flap tissue at assigned timepoints. Finally, infected ischaemic flaps were treated to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects and sizes of flap survival area.', 'Each drug efficiently penetrated the in vitro skin in a time-dependent manner. In the in vivo ischaemic flaps, AB or LMWH increased the blood supply. All gel formulations that included AZM were associated with less flap inflammation. The surviving areas after treatment with AZM+LMWH or AZM+AB were significantly larger than that treated with the AZM-only gel, and the largest surviving area was that treated with AZM+AB+LMWH. Gels containing no AZM could not decrease flap inflammation or increase flap survival.'] Does transdermal application of azithromycin-amlodipine-heparin gel enhance survival of infected random ischaemic flap? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2633302211761475,
-1.449600100517273,
2.7277626991271973
] |
['Compound 10b is a hybrid molecule of edaravone and a ring-opening derivative of 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of compound 10b on brain damage in rats after focal cerebral ischemia.', 'SD rats were subjected to 2-h-middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). At the onset of reperfusion, the rats were orally treated with NBP (60 mg/kg), edaravone (3 mg/kg), NBP (60 mg/kg)+edaravone (3 mg/kg), or compound 10b (70, 140 mg/kg). The infarct volume, motor behavior deficits, brain water content, histopathological alterations, and activity of GSH, SOD, and MDA were analyzed 24 h after reperfusion. The levels of relevant proteins in the ipsilateral striatum were examined using immunoblotting.', 'Administration of compound 10b (70 or 140 mg/kg) significantly reduced the infarct volume and neurological deficits in MCAO rats. The neuroprotective effects of compound 10b were more pronounced compared to NBP, edaravone or NBP+edaravone. Furthermore, compound 10b significantly upregulated the protein levels of the cytoprotective molecules Bcl-2, HO-1, Nrf2, Trx, P-NF-κB p65, and IκB-α, while decreasing the expression of Bax, caspase 3, caspase 9, Txnip, NF-κB p65, and P-IκB-α.'] Does the edaravone and 3-n-butylphthalide ring-opening derivative 10b effectively attenuate cerebral ischemia injury in rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.17480206489563,
-1.4426140785217285,
2.5975122451782227
] |
['Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), a major bioactive compound of the flavonoid family, is commonly extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis and possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and is assumed to have anti-diabetes function. Indeed, a current study has shown that it can possibly treat metabolic disorders such as those found in db/db mice. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of wogonin on osteopontin (OPN) expression in adipose tissue from type 1 diabetic mice and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.', 'Type 1 diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were converted to 3T3-L1 adipocytes through treatment with insulin, dexamethasone, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Western blot analysis and RT-PCR were performed to detect protein expression and mRNA levels, respectively.', 'Wogonin treatment suppressed the increase in serum OPN levels and reduced OPN expression in adipose tissue from STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Administration of wogonin enhanced PPARα expression and activity. Silencing of PPARα diminished the inhibitory effects of wogonin on OPN expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, the levels of c-Fos and phosphorylated c-Jun were reduced in wogonin-treated adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, wogonin treatment dramatically mitigated p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK by its specific inhibitor SB203580 increased PPARα activity and decreased OPN expression.'] Does wogonin suppress osteopontin expression in adipocytes by activating PPARα? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3649959564208984,
-1.3374918699264526,
2.7405200004577637
] |
['The aim of the study was to determine whether hepatocyte mitochondrial injury instigates severe shock and to explore effective therapy.', 'Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control (sham) group, shock + normal saline, shock + cyclosporine A, shock + resveratrol (Res) and shock + polydatin (PD) group. Mitochondrial morphology and function in hepatocytes following treatment were determined.', 'Hepatocytes following severe shock exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction characterized with opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, mitochondrial swelling, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and reduced ATP levels. Moreover, severe shock induced oxidative stress with increased lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species, decreased SOD2 (Superoxide Dismutase 2) and GSH/GSSG, which resulted in increased lysosomal membrane permeabilization and hepatocyte mitochondrial injury. Additionally, Res and PD restored decreased deacetylase sirtuin1 activity and protein expression in liver tissue following severe shock, suppressed oxidative stress-induced lysosomal unstability and mitochondrial injury by increasing the protein expression of SOD2, and thereby contributed to the prevention of hepatocyte mitochondria dysfunction and liver injury.'] Does polydatin protect hepatocytes against mitochondrial injury in acute severe hemorrhagic shock via SIRT1-SOD2 pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5661380290985107,
-1.0855567455291748,
2.725762367248535
] |
['Patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have variable survival outcomes. We have previously shown that an elevated peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is associated with an increased metastatic risk in patients with primary NPC. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment LMR in a large cohort of metastatic NPC patients.', 'Clinical data of 672 patients with metastatic NPC diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2009 were analyzed. The peripheral lymphocyte and monocyte counts were retrieved, and LMR was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazards analyses were performed to evaluate the association of LMR with overall survival (OS).', 'Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated absolute lymphocyte count (≥1.390×10(9)/L) and LMR (≥2.475) as well as a decreased monocyte count (<0.665×10(9)/L) were significantly associated with prolonged OS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that LMR (hazard ratio [HR]=0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.41-0.60, P<0.001), absolute lymphocyte count (HR=0.77, 95% CI=0.64-0.93, P=0.007), and monocyte count (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.63-2.41, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors. By stratification analyses, only LMR remained a significant predictor of prognosis.'] Does elevated peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio predict a favorable prognosis in the patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3847819566726685,
-1.733259916305542,
2.093832492828369
] |
['This study was to investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in combination with Genistein on the proliferation, expression of apoptosis related proteins and adhesion molecules (MUC1 and ICAM-1) and invasiveness of A549 cells, aiming to investigate whether combined therapy of ATRA and Genistein is superior to monotherapy in suppressing metastasis of lung cancer cells.', 'ATRA, Genistein and both were used to treat human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 cells). Immunohistochemistry was done for MUC1 expression, flow cytometry for ICAM-1 expression, fluorescence quantitative PCR for MUC1 expression and Western blot assay for the expressions of cell cycle related proteins (CDK4, Rb and p-ERK1/2) and apoptosis related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). Cells were seeded into Matrigel pre-coated Transwell chambers, and the migrating cells were counted.', 'Combined treatment with ATRA and Genistein was able to reduce the expressions of Bcl-2, MUC1 and ICAM-1 and exerted synergistic effects to inhibit the invasion of A549 cells.'] Do aTRA and Genistein synergistically inhibit the metastatic potential of human lung adenocarcinoma cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.529451608657837,
-1.2252262830734253,
2.8296568393707275
] |
['The 30-minute rule for RBC concentrates out of controlled temperature storage does not take into account multiple parameters that influence warming of RBC concentrates. This study evaluated two temperature-sensitive indicators (TIs) for monitoring RBC concentrates during transport.', 'TI labels (Check-Spot [Harald H. Temmel KG, Gleisdorf, Austria] and Thermoindikator V4 [BASF, Basel, Switzerland]) were attached to RBC concentrates prior to delivery. Duration of transport, ambient temperatures, and label results (valid vs expired) were recorded. We evaluated the proportion of labels discrepant to the 30-minute rule overall and among deliveries 30 minutes or less and more than 30 minutes and compared the rates of valid and expired readings between both TIs.', 'In total, 201 RBC concentrate deliveries (86.6%) lasted 30 minutes or less, and 31 (13.4%) were more than 30 minutes. Forty-six (19.8%) Check-Spot and 37 (15.9%) Thermoindikator V4 results were discrepant to the 30-minute rule. Sixteen (51.6%) and 27 (87.1%) RBC concentrate deliveries more than 30 minutes displayed valid label readings with Check-Spot and Thermoindikator V4, respectively. Rates of expired labels among deliveries 30 minutes or less and valid labels among deliveries more than 30 minutes differed significantly between TIs (P < .01).'] Does temperature-Sensitive Indicators for Monitoring RBC concentrate Out of Controlled Temperature Storage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 0 | [
0.6015601754188538,
-1.0613079071044922,
-0.2650124132633209
] |
['To explore the efficacy of a novel tissue engineered bone in repairing bone defects using poly-lactic acid-polycaprolactone (PLA-PCL) scaffolding seeded with PEG-bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) transfected rBMSCs (rabbit bone marrow stromal cells).', 'rBMSCs were harvested, transfected with PEG/BMP-2 or liposome/BMP-2 and then implanted into PLA-PCL tissue engineered bone. The protein level of BMP-2 was assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the amount of BMP-2 in culture media. The mRNA levels of BMP-2 and osteocalcin were assayed quantitatively by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The middle portion of bilateral radius in New Zealand rabbits was excised and implanted with tissue engineered bone. And the modified areas were monitored by radiology, hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining of BMP-2.', 'PEG-BMP-2 nanoparticles (NPs) and BMP-2 loaded PEG-PLA-PCL tissue engineered bones were successfully constructed. The novel PEG-PLA-PCL NPs/DNA complex was superior for transfecting BMP-2 in rBMSCs compared to traditional liposomes. Moreover, the mRNA level of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase activity also increased after a transfection of BMP-2 encapsulated NPs.'] Do [ Bone morphogenetic protein-2-encupsulated PEG-grafted-poly-lactic acid-polycaprolactone nanoparticles promote bone repair ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3587396144866943,
-1.4129050970077515,
2.8514328002929688
] |
['To explore the role of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) on ventricular substrate remodeling in dogs with pacing-induced heart failure (HF).', "A total of 19 dogs were randomized into 3 groups of sham-operated control (n = 7), right ventricular pacing induction of HF (n = 6) and RSD (n = 6). After 8-week pacing induction of HF. Hemodynamic variables were monitored at baseline and after HF. Masson's trichrome staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot were used to measure ventricular interstitial fibrosis, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).", 'All dogs in HF and HF+RSD groups showed increased left and right ventricular diastolic dimensions [left ventricle: (27.0 ± 2.4) vs (37.0 ± 2.8) mm, P < 0.01 and (30.0 ± 2.5) vs (36.0 ± 2.8) mm, P < 0.05; right ventricle: (11.0 ± 1.5) vs (14.0 ± 1.7) mm, P = 0.03 and (12.0 ± 1.1) vs (14.0 ± 1.2) mm, P < 0.05]. Compared with HF + RSD dogs, HF dogs had higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) [(25.0 ± 3.7) vs (3.3 ± 1.6) mmHg, P < 0.01] and more fibrous tissue (left ventricle:24.1% ± 4.8% vs 8.5% ± 1.9%, P < 0.01; right ventricle:17.2% ± 5.2% vs 11.8% ± 3.9%, P < 0.01). The levels of BNP, Ang II, aldosterone and TGF-β in ventricular tissue increased in HF dogs compared to sham-operated and HF+RSD dogs.'] Does [ Renal sympathetic denervation suppress ventricular substrate remodeling in a canine high-rate pacing model ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4170180559158325,
-1.6396070718765259,
2.0010571479797363
] |
['Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer in men in Europe. A major focus in urology is the identification of new biomarkers with improved accuracy in patients with low-risk prostate cancer. Here, we evaluated two-dimensional neovascular complexity in prostate tumor and nontumor biopsy cores by use of a computer-aided image analysis system and assessed the correlations between the results and selected clinical and pathological parameters of prostate carcinoma.', 'A total of 280 prostate biopsy sections from a homogeneous series of 70 patients with low-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 3+3, prostate-specific antigen [PSA]<10 ng/mL, and clinical stage T1c) who underwent systematic biopsy sampling and subsequent radical prostatectomy were analyzed. For each biopsy, 2-µm sections were treated with CD34 antibodies and were digitized by using an image analysis system that automatically estimates the surface fractal dimension.', "Our results showed that biopsy sections without cancer were significantly more vascularized than were tumors. No correlations were found between the vascular surface fractal dimension and patient's age, PSA and free-to-total PSA ratios, pathological stage, Gleason score, tumor volume, vascular invasion, capsular penetration, surgical margins, and biochemical recurrence."] Is two-dimensional neovascular complexity significantly higher in nontumor prostate tissue than in low-risk prostate cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.154844045639038,
-1.3764629364013672,
2.59128475189209
] |
['To assess the rates of infectious complications before and after the change of prophylactic antibiotic regimens in prostate needle biopsy.', 'The records of 5,577 patients who underwent prostate needle biopsy at Asan Medical Center between August 2005 and July 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Group 1 (n=1,743) included patients treated between 2005 and 2009 with fluoroquinolone for 3 days, group 2 (n=2,723) included those treated between 2009 and 2012 with ceftriaxone once before the biopsy and fluoroquinolone before biopsy and continue therapy for 3 days, and group 3 (n=1,111) received the same treatment for more than 7 days after the biopsy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models addressed risk factors associated with infectious complication after prostate needle biopsy.', 'Infectious complication after prostate needle biopsy developed in 18 (group 1), seven (group 2), and two patients (group 3) (p=0.001). In group 1, seven patients with infectious complication had positive blood cultures and harbored fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli, four had ceftriaxone susceptible isolates, and three had extended spectrum beta-lactamase-positive E. coli. Two patients in group 1 required intensive care because of septic shock. In multivariable analysis, the patients with combination of fluoroquinolone and ceftriaxone had significantly lower infectious complication rate than the fluoroquinolon alone (p=0.003).'] Does antibiotic prophylaxis with intravenous ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolone reduce infectious complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1838538646698,
-1.455601453781128,
2.660714864730835
] |
['Judicious selection of potential liver transplant candidates and close monitoring of progress are essential to successful outcomes. Pretransplant psychosocial evaluations are the norm, but the relationship between psychosocial (and neurocognitive status) and longer term medical outcomes is understudied. This exploratory study sought to examine the relationship between objective measures of pretransplant psychosocial and neurocognitive status and service utilization, transplant status, and all-cause mortality.', 'This retrospective chart review examined outcomes among 108 psychiatric, high-risk liver transplant candidates up to four years following initial evaluation. Predictor variables of outcomes included demographic, medical, neurocognitive, psychological, and mental health treatment variables.', 'Transplant status and neurocognitive functioning were independently associated with all-cause mortality. None of the other variables were associated with outcomes.'] Is neurocognitive status associated with all-cause mortality among psychiatric , high-risk liver transplant candidates and recipients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.654083490371704,
-0.15944267809391022,
1.9768216609954834
] |
['Previous studies have found different outcomes after revision of knee arthroplasties performed after high tibial osteotomy (HTO). We evaluated the risk of revision of total knee arthroplasty with or without previous HTO in a large registry material.', '31,077 primary TKAs were compared with 1,399 TKAs after HTO, using Kaplan-Meier 10-year survival percentages and adjusted Cox regression analysis.', 'The adjusted survival analyses showed similar survival in the 2 groups. The Kaplan-Meier 10-year survival was 93.8% in the primary TKA group and 92.6% in the TKA-post-HTO group. Adjusted RR was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.77-1.21; p = 0.8).'] Is the risk of revision in total knee arthroplasty affected by previous high tibial osteotomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.9176779389381409,
-1.6097006797790527,
1.532453179359436
] |
['Postoperative muscle strength and component alignment are important factors affecting functional results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We are not aware of any studies that have investigated the relationship between them. We therefore investigated whether coronal malalignment of the mechanical axis and/or of individual implant components would affect knee muscle strength and function 1 year after TKA surgery.', 'We included 120 consecutive osteoarthritis (OA) patients admitted for TKA. Preoperative active range of motion (ROM) of the knee, patient age, sex, and BMI were recorded and the Knee Society score (KSS) and knee joint extensor/flexor muscle strength were assessed. At 1-year follow-up, the mechanical and coronal component alignment was measured from a postoperative long standing radiograph, and ROM, KSS, and muscle strength measurements were taken in 91 patients. Functional outcome and muscle strength measurements were compared between normally aligned and malaligned TKA groups.', '29 of 91 TKAs were malaligned, i.e. they deviated more than 3° from the neutral mechanical axis. 18 femoral components and 15 tibial components were malaligned. Before surgery, the malaligned and normally aligned groups were similar regarding sex distribution, BMI, ROM, KSS, and muscle strength. At the 1-year follow-up, the differences between the groups regarding knee joint function and muscle strength were small, not statistically significant, and barely clinically relevant.'] Does moderate varus/valgus malalignment after total knee arthroplasty have little effect on knee function or muscle strength? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.054785966873169,
-1.2568018436431885,
2.3333725929260254
] |
['Intermolecular multiple quantum coherences (iMQCs) are a source of MR contrast with applications including temperature imaging, anisotropy mapping, and brown fat imaging. Because all applications are limited by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we developed a pulse sequence that detects intermolecular zero quantum coherences with improved SNR.', 'A previously developed pulse sequence that detects iMQCs, HOMOGENIZED with off resonance transfer (HOT), was modified with a multi-spin echo spatial encoding scheme (MSE-HOT). MSE-HOT uses a series of refocusing pulses to generate a stack of images that are averaged in postprocessing for higher SNR. MSE-HOT performance was quantified by measuring its temperature accuracy and precision during hyperthermia of ex vivo red bone marrow samples.', 'MSE-HOT yielded a three-fold improvement in temperature precision relative to previous pulse sequences. Sources of improved precision were 1) echo averaging and 2) suppression of J-coupling in the methylene protons of fat. MSE-HOT measured temperature change with an accuracy of 0.6°C.'] Do multi-spin echo spatial encoding provides three-fold improvement of temperature precision during intermolecular zero quantum thermometry? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0367772579193115,
-1.2350332736968994,
2.3127753734588623
] |
['Adenocarcinoma is the most dominant type of lung cancer in never-smoker patients. The risk alleles from genome-wide association studies have small odds ratios and unclear biologic roles. Here we have taken an approach featuring suitable medical actionability to identify alleles with low population frequency but high disease-causing potential.', 'Whole-genome sequencing was performed for a family with an unusually high density of lung adenocarcinoma with available DNA from the affected mother, four affected daughters, and one nonaffected son. Candidate risk alleles were confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy. Validation was conducted in an external cohort of 1,135 participants without cancer and 1,312 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Family follow-ups were performed by genotyping the relatives of the original proband and the relatives of the identified risk-allele carriers. Low-dose computed tomography scans of the chest were evaluated for lung abnormalities.', 'YAP1 R331W missense mutation from the original family was identified and validated in the external controls and the cohort with lung adenocarcinoma. The YAP1 mutant-allele carrier frequency was 1.1% in patients with lung adenocarcinoma compared with 0.18% in controls (P = .0095), yielding an odds ratio (adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status) of 5.9. Among the relatives, YAP1-mutant carriers have overwhelmingly higher frequencies of developing lung adenocarcinoma or ground-glass opacity lung lesions than those who do not carry the mutation (10:0 v 1:7; P < .001). YAP1 mutation was shown to increase the colony formation ability and invasion potential of lung cancer cells.'] Does r331W Missense Mutation of Oncogene YAP1 be a Germline Risk Allele for Lung Adenocarcinoma With Medical Actionability? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9732547998428345,
-1.5288490056991577,
2.5112075805664062
] |
['To evaluate bone quantity and quality in postmenarchal adolescents treated for idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) in childhood with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) and to determine the serum concentrations of bone remodeling markers.', 'This cross-sectional study included 53 postmenarchal adolescent girls who were divided into 2 groups: 27 adolescents who were treated with GnRHa in childhood for idiopathic CPP (the CPP group) and 26 women who presented with physiological development of secondary sex traits (the control group).', 'None.', 'Weight, height, body mass index, age at menarche, time since menarche, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), bone quality, and serum insulin, glucose, osteocalcin, and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen concentrations were compared in the 2 groups. BMD data were analyzed by using both dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and osteosonography, and body composition was measure with the use of DXA and electrical bioimpedance.', 'BMD and bone quality did not differ significantly between the CPP and control groups when analyzed by using DXA or osteosonography. Serum osteocalcin concentration was significantly lower (P = .02) in the CPP than in the control group. Insulin was higher in the CPP group, and hyperinsulinemia was an independent predictor of bone quantity and quality assessed by using osteosonography. Body mass index and percent fat were determined by using DXA, and the duration of use of GnRHa treatment and the time since GnRHa discontinuation were not independent predictors of bone quantity and quality.'] Is use of a Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Analog to Treat Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty Associated with Changes in Bone Structure in Postmenarchal Adolescents? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2310791015625,
-1.365107774734497,
2.624326229095459
] |
['Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases. MMPs have been characterized in detail in mammals and shown to play key roles in many physiological and pathological processes. Although MMPs in some plant species have been identified, the function of MMPs in biotic stress responses remains elusive.', 'A total of five MMP genes were identified in tomato genome. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that expression of Sl-MMP genes was induced with distinct patterns by infection of Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 and by treatment with defense-related hormones such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene precursor 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-based knockdown of individual Sl-MMPs and disease assays indicated that silencing of Sl3-MMP resulted in reduced resistance to B. cinerea and Pst DC3000, whereas silencing of other four Sl-MMPs did not affect the disease resistance against these two pathogens. The Sl3-MMP-silenced tomato plants responded with increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and alerted expression of defense genes after infection of B. cinerea. Transient expression of Sl3-MMP in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana led to an enhanced resistance to B. cinerea and upregulated expression of defense-related genes. Biochemical assays revealed that the recombinant mature Sl3-MMP protein had proteolytic activities in vitro with distinct preferences for specificity of cleavage sites. The Sl3-MMP protein was targeted onto the plasma membrane of plant cells when transiently expressed in onion epidermal cells.'] Is tomato Sl3-MMP , a member of the Matrix metalloproteinase family , required for disease resistance against Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv . tomato DC3000? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3720226287841797,
-1.2340221405029297,
2.6535067558288574
] |
['Adherence to maintenance medication regimens in inflammatory bowel disease patients has traditionally been poor. Although infliximab has demonstrated efficacy in inducing and maintaining disease remission, adherence to regularly scheduled infliximab infusions is required to maintain therapeutic trough drug levels and prevent the development of anti-infliximab antibodies.', 'To characterize patient adherence to regularly scheduled induction and maintenance infliximab infusions.', 'A retrospective cohort study was conducted evaluating adult outpatients with Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis on an induction or maintenance regimen of regularly scheduled infliximab from 2008 to 2010 at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta). Nonadherence was defined by a discrepancy of >72 h between the scheduled date of infusion and the actual date of administration. Patients were defined as nonadherent if they received <80% of their infliximab infusions per schedule.', 'A total of 215 patients (173 Crohn disease, 42 ulcerative colitis) met the inclusion criteria. Patients received a median of 12.0 infliximab infusions (interquartile range 7.0 to 13.0) during the study period; 412 induction and 1837 maintenance infliximab infusions were administered. Of 140 patients, 109 (77.9%) were adherent to their infliximab induction regimen, while 68 of 215 (31.6%) were adherent to their infliximab maintenance regimen. One hundred ninety-eight of 215 (92.1%) patients received at least one delayed maintenance infliximab infusion and 20 (10.1%) received maintenance infusions, on average, >1 week late.'] Are inflammatory bowel disease patients frequently nonadherent to scheduled induction and maintenance infliximab therapy : A Canadian cohort study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4314217567443848,
-1.4881610870361328,
1.8824610710144043
] |
['Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and heart failure (HF) are common coexisting diseases. Intermittent hypoxia (IH), caused by repeated apnea/hypopnea events, accompanied by increased systemic inflammation, might contribute to the promotion of HF.', 'To assess the hypothesis, rats were exposed to IH or normal air condition 4 weeks on the basis of normal heart function or pre-existing HF, which was induced by pressure overload caused by abdominal aortic constriction surgery performed 12 weeks earlier. Echocardiography was performed before and after IH exposure to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function. Serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometric analysis was used to determine the apoptotic rate of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs).', 'The echocardiographic study showed a significant decrease in LV fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) as well as an increase in the LV relative wall thickness (RWT) index in HF rats, which was aggravated by further exposure to IH compared with single-handed HF-only and sham-IH and sham-control groups. A reduced PMN apoptotic rate was observed in HF-IH rats compared with HF-only, sham-IH, and sham-control rats. Serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were also increased in HF-IH rats, accompanied by delayed PMN apoptosis, indicating significant systemic inflammation induced by IH.'] Does delayed neutrophil apoptosis mediate intermittent hypoxia-induced progressive heart failure in pressure-overloaded rats? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.32094669342041,
-1.3548330068588257,
2.681640148162842
] |
['Vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) produce antimicrobial peptides including human β-defensin 2 (hBD2) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), as well as cytokines and chemokines that play vital roles in mucosal innate immunity of the female reproductive tract. Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata), a herbal plant found in Asia, possesses various activities including antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammation. As inflammation and infection are commonly found in female reproductive tract, we aimed to investigate the effects of H. cordata water extract in modulating innate immune factors produced by VECs.', 'Primary human VECs were cultured and treated with H. cordata at a concentration ranging from 25-200\xa0μg/ml for 6 or 18\xa0h. After treatment, the cells and culture supernatants were harvested. The expression of hBD2 and SLPI mRNA was evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. Levels of secreted hBD2 and SLPI as well as cytokines and chemokines in the supernatants were measured by ELISA and Luminex assay, respectively. Cytotoxicity of the extract on VECs was assessed by CellTiter-Blue Cell Viability Assay.', 'H. cordata did not cause measurable toxicity on VECs after exposure for 18\xa0h. The expression of hBD2 and SLPI mRNA as well as the secreted hBD2 protein were increased in response to H. cordata exposure for 18\xa0h when compared to the untreated controls. However, treatment with the extract for 6\xa0h had only slight effects on the mRNA expression of hBD2 and SLPI. The secretion of IL-2 and IL-6 proteins by VECs was also increased, while the secretion of CCL5 was decreased after treatment with the extract for 18\xa0h. Treatment with H. cordata extract had some effects on the secretion of IL-4, IL-8, CCL2, and TNF-α, but not statistically significant.'] Are vaginal innate immune mediators modulated by a water extract of Houttuynia cordata Thunb? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.341878652572632,
-1.4138718843460083,
2.7761354446411133
] |
['Diabetic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exhibit significantly increased rates of proliferation and migration, which was the most common pathological change in atherosclerosis. In addition, the study about the role for miRNAs in the regulation of VSMC proliferation is just beginning to emerge and additional miRNAs involved in VSMC proliferation modulation should be identified.', 'The expression of miR-138 and SIRT1 were examined in SMCs separated from db/db mice and in SMC lines C-12511 exposed to high glucose with qRT-PCR and western blot. The regulation of miR-138 on the expression of SMCs was detected with luciferase report assay. VSMCs proliferation and migration assays were performed to examine the effect of miR-138 inhibitor on VSMCs proliferation and migration.', "We discovered that higher mRNA level of miR-138 and reduced expression of SIRT1 were observed in SMCs separated from db/db mice and in SMC lines C-12511. Moreover, luciferase report assay showed that the activity of SIRT1 3'-UTR was highly increased by miR-138 inhibitor and reduced by miR-138 mimic. In addition, we examined that the up-regulation of NF-κB induced by high glucose in SMCs was reversed by resveratrol and miR-138 inhibitor. MTT and migration assays showed that miR-138 inhibitor attenuated the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells."] Does miR-138 promote smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration in db/db mice through down-regulation of SIRT1? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.213594675064087,
-0.8667073845863342,
2.036820411682129
] |
['Knee cartilage defects represent a socioeconomic burden and may cause lifelong disability. Studies have shown that cartilage defects are detected in approximately 60% of knee arthroscopies. In clinical trials, the majority of these patients are excluded. This study investigates whether patients included in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) represent a selected group compared to general cartilage patients.', 'Published randomized clinical trials on cartilage repair studies were identified (May 2009) and analyzed to define common inclusion criteria that in turn were applied to all patients submitted to our cartilage repair center during 2008. Patient-administered Lysholm knee score was used to evaluate functional level at referral. In addition, previous surgery and size and localization of cartilage defects were recorded.', 'Common inclusion criteria in the referred patients and patients included in the published RCTs were single femoral condyle lesion, age range 18 to 40 years, and size of lesion range 3.2 to 4.0 cm(2). Six of 137 referred patients matched all the 7 RCTs. Previous cartilage repair and multiple lesions were associated with decreased Lysholm score (P < 0.002). Lysholm score was independent of age, gender, and time of symptoms from the defect.'] Are knee Cartilage Defect Patients Enrolled in Randomized Controlled Trials Representative of Patients in Orthopedic Practice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.993134617805481,
-0.9861671924591064,
1.9621047973632812
] |
["The demand for hematologists and oncologists is not being met. We hypothesized that an inpatient hematology-oncology ward rotation would increase residents' interest. Potential reasons mitigating interest were explored and included differences in physician distress, empathy, resilience, and patient death experiences.", 'Agreement with the statement "I am interested in pursuing a career/fellowship in hematology and oncology" was rated by residents before and after a hematology-oncology rotation, with 0 = not true at all, 1 = rarely true, 2 = sometimes true, 3 = often true, and 4 = true nearly all the time. House staff rotating on a hematology-oncology service from November 2013 to October 2014 also received questionnaires before and after their rotations containing the Connors-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, demographic information, and number of dying patients cared for and if a sense of meaning was derived from that experience.', "Fifty-six residents completed both before- and after-rotation questionnaires (response rate, 58%). The mean interest score was 1.43 initially and decreased to 1.24 after the rotation (P = .301). Female residents' mean score was 1.13 initially and dropped to 0.81 after the rotation (P = .04). Male residents' mean score was 1.71 initially and 1.81 after the rotation (P = .65). Decreased hematology-oncology interest correlated with decreased empathy; male interest decrease correlated with decreased resilience."] Does inpatient Hematology-Oncology Rotation be Associated With a Decreased Interest in Pursuing an Oncology Career Among Internal Medicine Residents? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5857446193695068,
-0.9987658858299255,
1.60030996799469
] |
['The relevance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G in dimeric form in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unknown.', 'To investigate the contribution of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HLA-G dimers in MS pathogenesis.', 'CSF amounts of 78-kDa HLA-G dimers were measured by western blot analysis in 80 MS relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and in 81 inflammatory and 70 non-inflammatory controls.', 'CSF amounts of 78 kDa HLA-G dimers were more frequent in RRMS than in inflammatory (p<0.01) and non-inflammatory controls (p<0.001) and in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inactive than in MRI active RRMS (p<0.00001).'] Are cerebrospinal fluid amounts of HLA-G in dimeric form strongly associated to patients with MRI inactive multiple sclerosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1598081588745117,
-1.361999750137329,
2.601212501525879
] |
['To investigate whether neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) could be an effective prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).', 'NG2 expression was semi-quantitatively scored from the immunohistochemistry (IHC) data based on the number of positive cells and the staining intensity. A total of 132 HCC specimens and 96 adjacent noncancerous tissue samples were analyzed by IHC for NG2 protein expression. To confirm the NG2 expression levels observed by IHC, we measured NG2 expression in 30 randomly selected tumor and adjacent noncancerous tissue samples by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The correlations between NG2 protein expression and the clinicopathological features of HCC patients were analyzed using the χ (2) test. To assess the prognostic value of NG2 for HCC, the association between NG2 expression and survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. To further evaluate the prognostic value of NG2 expression, a Cox multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis was performed with all the variables to derive risk estimates related to disease-free and overall survival and to control for confounders.', 'High NG2 expression was observed in significantly more primary tumor samples (63.6%; 84/132) compared with the adjacent noncancerous tissue samples (28.1%; 27/96) (P < 0.0001). Moreover, high NG2 protein expression was closely associated with tumor differentiation (χ (2) = 9.436, P = 0.0089), recurrence (χ (2) = 5.769, P = 0.0163), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (χ (2) = 8.976, P = 0.0027), and invasion (χ (2) = 5.476, P = 0.0193). However, no significant relationship was observed between NG2 protein expression in HCC and other parameters, such as age, sex, tumor size, serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), tumor number, or tumor capsule. The log-rank test indicated a significant difference in the overall survival of HCC patients with high NG2 expression compared with those with low NG2 expression (29.2% vs 9.5%, P < 0.001). Moreover, NG2 expression in HCC tissue significantly correlated with disease-free survival (15.2% vs 6.7%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that NG2 expression (HR = 2.035, P = 0.002), serum AFP (HR = 1.903, P = 0.003), TNM stage (HR = 2.039, P = 0.001), and portal vein invasion (HR = 1.938, P = 0.002) were independent prognostic indicators for OS in HCC patients. Furthermore, NG2 expression (HR = 1.974, P = 0.003), serum AFP (HR = 1.767, P = 0.008), TNM stage (HR = 2.078, P = 0.001), tumor capsule (HR = 0.652, P = 0.045), and portal vein invasion (HR = 1.941, P = 0.002) were independent prognostic indicators for DFS in HCC patients.'] Does neuron-glial antigen 2 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma predict poor prognosis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7721670866012573,
-1.5800490379333496,
2.405364990234375
] |
['We aimed to evaluate the correlation of the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) A-2518G polymorphism with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vascular complications in T2DM, to aid in understanding its role in pathogenesis.', 'A total of 150 T2DM patients and 50 healthy controls (group A) were enrolled. The T2DM patients were divided into three groups based on the absence of complications (group B) presence of microvascular disease (group C) or macrovascular disease (group D). DNA of all enrolled subjects was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the MCP-1 A-2518G polymorphism. Serum MCP-1 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).', 'Participants in group D had increased serum MCP-1 levels relative to group B, group C, and group A (all p<0.01). Compared with group A, the frequencies of the MCP-1 A-2518G G/G genotype and G allele were significantly higher in group C and group D (all p<0.05). In contrast to group B, group C had higher frequencies of the G/G genotype and G allele, while group D had higher G allele frequencies (all p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that lower body-mass index (BMI) and free cholesterol (FC), as well as higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels may be the protective factors for T2DM, while higher levels of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and G/G genotype frequency were independent risk factors for T2DM.'] Does the MCP-1 Gene A-2518G Polymorphism confer an Increased Risk of Vascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.0367634296417236,
-1.4621882438659668,
2.5216727256774902
] |
['Alterations in the intestinal microbiota, characterized by depletion of anti-inflammatory bacteria, such as Firmicutes, in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have prompted interest in microbiota-modulating strategies for this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of fecal and synthetic human microbial ecosystems, low or enriched in Firmicutes, on colitis susceptibility and host immune responses.', 'The microbiota of selected healthy and UC human donors was characterized by culture method and 16S rRNA-based sequencing. Germ-free mice were colonized with fecal or a synthetic ecosystem enriched (healthy donors) or low (UC donors) in Firmicutes. Experimental colitis was induced using dextran sodium sulfate. Colon transcriptome and colon lamina propria cells were evaluated in mice postcolonization by RNA-seq and flow cytometry, respectively, and T helper (TH) 17 differentiation was assessed in vitro.', 'Mice colonized with microbiota from patients with UC low in Firmicutes had increased sensitivity to colitis compared with mice colonized with fecal or synthetic ecosystems rich in Firmicutes. Microbiota low in Firmicutes increased expression of TH17-related genes and expansion of interleukin-17A-expressing CD4 cells in vivo. Supplementation with bacterial isolates belonging to the Firmicutes phylum abrogated the heightened TH17 responses in vitro.'] Does ecobiotherapy Rich in Firmicutes decrease Susceptibility to Colitis in a Humanized Gnotobiotic Mouse Model? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.6202290058135986,
-1.072007179260254,
2.8016257286071777
] |
['Oleuropein promoted cultured human follicle dermal papilla cell proliferation and induced LEF1 and Cyc-D1 mRNA expression and β-catenin protein expression in dermal papilla cells. Nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in dermal papilla cells was observed after oleuropein treatment. Topical application of oleuropein (0.4 mg/mouse/day) to C57BL/6N mice accelerated the hair-growth induction and increased the size of hair follicles in telogenic mouse skin. The oleuropein-treated mouse skin showed substantial upregulation of Wnt10b, FZDR1, LRP5, LEF1, Cyc-D1, IGF-1, KGF, HGF, and VEGF mRNA expression and β-catenin protein expression.'] Does topical Application of Oleuropein induce Anagen Hair Growth in Telogen Mouse Skin? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.435081720352173,
-1.2246615886688232,
2.761204719543457
] |
['The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of early vascular release in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) to reduce warm ischaemia time (WIT) and minimise renal dysfunction. RAPN is increasingly utilised in the management of small renal masses. To this end it is imperative that WIT is kept to a minimum to maintain renal function.', 'RAPN was performed via a four-arm robotic transperitoneal approach. The renal artery and vein were individually clamped with robotic vascular bulldog clamps to allow cold scissor excision of the tumour. The cut surface was then sutured with one or two running 3-0 V-Loc (TM) sutures, following which the vascular clamps were released. Specific bleeding vessels were then selectively oversewn and the collecting system repaired. Renorrhaphy was then completed using a running horizontal mattress 0-0 V-Loc (TM) suture.', 'A total of 16 patients underwent RAPN with a median WIT of 15 minutes (range: 8-25), operative time 230 minutes (range: 180-280) and blood loss of 100 mL (range: 50-1000). There were no transfusions, secondary haemorrhages or urine leaks. There was one focal positive margin in a central 5.5 cm pT3a renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Long-term estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was not significantly different to pre-operative values.'] Does early vascular unclamping reduce warm ischaemia time in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.312673807144165,
-1.391329288482666,
2.764383316040039
] |
['To determine the attitudes and knowledge of Fraser Health registered dietitians (RDs) regarding recommending and ordering multivitamin/mineral supplements prior to and following an online education module.', 'The educational intervention consisted of narrated slides with electronic resources. After undergoing external review for face and content validity, 6 attitude questions and a 15-item knowledge test were administered pre- and postintervention. The attitude questionnaire utilized a 5-point Likert scale and had a maximum summative score of 30 points. The knowledge test was worth a maximum of 15 points.', 'Of the eligible RDs (n = 123), 57 (46.3%) completed the study and 55 participants were included in the final analyses. Summative attitude scores were higher on the post-intervention questionnaire compared with the preintervention questionnaire (t = 92.5, P < 0.001). The proportion of correctly answered knowledge questions pre- (78.0% ± 10.0%) to postintervention (mean = 87.4% ± 6.0%) increased significantly (t = 7.16, P < 0.001).'] Does online Education improve Canadian Dietitians ' Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding Recommending and Ordering Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8900639414787292,
-0.6536969542503357,
0.6362358331680298
] |
['Decreased renal function has been consistently included among factors prompting recommendation for surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). However, most retrospective studies addressing this issue did not show an improvement in renal function after parathyroidectomy (PTX). The aim of this study was to investigate changes in renal function after PTX in PHPT patients subdivided according to renal function at diagnosis.', 'This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.', 'We studied 109 consecutive PHPT patients before and after PTX. Biochemical evaluation included fasting total and ionized serum calcium, phosphate, creatinine, immunoreactive intact PTH, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assessed with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation.', 'Mean (± SD) CKD-EPI estimated GFR (eGFR) at diagnosis was 82.4 ± 19.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (median, 84.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2); interquartile range, 68.5-94.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Patients with eGFR equal to or higher than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (group 1, n = 95) were significantly younger than patients with eGFR lower than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (group 2, n = 14; P < .0003). After PTX, eGFR did not change in patients of group 2 (P = .509), whereas it was significantly reduced in patients of group 1 (P < .0002). The difference in eGFR between baseline and post-PTX values was correlated negatively with baseline serum creatinine (R = -0.27; P = .0052) and positively with baseline CKD-EPI eGFR (R = 0.32; P = .00062). At multiple regression analysis, only systolic blood pressure and baseline CKD-EPI eGFR were independent predictors of GFR variation.'] Does parathyroidectomy halter the Deterioration of Renal Function in Primary Hyperparathyroidism? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3596910238265991,
-1.7744308710098267,
2.0453433990478516
] |
['Human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs) constitute approximately 8% of the human genome. Induction of HERV transcription is possible under certain circumstances, and may have a possible role in some pathological conditions.', 'The aim of this study was to evaluate HERV-K and -W pol gene expression in kidney transplant recipients and to investigate the possible relationship between HERVs gene expression and CMV infection in these patients.', 'Thirty-three samples of kidney transplant patients and twenty healthy blood donors were used to analyze, HERV-K and -W pol gene RNA expression by relative quantitative relative Real-Time PCR.', 'We demonstrated that HERVs pol gene expression levels were higher in kidney transplant recipients than in healthy subjects. Moreover, HERV-K and -W pol gene expression was significantly higher in the group of kidney transplant recipients with high CMV viral load than in the groups with no or moderate CMV viral load.'] Does cMV induce HERV-K and HERV-W expression in kidney transplant recipients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9475435018539429,
-0.36009734869003296,
1.3732348680496216
] |
['Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNAs that do not code protein but play important roles in diverse biological processes. In recent years, with the application of high-throughput sequencing, a great deal of lncRNAs associated with virus infections have been discovered and intensively studied, but there are few studies about the relationship between lncRNAs and HCV replication.', 'We identify that several lncRNAs can be upregulated and downregulated by phosphorylated STAT3 by using human PCR array method. And among these lncRNAs, lnc-Lethe was involved in the HCV replication. Transfection of siRNA Lethe partially blocked the replication of HCV in Huh7 cells.', 'In the present study, we have established that phosphorylated STAT3 can promote the HCV replication. Data also indicated that when transfected with siRNA Lethe, the expression levels of PKR, OAS and IRF1, which were all ISGs, were all up regulated.'] Do the STAT3-regulated long non-coding RNA Lethe promote the HCV replication? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3262970447540283,
-0.20227472484111786,
1.512391448020935
] |
['Microvesicles (MV) have been implicated in the development of thrombotic disease, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure (MOF). Trauma patients are at increased risk of late thrombotic events, particularly those who receive a major transfusion. The aims of this study were: (a) to determine whether there were increased numbers of pro-coagulant MV following injury; (b) to determine their cellular origin; and (c) to explore the effects of MV with clinical outcomes; in particular red cell transfusion requirements and death.', 'Trauma patients were recruited at a Level 1 trauma centre. The presence of MV procoagulant phospholipid (PPL) was assessed using 2 activity assays (PPL and thrombin generation). Enumeration and MV cellular origin was assessed using 2 colour flow cytometry.', 'Fifty consecutive patients were recruited; median age 38 (IQR: 24-55), median ISS 18 (IQR: 9-27). Circulating procoagulant MV, rich in phospholipid, were significantly elevated following traumatic injury relative to controls and remained elevated at 72 h post-injury. Red cell/AnnV+ and platelet/AnnV+ MV numbers were 6-fold and 2-fold higher than controls, respectively. Patients who died (n=9, 18%) had significantly fewer CD41/AnnV+ MV and lower endogenous thrombin potential relative to patients who survived.'] Are levels of procoagulant microvesicles elevated after traumatic injury and platelet microvesicles are negatively correlated with mortality? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1362404823303223,
-1.1938724517822266,
2.3585917949676514
] |
['Alterations in blood fatty acid (FA) composition are associated with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether plasma FA composition was related to stroke severity and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.', 'We prospectively enrolled 156 patients with first-episode cerebral infarction, within 7 days of symptom onset. The proportion of FAs was analyzed using gas chromatography, and the summation of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-PUFA), 18:3 ω3 α-linolenic acid, 20:3 ω3 eicosatrienoic acid, 20:5 ω3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 22:6 ω3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was reported as Σω3-PUFAs. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission. Poor functional outcome was defined by modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≥3 at three months after the index stroke.', 'Lower proportions of EPA (β=-0.751), DHA (β=-0.610), and Σω3-PUFAs (β=-0.462) were independently associated with higher NIHSS score, after adjusting for stroke subtype, hemoglobin, high density lipoprotein, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, 16:0 palmitic acid, and Σsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, a lower proportion of DHA (odds ratio [OR]: 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.88), and Σω3-PUFAs (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.84) showed an independent relationship with poor functional outcome after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, NIHSS score, stroke subtype, and 16:0 palmitic acid.'] Does low Plasma Proportion of Omega 3-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids predict Poor Outcome in Acute Non-Cardiogenic Ischemic Stroke Patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.757451057434082,
-1.6445130109786987,
2.3594019412994385
] |
['There is evidence that smoking increases stroke risk; however, the effect of smoking on functional outcome after stroke is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of smoking status on outcome following acute ischemic stroke.', 'We assessed 1,117 patients with first-ever acute cerebral infarction and no prestroke disability whose functional outcome was measured after three months. A poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≥2. Smoking within one month prior to admission was defined as current smoking. Our analysis included demographics, vascular risk factors, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, stroke subtype, onset-to-admission time, thrombolytic therapy, initial blood pressure, and prognostic blood parameters as covariates.', 'At baseline, current smokers were predominantly male, approximately 10 years younger than non-smokers (mean age, 58.6 vs. 68.3 years), and less likely to have hypertension and atrial fibrillation (53.9% vs. 65.4% and 8.7% vs. 25.9%, respectively), with a lower mean NIHSS score (4.6 vs. 5.7). The univariate analyses revealed that current smokers had a better functional outcome and significantly fewer deaths at three months follow-up when compared with non-smokers (functional outcome: 64.0% vs. 58.4%, P=0.082; deaths: 3.0% vs. 8.4%, P=0.001); however, these effects disappeared after adjusting for covariates (P=0.168 and P=0.627, respectively).'] Is smoking a Good Prognostic Factor following First-Ever Acute Ischemic Stroke? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5444408655166626,
-1.3291558027267456,
1.8727412223815918
] |
['Difficulty understanding speech in background noise is a common complaint of individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Recent animal studies suggest this difficulty may be due, in part, to spiral ganglion cell degeneration related to aging or noise exposure. Although auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and standard clinical audiometric tests are minimally affected by neuronal degeneration, the amplitude of wave I of the ABR is correlated to spiral ganglion cell density.', 'This study hypothesized that wave I amplitude was correlated to speech-in-noise performance. To test this, the relationships between wave I amplitude, age, and speech perception ability were analyzed in human participants.', 'This is a correlational study.', 'A total of 101 ears from 57 adults ranging in age from 19 to 90 yr with a pure-tone average of 45 dB HL or better were examined in this study. Only individuals with no history of neurological disease and ears without any evidence of conductive involvement were included.', 'Speech perception was measured in quiet using NU-6 word lists and in background noise using the QuickSIN. Ear canal electrodes were used to obtain ABR waveforms from each ear and the amplitude of wave I was measured as the absolute difference in voltage between the peak of the wave and the following trough. Speech perception performance in quiet and in background noise were both modeled using a linear mixed model with the covariates age, four-frequency pure-tone average (4fPTA), wave I amplitude, and the interaction between 4fPTA and wave I amplitude. ABR wave I amplitudes were modeled using a linear mixed model with age and 4fPTA as the covariates. The correlation between the right and left ears of the same participant were modeled using random effects.', 'The results indicate that reduced ABR wave I amplitudes are (1) related to increased age, (2) associated with decreased speech-in-noise performance, with the greatest effects in individuals with poorer pure-tone thresholds, and (3) not correlated to speech perception in quiet.'] Is speech Perception Ability in Noise Correlated with Auditory Brainstem Response Wave I Amplitude? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.802991271018982,
-1.0761020183563232,
1.9186954498291016
] |
['Patients undergoing immune modulatory therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and individuals with an impaired-immune system, most notably AIDS patients, are in the high risk group of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an often lethal disease of the brain characterized by lytic infection of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) with JC virus (JCV). The immune system plays an important regulatory role in controlling JCV reactivation from latent sites by limiting viral gene expression and replication. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms responsible for this regulation.', 'Here, we investigated the impact of soluble immune mediators secreted by activated PBMCs on viral replication and gene expression by cell culture models and molecular virology techniques. Our data revealed that viral gene expression and viral replication were suppressed by soluble immune mediators. Further studies demonstrated that soluble immune mediators secreted by activated PBMCs inhibit viral replication induced by T-antigen, the major viral regulatory protein, by suppressing its expression in glial cells. This unexpected suppression of T-antigen was mainly associated with the suppression of translational initiation. Cytokine/chemokine array studies using conditioned media from activated PBMCs revealed several candidate cytokines with possible roles in this regulation. Among them, only IFN-γ showed a robust inhibition of T-antigen expression. While potential roles for IFN-β, and to a lesser extent IFN-α have been described for JCV, IFN-γ has not been previously implicated. Further analysis of IFN-γ signaling pathway revealed a novel role of Jak1 signaling in control of viral T-antigen expression. Furthermore, IFN-γ suppressed JCV replication and viral propagation in primary human fetal glial cells, and showed a strong anti-JCV activity.'] Does iFN-Gamma inhibit JC Virus Replication in Glial Cells by Suppressing T-Antigen Expression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.481541156768799,
-1.0823512077331543,
2.654381513595581
] |
['Fast tracks are one approach to reduce emergency department (ED) crowding. No studies have assessed the use of fast tracks in smaller hospitals with single physician coverage. Our study objective was to determine if implementation of an ED fast track in a single physician coverage setting would improve wait times for low-acuity patients without negatively impacting those of higher acuity.', 'A daytime fast track opened in 2010 at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, a southwestern Ontario community hospital. Before and after intervention groups comprised of ED visits in 2009 and 2011 were compared. Pooled comparison of all Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) patients in each period, and between subgroups CTAS 2-5 comparisons were performed for: wait time (WT), length of stay (LOS), WTs that met national CTAS time guidelines (MNCTG), and proportion of patients that left without being seen (LWBS).', 'WT and LOS were six minutes (88 min to 82 min, p=0.002) and 15 minutes (158 min to 143 min, p<0.001) lower, respectively, in the post-intervention period. Subgroup analysis showed CTAS 4 had the most pre- to post-intervention decrease in WT, of 13 minutes (98 min to 85 min, p<0.001). There was statistical improvement in MNCTG in the post-intervention period. No differences were found in outcome measures for higher-acuity patients or LWBS rates.'] Does a Daytime Fast Track improve Throughput in a Single Physician Coverage Emergency Department? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.1448625326156616,
-0.21482844650745392,
0.5218456387519836
] |
['Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer of neural crest origin. Despite aggressive treatment, mortality remains at 40 % for patients with high-risk disseminated disease, underscoring the need to test new combinations of therapies. In murine tumor models, our laboratory previously showed that T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses improve in the context of lymphopenia. The goal of this study was to incorporate lymphodepletion into an effective immune therapy that can be easily translated into neuroblastoma standard of care. Based on the lymphodepleting effects of cyclophosphamide, we hypothesized that cyclophosphamide would synergize with the TLR9 agonist, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), to produce a T cell-mediated anti-neuroblastoma effect.', 'To test this hypothesis, we used the AgN2a aggressive murine model of neuroblastoma. Mice bearing subcutaneous tumors were treated with cyclophosphamide followed by treatment with tumor cell lysate mixed with CpG ODN injected at the tumor site.', 'Subcutaneous neuroblastoma regressed only in mice that were treated with 100\xa0mg/kg cyclophosphamide prior to receiving treatments of tumor lysate mixed with CpG ODN. The anti-neuroblastoma response was T cell-mediated. Synergy between cyclophosphamide and the tumor lysate/CpG ODN treatment influenced the production of anti-tumor CD8 T cell effectors, and dendritic cell homeostasis. For clinical consideration, an allogeneic tumor lysate was used effectively with this protocol to eliminate AgN2a tumor in vivo.'] Do immune modulating effects of cyclophosphamide and treatment with tumor lysate/CpG synergize to eliminate murine neuroblastoma? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.452390670776367,
-1.39828622341156,
2.883631706237793
] |
['This study was designed to compare the effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) on rectal distention (RD)-induced intestinal dysmotility with EA.', 'six female dogs chronically implanted with a duodenal fistula, a proximal colon fistula and intestinal serosal electrodes were studied. EA and TEA were performed via needles and cutaneous electrodes placed at bilateral ST-36 (Zusanli) acupoints respectively; their effects on postprandial intestinal dysmotility (slow waves, contractions and transit) induced by RD, and autonomic functions were compared.', 'RD at a volume of 140 ml suppressed intestinal contractions; the motility index was reduced with RD (P = 0.001). Both EA and TEA ameliorated the suppressed contractions (P = 0.003 and 0.001) and their effects were comparable. RD reduced the percentage of normal intestinal slow waves (P = 0.002) that was increased with both EA and TEA (P = 0.005 and 0.035). No significant difference was noted between EA and TEA. EA and TEA reduced small bowel transit time (P = 0.001 and 0.007); these prokinetic effects were blocked by atropine. Both EA and TEA increased vagal activity assessed by the spectral analysis of heart rate variability (both P = 0.03).'] Does needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture improve rectal distension-induced impairment in intestinal motility and slow waves via vagal mechanisms in dogs? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2422754764556885,
-1.3109941482543945,
2.6046948432922363
] |
['The acquisition of drug resistance is one of the most malignant phenotypes of cancer and identification of its therapeutic target is a prerequisite for the development of novel therapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in various types of cancer and proposed as potential therapeutic targets for patients. In the present study, we aimed to identify miRNA that could serve as a therapeutic target for taxane-resistant prostate cancer.', "In order to identify miRNAs related to taxane-resistance, miRNA profiling was performed using prostate cancer PC-3 cells and paclitaxel-resistant PC-3 cell lines established from PC-3 cells. Microarray analysis of mRNA expression was also conducted to search for potential target genes of miRNA. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to examine miRNA binding to the 3'-UTR of target genes. The effects of ectopic expression of miRNA on cell growth, tubulin polymerization, drug sensitivity, and apoptotic signaling pathway were investigated in a paclitaxel-resistant PC-3 cell line.", 'The expression of miR-130a was down-regulated in all paclitaxel-resistant cell lines compared with parental PC-3 cells. Based on mRNA microarray analysis and luciferase reporter assay, we identified SLAIN1 as a direct target gene for miR-130a. Transfection of a miR-130a precursor into a paclitaxel-resistant cell line suppressed cell growth and increased the sensitivity to paclitaxel. Lastly, ectopic expression of miR-130a did not affect the polymerized tubulin level, but activated apoptotic signaling through activation of caspase-8.'] Does miR-130a activate apoptotic signaling through activation of caspase-8 in taxane-resistant prostate cancer cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3347067832946777,
-1.1952366828918457,
2.563995122909546
] |
['Since the original description by Zone et al in 1994, the disease entity and target antigens in linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis (LAGBD) have not been clarified in 20 years.', 'To determine autoantibodies and autoantigens in a new LAGBD case which showed atypical clinical and histopathological findings without apparent mucosal involvement.', 'We performed various indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblotting studies.', 'Indirect immunofluorescence of 1M NaCl-split skin showed IgG and IgA reactivity with both epidermal and dermal sides. Immunoblotting studies using various antigen sources revealed circulating IgG and IgA antibodies reactive with laminin-332, laminin-γ1 and integrin α6β4 in various patterns. Absorption study using recombinant proteins of laminin-γ1 indicated that the patient serum reacted with different epitopes between laminin-γ1 and laminin-γ2.'] Does linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis react with multiple laminins and integrins? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.387103319168091,
-1.40216863155365,
2.8791017532348633
] |
["Brain disorders remain the world's leading cause of disability, and account for more hospitalizations and prolonged care than almost all other diseases combined. The majority of drugs, proteins and peptides do not readily permeate into brain due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus impeding treatment of these conditions.", 'Attention has turned to developing novel and effective delivery systems to provide good bioavailability in the brain.', 'Intranasal administration is a non-invasive method of drug delivery that may bypass the BBB, allowing therapeutic substances direct access to the brain. However, intranasal administration produces quite low drug concentrations in the brain due limited nasal mucosal permeability and the harsh nasal cavity environment. Pre-clinical studies using encapsulation of drugs in nanoparticulate systems improved the nose to brain targeting and bioavailability in brain. However, the toxic effects of nanoparticles on brain function are unknown.'] Do nanoneurotherapeutics approach intended for direct nose to brain delivery? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.9355309009552,
-0.32642605900764465,
2.3730742931365967
] |
['Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for glaucoma, a degenerative disease characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). There is clinical and experimental evidence that neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Since the blockade of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) confers robust neuroprotection and controls microglia reactivity in the brain, we now investigated the ability of A2AR blockade to control the reactivity of microglia and neuroinflammation as well as RGC loss in retinal organotypic cultures exposed to elevated hydrostatic pressure (EHP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS).', 'Retinal organotypic cultures were either incubated with LPS (3 μg/mL), to elicit a pro-inflammatory response, or exposed to EHP (+70 mmHg), to mimic increased IOP, for 4 or 24 h, in the presence or absence of the A2AR antagonist SCH 58261 (50 nM). A2AR expression, microglial reactivity and neuroinflammatory response were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RGC loss was assessed by immunohistochemistry. In order to investigate the contribution of pro-inflammatory mediators to RGC loss, the organotypic retinal cultures were incubated with rabbit anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) (2 μg/mL) and goat anti-interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (1 μg/mL) antibodies.', 'We report that the A2AR antagonist (SCH 58261) prevented microglia reactivity, increase in pro-inflammatory mediators as well as RGC loss upon exposure to either LPS or EHP. Additionally, neutralization of TNF and IL-1β prevented RGC loss induced by LPS or EHP.'] Does adenosine A2AR blockade prevent neuroinflammation-induced death of retinal ganglion cells caused by elevated pressure? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3571279048919678,
-1.392392873764038,
2.8150010108947754
] |
['To evaluate the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a convenient, non-radiating, readily available measurement of arterial stiffness, and coronary artery calcium (CAC), a reliable marker of coronary atherosclerosis, in a large sample of young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults; and to assess the incremental value of baPWV for detecting prevalent CAC beyond traditional risk factors.', "Cross-sectional study of 15,185 asymptomatic Korean adults who voluntarily underwent a comprehensive health screening program including measurement of baPWV and CAC. BaPWV was measured using an oscillometric method with cuffs placed on both arms and ankles. CAC burden was assessed using a multi-detector CT scan and scored following Agatston's method.", 'The prevalence of CAC\xa0>\xa00 and CAC\xa0>\xa0100 increased across baPWV quintiles. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for CAC\xa0>\xa00 comparing baPWV quintiles 2-5 versus quintile 1 were 1.06 (0.87-1.30), 1.24 (1.02-1.50), 1.39 (1.15-1.69) and 1.60 (1.31-1.96), respectively (P trend\xa0<\xa00.001). Similarly, the relative prevalence ratios for CAC\xa0>\xa0100 were 1.30 (0.74-2.26), 1.59 (0.93-2.71), 1.74 (1.03-2.94) and 2.59 (1.54-4.36), respectively (P trend\xa0<\xa00.001). For CAC\xa0>\xa0100, the area under the ROC curve for baPWV alone was 0.71 (0.68-0.74), and the addition of baPWV to traditional risk factors significantly improved the discrimination and calibration of models for detecting prevalent CAC\xa0>\xa00 and CAC\xa0>\xa0100.'] Is brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity associated with coronary calcium in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults : The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.298040509223938,
-1.7414381504058838,
2.00716495513916
] |
['Given that helminth infections have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in animal studies, which may be explained by beneficial effects on energy balance or by a shift in the immune system to an anti-inflammatory profile, we investigated whether soil-transmitted helminth (STH)-infected subjects are more insulin sensitive than STH-uninfected subjects.', 'We performed a cross-sectional study on Flores island, Indonesia, an area with high prevalence of STH infections.', 'From 646 adults, stool samples were screened for Trichuris trichiura by microscopy and for Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Strongyloides stercoralis by qPCR. No other helminth was found. We collected data on body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood glucose (FBG, mmol/L), insulin (pmol/L), high sensitive C-reactive protein (ng/ml) and Immunoglobulin E (IU/ml). The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMAIR) was calculated and regression models were used to assess the association between STH infection status and insulin resistance.', '424 (66%) participants had at least one STH infection. STH infected participants had lower BMI (23.2 vs 22.5 kg/m2, p value = 0.03) and lower HOMAIR (0.97 vs 0.81, p value = 0.05). In an age-, sex- and BMI-adjusted model a significant association was seen between the number of infections and HOMAIR: for every additional infection with STH species, the HOMAIR decreased by 0.10 (p for linear trend 0.01). This effect was mainly accounted for by a decrease in insulin of 4.9 pmol/L for every infection (p for trend = 0.07).'] Does infection with Soil-Transmitted Helminths be Associated with Increased Insulin Sensitivity? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3948255777359009,
-1.565107822418213,
1.9629061222076416
] |
['Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has roles in cell signaling and molecular scaffolding. ILK mutation/deletion causes cardiomyopathic phenotypes, but the functional and electrophysiological features have not been characterized. This study investigated the structural, functional, ion channel, and electrophysiological changes associated with cardiomyocyte-directed ILK deletion in mice.', 'Adult mice with cardiomyocyte-directed ILK knockout were compared with littermate controls. Knockout mice showed markedly increased mortality, with sudden death beginning after 5 weeks and 100% mortality at 18 weeks. In 10-week-old knockout mice, spontaneous and inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias were common, occurring in 60% and 86%, respectively, and absent in controls (P<0.001, P<0.05 versus knockout mice). Ventricular refractoriness was prolonged, along with both QRS and QT interval. Action potentials were prolonged and displayed triggered activity. A wide range of ion currents were downregulated, including total, fast and slow components of transient outward K(+) current and inward rectifier K(+) current, along with corresponding ion channel subunit genes, providing a plausible explanation of action potential prolongation. At 5 weeks, only voltage-dependent K(+) currents were reduced, possibly related to direct ILK-Kv4.2 subunit interactions. Action potentials were prolonged, but no arrhythmias or cardiac dysfunction were noted. Structural remodeling was prominent at 10 weeks: connexin-43 was downregulated and redistributed to lateral cell margins, and left ventricular fibrosis occurred, with a strong regional distribution (predominating in the basal left ventricle). Conduction was slowed. High-throughput quantitative polymerase reaction gene-expression studies in 10-week-old ILK knockout showed upregulation of structural, remodeling and fibrosis-related genes, and downregulation of a wide range of ion channel and transporter subunits.'] Does loss of cardiomyocyte integrin-linked kinase produce an arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.3506968021392822,
-1.3704427480697632,
2.739777088165283
] |
['Airway surface dehydration, caused by an imbalance between secretion and absorption of ions and fluid across the epithelium and/or increased epithelial mucin secretion, impairs mucociliary clearance. Recent evidence suggests that this mechanism may be implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the role of airway surface dehydration in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced COPD remains unknown.', 'We aimed to investigate in vivo the effect of airway surface dehydration on several CS-induced hallmarks of COPD in mice with airway-specific overexpression of the β-subunit of the epithelial Na⁺ channel (βENaC).', 'βENaC-Tg mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were exposed to air or CS for 4 or 8 weeks. Pathological hallmarks of COPD, including goblet cell metaplasia, mucin expression, pulmonary inflammation, lymphoid follicles, emphysema and airway wall remodelling were determined and lung function was measured.', 'Airway surface dehydration in βENaC-Tg mice aggravated CS-induced airway inflammation, mucin expression and destruction of alveolar walls and accelerated the formation of pulmonary lymphoid follicles. Moreover, lung function measurements demonstrated an increased compliance and total lung capacity and a lower resistance and hysteresis in βENaC-Tg mice, compared to WT mice. CS exposure further altered lung function measurements.'] Does airway Surface Dehydration aggravate Cigarette Smoke-Induced Hallmarks of COPD in Mice? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4822652339935303,
-1.2648807764053345,
2.7600462436676025
] |
['The interaction between fatness, fitness, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in adolescents is not well characterized but may be important to prevent low grade inflammation. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between adiposity, different expressions of fitness, and CRP in late adolescence using direct measures of fitness and fatness.', 'Anthropometric measurements were taken on 245 eighteen-year-old participants (116 girls). Fasting CRP, glucose, and insulin were measured and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) calculated. Body composition was estimated via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fitness was assessed with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during a treadmill test and also expressed relative to the fat-free mass (VO2maxFFM).', 'Prevalence of overweight/obesity based on body mass index (BMI) was 20.7% and 25.6% among girls and boys, respectively (p = 0.407), but 42.5% and 58.1% when based on body fat percentage (%fat, p = 0.015). Higher proportion of boys (81.3%) than girls (54.5%) were highly fit (p<0.001), but the percentage of girls with high levels of CRP was greater (12.1% vs 6.2%, p = 0.028). Adiposity, indicated with BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, android fat mass (aFM), or %fat, was positively associated with CRP independent of VO2max (r = 0.13-0.18, p<0.05) and VO2maxFFM (r = 0.24-0.32, p<0.001). VO2max, was negatively associated with CRP independent only of BMI and waist circumference (r = -0.21, p = 0.001), but not %fat, fat mass or aFM (r = -0.08 to -0.12, p>0.05). VO2maxFFM was unrelated to CRP with (r = -0.07 to -0.11, p>0.05) or without (r = -0.10, p = 0.142) adjustment for adiposity. Additional adjustment for HOMA did not change any of the relationships, although the coefficients were attenuated.'] Does fatness but Not Fitness Relative to the Fat-Free Mass be Related to C-Reactive Protein in 18 Year-Old Adolescents? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.6768664121627808,
-1.7175716161727905,
1.4575978517532349
] |
['An appropriate plasma concentration of fentanyl is the key to achieving good pain control in cancer patients. Cachexia, a multifactorial syndrome, is known to affect drug-metabolizing enzymes. However, the fentanyl concentrations in the blood of patients with cachexia have not been analyzed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cancer cachexia on dose-adjusted plasma fentanyl concentrations in cancer patients.', 'Blood was collected from 21 Japanese cancer patients treated with a 24-hour trans-dermal fentanyl patch during the steady state of fentanyl plasma concentration. Plasma fentanyl concentrations were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the levels were adjusted with the dose of fentanyl. Laboratory data were collected, and the cachexia stage was determined, based on study by Fearon et al. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that affected fentanyl plasma concentrations.', 'Eight patients were classified as precachexia, nine as cachexia, and four as refractory cachexia, and the median dose-adjusted fentanyl concentrations (ng/mL per mg/kg/day) were 27.5, 34.4, and 44.5, respectively. The dose-adjusted fentanyl concentration in patients with refractory cachexia was higher than that in patients with precachexia (Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc Mann-Whitney U-test, P<0.01). The factors that were found to possibly affect the dose-adjusted concentration of fentanyl included aspartate aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, when analyzed as six independent variables (multiple regression analysis, P<0.05).'] Is refractory cachexia associated with increased plasma concentrations of fentanyl in cancer patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1791045665740967,
-1.4176061153411865,
2.600355625152588
] |
["People who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are highly dependent on their caregiver during their lengthy treatment and recovery. The effectiveness of their caregiver's social support can profoundly affect their day-to-day treatment experiences and, in turn, how they recall those experiences and are affected by them long after the treatment ends.", 'Our participants were 182 men and women who had undergone a transplant within the previous 9 months to 3 years. They completed baseline measures (including a measure of caregiver social support effectiveness) and then completed three writing assignments describing their transplant experiences. Linguistic analyses were conducted to investigate their use of words indicating negative emotions, cognitive processing (insight and causation), and practical problems with money and insurance. Theory-based hypotheses predicted associations between specific functional types of caregiver support (emotional, informational, and instrumental) and these word categories.', 'As hypothesized, the effectiveness of different functional types of support from a caregiver were uniquely associated with theoretically relevant categories of word use. Structural equation models indicated that more effective caregiver emotional support predicted lower use of negative emotion words; more effective caregiver informational support predicted lower use of causation words; and more effective caregiver instrumental support predicted lower use of words related to money and insurance.'] Is the effectiveness of caregiver social support associated with cancer survivors ' memories of stem cell transplantation : A linguistic analysis of survivor narratives? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 1 | [
-2.8479692935943604,
1.0220308303833008,
0.9830453991889954
] |
['Palivizumab is reported to be effective in reducing respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation. Its licensed uses include infants younger than six months of age, born before 35\xa0weeks of gestation or under two years old with congenital heart disease or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We redressed lack of research in the Netherlands by studying whether infants who met the licensed indications received the drug.', 'Data were obtained from the PHARMO Database Network and The Netherlands Perinatal Registry for all linked infants born between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2007. Determinants for receiving palivizumab were examined using logistic regression analyses.', 'Only 15% of the 3321 infants who met the licensed indications received palivizumab and the strongest predictor was being born before 32\xa0weeks of gestation, with an odds ratio of 49.1 (95% confidence interval 31.5-76.4). However, 50% of infants born before 32\xa0weeks did not receive palivizumab and the subanalyses showed that the probability increased for infants born in later years, those who had respiratory distress syndrome and those hospitalised during the respiratory syncytial virus season.'] Are infants born before 32 weeks of gestation or with respiratory disease most likely to receive palivizumab in the Netherlands? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.5696576833724976,
-1.1728317737579346,
1.8501207828521729
] |
['Fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) show evidence of abnormal brain development before birth, which is thought to contribute to adverse neurodevelopment during childhood. Our aim was to evaluate whether brain development in late pregnancy can be predicted by fetal brain Doppler, head biometry and the clinical form of CHD at the time of diagnosis.', "This was a prospective cohort study including 58 fetuses with CHD, diagnosed at 20-24\u2009weeks' gestation, and 58 normal control fetuses. At the time of diagnosis, we recorded fetal head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter, middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA-PI), cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and brain perfusion by fractional moving blood volume. We classified cases into one of two clinical types defined by the expected levels (high or low) of placental (well-oxygenated) blood perfusion, according to the anatomical defect. All fetuses underwent subsequent 3T-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 36-38\u2009weeks' gestation.", 'Abnormal prenatal brain development was defined by a composite score including any of the following findings on MRI: total brain volume\u2009<\u2009\u200910(th) centile, parietoccipital or cingulate fissure depth\u2009<\u2009\u200910(th) centile or abnormal metabolic profile in the frontal lobe. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that MCA-PI (odds ratio (OR), 12.7; P\u2009=\u20090.01), CPR (OR, 8.7; P\u2009=\u20090.02) and HC (OR, 6.2; P\u2009=\u20090.02) were independent predictors of abnormal neurodevelopment; however, the clinical type of CHD was not.'] Do mid-gestation brain Doppler and head biometry in fetuses with congenital heart disease predict abnormal brain development at birth? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9517487287521362,
-1.4850027561187744,
2.5325770378112793
] |
['We determined detailed time-course changes in the irisin response to acute exercise using different exercise modes.', 'In experiment 1, seven healthy males rested for 12h (8:00-20:00) to determine the diurnal variation in plasma irisin concentration. In experiment 2, 10 healthy males conducted three exercises to clarify time-course changes in plasma irisin concentration over 6h, using a randomized crossover design. The resistance exercise (R) trial consisted of eight exercises of 12 repetitions with 3-4 sets at 65% of one repetition maximum (1RM). The endurance exercise (E) trial consisted of 60 min of pedaling at 65% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In the combined mode (R+E) trial, 30 min of endurance exercise was preceded by 30 min of resistance exercise.', 'In experiment 1, no significant changes in plasma irisin concentration were observed over 12h. In experiment 2, the R trial showed a marked increase in plasma irisin concentration 1h after exercise (P<0.05), but not in the E or R+E trials. The area under the curve (AUC) for irisin concentrations for 6h after exercise was significantly higher in the R trial than in the R+E trial (P<0.05). The AUC for irisin concentrations was significantly correlated with AUC values for blood glucose, lactate, and serum glycerol (r=0.37, 0.45, 0.45, respectively. P<0.05).'] Does resistance exercise induce a greater irisin response than endurance exercise? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.2237858921289444,
-1.3802897930145264,
0.6815999746322632
] |
['This study aimed to clarify the relationship between host nutritional status prior to first-line chemotherapy and therapeutic effect, and, whether these nourishment indexes could become factors that predict long-term convalescence in unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer or not. Summary of Background Date: It has previously been reported that postoperative complications and long-term prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies may be affected by their nutritional status. But, there is little information regarding the relationship between prognosis, nutritional status and immunocompetence in unresectable progressive or recurrent colorectal cancer.', "Ninety patients who had measurable target lesions underwent resection for primary colorectal cancer in our institution, between April 2007 and March 2013. The indicators of host nutritional status was body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, Onodera's prognostic nutritional index (OPNI) and Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS). The indicators of host immunocompetence was total lymphocyte counts, total neutrophil counts, granulocytes/lymphocytes ratio (G/L ratio).", 'The median overall survival (OS) was 32.5 months, and the median progression-free survival was 10.9 months. The relative change of target lesions were associated with BW, BMI and OPNI. Furthermore, there was strong correlation between the change ratio of the serum CEA level before and after chemotherapy administration and BMI. BW, BMI, serum albumin level, OPNI and GPS were significantly associated with overall survival (OS).'] Does poor nutritional status before and during chemotherapy lead to worse prognosis in unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4040539264678955,
-1.0866477489471436,
2.63533353805542
] |
["Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, even despite the use of oral anticoagulation (OAC). Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family [interleukin-1 receptor-like 1 (IL1RL1)], which has been associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity in heart failure or acute coronary syndrome. We assessed the predictive value of sST2 levels in an unselected 'real-world' cohort of anticoagulated AF patients.", 'We included 562 patients (49% male; median age 77 [IQR: 71-82]) with permanent AF who were stable (for at least 6 months) on OAC (INRs 2.0-3.0). sST2 levels were quantified by ELISA. Patients were followed-up for up to 4 years, and cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality were recorded.', 'Median (IQR) of sST2 levels was 51.23 (39.09-67.40) μg/L. Median follow-up was 1587 days [IQR 1482-1617], and during this period, 91 patients died (16.2%, 3.72%/year). The c-statistic for predicting mortality with sST2 was 0.58 + 0.03; P = 0.017). On multivariate analysis, age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.09 (1.05-1.13); P < 0.001], diabetes mellitus [1.76 (1.08-2.88); P = 0.023], previous stroke [2.16 (1.29-3.60); P = 0.003] and sST2 levels [1.008 (1.002-1.14); P = 0.008] were independently associated with mortality. Concentrations of sST2 were also significantly associated with the risk of mortality, even after adjusting for the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score [HR: 1.007 (1.001-1.013); P = 0.014].'] Are sST2 levels associated with all-cause mortality in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3878569602966309,
-1.6739420890808105,
2.0565006732940674
] |
['The ability for engulfment of pathogens and inert particles is the key hallmark of the phagocytic cells. Phagocytes play a significant role in the modulation of local or extended inflammation. Since fever activates a number of factors linked with the immune response it was the goal of this study to examine the in vitro effect of hyperthermia on the phagocytic capacity, the number of phagocytic cells and the viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at 37 and 40°C.', 'PBMC were incubated with 0.8 μm polysterene latex beads, for 2 hours at 37 and 40°C. The number of phagocytic cells, and that of latex particles internalized by each individual cell was counted with a light microscope. In addition, the percentage of viable cells and the number of active metabolic cells was evaluated.', 'A temperature of 40°C significantly increased the number of phagocytic cells and the phagocytic index by 41 and 37% respectively, as compared to cells incubated at 37°C. While the number of vital cells (trypan blue test) did not differ statistically at both temperatures, the number of active metabolic cells (XTT test) after 2 h of incubation at 40°C was 17% higher as compared with that at 37°C. However, the number of active metabolic cells after 24 h of incubation at 40°C was 51% lower compared with cells incubated at 37°C.'] Does high temperature affect the phagocytic activity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.3366405963897705,
-1.2544931173324585,
1.6233656406402588
] |
['Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor. This study evaluated whether the VEGF mRNA level in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue could be a biomarker to predict the progression and prognosis of OSCCs in Taiwan.', 'This study used quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (quantitative RT-PCR) to detect the VEGF mRNA levels in 60 OSCC specimens. Threshold cycle (CT) was defined as the PCR cycle number needed to generate a predetermined amount of DNA (threshold). The relative amount of tissue VEGF mRNA, standardized against the amount of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA, was expressed as ΔCT = (VEGF CT - GAPDH CT). For a chosen threshold, a smaller starting copy number of mRNA results in a higher CT value. Thus, the lower the ΔCT, the greater the copy number of VEGF mRNA in tissues.', 'The lower mean VEGF mRNA ΔCT value was significantly associated with OSCCs with larger tumor size (p\xa0=\xa00.040), positive lymph node metastasis (p\xa0=\xa00.023), and more advanced clinical stages (p\xa0=\xa00.008). VEGF mRNA ΔCT value < 4.2 (p\xa0=\xa00.026) was identified as an independent unfavorable prognosis factor using multivariate regression analyses. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curve showed that OSCC patients with a VEGF mRNA ΔCT value < 4.2 had a significantly poorer overall survival than those with a VEGF mRNA ΔCT value ≥4.2 (log-rank test, p\xa0=\xa00.0427).'] Is upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA level significantly related to progression and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinomas? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7547364234924316,
-1.6265404224395752,
2.42427921295166
] |
["The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) involves both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, with focus on the mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA).Objective To analyse the polymorphism SNCA-A53T in patients with familial PD (FPD) and sporadic PD (SPD).", 'A total of 294 individuals were studied, regardless of sex and with mixed ethnicity. The study group with 154 patients with PD, and the control group included 140 individuals without PD. The genotyping of SNCA-A53T was performed by PCR/RFLP. Significance level was p < 0.05.', 'Among all patients, 37 (24%) had FPD and 117 (75.9%) had SPD. The absence of SNCA-A53T mutation was observed in all individuals.'] Is alpha-synuclein A53T mutation frequent on a sample of Brazilian Parkinson 's disease patients? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.015353202819824,
-1.1907672882080078,
2.2534563541412354
] |
['To evaluate the association between objective short sleep duration in patients with insomnia and changes in blood parameters related to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity.', 'A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in 30 middle-aged adults with chronic insomnia who were divided into 2 groups according to polysomnography (PSG) total sleep time (TST) (TST > 5h and < 5h). All patients underwent subjective analysis of sleep quality, anthropometric measurements, PSG, and determination off asting blood parameters.', 'The results revealed lower sleep efficiency and higher sleep latency for those with a TST < 5h. The subjective sleep quality was worse in the TST < 5h. Significantly, higher glucose and cortisol levels were observed with a TST < 5h. Glucose, cortisol and ACTH levels were inversely correlated with the PSG total sleep time.'] Is objective short sleep duration associated with the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in insomnia? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.104297399520874,
-1.0760557651519775,
2.275090217590332
] |
['We studied whether residual high-frequency oscillations (80-500 Hz; ripples, 80-250 Hz), especially fast ripples (FRs, 250-500 Hz), in post-resection intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) predicted seizure recurrence in comparison to residual interictal spikes and ictiform spike patterns.', 'We studied, retrospectively, ECoG recorded at 2,048 Hz after resection in a cohort of patients with refractory focal epilepsy. We analyzed occurrence and number of residual FRs, ripples, interictal spikes, and ictiform spike patterns within the last minute of each recording and compared these to seizure recurrence.', 'We included 54 patients (median age 15.5 years) with 25 months median follow-up. Twenty-four patients had recurrent seizures. We found residual FRs, ripples, spikes, and ictiform spike patterns in 12, 51, 38, and 9 patients. Nine out of 12 patients with residual FRs had recurrent seizures (p = 0.016, positive predictive value 75%). Other ECoG events did not predict seizure recurrence. Patients with seizures had higher FR rates than seizure-free patients (p = 0.022). FRs near the resection and in distant pathologic areas could have changed the resection in 8 patients without harming functionally eloquent areas. One seizure-free patient had FRs in distant functionally eloquent areas.'] Do residual fast ripples in the intraoperative corticogram predict epilepsy surgery outcome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7714862823486328,
-1.231215476989746,
2.027362585067749
] |
['The association between ongoing myocardial damage and outcomes in patients with Brugada syndrome who had received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is unclear.', 'Consecutive patients with Brugada syndrome (n=31, 50±13 years) who had received an ICD were prospectively enrolled. Minor myocardial membrane injury [heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) >2.4ng/mL] and myofibrillar injury (troponin T >0.005ng/mL) were defined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Patients were followed for a median period of 5 years to an endpoint of appropriate ICD shock.', 'Myocardial membrane injury (29%) and myofibrillar injury (26%) were similarly prevalent among patients with Brugada syndrome who had received ICDs. Appropriate ICD shocks occurred in 19% of patients during the follow-up period. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum H-FABP level >2.4ng/mL, but not troponin T level, was an independent prognostic factor for appropriate ICD shock due to ventricular fibrillation [hazard ratio (HR) 25.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-1686, p=0.03].'] Do circulating heart-type fatty acid-binding protein levels predict ventricular fibrillation in Brugada syndrome? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.9881441593170166,
-1.5514006614685059,
2.5730161666870117
] |
['An alarming increase in infections due to penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci (PNSP) has been documented in nearly all countries. Increasingly, PNSP are also resistant to other antibiotics, and a growing number of clinical failures following the use of these agents have been reported.', 'To determine the resistance pattern of pneumococcal isolates from patients with invasive pneumococcal infection in North West Nigeria.', "In a cross-sectional study clinical specimens were obtained from patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP), meningitis and bacteraemia over a 2 year period. Pneumococcus strains were identified. Isolates were tested against a panel of antibiotics using E-test strips, and interpreted according to the CLSI criteria. 0.06 μg/ml was used as break point for penicillin. Analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics; relationships determined using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests, with P < 0.05 regarded as significant.", 'Total number of isolates was 132. Twenty-two (16.7%) of the isolates were fully sensitive to penicillin while 73 (55.3%) and 37 (28.0%) were intermediately and fully resistant, respectively. One hundred and twenty-seven (96.2%) of the isolates were fully resistant to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. Eleven (8.5%) were fully resistant to amoxicillin and 104 (78.8%) and 17 (12.9%) were intermediately resistant and fully susceptible. One hundred and six (80.3%) of the isolates were fully susceptible to chloramphenicol. Resistance to penicillin was shown to infer resistance to other antibiotics.'] Does antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Invasive Pneumococcal isolate in North West Nigeria? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4397107362747192,
-1.3329280614852905,
1.8395016193389893
] |
['Painful peripheral neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes is a disabling complication. We explored associations of this condition with socioeconomic deprivation.', 'The Townsend index of socioeconomic deprivation was examined in the pseudonymised GP records of 15388 (44.1% female) individuals with type 2 diabetes in the Cheshire county of England, and related to prevalence of drug treated painful diabetic neuropathy. We also analysed prescription trends with respect to pharmacotherapy for neuropathy pain relief.', 'Treatment for neuropathic pain was initiated in 3\u2009266 (21.2%) of patients. Those on treatment were older [68.2 (95% CI 67.8-68.7) vs. 66.6 (66.4-66.8) years] than those not on treatment. There was no difference in HbA1c (7%, 55\u2009mmol/mol).There were significant differences between the groups for the Townsend deprivation index, with a greater proportion (30.6% vs. 22.8% of patients with treated neuropathic pain) having a score of ≥1 (Χ(2)=83.9, p<0.0001).Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that each unit increment in the Townsend index was associated with an 6% increased odds of requiring neuropathic pain treatment [odds ratio (95%CI) 1.06 (1.05-1.08), p<0.0001] independent of 5 year age band, BMI, gender, systolic BP, eGFR, HbA1C and total cholesterol.'] Does socioeconomic deprivation independently predict painful diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.7299305200576782,
-1.4496276378631592,
2.219209909439087
] |
['Breast cancer remains a major health problem worldwide, and is becoming increasingly resistant to traditional drug treatments. For instance, Adriamycin (ADR) is beneficial for the treatment of breast cancer. However, its wide application often leads to drug resistance in clinic practice, which results in treatment failure. Gambogenic acid (GNA), a polyprenylated xanthone isolated from the traditional medicine gamboge, has been reported to effectively inhibit the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Its effects on ADR resistance have not yet been reported in breast cancer. In this study, we examined the ability of GNA to modulate ADR resiatance and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process using a cell based in vitro system.', 'An MTT assay was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the drugs on the growth of MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR cell lines. The effects of drugs on apoptosis were detected using Annexin-V APC/7-AAD double staining. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins and the proteins in the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway were evaluated by Western blot analysis.', 'In the MCF-7/ADR cell lines, the IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of the group that received combined treatment with GNA and ADR was significantly lower than that in the ADR group, and this value decreased with an increasing concentration of GNA. In parallel, GNA treatment increased the chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to ADR. The cell apoptosis and cell cycle anaysis indicated that the anti-proliferative effect of GNA is in virtue of increased G0/G1 arrest and potentiated apoptosis. When combined with GNA in MCF-7/ADR cell lines, the expression levels of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) and the apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3 and capsese-9 were significantly increased, while the expression of phosphorylated AKT was decreased.'] Does gambogenic acid alter chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to Adriamycin? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4394285678863525,
-1.311736822128296,
2.783353805541992
] |
['The influence of gastric Helicobacter pylori infection on the development of oral pathoses remains unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of gastric H. pylori infection on occurrence of halitosis and coated tongue.', 'Ninety-eight patients with dyspepsia were included in the study and their salivary samples and gastric biopsies were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori by Nested-PCR. Halitosis and coated tongue were assessed at the initial examination and 3 months after systemic eradication therapy against H. pylori.', 'Gastric biopsies of 66 patients were positive for H. pylori. Only one saliva sample was H. pylori positive. At initial examination, halitosis was observed in 20 patients (30.3%) out of 66 who had gastric H. pylori infection and in only 3 patients (9.4%) out of 32 without H. pylori infection (p = 0.0236). Coated tongue was diagnosed in 18 (27.2%) patients with the infection compared to only 2 (6.25%) patients negative for gastric H. pylori (p = 0.0164). Patients with gastric infection were treated with the triple eradication therapy (Amoxicillin, Clarythromycin, Pantoprazol) and their gastric biopsies and oral status were examined 3 months later. Halitosis was significantly more prevalent in the group of patients with persistent H. pylori infection (42.1%) compared to only 6.4% of patients in the group where infection was successfully eradicated (p = 0.0012). Coated tongue was diagnosed in 47.4% of patients where H. pylori was still present after eradication therapy and in only 6.4% where eradication succeeded (p = 0.0003).'] Does eradication of gastric Helicobacter pylori ameliorate halitosis and tongue coating? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.8286876678466797,
-1.5578851699829102,
2.3975830078125
] |
["We sought to use an innovative tool that is based on common biologic pathways to identify specific phenotypes among women with spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) to enhance investigators' ability to identify and to highlight common mechanisms and underlying genetic factors that are responsible for SPTB.", "We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective case-control multicenter study of SPTB. All cases delivered a preterm singleton at SPTB ≤34.0 weeks' gestation. Each woman was assessed for the presence of underlying SPTB causes. A hierarchic cluster analysis was used to identify groups of women with homogeneous phenotypic profiles. One of the phenotypic clusters was selected for candidate gene association analysis with the use of VEGAS software.", 'One thousand twenty-eight women with SPTB were assigned phenotypes. Hierarchic clustering of the phenotypes revealed 5 major clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 445) was characterized by maternal stress; cluster 2 (n = 294) was characterized by premature membrane rupture; cluster 3 (n = 120) was characterized by familial factors, and cluster 4 (n = 63) was characterized by maternal comorbidities. Cluster 5 (n = 106) was multifactorial and characterized by infection (INF), decidual hemorrhage (DH), and placental dysfunction (PD). These 3 phenotypes were correlated highly by χ(2) analysis (PD and DH, P < 2.2e-6; PD and INF, P = 6.2e-10; INF and DH, (P = .0036). Gene-based testing identified the INS (insulin) gene as significantly associated with cluster 3 of SPTB.'] Does cluster analysis of spontaneous preterm birth phenotypes identify potential associations among preterm birth mechanisms? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.848361849784851,
-1.4702059030532837,
2.3093674182891846
] |
['To observe the expression of nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1), a stress-related nuclear protein, in a panel of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, and its effects on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by RNA interference-mediated knockdown.', 'Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to detect Nupr1 mRNA levels in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, including BEL-7402, QSG-7703, SMMC-7721 and HepG2. After Nupr1 expression was knocked down by RNA interference, cell proliferation was monitored by MTT assay and colony formation in plate. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and cell migration was assayed by TranswellTM assay.', 'Higher expression of Nupr1 was detected in HepG2 as compared with the other cell lines. Nupr1 expression in HepG2 cells were efficiently knocked down by two short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), with inhibitory rates being 72.25% and 84.25%, respectively. HepG2 cells with Nupr1 knockdown displayed lower rate of proliferation, G1 arrest, and significantly decreased abilities of cell migration and colony formation. Western blotting showed that Nupr1 knockdown increased the expressions of p21 and p27, two negative regulators of cell cycle.'] Does [ Nuclear protein 1 knockdown inhibit proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4182541370391846,
-0.9536430239677429,
2.500276565551758
] |
['To study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on the immune function of spleen and thymus in SD rats.', 'Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats each group). Three experimental groups were given GBE daily by gavage in doses of 40, 120, 360 mg/(kg.d), respectively. Animals in the control group were fed the same amount of PBS. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed by chloral hydrate anesthesia. The spleen and thymus were harvested to determine the organ index first. MTT assay was used to detect the concanavalin A (ConA)-induced splenic lymphocyte proliferation and transformation. Neutral red assay was performed to measure the rat peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis. The ultrastructural changes of spleen and thymus were observed under scanning electron microscope.', 'Administration of GBE in the rats increased the mass indexes of rat thymus and spleen, dose-dependently elevated the lymphocyte proliferative responses and enhanced the peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis. In experimental groups, the numbers of mature spleen and thymus lymphocytes were significantly raised in comparison with the control rats.'] Does [ Ginkgo biloba extract enhance the immune function of spleen and thymus in SD rats ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.1663784980773926,
-1.231245994567871,
2.495980739593506
] |
['Vaginal bilateral cervical lips suture allows retention of intrauterine Foley catheter in women with a dilated cervix. This novel indication for vaginal bilateral cervix suture may be a useful adjunct to intrauterine balloon tamponade in the management of postpartum hemorrhage.', 'To describe an effective, minimally invasive surgical technique for avoiding intrauterine balloon tamponade prolapse.', "This procedure was performed in the delivery room with or without bladder retraction. The cervix was grasped with two ring forceps and firmly pulled outward, two cm horizontal suture of the cervical lips was made at both the three and nine o'clock positions, which were placed two cm as close to the cervix external os, without transversing the cervicovesical reflection anteriorly and the pouch of Douglas posteriorly, then one or more Foley catheters were inserted through the cervix and inflated with saline 60-80 ml each.", 'The balloons remained in place and hemorrhage abated in all nine cases.'] Do vaginal bilateral cervical lips suture in combination with intrauterine Foley catheter to arrest postpartum hemorrhage? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4076602458953857,
-1.2840064764022827,
2.785562753677368
] |
['Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE)-derived hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent cardioprotective agent. We investigated the effects of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on CSE expression and H2S generation in myocardium and examined whether DATS-mediated H2S generation effectively protects rat heart from diabetes-induced cardiac damage.', 'The correlations between the effects of hyperglycemia and diabetes on CSE expression and the effects of DATS and H2S on hyperglycemia and diabetes were examined in vitro in the cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 and in vivo in hearts from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM).', 'Expression of CSE, a catalyst of H2S production, was suppressed in H9c2 cells treated with high glucose (33 mM) and in DM rat hearts. CSE suppression also correlated with a decrease in the activation of the pro-survival protein kinase Akt. Treatment of H9c2 cells with DATS resulted in increased CSE expression and a reduction in apoptosis via a mechanism involving IGF1R/pAkt signaling and by modulating the expression of reactive oxygen species-related enzymes. The role CSE plays in the cardioprotective effects of DATS was further confirmed by CSE inhibition assays including inhibitors and siRNA.'] Does diallyl trisulfide protect against high glucose-induced cardiac apoptosis by stimulating the production of cystathionine gamma-lyase-derived hydrogen sulfide? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.590273141860962,
-1.0985090732574463,
2.6924734115600586
] |
['Telomere length and telomerase activity are important indicators of cellular senescence and replicative ability. Loss of telomerase is associated with ageing and the development of osteoarthritis. Implantation of telomerase-positive cells, chondrocytes, or stem cells expressing a normal chondrocyte phenotype is desired for cartilage repair procedures. The objective of this study was to identify at what age chondrocytes and at what passage bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) become senescent based on telomerase activity. The effect of osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) or interleukin-1α (IL-1α) treatment on telomerase activity in chondrocytes was also measured to determine the response to anabolic or catabolic stimuli.', 'Articular cartilage was collected from horses (n = 12) aged 1 month to 18 years. Chondrocytes from prepubescent horses (<15 months) were treated with OP-1 or IL-1α. Bone marrow aspirate from adult horses was collected and cultured for up to 10 days to isolate MSCs. Telomerase activity was measured using the TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISA kit.', 'Chondrocytes from prepubescent horses were positive for telomerase activity. Treatment with IL-1α resulted in a decrease in chondrocyte telomerase activity; however, treatment with OP-1 did not change telomerase activity. One MSC culture sample was positive for telomerase activity on day 2; all samples were negative for telomerase activity on day 10.'] Does telomerase Activity in Articular Chondrocytes be Lost after Puberty? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2754971981048584,
-1.3525407314300537,
2.6754560470581055
] |
['To explore the mechanisms of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)on promoting osteogenic differentiation of marrow stromal cells (MSCs).', "EPCs and MSCs were isolated and cultured successfully from C57BL/7 murine bone marrow by in vitro amplification. EPC-conditioned medium (CM) was extracted to detect the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 14 days of induction, alizarin red staining was used to detect every group's calcium salt deposition. And analyses were conducted for the effects of above mentioned antibodies of cytokines on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.", 'Positive rates of EPCs were 79.3%, 79.5%, 76.4% for VEGFR2, CD34 and CD133 respectively, and EPCs could form tube-like structure on matrigel. EPCs secreted VEGF, TGFβ1, PDGF, IGF-1, SDF-1 and bFGF. MSC/EPC group formed more mineralized nodules than MSC group, and semi-quantitative results showed the optical density of MSC/EPC group was higher than that of MSC group (0.733 ± 0.032 vs 0.236 ± 0.020, P < 0.001). The number of formed mineralized nodules of 50% EPC-CM group were more than those of 25% EPC-CM group, and semi-quantitative results showed that the optical density of 50% EPC-CM group was higher than that of 25% EPC-CM group (0.637 ± 0.028 vs 0.336 ± 0.024, P < 0.001), the number of formed mineralized nodules of 25% EPC-CM group were more than those of 0 EPC-CM group, and semi-quantitative results showed that the optical density of 25% EPC-CM group was higher than that of 0 EPC-CM group (0.336 ± 0.024 vs 0.239 ± 0.013, P = 0.004). On the basis of 50% of EPC-CM, the number of formed mineralized nodules significantly declined in the presence of anti-VEGF antibody, anti-TGFβ1 antibody, anti-IGF-1 antibody (P < 0.01).'] Do [ Endothelial progenitor cells promote osteogenic differentiation of marrow stromal cells in a paracrine manner ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4564210176467896,
-1.7186672687530518,
2.1823670864105225
] |
['Previous studies investigating the relationship between sleep duration and cognitive function in older adults have suggested that longer sleep durations are associated with decreased cognitive performance.', 'The intent of this study is to determine if performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) is associated with self-reported sleep duration in older adults.', 'Data from 189 cognitively normal older adults aged 75 and older (mean age 89.29\xa0±\xa07.62) and free of severe depression were used for this analysis. Individuals were grouped based on their self-reported hours of sleep (short duration\xa0=\xa0<7, normal duration\xa0=\xa07, >9, and long duration\xa0=\xa0≥9). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to discern group differences on the MoCA scores, while multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between MoCA and MMSE scores and sleep group.', 'The long duration group had significantly lower MoCA scores than the normal duration group (p\xa0=\xa00.02). The short duration group was not significantly different from the normal duration group (p\xa0=\xa00.33). Individuals in the short duration group were more likely to have higher MoCA scores than those in long duration group after adjusting for age, gender, and presence of depressive symptoms [OR 0.86, 95\xa0% CI (0.76, 0.98), p\xa0=\xa00.02].'] Is longer self-reported sleep duration associated with decreased performance on the montreal cognitive assessment in older adults? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.006211034953594208,
-1.4839239120483398,
0.4953985810279846
] |
['This study investigates the effect of spectral loudness summation (SLS) in the electrical domain as perceived by cochlear implant (CI) users. Analogous to SLS in the acoustical domain, SLS was defined as the effect of electrode separation at a fixed overall stimulation rate.', 'Categorical loudness scaling (CLS) was conducted at three overall stimulation rates using single-electrode stimuli and multi-electrode stimuli presented interleaved on two or four electrodes. The specific loudness of the pulses in the multi-electrode stimuli were equalized based on single-electrode measurements at the same overall stimulation rate. At a fixed overall stimulation rate and a fixed loudness perception, SLS was calculated as the difference in mean current between single-electrode and multi-electrode stimuli.', 'Ten postlingually deafened adult CI users.', 'The amount of SLS varied between subjects and between the number and location of the stimulated electrodes in the multi-electrode configuration. SLS was significantly higher than 0 for a subset of the subjects.'] Do spectral loudness summation for electrical stimulation in cochlear implant users? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.2308971881866455,
-0.8295031189918518,
2.238131046295166
] |
['We aimed to evaluate the three hypopnea criteria, A and B from 2007 and the revised from 2012, proposed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for scoring sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) in patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).', 'Polysomnographies (PSGs) in patients with TIA or stroke were scored according to the A-, B-, and 2012-hypopnea criteria.', 'Sixty-three PSGs were eligible for hypopnea scoring. There was no difference in the number of patients diagnosed with the B- and 2012-criteria. Therefore, they are mentioned as one. Forty-seven patients (75 %) were diagnosed with SRBD using the A-criteria versus 57 patients (90 %) using the B/2012-criteria (p\u2009<\u20090.0016). In 30 cases, a change from A- to B/2012-criteria resulted in a change in diagnosis. Ten cases of "no SRBD" changed to mild/moderate/severe SRBD. An apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >15 is a typical indication of treatment. With the B/2012-criteria, we found an additional indication of treatment in 18 patients, compared to when the A-criteria were applied (p\u2009<\u20090.0001). Two of these patients were labeled as no SRBD with the A-criteria.'] Does sleep apnea diagnosis vary with the hypopnea criteria applied? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.192489743232727,
-1.239113688468933,
1.4484807252883911
] |
['Learning from adverse events and near misses may reduce the incidence of preventable errors. Current literature on adverse events and near misses in the ICU focuses on errors reported by nurses and intensivists. ICU near misses identified by anesthesia providers may reveal critical events, causal mechanisms and system weaknesses not identified by other providers, and may differ in character and causality from near misses in other anesthesia locations.', 'We analyzed events reported to our anesthesia near miss reporting system from 2009 to 2011. We compared causative mechanisms of ICU near misses with near misses in other anesthesia locations.', 'A total of 1,811 near misses were reported, of which 22 (1.2 %) originated in the ICU. Five causal mechanisms explained over half of ICU near misses. Compared to near misses from other locations, near misses from the ICU were more likely to occur while on call (45 % vs. 19 %, p\u2009=\u20090.001), and were more likely to be associated with airway management (50 % vs. 12 %, p\u2009<\u20090.001). ICU near misses were less likely to be associated with equipment issues (23 % vs. 48 %, p\u2009=\u20090.02).'] Does an analysis of near miss identified by anesthesia providers in the intensive care unit? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-0.8770574331283569,
-1.005781888961792,
1.0696474313735962
] |
['We previously showed that subsequent intrathecal (i.t.) injection of resveratrol (30\xa0μg) significantly reverses morphine-evoked neuroinflammation in morphine-tolerant rats. The present study examined the underlying mechanism.', 'Male Wistar rats were implanted with two i.t. catheters, one of which was connected to a miniosmotic pump and used for morphine (15\xa0μg/h) or saline infusion for 120 hours. To examine the effects on spinal cord expression of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and TNF receptor (TNFR) 1 and TNFR2 during tolerance induction, a tail-flick test was performed prior to infusion and after 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, and 120 hours of infusion.', 'Resveratrol treatment prior to morphine challenge restored the antinociceptive effect of morphine in morphine-tolerant rats and reversed the morphine infusion-induced increase in HDAC1, TNF-α, and TNFR1 expression. Moreover, chronic morphine infusion increased TNFR1-specific expression in neuron in morphine-tolerant rat spinal cords, and this effect was almost completely inhibited by resveratrol treatment prior to morphine challenge.'] Does resveratrol reverse morphine-induced neuroinflammation in morphine-tolerant rats by reversal HDAC1 expression? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.473212957382202,
-1.2805603742599487,
2.8263678550720215
] |
['Clusterin/apolipoprotein J (apoJ) circulates in blood in part associated to lipoproteins or in unbound form. When bound to HDL, apoJ is antiatherogenic by inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis; thus, any factor modifying apoJ association to HDL would decrease its antiatherogenic function. However, the exact distribution of apoJ in each lipoprotein fraction, or in lipoprotein-non bound form has not been specifically investigated either in normolipemia or in dyslipemia.', 'Basic lipid profile and apoJ concentration were determined in sera from 70 subjects, including a wide range of cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Lipoproteins were isolated by ultracentrifugation and their lipid and apolipoprotein composition was assessed.', 'In the overall population, serum apoJ positively associated with cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL-C concentrations, and HDL-C and triglyceride were independent predictors of increased apoJ concentration. Approximately, 20.5% of circulating apoJ was associated with lipoproteins (18.5% HDL, 0.9% LDL and 1.1% VLDL) and 79.5% was not bound to lipoproteins. Serum apoJ concentration was higher in hypercholesterolemic (HC), hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) and combined hyperlipidemic (CHL) sera compared to normolipemic (NL) sera (HC, 98.15\xa0±\xa033.6\xa0mg/L; HTG, 103.3\xa0±\xa036.8\xa0mg/L; CHL, 131.7\xa0±\xa026.8\xa0mg/L; NL, 66.7\xa0±\xa033.8\xa0mg/L; P\xa0<\xa00.001). ApoJ distribution was also altered in hyperlipidemia; approximately 30% of circulating apoJ was associated to lipoproteins in the NL group whereas this proportion rounded 15% in hyperlipidemic subjects.'] Is increased concentration of clusterin/apolipoprotein J ( apoJ ) in hyperlipemic serum paradoxically associated with decreased apoJ content in lipoproteins? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.4196983575820923,
-1.7552447319030762,
2.124098062515259
] |
['To observe the role of autophagy in maintaining diabetic neuropathic pain in rats model.', 'A total of 44 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into diabetic neuropathic (n = 36) and normal control (n = 8) groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg body weight, i.p) freshly dissolved in citrate buffer (pH = 4.5). For assessing the presence of mechanical hyperalgesia in diabetic rats, mechanical paw-withdrawal threshold (MWT) in response to punctuate mechanical stimuli was measured. At Week 4 post-injection, the rats with mechanical pain threshold decreasing over 50% as compared to baseline were designated as diabetic neuropathic pain rats. They were randomly divided into three groups of neuropathic pain (DP), neuropathic pain plus rapamycin (DR) and neuropathic pain plus 3-methyladenine (3-MA) (DA). The DR group received an intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin (1 mg/kg body weight) for Day 1 to Day 14 after grouping. At the same timepoint, the DA group had an intraperitoneal injection of 3-MA (2 mg/kg body weight) and the other group phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (1 ml/kg body weight). MWT was measured at week 1, 2, 3, 4 after STZ injection and at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 14 after rapamycin, 3-MA or PBS injections. Spinal cord tissues were used to examine the expression of LC3, Beclin-1 and P62 protein by Western blot at Day 14 after medication.', 'The mechanical threshold of group DR decreased further from Day 3 to Day 14 after rapamycin injection compared to baseline [(4.8±0.8), (4.3±0.7), (4.1±0.6), (3.6±0.5), (3.3±0.6) vs (5.3±0.9) g, P<0.05]. The mechanical threshold of group DA began to increase from Day 5 to Day 14 after 3-MA injection [(7.0±0.8), (7.7±1.0), (9.1±0.9), (9.6±1.1) vs (5.3±0.6) g, P<0.05]. The expressions of LC3-II and Beclin-1 protein in spinal cord of rapamycin-treated rats was significantly higher than those of non-supplemented diabetics (1.32±0.12 vs 1.02±0.11; 1.03±0.08 vs 0.80±0.06, P<0.05). Otherwise the expressions of these protein in spinal cord of 3-MA-treated rats were significantly lower than those of non-supplemented diabetics (0.70±0.09 vs 1.02±0.11; 0.55±0.05 vs 0.80±0.06, P<0.05).'] Does [ Activated autophagy in spinal cord contribute to maintaining diabetic neuropathic pain in rats model ]? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.782865285873413,
-1.6327898502349854,
2.4130945205688477
] |
['To analyze the association between the plasma C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP-3) concentrations, obesity, and type II diabetes in the Chinese population.', 'The plasma CTRP-3 concentrations were analyzed in 174 Chinese subjects with obesity (n\xa0=\xa043), type II diabetes (n\xa0=\xa041), obesity combined with type II diabetes (n\xa0=\xa045), and healthy subjects (n\xa0=\xa045), as were various clinical parameters of obesity-related metabolic disorders and adipokines.', 'The plasma CTRP-3 concentrations were significantly lower in patients with obesity and type II diabetes than in healthy subjects (P\xa0<\xa0.01). Obese type II diabetic patients had the lowest CTRP-3 concentrations. Correlation analysis revealed that the plasma CTRP-3 concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with body mass index, waist circumferences, fasting plasma glucose, 2\xa0h plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, triglyceride, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and interleukin 6 levels and were positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (all P\xa0<\xa0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hemoglobin A1c (β\xa0=\xa0-0.232, P\xa0=\xa0.023), triglyceride (β\xa0=\xa0-0.147, P\xa0=\xa0.040), and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (β\xa0=\xa0-0.172, P\xa0=\xa0.031) were independently correlated with circulating CTRP-3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma CTRP-3 concentrations were significantly correlated with obesity, even after adjusting for glucose metabolic factors.'] Do plasma CTRP-3 concentrations in Chinese patients with obesity and type II diabetes negatively correlate with insulin resistance? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.6849199533462524,
-1.4523108005523682,
2.123375415802002
] |
['Micronutrient supplementation is often prescribed during pregnancy. The effects of prenatal iron and multimicronutrient supplementation on intellectual development in young school-aged children are less than clear.', 'The aim of this study was to examine the long-term effects of prenatal iron plus folic acid or multiple micronutrient (including iron and folic acid) supplementation vs. folic acid supplementation on the intellectual development of young school-aged children in rural China.', 'Young school-aged children (aged 7-10 y, n = 1744) of women who had participated in a trial of prenatal supplementation with various combinations of micronutrients and remained residents in 2 rural counties in China were followed. We measured their intellectual development by Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). The WISC-IV generated the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Working Memory Index (WMI), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), and Processing Speed Index (PSI). Multilevel analyses were used to assess the effect of prenatal micronutrient supplementation on the intellectual development of children.', 'The mean differences in FSIQ, VCI, WMI, PRI, and PSI, respectively, were not significant between prenatal folic acid supplementation and either iron plus folic acid [-0.34 (P = 0.65), -0.06 (P = 0.95), -0.22 (P = 0.76), -0.01 (P = 0.99), and -1.26 (P = 0.11)] or multimicronutrient [-0.39 (P = 0.60), -0.64 (P = 0.48), 0.11 (P = 0.87), -0.43 (P = 0.59), and -0.34; (P = 0.65)] supplementation after adjusting for confounders.'] Is prenatal Micronutrient Supplementation Associated with Intellectual Development of Young School-Aged Children? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-1.491747498512268,
-1.2220170497894287,
1.7320526838302612
] |
['Potential gene therapy application of single and co-expression of interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to alter disease progression was investigated in an in-vivo rabbit model of osteoarthritis (OA).', 'Sixteen young adult rabbits were randomly and equally divided into four groups: blank control group, IL-1Ra transfection group, TGF-β1 transfection group, and IL-1Ra/TGF-β1 double transfection group. Histological examinations were performed to monitor disease progression after haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of articular cartilage. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 in synovial membrane tissues. Exogenous IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 content was assessed in joint lavage fluid using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).', 'ELISA measurements from the joint lavage fluid showed high expressions of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 in the single and double transfection groups. Remarkably, concomitant reductions in IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were observed in these single and double transfection groups. Radioimmunoassay (RIA)-based detection showed that IL-1β and TNF-α levels in the gene transfection groups were significantly lower compared to the blank control group, in parallel experiments. Importantly, injection of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 expressing cartilage cells into joints led to a significant inhibition of cartilage matrix degradation. Finally, IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 expression in tissues correlated with disease reversal in the experimental group, with improved tissue architecture and collagen deposition.'] Does exogenous expression of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 promote in vivo repair in experimental rabbit osteoarthritis? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.325547456741333,
-1.3973723649978638,
2.748885154724121
] |
['Osteochondral graft transplantation has garnered significant attention because of its ability to replace the lesion with true hyaline cartilage. However, surgical impaction of the graft to anchor it into the defect site can be traumatic and lead to cell death and cartilage degeneration. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that increasing impulse magnitude during impaction of osteochondral plugs has a direct effect on loss of cell viability.', 'In this controlled laboratory study, the impaction force was kept constant while the impulse was varied. Ninety-six osteochondral plugs were extracted from the trochlea of bovine stifle joints and were randomly assigned into 3 experimental and 1 (nonimpacted) control group. The transferred impulse of the experimental groups reflected the median and the lower and upper quartiles of preceding clinical measurements. Data were obtained at day 0, day 4, and day 8; at each point, cell viability was assessed using the Live/Dead staining kit and histological assessments were performed to visualize matrix structural changes.', 'After impaction, cartilage samples stayed intact and did not show any histological signs of matrix disruption. As expected, higher impulse magnitudes introduced more cell death; however, this relationship was lost at day 8 after impaction.'] Does osteochondral Tissue Cell Viability be Affected by Total Impulse during Impaction Grafting? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.4899165630340576,
-1.1234570741653442,
2.675919771194458
] |
['Many processes are deregulated in melanoma cells and one of those is protein production. Although much is known about protein synthesis in cancer cells, effective ways of therapeutically targeting this process remain an understudied area of research. A process that is upregulated in melanoma compared with normal melanocytes is proline biosynthesis, which has been linked to both oncogene and tumor suppressor pathways, suggesting an important convergent point for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, an RNAi screen of a kinase library was undertaken, identifying aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family, member A1 (ALDH18A1) as a critically important gene in regulating melanoma cell growth through proline biosynthesis. Inhibition of ALDH18A1, the gene encoding pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), significantly decreased cultured melanoma cell viability and tumor growth. Knockdown of P5CS using siRNA had no effect on apoptosis, autophagy, or the cell cycle but cell-doubling time increased dramatically suggesting that there was a general slowdown in cellular metabolism. Mechanistically, targeting ALDH18A1 activated the serine/threonine protein kinase GCN2 (general control nonderepressible 2) to inhibit protein synthesis, which could be reversed with proline supplementation. Thus, targeting ALDH18A1 in melanoma can be used to disrupt proline biosynthesis to limit cell metabolism thereby increasing the cellular doubling time mediated through the GCN2 pathway.'] Does disruption of Proline Synthesis in Melanoma inhibit Protein Production Mediated by the GCN2 Pathway? | qiaojin/PubMedQA | 2 | [
-2.5125036239624023,
-1.1089452505111694,
2.687480926513672
] |
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